NEWSLETTER
Thursday, November 4, 2021
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Daylight Savings Time Ends November 7 at 2 a.m.
Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour upon retiring to bed on Saturday night. Otherwise you'll be an hour early for church!
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Join us for Worship
Sunday November 7, 2021
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REV. DR. SCOTT STEARMAN
OUR PULPIT GUEST SUNDAY
Sermon: "On Not Living in Vain"
We welcome Rev. Dr. Scott Stearman as our pulpit guest this coming Sunday. For over three decades, Scott Stearman has served as a pastor in the Baptist tradition. His experience includes congregations in Athens, Greece and Paris, France. For twelve years he served as Senior Pastor of the Kirkwood Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri, a partner congregation of the Alliance of Baptists. While in St. Louis he worked actively in advocacy for racial justice and in state-wide efforts to fight discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
Most recently, he has been a pastor in New York City where he continues to be the representative of the Baptist global body at the United Nations (supported by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist World Alliance). Dr. Stearman is a trustee on the board of the Parliament of World Religions and writes regularly on the intersection of religion and international/cultural affairs. His educational background includes theological degrees from Southwestern and Princeton Seminaries and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife Cecelia now live in Jackson, Mississippi. Please plan to be in worship on Sunday to welcome Scott and Cecilia to Northminster.
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CECILIA STEARMAN OUR GUEST SOLOIST SUNDAY
We welcome Cecelia Stearman as our guest soloist on Sunday. A native of Mississippi, she has had a rich international singing career. She has performed opera, oratorio and recitals in theaters and concert stages on four continents and in numerous countries. In addition to her international singing career, Ms. Stearman has extensive choral directing experience. She holds a Master’s in Vocal Performance and is currently on the faculty of Millsaps College in Jackson. Let us also welcome Cecilia to Northminster and thank her for sharing her musical talent with us.
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Click photo below for a link to the live stream on YouTube which will begin
around 10:45 AM on Sunday morning November 7.
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Our Worship in Song this Sunday |
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Opening Hymn :Sing Praise to God, Our Highest Good
Johann Jakob Schutz practiced both civil and canon law in Frankfurt, Germany, throughtout his life. He had an interest in the company that purchased land in Germantown, Pennsylvania, from William Penn in 1683. Schutz published two collections of hymns. The hymn is set to the tune MIT FREUDEN ZART from Bohemian Brethren’s Kirchengesang in 1566 and harmonized inn 1906 as a congregational hymn by Maurice Bell.
Gospel Acclamation: Stores of Grace
D. H. Clark wrote our introduction to the reading of the Gospel of Mark…..”May stores of grace, as promised in Your word, sustain us for all time to come.” For the after gospel we have the words “Nourished by abundant grace, may we find strength for the living of these days.” Thank you, D.H….we all need to hear these words and be blessed for sharing them together.
Anthem: The Prayer of St. Franicis of Assisi
Composer Rene Clausen set these beautiful words to music in 1992. He was commissioned by the Borger High School Varsity Choir, Johnny Miller, director. They were to perform this piece for the Texas Music Educators Association Convention. The piece was dedicated to the father of the director, Bob Miller. What a wonderful way to remember a loved one.
Sermon Response: If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking
Cecelia Stearman, wife of the guest minister, Scott Stearman, will sing this beautiful response to the sermon. The text was set to music by Lori Laitman, a contemporary composer who lives in New York City and a friend of the Stearman’s. The text is based on an Emily Dickinson poem.
Communion Anthem: A Woman Came Who Did Not Count the Cost
United Church of Christ minister Richard Leach has stated that much of his inspiration as a hymn writer comes during his sermon preparations. The theme of this text – God’s anointing us, as the woman anointed Jesus with perfume – was first developed in a sermon, and then given poetic form. Naomi Kilpatrick, one of our choral scholars, will sing the verses and the choir will join on the refrain “ O God, you are the Anointing One….” The text is set the tuen WEXFORD CAROL, an Irish folk melody.
Closing Hymn: Come to Tend God’s Garden
John Dalles is the author of more than 200 hymn texts. This one was written for the 275th anniversary of the Synod of the Trinity (Pennsylvania), where Dalles served as a pastor at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh. The tune is KING’S WESTON, by English composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1925.
Looking forward to sharing worship with you this Sunday! Debi
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November Mission Emphasis |
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"The Center for Children and Families Christmas Project
November's Mission Emphasis
The sign up sheet and the children's wish lists on the table in the hall. (Only 4 left!)
- DO NOT DROP SONSORED CHILDREN'S GIFTS OFF AT THE CHURCH
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Deliver your gifts between now and Monday, November 29th at the center located at 622 Riverside Drive
- Gifts must be new and unwrapped
Put gifts in a garbage bag or bag that can be easily opened and place the child’s wish list inside the bag. Feel free to get any of the items from the wish list that you would like. Our only requirements are that they receive one outfit (shirt, pants) and at least one toy/item from their list. Please no gift cards.
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NARTHEX TRUNK ITEMS: if you would prefer to make general item donations instead of sponsoring an individual child, you may donate directly to the Mission Trunk so that the Center will have "filler gifts" to fill out those wish lists that need additional items. The Missions Commission will gather these items on Sunday November 28 to take to The Center on Monday the 29th. Ideas are: baby dolls, footballs, basketballs, games, clothing items such as hoodies, NFL, NBA apparel, costume jewelry, NO CASH, CHECKS OR GIFT CARDS.
