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The Newsletter
of
First Presbyterian Church
Roswell, New Mexico
June 2018
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THE PASTOR'S REFLECTIONS
"Imagine, if you will..."
If you were once a fan of "The Twilight Zone," as I was (and still am), you may recall that repeated phrase used by Rod Serling in many of the episodes.
Imagine, if you will, a man coming to worship with us on a regular Sunday who has never before entered the doors of a church. (My point applies equally well to a woman or a couple or a family, but for the sake of simplicity let's consider a man walking through our doors.) I will call this man Joe.
Imagine, if you will, how difficult it would be for Joe to build up the courage to come and try worship, not sure at all what he will encounter, whether he will be welcome, concerned about doing the wrong thing. It is my bedrock conviction that we need to keep Joe in mind in all that we do in worship. Many of us have been worshiping for years or decades, so our liturgy and practice are familiar and comforting, but what about those for whom worship is an entirely new and anxiety-producing experience?
This concern must prompt us to make worship as transparent and uncomplicated as we can, while still building our worship on reformed and Presbyterian understandings of what worship is. (For instance, worship is solely and only for God, not for ourselves.) How do we go about making worship comfortable for those new to the practice, so that they can offer their praise and thanksgiving to God also? How do we do that for Joe?
In fact, in order to achieve this objective, we we must surrender some worship practices that are not essential, in order to welcome the stranger, in order to welcome Joe. Among other things, we must pay attention to the language we use, making sure that it is also uncomplicated and familiar.
You and I are already on the journey. Most of us are mature Christians and our faith is built on a solid foundation. Are we then willing to give up some of the comfort we might crave, so that those who are just beginning the journey, who need every encouragement we can give, may feel at home? Are we willing to do all that we can do, within the bounds of our reformed/Presbyterian worship theology, to make worship less strange, less weird, less odd, for Joe and those like him?
I am always ready to discuss worship or any other facet of our life together. Your questions, ideas, and insights are valued and welcomed.
The willingness to try new things, to do that which pushes outside our personal and corporate zones of comfort, is essential if we are to see the spiritual and numerical growth which I believe the Spirit is calling us to pursue and realize. That willingness applies to worship and to every other aspect of church life.
Imagine, if you will, ... Joe.
Grace and peace,
Pastor John
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Communion Sunday
June 3rd
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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Dates to Remember!
June 7th
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Deacons - 5:00pm, Deacons' Room
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June 8th
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Church Management Committee - 7:00am, Cerritos Restaurant
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June 10th
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Blake's (Mission Co-workers) - after worship, Library
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June 16th
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General Assembly Opening Worship Watch Party - 9:00am, Library |
June 16th
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Toys for Tots Party - 4:00pm, Bloodhart home
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June 17th
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Father's Day! |
June 21st
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Session - 5:15pm, Library |
June 21st
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First Day of Summer! |
June 24th
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2018 Summer Congregational Meeting after worship, Sanctuary
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Wednesdays
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Breakfast Group - 7:30am, Martin's Capitol Cafe
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Fridays
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Prayer Group - noon, Parlor |
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June 2018 Worship Schedule
June 3rd - 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Celebration of the Lord's Supper
Scriptures: I Samuel 3:11-20); Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23-3:6
June 10th - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Scriptures: I Samuel 8:4-20; Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35
June 17th - 4th Sunday after Pentecost
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20;
2 Corinthians 5:6-17; Mark 4:26-34
June 24th - 5th Sunday after Pentecost
Scriptures: I Samuel 17:1a-49; Psalm 9:9-20;
2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41
Read the Scripture passages HERE.
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2018 Summer Congregational Meeting
Session has set the date for the 2018 summer congregational meeting for Sunday, June 24, following worship. The primary agenda item for this meeting is election of ruling elders and deacons for the Classes of 2021, and the election of two deacons to fill vacancies on the Board of Deacons.
Please mark your calendar!
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Sanctuary Available for Prayer
The doors to the Sanctuary are now unlocked at all times. The Sanctuary is available for prayer, especially during church office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-Noon and 1:00-3:00pm; Friday, 9:00am-Noon). Please enter the building through the church office entrance, off of the courtyard.
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Disaster Preparedness Plan in Development
Ruling elder and Clerk of of Session, Bob Kurtz, is at work on the draft for a disaster preparedness plan, strongly recommended by our insurance company and the Presbyterian Church (USA). When the draft is done it will see review and possible revision by the Session, then promulgation to the congregation.
