Thursday, January 5, 2023

THANK YOU!

 

Thank you! Because of your generosity Northminster had the best giving year in our history in 2022! As of press time undesignated giving for 2022 totaled a little more than $318,000. It was also the first time that our giving surpassed the total of our financial ministry plan, and thus our giving goal, for the year. Final details of income and expenses will be presented to the church when we meet at our regular business meeting on Sunday, January 22. For now, it appears we will be well positioned financially going into this new year. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you/us who stepped up to state clearly through our giving that Northminster is a vital voice and place in our lives and in our community. We commit to be good stewards of our gifts.


Another big thank you is also in order. We owe Peggy Burns a deep debt of gratitude for serving as the chair of our Coordinating Council during the past three years. She led us so well as we negotiated the COVID pandemic crisis followed by the year of interim without a pastor. If you have not already, please take time to personally thank Peggy for her devotion and her leadership during three difficult years. We are stronger because of Peggy’s commitment and dedication. Thank you, Peggy!


Of course, there are many others to thank. Our superb staff. A dedicated Coordinating Council. Working commissions. Our committed pastor search committee. Five of our members who during the interim stepped up with some fine preaching. A fantastic choir. Devoted teachers and leaders. Our newly minted audio-visual team allowing us to expertly stream our worship services world-wide. A steadfast church treasurer serving since our founding! And all of us who have shown up and done our part, however great or small. Finally, to Jillian, our new senior pastor, for joining us on this most wonderful journey. Thank us all! (If I missed anyone, I’m sorry. Thank you!)


Lastly, I want to mention a few goals in the works that we hope to bring to fruition in 2023. A hard-working sub-group from the Coordinating Council has already held several meetings working to recommend revisions to our church by-laws to help us “do church” better. We hope to present these to the church and have them implemented by the end of the first quarter of the year. We have said for a long time that we need to do a better job of telling our story in the community. Doubtless there are others who would like to join us if they knew about us. We hope to develop and implement a plan to do that this year. Also, we look forward to re-starting our Racial Justice Working Group as we seek to be people and a church devoted to racial justice.


I look forward to serving as your Coordinating Council Chair for 2023 and to helping to lead us during this pivotal year. Please feel free to share with me your ideas, your concerns, your questions, whatever is on your mind, so that together we may move forward this year continuing to do justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God. May it be so!


Craig Henry 

CUBAN MISSION TRIP: NEEDS FOR OUR PARTNER CHURCH


Needed by Sunday, January 8: Women panties of all sizes, men's disposable razors. Also they are in need of size AA and AAA batteries that are hard to find in Cuba. There is a box beside the mission trunk for these items.

Join Us for Worship

Sunday, January 8 at 10:45am

Rev. Jillian Hankamer Preaching:

Claimed by God

Click the photo below to stream Sunday's Service

View Order of Worship 
Click here to view last Sunday's service

A REMINDER

Immediately following worship on Sunday there will be a time for the Coordinating Council to present its recommendation that Northminster apply for membership in the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB). It will also be a time for you to ask questions and make comments. The recommendation will be officially presented at the business meeting on Sunday, January 22 for further discussion and a decision.

Our Worship in Song

Opening Hymn: O Morning Star, How Clear and Bright

This German chorale by Lutheran pastor Philipp Nicolai became so popular that its tune was chimed by church bells and its words engraved

on pottery. It has been called “the queen of chorales.” The tune, WIE SCHON LEUCHTET, was written in 1598 and harmonized by JS Bach in 1731. The text is based on Isaiah 60: 19-20 and Romans 15: 7-13.


The Anthem: Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes

We sing this anthem in response to the Children’s Message focusing on the meaning of Epiphany. The text is anonymous but was beautifully set for choir by Hal Hopson in 1982.


Gospel Acclamation   Epiphany: Baptism of Jesus

The choir introduces the reading from St. Matthew telling of the Baptism of Jesus. The response reminds us that we are “immersed in his love and fed by his Word.”


Communion Anthem:  See the Beloved of God’s Bright Radiance

This hymn text by Carl Daw, Jr. was written in 1990 and quotes a tune by Louis Bourgeois (1510 – 1561). The tune is RENDEZ A DIEU and was found in the Trente quatre Pseaumes, Geneva, in 1551.


