Thank you, God

for the selfless giving of time.

For those often quiet saints

who do not argue their theology loudly

engage in lengthy debates

over complex doctrinal issues

or make their presence felt

within the hallowed space

of Church Council meetings

but simply get on with doing

the business

visiting the sick, the aged

and the lonely

a shoulder to cry on

a listening ear

and the reassurance

of one who cares.

Thank you, God

for all those quiet saints

who live their faith through their lives

in a world that often forgets

that you were never too busy to listen

never too busy to minister to needs

never too engrossed in work

to bring hope and wholeness into lives.

Thank you, God,

for your quiet saints.

DURING A POWERFUL WEEK-END

REV. MICHAEL-RAY MATHEWS

CHALLENGED US TO BE (AND CONTINUE TO BE)

PROPHETIC CHRISTIANS

We were privileged this past weekend to have Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews with us to present the Frank & Evelyn Stagg Lectures in Prophetic Christianity. Rev. Mathews challenged us with the provocative question: Are we chaplains to the Empire or prophets of the Resistance? The two lectures he presented on Saturday morning were entitled “Prophetic Resistance” and “Revolutionary Love”. Sunday’s sermon was entitled “We Have Nothing to Lose But Our Chains”. We were definitely challenged to be (and continue to be) prophetic Christians with Jesus as our model and following in the footsteps of so many prophetic Christians including Frank and Evelyn Stagg. If you were not able to attend the lectures or worship on Sunday, you are encouraged to view them on Northminster’s YouTube channel.

Also, this past weekend we were happy to welcome Cathe Nixon back to Northminster for a good visit. Cathe and husband Don were Northminster’s first ministers. Don held the position of Minister of the Arts, and Cathe was Director of Christian Education. In 1992 Dr. Welton Gaddy joined Don and Cathe as our Senior Pastor. Together with Dr. Gaddy’s wife Judy, they established this lecture series to honor the Staggs who were early mentors to Northminster. The Staggs were prophetic Christians in several areas including especially civil rights and equity for women in the church. Sadly, Don died at the too young age of 61 in 2016. At that time, he was the executive director of the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts of the Coweta County School System in Newnan, Georgia. Upon Don’s death the center was renamed in his memory, and Cathe was named executive director, the position she still holds.

We look forward to future lectures in this series. In the meantime, let us all pledge to get out of our comfort zones and be prophetic Christians. And may Northminster continue to be a church that is a voice for prophetic Christianity. 

Opening Hymn: For All the Saints

This traditional All Saints Day hymn originally consisted of eleven stanzas and written for the Sarum Hymnal (1869) and set to a tune by the name, Sarum. It has grown in popularity since it was later paired with the enduring SINE NOMINE tune in The English Hymnal (1906). The tune was written by English composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Response to Scripture: Every Time I Feel The Spirit

Our bass choral scholar, James Wright, will respond to the Hebrew reading with this arrangement of the spiritual “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” by Harry T. Burleigh.

Anthem: Witness

“Who will be a witness for my Lord?" This traditional spiritual by Hall Johnson is sung by Choral Scholar Preston Anderson, tenor.

Communion Anthem: The Lord Bless You and Keep You

Based on Numbers 6 and 24, this John Rutter anthem features Choral Scholar Sarah Talmage, Soprano.

The Closing Hymn: Now Let Us All, in Hymns of Praise

The hymn was written in 1982 by Fred Pratt Green. Today we sing the text to the tune, ELLACOMBE, found in 1784 in a German choir book. We normally sing this tune with the hymn, "I Sing the Mighty Power of God".

Come worship with us this Sunday...I will look for you! Pacem, Debi

November Mission Emphasis:

The Christmas Project

Once again Northminster will devote the November mission trunk emphasis to The Center for Children & Families "The Christmas Project". We have 20 children to sponsor this year. Sign-up sheet, instructions and each child's wish list will be located on the table off the Narthex. Please remember the following:

• Provide at least one clothing outfit, and at least one age appropriate toy off the child's wish list. NO gift cards, please!

• Pleased do not wrap your gifts.

• Have the gifts in a bag (trash bag is fine) that can easily be opened and place the wish list in the bag so that we can identify who the gifts are for.

• The gifts must be brought to the Monroe office at 622 Riverside Dr. no later than Monday, November 28th.  The church will not deliver these items for you and they should NOT be placed in the mission trunk.

Last Sunday's Floral Offering

Given to the Glory of God,

In memory of

Frank & Evelyn Stagg

and Don Nixon,

And in Honor of

Welton & Judy Gaddy,

Cathe Nixon, and

Michael-Ray Mathews

Arrangement by

Peggy Caskey

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!

Ouachita Live Concert

Friday, October 28, 7pm

Don’t miss this incredible Cuban Latin Concert coming free to our community in Alley Park! Remember to bring a chair. This is your LAST CHANCE to catch a Ouachita Live show in 2022!!

ULM  Alums Exhibit Art

The ULM Art Program and Bry Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of works titled "Reply All" by Memphis artists, Christen Parker and Lacy Mitcham. Both artists are alumni of the ULM Art Program.  The show runs through Nov. 16 and an artist talk will be given on that date in Sandel Hall room 236 at 2pm with a reception following in Bry Gallery. Contact Joni Noble for more info at 342-1376.

ULM Presents Street Scene

It's a musical play, an opera, jazz, a musical all wrapped up into one at ULM on November 2, 3, and 4 at 7pm and Nov. 6 matinee at 2pm. General Admission $15 and tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.com