NEWSLETTER
Thursday, February 3, 2022
REV. DR. JAMES LAMKIN
OUR PULPIT GUEST SUNDAY
 
We welcome Rev. Dr. James Lamkin back to Northminster as our pulpit guest on this coming Sunday. James recently retired as senior pastor at Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta where he served for twenty-four years. He has also served churches in Virginia and Louisiana. Additionally, James has been active in ecumenical and interfaith matters throughout his ministry. When Northminster was founded in 1989 James was the Director of Pastoral Care at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria. During the three years prior to our calling Dr. Gaddy as our first pastor, James preached frequently at Northminster, first at our temporary home at Temple B’Nai Israel and then in our sanctuary upon its completion in 1991.

James is married to Rev. Liz Harris-Lamkin, a retired hospital and military chaplain. James and Liz’s wedding occurred in Northminster’s sanctuary in February of 1992, the first wedding to occur there. James and Liz currently live in Atlanta but are restoring a family home in North Carolina where they plan to live in retirement. Unfortunately, Liz again cannot be with us because she is the “general contractor”, and the appliances are being delivered this week! James holds degrees from Louisiana College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (all before the fundamentalist takeover!). James has two children and four grandchildren. He loves juggling, writing, hiking, traveling and (on most days) being a Baptist preacher! Please plan to be in worship on Sunday to welcome James back to Northminster. 
Join us for Worship
Sunday February 6, 2022
Dr. James Lamkin preaches
"Christian Discipleship in Three Easy Lessons"
Click the photo to view our February 6th service
Our Worship in Song
February 6, 2022

Opening Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy
This hymn by Reginald Heber was published in a book of hymns for Banbury Parish Church in England. Nicaea, one of nearly 300 tunes by John B. Dykes, was named for the famous council that defined the doctrine of the Trinity. The tune, NICAEA, was written in 1861 and the soprano descant was added in 1948 by David McK. Williams.

Gospel Acclamation: This is the Good News
The gospel reading from St. Luke chapter 5, will be introduced by the music of DH Clark…”Glory be to you, O Christ”.

Anthem: If You Will Only Let God Guide You
This anthem was commissioned by the First Baptist Church, Norman, Oklahoma, in 1995. The tune, NEUMARK, was arranged for choir by David Schwoebel. It tells us that
we have a God that “ never moves”. We, as Christians, have someone who “hears our
call…our prayer…our plea, and we can trust the promises of love and grace." Thanks be
 to God!

Communion Anthem:  Follow Me
The words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow were set to music by Roger Wilson in
1961. “Come, and follow…that is all”.

Closing Hymn: Jesus Calls Us, 0’er the Tumult
Cecil Alexander, who in Ireland wrote sacred verse to teach children the meaning of
the catechism and liturgy, designated this poem for St. Andrew’s Day, Many years later, the tune Galilee was composed for this text by English organist, William Jude. Today, we sing this wonderful text to a more familiar tune, Abbot’s Leigh, written in 1941 by Cyril V. Taylor.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday, Debi

Mission Opportunities
February Mission Emphasis:
Children's Coalition - Early Head Start
Early Head Start provides early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and their families, and pregnant women and their families. The Children’s Coalition Early Head Start (childrenscoalition.org) serves 132 infants and toddlers in Ouachita Parish. We care for children year-round, providing everything they need during their time at the center—including diapers and wipes. 
Needs: Diapers sizes 3,4,5,6; Wipes, Training underwear 2T, 3T, Socks, infant, small and toddler, Board books.
The Prayers of the People
We pray alongside.....

Our Pastor Search Committee as they continue our search for our next pastor

Those in our church and community suffering from COVID infections

Those with unspoken prayer requests

Missy, daughter of Frank & Marianne Wilcox in ICU with blood clot on the brain.

DH Clark's cousin's wife - acute illness

Our Brothers and Sisters in Cuba experiencing severe economic hardships, food shortages, and lack of medical equipment to administer Covid-19 vaccines.
The Celebrations of the People
We celebrate alongside.....
Kaylee Grassi (8th) and Pat Cohn Cluck (8th), as they celebrate their birthdays.
If you have joys or concerns you would like us to add to the newsletter, please call the church office or email office@northmin.org.
The Work of the People
Northminster Church COVID Guidelines
 
COVID cases continue to surge due to the omicron variant. According to state officials we are on the verge of returning to the days of mask mandates, restricted gathering sizes, and overwhelmed hospitals and health care systems.

