Northminster News

NEWSLETTER

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Join us for Worship

Sunday October 24, 2021

REV. DR. JAMES LAMKIN

OUR PULPIT GUEST SUNDAY

We welcome Rev. Dr. James Lamkin 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. 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. 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.

"Where You Stand Determines What You See"

Click photo below for a link to the live stream on YouTube which will begin

around 10:45 AM on Sunday morning.

Click HERE for last Sunday's Service, October 17

Our Worship in Song

October 24

Opening Hymn: God is Here! As We Your People Meet

Though he retired in 1969, this distinguished British poet continued to write hymns. In addition to administering several circuits and local congregations. Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000), published plays, translations, and poems. Emory University in Atlanta awarded him an honorary doctorate. This wonderful hymn, written by Green in 1978, was set to the ABBOT’S LEIGH by Cyril V. Taylor.

Gospel Acclamation

DH Clark uses the words from Matthew to remind us that we live by God’s word and that these words sustain us and nourish us. Praise be to you, O Christ!

Anthem: Restless Weaver

The text is by O. I. Cricket Harrison written in 1993. D. H. set the words to the tune BEACH SPRING, from The Harp Song Book of 1844. The message is asking for the creative vision for us to “weave a world anew.”

Communion Anthem: Open My Eyes

This anthem by K. Lee Scott, was written in 1990. Using the text of Lancelot Andrews, (1555-1626), Scott was commissioned by the Mississippi Conference on Church Music and Liturgy to write a piece to open the worship service of the event. Even though these words were written over 500 years ago, they still ring true. We are still asking God to give us vision and teach us to worship.

Closing Hymn: Be Now My Vision

Dating from the eighth century or earlier, this Irish hymn was translated into prose by Mary Byrne. It was then versified by Eleanor Hull, author of several books on Irish literature and history. David Evans arranged the Irish melody, tune SLANE, for this text in 1927.

I hope I get to worship with you this Sunday. Pacem and Grace,

Debi

Click HERE for this Sunday's Order of Worship

A Special Opportunity

Saturday, October 25

"FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES"

An Opera

Please plan to join other Northminster members and friends at Tinseltown in West Monroe on Saturday, October 23 at 11:55 am for the Metropolitan Opera’s Fire Shut Up In My Bones live in HD. Based on the harrowing memoir of New York Times columnist and Gibsland, Louisiana native Charles M. Blow, the music for the opera was written by New Orleans native and Grammy-award winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard. The opera makes history this season as the first opera by a Black composer to be performed by the Met.

The work itself takes the audiences on a profound, often painful, musical and dramatic journey. Set in Gibsland and at Grambling State University where Charles was a student, the opera follows Charles through a series of formative points in his adolescence. After struggling to break free from a childhood of trauma and abuse, he must decide whether he is ready to leave it in the past and begin to rebuild his life. To tell this story, Blanchard conjures a sound world that weaves together jazz and gospel idioms, probing and incisive melodies, and an intricate orchestral palette.

The opera runs about two hours and forty-five minutes with a thirty-minute intermission. Reserved seat tickets are available on the Met’s website (metopera.org)—search for “Live in HD”, or at fandango.com. Typically Met operas live in HD at Tinseltown are not well-attended. However, with this opera set in Gibsland and at Grambling hopefully there will be a good audience. So, reserve your tickets early. If you need help or want more information or need a ride or want to car-pool, please check with DH Clark or Craig Henry. You can find more information about the opera on the Met’s website.

The Prayers of the People

An opportunity to celebrate and pray alongside siblings in our community.

We pray alongside.....

Those with unspoken prayer requests.

Matthew Stewart, former choir scholar and member, dealing with a serious illness.

Ray Roberson's Grandmother dealing with a serious illness.

Miranda Seal's cousin's 11 yr. old son dealing with a serious illness.

Mike Cappel experiencing serious health issues. Paulette Cappel as she navigates his daily care.

Marc Bloch experiencing serious health issues.

Our Brothers and Sisters in Cuba experiencing severe economic hardships, food shortages, and lack of medical equipment to administer Covid-19 vaccines.

*********************

We celebrate alongside...

John Gray (10/23), David Culp (10/25) and Brennan Brown (10/26) as they celebrate their birthdays.

If you have concerns or celebrations you would like us to add to the newsletter, please call the church office or email office@northmin.org.

Children and Youth at Northminster

Fall Activity!

Children's Fall Activity Slated!

On Sunday, October 24 at 5pm all children are invited to a Fall Activity evening of supper, crafts and other fun activities. If you need more information, please call Beth Mayfield at 318-348-2529 or email her at beth@mayfieldconstruction.net

Welcome Back Night!

Youth Meeting Sunday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.

The Youth will begin meeting again this Sunday evening with welcome back activities of food, fun, and fellowship! Leaders are Laura Duke and Mackensie Grassi.