The Closing Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Jesus, the Light of the World)

The original version of Charles Wesley’s hymn (1739) has received various alterations throughout the years. This adaptation by George Elderkin utilizes a repeated ascription, “Jesus the Light of the World,” and a refrain to create a rousing carol of praise. The tune is ELDERKIN.

 

I look forward to sharing this worship in song with you this Sunday. I would like to thank this congregation and staff for all the calls, cards, and messages received during the last few weeks. The love and concern were needed and appreciated more than I have words.

Happy New Year!

Debi                     

Our Concerns and Celebrations

We pray for...


Denzell Denegall - recovering from hip replacement surgery


Duane Crews

 nephew of Hannah Clark


Jay Aro, Judy Eddington,

Tracy & Mary Sandow


Our friends and sister church,

Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel,

in Ciego de Avila, Cuba

We celebrate with...


Beth Ingram (9th)

Lowery Thompson (11th)

Renee Decker (12th)



as we observe their birthdays.

Congratulations to

Mary and Tracy Sandow who celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on New Year's Eve!

Church Life

Northminster Book Club

Our next book is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. We will discuss the book over potluck on January 17 in the home of Carol Ann Tubbs.

Do You Have a Hymnal at Home?

The church is missing quite a number of hymn books and would be grateful to have them back in the church. Should you have one at home and are not using it, please return it to the church.


However, if you would like to keep the hymnal, you might consider replacing it by ordering one from Amazon and giving it back to the church. Thanks so much for checking your music library!

Hymnal on Amazon

Monitors for Sale

The church has replaced the office monitors so we have two 2016 View Sonic 22" monitors with power cords available for sale. We are asking $25 for each monitor, OBO. Call the office and speak with Renee if you are interested.

Mission Opportunities

January Mission Emphasis

Local Animal Shelters


Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter (OPAS), a high kill shelter with dogs and CATS

The Humane Society (dogs only, no-kill shelter)


 

Needs:  Laundry Detergent!!! BLEACH, BIRKON, scrub brushes, Disposable gloves all sizes, Paper Towels, Tall Kitchen Bags, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Dawn dishwashing liquid, First Aid supplies (like antiseptic spray), Old bath towels, t-shirts, sheets, blankets, etc...that can be placed in cages.        

 

Cat and Dog treats (such as Milkbones). Please no rawhides, Puppy and Kitten food (canned or dry), Dog and Cat food (canned or dry), Cat litter, Puppy pads, all sizes, all stock livestock food, hay and shelled corn, animal carriers.

Coming Up

This Sunday


9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal


10:00 am - Sunday School for Children (K-5), Youth, and Adults


10:45 am - Preludes


11:00 am - Worship Service


5 pm - Youth Keep up with us on Instagram for any upcoming events or schedule changes!)

Wednesdays


6:30 pm - Choir practice


Upcoming Events


Wednesday, Jan. 11: Cuban Mission Trip


Sunday, Jan. 22 - 6pm Potluck followed by Business Meeting 7pm


Sunday, Jan. 29 - 5th Sunday Lunch

The Floral Offering

Last Sunday's Floral Offerings


Given to the Glory of God



Arrangement by

Robert Crawford


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!

Of Interest In the Community

CA Studio Presents: Open Mic Night This Friday


This Friday, January 6 at 7pm is Open Mic Night for ages 12+ at Lea's of Monroe (corner of Louisville and 4th). Enjoy local performers as they play music, sing, read poetry, and reveal immense talent for the first time since the pandemic!


House opens at 6:30 and admission is by donation (suggested $5). Lea's pies, coffee/drinks will be available for purchase during the event.


The evenings emcee is Sarah Irwin.

Northminster members Cathy Airhart Webb and DH Clark are also involved with DH serving as accompanist. He will be available at 6pm to rehearse with singers if desired. PLEASE bring sheet music!

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:

Monday -Thursday 9am to 4 pm

Closed Friday

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State of Belief 

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by Dr. Deborah Chandler,

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