The FPC Herald - February 2019

The FPC Herald

The Newsletter of

First Presbyterian Church

Roswell, New Mexico

February 2019

The Pastor's Reflections

Continuing our journey through the PC(USA) Book of Confessions, we consider another Reformation document:

V. The Second Helvetic Confession

The word "Helvetic" is Latin for "Swiss." The setting of the Second Helvetic Confession is Swiss-German Reformed Protestantism.

After the great Reformer Ulrich Zwingli died in battle in 1531, Heinrich Bullinger succeeded him as minister of the church in Zurich. Bullinger was a model Reformed minister. A preacher, he expounded Scripture at least twice a week. A scholar, he wrote Latin commentaries on many books of the Old Testament and on every book of the New Testament except Revelation. An educator, he initiated a system of schools for Zurich and was rector of the Carolinum, a theological academy. A person with ecumenical and political concerns, he was in correspondence with leaders of the Reformation and with rulers throughout Europe. A pastor, he welcomed religious refugees into his own home. When the plague swept through Zurich in 1564, he insisted upon ministering to the afflicted, even though he knew he might become infected and die.

Blessings,

Pastor John

(This summary is taken from the Book of Confessions.)

The Lord's Supper

Sunday, February 3rd

Come celebrate the Feast of the Lord!

If you would like to receive home Communion,

please call the Church Office at 622-4910.

February Calendar

February 3rd	Communion Sunday
February 3rd	Winter Congregational Meeting after worship
February 7th	Deacons Meeting - 5:00pm, Deacons' Room
February 8th	Church Management Committee - 7:00am, Fellowship Hall
February 9th	Ladies Valentine Luncheon - 11:30am-2:00pm, Fellowship Hall
February 12th	Men's Fellowship Luncheon - Noon, Peppers Restaurant
February 18th	Presidents' Day Holiday - Office closed
February 21st	Session Meeting - 5:00pm, Library
February 22nd	Community Kitchen Ministry - 9:15am
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Wednesdays	Wednesday Breakfast Group - 7:30am, Martin's Capital Café
Wednesdays	Choir Rehearsal - 7:00 p.m.
Fridays	Prayer Group - Noon, Parlor

February Worship Schedule and Scripture Readings

February 3 - 4th Sunday after Epiphany

Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13;

Luke 4:21-30

February 10 - 5th Sunday after Epiphany

Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13); Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

February 17 - 5th Sunday after Epiphany

Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20;

Luke 6:17-26

February 24 - 6th Sunday after Epiphany

Genesis 45:3-11; 15; Psalm 37:1-11,39-40;

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38

Read the Scripture passages HERE.

Serving in February

February 3rd

Service Elder: Doug Lunsford

Liturgist: Betty Young

Phone Message Reader: Margy Barbour

Deacon Hospital Visitation: Martha Mayer

Chancel Guild: Mary Lou Glass, Rebecca Johnson, Roberta Pess

February 10th

Service Elder: Bill Wolf

Liturgist: Bob Kurtz

Phone Message Reader: Ann Ruback

Deacon Hospital Visitation: Rebecca Johnson

Chancel Guild: Wendy Lunsford, Betsy Cunningham, Lucy Tucker

February 17th

Service Elder: Deb Prince

Liturgist: Margy Barbour

Phone Message Reader: Matt Hinkle

Deacon Hospital Visitation: Lorrie Miller

Chancel Guild: Margo Fullinwider, Martha Brown

February 24th

Service Elder: ________

Liturgist: Bob Carroll

Phone Message Reader: Mary Lou Glass

Deacon Hospital Visitation: Ann Ruback

Chancel Guild: Martha Mayer

Winter Congregational Meeting

February 3rd

The Winter Congregational Meeting is set for Sunday, February 3rd, following worship. The agenda includes a report on the 2019 church budget, approval of the pastor's terms of call for 2019, and election of a Deacon to fill a vacancy on the Board.

The Nominating Committee will nominate Bob Carroll for the vacancy on the Board of Deacons.

All FPC members are encouraged to attend. Non-members are very welcome.

Nominating Committee Update

The FPC Manual of Administrative Operations calls for the election of at-large members of the church Nominating Committee at the Summer Meeting of the congregation. In recent years those members have been elected at the Winter Meeting, but Session has formally authorized the Nominating Committee to adhere to the Administrative Manual.

The three at-large members of the committee will be nominated by the committee and considered by the congregation at its Summer Meeting in June/July. At last summer's meeting the congregation approved a smaller Nominating Committee, consisting of three at-large members, one Ruling Elder, and one Deacon.

In the mean time, the committee will function through the Summer 2019 Congregational Meeting with the four at-large members elected last June (Roberta Pess, Bob Carroll, Doug Lunsford, and Jon Hitchcock) plus the two members designated by Session (Mike Hunter, Chairperson, and Bob Kurtz) and the Deacon representative (Betty Young).

Men's Fellowship Luncheon

Tuesday, February 12th

The Men's Fellowship Luncheon group will meet on Tuesday, February 12th, at noon at Peppers Restaurant. Women are also very welcome.

FPC member Jon Hitchcock will speak about recent developments regarding the Roswell International Air Center.

Please RSVP to Wayne Glass.

Ladies' Valentine Luncheon

Saturday, February 9th

T he Evangelism Committee of Session will host a Ladies' Valentine Luncheon on Saturday, February 9th, at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall. The event will honor the women of First Presbyterian Church and benefit The Roswell Refuge.