All donations are tax deductible, so for your tax purposes, The Center for Children and Families, Inc., EIN 72-1436720, P.O. Box 9493, Monroe, Louisiana 71211-9493, is a 501(c) (3) corporation. A form will also be available for you when you drop off your gifts.
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The Prayers of the People |
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We pray alongside.....
For our Pastor Search Committee as we continue our search for our next pastor
Those with unspoken prayer requests
Bill Krutzer - back surgery
Elvis Stelly - serious illness
Ralph Asbury - serious illness
Marc Bloch - serious health issues
Mike Cappel - serious health issues. Paulette Cappel as she navigates his daily care.
Our Brothers and Sisters in Cuba experiencing severe economic hardships, food shortages, and lack of medical equipment to administer Covid-19 vaccines.
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The Celebrations of the People |
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We celebrate alongside.....
Chris Pierot (7th), Edmond Abadie (7th), Jimmy Curry (9th), and Anna Ham (11th)
as they celebrate their birthdays
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If you have joys or concerns you would like us to add to the newsletter, please call the church office or email office@northmin.org.
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Reminder To Commissions
Please meet within the next couple of weeks to discuss fall programming and activities for the remainder of the year. Send your written reports to the Church Office before November 11 in preparation for the Coordinating Council meets on November 14. Our ByLaws state Commissions are have meetings no less than quarterly. The Church has been struggling to get back to the business of doing and being church in all areas. WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU!
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Dr. Welton Gaddy's Interview with Author, Joan Chittister
The Women's Sunday School Class recently began a study of Joan Chittister's book, "The Time is now." Dr. Gaddy interviewed Ms. Chittister on his State of Belief program last week. Tune in to the Podcast to hear this inciteful and inspiring interview.
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Pastor Search Update
As you will remember Your Pastor Search Committee requested that interested candidates submit their resumes to us by October 15, and numerous resumes were received. We have reviewed responses to written questions we sent to several candidates and expect to receive responses from some additional candidates. We are in the process of scheduling Zoom interviews with candidates with whom we would like to have additional conversation. We will continue to keep you updated as often as we can within the confines of confidentiality. Please continue to pray for us.
Northminster Pastor Search Committee: JoAnn Alley, Page Atkins, Peggy Burns, Craig Henry, Beth Mayfield, Patti Pate, Carol Ann Tubbs
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Youth Group Meetings Resume Full Time this Sunday Evening
The Youth group will begin meeting every Sunday evening at 5pm. Youth leaders are Laura Duke and Mackenzie Grassi.
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Welcome Back Renee!!!
Renee Decker, our church secretary, has returned to work full time following recovery from heart surgery in July. She is still in wound treatment therapy but has been cleared to return to work!. Please welcome Renee back after a very difficult time.
Our Church office hours are Monday-Thursday from 9am-12pm and 1pm - 4pm, and Fridays from 9am-12pm.
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Northminster COVID Guidelines Revised
This week, Gov. Edwards lifted his statewide COVID mask mandate except for schools. The Coordinating Council has reviewed this recommendation and after discussion recommends the following revision to Northminster’s COVID Guidelines:
We will NO longer REQUIRE masking, but we will continue to strongly recommend mask wearing, especially for those highly immuno-compromised and unvaccinated individuals, and because we are now well into the flu season. We encourage and strongly recommend vaccination and masking for unvaccinated individuals of all ages. We will continue to require children workers to wear masks and be vaccinated, along with any other persons entering the child care areas of the church. We will continue to require vaccinations for all worship leaders. As we have all now become more aware of highly transmissible viruses and infections, we ask anyone who is coughing, sneezing, feverish, experiencing congestion, or feeling ILL in anyway to please stay home until such time as these symptoms are resolved. Any and all of these guidelines are subject to change as we move forward.
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Free HP Ink Cartridges Available
The church office has four ink cartridges for HP inkjet printers which we no longer have. If your home printer uses any of these cartridge numbers, please feel free to take them from Renee's desk. Available are:
HP 78 Tri-color
HP 932XL Black
HP 933 Cyan
HP 933 Magenta
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Last Sunday's Floral Offering
The October 31 floral offering was given to the Glory of God and arranged by Robert Crawford.
If you wish to give flowers in honor or in memory of someone, please contact the church office . Approximate cost is $100.
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The Community's Activities of Interest |
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Bayou Masterworks Chorale
and ULM Concert Choir Present:
Jubilate Deo by Dan Forrest. The performance will take place at Parkview Baptist Church on Monday, Nov. 8 at 7pm at Parkview Baptist Church. A donation of $10 is suggested.
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Christmas Gala at Northwestern State University
Northminster's own Robert McCandlish is in his senior year at NSU, so it’s his last Gala performance. He will dance as the Cajun Nutcracker and will perform with a couple of other groups.
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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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Upcoming Events
Sunday 11/7
9:00 am - Choir Practice
10:00 am - Sunday School
10:45 am - Preludes
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Liturgy
5:00 pm - Youth
Wednesdays
12:00 pm Brown Bag Lunch
6:30 pm Choir practice
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Pulpit Supply Schedule
November
7 - Dr. Scott Stearman
14 - Dr. Darrell Cluck
21 - Rev. Mark Windham
28 - Dr. Darrell Cluck
December
5 - Rev. Jason Smith
12 - Dr. Welton Gaddy
19 - Rev. Kyndall Rathaus
26 - Dr. Deborah Chandler
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Northminster Church is located at:
2701 Lamy Lane
Monroe, LA 71201
318-388-3717
office@northmin.org
Office hours are M-Th 9-12 and 1-4
Friday 9-12
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