Yesterday was Earth Day and every year around Earth Day our denomination invites congregations to join together in celebration of and commitment to creation. So this weekend we'll do just that. Worship will be focused on creation and hopefully will draw you deeper into wonder for our world. At our virtual service, we'll have a guest preacher whose interests focus on creation care. You can read more about him below. I'll preach at our outdoor service.
On Sunday night, we'll continue with our very first virtual concert at 7 PM. We'll have a premiere of a song cycle crafted by our Director of Music, Bryan Page, which is based on the creation story of Adam and Eve. After the concert, you're invited to join Bryan via Zoom for Cocktails with the Composer to learn more about his work. More information (including concert and Zoom links) are below.
With great anticipation,
Betsy
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The Rev. Dr. Richard Floyd will be preaching a sermon titled
"From Groaning to Singing"
The Rev. Dr. Richard Floyd currently serves as the Senior Associate Pastor of
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. He has served as the senior pastor of churches in Georgia and Illinois. He has also served on the faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary. He completed his PhD at Emory University where his academic interests centered on Christian Theology and Climate Change.
His book is titled Down to Earth: Christian Hope and Climate Change.
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Each Sunday at 10 AM we will offer an in-person outdoor worship service, including special activities for children. This is the same time as our livestreamed virtual service from the sanctuary, which we will continue to offer. You can register for this Sunday using the link below.
Registration is necessary for all Sunday morning, in-person worship opportunities.
Masks and social distancing required.
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CELEBRATING CREATION WITH AN ONLINE CONCERT |
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Sunday, April 25th at 7 PM
This weekend churches all around the world will celebrate creation. At Northridge, one way we have chosen to mark this celebration is by focusing our attention on the ways we engage in the act of creation. This Sunday evening , we will be presenting an online concert featuring a new song cycle of mine for mezzo-soprano and piano, “First Fruit.” The five poems in the cycle were written by contemporary poet E. Louise Beach, and are based on the story of creation, focusing on Eve as she recounts the story from her perspective at the end of her life. The concert will premiere on our Northridge Presbyterian YouTube channel. After the concert, you will be invited to join in a Zoom call with me, Ms. Beach, and Cynthia Gu, the pianist featured in the concert, for a discussion about the music, the poetry, the performance, and anything else you might like to talk about. Click here for the link to the concert on YouTube and click here for the Zoom discussion link.
I am excited to share this performance with you and I look forward to talking to you afterwards.
Peace,
Bryan Page, Music Director
Northridge Presbyterian Church
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Northridge Kids at Outdoor Worship - A Pray-ground
The kids of Northridge are in for a treat at outdoor worship. There will be a developmentally appropriate, fun, and meaningful area to quietly play outside while simultaneously experiencing the worship service. In some faith formation circles, this is called a "pray-ground". This will consist of coloring stations, playdoh, sand, puzzles and more that will help keep little hands busy while they listen and learn about our worship service and the rituals that are a part of worship. Parents are encouraged to sit near the Northridge Kids area to keep an eye on their child and to allow for a natural flow in the worship service. Our childcare staff will be busy keeping things sanitized between kid usage to help prevent the spread of COVID, and are asked to keep a distance of six feet from the children to protect themselves and others. We are so excited to see and worship alongside our beloved and delightful Northridge Kids!
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4-5-6'ers - Caring for God's Earth
The 4, 5, 6'ers pulled weeds out of the east-side rock bed to help take care of God's gift of Creation. They were energetic and eager to take care of Northridge's beautiful property!
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NORTHRIDGE VBS
SAVE THE FRIDAY EVENING DATES
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Mark Your Calendars for
Northridge VBS 2021!
Compassion Camp:
Friday evenings in July
July 9, 16, and 23
from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
More details and
registration coming soon!
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Youth Mission Trip
Circle of Care Boys Ranch
in Gore, OK
June 27-July 3
Deposit of $75 per youth
is due on May 2.
for more information.
Payments are now accepted online for the deposits.
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Bible Study: Tuesdays - 7:30 a.m.
Studying the Scripture for each coming Sunday. Join us!
Meeting ID: 954 9571 6184
Passcode: 027540
The Wired Word: Wednesdays - 7 p.m.
Christianity and a current event - a group discussion.