Thank You!

from Dr. D.H. Clark

Words and phrases are inadequate to express the depth of my gratitude for you the people of Northminster. I shall try. How do you thank someone for loving you? That love has been on prominent display here since 1988. It has known no bounds and, believe me, it is reciprocal. Thank you for all your expressions of solidarity during my ordination process and the wonderful service. Thank you for your presence then and always and for your commitment to making this church what it is. Special words of thanks go to Welton for his mentorship over the years and his amazing words of universal calling that so characterizes this place. Thank you for all who participated in the service, for Debi, Mark, Darrell, and Craig, as well as all the members who pledged love and support for my ministry. A deep and humble thank you goes to the choir who worked so hard to perfect the anthems which were not easy pieces and for Debi and Justin and their careful attention to detail and their passion to offer God the best we can offer. Sarah and Naomi carried me, and I am sure all of you, very close to heaven with “Only in Sleep.” Thank you. Thanks to Peggy and the Coordinating Council for their support in the process. I shall treasure your words, written and expressed, your smiles and hugs, and, always, your love.

I am so richly blessed by all of you.

The Work of the People

How we are responding to the Spirit of Love

CHRISTMAS PROJECT WISH LIST

As usual our November Missions Emphasis will be The Christmas Project by The Center for Children and Families. This year we will have 15 children available to be sponsored. You will find a signup sheet and the children's wish lists on the table in the hall. Gifts are due by Monday, November 29th at the center located at 622 Riverside Drive, but feel free to get them in as soon as you can. Please remember that the gifts need to be new and unwrapped.

You can simply put them in a garbage bag or bag that can be easily opened and place the child’s wish list inside the bag. Feel free to get any of the items from the wish list that you would like. Our only requirements are that they receive one outfit (shirt, pants) and at least one toy/item from their list. Please no gift cards.

We are also asking that if you do not wish to take an individual child, that you make toy donations directly to the Mission Trunk so that the Center will have "filler gifts" to fill out those wish lists that need additional toys. Suggestions are baby dolls, footballs, basketballs, etc..., games, clothing items such as hoodies, NFL, NBA apparel, costume jewelry,

Also, all donations are tax deductible, so for your tax purposes, The Center for Children and Families, Inc., EIN 72-1436720, P.O. Box 9493, Monroe, Louisiana 71211-9493, is a 501(c) (3) corporation. A form will also be available for you when you drop off your gifts.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Liz Gaught at (318) 398-0945 or christmas@standforhope.org

Help Needed on Northminster Commissions for 2022

All Commissions will be meeting in the next few weeks to plan end-of-the-year activities and discuss nominees for replacement of those who rotate off commissions at the end of the year. Each of our 10 commissions will need to fill 2 vacant positions. If you would like to become more involved and supportive of Northminster Church and its ministries please volunteer to serve on a commission. You don't need any special qualifications, just love for this church and interest in working to keep it alive. Call the Church Office and submit your name and choice of commissions.

Women's Sunday School Class:

The Time is Now - A Call to Uncommon Courage

The new release from beloved nun and social activist Joan Chittister, The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage offers a soul-stirring guide for all who feel disillusioned and dissatisfied with the power-hungry institutions and systems of this world.

The book can be purchased for online reading direct to your phone at ibooks and can also be purchased for Kindle, as an audiobook or in hardcover from Amazon.com.

Join us at 10 am this Sunday for this new study!

‌

October's Mission Trunk:

Asylum Seekers

Needs: Phone cards, Trak phones, Unlocked used smartphones less than five years old (with the name of the last provider AT&T, Verizon, or TMobile noted with the phone). Fast food gift cards that can be given or used to get food for the detainees once they are released. Walmart gift cards, VISA gift cards. Snack food (such as cheese and peanut butte crackers, Chicken salad and crackers, breakfast bars; food items that can be stored and given for snacks on the plane or bus. Toiletry bags that include toothbrush, combs, brushes, toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, shaving cream, shaving razors, and women's sanitary products that can be added to a small toiletry bag. Also, universal chargers, and charging cubes.

Released Detainee's Additional Needs: Reusable Grocery Bags

As requested by Mara Loeb: Many detainees are released with their belongings in plastic laundry bags. I have been giving them reusable fabric grocery bags and they are happy to have them. However I am almost out of the medium size and completely out of the larger ones. If anyone has extras that they can contribute I would be grateful! Email Mara at maraloeb@hotmail.com

Keeping You Informed

What you need to know

Church Office Information

While Renee continues recovering and working part-time, phone messages and emails will be checked frequently during the day by other members of the staff. If you are in need immediate assistance, please contact Peggy Burns, Chair of the Coordinating Council at 318-366-4431 or any other member of the staff.

Mask Up For Safety!

Due to a significant country-wide increase in COVID-19 Delta variant cases, the CDC and our state leaders now recommend mask wearing for all people, vaccinated and unvaccinated, while in public areas or in groups. The Coordinating Council recommends we do the same.

Please wear a mask at all times when in the church building.

A Floral Offering

To the Glory of God.

Last Sunday's Floral Offering

The October 17 floral offering in the Narthex and the Sanctuary was given to the Glory of God and in honor of Dr. D.H. Clark on the occasion of his Ordination to the Gospel Ministry by Craig Henry. Arrangement by Ellen Prather, Laura and Lydia Duke.

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

Giving to Northminster

Support 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.