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Thursday, July 11, 2024

   I don’t remember the first time I took communion, though it must have been sometime in 1992 as that’s when I was baptized. I do remember, however, the first time I realized I wasn’t allowed to take communion. I was maybe 6 years old and can still clearly see the plate passing over my head, from adult hand to adult hand. I can also recall my anger at being skipped over. Why did they skip me? Before I could ask, all I noticed a big silver tray was being passed and I made up my mind not to get skipped again. Scuttling onto my knees I waited as the tray came by and was just reaching out to take a little cup when the family friend I was sitting with said, “No, that’s not for you. You have to be baptized first.”


        At that moment I was crushed. All I wanted was to be like the grownups and have some of what they were having. The little pieces of bread and tiny cups in the big silver tray looked so special and important. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to have any. Talking with my parents after church I asked them why no one would share the little bread and cups with me, and they explained the basics of communion. They also told me some people believe you have to be baptized before you take communion, but that if I really wanted to participate they would share their bread and juice with me and we could talk about what it means to be baptized.


        Over the years my understanding of communion has expanded, and thanks to my time in seminary, I have taken communion in most every way it’s possible to serve it. From my home church’s method of small groups standing around the table and passing the elements to each other with the whispered words, “The Body of Christ,” “The Cup of Christ,” to intinction which makes the bread so soggy it no longer needs to be chewed, to gathering at the rail of the highly liturgical Baptist church I attended in seminary and having my mentor put a wafer on my tongue and offering me the communal cup to drink from, communion continues to be something I long to participate in. I find it mysterious and a time for intense reverence, but also earthy and joyful. As the person now serving communion, few things compare to the enormity and historical connectedness of speaking the Words of Institution. Few things reduce me to tears faster than a parent serving their child for the first time, or having to place the bread and the cup into someone's hands because theirs shake too badly to pick up the elements anymore. I’ve also never had to work as hard to choke back laughter as I did the time one of my youth dads dropped his bread completely into the chalice rather than just dipping it. He looked at me in a panic and I could tell he was thinking, “Do I fish it out? Do I get a new piece of bread and try again? Do I pretend nothing happened and just go back to my pew?!”


        We Baptists do communion and ourselves a disservice when we call this cornerstone of our spiritual practice an “ordinance, “ because if anything it is a sacrament – an outward and visible sign of inward grace – it’s communion. Few things connect us so completely and personally to Christ, and it is through our gathering at the table that we’re reminded there’s space for everyone and no one should be passed over.


        So why does communion matter to you? Do you remember the first time you took communion? In what ways and settings have you participated in this ancient practice that was impactful? For those of you who are parents, what was it like to see you child take communion for the first time? Come talk to me, I would be honored to share in these memories with you.


Jillian

Join Us for Worship

Sunday, July 14 at 10:45 am

Rev. Jillian Hankamer Preaching

Letting It Go?

Matthew 15:29-39

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Our Worship in Song

Opening Hymn: God Reigns o'er All the Earth The author's notes on this text describe it as a progression of awareness of God's reign among us - in physical surroundings, in the various stags of life, in time and space, and supremely in Christ, God with us.


The Anthem: There is a Balm in Gilead by William Dawson. James Wright, bass soloist.


The Closing Hymn: Amazing Grace,How Sweet the Sound John Newton's autobiographical hymn reflects his conversion from his earlier existence as a slave trader. While serving as curate in the English village of Olney, Newton met William Cowper, and together they published Olney Hymns, which included this hymn.

Our Concerns and Celebrations

John Carr



Elvis Stelly


Mary Sandow


Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel, in Ciego de Avila, Cuba.

Martha Wainwright, aunt of Jeff Sebastian


David Bryan, friend of DH Clark


Marie Easterling, friend of Mara Loeb


Beau Burns, great-grandson of Peggy Burns


V. P. Dalrymple, friend of Anita Breen


Pattie Bewick, sister of Carol Ann Tubbs


Sarah Maloney, friend of Carol Ann Tubbs



Nora Kay Meredith great granddaughter of Kay Southern



Doug O'Neal brother of Debbie O'Neal

We Celebrate with...

Paula Thomas (11th)

Mackenzie Salter (11th)

Nathaniel Shlosman (11th)

Milan Arpino (11th)

Debi Chandler (12th)

Jean Hartzog (12th)

Zadeanne Carter (12th)

Hannah Clark (13th)

Anita Breen (18th)

as they celebrates their birthdays

Children and Youth

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AUGUST 4-8

From 5:30pm to 7:30pm on the evenings of August 4-8 Northminster will host Vacation Bible School for the children. If you are willing to help with actual VBS activities or would prefer to help with food or other needed items, but not during BVS hours, please see the sign-up sheet in the hall or speak with Beth Mayfield. Registration will be done online and a link will be provided in this space soon.

Church Life


NO WEDNESDAY CHOIR REHEARSALS

 DURING JULY

The choir will be on rehearsal hiatus during the month of July. However 9am Sunday rehearsals will continue.


POTLUCK AND BUSINESS MEETING JULY 28

Business meeting, which is usually held on the 3rd Sunday will be moved to the last Sunday in July. We will gather for fellowship over potluck at 6pm and Business Meeting will begin at 7pm.

AFTER CHUCH FELLOWSHIP

In order to continue our after church fellowship, we need folks to volunteer to provide drinks and snacks. Please see the sign-up sheet in the hall outside the pastor's office!


Please, NO items with icing or "gooey" stuff. This is getting into our rugs and embedded into the concrete floors.

PUB THEOLOGY

Thursday, July 18 at 7pm at The Fat Pelican!

BOOK CLUB

Our Next book is Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See. We will meet for potluck and discussion on Thursday, August 1 at 6pm in the home of Kyle Gregory.

Mission Opportunities

JULY MISSION EMPHASIS:

COA - FANS FOR SENIORS

Many senior citizens are moving their thermostats high and not cooling their home due to being worried about the increased cost of Entergy and some are choosing to buy their medications rather than pay their increased electric bill. Some have no AC at all. A plea was put out for donations of fans of any kind. Northminster will be collecting fans (box, tower, oscillating, all kinds) all through the month of July and the fans will be taken to the COA as they are brought to the church since the need is so great. If you would prefer to drop the fan(s) off yourself you may do so at their location at 2407 Ferrand St., Monroe. Tell them you are dropping off from Northminster Church. Their phone is 387-0535. 

Ollie's is a great place to get fans of all kinds and their prices are great! They are located at 2279 Louisville Ave. in the old Twin City Mall parking lot across from Piccadilly.

Coming Up

This Sunday


9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal


10:00 am - Sunday School


10:45 am - Preludes


11:00 am - Worship Service


Noon: After Church Fellowship

Upcoming Events



Sunday, July 21: Movie Night


Sunday, July 28: Potluck at 6pm followed by Business Meeting at 7pm


August 4-8 5:30 - 7:30pm: Vacation Bible School

The Floral Offering

The altar floral offering on Sunday, July 7 was given to the Glory of God


Arranged by Peggy Burns

Giving to Northminster

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. Just click here, or scan the QR code with the camera on your phone.

Find Us

Northminster Church is located at:


2701 Lamy Lane

Monroe, LA 71201

318-388-3717

office@northmin.org


Church Office Hours:

Monday -Thursday 9am to 4 pm

Closed Friday

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Vocal Vibes

by Dr. Deborah Chandler,

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