Deuteronomy 15:11

 “ For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your  and.”

 Bill and Mary Lou English have listened and acted on hat command. They have led Northmont’s effort in providing warm meals for the homeless men at the Pleasent Valley Shelter monthly, approaching 30 years. Bill and Mary Lou traditionally served the meal in December, but are now unable to do so. Deacons are looking for a family or group to serve this December. I am sure you have plenty of questions, so contact me, Ken Yoest, at missionstuff@comcast.net or text/call 412-855-1459. I am sure Bill and Mary Lou would not mind discussing this with you as well.

Lazarus Fund Special Offering

The Lazarus Fund was started in 1984 by the Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh to help families in distress. The Fund’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by providing financial assistance to Allegheny County families and individuals in need. One-time grants of up to $200 may be offered to successful candidates, with the grants being paid directly to the service provider. We'll be collecting the Lazarus Fund throughout the month of February. To contribute, please use your Lazarus Fund pledge envelope or a pew envelope marked for the Lazarus Fund.

International Partnership Visitor Coming to Northmont

From May 9 to 21, 23 International Partnership guests will be in Pittsburgh. One of these visitors is a woman, Miriam Gondwe, from our partner church in Mangochi. The Mission Committee is organizing a small group from both the committee and the congregation to help plan the time that Miriam will be spending with us. We need one or two additional people from the congregation for that planning team. If you can spare a little bit of time and help contribute to this effort, please let me know.

One family from the congregation has volunteered to fill one of the two four- or five-day hosting periods. We still need to fill the second hosting period. If you think you might like to take advantage of that opportunity to host a guest from Malawi for a few days, please let me know. 

Your participation with either hosting or planning would be very much appreciated. - Ted Mills (412-742-0556, millsfam78@gmail.com)

Hiland Book Discussion 

Hiland Presbyterian Church is hosting a book discussion of The Color of Life: A Journey toward Love and Racial Justice by Cara Meredith over a simple lunch of soup and bread

Date: Saturday March 16, 2024

Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. 

Location: Hiland Presbyterian Church

845 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229

The event is free of charge.

RSVP by March 8th to Carolyn at gibbses5@verizon.net 

or Barb in the church office at 412-364-9000.

Website: https://hilandchurch.org/

Clef Notes

By: Stephen Schall, Music Director

On Wednesday we began the 40-day penitential season of Lent. To highlight the nature of the season, we will have two constant penitential musical bits throughout the season, the introit and the Kyrie. 

Each week as the introit, the choir will sing a different stanza of the ancient Lenten prose, Attende Domine. For more information on it, see here. 

To emphasize the time of confession, the choir will sing a choral setting of the Kyrie. Its text, “Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.” meaning “Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord, have mercy.” is in Greek, reminding us of the ancient nature of our liturgy. The Kyrie along with the Trisagion, which is prescribed for use on Good Friday, are the only parts of the church’s liturgy that remained in Greek, the first language used in the church, throughout the millennia. 

This week we hear about covenant, baptism, and rebirth. The choir will sing Herbert Howells poignant setting of Psalm 42, Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks, which text describes the yearning for God in the midst of despair and desolation.

A New Thing I’m Up To:

From January to March, I will be taking an online course with the goal of receiving an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising. This program, offered through an organization called the Lake Institute, will give me tools and resources to better equip myself and the church to do some outreach-focused fundraising. 

Update:

I am now through five of the eight weeks. This week has been all about putting a vision together and making a plan in your church’s context. Stay tuned for some more info on that soon. 😁

AMOS nights are our way of creating an atmosphere of fellowship and hospitality for families and all members of our church. We will be sharing a meal together and then breaking off for a time of learning. AMOS nights will take place once a month at 6pm.



Mark your calendars for the upcoming AMOS nights:

February 28

April 24

May 22

Mark your calendars for the following events.

Confirmation Gathers: 2/25, 3/24, 4/21, 5/19

Any questions? Contact Ben

Ligonier Retreat Recap

Some of Northmont’s youth spent time last weekend on a retreat in Ligonier. They did mission work for the camp by helping to clear brush and chop wood. They were also about to spend time singing, rock climbing, and enjoying the grounds since it was in the 60s when they were there.