This Sunday in Worship from Pastor Darren:
This Sunday we celebrate Earth Day as part of our ongoing celebration of the Easter season. Join us for worship at 8:30 or 11 a.m.!
Sunday's Sermon: "Heirloom Seeds of the Resurrection"
Scripture Readings:
- Romans 8:18-25
- Colossians 1:15-20
- Psalm 67
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Upcoming Services:
- 5:30 p.m. Thursday, contemplative prayer, chapel. (Note change in day.)
- 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, sanctuary.
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Video Links and
Bulletins
The video of Sunday's 11 a.m. service is below:
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Last Sunday's bulletin is here. The bulletin for this Sunday's 11 a.m. service will be posted on the church website as soon as possible.
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 or collection plates when attending in person.
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Attendance
A total of 64 people attended the 8:30 a.m. service on Sunday, April 14, and 203 people attended the 11 a.m. service. According to YouTube, the livestream of the 11 a.m. service has been viewed 123 times to date.
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Pastoral Staff Changes Are Forthcoming
Last Tuesday evening the Staff/Parish Relations Committee met with Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright, Central District superintendent, who informed us that the bishop will be reappointing Pastor Sunil to Irvington UMC starting July 1. Also in that meeting the committee received Amy Sell's resignation. The bishop in the Mountain Sky Annual Conference has extended an invitation for her to serve Grace UMC in Billings, Mont., starting Sept. 1. She will start her candidacy for ordination while serving at Grace as she finishes her Master of Divinity degree at Iliff School of Theology in Denver (where she is currently attending online).
"It's an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to my ministry at Irvington UMC," Pastor Sunil said. "North Church has been very supportive of my ministry, and I have enjoyed my time here."
"I’m super-excited about my first appointment in the Mountain Sky Conference, but it is also very bittersweet," Amy said. "I am ready for this position because of my time at North, and how you all allowed me to be my authentic self and reminded me that there is a place for me within the United Methodist Church."
Currently the cabinet does not have someone to appoint to North for either position. In the coming weeks we will have an extensive conversation as church leaders about the future direction of our ministerial staff and ponder our options so that we can move toward a sustainable model.
For now there are three things you can do. One, congratulation Sunil and Amy on their promotions. Two, pray for them during this transition, and pray for our lay leaders to discern God’s vision for our church. Three, participate in our ministries and worship. Sign up to help in our ministries now and in the coming months. We can use your help as we go through this transition.
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Job Opening
North is accepting applications for the finance director position. For the job listing please click here.
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Two Special Musical Events Are Set for May
The annual children's musical, aka "The Mother's Day Musical," is coming up at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, May 12 in Fellowship Hall. Join the children's choirs as they travel to the moon in "Moonlight SUN-ata." Meet astronauts and aliens! Listen to music made famous by Count Basie, The Four Seasons, Lin Manuel Miranda and Jiminy Cricket (and that Beethoven guy!). Discover the most important destination of all, the TRUE LIGHT.
The following Sunday, May 19, the Cathedral Singers will present Franz Haydn's "Short Mass of St. John of God" at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary with our organist, Dr. Heather Hinton. Written between 1777-1778, Haydn composed it for the Brothers of Mercy's chapel organ, and it was dedicated to their patron saint. The work is composed in the tradition of the missa brevis, in which some of the longer movements, particularly the Gloria and Credo, are condensed — i.e. the four voices of the chorus sing different words of the text simultaneously.
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South Elevator Update
There are several stages and companies involved in upgrading the south elevator by the community room. Most of the work has been completed and we are waiting for fire protection work, an internal inspection by the elevator company, and then a final inspection by the city of Indianapolis. In the meantime please continue to use the elevator by the gathering center. Thank you for your continued patience while the work is being completed.
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Prayers
Send us your prayer requests through this email address:
com. Unless the request is marked "clergy only," it will be printed in our daily prayer bulletin, which is issued each Monday. To download this week's prayer bulletin please click here.
