Who Me? - The Piper for January 14, 2018

January 14, 2018

Welcome to The Piper , Northmont's award-winning semi-monthly newsletter!

The Piper helps you keep up with what's going on at Northmont.

Weekly, you will have access to updates on what's happening at

the church. The Piper includes articles, a weekly schedule,

upcoming church-wide events, partnership

and mission news,

youth & children's ministry information, public announcements, a list of members & friends who

need our prayers, and more!

Thank you for subscribing to The Piper ! Read on and have a blessed day!

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Check us out on the Web

We invite yo u to visit our Web site at northmontchurch.org to stay up to date on happenings in the Northmont community.

Congregational Meeting Sunday, January 28

The Annual Meetings of the Congregation and the Corporation will immediately follow worship Sunday, January 28. Please make plans to attend these important meetings in the life of Northmont United Presbyterian Church.

Welcome our new Pastor-elect, Ben Robbins!

The PNC unanimously recommended Rev. Ben Robbins to the congregation to become our new Pastor. Last Sunday, the congregation overwhelmingly approved their recommendation. Ben will join Northmont as Pastor and Head of Staff , Monday, February 12.

Learn more about Ben and his family by clicking here.

Please join us welcoming Ben, Sarah, and Liam to the Northmont family!

Worship this Sunday

The First Sunday after the Epiphany

Who Me? Rev. Jane Esterline

Liturgist: Jane Nicola

Music: David Daugherty, Director of Music, Chancel Choir

Stephen Minister Jean Eckert will be available for prayer near the chancel after worship

Chancel Flowers are given to the glory of God by: Pat & Deane Frank, in loving memory of their families

Fellowship Time immediately follows worship, hosted by: Beacons

Need a ride to church?

Call the church office (412) 364-0105 or email before 4pm, Thursday, and we will arrange for a church member to pick you up for Northmont's Sunday service.

This Sunday

Who Me?

Rev. Jane Esterline

Who Me? Sometimes God's call is very easy to discern. Sometimes, like in Eli's case, it takes several tries. God is good, all the time, and is faithful to get us through our "who me?" moments.

In case you missed it ...

Sunday, January 7: Revealed Identity, Rev. Ben Robbins

Our Pastor-elect, Rev. Ben Robbins made his debut in the Northmont pulpit

Sunday, January 7. You can check out audio from last Sunday's service by clicking on the image to the right.

Audio from all of our recent worship services may be found by clicking here .

Ear Candy & Inspiration for a Sunday (or any) morning

Monday is the day the federal government has declared Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, in remembrance of the slain preacher and civil rights leader of the 1960s, and the struggle for equality under the law still experienced far too often in our society. Here's the incomparable gospel music icon Mavis Staples, singing "Jesus is on the Mainline," a song that captures the spirit of the movement and the important role in it that Jesus plays for so many.

Click the link to the right and enjoy!

If you have a musical selection you would like to have featured in this space, we'd love to hear from you! Please send the title (and artist, if it's important to you that we find a specific version of the music) to Bob Addleman.

From the Interim Pastor

Congregational meeting

The Northmont annual congregational meeting to receive reports from committees and boards, and hear the corporation report will be Sunday January 28, 2018 following the worship service.

Communication changes

The Piper will now come your way twice a month, on the second and fourth weeks of each month. An email to the congregation will be created by the ministry staff of Northmont and mailed to you on the first and third weeks of each month. Continue to expect new things from Northmont

Jane

From Stewardship & Finance

On behalf of the congregation, the Stewardship and Finance Committee gratefully acknowledges a gift from the estate of Tom Snaman in the amount of $105,000. Tom loved Northmont and its members and provided for the church with a bequest in his will. His gift will help enable Northmont to continue in God's service, mindful of the needs of others and showing God's love to one another.

Doc's Clef Notes

Watch this space for news and notes about music programs and programming at Northmont.

See you in church,

David (Doc)

From the Spiritual Formation Associate

Youth Corner ...

Youth Group has returned from the holidays better than ever. Join us Sundays at 4:30pm in the Youth Lounge for fellowship, Bible Study ... and snacks! Next week, we begin our study and discussion of The Chronicles of Narnia.

Come join us!

Steph

From the Spiritual Formation Director

for Children's Ministry

.

Children's Footprints ...

Happy New Year to you! Have you made any resolutions? You know the ones that disappear, the ones that we never keep because... well, get in line for all the excuses. We all have great intentions, right? I can't remember a year that I pulled through with all of my resolutions. Well, except one resolution.

A few years ago, I decided I had to be better at my daily devotions. Are you rolling your eyes? After many, many attempts, I finally achieved that particular resolution. Let me tell you about my journey toward eventual success with this resolution.

First, I tried to make this a family devotional time. And while we may not be consistent, we are doing better. Our Bible sat on the table and dinner flew by and then everyone had places to go. Strike One. And the Bible just sat there.... Then I planned for devotion time before bed...and I would wake up with the Bible on top of me in the wee hours of the morning. Strike Two. Then I thought - how about when I wake up, before I get out of bed? Almost Strike Three.

Because then, I learned about an app, an app for your phone called You Version. It is a wonderful tool that I have had since 2011, and it works for me and my family. Every morning it prompts me to read the verse of the day, and if I want, I can read further in the chapter. There is even a voice activation that can read to me ☺ It's then easy to find a devotion tailored to my needs, such as sadness, worry, joy, fulfillment, or understanding to name a few.

