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The Newsletter
of
First Presbyterian Church
Roswell, New Mexico
May 2018
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THE PASTOR'S REFLECTIONS
"MAINTAINING FOCUS"
Revitalization and growth necessarily require a substantial change in the way a church does things. Someone wryly noted quite some years ago that insanity may be defined by doing the same things over and over again, and expecting a different outcome. Another astute commentator, also some years ago, defined the last seven words of a church: "We've never done it that way before."
Our church implicitly has identified five major centers of ministry, found in five of the Session Committees:
- Worship
- Christian Education (Discipleship Development)
- Fellowship
- Evangelism
- Mission
These five ministries have been identified by many churches and church consultants as necessary for churches to thrive and grow. Healthy churches strive to balance time, effort, and resources among these ministries.
Your Session and I, and other leaders, are dedicated to maintaining focus on these five ministry centers as we continue to abide in Christ, and remain open to the movement of God's Holy Spirit. It is easy for us to become distracted by other things. God calls us to maintain our focus, so that we may be faithful and effective agents of God's kingdom here and now, and so that Roswell FPC may revitalize and grow both numerically and spiritually, to God's glory in service to our neighbors.
Your prayers and the application of your own gifts, skills, and aptitudes are needed! Please contact me if you have ideas or your own Spirit-promptings.
Grace and peace,
Pastor John
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THE SEASON OF EASTER
The Easter Season begins on Resurrection Sunday and extends for 50 days, ending on Pentecost Sunday, which is May 20th this year. There are then seven Sundays in the Easter Season, during which we continue to sing resurrection hymns and read Scripture related to Christ's resurrection. The liturgical color for the season is white.
We have seven weeks to explicitly celebrate the resurrection, God's infinitely precious gift of grace, to us, poor sinners and beloved children. Join us in worship as we together rejoice and give thanks!
Pastor John
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Blending the unique sounds of folk and blues, Harp Jensen has achieved national acclaim over the past year. A
PENTECOST SUNDAY
MAY 20th
Wear the colors of a flame: red, orange, yellow, or a combination! We celebrate God's gift of the Holy Spirit, who sets our hearts af
i
r
e!
See Acts 2:1-21.
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Communion Sunday
May 6th
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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| New Pastor's Study: Ecclesiastes
This series is now underway, meeting at 5:15pm on Wednesdays in the Paul Snead Library, through May 30th.
"I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind." What's
that all about?! Come and see. Contact Pastor John for more information.
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Dates to Remember!
May 1st
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Men's Fellowship Luncheon - noon, Peppers Restaurant
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May 3rd
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Deacons - 5:00pm, Deacons' Room
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May 11th
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Church Management Committee - 7:00am, Cerritos Restaurant
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May 13th
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Mother's Day!
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May17th
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Session - 5:15pm, Library
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May 22
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Mission Committee - 4:00pm, Parlor |
May 28th
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Memorial Day Holiday! The Church Office will be closed. |
June 16th
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General Assembly Opening Worship Watch Party - 9:00am, FPC
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Wednesdays
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Breakfast Group - 7:30am, Martin's Capitol Cafe
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Wednesdays
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Pastor's Study - 5:30pm, Paul Snead Library
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Wednesdays
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Choir Practice - 7:00pm, Choir Room
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Fridays
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Prayer Group - noon, Parlor |
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May 2018 Worship Schedule
May 6th - 6th Sunday of Easter
Celebration of the Lord's Supper
Scriptures: Acts 10:44; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
May 13th - 7th Sunday of Easter
Scriptures: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1;
1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
May 20th - Day of Pentecost
Scriptures: Ezekiel 37:1-14;
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:22-27;
Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
May 27th - Trinity Sunday
Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12-17;
John 3:1-17
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Roswell Jazz Festival Fundraiser!
The Roswell Jazz Festival presents its second annual Fundraiser Concert featuring world class jazz pianist, Carl Sonny Leyland, on Sunday, April 29th, 2:00-4:00pm at the Anderson Museum, 409 E. College.
In addition to his fabulous music (including boogie woogie), there will also be a Silent Auction. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the Anderson Museum, online, or from Paula Grieves. Doors open at 1:00pm. Hope to see you there!
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Roswell Jazz Festival October 17-October 21, 2018, www.roswelljazz.org!