Topic: President Biden Announces Full Withdrawal of US Troops from Afghanistan
Meeting ID: 837 1620 1906
Passcode: 681172
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Mo-Ranch Women’s Conference - May 21-23
Women of Northridge – you are invited to attend the 2021 Women’s Conference at Mo-Ranch May 21-23. If you’ve been thinking of getting away – the Texas Hill Country is a great place to go! The Rev. Shannon Johnson Kershner, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, is this year’s keynote speaker. This isn’t her first time in Texas. She grew up in Waco where her father, the Rev. Jimmie Johnson, was pastor of First Presbyterian Church. If you think “that church sounds familiar,” it is because Emily Cox, our Director of Faith Formation, grew up in Waco where her family are members of First Presbyterian.
Presbyterian Women of Northridge made 16 reservations for the conference. You don’t have to be a regular among the perceptive women of the Morning Circle or among the curious Night Owl Women. All women in Northridge are part of Presbyterian Women.
Mo-Ranch is following CDC guidelines. As a result, dining hours will be extended to limit the number of people in the dining hall at one time. Likewise, special seating arrangements will be made for workshops, the keynote addresses and worship services.
For more information contact Sandy Barron.
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CAMP NORTHRIDGE - COMING JULY 5th |
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CAMP NORTHRIDGE
JULY 5-JULY 23
All Northridge families will be eligible to register one day early.
Exciting news for our church! We are hosting Camp Northridge, summer day camp for church members and neighborhood children ages 4-10. Camp will be held July 5-23. This will be an awesome opportunity for our church to welcome young children and families. Please help spread the word to young families. Click here for a list of weekly camp offerings.
Follow us @CampNorthridge on Facebook and Instagram. If you have questions you can email us at: CampNorthridge@gmail.com.
Laurie Bret, Director of Camp Northridge
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Dear Northridge Presbyterian Church,
Faith & Grief Ministries, a Mission Partner with Northridge, has actually grown our program in the midst of a pandemic! Northridge's support has made all the difference. Please take just a moment to look at this Annual Report - the graphics tell the story of a program which quickly made the move to online last March, a move which will serve us well for years to come, even as in-person services return. Thank you for your support - and take a special look at the information about the Memorial Arch, for which Northridge has been a key sponsor. We are grateful, and promise to continue to reach out to all who need comfort and support as they grieve.
Rev. Wendy Fenn
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BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
Mission Committee will be leading a book drive during May to collect new and used books for Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services, one of our long-time Mission Partners. The books will be given to children, youth, and parents who are on PCHAS campuses in Itasca and Waxahachie. Remember ... new or used books can be a shared treasure. SO ... before you run out to sell off the books you no longer want to keep, please consider sharing them through this Mission Committee May collection. Children's books are especially welcome. Drop-off options will be offered in the coming weeks. Stay tuned and thank you, Northridge!
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VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
at 11:00 AM
Be sure to join the Engagement and Connection Committee for a Zoom Coffee Hour, on Sunday after worship, from 11:00 to 11:45 am. This will be a good chance to visit with your Northridge friends and catch up on what is happening. So grab a cup of cocoa or coffee and visit with us for awhile.
Meeting ID: 874 5231 0584
Passcode: 758389
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Small Group Happenings at Northridge
We’re happy to announce that over 140 Northridgers are connecting and RE-connecting through our small group initiative. You’ve sat around the firepit or you’ve walked around the lake. You’ve shared some pizza, and you’ve shared some stories from our year apart. AND you’ve SEEN each other – in 3D – and connected in a way that is hard to achieve through a computer screen. Hopefully, you’ve also sensed the new energy rising at Northridge and have been able to imagine our bright future together.
If you’re interested in being a part of a Northridge small group, please contact Kim Shuler. And stay tuned for more fun Northridge Small Group happenings brought to you by the Engagement and Connection Committee!
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Brandy Treadway requests prayers for longtime friend Hannah Nelson, whose breast cancer has returned. Hannah has a daughter in first grade. Please keep Hannah and all her loved ones in your prayers.
Brandy Treadway also requests prayers for fourth grader, Harrison Marcus, whose leukemia has returned. Please keep him in your prayers and his family as they support him in this battle.
Sarah Nicholson asks for prayers for her mother, Francie Morris, who is hospitalized and undergoing tests.
Betsy and Owen Swetenburg request prayers of thanksgiving for the birth of their nephew, George Coleman Lyles
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