April 2014 Newsletter

The Prairie Light

April 2014 EditionFirst Presbyterian Church * P.O. Box 236 * Liberal, KS [email protected] * (620)624-5487 Office *

‘So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead'

Luke 24:46

Lent! Palm Sunday! Holy Week! What does it all mean?

Lent is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. Christians around the world reflect in their own way the meaning of Lent as they prepare for Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday is on April 13this year, and is the beginning of Holy Week. Celebrated in most protestant churches, including ours here in Liberal, as our children walk in procession around the inside of the sanctuary during the opening hymn of the morning worship service.

Holy Week – A week in which many Christians spend extra time reading scripture and recalling the sacrifice Jesus made for us when he died on the cross for each of us. Many Presbyterian Churches hold a special service of remembrance on Maundy Thursday, others do the same on Good Friday ….leading up to the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior on Easter.

Easter!! A time of celebration. A time of renewal and rebirth. What a wonderful and exciting time in the

church!! It is a time to celebrate and give thanks for ‘a risen’ Lord, a living savior.

Come! Celebrate Easter with us at First Presbyterian Church!

Pastor SearchCommittee Elected

On Sunday, March 23rd, following morning worship and a congregational dinner, members of the church gathered for a Called Congregational Meeting for the purpose of electing the “Pastor Search Committee.”

Members elected are: Ken Thompson, chair; Judy Chance, secretary; Kathy Bloom, Thurman Brown, and Jill Pittman.

Each one is knowledgeable about the church and community, Presbyterian theology, and government. These five members have made a commitment of their time, energy, and wisdom as they take on this task which requires that they meet weekly.

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The Prairie Light

April 2014 EditionFirst Presbyterian Church * P.O. Box 236 * Liberal, KS [email protected] * (620)624-5487 Office *We need to each pray that God will give them strength and guidance as they work their way through the long process of selecting a candidate to serve this church as its 29th pastor.

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Special Days !!!

Holy Communion will be observed Sunday,

April 6and

April 20

Community Food Cupboard

Sunday, April 6, 2014

The first Sunday of every month is dedicated to helping those in need. Please bring your canned foods to support this ministry.

Support for the Deacon's Fund

“Loose Offering” each Sunday!Each Sunday of each month the loose change in the offering (non-pledges) goes to the Deacon Fund. The Deacons give generously to those in need through your generosity & support. Thank you for your continuing support!

“Parade of Palms” Sunday, April 20, 2014Need Adults & Children

Palms - When Jesus entered Jerusalem days before his death, crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches, which were common symbols of victory and rejoicing. Thus churches continue to use them in remembrance of that occasion, knowing that Jesus’ crucifixion was ultimately his triumph over sin and death. As early as Leviticus 23:40, “God commanded Israel to us palms in a festival of rejoicing.” In Revelation 7:9-10, Christians martyrs carry palm braches as they praise the Lamb before the throne of God.

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Easter Breakfast@

9:30 AM.

Easter Egg HuntAfter

Easter Worship Service

Easter Breakfast - 9:30 a.m.Please make plans to come early for breakfast on Easter morning with your Church family! Bring your favorite breakfast dish and enjoy wonderful fellowship before our Easter worship service at 11:00 a.m.!! A sign-up sheet will be in the Church foyer!!

Easter Service (11:00 a.m.)Ah! The day we have been waiting for! We will celebrate this life-changing Sunday with the sacrament of Holy Communion. This is also the day we will receive & dedicate our collections for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Finally, there will be an Easter egg hunt following worship!! For these reasons & many more - eternally - we will be blessed this day!!

This year all we need is “Candy” to fill the eggs for our Easter Egg Hunt after worship service!! The Church has plastic eggs left over from last year’s egg hunt. Please bring candy to the church office!!

April’s Guest SpeakersSunday, April 6 - Grant Sallaska

Palm Sunday, April 13 - Carol Lamar, Lay Minister from Guymon Presbyterian Church.

Easter Sunday, April 20 - Lori Hensley, Lay Minister and Elder of First Presbyterian Church.

Sunday, April 27 - Carol Lamar, Lay Minister from Guymon Presbyterian Church.

We have had wonderful Sermons, and special thank you to our guest speakers!!

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April 1 - Lewis (Whimp) Gilbert 1 - P.J. Carlisle 4 - Alex Chance 5 - Lester Caldwell 6 - Addison Yates 7 - Dick Farmer 7 – Ryan Oliver 9 - Susan Hall 14 - Bojidar Green 16 - Dan Lewis 16 - Inabelle Peters 19 - Taylor Abbott 19 - Alberta Gilbert 21 - Teagan Hensley 22 - Paula Ruiz 22 - Jessica Sauls 23 - Shamari Lewis 25 - Aiden Johnson 30 - Fred Bloom 30 - Jerry Stuckey

Thank You Note:Dear Presbyterian, Thank you very much for the lovely chocolates and thebeautiful card you gave me for Valentine’s.

