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Click on the arrow to hear the song
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| Tu Eres Mi Fuerza Spanish |
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| Nearer, My God, to Thee Performed by the famous violinist Andre Rieu |
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| "Abide with me" Henry Francis Lyte wrote the lyrics in 1847 just two weeks before dying of tuberculosis |
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Here is
THE WAVE, the e
lectronic newsletter of Tres Rios Presbytery for MARCH 2016. Please, let us know your opinions, comments and suggestions, and forward the newsletter to all who may be interested in the work of our Presbytery.
We also invite you to check our Facebook page "Tres Rios" and our Presbytery Website on these links:
If you have any comment or suggestion about the Facebook Page please email
[email protected]
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FAITH & GRIEF MINISTRIES IN EL PASO
Ministerios de Fé y Duelo en El Paso
By Rev. Katherine Norvell
Several Presbyterian Churches have started a new ministry, Grief Ministries of El Paso, to serve grieving persons throughout the community.
Churches often do a wonderful job of ministering to their members and friends who have lost a loved one but find it challenging to provide support over the length of time a person may grieve.
In affiliation with Faith & Grief Ministries, Inc. of Dallas, Grief Ministries of El Paso offers monthly Faith & Grief Luncheons where people who have experienced the death of a loved one can
be strengthened by food, inspiration, prayer and conversation with others who understand. People of all faiths are welcome.
Faith & Grief Ministries, Inc. of Dallas is a program originated by Presbyterian ministers but is also ecumenical. The program consists of one-hour luncheons one time per month at one or more locations/churches. People register for the luncheon at faithandgrief.org. At the luncheon, small groups gather at tables to eat together. A scripture and prayer are offered followed by a non-professional speaker who takes 3-5 minutes to tell the story of his or her grief journey. A time of sharing and reflection is then offered in the small groups. There is a facilitator for each group. Many times people in the groups network and form their own informal grief support groups. A box lunch is provided and donations are accepted. The faithandgrief.org web site offers book and video resources, a newsletter, and grief and recovery stories.
Grief Ministries of El Paso began with an Interfaith Memorial Service last December and held its first luncheon on March 16th at First Presbyterian, El Paso. Jinny Forbes, Director of Congregational Support at University Presbyterian, El Paso shared her grief journey. Grief support groups are also offered with a group for Spanish speakers planned for early fall. After establishing this first level of ministry, Grief Ministries of El Paso has a vision for the future which could include offering luncheons in more geographical locations, training to church leaders and members on
providing pastoral/spiritual care to bereaved persons, ministry to help seniors age-in-place, a pet ministry to comfort those who have suffered a loss, ministry for other losses/life transitions (e.g. divorce, pet, preparing for anticipated losses, end-of-life issues).
The Grief Ministries Leadership Team consists of Presbyterians throughout El Paso. Carolyn Breck - University, Carlos Clugy-Soto - at-large, Jen Fox - at large, Kim Garner - Grace, George Sutton - Faith, Katherine Norvell - Team Leader.
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LENT AND HOLY WEEK IN FORT STOCKTON
Cuaresma y Semana Santa en Fort Stockton
By Rev. Jim Miles, pastor
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| Participants on the event Fish Fry |
The First Presbyterian Church of Fort Stockton has had a flurry of activities during Lent and holy week. The church participates in the local ministerial alliance's lenten luncheons, A long time tradition for the community. Each church cohosts an every Tuesday meal. These events include a free luncheon, a musical offering, and a devotional. These events have been very popular for many years and bring the community closer together.
During holy week itself, Palm Sunday worship includes the placing of palm leaves on a special 3 dimensional cross in the sanctuary at each service.
During the first evening service of the week, the church invites singers, musicians, and groups from throughout the area for an evening of music. Held Tuesday night, this event this year featured a wide range of religious music and the sanctuary was filled. Refreshments followed.
Another tradition in the Fort Stockton Presbyterian Church is their annual fish fry. This event is hosted by a number of the church families and is free to all attending. This year about 200 members and friends of the church attended. The purpose of this event is simply fellowship. Over the years quite a number of attendees have later become part of the church family.
Thursday night, Maundy Thursday, includes a footwashing, the sacrament of the Lord's supper, and elements of a Tenebrae service. This year the church was especially blessed by having a local youth ministry called Breaking Chains as guests at the service. It became not only a time of worship but a teaching event as well.
Sunday includes participation in the community sunrise service, worship services at 8:30 and 11 o'clock as well as the weekly Rest Home service at 9:30. During each service, worshipers place a fresh flower on a cross at the front of the chancel. Both services include communion. During the Sunday School hour the congregation enjoys an intergenerational time which features the children making Resurrection eggs, and being led out by the Easter bunny for an egg hunt. The bunny costume is many years old. Some of the parents wore the suit when they were students.