MASK WEARING AT ALL TIMES, WHEN IN PUBLIC VENUES, IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED AT NORTHMINSTER CHURCH. We all are at risk for not only Covid, but colds, flu and pneumonias. PLEASE MASK UP WHEN YOU COME TO CHURCH. Let's do our part in respecting and caring for each other and for our community. PLEASE stay home if you are sick and wear a mask when you go out in public until we get through this surge. PLEASE, consider getting vaccinated and boosted if you have not done so. There is a chance that you may be saving your own or someone else's life by following these recommendations.

Northminster 2022 Family Care Directories Available Now!

PLEASE PICK UP YOUR BOOK TO SAVE US POSTAGE! Books ARE located on the Narthex table and on the hall table. PLEASE sign your name on the sheet provided so Renee can mark your name off the list, as all other books will be distributed by care group leaders or by mail.


Of Interest to Us
February is Black History Month

Everyday the Arts Council celebrates the artists who help make Region 8 a culturally vibrant place to call home. Everyday this month via our social media platforms, we will be intentionally applifying the voices and messages of Black Artists who enrich our arts community... not just regionally, but globally. You can find us on social media by clicking the buttons below.
I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME
EQUITY FOR WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
(Book is provided free at the Church)
 
You’ve probably heard it said that “there is no such thing as a free lunch”. However, at Northminster there are free books! Several copies of the recently published I Wish Someone Had Told Me: Equity for Women in the Church are available for the taking (and READING). You will find them on the table in the hall outside the pastor’s office. Help yourself, read it and then please share with others.
Northminster Book Club
Our next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 17 at 6pm at the home of Camille Peterson, 3306 Oakleigh Circler, Monroe. Join us for dinner and discussion of Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding.
Northeast LA Quilters' Guild:
2022 Quilt Show

2022 Quilt Show will be held in the West Monroe Convention Center at 901 Ridge Ave on Friday, February 25 from 9-5 and Saturday February 26 from 9-4. You may contact them on Facebook under North Louisiana Quilters Guild and on their website at nlqg.us

Food Bank of NELA:
Empty Bowls

Our annual Empty Bowls event has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 26th. The event will still be held at the Monroe Civic Center, and we are very excited to have even more great food vendors and ceramics artists this year. We hope that you’ll still be able to join us for this fun event that helps provide thousands of meals to our neighbors facing hunger. If you are unable to attend the new date and would like your ticket purchase refunded, please contact our Director of Development and we will be happy to process the refund.

WHEN: Saturday, March 26th, from 11 AM to 1 PM. 
WHERE: Monroe Civic Center Arena - 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expy, Monroe. Use the main entrance and follow the signs and directions to park.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Attendees will show your email ticket receipt via phone or printout. With your all-inclusive ticket, you can choose a beautiful bowl donated by a local artist.

There will be a delicious tasting from 18 local food and beverage establishments. Click here to see who's participating! Food and beverage vendors will be serving tasting size portions of their tasty offerings for all to enjoy.
Once again talented local artist Leigh Buffingtonwill be painting a landscape live, which will go to one lucky high bidder in the silent auction. There will also be live music from Jeff Hicks and Paul Amy. 100% of your Empty Bowls ticket purchases go to support the Food Bank's hunger relief efforts in Northeast Louisiana. Thank you for helping our neighbors who face hunger!
The Floral Offering
The Floral Offering Sunday 23rd

The floral offering on Sunday, January 30 was given to the Glory of God and arranged by Marilyn Decker.

If you would like to give flowers in memory or in honor of someone, please contact the church office. Approximate cost is $100. 




Over the Coming Weeks
Upcoming Events

Sunday 2/6
9:00 am - Choir Practice
10:00 am - Sunday School
10:45 am - Preludes
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Liturgy
5:00 pm - Youth
Wednesdays
12:00 pm - Brown Bag Lunch CANCELLED
6:30 pm - Choir practice
Pulpit Supply Schedule

February
6 - Dr. James Lamkin
13 - Dr. Scott Stearman
20 - Rev. Shelia Sholes Ross
27 - Rev. Elijah Zehyoue
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.

To support Northminster financially, you can 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:
Mon -Thurs 9-12 noon & 1-4 pm
Friday 9-12 noon


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