Thursday, November 17, 2022 | |
The Acts and the Work of Worship
In last week’s excellent article, Pastor Jillian outlined and summarized Northminster’s approach to worship. Because of the wonderful and beautiful fact that our church is a new home for hurting Christians who come from diverse backgrounds and who have experienced diverse styles of worship, what we do here may seem bewildering at first. As Jillian importantly pointed out, our first goal is to make everyone feel welcome, engaged, and an integral part of the work of the people (liturgy) and the work of worship. Our staff and worship leaders carefully craft spoken word, music, visual gifts, as well as paying attention to the flow of the service, making sure there are as few bumps (as we call them) in the service.
There is no wrong way to worship God. We are a diverse people; we respond in diverse ways. Any authentic responses to the elements in worship are appropriate. Just remember to whom we are responding. We are worshiping God, not the person who crafted the element, and our response is not so that others may see what we do. Soren Kierkegaard, famed and highly regarded 19th c. Danish theologian, said: “Worship isn’t God’s show. God is the audience. God is watching the congregation. They are the actors in this drama. Worship is their show, and the minister (and worship leaders) are just reminding the people of their forgotten lines.”
We come together for many reasons, not the least of which are a hunger for community and a need for God’s healing grace. However, our worship is crafted as a gift to God. Each of the elements is a gift to God. There are no offerings given for the purpose of sending a blessing or providing entertainment from the performer to members of the congregation. This is the reason applause is an inappropriate response when someone shares a gift to God during worship. Applause has developed in our culture as a means of showing a performer how great we think they are. The level of the applause is often a meter of just how good the audience judges a particular performance to be. In worship, there are no gifts greater than any others. Also, be aware that for some persons the response to a piece of music or spoken word may be a spiritual silence. Applause can be disrupting to that mood. Certainly when we honor a member such as at graduation or other non-worship related honors, applause can be and often is appropriate.
In the coming months, the worship commission will once again use various media to help us understand what the elements of worship mean, what their places in the order of service are, the traditions from which they are drawn, and their historical significance in the 30 plus years of Northminster’s journey.
However, I return to Pastor Jillian’s main point. Worship is the people’s work. That must include an atmosphere that draws all of us in and together for the singular purpose of crafting a corporate gift to our God of Grace and God of Glory.
Peace, D H
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No Newsletter Next Week
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday next week, Northminster will not publish its weekly Newsletter. The next Newsletter will publish on Thursday, December 1.
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Join Us for Worship
Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 10:45amSun
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Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaches:
Swords Into Plowshares
Click the logo below to view our Sunday Service:
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Opening Hymn: Now Thank We All Our God
For much of his life, German Lutheran pastor and musician Martin Rinkart ministered to the walled city of Eisleben amidst the horrors of the Thirty Years’ War. This hymn has become on of the most widely used hymns of the church. Set to the tune NUN DANKET by Johann Cruger, 1647 and harmonized by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840.
Gospel Acclamation: Light of the World
From Godspell, by Stephen Schwartz, DH set the words to introduce the Gospel of Matthew 5:14…”You are the LIGHT of the world.” So let your Light shine!
The Middle Hymn: For the Fruit of All Creation
This text was written in response to a request for a new harvest hymn for an existing tune. After its publication in England in 1970, it became popular in many countries and can be found set to various tunes. We sing this hymn to the tune AR HYD NOS, a Welsh traditional melody. This tune was found in musical relics of the Welsh Bards, Dublin, 1784.
Anthem: Harvest Anthem (God in Such Love)
English composer and organist, Malcolm Archer , was commissioned in 2011 by Southwell Minister Choir Association to write a piece using the text by Fred Pratt Green (1903 – 2000). This anthem was written in memory of Kenneth Beard who was Rector of Choir, 1959 – 1988.
Communion Anthem: There Will Be Peace in the Valley
Written by Thomas A. Dorsey (father of Tommy Dorsey) in 1939. Originally Composed for Mahali Jackson. Both Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley recorded this beautiful piece. Presley sang it on his 3rd and final appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, January, 1957. This Sunday, our choral scholar, Naomi Kilpatrick, will sing It for worship during our time of communion.
Closing Hymn: Come, O Thankful People, Come
This hymn represents the joining of two Thanksgiving hymns by 19th century poet Henry Alford and 18th century poet Anna Laetitia Aiken Barbauld. The creator of combined form, which appeared early in the 20th century, is not known. Sung to the tune ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR composed by George J. Elvery, 1858.
We all have so much to be thankful for…even in personal and worldly difficult times.
Let’s join and be thankful this Sunday. See you there, Debi
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Our Concerns and Celebrations | |
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We pray for...
Darrell Cluck
Frances Thrasher
Duane Crews, nephew of Hannah Clark Jay Aro
Miranda Seal
Judy Eddington
Kay Southern
Liz Pauley, friend of Mary Delancy
Tracy and Mary Sandow:
Tracy is currently in St. Francis room 604 and short visits are encouraged. Mary is home.