Dr. Jim Miles states that over the years it has been interesting to watch other congregations, several of which do not follow the church calendar began to offer special services during the liturgical seasons. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we should feel incredibly flattered. If you are ever in Fort Stockton on a Sunday, please feel invited to be the church with us. If you are in Fort Stockton on any other day, drop by for a cup of coffee and we will put you to work on one of our many mission projects as the church seeks where Jesus is at work, so He can be joined there.
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NAZARETH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - A HISTORY OF MISSION INVOLVEMENT
Iglesia Presbiteriana Nazaret, una historia de trabajo de misión.
By Debra Lombraña, clerk of session
 Nazareth Presbyterian Church is located at 313 W Avenue N in San Angelo, a region of West Texas with a population over 100,000 people. Our bilingual congregation consists about 75 members. The majority of our members have been part of this church for well over thirty plus years. Many of those former members have now passed on to rejoice with our Lord and Savior. Our church started out in a small white building in early 1947 and in August of 1979 it was built an additional building.
At that time Rev. Tomas Chavez Jr. was called to be our pastor. The congregation today consists mostly of few families with many children and grandchildren. Ages varies from older adults, young adults and a handful of small children. We are a small church but with a big heart as we strive to do mission work in the community as much as possible. Some of the examples of the mission work we do are such things as cutting grass, painting hones and even doing small repairs in the surrounding community and neighborhood in which we are called to do so. About once or twice a year we reach out to city of San Angelo to help paint or repair unit homes needed for the elderly or for those who are disable and cannot do it for themselves or do not have the means of having family members to do such repairs for them. Our small church of hard working men and women work together yearly to do a couple of major fundraising events for the church which includes our Annual Fall Festival we celebrate in October followed by our delicious "Making of Tamales" that usually draws in around 400 dozens of tamales. The women of Nazareth have been doing this Making of Tamales for over 40 years.
Another ministry of our church which we are very proud to be part of is Project Dignidad, an ecumenical operated emergency food pantry which has been here at Nazareth since 1974. This program was set to assist the needy people in the community who struggle with everyday life as far as being able to put food on the table for their children and families. Also Project Dignidad opened about 10 years ago a small room next to the food pantry to provide clothes and shoes for the needy families.
My family and I are very proud to be part of Nazareth Presbyterian Church for about thirty one years now and we will continue to do what is needed to make our church an even better and productive in mission in our community for many years to come.
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SHIFTING SANDS AT GRACE CHURCH IN MIDLAND.
Cambiando el panorama de la Iglesia Grace en Midland
By Rev. Cheryl Homsher, pastor
As I sit down to write this, the wind in Midland is blowing 35 mph, and I think some of the dirt from the beautiful landscaping at University Presbyterian, El Paso, has just touched down amidst our new landscaping at Grace!
The wind of the Spirit is ever shifting the sands of ministry at Grace, and I thank God I can be along for the ride, as this amazing church continues to be the church, through the also shifting sands of our culture and the Midland Presbyterian landscape.
We were delighted to welcome Chris Roseland of the Presbyterian Mission Agency to Grace a few weeks back. He came to help us evaluate our mission direction. Church members got so wrapped up in telling stories about the ways Grace engages in mission that Chris didn't get to do everything he wanted to with us. But it was very enlightening, as we learned that our mission centers around Children & Families, Hunger, and Compassion. One outcome of that time with Chris is a decision on our part to make more personal connections with our mission partners - taking turns calling them and asking how we can pray for them, and then lifting specific partners up in prayer every Sunday.
We've also come to see that several of our members have lost their jobs due to the downturn in the oil industry. We are looking for new ways to encourage and support them.
Our Men's Bible study delved into Mark Achtemeier's book "The Bible's Yes to Same Sex Marriage." The result of that study seemed to be a commitment to greater understanding of those who feel differently than we do - on this issue and other issues as well.
The church decided to try a new model for our children's ministry staff - we hired one of our college students, Kelcy Truszkowski, to be our Kids Club director. Kelcy will be mentored in this position by one of our elders, Chris Laufer. We are excited about this partnership and the spiritual formation of our children through them.
Shifting sands also bring challenges. Six deaths in six months has left our small congregation feeling bereft. But we have also had the joy of welcoming new faces into our worshiping community. Shifting sands... How do faithful and already over-taxed ruling elders look ahead and lead an aging but vital congregation into the future? We remind ourselves that the wind and the shifting sands are in God's hands!
