This Sunday in Worship from Pastor Darren:
This week’s fruit of the Spirit is timely: Generosity. We are in the middle of our stewardship campaign and this Sunday we will reflect on generosity as a spiritual practice. You can practice generosity before Stewardship Sunday by making your 2022 pledge online.
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Sermon Title: "Ripe Faith Part 6: Generosity"
Scripture Readings:
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-12
- Haggai 1:2-11
- Psalm 116: 1, 12-19
The bulletin will be available on our website as soon as possible. It will be in the green "Bulletins" box next to the livestreaming box on the home page. It will also be in the drop-down menu under the "Worship" tab on the home page.
Pastor Diane has prepared devotions for October, which can be downloaded here. If you would prefer to have a copy of the October devotions mailed to you, please contact Pastor Diane.
Last Sunday's service can be found below:
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Last Sunday's bulletin is here.
Please continue to give by making contributions through the "online giving" tab on our website; by mailing them to the church at 3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208; by texting "Give" to 1-(317) 676-2061, or by using one of our offering boxes when attending in person.
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Do We Have
Your Contact
Information?
If you received a letter from North recently asking you to update your contact information, would you please return it to the church office as soon as possible?
If you didn't receive one, please call the church office or email Jennifer to let her know your current contact information.
Thank you!
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North Featured
In New Book
North is one of 35 historic Indianapolis churches featured in an upcoming coffee table book, "Circle City Steeples" by Lee Little and photographer Kati Gaschler. It is being printed by Vedere Press on Massachusetts Avenue. Preorders are open now, and the author hopes physical copies will be available around Christmas or in January. Preorders at $50 per book can be made here.
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Prayers
Send us your prayer requests through this email address:
[email protected]. Unless the request is marked "clergy only," it will be printed in our daily prayer bulletin, which is issued each Monday. If you would like to download the daily prayer bulletin for this week please click here.
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Attendance
A total of 38 people attended last Sunday's 8:30 a.m. service, and 109 people attended the 11 a.m. service. The latter's livestream has been viewed 188 times to date.
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Praying for
Our Parish:
In the Hospital, Rehab or Hospice:
- Please keep Joan Lafuze in your prayers as she continues to recover from COVID-19.
- Ronald Cushenberry has moved to Oasis assisted living on the east side and would enjoy hearing from our North community. His new address is: Ronald Cushenberry, Oasis, 5651 E. 30th St., Unit 326, Indianapolis, IN 46218. His cell phone number is (317) 749-6987.
Prayer List:
Throughout the year each church member is prayed for on a monthly rotating list. The list for October is here. The members for this week follow:
- Ed Edson
- Judy Edwards
- April Edwards Sellers
- Andy Eggert
- Jeff, Julie & Rebecca Eggert
- Martin Ellis
- Charles, Tara, Isabella & Liliana Elson
- Tom Emmett
- Bill Epperson
- Gregg Epperson
- Gordon & Sheila Evans
- Beth Everett
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Stewardship
True North: Staying the Course
On Sunday, Oct. 31 we will celebrate stewardship with “True North: Staying the Course,” and ask you to dedicate your 2022 financial pledge to continue Christ’s ministry at North United Methodist Church.
“We give to North for what North gives to us: community, guidance, and a place to gather and praise.”
— Dan Wegg and Sarah Bowman-Wegg
You can make an online pledge today. Every pledge, no matter the size, makes a difference. To set up your electronic giving for 2022, please click this link.
To learn more click this link.
Covenant Conversation on Church Finances Is Oct. 24
The finance and stewardship committees invite you to hear an important update on North Church finances for 2021 on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. via Zoom.
We will review the results through September 2021 and discuss the budget for 2022. You do not want to miss this important update on the finances of North Church. Email John Drake for the Zoom link.
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Mission and Outreach
Umoja Partnership Sunday at North Will Be Nov. 7
Mark your calendars for Nov. 7 when North Church will celebrate the work done by the Umoja Partnership (UP). UP, one of North’s mission and outreach programs, works in Western Kenya with orphaned and vulnerable children to provide food and access to schooling and mentoring programs. Started in 2006, this agency is a partnership of many faiths, from different cultures, on two different continents, united in service to change lives by keeping children in school.
On Nov. 7 you will have several ways to learn about Umoja and become involved. First, Leonard Otiende, the Kenyan director, will offer a "Moment for Mission" at both worship services and will also make a presentation during the 9:45 Sunday school hour. Please join us in Fellowship Hall to hear his report on the current programs, the number of children impacted, and the UP's plans for the future.
Later that day the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at Second Presbyterian Church at 5 p.m. This is a fundraising event for the food security program, which provides school lunches to students attending 20 elementary schools in the Chulaimbo region of Kenya, where at least 20 percent of school-age children have lost one or more parent to HIV/AIDS or other diseases. The meal will be typical Kenyan dishes, and you will have the opportunity to participate in an auction of over 100 items, many of them donated by members of North’s community. Tickets to the event are $50 and can be purchased by going online at Umoja Partnership.org or by contacting Patty Hefner.
