Thursday, December 14, 2023

ADVENT WEEK 3: JOY

As we continue to prepare for the coming of the Christ child and the third Sunday of Advent the question to ponder with our theme of a weary world rejoicing is, do we allow ourselves to be amazed? When was the last time we were truly amazed by something in a positive way? How do we make room for amazement in this week of joy and beyond? Again, I’d like to offer you a poem written to fit this theme.

All the Way to Joy

We could play hard and fast,

Not let anything touch us at all,

Keep composure,

Have all the answers.

Or we could crack ourselves open

And let everything in.

We could feel everything,

Every touch, every marvel.

We could stand gaping

At the beauty of the world,

Mouths wide open (because sometimes

A mouth wide open is the very best gratitude).

We could laugh so loudly

That the whole restaurant looks,

And err on the side of the goofy

Whenever possible.

We could put our defenses down.

We could grow soft.

We could choose awe.

We could take her by the arm.

We could let her lead us all the way to joy.

-Rev. Sarah Speed 

Opening Hymn: Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates Georg Weissel, a Lutheran pastor, served a church in Konigsberg, East Prussia. He wrote some twenty hymns, most of them for the great festivals of the church year. This hymn was written for Advent.



Middle Hymn: My Soul Gives Glory to My God This New Testament canticle, with its mosaic of liberation motifs that proclaim the justice of God, is known as the "Magnificat," the opening word of its Latin translation.



Anthem: Song of Zechariah by Hal Hopson and arranged by D. H. Clark. Text by Michael Perry, alt.

Communion Anthem:  In Sweetest Jubilation    (In Dulci Jubilo) a traditional carol arranged by D.H. Clark

Closing Carols: Joy to the World, What Child is This?, Noel

We Celebrate with...

Kassidy Stanford (14th)

Tom McCandlish (15th)

Frances Thrasher (15th)

Justin Denagall (17th)

Joe Caskey (18th)

Tammy Conrad (18th)

Susan Curry (19th)

Brandy Kimble-Keen (19th)

Chris King (20th)



as they celebrate their birthdays

Sunday following worship we celebrated Samuel Boateng's graduation from ULM as a PhD in Pharmacology and his upcoming marriage to Sarah Swain of Alexandria on December 30. We received this note from Samuel on Monday:

My Dearest Northminster family, 

You are truly the sweetest. It’s not the first time, but last Sunday was an overdose of love and honor for me. It was good to be home, and thank you for making it super special.  

Samuel & Sarah

Children and Youth Christmas Program

This Sunday, December 17at 5pm

Matt and Lucy's Version Births

Little did Matt & Lucy know when they agreed to help out with this year’s Christmas pageant that the director would give them each a different script and leave them to work out their differences… “Confounded Christmas Fun!”

Youth Group Meals

Our youth meet every Sunday at 5:00. We would like to offer them a light meal. If you would like to help provide a meal click the link to sign up. They love easy meals. Some suggestions are tacos, spaghetti, chili, sandwiches and pizza! 

Please review the available slots by clicking on the button to sign up. Dates will be added as planning continues. Thank you! We typically have between 10-15 youth and adults. Please call or text Laura (318-387-4446) with any questions!

YOUTH MEALS SIGNUP

No SUNDAY SCHOOL on December 24th or December 31. Sunday School will resume on January 7.

No PUB THEOLOGY Meeting for the month of December. We will resume in January!

DOUBLE FELLOWSHIP THIS SUNDAY!

TWO EVENTS!!

SECURITY TEAM MEMBERS NEEDED

If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact Lola Wheeler for details. 318-816-1341

DECEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS: ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS

As with previous years the Alliance of Baptists is Northminster’s mission emphasis for December. Since our founding in 1989 the Alliance has been our denominational home, connecting us with other like-spirited churches and individuals across the country. Northminster member Dr. Jo Ann Alley currently serves on the board of the Alliance, Dr. Welton Gaddy and Craig Henry previously served on its board and as its president, and D. H. Clark and Priscilla Asbury also previously served on its board.

The Alliance of Baptists is a group of progressive Baptists and other Christians committed to enacting God’s love and justice in the world. Founded in 1987, the Alliance of Baptists formed in order to provide a space for individuals who were tired of political infighting within the Southern Baptist Convention. As the organization’s story unfolded, the Alliance would come to provide a theological home for progressive Baptists and other Christians from across many denominational groups. Currently the Alliance numbers about 140 partner churches and a few thousand individuals.

During December, please consider making a financial gift to the Alliance so it can continue doing its important work. You may do so by writing checks payable to Northminster Church and memo line "Alliance Offering”. If you give in cash, be sure to place in an offering envelope and put your name, amount and "Alliance Offering" on the envelope. You may also give online through Northminster's PayPal by scanning the QR code with your camera phone. Be sure and notate "Alliance Offering". Finally, you may give directly to the Alliance by clicking the yellow button below. 

HELP MAKE CUBAN LIVES A LITTLE BETTER

The current economic situation in Cuba is quite dire with shortages of almost everything. Seven Northminster members and friends will be traveling to Cuba on January 25 to celebrate with Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel our beautiful partnership of 30 years. Obviously we are limited to what we can take in our luggage, but we can take a few things. Here are the items they suggest we can easily carry and are much needed there:

Disposable razors

Gelatin of different flavors

Powdered soups of different flavors

Powdered chocolate milk

Different flavors of tea

Light jackets for women (all sizes)

Boxer briefs for men (all sizes, lightweight fabric for quick drying)

We will be collecting these items through January 21st We are using the mission trunk in the narthex for you to deposit items. During this season of giving please be generous and help make the lives of our Cuban sisters and brothers just a little bit better. It also helps them to know that during these difficult economic times for them they are not forgotten.

Thanks for anything you can do!

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT WAS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10

The Banner of

PEACE

The orb and cross at the base of the banner combined with the olive wreath above symbolizes Christ’s conquest of the world through the peace He brings. The streams of purple flowing down from the crown through the Alpha and Omega symbols speak of the everlasting qualities of true peace through Christ the King. The purple border, as on each of the Advent banners, is the color of royalty associated with the birth of Christ our King.

If you would like to give flowers one Sunday in honor or in memory of someone special, please contact the church office. Approximate cost is $125-$150

Many thanks to our Floral Committee (Marilyn Decker, Peggy Caskey, Robert Crawford, Peggy Burns, and Susan Curry) for the outstanding and difficult job of decorating the sanctuary for this wonderful season.