I was just gifted with a wonderful story and timely challenge and I want to share it with you. While visiting with Francis Thrasher she told a story about the early days of Northminster when Will Campbell was here. If you’re not familiar with Will Campbell his cliff note biography is Baptist minister, activist, and writer. His most famous book was Brother to a Dragonfly though he wrote many others. 

Francis didn’t mention all the details of why or exactly when Will Campbell was here, but she shared what was most important in the story; Campbell’s concern that Northminster would “get stuck under the steeple.” Of course, I can’t say for sure how he would have explained that statement, but having read some of Will Campbell’s writing I think I can do some interpretive work.

Getting stuck under the steeple is allowing ourselves to look inward to the exclusion of looking outward. It’s spending all of our resources on ourselves and our needs. It’s being okay with people joining us in our space but not being willing to join them in theirs.

Getting stuck under the steeple is also becoming an echo chamber. A place where we do the same things, have the same conversations and perform the same rituals without particularly knowing or caring why we do them. It’s not taking the time or expending the energy to challenge our status quo. 

Getting stuck under the steeple as best as I can tell is just that - getting stuck in what we believe, how we do things, who we are, and what makes us comfortable. 

To be clear I do not think Northminster is stuck. I feel a vitality and energy here that makes me joyful. Planning worship with the rest of the staff feels a bit like play as they’re not afraid of trying new things or taking risks. I love seeing our kids every week and hearing that we’re almost to the point of needing more teachers for them. We’ve had some new folks join us for worship and some old friends come back to us, both of which are a gift. This place has so much potential for us to harness. There is so much good we can and will do.

And yet Will Campbell’s words are good to keep in the back of our minds. Not in a worried way. Not like the boogieman hiding in the back of the closet. But rather as a succinct, easy-to-visualize way to remember where and what our focus should be. We are not stuck and there’s no reason for us to be stuck as long as we remember to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. 

Go be salty my friends,

Jillian

OPENING HYMN: My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

William Bradbury met great success by composing hymn tunes and religious songs in a lively, popular style. He also helped establish music programs in New York public schools, served a church, and co-founded a piano company. This tune, SOLID ROCK, was written in 1863 and uses the text by Edward Mote, in 1834. The text is based on passages from Matthew 7,

I Corinthians 3, Hebrews 6, and Revelations 11.

MIDDLE HYMN: Spirit of Jesus, If I Love My Neighbor

Brian Wren gave this poem the subtitle “Pilgrimage of Confession” when it was first written, referring in part to the walk made by nine white South Africans in 1972 to draw other whites’ attention to the injustice of migrant labor laws. The tune, BENJAMIN, was written in 1994 by Jonathan McNair. The text is based on Romans 13: 8-14.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION / RESPONSE

D.H. Clark wrote this introduction and response to the Gospel using words to remind us that Jesus spoke of Love and Forgiveness. We are to practice the same.

ANTHEM:  The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

American composer, Rene Clausen, was commissioned by the Borger High School Varsity Choir in 1992 to write a piece for them to sing at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention. Johnny Miller was the director of the choir and the piece is dedicated to his father, Bob Miller.

COMMUNION ANTHEM: Draw Us In The Spirit’s Tether

British hymnal editor Percy Dearmer originally wrote the text under a pseudonym as part of a post-communion hymn by George H. Bourne. The tune, UNION SEMINARY, was adapted from an anthem by Harold Friedell and is named for the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

CLOSING HYMN:  Lift Every Voice And Sing

Poet James Weldon Johnson was the first African-American to pass the bar Examination in the state of Florida and served as U.S. consul in Venezuela and Nicaragua. He collaborated with his composer brother, John Rosamond Johnson, to write Broadway operettas and edit song collections. John appeared in vaudeville, directed musicals in London, and headed the Music School Settlement in New York. The tune, LIFT EVERY VOICE, was written in 1921 and is known as the Black National Anthem.

Join us this Sunday…I look forward to sharing worship with all of you,

Debi

Northminster Book Club

Our next book is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. This book is the basis for Tom Hank's new movie, "A Man Called Otto", in theatres now. Book club will meet Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6pm for potluck and discussion in the home of Beth Mayfield.

Ash Wednesday Service

On Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6pm Northminster will have a short Ash Wednesday Service. Choir practice will follow at the regular time.

February Mission Trunk Emphasis

Immigrant Detainees

People from Russia to the Mideast, Central and South America fleeing oppressive and abusive governments, gang violence, climate disasters and death squads are coming to our borders seeking asylum and the chance for a better future. The vast majority of these people are in the for-profit prison systems, awaiting hearings, credible fear evaluations (what a terrifying concept), parole, or bond. The previous administration cut the number of courts or made them into video courts where hearings lasted less than 2 minutes. No language translation was available and people had limited access to lawyers. This practice continues. A substantial portion, though not all of those I have met, have family ready to receive them in locations around the country, but this can take several months and the for-profit prisons have no motive to help them through the process.

In 2022 our Northminster (and friends) group helped 61 people get to transportation at the bus station or the airport, helped by transporting them, providing food, a motel room, and sometimes, giving them warm clothing or just a change of clothing from their prison sweat suits. In Louisiana, the organization of which we are a member, Louisiana Aid for Immigrants in Detention, has provided assistance to over 6,000 people, most through the Shreveport facility where a church lets us board persons waiting for transportation. 

If you have frequent flyer miles that are waiting for a good use, please consider donating them at Miles4Migrants.org. Often people are kept in prison simply because they don't yet have a ticket for transportation.

Trunk Needs: men's jeans size small to medium, (3 small or medium men to 1 large), men's pullover shirts/T-shirts and jackets, new or used backpacks, tennis shoes, socks, personal hygiene kits (razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb or brush), cold weather jackets for men and women as well as warm scarves. 

Last Sunday's Floral Offerings

The floral offering was given to the Glory of God

Arrangement by

Marilyn Decker

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!