The plan will have provisions for emergencies such as severe storms, fire, and armed intruders.
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New Narthex Carpeting Coming Soon
Session has approved a bid to replace the carpet in the Narthex (Foyer), with the work to be completed sometime in the next few months. The new carpet will closely match the carpet in the Sanctuary.
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Quarterly Member-Hosted Potlucks Resuming
Quarterly potluck dinners in the homes of FPC members are resuming! Karen Bloodhart is coordinating the dinners, and the first one is coming up right away: Thursday, May 31, 6:00 p.m. at the Bloodhart's home. Please contact Karen for more information and to let her know you are coming. Come, and bring a favorite dish!
The dinners are scheduled on the fifth Thursday of a month that has one of those, so the next dinner will happen on August 30. Mark your calendar!
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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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Highlights from the May 2018 Meeting of Session
- Narthex recarpeting and roof repairs in progress
- Kentucky Street lighting refurbishment planned
- Nominating Committee at work and making progress
- Sanctuary doors to remain unlocked for prayer or meditation
- New signage inside and outside in planning stage
- Summer congregational meeting set for Sunday, June 24
- Disaster Preparedness Plan being drafted
- Session to welcome new members
Click HERE to read the full Session report.
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The Men's Fellowship Luncheon Group
will not meet during the summer.
Look for new events in the fall!
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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
Thank you to the Chancel Choir for their faithful service and accomplished anthems! The Choir will take a well-deserved summer break and will resume rehearsals in August. If you would like to give the Choir a try, please contact
Ralph Kaler, Music Director, through the Church Office, (575) 622-4910.
Back Row: Wayne Glass, Bob Entrop, Bob Kurtz, Charles Stevens, Fred Bennett, Jorge Aldavaz, Bob Williams, Wayne Bevers
Front Row: Carola Spreacker at the piano, Joan Arnold,
Perla Lopez, Jessica Garcia, Kaytlyn Peterson, Joy Kurtz,
Elexis De La Rosa, Raylene Moore, Leslie Lawner, Paula Grieves, and Ralph Kayler, directing
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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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Meet Sean & Carrie Blake
Sean and Carrie are mission co-workers serving in the African nation of Niger. The Blake's will discuss their ministry in the Library following worship on Sunday, June 10th. Come meet this remarkable and fun couple serving God in the Sahara desert!
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Serving This Month
June 3rd
Service Elder: Roy Hayes
Liturgist: Margo Fullinwider
Phone Message Reader: Bill Wolf
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Mary Kling
Chancel Guild: Mary Lou Glass, Rebecca Johnson, Roberta Pess
June 10th
Service Elder: Bob Kurtz
Liturgist: ________
Phone Message Reader: Paula Grieves
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Michele Hillman
Chancel Guild: Wendy Lunsford, Betsy Cunningham, Lucy Tucker
June 17th
Service Elder: Bill Wolf
Liturgist: Margy Barbour
Phone Message Reader: Mary Hubbard
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Rebecca Johnson
Chancel Guild: Margo Fullinwider, Martha Brown, Brenna Smith
June 24th
Service Elder: Deb Prince
Liturgist: ________
Phone Message Reader: Matt Hinkle
Deacon Hospital Visitation: Connie Wolf
Chancel Guild: Kate Daniels, Martha Mayer, Deb Prince
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June Birthdays!
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4th
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Tracie Edwards
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6th
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Dixie Loy
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11th
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Jim Bloodhart
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13th
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Betty Young
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17th
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Isaac Hubbard
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17th
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Bill Wolf
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18th
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Fred Bennett
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25th
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Dietta Hitchcock
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30th
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Raylene Moore |
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June Anniversaries!
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3rd
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Wayne & Mary Lou Glass
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12th
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Abby & George Yates
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14th
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John & Tracie Edwards
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| FPC Volunteers at the Roswell Community Kitchen April 27, 2018 Margo Fullinwider, Pastor John Guthrie, and Martha Mayer
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| 2018 Spring Presbytery Meeting April 27-28 First Presbyterian Church Las Cruces 
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Recognition of High School Graduates
Ruling Elder Bob Kurtz presented Bibles to graduates Raylene Moore, Elexis De La Rosa, and Matt Shanor on Sunday, May 20th.
Obed Abel and Perla Lopez received Bibles on Sunday, May 13th.
The graduates also received gift cards from the Deacons.
A Graduation Reception was held for the graduates
on both Sundays after worship.
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123 Street Name City, ST - 555.555.5555
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