Celebrating 125 years!

The Prairie Light

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

Thanksgiving for Kitty Lum Rejoice in knowing that we will soon have a full-time pastor! In August, the church unanimously voted to accept the Pastor Nominating Committee’s nominee, Pastor Candidate Kitty Lum.

Kitty was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California. She worked as a chemical engineer and later attended San Francisco Theological Seminary where she earned her master’s of divinity. Kitty served as a hospital chaplain resident for a year and did her internship in a multicultural church in California.

Kitty is described as being energetic, genuine, dedicated and passionate about serving God. Kitty says, “I am an extrovert and enjoy preaching, preparing worship and giving pastoral care.” Learning about new cultures

and languages is one of her favorite things to do. She speaks Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese.

The wheels of our Presbyterian system move quite slowly as we must do everything “decently and in order.” Kitty must attend the next Presbytery of Southern Kansas meeting November 11, in Coffeeville, where she will be questioned. She will then be ordained November 23 at her home church in San Anselmo, California. Finally, she will make the trek to Liberal and begin her career here December 1.

We look forward in welcoming Kitty and together beginning a new chapter here at First Presbyterian Church in Liberal.

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Message for OctoberOctober 05 – Amy ThompsonOctober 12 - Carol LamarOctober 19 - Carol LamarOctober 26 – Susan Lukwago

Special Offering Days

Oct. 5The PCUSA Peacemaking Offering supporting the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. There is additional information included in the Sunday bulletin and special envelopes will be provided.

This first Sunday is also Community Food Cupboard Sunday. Please bring your donations for the local food cupboard. Suggestions include peanut butter, beans, rice

and low-salt items. Please be sure to note the expiration date so that nothing expired accidentally makes it to the cupboard. You can find more suggestions of items online at http://www.cagcny.org/Suggested%20Food%20Pantry%20Items.htm and http://www.hungerisunacceptable.com/blog/2011/02/17/%E2%80%9Cwhat-are-the-best-types-of-non-perishable-foods-to-donate%E2%80%9D-cafb-answers/.

Please note that all loose offering received each Sunday goes to the Deacon’s Fund. This fund helps to support those in our community who find themselves in special circumstances and need some financial support.

Holy Communion will be observed on Sunday October 5, 2014.

Welcome!

Angela and Jeff Johnston of Plano, Texas welcomed into their family Miss Olivia Monroe Johnston on September 21, 2014 at 8:23a.m. Olivia weighed 6lb 2.4 oz and was 17 1/2" long. Big brother, Adam, is extremely excited and the entire family thanks God for this new member of the Thompson/Johnston family. Thank you for your prayers during Angela’s pregnancy.

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Prayer Guide for PCUSA MissionsThe Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study dates back to 1892, when the Women’s Executive Committee for Home Mission, Organization of Presbyterian Women, prepared a simple Calendar of Prayer to help women’s societies pray for missionaries on designated days. Three years later the first mission yearbook appeared, called the Year Book of Prayer for Foreign Missions. That publication was joined with the prayer calendar in a 1919 edition, the Year Book of Prayer for Missions, when both international and domestic personnel were included. In 1971 the name changed to the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study in order to reflect the unique role of this publication as a continuing source of inspiration and current information for all who share in Christ’s mission. Beginning with the 2012 edition, the name changed to what we know today as the Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study.

Having been in continuous annual publication since 1892, it has the longest history of any denominational mission and prayer book in the United States.

The Mission Yearbook is part of the ongoing history of faithfulness of Presbyterian Women and demonstrates their commitment to mission and to prayer. The dedication page for the Year Book published in 1896 reads:

Let us keep this Year Book of Prayer with the Book that holds the sure word of promise, in the place where each day we go

to meet our Lord and to commune with Him.

Let us pour out our hearts in gratitude that He has called us to aid Him in the work of extending His kingdom; let us plead earnestly for the dear ones whose names and work are designated.

So will our faith grow brighter, our love more intense and we shall realize the blessedness of the tie that binds our hearts in love to Christ.

