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The Newsletter of
First Presbyterian Church
Roswell, New Mexico
November 2018
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The Pastor's Reflections
The Confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
3. The Scots Confession
Saints, over a period of several months I am featuring one of the twelve documents in our Book of Confessions as my "Reflection." This month it's "The Scots Confession" of 1560. This summary is taken directly from the PCUSA Book of Confessions. Read on!
"Beginning with a pledge of unconditional commitment to the triune God who creates, sustains, rules, and guides all things, the first eleven chapters of the Scots Confession narrate God's providential acts in the events of biblical history. The kirk (church) of the present and future is continuous with the kirk of God's people going back to Adam."
Take the opportunity to learn more about our confessional heritage!
Blessings,
Pastor John
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Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 4th
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The Lord's Supper
Sunday, November 4th
Come celebrate the Feast of the Lord!
If you would like to receive home Communion,
please call the Church Office at 622-4910.
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November Calendar
November 1st
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Deacons Meeting - 5:00pm, Deacons' Room
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November 4th
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Daylight Saving Time Ends
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November 6th
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Men's Fellowship Luncheon - Noon,
Peppers Restaurant
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November 9th
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Church Management Committee -
7:00am, Fellowship Hall
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November 12th
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Veteran's Day Holiday Observance -
Office Closed
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November 15th
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Session Meeting - 5:30pm, Library
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November 22nd
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Thanksgiving Day Holiday - Office Closed
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November 23rd
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Office Closed
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November 23rd
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Community Kitchen Crew - 9:15am
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Wednesdays
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Wednesday Breakfast Group - 7:30am,
Martin's Capital Café
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Wednesdays
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Choir Rehearsal - 7:00pm, Choir Room
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Fridays
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Prayer Group - Noon, Parlor
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The Liturgical Calendar
November and December
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Christ the King/Reign of Christ
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November 25
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First Sunday of Advent
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December 2
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Second Sunday of Advent
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December 9
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Third Sunday of Advent
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December 16
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
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December 23
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Christmas Eve Worship
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December 24
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November Worship Schedul
e
November 4th 1:1; 2:1-10; Psalm
Ruth 1:1-18; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34
November 11th
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24
Mark 12:38-44
November 18th
1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10;
Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8
November 25th, Christ the King/Reign of Christ
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-18;
Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Read the Scripture passages
HERE
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Serving in November
November 4th
Service Elder: Rebecca Johnson
Liturgist: Kalith Smith
Phone Message Reader: Margy Barbour
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Mary Lou Glass
Chancel Guild: Margo Fullinwider, Martha Brown
November 11th
Service Elder: Bill Wolf
Liturgist: Dietta Hitchcock
Phone Message Reader: Ann Ruback
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Lorrie Miller
Chancel Guild: Martha Mayer, Deb Prince, Jacque Allen
November 18th
Service Elder: Deb Prince
Liturgist: Dixie Loy
Phone Message Reader: Matt Hinkle
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Ann Ruback
Chancel Guild: Lynn Karnes, Ann Hultman, Connie Wolf
November 25th
Service Elder: Doug Lunsford
Liturgist: Margy Barbour
Phone Message Reader: Mary Lou Glass
Deacon Hospital Visitation:
Mary Hubbard
Chancel Guild: Mary Lou Glass, Rebecca Johnson, Roberta Pess
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Stewardship Season 2018
"Rejoice in the Lord Always!"
The 2018 season of stewardship for First Presbyterian Church is in its second phase, during which we gather pledges from individuals and families who have not yet returned a pledge for 2019. Letters with return envelopes and pledge cards went out to these households on October 19th. If you did not receive a letter, please call the office (622-4910) and we will get one to you right away. If you received a letter, please respond with your pledge as soon as you can. Thank you.
Your pledge of giving (and your giving) are offerings to God, through our church, a response to God's grace and Christ's redemption. Yes, they enable us to do mission, maintain our facilities, and pay our staff (among many other things), but both pledging and giving are fundamentally spiritual disciplines. Pledges are offered in recognition that everything belongs to God, that we are stewards/managers of God's things.
Our theme for this year's stewardship season is "Rejoice in the Lord Always!" from Paul's Philippian letter. Pledging and giving are joyful responses. Thank you sincerely for your own joyful response!
Many blessings,
Pastor John
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Stewardship Season 2018
"Just the Facts"
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Number
of Pledges
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Total
Value
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2019 (To date)
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47 |
$212,492
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| 2018 |
53 |
$249,180
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| 2017 |
55 |
$224,910
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| 2016 |
62 |
$232,884
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| 2015 |
50 |
$220,080
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Pastor's Discretionary Fund
Thank You!
