The Prairie Light

May 2014 Edition First Presbyterian Church * P.O. Box 236 * Liberal, KS 67905 * presby@swko.net * (620)624-5487 Office*

Easter Season is here! I know you are all thinking Easter was May 20th. That is correct and it began what is called the Easter Season for the church year. We will be in Easter Season until June 8th which is the Day of Pentecost.

The last week of April 27 – June 1st will be time of renewing stories many of us have heard and known for years: Jesus’ Appearance to the Disciples, Jesus’ Appearance to Two Believers, Jesus the Good Shepherd, Jesus is the Way to the Father, Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit, Ascension of the Lord, The Magnification and Jesus’ Prayers. Take time as each week comes and you hear these stories again, or maybe for the first time, to see the renewal of Jesus Christ in your life.

So what does it mean to be in Easter Season for the church? Easter is defined as: “A festival in the Christian Church commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, celebrated on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or next after March 21st.” This explains why Easter isn’t the same day each year; why

sometimes it is in March and others it is in April.Easter is the act of returning to life. Spring time has arrived, we think of our growing world (flowers, grass, trees, wheat, spring crops, gardens) coming back to life after a long winter’s nap. We should do the same for the church. (No, I’m not suggesting the church has been sleeping all winter.) If you have not been deeply committed to a daily time in prayer, meditation, devotion or just time spent with our Lord, Jesus Christ, now would be a good time to start. There are so many great daily devotions on the market I suggest you find one that speaks to you and begin. You will be surprised how much you will feel Easter season in your soul. You will be returned to a new life with Christ.

Lori Hensley – Clerk of Session

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The Prairie Light

May 2014 Edition First Presbyterian Church * P.O. Box 236 * Liberal, KS 67905 * presby@swko.net * (620)624-5487 Office*

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Special Days!!!

Holy Communion will be observed Sunday, May 4, 2014

Community Food Cupboard

Sunday, May 4, 2014

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

Mother’s DayVeronica Zainali will be providing corsages for “all women” during worship serviceon Mother’s Day May 11,

in honor of all mothers!!

You’re Invited!!

First Presbyterian Pre-schoolGraduation

at First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary

May 16, 2014at 7 pm.

First Presbyterian Church is proud to announce our first graduation for our pre-school children. So Presbyterian’s,please attend and support thePre-school teacher, Miss Rose Ramirez.

Fellowship CoffeeMay 18

Fellowship Coffee will be hosted by Janet Lewis & Julia Thompson on

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Sunday, May 18, 2014. The theme will be celebrating our mothers!

National Day of Prayer

Services(Thursday, May 1, 2014)

1 st National Bank flagpole 7:45 a.m.

Good Samaritan Chapel 10:00 a.m.

Seward County Courthouse Noon(Liberal Ministerial Alliance sponsored)

The Church Office will be closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day. Have a safe & wonderful holiday!!

Support for the Deacon Fund

Remember, the loose offering (non-pledge/tithe) each month will be given to the Deacon Fund. Please feel free to donate to this powerful witness & ministry in the life of our Church Family at any time! The Deacon’s generosity comes directly from your generosity and support of this ministry. Thank you for your generous support!

The church lawn mowing schedule is in the foyer. Please help us get the dates filled up to keep our church looking beautiful! Also, ourflower beds need special loving care. Help make the First Presbyterian Church look good from Western Ave.

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VIRTUAL ORGANIST  DEBUT

On Sunday April 13, 2014, is the debut of the Virtual Organist and we want to express our appreciation to all of you who have helped to make this possible.  Many Catholic, Lutheran, and Episcopal Churches have been enjoying this service for many years, but we are the first Presbyterian Church to have this service, not just in SW Kansas, but anywhere.

This project would not have been possible without all of you who donated to the special fund to cover the cost of the installation of the Virtual Organist equipment.  We also are indebted to the church members who have spent many hours working with the various people involved in the installation of the new equipment needed to make it possible for the organ to now play electronically from an iPad.   

We are also indebted to Jeff Combs Organ Company, Newton, (who has serviced our organ for many years and knew of our lack of an organist) who introduced the “Virtual Organist” to our session members several months ago, and then gave us a reduced rate in repairing several of the organ’s pipes that were damaged when we

had a leak in the roof, and who came and worked overtime to tune the organ and pipes so that it would be ready to play today. 

Last, but not least, we are very appreciative of the Church Music Solutions, Inc., Collinsville, IL, and their organists who prepare the music for each service, and also to our own members who have worked with them to arrange the music for our worship service today.

Mary Hill Lambert2121 Tulip Lane, Liberal, KS 67901620-624-7060 or Cell: 620-770-6032mhlambert@sbcglobal.net

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From the Secretary

It is been another busy month for me because Easter was in April this year.

On Friday April 18, Nancy Chance and I put candy in our eggs for the egg hunt on Easter. I decorated the family room for our Easter breakfast.

Thank you to all the members that brought candy to the church office and also thank you to Alison, Alex, Seth, and Zane Chance for hiding the eggs Easter Sunday. Our children really enjoyed the hunt and I thank God for the beautiful day he gave us on Easter!!

I also would like to thank the First Presbyterian Day Care teachers and staff for the two beautiful flower arrangements that they gave me on Secretary Day, April 23!! It reallymade my day and brighten up my office. Thanks again!

If any Elders, Deacons, or Church members have anything for the June newsletter it needs to be in the church office by Friday, May 23. It takes all of us to do a newsletter and I really need your help, with ideas!!

