March 2014 EditionFirst Presbyterian Church * P.O. Box 236 * Liberal, KS 67905 *

presby@swko.net * (620)624-5487 Office *

March…..when we think of March, we think Spring… buton the Christian Calendar, March 2014 is much more than the beginning of Spring. The first Tuesday, March 4, is Shrove Tuesday and in Liberal, KS, it is known as Pancake Day... a school holiday, a celebration for the whole community….and the next day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of “Lent.”

Lent is the time when we should set aside other things to focus on God and strengthening our relationship with him. Lent prepares us to remember & receive anew Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. The message of Lent is a message of peace & comfort which is what we receive when we are in true communion with God.

This winter the Session asked all of our members to complete a survey to help them identify the attributes and needs that make our church special.

They needed input so that they could identify what the visions of the future should be -- which will assist the Pastoral Search Committee as they

interview those who are seeking a church to serve. It is now only a matter of weeks before the Session will be asking the 2014 Nominating Committee to put together a slate of nominees for the Search Committee.

The members of the current Nominating Committee are: Tammy Sutherland-Abbott, Mary Lambert, and Ken Thompson with Ruling Elder Fred Bloom, serving as chairperson.

If you are interested in serving on the Search Committee or know someone that you think would be good in that position, please let one of the nominating committee members know.

At the same time, during this Lenten season, let us each set aside time for spiritual reading, meditation, & prayer; and also a time for self-examination, for searching, and for letting go of what was and focus on moving into the future and the next 125 years.

This is also a good time to visit with God about how you personally can help “grow” our church in this community. Lent is the time for

March 2013 Edition First Presbyterian Church * P.O. Box 236 * Liberal, KS 67905 * presby@swko.net * (620)624-5487 Office *

change … for reconciliation…….and this year, a time to look forward.

Mary Lambert

2

Special Days !!!

Holy Communion will be observed Sunday, March 2, 2014

Community Food Cupboard

Sunday, March 2, 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 Every Sunday in

March

During March, the loose change in the offering goes to the Deacon Fund or you can help by giving a check marked designated to the Deacon Fund. The Deacons help those in need through your generosity and support of this ministry. Thank you for your support!!

MarchFellowship Coffee Hour

On Sunday March 16, 2014 the Fellowship Coffee will feature a St. Patrick’s Day theme with Cathy Buddenhagen & Nancy Chance, as our host!! Please join us in the family room & celebrate with tasty treats and fellowship with one another!!

St. Patrick’s DayMonday March 17,

2014

USD480 Spring Break March 17 - 21

3

March 2 - Sammy Bartley 2 - Bonnie Toole 3 - Assad Zainali 4 - Nicoletta Carini 5 - Leory Black 10 - Lacey Melton 12- Jim Parker 13 - Pat Seaman 15 - Dean Brown 16 - Arianna Felix 16 - Yosselin Peregrino 19 - Dyson Priest 19 - Jeremy Sutherland 24 - Anakin Wilson 25 - Morgan Allaman 27 - Stephani Caldwell 31 - Charles McKeen 31 - Dakota Sauls

March 29 - Orlen & Marilyn Borell

Born on February 6, 2014Corbin Gene Gilbert

6lb, 7oz, 18” long

It’s A Boy!!Congratulations to the proud parents, Kyle & Tracie Gilbert. Proud grandparents, are Kenney & Debra Gilbert. Proud great-grandparents are Whimp & Alberta Gilbert!

“An Irish Blessing”May God grant you alwaysA sunbeam to warm you. A moonbeam to charm you, A sheltering angelSo nothing can harm you,Laughter to cheer you,Faithful friends near you – And whenever you pray,Heaven to hear you!

4

PSK Youth Council’s Sleep “Less” in Sterling 2014 Service? assemble ‘Zombie Apocalypse Survival Kits’ (PDA Hygiene kits) Questions? Bob Barrett stuccomango@yahoo.com Paula Steinbacher paulapalooza@gmail.com Friday, March 7, 8:00 PM - Sunday, March 9, noon

Sterling College Campus Keynote Speaker, Chaplain Christian Dashiell

Students 5th – 12 grade $35.00 per student Information at www.pbysk.org

If interested see Church Office for Registration Form!

Visit www.westminsterwoodscamp.comTo read 50 Stories to Celebrate 50 Years

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 seniors

Visit www.westminsterwoodscam.com

5

6

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; Alberta & Whimp Gilbert; Mrs. Donna Grimes; Lori Hensley; 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); Mary Lambert; Robert Lynn (Judy Chance’s father); Betty Miller (Bob Oblander’s sister); Rose Scott; Dr. Tonya (Pittman) Navarrette; Gail Owens (Alberta Gilbert’s Cousin); Shelly Sally Family; Charles Scott (Ruth Trimmell’s brother); Pat Seaman; Amy Thompson; 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; John Engel; Tess Fitzgerald; Art Goolsby; Mike Grande; Elaine Newlon (Jill Pittman’s friend); Scott Osborn (Jonice Oblander’s Great Nephew); Marian Pittman (Jill Pittman’s Aunt); 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!

Please hold in prayer Rev. Charles Ayers and his family. The memorial service for Joan Ayers was Sunday, Feb 16th, at 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Leoti.

Let us also pray for the Presbytery of Southern Kansas & in particular her following Churches this month: FPC in Liberal, FPC in Kingsdown, FPC in Arlington , FPC in Jetmore.

Sunday, March 9,2014 (Remember to set your clocks “FORWARD” one hour

before bedtime Saturday night, March 8, 2014!!)