Love,Sammy Bartley

April 1 - Mike & Tonya (Pittman) Navarette 2 - Bill & Connie Lewis 16 - Jim & Martha Darnell 17 - Chris & Zuki Vermillion 23 - Jerry & Judy Stuckey 24 - Anthony & Lindsay Hall

Born on March 7, 2014Finley Porter Irwin6lb, 6oz, 18” long

It’s A Boy!!Congratulations to the proud parents, Bob & Kendra (Pittman) Irwin. He has a proud, sister, Calista and a proud grandmother, Jill Pittman!! The Irwin’s address is 1917 Staunton Rd, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118.

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First Presbyterian Church Pre-School and

Day Care Center“And the greatest of these is love.”

Spring is finally here! With it comes God’s beauty in new growth and new life. Jesus’ death on the cross purchased for us a new life, an everlasting life, a perfect life with Him in glory. Oh, what beauty we will behold there! This Easter remember to thank God for his perfect plan that brings new life.

Heather Williams, daycare preschool teacher, has contacted the Good Samaritan Center to set up times for her class to visit the “Grandmas and Grandpas”. She plans for this to be a regular event.

Rose Ramirez announced she is having parent – teacher conferences for those enrolled in her morning and afternoon preschool classes on Friday, April 4th. If your child is in her class, please check with Miss Rose to sign up for a conference time.

The staff and children of the Child-Care Center would like to invite the First Presbyterian congregation to come see us anytime. We would be delighted to show you what we have been doing and learning!!

Reminder: The Child-Care Center and Preschool will be closed on Friday, April 18 in observance ofGood Friday!!

Co-Directors” for The First Presbyterian ChurchPre-School and Day CareRose Ramirez & Becky Pfenninger

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

Children attend opening Worship Services at First Presbyterian Church through Children’s Sermon and then are dismissed to attend Children’s Church for the remainder of the Worship Service.

Children Church Director:Cristina Terry 482-7050

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Westminster Woods Summer Camp

We are so excited about Summer Camp 2014! The theme verse is John 1:14. Please join us in praying for everyone who is working on plans for the summer

Summer Camp at WMW Family Camp May 30-June1 3rd -4th grade June 3-6 5th -6th grade June 9-13 7th -8th grade June 16-20 H.S. Camp June 23-29 Camps based on the grade you are entering and will still include 2014 High School Seniors!

Visit www.westminsterwoodscamp.com

Westminster Woods 50th Anniversary

FROM THE SECRETARY:March is almost gone and I am looking forward to Spring and Easter!!

The month of March as been busy for me and I have been working on our 2014 directory. If you have anything you would like changed in the directory, please let me know!!

Nancy Chance and I did theSt. Patrick’s Fellowship Coffee for March. Everyone had a really good time and great fellowship!! Thank you Nancy for your help!

If you haven’t been at the church during the week days, you should stop by and visit with the teachers and children at the day-care. Our church is now alive with our little children!! But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is tosuch as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

Matthew 19:14.God Bless You,

Cathy

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FAMILY ACTIVITY PAGE

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Let Us Pray!

Far be it from me that I should sin against God by ceasing to pray for you!

1 Samuel 12:23a

The The HEALTH of our church family members and friends (FPC): Blassa Arriaga (Cristina Terry’s mom); Sammy Bartley; Paul Dean Blaser (Alberta Gilbert’s son); Stephani Caldwell; Bob Calhoun; P.J. Carlisle; Jeff Chance; Fern Chancy (Dan Brown’s Aunt); Alberta Gilbert; Mrs. Donna Grimes; Estell Hontanosan (Veronica’s Zainali aunt); Jessica Cowan & Hunter Holcomb (Alberta Gilbert’s niece & great-nephew); Mike & Michelle Houck; Dr. Belino Iway (Zainali’s friend/Elkhart - kidney transplant); Eva Lou Koons; Teri Lee & granddaughters (Tammy Abbott’s sister & nieces); Robert Lynn (Judy Chance’s father); Betty Miller (Bob Oblander’s sister); Dr. Tonya (Pittman) Navarrette; Gail Owens (Alberta Gilbert’s Cousin); Shelly Sally Family; Charles Scott (Ruth Trimmell’s brother); Pat Seaman; Brita Trimmell (Theriot) (Mary Lambert’s daughter); Ruth Trimmell; Alaira Widener (Leroy & Johnna Black’s granddaughter); Kathryn Wood; Rev. Terry Woodbury Family.