We look forward to celebrating the UP on Nov. 7!
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Call for Home Repair Volunteers
There are many opportunities to serve our neighbors in the community. The "Boo! Home Repair Doesn't Have to be Scary" event hosted by NeighborLink Indy is just one of them. On Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. NeighborLink is expecting 50-plus volunteers to tackle multiple projects for homeowners in need across the community. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and be outdoors. Sign up to register for this event by clicking this link. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Sunil.
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Discipleship and Formation
Bible Study on the Minor Prophets Continues Tonight
Since each session can stand on its own, it's not too late to participate in our fall Bible study, "Major Issues for the Minor Prophets," which runs each Wednesday night through Oct. 20. Join Pastor Darren for this fascinating exploration of scripture via Zoom. Register by emailing Jennifer.
Introduction to Contemplative Prayer Workshop Is Nov. 13
Every Tuesday evening we offer contemplative and meditative prayer in the chapel. Have you ever wondered about it, but haven’t tried it? Perhaps you felt you didn’t know enough about it. We will offer an "Introduction to Contemplative Prayer" workshop led by North member John Drake on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. There is a $20 fee to cover the cost of a book you will receive that can be paid the day of the event. Please RSVP to Amy by Nov. 10.
Here is what "Contemplative Outreach" has to say about contemplative prayer. “We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. But this is only one expression. In the Christian tradition contemplative prayer is considered to be the pure gift of God. It is the opening of mind and heart — our whole being — to God, the ultimate mystery, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. Through grace we open our awareness to God, whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing, closer than consciousness itself.”
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Care and Nurture
World Food Day Is This Saturday, Oct. 16
More than 73 billion people (almost 40 percent of the world's population) can't afford a healthy diet. The Food and Agricultural Organization for the United Nations advises that the food you choose and the way you consume it affects your health and that of our planet. The food we choose and the way we produce, prepare, cook, and store it makes us an integral part of the way an agri-food system works.
How can we make a difference? We need to influence what is produced by increasing our demand for sustainably produced nutritious foods, and at the same time be more sustainable in our daily actions. First and foremost is to reduce food loss and waste. We also have the responsibility to spread the word, building awareness about the importance of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Efforts to mitigate climate change, environmental degradation, and our wellbeing all depend on it. We need to activate a food movement that advocates for ambitious change, hence events like World Food Day this Saturday, Oct. 16, were established.
To learn more follow #WorldFoodDay or see www.fao.org, Main Topics, Food Systems.
(Source: FAO, 2021)
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Board of Trustees
Construction Update
The work continues on the the restroom and parlor remodel. The photo above shows the new kitchen countertops and sink in the parlor's kitchen. The photo below shows the new stone surround in the parlor's fireplace. This renovation is being funded by our capital campaign. Both photos were taken Oct. 11. For a closer look see the photo collage on the easel in the west enty.
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Children, Youth and Families Ministries |
Family Fun Day Oct. 24
We were sad to cancel last Sunday’s Family Fun Day, but we didn’t have enough folks RSVP. We are happy that we have another one scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 24 from 4-6 p.m. in the North Church parking lot and old playground. We will have fun, friends, fellowship, and food. Parents, youth, kids, and grandparents are all welcome. Please RSVP to Amy by Wednesday, Oct. 20, so we have enough food, supplies, and people!
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Candy, Trunks Are Needed for Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31
North Church will host Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 2-3:30 p.m. We will collect candy every Sunday in October. You can bring individually wrapped candy to the church on Sundays and place it in the gray bin in the west entry. If you would like to host a trunk please email Lydia Shaw. As of right now we have close to 10 trunks, but we would love to have around 25 so please let Lydia know! If you would like to assist with set up, clean up, or distribute flyers in the neighborhood, please email Amy.
Worship Resources for Sunday
Here are the children’s worship bulletins for this Sunday, Oct. 17 for kids age 3 and older and 7 and older. Enjoy these while you watch the worship service as a family.
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United Methodist Women
Ordering Is Underway for Soup Mix and Wick's Pies
Fall is here, and United Methodist Women (UMW) fundraisers have arrived! Remember all the life-changing programs the UMW support, and please help us help others. For info on how to order friendship soup mix, please click this link. For info on how to order Wick's pies, please click this link. If you have any questions please email Carol Tiller-Luchtman.
Women of Lydia Circle to Meet Oct. 26
The Women of Lydia circle will meet at 7 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Jan Wheater-Cowan's home, 4492 Braedonwood.
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Mid-North Shepherd's Center
Race Relations to Be Discussed at Oct. 20 Meeting
The Mid-North Shepherd's Center will focus on race relations on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Toby Miller, director of the Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network and the executive director of One Heart Indiana, will be the guest speaker. His talk is entitled "Racial Issues in Indiana." The group will meet at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and Mr. Miller's presentation will start at 11 a.m. The Shepherd's Singers will rehearse at noon. All of the Domestic Decisions programs are open to the public free of charge.
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