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ECUMENICAL CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY WEEK IN ALPINE
Celebración ecuménica de Semana Santa en Alpine, Texas
By Rev. Jobeth McLeod. pastor
BACKGROUND
The First Presbyterian Church of Alpine was organized by The Rev. W. B. Bloys, who began meeting with ranchers and railroad employees in 1888. The congregation was officially chartered in 1892. The first church building was constructed in 1910, but burned in 1943. Due to war time restrictions, no construction materials were available to rebuild. So, an abandoned church building from Wink and an old barracks building from Marfa were moved to the site. The manse, which was spared in the fire, was connected to the other buildings and remodeled as office space. Subsequently a new sanctuary was constructed on the site. The exterior of the sanctuary has an unusual feature for West Texas - simulated flying buttresses, and the interior includes three types of stained glass windows. To protect the buildings from lightning, the entire exterior is stucco and the roof is tin.
As a component of our local mission initiatives, we actively support the Alpine Food Pantry. They are using a building which was donated to us, and are now able to distribute several times a month, rather than just once a month. In addition to the various congregational activities that regularly occur in our buildings, we extend hospitality to other local groups, such as the Alpine Ministerial Alliance, Relay for Life Board of Directors, the Cowboy Poetry Board of Directors, a Brownie Scout troop, a barbershop quartet, a ukulele ensemble, DAR, DRT, and others upon request.
LENT and EASTER 2016
Our Lenten Series, which includes a meal and a class on the Wednesday evenings between Ash Wednesday and Holy Week, is open to the community. This year we studied the book of Nehemiah. In particular, we reviewed the evidence of missional leadership characteristics in Nehemiah's efforts to serve his own people: 1. Good Moral and Religious Character; 2. An Active Prayer Life; 3. A Strong Sense of Call; 4. A Vision for the Missional Task; 5. Genuine Concern for People and Their Problems, Combined With a Deep Desire to Make Things Better; 6. The Ability to Deal With Adversity; 7. A Good Organizer of People and Projects; 8. Good Dispute Resolution Skills; 9. Shrewd with Critics and Enemies; and 10. The Ability to Delegate Responsibilities.
In keeping with long-standing custom, the Paschal Triduum was celebrated ecumenically. Our congregation hosted the Maundy Thursday service, which included the First Christian Church and the First United Methodist Church and their pastors, Lana Covington and Pat Boone-Rodriguez. On Good Friday these three congregations gathered again for a Tenebrae service at the First United Methodist Church, again led by the three pastors. The Easter Sunrise service included these congregations and others, as we gathered to begin our celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord as a united community of faith.
It was a glorious weekend for many reasons, but extra special because of the cooperation and collegiality of the pastors.
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A NEW SPIRIT OF REVIVAL IN DIVINE SAVIOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN EL PASO
Un nuevo espíritu de avivamiento en la Iglesia Presbiteriana El Divino Salvador en El Paso
By Rev. Jayne Ruiz, pastor
There is a wonderful new spirit of revival  taking place at Divine Savior/El Divino Salvador in El Paso. We have some very active young adults, four of whom volunteer to teach Children's Sunday School One other is planning a home Bible Study and preaches regularly at the church, another young adult is organizing a skit on the prodigal son, and working with one of the adults to organize our young adults.
Our children's Sunday School ministry is growing with the children participating in worship with skits and dramas. We have donates computers for the children to use for curriculum.
Young and old people from a variety of families are working together and committed to mission and evangelism.
We have a partnership with the church Principe de Paz in Ciudad Juarez. Some of our actual members were organizers of Principe de Paz helping to construct the building where the church is located. The session decided to help with mission projects in Juarez with Principe de Paz supporting the organization Root International in donating items, food, clothing and toys and supporting a projected Community Center in partnership with other ministries. We want to recognize St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in El Paso for donating dishes for this projected Community Center and for donated backpacks given out by us to rural school-age children on the outskirts of Juarez.
We are planning fundraisings to raise money for our mission, part of which will go to Juarez and the other part will be used in our neighborhood which is also a lower income area. We are thrilled with our brand new sign outside that allows us to announce our activities.
Our session has made a strong commitment with evangelism and we are working in a new brochure to share the good news of the Gospel in our neighborhood and with our unchurched families and friends inviting them to a closer relation with Jesus Christ.
The pastoral work during the first year was focused on bringing us together. We were at one time very divided in so many ways. A number of people who left the church have returned bringing with them new people. We have grown very much spiritually and are now growing in numbers.
We are excited about the possibilities of what God can continue to do through us and with us.
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by Magdalena I. García
Moderator listening sessions: Discerning what's next for the PC(USA)