These are short devotions with scripture and videos from people like Charles Stanley, Joyce Meyers, Beth Moore, or Third Day. The kid's version also has videos that last about 5 minutes.

The list is extensive. The last time I looked there were over 1600 versions. There is even a way to compare verses for better understanding. I highly recommend this app for individuals and families.

My youngest, in college, says he is thankful for the verse every day. And while we know that faithfulness may not be high on college students' minds, there the devotion is, every day, prompting him! For me and my family, You Version is a great reminder to keep a steady course toward the goal of making Christ first in our life.

It took a while for this resolution to succeed, but remember, as long as you seek, you will find, knock, and the door will be opened to you. Happy devoting! I hope whatever your resolution is this year, you are successful!

Peace,

Barb

Sunday School

Sundays at 9am in the Christian Education wing for grades 7 through 12.

Children's Worship Bags are available in the narthex hallway.

Kids Kirk Children from pre-K through grade 6 are invited to join us after Time with the Children (during wo

Children from Pre-K through grade 6 are invited to join us after Time with the Children (during worship) in the Christian Education wing for Kids Kirk. Follow along with the Advent season as we explore the coming of the Christ Child. Our teachers will be leading Kids Kirk during the worship hour. We are so thankful for their continued blessings of teaching the Bible stories to children.

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Clark .

Impact Bible Study meets Sundays at 9am in the Berean Room. Sessions resume January 7.

Adult Bible Study meets Sundays at 9am in the Mangochi Room. Sessions resume January 7.

Praying the Psalms meets Thursdays at 10am in the Berean Room.

Nursery Worship time childcare will be available in the nursery.Worship time childcare will be available in the nurser Worship time childcare will be available in the nursery. We welcome Abby Smith to our nursery team. Abby comes to us from LaRoche College. She has extensive child care credentials, and is looking forward to working with our children in the nursery. Stop by and say hello!

Wednesday Club

Wednesday Club is back! See you Wednesday evening for our story on the Prince of Peace, followed by bell-ringing and games. Kid-friendly dinner is included. All kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to join us from 5-7pm. as we have an evening of faith, food and fun. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Clark at 412-605-7984 or email her at barb@northmontchurch.org

Youth Group We had an amazing weekend of fellowship as we contin

Join us tonight as we watch a movie and discuss it! Feel free to bring a friend, or a snack, or both! Next week, we will begin our study of The Chronicles of Narnia series, by C. S. Lewis, starting with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Thanks from Honduras Hope Mission

The Honduras Hope Mission medicine drive is complete. We generously donated about $1,400 in medical supplies. This mission needs financial support as well. Even though each mission team member pays his/her own expenses, thousands of dollars are needed for other costs such as prescription medicines, hundreds of water filters, mosquito nets, bibles, children's bibles, and other supplies and services. Donation checks can be made out to: "Honduras Hope Mission" and mailed to: Honduras Hope Mission, Inc., P.O. Box 463, Mars, PA. 16046. I have felt your prayers and witnessed the results of your generosity as we serve the world as Jesus taught us.

Second Annual Souper Flannel Caring Sunday

Sunday February 4, you are invited to wear your favorite flannel clothing to church! The youth will be celebrating the "Souper" bowl by collecting canned goods and monetary donations for the local food bank at the end of the service. We look forward to seeing you and your flannel!

Sixth Annual NCM Food Pantry Brunch Challenge

Tickets are on sale now for the sixth annual NCM Food Pantry Brunch Challenge at the New Hazlett Theater in Allegheny Center, Satuday, January 20 at 11am. Tickets are only $25 for a delicious brunch made by chefs from 10 different restaurants and lively entertainment provided by a local Salsa band. Bring along a bag of non-perishable food items to stock up the pantry! Contact Mary Lou or Bill English for tickets.

ad - just

/ə' ˈjəst/
verb

TO ADAPT OR CONFORM TO NEW CONDITIONS

Have you or has someone you know recently had to adjust to any of these situations: A new job, a new baby, a new boss, a new house, a separation, a grown child moving back home, a seriously ill parent, a death? If so, a Stephen Minister would like to be there to listen and care as you go through this difficult time.

Contact Nancy Garver at 724-935-2194, or email her

STEPHEN MINISTER BILL H. ENGLISH

is making hospital calls this week.

He can be reached at

412-487-6619 or email him

Tuesday mornings at 8:30

Fellowship Hall

Please remember in your prayers:

Our Pastor-elect Ben Robbins and his family, as Ben prepares to begin his ministry at Northmont

Our Interim Pastor Jane Esterline and her family, as Jane concludes her ministry at Northmont, and prepares for the next chapter in her ministry

All those affected by natural disasters

All those who must, literally, today pray for their daily bread

Our sister church, Mangochi CCAP, in Mangochi, Malawi

Our sister church, Second Presbyterian Church, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania

Our global mission partners, the Ludwig family, the Weller family, and Kay Day

Members of the congregation who are seeking employment

The leaders of our federal, state, and local governments

All the men and women of our Armed Forces and our Veterans

Our enemies, as God has called us to pray also for them, even as we may not understand why

As The Piper is posted to the World Wide Web, privacy concerns dictate that we no longer publish the entire weekly Prayer Chain. If you would like to receive the Prayer Chain by email, please contact Jane Nicola or the church office.

Sunday

January