Have a blessed May!!

Cathy

May 5 - Jennifer Workman 7- Judy Stuckey

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9 - Keegan Salley 10 - Alberta Chapman 19 - Kent Williams 21 - Kathryn Brown 24 - Jill Pittman 24 - Kristopher Workman 26 - Delbert Oliver 28 – Parisa Dunkin (Zainali)

May 7- Marvin & Nancy Chance, Sr. 17- Dr. Assad & Veronica Zainali 27 - Darin & Jennifer Workman

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Family Activity Page

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Remember to PRAY!!Far be it from me that I should sin against GodBe 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 Callahan; P.J. Carlisle; Jeff Chance; Fern Chancy (Dan Brown’s Aunt); Ginger Dailing ( Leroy Black’s Mom); John Engel; Alberta 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); Bill Lewis; Robert Lynn (Judy Chance’s father); Betty Miller (Bob Oblander’s sister); Dr. Tonya (Pittman) Navarrette; Gail Owens (Alberta Gilbert’s Cousin); 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; Vicki King; Elaine Newlon (Jill Pittman’s friend); Scott Osborn (Jonice Oblander’s Great Nephew); Marian Pittman (Jill Pittman’s Aunt; Bill Weaver.

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): 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).

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 Viola, Trinity FPC in Wichita, FPCin Caldwell and FPC in Sterling.

The Christian sympathy of the Church family is extended to the family of Carol Wilhite (Inabelle Peter’s sister), who went to be with her Lord, April 26, 2014.

Baby Girl

Born on April 1, 2014Laci Jeannette McBryde7lbs, 4ozs, 19 1/2” long

Congratulations to the proud parent,Jessina Sauls & Mike McBryde and grandparents are Leroy & Johnna Black!!

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Gate Keeper: Janet Lewis

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4 Holy CommunionGR: Lester Caldwell FamilyWL: Bob Oblander

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Jennifer Workman’s B-day

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Judy Stuckey’s B-dayMarvin & Nancy Chance’s, Sr. Anniv.

11 Mother’s DayGR: Marvn Chance, Jr. Family WL: Lester Caldwell

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Deborah Oliver’s B-day

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18 GR: Dan & Janet LewisWL: Ken Thompson

Fellowship Coffee

Hostess: Janet Lewis& Julia Thompson

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Kent Williams’ B-day

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Deacon’s Meeting5:30 PM.

Kathryn Brown B-day

25 GR: Ken & Julia Thompson WL: Bob Houck

Del Oliver &Alaira Widener’s B-day

26Memorial DayChurch office CLOSED

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Jeff & Angie Johnston Darin & Jennifer Workman’s Anniv.

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Parisa (Zainali) Dunkin’s B-day

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First Presbyterian Church Pre-School and

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

April’s showers are bringing on May’s flowers. The children have been especially excited about the little yellow flowers everywhere that we adults call dandelions! Mothers know these are special gifts from their beloved little ones. God bless all the mothers this month whether by blood, adoption, or through that close special mentoring relationship.

This month Miss Rose’s preschool will be finishing its classes. They have worked hard and learned much in the few months they’ve had together. The children want everyone to see and hear what they have accomplished. They are inviting all their family, friends from First Presbyterian Church to join them on Friday, May 16 at 7 pm. In the church sanctuary! There will be refreshments following the program. We have 10 students from these classes going on

to Kindergarten and 10 returning to preschool next year. All of them will participate in the program and receive certificates.

The daycare classes continue to add new friends to enrollment. We have also gained a new teacher, Hailee Herrera.

Thank you, staff, for all the time and energy you give to these children.

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUEHoly Communion-May 4Mother’s Day-May 11Pre-school Graduation-May 16 Fellowship Coffee-May 18

A Year with the Bible May 2014

1. Maintain constant love Peter 4:7-11 2. They shall blossom like the vine Hosea 14:4-9 3. Ethiopian eunuch baptized Acts 8:26-40 4. 3rd Sunday of Easter 1 Peter 1:17-23 5. The Lord rules over the nations Psalm 22:25-31 6. Loving because God first loved 1 John 4:7-21 7. God’s great love Jonah 4:1-11 8. The fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-26 9. Proverbs for the discerning Proverbs 10:1-910. Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit Acts 10:44-4811. 4th Sunday of Easter John 10:1-1012. Praise God the righteous judge Psalm 9813. Faith conquers the world 1 John 5:1-614. As a covenant to the people Isaiah 42:5-915. The Lord is our God Joshua 24:14-18

16. Matthias added to the apostles Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 17. Ascension of the Lord Luke 24:44-53 18. 5th Sunday of Easter Peter 2:2-10 19. Creative Work of God Spirit Psalm 104:24-34 20. Testimony as to the Son of God 1 John 5:9-13 21. God breathes life into creation Genesis 2:1-9 22. God’s spirit enlivens the dead Ezekiel 37:1-14 23. The promised spirit of God Joel 2:18-29 24. The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-21 25.6th Sunday of Easter John 15:9-17 26. The two ways Psalm 1 27. The Spirit interceded for us Romans 8:22-27 28. Ritual & moral instruction Leviticus 19:1-18 29. Fullness of life in Christ Colossians 2:6-15 30. The fast the Lord chooses Isaiah 58:6-14

31. Isaiah’s vision in the temple Isaiah 6:1-8