The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study is devoted to the theme of young adults and the church. Its stories are must-reads for everyone who wants to better engage and join in ministry with young adults. You can connect to the yearbook online: http://links.presbyterianchurch.mkt6217.com/ctt?kn=9&ms=MjE1MTIxMzcS1&r=Nzg2MjM0MTMyMzkS1&b=0&j=NDAxNzk4Nzk5S0&mt=1&rt=0.

Connect with us on FacebookWe have a Facebook page and would love for you to ‘like’ us and stay in touch this way. You can find us as “First Presbyterian Church of Liberal.”

https://www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianChurchofLiberal

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Special Prayer Request from the Presbyterian Mission Agency:

Presbyterian World Mission is asking for prayers for longtime Presbyterian Mission coworkers Gwen and John Haspels, who were injured in a shooting Wednesday, October 1, when their car was attacked by armed bandits on a rural road in Ethiopia.

After the attack, John drove Gwen four hours to the nearest hospital in Aman, Ethiopia, where he was treated for injuries to his eye and is now in good condition. Gwen sustained more serious injuries and was in critical condition when they arrived at the hospital.

They have arrived in South Africa and are in a Trauma ICU at a good hospital. Gwen is fully oriented, stable and has good vital signs. Talking is difficult for her considering the injuries to her mouth. John is doing well and they are positive that the vision in his left eye will return once the swelling goes down.

Please keep praying: for a speedy recovery for Gwen; for restoration of sight for John; for a clear plan for the coming days. And give thanks to God that, in spite of the sudden violence of this attack, these two servants of our Lord have been brought to safety.

You can read about the Haspels ministry online at

http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/haspels-john-and-gwenyth-2014-09/.

(Side note: John and Gwen are graduates of Sterling College. Not only are they multi-generational lifetime missionaries, but they are lifetime Sterling College Warriors. I have met John and Gwen and went to school with three of their children. – Amy T.)

October 5 – Julia ThompsonOctober 6 – Madelynn Caldwell October 10 – Hope Bradford (Day Care student)October 10 – Cason Caffey (Day Care student)October 12 – Garret AllamanOctober 13 – Kathryn WoodOctober 14 – Talon PriestOctober 16 – Sue FarmerOctober 17 – Bob OblanderOctober 18 – Adam JohnstonOctober 18 – Abbagail Lyda (Day Care student)October 19 – Ava Hubbard (Day Care student)October 20 – Mary LambertOctober 28 – Jeff JohnstonOctober 30 – Margaret Brewer

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WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

October 21 - Lester & Stephani Caldwell

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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

(Italicized/bold = new additions)

The The HEALTH of our church family members and friends (FPC): Joyce Amerin; Blassa Arriaga (Cristina Terry’s mom); Sammy Bartley; Stephani Caldwell; P.J. Carlisle; Jeff Chance; Jessica Cowan (Alberta Gilbert’s great-niece); Jennifer Crews; Stacey Curry; Ginger Dailing (Leroy Black’s Mom); Barbara Hoffman; David Hoffman (Sammey Bartley’s nephew);Estell Hontanosan (Veronica Zainali’s aunt); Hunter Holcomb (Alberta Gilbert’s great-nephew); Mike & Michelle Houck; Jeff, Angie (Thompson) & Adam and Olivia Johnston (Thompson’s children & grandchildren); Eva Lou Koons; Robert Lynn (Judy Chance’s father); Betty Miller (Bob Oblander’s sister); Dr. Tonya (Pittman) Navarrette; Leon Onions; Unnamed friends who are wishing to adopt as they meet a potential mother; Charles Scott (Ruth Trimmell’s brother); Pat Seaman; Pam Tate (Julia Thompson’s cousin); Brita Trimmell (Theriot) (Mary Lambert’s daughter); Ruth Trimmell; Alaira Widener (Leroy & Johnna Black’s granddaughter); Kathryn Wood; Leota Zones; Cathy Buddenhagen.