FPC women are encouraged to bring at least one friend and a few women's/children's toiletry items to be donated to The Refuge. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Contact Deb Prince, Evangelism Committee Chair, for more information.

Welcoming New Members

Are you interested in becoming a member of First Presbyterian Church? Benefits include a voice and vote at congregational meetings and the opportunity to serve our church as a Ruling Elder or Deacon.

The FPC Session intends to welcome new members in February. If the Spirit is moving you to consider membership, please talk to Pastor John right away.

Highlights of Session Meeting

January 17, 2019

The Church Management Committee reported that negotiations continue with the church's insurance company and roof warranty carrier regarding full replacement of the flat roof. Other pressing facilities issues include renovation of the classroom hallway restrooms, repairs to the front steps, and a banister for the choir room stairs.

The Worship Committee reported that Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday services are planned for Lent 2019.

The Personnel Committee reported that the Communications and Outreach Director position has been advertised in the Roswell Daily Record. Interviews are planned for the end of January. Session approved the pastor's terms of call (compensation package) for 2019, for recommendation to the congregation.

The Nominating Committee reported the nomination of Bob Carroll for the current vacancy on the Board of Deacons. Session confirmed the nomination for presentation to the congregation at the February 3 congregational meeting.

The Fellowship Committee reported plans to provide Wednesday evening soup and bread meals during Lent.

The Evangelism Committee reported progress on plans for the Ladies' Valentine Luncheon scheduled for Saturday, February 9. FPC members are encouraged to bring a friend and supplies for the Roswell Refuge.

Pastor Guthrie reported the New Testament part of the DISCIPLE Fast Track class is underway.

Pastor Guthrie reported current information on pledged giving for 2019: 58 pledges received for $262,782.

Pastor Guthrie reported on his activities for the month of December 2018. He also reported total vacation and Santa Fe working days for 2018. Session approved for 2019 two working days in Santa Fe each month.

The Clerk reported that the inventory of church property and first draft emergency action plan are nearing completion.

The Clerk reported that Pastor Guthrie, Bob Kurtz, and Mike Hunter will serve as commissioners to the January 25-26 meeting of Sierra Blanca Presbytery.

The Clerk reported the need for a called Session meeting in late January or early February to receive new church members.

LENT 2019

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, March 6. A brief Ash Wednesday service (5:30 p.m.) will be followed by a soup and bread dinner in the Fellowship Hall.

A Lenten Wednesday Series beginning at 5:30 p.m. will be offered on March 13, 20, and 27, and April 3 and 10 in the Fellowship Hall. The series will feature a half-hour study or worship service followed by a soup and bread dinner.

Worship services are planned for Maundy Thursday, April 18, and Good Friday, April 19.

Ecumenical Midday Holy Week services with simple luncheons are scheduled for that week, Monday through Friday, April 15-19, at the Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Nazarene churches. More details will be available soon.

NEW DAILY PRAYER AND MEDITATION MINISTRY

A new prayer and meditation ministry will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 6, and continue through Lent and indefinitely beyond. Volunteers for this new discipline will commit to pray and/or meditate one day each month (the second Wednesday, for example), making the commitment to come to the church at noon on that day for an hour (or so).

The intention for this new ministry is that there will be one of our saints praying/meditating at the noon hour every day of every week, extending indefinitely into the future. The Parlor and Sanctuary will be available for prayer volunteers (ministers), and a guide for prayer will be provided. Prayer ministers will find substitutes if they must miss their assigned day. If necessary we will ask prayer ministers to commit to a second day each month, but it is our own prayer that we will be able to find 35 or so saints willing to make this commitment to spiritual growth and a deepened relationship with the living God.

The initiation and maintenance of this new ministry is surely a monumental task, but we believe it is a step needed at the current time for the development of more committed, devoted saints and for the renewal and re-commitment of our church to God's intentions for us. We also believe it can be done. "Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." (John 16:23)

We will begin active enlistment of volunteers/ministers soon. Please pray about joining us in this ministry. Ask us if you have questions. Thank you sincerely for your consideration.

Margo Fullinwider

Pastor John

THANK YOU!

Many FPC saints responded last fall to my appeal for donations to bolster the Pastor's Assistance Fund as it became depleted towards the end of the year. Your generosity filled that fund with over $2,100 which enabled me to help your neighbors through the end of the year and into this year. I am most grateful, and so are those who have come to our church in recent months for help, sometimes in desperate need for help.

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40)

Pastor John

THANK YOU,

BULLETIN BOARD SERVANTS!

The many bulletin boards throughout our building are maintained, and have been maintained for many years, by two dedicated saints whose labor goes on quietly and faithfully throughout the year as the content of the boards is changed with the season. Those two saints are

Mary Lou Glass

and

Martha Mayer

Thank you, bulletin board servants. Your contribution to the appearance and warmth of our hallways is greatly appreciated.

Vulnerable Embrace

A New Book by

Elana Keppel Levy and Lucas Levy Keppel

Elana and Lucus serve as Co-Pastors of Trinity Presbyterian

Church in Bixby, OK. Elana previously served as Assistant to the Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Roswell, NM.

Order online HERE.

2019 Presbyterian Giving Catalog

As Presbyterians, we are a people rooted in the grace of Jesus Christ. It is our gratitude for God's grace that moves us to join in God's mission in the world, with ministries of love and justice, reconciliation and peace.

Generous gifts to the Presbyterian Giving Catalog are signs of our gratitude: feeding the hungry, comforting the broken-hearted, and sharing our faith with young and old. By joining our gifts together, however large or small, we expand our witness to God's gracious and abundant work in the world.