Church family member and friends battling CANCER (FPC): Jerry Jo Deckert; Emma Diaz; Tess Fitzgerald; Art Goolsby; Mike Grand; Jeff Keating; Elaine Newlon (Jill Pittman’s friend); Scott Osborn (Jonice Oblander’s Great Nephew); Marian Pittman (Jill Pittman’s Aunt); Bill Weaver; Carol Wilhite (Inabelle Peters’ sister). RETIREMENT facility residents of our church family (FPC): Good Sam’s: Bonnie

Toole (#A-8); Emeritus: Wanda Rundell (#211). OTHER REQUESTS of the Church family (FPC): Tucker & Jack (Amy Thompson friends); Our President, Nation, & Military serving abroad & at home; Christians – that we would be a nation surrendered to the authority of the Lord; The Staff, Elders, & Deacons as they lead us in ministry; Amy & Sterling College & School board - prayer before the games; Matt, Macie & Max Lamar (Carol Lamar’s son to receive custody of his children); Tyler Claypool (Alberta Gilbert’s grandson in Spain for 5 months).

Let us always remember Our CHILDREN in prayer.

Let us also pray for the Presbytery of Southern Kansas & in particular her following Churches this month: FPC in Wichita, FPC in Leoti, Calvary FPC in Wichita, FPC in Newton.

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Gatekeeper: JONICE OBLANDER1PJ Carlisle’s &Lewis (Whimp)Gilbert’s B-day

Mike & Tonya(Pittman) Navarette’s Anniv.

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Bill & Connie Lewis’ Anniv.

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Alex Chance’sB-day

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Lester Caldwell’sB-Day

6 Holy Communion

GR: Jasce Terry FamilyWL: Bob Oblander

Addison Yates’B-day

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Dick Farmer & Ryan Oliver’s B-day

8 9Pastor SearchCommittee Meeting 7:00 PM

Susan Hall B-day

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13GR: Cathy Buddenhagen & Mary LambertWL: Bob Houck

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Bojidar Green’sB-day

15 16Dan Lewis &Inabelle Peters’B-days

Jim & Martha Darnell’s Anniv.

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Chris & ZukiVermillion’s Anniv.

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Taylor Abbott & Alberta Gilbert’sB-days

20GR: Black FamilyWL: Fred BloomEaster Breakfast9:30 AM.

Easter Egg Hunt12:00 PM.

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Teagan Hensley’sB-day

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Paula Ruiz &Jessina Sauls’B-day

23Deacons Meeting5:30 PM.

Shamari Lewis’B-day

Jerry & Judy Stuckey’s Anniv.

24Session Meeting6:30 PM.

Anthony & Lindsay Hall’s Anniv.

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Aiden Johnson’sB-day

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27GR: Fred & Kathy BloomWL: Dan Brown

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Fred Bloom & Jerry Stuckey’s B-days

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First Presbyterian ChurchP.O. Box 236Liberal, KS 67905

INSIDE THIS ISSUECommunion April 6 & 20Easter Breakfast April 20

A Year with the BibleApril 2014

1. God pardons iniquity Micah 7:18-20 2. Christ died for ungodly Romans 5:6-11 3. When Israel was a child Hosea 11:1-11 4. Humiliation & vindication Isaiah 50:4-9a 5. Deliverance from enemies Psalm 31:9-16 6. 5th Sunday of Lent John 12:20-6 7. Christ emptied himself for all Philippians 2:5-11 8. God’s great love Jonah 4:1-11 9. Jeremiah buys a field Jeremiah 32:6-1510. Eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty 2 Peter 1:16-2111. Seek the welfare of the city Jeremiah 29:4-1412. Believers share their possession Acts 4:32-3513. Palm/Passion Sunday Mark 15:1-4714. The blessings of living in unity Psalm 13315. God is light 1 John 1:1-2

16. Keep these words Deuteronomy 6:1-817. Fight the good fight 1 Timothy 6:11-1618. Let justice roll down Amos 5:18-2419. Peter preaches to the people Acts 3:12-1920. Easter John 20:1-18 21. A plea for deliverance Psalm 422. We are children of God 1 John 3:1-723. The false shepherds Ezekiel 34:1-1024. God, the good shepherds Ezekiel 34:11-2225. God’s covenant of peace Ezekiel 34:23-3126. Peter & John before Council Acts 4:5-12 27. The Lord is my shepherd Psalm 2328. Jesus the true vine John 15:1-829. Let us love in truth & action 1 John 3:16-2430. The song of the vineyard Isaiah 5:1-7

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