Thursday, December 12, 2024

The Northminster Choir will present a concert of music for the season entitled Sing We All Noel on Tuesday, December 17 at 7 PM in the sanctuary of Northminster Church, 2701 Lamy Lane, Monroe, LA. The program will feature a brass and percussion ensemble with piano and organ. The choir is directed by Dr. Deborah Chandler. Our brass and percussion players are some of the finest in the area. Featured works include Gloria by Randol Alan Bass, a festive setting of the Gloria from The Mass, and A Star in the East by Gwyneth Walker, a trio of carols including “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and “Rise up Shepherds and Follow.” These delightful arrangements along with arrangements of other favorite carols will make for a lively evening of music that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

The concert is free and open to the public.

If the Christmas season puts you in the mood for Handel's Messiah, you may click here to stream last years concert.

COLLECTING FOR CUBA

DH and I will be traveling to Cuba January 16-21 to visit our partner church and to show our solidarity with them during very tough times there. As you are aware the situation in Cuba currently is very dire. In Ciego de Avila where Enmanuel is located there are rolling black outs every day. Electricity, medicine, medical supplies, food, fuel, and other things are in short supply. We have again been asked to bring some items that are needed by our sisters and brothers there. Obviously since there are only two of us, we can’t take much, but we will take what we can.

So, that’s where you come in! Until we leave, we will be collecting:

Women’s panties in all sizes

Men’s underpants in all sizes

Disposable razors

The Mission Trunk will be available during December to collect these items, and in January there will be another designated place in the narthex.

The Coordinating Council has also approved our solicitation of MONEY from the congregation. We are told that money is also very useful there! Whatever money is given we will take to add to the church’s annual budgeted gift to be given to Enmanuel. If you want to give money, please write a check to Northminster or go online to Northminster’s PayPal account. In the memo line please put “partner church”. Please DO NOT include the word “Cuba”.

Thanks for anything you can do to help support our sisters and brothers in Cuba. DH and I will also appreciate your prayers for us as we go.

Craig Henry

Opening Hymn: The Baptist Shouts on Jordan's Shore Charles Coffin, distinguished scholar and Latin author was rector of the University of Paris for a time. The hymn appearing here in a new translation, is from a breviary ordered by the archbishop of Paris to replace ancient Latin hymns with newer ones.

The Middle Hymn: Do the Good That's Yours to Do This hymn is an insert from an Advent Booklet that happens to also be the name of Pastor Jillian's sermon this week.

The Anthem: The First Noël a traditional English Carol arranged by Dan Forrest.

The Communion Anthem: In the Bleak Midwinter by Gustav Holst and arranged by Gwyneth Walker. Text by Christina Rossetti. This anthem will be part of the Northminster Choir's Concert on Tuesday, December 17th.

The Closing Carols: The First Nowell, Good Christian Friends Rejoice, Joy to the World.

I would like to say "Thank You So Much!" to everyone who has prayed for me, sent cards, flowers, and food during my continued recovery. It means more to me than you know. I have a way to go yet so your continued thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated!

Peggy Caskey

We Celebrate Birthdays with...

CAYCE ROBERTS (12TH)

BETH MAYFIELD (13TH)

KASSIDY STANFORD (14TH)

TOM MCCANDLISH (15TH)

FRANCES THRASHER (15TH)

JUSTIN DENAGALL (17TH)

TAMMY CONRAD (18TH)

SUSAN CURRY (19TH)

BRANDY KIMBLE KEEN (19TH)

YOUTH

Please contact Jennifer Kimble-Keen (318-307-6716, jkimble8366@gmail.com) if you are willing to provide a light meal for the Youth. They meet every Sunday evening at 5pm to approximately 7:30pm. Thank you!

STEWARDSHIP: TITHING MADE EASY!

As most of you know, we use the online app, PayPal, to make giving fast, easy and simple. But did you know that you can also have funds from any of your accounts automatically transferred to Northminster on a regular basis? If remembering to tithe bi-weekly or monthly is a chore, simply use the ACH form, fill it out, and return it to the church. Our church financial officer, Connie Smallwood, will set this automatic draft up in the amount and time frame you choose for the church to receive your tithe regularly! If you have any questions, please call the church office!

ACH FORM

AFTER CHUCH FELLOWSHIP

In order to continue our after church fellowship, we need folks to volunteer to provide drinks and snacks. Please see the sign-up sheet in the hall outside the pastor's office OR call/email the church office and let Renee know you'll take a Sunday.

Please, NO items with icing or "gooey" stuff. This is getting into our rugs and embedded into the concrete floors.

SUNDAY DEC 15: SPICER

SUNDAY DEC 22: KIMBLE-KEEN

SUNDAY DEC 29:

CHILDREN AND YOUTH CHRISTMAS PLAY

"That Starry Night"

Annie, Bobby and Stella happen upon a group of kids rehearsing for their

annual Christmas Eve pageant. Not knowing what a pageant is or

understanding the teachings of Jesus, they learn a lot from their new

friends. Annie, Bobby and Stella quickly realize that they DO belong, and

EVERYONE is welcome here.

YOU NEED A NAME TAG!!



In a few weeks we will begin wearing name tags on Sunday mornings so that we can all become more acquainted with one another. Renee will be making these and they will be placed on a bulletin board in alphabetical order as you enter the Narthex. Wear your tag on Sunday and then either replace it on the board as you leave or BE SURE AND BRING IT BACK with you next Sunday. Renee has almost all the names but if you don't see your name tag, use a temporary one and list your name and email address on the sign-up sheet and she will have one made for you the following week!

FALL RETREAT PAYMENTS NEEDED



Unfortunately a few folks ended up not attending or not attending for as long as you’d originally planned. While we empathize with that because of the weather, changes could not be made to our numbers after the retreat started. The church will need to be reimbursed even if you didn’t attend. We hope you understand, but if you have questions please contact Pastor Jillian. 

This is your reminder that payment is due to the church for the Fall Retreat. You may pay by check, PayPal (if you need to use a credit card), or payment plan. Rates are posted below. If paying cash, please place in an envelope marked "Retreat" with the names of those you are paying for. Checks should be make payable to Northminster Church and memo lined "Retreat". Please drop payments in the offering plate or on Renee's desk. You may also use our PayPal portal, especially if you need to use a credit card as the church does not have a credit card machine. Be sure and notate on PayPal that payment is for the "retreat."

DECEMBER 8

The floral offering was given to the glory of God and in loving memory of

Sam and Millie Crawford

And in honor of Robert Crawford

By Kay Southern

Arrangement by Marilyn Decker