“Mothers around the world, when their babies are born, pray to God when they hold that child, that that body and that life will be safe for the rest of his life…And when we look at this situation, this is a family that lost their son and their brother through an act of violence at the hands and the feet of people who had been charged with keeping them safe…The people of our country mourn with you…” - Vice President Kamala Harris

“I am sad, shook, disgusted, and enraged. Most of all, I’m sad because we’ve seen this before and once again we have to conjure up the emotional energy to grieve, speak, resist, and live.” - Dante Stewart, author of Shoutin’ in the Fire: An American Epistle

“Another young gifted Black man, Tyre Nichols, is lost to the violence of anti-Blackness. As a Black mother, watching his mother is unbearable. Her 29-year-old son is my 29-year-old son. When are they going to stop killing our sons?” - Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of Union Theological Seminary and Canon Theologian at Washington National Cathedral

These are just a few of the responses to the murder by Memphis police of Tyre Nichols earlier this month. To give full credit I borrowed the middle two from an email Craig Henry forwarded to me that was written by the author Robert P. Jones called “Living into Lament: A white response to the killing of Tyre Nichols by police.” The quote from the Vice President is from Tyre’s funeral. 

Why am I sharing other people’s words? Because I feel like mine are inadequate to the horror of this newest killing of a black man by police. What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Should I even be speaking as a white person, particularly as a white southerner? Wouldn’t it be better for me to listen to the voices of black folks? Clearly, something in our country is broken as the murder of black people by those sworn to protect keeps happening. I don’t hate the police but if I’m honest I don’t particularly trust them and have serious concerns about how they’re trained and how much power and protection they have. 

But even as I write these things I know that I have a responsibility to speak, partially as a pastor, partially as a white southerner, but mostly as a person of faith. I have a responsibility to say that what happened to Tyre Nichols is wrong and horrifying and shameful. I have a responsibility to acknowledge that the action these police officers took is the anthesis of God’s justice and makes a mockery of Christ’s love, even as I remember that the officers are also beloved children of God who made a terrible choice and took reprehensible action. I must do the work of admitting my privilege as a white person in this country and recommit myself as many times as necessary not just to the work of equity and justice but to being anti-racist. 

If you’re wondering where to start or what to do I have a few thoughts for you. One, consider joining our Racial Reconciliation Group here at the church so that we can do equity and anti-racist work together. Two, pray. That seems simplistic and like standard pastor advice, but I’m sincere. Pray for Tyre’s family, for the city of Memphis, for the officers involved and their families. Pray for the entire police department, particularly those making decisions moving forward. Pray for our black siblings as they process another indicator that their lives don’t much matter. And pray for our county which needs so much healing. 

Finally, I’m borrowing again from Robert P. Jones who gave this excellent advice, “...I invite those of you whose skin looks more like mine to use each of these lamentations as a moment of meditation today, to slow down, to open the door, and sit with our brothers and sister.” Sit in your discomfort. Sit in your despair. Sit in your horror. Sit in your privilege. Then get up and let's get to work.

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

Though he retired in 1969, the istinguished British poet has continued

to write hymns. In addition to administering several circuits and local congregations, Fred Pratt Green published plays, translations, and poems. Emory University in Atlanta awarded him an honorary doctorate. He wrote this hymn in 1978 and

was set to the tune ABBOT’S LEIGH by Cyril V. Taylor which was composed in 1941.

Middle Hymn:  We Plant a Grain of Mustard Seed

This hymn is partly based on our Gospel reading for today from Matthew Chapter 13. Mary Bryan Matney and Sally Ann Morris wrote this hymn in 1990 for the marriage of friends. In 1992, it won first prize in its category in hymn writing sponsored by the Charlotte, NC chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The tune NEW BEGINNINGS was written by Sally Ann Morris in 1990.

Gospel Acclamation: Parable

D.H Clark set the text introducing and responding to our Gospel reading which is a parable teaching us that “Jesus revels God’s truth” through the parables.

Anthem: Awake My Heart

Jane Marshall (1924 – 2019) was an important choral writer most of Her life. The text by Paulus Gerhardt, was set to music by Marshall and won the anthem of the year at the American Guild of Organists competition of 1958.

Communion Anthem: Call to Remembrance

Richard Farrant (1525-1580) a composer in the Renaissance Era, set the text based on Psalm 25 for four part choir. It tells of the Lord’s tender mercies and loving kindness that last forever.

Closing Hymn: Help Us Accept Each Other

Dutch theologian Fred Kaan was ordained in the United Reformed Church in England and Wales and has served as an international church administrator. Author of more than 200 hymns, Kaan frequently addressed contemporary issues in his texts. Set to the tune AURELIA by Samuel Wesley, 1864.

This Sunday will be enriched because we are worshipping together.

Pacem, Debi

Northminster Book Club

Our next book is A Man Called Ove by Frank Backman. This book is the basis for Tom Hank's new movie, "A Man Called Otto", in theatres now. Book club will meet Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6pm for potluck and discussion in the home of Beth Mayfield.

Mardi Gras Party!

The church will hold a Mardi Gras party on Sunday evening, Feb. 19 at 6pm. Mark you calendar to save the date! More details coming!

Ash Wednesday Service

On Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6pm Northminster will have a short Ash Wednesday Service. Choir practice will follow at the regular time.

February Mission Trunk Emphasis

Immigrant Detainees

People from Russia to the Mideast, Central and South America are fleeing oppressive and abusive governments, gang violence, climate disasters and death squads are coming to our borders seeking asylum and the chance for a better future. The vast majority of these people are in the for-profit prison systems, awaiting hearings, credible fear evaluations (what a terrifying concept), parole, or bond. The previous administration cut the number of courts or made them into video courts where hearings lasted less than 2 minutes and no language translation was available and they had limited access to lawyers. This practice continues. A substantial portion, though not all of those I have met, have family ready to receive them in locations around the country, but this can take several months and the for-profit prisons has no motive to help them through the process.

In 2022 our Northminster (and friends) group helped 61 people get to transportation at the bus station or the airport, helped by transporting them, providing food, a motel room, and, sometimes, giving them warm clothing or just a change of clothing from their prison sweat suits. In Louisiana the organization of which we are a member, Louisiana Aid for Immigrants in Detention, has provided assistance to over 6,000 people, most through the Shreveport facility where a church lets us board persons waiting for transportation. 

If you have frequent flyer miles that are waiting for a good use, please consider donating them at Miles4Migrants.org. Often people are kept in prison simply because they don't yet have a ticket for transportation.

Trunk Needs: men's jeans sizes small to medium, (3 small or medium men to 1 large), men's pullover shirts/T-shirts and jackets, new or used back packs, tennis shoes, socks, personal hygiene kits (razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb or brush), cold weather jackets for men and women as well as warm scarves. A final wish, a heavy clothes rack to store them on. 

Last Sunday's Floral Offerings

The floral offering was given to the Glory of God

And in Loving Memory of

Teigen Alyson Hankamer

Always in Our Hearts

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!