Several of you responded to my plea in last month's newsletter to help replenish the dedicated fund I use to help Roswell neighbors in need with such things as gas for cars, apartment rent, and utilities. Thank you! So far this year I have helped about 45 individuals or families.
Donations are always welcome. Write "Pastor's Fund" on the memo line of your check. Thank you for helping to maintain this means of caring for our neighbors.
Pastor John
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Pastor John Would Love
to Have Coffee or Lunch or Dinner
With You!
Call, text, or email him to set up an appointment!
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Invite a Friend!
"Eighty-two percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited."
-Dr. Thom Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door
"80% of people who come to Christ were invited to church by someone they knew."
-Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Whom might you invite?
"Go therefore and make disciples of all people..."
-Jesus, Matthew 28:19
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Featured PC(USA) 
Mission Co-workers
for November
Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado Escobar
Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado are mission
co-workers with the Presbyterian Border Ministry in Agua Prieta, Mexico.
Read more about the Adams/Maldonado ministry
HERE
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Chancel Choir Rehearsals
 The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm. Please contact Ralph Kaler, Music Director, through the Church Office at (575) 622-4910 for more information. New choir members are very welcome!
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Men's Fellowship Luncheon Group
Tuesday, November 6th
The Men's Fellowship Luncheon Group will meet on Tuesday, November 6th, at noon at Peppers Restaurant. Women are very welcome, too!
Pastor John will offer a review of the major events and figures of the Protestant Reformation.
Please RSVP to Wayne Glass.
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Wednesday Breakfast Group
You are invited to enjoy breakfast at Martin's Capitol Café every Wednesday at 7:30am. ______________________ |
Prayer Group
The Prayer Group gathers every Friday at noon in the Parlor. Participants pray for our church and its members, and for our community, nation, and the world.
Come as you are able; everyone is welcome. Contact Pastor John for more information.
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Daily Inspirational Phone Message
Start your day with an inspiring message!
(575) 622-4923
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Highlights
October 2018 Meeting of Session
The FPC Session met for its monthly regular meeting on Thursday, October 15th.
Rev. Guthrie led a discussion on part of The Book of Order, "The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity."
The Clerk of Session (Bob Kurtz) has begun work on the annual PCUSA Clerk's Questionnaire.
Review of the church membership rolls continues.
The Church Management Committee (Jim Bloodhart, Chair) brought an update on current facilities projects, including the building roof, Kentucky Street lights, playground fence, a zoning change to allow the marquee sign update, and hallway restrooms.
The Personnel Committee (Bob Kurtz) reported that custodian Joe Fuentes has returned to work following medical leave. Session briefly discussed the proposed part-time Communications & Outreach Director position.
The Fellowship Committee (Lynn Karnes) reported on preparations for the stewardship celebration luncheon, set for October 14th. A Holiday Luncheon in November/December is tentatively planned.
The Evangelism Committee (Deb Prince) reported the purchase of exterior directional signs to help Sunday visitors. Doug Lunsford will join the committee.
The Christian Education Committee (John Guthrie) reported continued satisfaction with the current "Disciple Fast Track" class, meeting Monday evenings.
The Stewardship Committee (John Guthrie) reported that the stewardship program is unfolding as planned. October 14 was Celebration Sunday. The committee is now seeking pledges from families/individuals who have so far not submitted one. Thank you notes will go out soon.
Session approved the church's participation in a November 4 community prayer walk and a December 23 community Christmas service.
The Clerk of Session continues work on an emergency action plan and inventory of church property.
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November
Birthdays!
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3rd
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Mahy Dai Jah
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4th
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Carola Spreacker
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10th
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Betsy Cunningham
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11th
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Buzz Johnson
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19th
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Kate Daniels |
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November Anniversaries!
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| 11th |
Larry & Dixie Loy |
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A Message from Jeanette Schaffer, Director
Presbyterian Outreach Ministry
"...whoever drinks of the water that I (Jesus) will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
With all the rain we have had lately it is hard not to think about water. I love the rain, but this time around it seems to have brought me some rough challenges. My roof has sprung several leaks, and the cost of repairs is out of my budget. But even worse, it has caused my horse to slip on the muddy ground, fall and hurt herself. So, I ponder the question, 'how can something so good bring so much bad?'...
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The "Worship in Jazz" Service
October 21, 2018
First United Methodist Church
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A Note of Thanks
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November 22nd
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
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