Church family member and friends battling CANCER (FPC): Jerry Jo Deckert; Emma Diaz; Mike Grande; Joel (Robin Oliver friend); Jeff Keating; Vicki King; Lynn (Ann Brown’s friend); Sarah Miller; 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): Emeritus: Wanda Rundell (#211); Kathryn Wood. OTHER REQUESTS of the Church family (FPC): Kitty Lum, our pastor candidate, as she prepares for ordination and installation as well as her move from California; 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; Sterling College; our local USD 480 School board; Matt, Macie & Max Lamar (Carol Lamar’s son & grandchildren); Amy Thompson as she searches for a job; and Pre-school & Day Care Center; Christians around the world who are suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus.

Let us always rememberOur CHILDREN in prayer!!

Let us also pray for the Presbytery of Southern Kansas and, in particular, the following Churches this month: United Presbyterian Church, Sterling; First Presbyterian Church, Larned; First Presbyterian Church, Derby; First Presbyterian Church, Wichita.

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Fall art by day care students

First Presbyterian ChurchPre-School and Day Care CenterFirst of all, and most importantly, we would like to thank Stephani Caldwell for all the kind words she shared during Teacher Appreciation Sunday about me and our teachers. The kind gifts from the congregation were wonderful. We felt very welcome and greatly appreciated. Stephani’s words made every minute that we work with the children well worth our time and effort. We all felt very special and encouraged in being honored. Thank you.

First Presbyterian Child Care Center will have a picture day on Tuesday October 7, 2014. The pictures will be taken by Jack Dorsey Photography and the congregation is invited to come and have their family photos taken. Jack will be at the Day Care from 9:00 a.m. – noon to take the children’s photos. If you are interested in arranging a time for your family photo, please contact me at 624.1616.

In observance of Fire Prevention Month, each class will be doing a fire-related lesson plan and activities. October 22 at 9:30 a.m. brings a surprise for the students as the Fire Department and Sparky are on site to teach about fire safety.

We want to invite you to our Fall Carnival on Thursday October 23 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the church gym. We will have lots of fun activities for children and we hope that you will come and celebrate with your children.

As a reminder, we have a morning class and an afternoon class. Formal pre-school is Monday – Thursday and is 4 days a week. The A.M. class is from 9:00-11:30 and the P.M. class is from 12:00-2:30.

The First Presbyterian ChurchPre-School and Day CareDirector, Rose Ramirez

Sunday September 21 – Teacher Appreciation Sunday – started with everyone meeting for breakfast in the family room. What great food and fellowship we all had. Then during the worship service Stephani Caldwell read a special tribute to our Preschool and Day Care Teachers and with assistance of the children, a gift bag was presented to each of those that teach.

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All loose offering each Sunday goes

to the Deacon’s Fund.

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5Holy CommunionPeacemaking OfferingFood Cupboard CollectionMessage: Amy ThompsonGR: Bob & Jonice Oblander WL: Marvin Chance, Jr.

Julia Thompson’s B-day Session Meeting2:00 p.m.

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Madelynn Caldwell’s B-Day

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Deacons Meeting5:30 PM.

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Hope Bradford’s B-dayCason Caffey’s B-day(Both are Day Care students)

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Message: Carol Lamar

GR: Marvin Chance, Jr. Family

WL: Bob Houck

Garret Allaman’s B-day

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Kathryn Wood’s B-day

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Talon Priest’s B-day

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Bob Oblander’s B-day

Abbagail Lyda’s B-day (Day Care student)

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Adam Johnston’s B-day

Ava Hubbard’s B-day (Day Care student)

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Message: Carol Lamar

GR: Martha Darnell & Jill Pittman

WL: Dan Brown

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Mary Lambert’s B-day

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Lester & Stephani Caldwell’s Anniversary

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Message: Susan Lukwago

GR: Bob & Mary Houck

WL: Ken Thompson

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Jeff Johnston’s B-day

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Margaret Brewer’s B-day

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Sophia Delgado’s B-Day (Day Care Student)

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Gatekeeper: Marvin Chance, Jr.

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First Presbyterian ChurchP.O. Box 236Liberal KS 67905

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way, please contact the Church Office – presby@swko.net.

If you have email, you can also use our email to notify the Church Office on any changes to your address, births, deaths, to add your name to the Prayer Chain

email list, or other questions.

We, of course, always love to hear from you on the phone!

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