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GRADUATION CELEBRATION!
A High School Graduation Celebration is set for Sunday, May 13th, in the Narthex following worship.
The graduating students are Obed Abel, Raylene Moore, Elexis De La Rosa, and Perla Lopez. Join us to congratulate them! Refreshments will be served.
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TOYS FOR TOTS PARTY!
Saturday, June 16th
4:00-7:00pm
Jim and Karen Bloodhart will host a Toys for Tots Party
to kick off this year's fundraising drive.
And to celebrate Jim's birthday!
Food - Fun - Fellowship
RSVP 623-3841
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Men's Fellowship Luncheon
The Men's Fellowship Luncheon for May is set for Tuesday, May 1st, at noon, at Peppers Restaurant!
The guest speaker for the luncheon will be Donald Burleson, who will speak about the Aztec UFO crash retrieval 70 years ago. He is the author of the book "UFO Secrecy and the Fall of J. Robert Oppenheimer". Women are invited too! Please RSVP to Wayne Glass or contact him for more information.
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Highlights from the April Meeting of Session
- Narthex carpet, new skylights, window repairs
- Nominating Committee goes to work
- Homeless shelters reopen
- Fellowship Committee plans summer cookout
- Holy Week visibility: Daily Record and Facebook
- New Pastor's Study
Click HERE to read the full Session report.
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Deacon Flocks
The Deacons of First Presbyterian have initiated a new ministry to make sure that all members and friends of the congregation receive regular contact from our church. Each Deacon has been assigned a "flock" of families and individuals. These Shepherds will contact the members of their flocks regularly to make sure their connection to our congregation remains vital and strong.
Look forward to hearing from your Shepherd soon!
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| Wednesday Breakfast Group You are invited to enjoy breakfast at Martin's Capitol Café every Wednesday at 7:30am. See you there!
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Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir meets Wednesdays at 7:00pm in the Choir Room for rehearsal. For more information, please contact Ralph Kaler, Music Director, through the Church Office, (575) 622-4910.
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Prayer Group
The Prayer Group gathers every Friday at noon in the Church 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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A Message from Jeanette Schaffer
Director, Presbyterian Outreach
May 2018
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." ~ Romans 13:8
The outreach ministry has been extremely busy these past couple of months, which is very unusual for Spring time. Usually the moderate weather causes lower utility bills resulting in fewer customers. But not this time!!!
Click
HERE to read more.
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 Blending the unique sounds of folk and blues, Harp Jensen ha
THIS MONTH'S
FEATURED MISSION COWORKER:
CHENOA STOCK
Click
HERE to read more about Chenoa's ministry.
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Serving This Month
May 6th
Service Elder: Dietta Hitchcock
Liturgist: Margy Barbour
Phone Message Reader: Sally Anderson
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Rebecca Johnson
Chancel Guild: Wendy Lunsford, Betsy Cunningham, Lucy Tucker
May 13th
Service Elder: Bob Kurtz
Liturgist: Paula Grieves
Phone Message Reader: Ann Ruback
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Connie Wolf
Chancel Guild: Margo Fullinwider, Martha Brown, Brenna Smith
May 20th
Service Elder: Roy Hayes
Liturgist: Dietta Hitchcock
Phone Message Reader: Matt Hinkle
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Nancy Peterson
Chancel Guild: Kate Daniels, Martha Mayer
May 27th
Service Elder: ________
Liturgist: Margy Barbour
Phone Message Reader: Mary Lou Glass
Deacon Hospital Visitation: ________
Chancel Guild: Lynn Karnes, Ann Hultman, Connie Wolf
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 May Birthdays!
5th
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Knox Smith
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19th
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Larry Barbour
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20th
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Susan Hinkle
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20th
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Rachel Mysza
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28th
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Lucy Tucker
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31st
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Leslie Lawner
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May Anniversaries!
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15th
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John and Mary Kling
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EASTER BREAKFAST
The De La Rosa family and Ralph Kaler
THE EASTER EGG HUNT
From left to right: Carlton Edwards, Natalie Edwards, Knox Smith, Brenna Smith, Elexa De La Rosa, and Edward De La Rosa.
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
The Sanctuary
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
Guests from Mozambique with Lucy Tucker
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123 Street Name City, ST - 555.555.5555
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