Thursday, March 14, 2024

Celebrating 35 Years of Ministry: 1989 - 2024

Piatigorsky Concert This Friday

This Friday, March 15 at 7 PM, we will host another wonderful concert sponsored by the Piatigorsky Foundation, now known as PF Classical. This organization was begun in 1990 by Evan Drachman, internationally renowned cellist, and named in honor of his grandfather, Igor Piatigorsky who was a very famous cellist himself. During his career, he traveled across the country by train. When the train made a whistle stop in a small town, Mr. Piatigorsky would often get off and host an impromptu concert for the towns inhabitants who typically would not have the means to travel to attend such an event in a more traditional venue.

This program of bringing world-class classical music to places where folks might well not have the opportunity to hear such music live is the purpose of PF Classical. The Piatigorsky Foundation is committed to carrying on Piatigorsky’s mission by evoking cultural curiosity through educational and accessible live performances. Northminster has hosted one or two of these concerts annually since the early 90’s. In addition to Evan playing his Stradivarius cello, one of 6 or so in existence, many of the performers are names you might hear often on public radio—Richard Dowling, Stephen Hough, Simone Dinnerstein—to name a few.

Friday’s concert will be no exception. The performers are Katherine Calcamuggio Donner, Mezzo-Soprano, and Siwon Kim, Pianist. Dr. Donner’s impressive resume includes solo recitals across the country, including such esteemed venues as Chicago Lyric Opera, as well as being soloist for the Louisville Symphony Orchestra, Heidelberg University Orchestra, and University of Louisville Orchestra. Her voice has been characterized by respected reviewers as “soaring and rich,” “polished musical and dramatic characterizations,” and “fine coloratura technique.”

Siwon Kim is a choral conductor as well as a pianist, specializing in accompanying within the vocal area. His rich academic background and diverse experiences affirm their status as a dedicated and accomplished piano accompanist in the realm of choral music.

The varied program will include works by familiar composers representing 19^th century styles as well as early 20^th century and modern. It is presented in an intimate, warm, and conversational manner. You will have an opportunity not only to hear this amazing music, but to also get to know these gifted performers, ask questions, learn what goes into making such beautiful music, and leave as friends.

Please invite your friends to this concert which is free and open to the public. The concert will begin promptly at 7 pm and will last one hour. There will be a reception to follow which will be another opportunity to chat with Dr. Donner and Mr. Kim one-to-one.

PROGRAM* 

Love went a Riding                                                     Frank Bridge (1879-1941)

The Year’s at the Spring                                               Amy Beach (1867-1944)

I send my heart up to thee        

Widmung                                                          Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Liebst du um Schönheit                                     Clara Schumann  (1819-1896)

Wiegenlied                                                       Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

 Serenata                                                                       Paolo Tosti (1846-1916)

Chemins de l’amour                                             Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)                                                                                   

Corazon porque pasais                                    Fernando Obradors (1897-1945)

 maggie and mollie and millie and may                        Gwenyth Walker (b.1947)

Route to the Sky                                                              Jake Heggie (b.1961)

 Orange Colored Sky                                                   Willie Stein (1917-2009)

Times Like This                                                         Stephen Flaherty (b. 1960)

Can’t Help Loving That Man                                          Jerome Kern (1885-1945)

 *Selections from this program will be performed at the artist’s discretion

Opening Hymn: Children of God Of Puritan ancestry and Quaker parentage, the American poet and journalist John Greenleaf Whittier was a strong supporter of the abolition of slavery. This hymn is comprised of the final stanzas of "Worship," a poem expressing his views on the life of faith.

Middle Hymn: O For a World Inspired by Charles Wesley's phrase "O for a thousand tongues" and the familiar tune Azmon, Miriam Therese Winter wrote this hymn envisioning a new world order for the Presbyterian Women's Triennial Conference in 1982. It was later recrafted and recorded by the Medical Mission Sisters.

Anthem: And Can It Be? by Dan Forrest set to the tune PLEW. Text by D.H. Clark and based on a hymn by Charles Wesley and a 15th century Latin hymn.

The Communion Anthem: Let Us Break Bread Together arranged by D. H. Clark.



Closing Hymn: God of the Underdog set to the tune TRENTHAM and written by Darrell Cluck.

We Celebrate with...

Missy Spicer (15th)

as she celebrates her birthday

CANDY NEEDED FOR EASTER

On Sunday, March 24 following worship we will hold our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic.

Prior to this event we are in need of individually wrapped candy, small egg sized treats or filled eggs.

Candy and eggs may be dropped off at the church office Mon - Thu 9-12, 1-4.

PALM SUNDAY EASTER EGG HUNT AND CHURCHWIDE PICNIC

Our annual Easter event will be held next Sunday, Palm Sunday, March 24 following worship. For our picnic the church will provide fried chicken and drinks but there will be a sign-up sheet in the hall for folks to bring side dishes and desserts. Please plan on joining us!