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Praying for
Our Parish:
In the Hospital, Hospice, or Recuperating at Home:
Arthur (Art) Wilson is a patient at Creekside Rehab Center, Room 317, 3114 E. 46th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Prayer List:
Throughout the year each church member is prayed for on a monthly rotating list. The list for April is here. Members for this week follow:
- Hayley, Josh & Calvin Ruff
- Doug & Lela Russell
- Eric, Kat, Andrew & Noah Russell
- Bob Sachs II
- Cynthia & Max Sandberg
- Neal & Jeanie Sanders
- Ellen Sanderson
- Gayle Sarber
- Bob & Rita Schilling
- Emily Schilling
- Kathy & Peter Schilling
- Soren Schilling
- Thomas Schilling
- Shannon Sedgwick
- Shelly Sedgwick
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Discipleship and Formation
'Paul's Pastoral Letters' Continues Tonight
Pastor Darren is leading a small-group exploration of the "Pastoral Letters" that Paul wrote to his younger ministry partners: First and Second Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. "Tips for Church Leaders: A Study of Paul's Pastoral Letters" is being held on Wednesdays through May 1 from 6:30-8 p.m. in room 007 and on Zoom. Participants will be surprised and inspired by this ancient advice and how it remains relevant for today. Please RSVP by email.
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Part Two of 'Exploring North' Is This Sunday Morning
Interested in becoming a member? Want to know more about North?
Join Pastor Darren for the second and third sessions of “Exploring North” at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 21 and Sunday, April 28 in the club room. This class is for anyone interested in getting connected at North. It explains the mission and culture of the congregation and offers important resources to help you take the next steps and build lasting relationships.
There is no obligation to become a member if you take this course. But if you are wishing to transfer your membership from another United Methodist congregation, this class will be very useful in helping you explore specific ministries and perspectives of North. And if you don't have a current church home, these sessions are also perfect for you!
Please register by email.
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LGBTQ+ Fellowship Is Coming Up on Wednesday, May 8
Our next LGBTQ+ fellowship gathering is set for Wednesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. at the Garage Food Hall at Bottleworks. No RSVP is necessary.
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United Women in Faith (UWF)
Sunday Supper Is Slated for Noon on April 28
North's UWF circles will present one of their famous Sunday suppers on Sunday, April 28 in Fellowship Hall immediately after the second service.
No reservations are necessary. The cost will be $12 per person, and children under the age of 10 may eat for just $8 each. The maximum cost per household will be capped at $40. Funds raised will go to various mission projects such as the Lucille Raines Residence and scholarships to help North's children and youth attend Methodist summer camps.
The menu will include Italian shells (large pasta shells filled with ricotta cheese and covered with marinara sauce and cheese), garlic bread, Caesar salad, assorted desserts, and iced tea, lemonade and coffee.
"Exploring North" attendees will be invited, and the event will be a great opportunity for North's new members to meet our congregation. Please make our new members feel welcome, and enjoy fellowship and a great meal with all.
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Women of Lydia to Meet This Coming Tuesday
Women of Lydia's next meeting will be this coming Tuesday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. at Beth Coffey's home. Please RSVP to her invitation.
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Mission and Outreach
Funds, Household Items Needed for Apartment Program
In June 2020 Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis began an apartment shelter program to rent 10 apartments in its name. Congregations and corporations procure the housewares and furnishings. Mustard Seed of Indianapolis provides the furniture. Since its creation in Indianapolis, the program has now spread to at least 20 other cities.
Today, thanks to the primary fundraising campaign to support the program, the annual Night Without a Bed fundraiser, and with support from Glick Philanthropies, Family Promise operates 20 apartments around Indianapolis. Each apartment is used as a temporary homeless shelter for a family and its children. The family works with a case manager to secure permanent housing. Wrap-around services are also provided. If the guest family desires, it can continue to stay in that apartment and eventually take over the lease. If not, the family gets help from Mustard Seed and Goodwill vouchers to rent its own apartment. The now-vacant Family Promise apartment and its furnishings become a shelter for the next family that calls.
This year's Night Without a Bed campaign is underway and it runs through Saturday, May 4. Here is the online donation page. Additional information about the fundraiser is here. The fundraiser also encourages people to spend a night without a bed on May 4 to remember those who don't have beds to sleep in each night.
Donations of household items can also be brought to North and dropped in a gray bin in the west entry starting next week and throughout May. If you have questions please email or call Lydia Shaw.