Our friends and sister church,
Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel,
in Ciego de Avila, Cuba
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Passing of Fred Swann (1931-2022)
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Fred Swann at age 91. Fred performed the dedicatory recitals on the Northminster Organ in 1992. He had also Performed on the same instrument when it resided in the home of D H and Hannah Clark in the 80’s. Fred was internationally known as a prolific recitalist and also organist choir-master at (among other prominent churches) Riverside Church in New York City and the Crystal Cathedral in Anaheim CA. His influence on the organ world will live on. He will be missed.
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We celebrate with...
Ken McKenzie (17th)
Charli Archer (17th)
Scout Archer (17th)
Amy Higginbotham (19th)
Marianne Wilcox (19th)
Damon Mayfield (22nd)
as we observe their birthdays.
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Senior Recital a Success!
Naomi Kilpatrick, one of our amazing choral scholars, presented a masterfully executed senior recital at ULM’s Biedenharn recital hall on Wednesday Night. Her program, which included oratorio, opera, German and French art songs, and contemporary pieces by noteworthy composers, displayed her amazing versatility as a singer and her seemingly effortless command of these ambitious and demanding pieces. Congratulations and "Brava!" to Naomi!
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Enmanuel Celebrates Anniversary
Our partner church in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, this past Sunday celebrated their 28th anniversary as a constituted church. Pictured here are Pastor Emeritus Noel Fernandez and his wife Ormara Nolla who have visited with us on several occasions. Pastor Eduardo Gonzalez was away on business. We give thanks to God for the ministry of Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel.
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Agape Meal This Sunday Nov. 20
Our Agape Meal will be held this Sunday, November 20th at 6pm. The cost is $7 per person with a cost max of $25 per family
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Northminster Columbarium
If you are interested in purchasing a niche in the Columbarium, there are packets located on the table off the narthex. Contact Renee for help with the paperwork.
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New CC Members Elected
In last Sunday night's Business Meeting three new members were elected to fill a three year term on the Council. The new members are: Gail Blackman, Kyle Gregory, and Beth Mayfield.
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Northminster Book Club
Our next book is "Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingsolver. Discussion and potluck will be held Tuesday, December 6 in the home of Marilyn Decker, 711 Oakhurst, Bastrop. A group will carpool from the church.
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Piatigorsky Concert Dec. 8
We are so excited that Evan Drachman, Cellist, and Richard Dowling, Pianist, will be performing at Northminster on Thursday evening, December 8 at 7 PM.
Evan is the founder and president of Piatigorsky Foundation, AKA PFClassical. You may click this link: www.piatigorskyfoundation.org He is the grandson of Igor Piatigorsky, internationally famed cellist. He plays one of his grandfather’s Stradivarius cellos.
Richard is a gifted pianist. Both have performed several times here.
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November Mission Emphasis:
The Christmas Project
The November mission trunk emphasis is the Center for Children & Families "The Christmas Project". Please remember the following:
- Provide at least one clothing outfit, and at least one age appropriate toy off the child's wish list. NO gift cards, please!
- Please do not wrap your gifts.
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Have the gifts in a bag (trash bag is fine) that can easily be opened and place the wish list in the bag so that we can identify who the gifts are for.
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The gifts must be brought to the Monroe office at 622 Riverside Dr. no later than Monday, November 28th. The church will not deliver these items for you and they should NOT be placed in the mission trunk.
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This Sunday
9:00 am - Choir Practice
10:00 am - Sunday School for Children (K-5), Youth, and Adults
10:45 am - Preludes
11:00 am - Worship Service
12:00 pm - Helpers need to set up for Agape Meal
5:00 pm - Youth (Keep up with us on Instagram for any upcoming events or schedule changes!)
6PM - Agape Meal. Helpers needed following the fellowship to reset the sanctuary.
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Wednesdays
6:30 pm - Choir practice.
Upcoming Events
Next Sunday at 10:45am: Hanging of the Greens
Dec. 6: Northminster Book Club meets in the home of Marilyn Decker at 711 Oakhurst, Bastrop at 6pm
Dec. 8: Piatigorsky Concert
Dec. 13: Messiah at 7pm
Dec. 18: Chili Supper at the church
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Last Sunday's Floral Offering
Given to the Glory of God
By Janet Dawson, and in loving memory of
Raymond Dawson and Brian Dawson
Arrangement by
Peggy Caskey
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PLEASE NOTE: When flowers are given in honor or in memory of someone, the flowers that day have been paid for by someone and not from the flower fund.
Please allow the family to have first pick of an arrangement to take home before choosing some for yourself. Thank you!
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Of Interest in the Community | |
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Derle Long Remembered
A concert in loving memory of Derle R. Long will be held in Brown Auditorium on the campus of ULM at 6pm on Tuesday, November 22.
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Louisiana Tech University
School of Design:
Et In Arcadia Ego by David Hamlow
LA Tech University School of Design invites you to the opening reception of Et In Arcadia Ego, an exhibition featuring works by David Hamlow. Exhibition on display through December 12, 2022. Entrance is free.
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If you have found a space of community, or healing, or hope at Northminster and believe in the work we are doing, please consider supporting us financially so that we will be able to continue creating spaces like this in all the days to come.
To support Northminster financially, you can click here, or scan the QR code with the camera on your phone.
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Northminster Church is located at:
2701 Lamy Lane
Monroe, LA 71201
318-388-3717
office@northmin.org
Church Office Hours:
Monday -Thursday 9am to 4 pm
Closed Friday
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