Prior to this event we will need help setting up tables and chairs. Contact Susan Curry at 318--680-2251 for ways you can help.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR UPDATED CHILDREN'S ROOMS!

During the updating of the nursery, donations were so generous that we are now refreshing the 3-5 year old room and big kids room. The Amazon wishlist has been updated. Thank you for all the support and helping make this happen for all the youngest of our church family!

If you would like to contribute to this renovation, make checks payable to Northminster Church and memo line the check "children". CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON LIST

Youth Group Meals

Our youth meet every Sunday at 5:00. We would like to offer them a light meal. If you would like to help provide a meal click the link to sign up. They love easy meals. Some suggestions are tacos, spaghetti, chili, sandwiches and pizza! Please review the available slots by clicking on the button to sign up. Dates will be added as planning continues. Thank you! We typically have between 10-15 youth and adults. Please call or text Laura (318-387-4446) with any questions!

YOUTH MEALS SIGNUP

Holy Week Luncheon and Meditation

Sign-ups Needed ASAP

Remember that every weekday during Holy Week, March 25-29, there will be a light luncheon served at the church at 12 noon. Each day there will be a 20-minute meditation. In Jillian’s absence we are asking members to volunteer to lead these devotionals. The theme is Stations of the Cross. This is an ancient Christian practice of meditating on 14 of the scenes that occurred between and including Pilate’s sentencing Jesus to die on the cross and Jesus’ entombment.

Each day will consist of three of these stations, so the meditations need to be about 7 minutes. We are recommending that you think of ways these occurrences may reflect and/or find relevance in today’s world. There is a sign-up sheet in the hallway or you can call the church office and Renee will sign you up. Feel free to take more than one. You will be provided with some suggestions to get you started, but we want to encourage your own creativity so, by all means, stray from these ideas as you are so inspired. You may use visuals, such as artwork or common objects for emphasis.

These luncheons are always a time of good fellowship, education, and inspiration. For those on lunch hour you will be out in time to get back to work. Please check out the display on the hallway table.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday

Introduction

I. Jesus is condemned by Pilate

II. The Cross is laid upon Jesus

III. Jesus’ first fall

Tuesday

IV. Jesus meets his mother Mary (taken)

V. Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross (taken)

VI. Jesus’ face is wiped by Veronica (taken)

Wednesday

VII. Jesus’ second fall

VIII. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

IX. Jesus’ third fall

Thursday

X. Jesus is stripped of his garments

XI. Jesus is crucified

XII. Jesus dies on the cross

Friday

XIII. Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross

XIV. Jesus’ body is laid in the tomb

Coda

Northminster Book Club

Our next book is The Women by Kristin Hannah. Join us for potluck and discussion on Tuesday, March 19 at 6pm in the home of Kyle Gregory.

PUB THEOLOGY

Thursday, March 21 at 7pm at The Fat Pelican!

MARCH MISSION EMPHASIS:

THE RENEWAL CENTER

Northminster’s Mission Emphasis for March is The Renewal Center, formerly the DeSiard Street Shelter. This is a nonprofit 501(C)3 located at 722 Adams Street in Monroe that is a Christ-Centered Ministry assisting those in need to find hope and healing through the gospel. They assist anyone who may be struggling and provide them with the resources and support they need to get back on their feet. The Center believes that everyone deserves a chance, and they do everything they can to help anyone who comes for assistance and are hopeful that their work will make a positive impact in the community.

Items needed for the Mission Trunk include: 3-compartment to-go trays, trash bags, shampoo, toothbrush & toothpaste, adult diapers (All sizes), toilet paper, cleaning supplies, water (bottles, jugs, etc.), coffee and coffee cups, paper towels, laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products.

THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!!

HOMEGROWN TO PLAY

BOILING POINT SATURDAY MARCH 16 from 6 - 9 PM

Renee Decker, invites you all to carpool north to Bastrop to the Boiling Point located at 1930 N. Washington Street. This is set up similar to Cormier's with outdoor tables, heaters, great food and drinks (crawfish, shrimp, crab legs, boudin, gumbo, jambalaya, red beans/rice, etc), and of course live music!

Directions: From 165 N come just past the courthouse and turn left on the square on to 425N. Travel straight approximately 2 miles and the Boiling Point will be on the right at a light at the corner of N. Washington and Cherry Ridge Road.

8th Annual Food Bank Empty Bowls 2024

The Food Bank's Empty Bowls event will be held Saturday, April 6 at the Monroe Civic Center arena. With an all-inclusive event ticket, guests can choose a beautiful bowl to take home as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in our community. Enjoy a tasting from over a dozen local restaurants, live music, a silent auction and more. All proceeds benefit the Food Bank’s hunger relief efforts in Northeast Louisiana.