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Book Studies and Talks
Sojourners' New Book Study
On UMC Life Continues This Sunday
The United Methodist General Conference is April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, N.C. What is the future of the UMC? Paul Chilcote helps us embrace anew the Wesleyan vision of love of Jesus as central to what we believe and how we live in his book “Multiplying Love." Consider this possible vision of the future of the church and explore what our hopes are for the church by joining the Sojourners class in room 005 each Sunday. Class starts promptly at 9:45 a.m. Books are available in the classroom and leadership is shared. There are a few minutes of getting to know each other and a few minutes of prayer at the beginning of each class.
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Lake Institute Lecture Is Tomorrow
The 2024 Lake Institute on Faith and Giving Lecture will be held tomorrow, Thursday, April 18, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis.
The speaker will be Dr. Susannah Herschel, the Eli M. Black distinguished professor and chairperson of the Jewish Studies Program at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. The title of her presentation is “Generosity of Spirit: Exploring Jewish Traditions and Relational Philanthropy.”
The event is free. Attendance will be both in person and online. Those attending in person can also enjoy a reception after the talk. The link to register is here.
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Children and Families Ministry
What's Happening This Sunday?
All children are invited to join us for Sunday school this week from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., where we will learn about "The Early Believers." Kids in grades K-two will meet in room 101, and grades three-six will meet in room 203. Child care is offered for children ages six weeks to 5 years old (not yet in kindergarten) in room 102 from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. During the 11 a.m. service we will have alternative worship for all kids in grades K-six. Follow the banner out of the sanctuary to room 101, where parents can pick up their children following the service.
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Church Camp Registration Is Open
It's time to think about summer, which always makes Amy think about church camp! This year she will go to Pine Creek Camp the week of July 7-12. Both elementary and middle school camp will take place the same week. All children who have completed kindergarten are welcome to join her for a week of fun, friends, faith, and so much more! If you have a high school student who would like to be a junior counselor, please contact Amy. You can register your kids and youth for camp here. Our scholarship code for assistance that is available to all is North934 (case sensitive, no space). If you have any questions please feel free to contact Amy.
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Thanks to All Involved with Cookies and Canvas
Thanks to everyone who came to Cookies and Canvas last Sunday. We had an amazing time! Thanks to all who helped and baked cookies!
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Save the Date: Sunday, June 2 Is End-of-the-Year Picnic
Mark your calendar now for Sunday, June 2 because following the 11 a.m. service we will have our end-of-the-school-year picnic on our northeast lawn. Join us for a fun afternoon of friends, food, fellowship, and fun! This is an all-church event! Children and youth ministries will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings. We ask that you bring a side dish or dessert to share with others. Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 29 to Amy.
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Youth Group
Pine Creek Tree Planting Is Saturday, April 27
North's youth group plans to plant 114 trees at Pine Creek Camp in West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday, April 27 as part of the TreePlenish program. We will leave North Church at 8:30 a.m. and plan to return by 7 p.m. We need volunteers. We will provide lunch and dinner for the trip. When signing up, please indicate if you need transportation or if you will provide your own transportation to and from Pine Creek. Drivers are also needed if anyone can take passengers. Please sign up by Monday, April 22. If you have any questions please email Brandon Wallace.
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Green Team
Green Hint: Make Cleaning Products
With Nontoxic Natural Ingredients
You can make effective nontoxic cleaning products using baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap as ingredients.
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Eclipse Glasses Can Be Recycled
The glasses you used to watch the recent total solar eclipse can be sent to Latin America for children to enjoy the eclipse that will be able to be seen there in October. Please mail them by Aug. 1 to: Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC, P.O. Box 50571, Provo, UT 84605. Alternatively if you drop them off at the church office by the end of July, they will be sent to the same address.
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Shepherd's Center
'Science Across the Borders' Is Topic on April 24
On Wednesday, April 24 at 10 a.m Mary Davis will host devotions and word games in the club room while Robert Kirk spearheads a discussion of current events in the youth room. The "Great Decisions" series continues at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall when Dr. William Scott of IUPUI speaks about "Science Across the Borders." He will explain how artificial intelligence (AI) is important to national security, and explore a possible middle ground between sharing and denying access. Lunch will follow at noon in Fellowship Hall. The Shepherd's Singers will rehearse in the choir room at 1 p.m.
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