7

One Great Hour of SharingOUR HANDS OF HOPE

When you give to One Great Hour of Sharing you are assisting in the empowerment of others as they move past emotional, physical, and spiritual misfortune. Your help gives hope.

At home and abroad, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance helps strengthen the faith community and enables those affected by natural or human-caused disasters to be part of the rebuilding and recovery efforts in their communities.

Life-changing grassroots programs like Huerto de la Familia (The Family Garden) are supported by the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Huerto de la Familia strives to cultivate community integration and economic self-sufficiency through training in organic farming and the development of food-based small businesses.

Self-Development of People, through your generous gifts, provides grants to organizations like A Community Voice in New Orleans, a neighborhood group which assists low-to-moderate-income families in applying for jobs, housing, and food assistance.

Give to One Great Hour of Sharing to support these Presbyterian Mission Agency ministries as they strive to help all of God’s people find resilience, hope, and faith in the face of challenging circumstances.

8

First Presbyterian Church Pre-School and

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

Lion or lamb, which will come in on March 1st ? Why does it have to be one or the other? The Bible tells us we can know and love the One who is both the Lion & the Lamb. Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ!

We have had some busy days this last month. We said good-bye to our long-time coworker, Cynthia Ramirez, as she prepares to care for her mother full time. We told Faye Zimmerman we’ll see you later. Faye and her family welcomed in a baby boy, Asher Lee Zimmerman, born on February 20th . He was 9 lbs. 14 ozs. and 213/4 inches long.

We recently hired three new people: Johnna Black, Denise Masters and Jamie Selby. Welcome aboard!!

Valentine’s Day brought parties with lots of treats supplied by generous parents!

Rose Ramirez, the preschool teacher, hosted a Parent’s Night. The children of her classes and their parents came to the church the evening of February 13 and enjoyed snacks while decorated a friendship box together.Everyone had very positive comments and declared the night a success!

Thank you, Cody Regier, from the Liberal Fire Dept. for coming to our staff meeting to inform us on the proper way to use fire extinguishers!

In March the teachers will be just as busy with continuing education trainings planned. The children always look forward to Pancake Day activities.

Hopefully, we can visit Wheatridge and Good Sam’s again with better weather and fewer sicknesses now.

Be looking for more information soon about an open house and thank you Celebration!

“Co-Directors” of The First Presbyterian Church Pre-School and Day CareRose Ramirez & Becky Pfenninger

9

10

Gatekeeper: JULIA THOMPSON

2014

1

2Holy CommunionGR: Ken & Julia ThompsonWL: Marvin Chance, Jr.

Sammy Bartley &Bonnie Toole’sB-day

3

Dr. Assad Zainali’sB-day

4

International Pancake Day!

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Nicoletta Carini’sB-day

5

ASHWEDNESDAY

Leroy Black’sB-day

6 7 8Daylight-Savings

Time BeginsTOMORROW

91st Sunday in LentGR: Marvin Chance, Jr.Family WL: Ken Thompson

Daylight-SavingsTime Begins

Fellowship Coffee

10 Lacey Melton’sB-day

11 12

Jim ParkerB-day

13

Pat Seaman’s B-day

14 15

Dean BrownB-Day

162nd Sunday in Lent

GR: Bob & JoniceOblander WL: Fred Bloom

Arianna Felix & YosselinPeregrino’s B-day

17St. Patrick’s Day

18 19 Dyson Priest & Jeremy Sutherland’sB-day

Deacons Meeting@ 5:30

20“First Day Of Spring”

Session Meeting @ 6:30

21 22

233rd Sunday in LentGR: Cathy Buddenhagen & Mary Lambert WL: Dan Brown

304th Sunday in LentGR: Dan & Janet LewisWL: Lester Caldwell

24Anakin Wilson’sB-day

31Chuck McKeen & Dakota Sauls’ B-day

25

Morgan Allaman’s B-day

Ramon Santos’ B-day

26 27

Stephani Caldwell’sB-day

28Ian Kelly’s B-day

Orlen & Marilyn Borell’s Anniv.

29

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Daylight Savings Time BeginsFellowship Coffee -March 16

A Year with the BibleMarch 2014

1. Covenant Abraham & Sarah Genesis 17:1-7

2. Ends of earth shall remember Psalm 22:23-31 3. God’s glory in creation & law Psalm 19 4. Abraham’s faith Romans 4:13-25 5. Ash Wednesday Matthew 6:1-6 6. The purpose of the Law Galatians 3:19-29 7. What does the Lord require? Micah 6:6-8 8. The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-17 9. First Sunday in Lent Mark 1:9-1510. Thanksgiving for deliverance Psalm 107:1-3 11. Christ wisdom of God 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 12. God’s people Isaiah 51:12-1613. Bear one another’s burdens Galatians 6:1-1014. Choose life Deut. 30:11-2015. The bronze serpent Numbers 21:4-916. Second Sunday of Lent John 3:1-17

17. The reading of the law Deut. 31:9-1318. Saved by God’s grace Ephesians 2:1-1019. The Lord formed all things Jeremiah 10:11-1620. Come to the living stone 1 Peter 2:4-1021. Why do you continue to rebel? Isaiah 1:2-922. A new covenant Jeremiah 31:31-3423. Third Sunday in Lent John 2:13-2224. Create in me a clean heart Palm 51:1-12

25. Joshua succeeds Moses Deuteronomy 31:1-826. The message to Sardis Revelation 3:1-627. Cyrus, the anointed of God Isaiah 45:1-728. When Israel was a child Hosea 11:1-1129. Humiliation & vindication Isaiah 50:4-9a30. Fourth Sunday of Lent John 3:14-2131. Christ emptied himself for all Philippians 2:5-11