Thursday, July 27, 2023

How do you define God? What words or concepts make the most sense to you?

For me, these words and ideas change depending on what is happening in my life. Sometimes God is a challenge, particularly when I'm trying to find my way through a difficult scripture passage for preaching. Often God is a comfort, a safe space to turn to and trust in during times of trouble. More and more often I'm impressed by God's sense of humor! And perhaps most often God is a loving Parent who accepts me just as I am.

I'm posing this question to you because I read a beautiful, thought-provoking poem this week that I'd like to share with you. It was written by M Jade Kaiser who writes for enfleshed.com and appeared in this month's issue of Sojourners magazine. Here's what M Jade wrote:

God is lure

God is an invitation.

A lure.

A chance to do things differently.

Always before us,

God is the possibility of collective change.

Though everyday ordinary patterns of living

disguise evil and cover over sins of power;

God makes known what is hidden,

calls us to courage, makes us capable of radical solidarity.

We are not left powerless.

Every day there are new openings.

Every day a chance to choose what is right.

Every day an opportunity to re-pattern the world.

-Pastor Jillian

Opening Hymn: Praise to the Living God

Middle Hymn: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love

The Anthem: Near to the Heart of God

Communion Anthem: Invitation to the Table

Closing Hymn: We Offer Christ

The Postlude Club

Remember the Postlude Club meets on the chancel following the benediction for the short musical postlude. You may converse, collect flowers (you will have first dibs!!), and ask any question of our musicians. Feel free to wander up anytime.

We pray for...

Marilyn Decker (knee replacement surgery); Kyle Gregory (surgery); Julie Bulloch (broken foot); Carol Rhodes (cancer, sister of Amy Johnson); John Sandow, son of Tracy and Mary Sandow; Elvis Stelly; Pat Cohn; H.T. Garner; Judy Gaddy; Judy Eddington, Jay Aro; Tracy & Mary Sandow; Margaret Wood, cancer, friend of Carol Ann Tubbs; Sarah Maloney (17 yo w/cancer), friend of Carol Ann Tubbs; Kade Stapleton (extended family of Hannah Clark); Duane Crews (nephew of Hannah Clark); Our friends and partner church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel, in Ciego de Avila, Cuba.

Kay Southern expresses her gratitude to everyone for their prayers for Buddy Aulds, her son-in-law with cancer who has received an excellent report and is currently cancer free!

We celebrate with........



Lilah Kate Higginbotham (7/31)

Vevlyn Wright (8/2)

Elias Cross (8/2)



as they celebrate their birthdays

We celebrate with Chris and Whitney King on the healthy arrival of their third child,

Curran Fenner King, born 7/19 at 9lbs, 14 oz.

Curran joins older siblings Camden and Ellory. Mama and baby are perfect and at home, settling into life as a family of five!

We also celebrate with parents Mary Elizabeth Ingram Schmidt and husband Patrick, Beth Ingram (grandmother), Dibble McLaughlin (great grandmother), and Patti Pate (aunt) on the arrival of

Catherine Merrell Schmidt, 7.5 lbs

WITH LOVE FROM SAMUEL

I'm at a loss for words, but one thing is certain: I will deeply miss Northminster. Over the past four years, I have been incredibly blessed to be a part of this unique and extraordinary family. It is a place where love is not only felt but tangibly experienced, and I consider myself truly fortunate to have been a part of it.

Finding the right words to express my gratitude has been a challenge, especially after receiving such a heartfelt farewell. The depth of its specialness overwhelmed me, surpassing anything I could have imagined. I will forever hold deep gratitude for the goodness and kindness that every single one of you has shown me. Your unwavering support and warmth have made my time in Monroe truly unforgettable.

Northminster became my home away from home, a place where I found solace and belonging, to the point where returning to Ghana didn't feel like a necessity. The Northminster family has been my rock, providing steadfast support through thick and thin. For this reason, my gratitude knows no bounds, and I am immensely thankful to each and every person in Northminster.

With much gratitude and love!



Samuel Boateng 

Private Music Recital by Naomi Kilpatrick

 August 3, 2023 at 11:30 a.m.

at Northminster Church

Come enjoy beautiful music by Naomi Kilpatrick who recently

became one of our newest Northminster members.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Come and help us prepare as we look forward to be worship leaders and making a joyful noise!

July Mission Trunk Emphasis

Children's Coalition

(Early Head Start)

The Children’s Coalition believes in and enacts empowerment strategies for children and their many influencers through education designed to understand the growth and development stages of children from infancy through adolescence, to better enable the modeling and teaching of new skills and behaviors that contribute to the development of a healthy sense of self-worth in all children and the skill sets required to provide as much safety, stability, and opportunities to them from all concerned.

Items for donation include these needs: Diapers sizes 3, 4, 5, 6. Wipes. Training underwear 2T, 3T. Socks—infant, small, and toddler. Board books. These are targeted to the Early Head Start programs of the Coalition.

Detainee Aid Group

More involvment is needed in this important mission! If anyone missed their opportunity to get in on this ground level chance to do some good works by driving or delivering meals, etc., now would be a good time to contact Mara Loeb to inquire how you can help. Her email is maraloeb@hotmail.com. Spanish language skill a bonus but not required.

A Message From Mara Loeb

When I started the immigrant support mission in 2021 I was graced with donations from congregation members. Two years and hundreds of immigrants later, the funds are gone. If anyone would like to support this mission with funds, instead of physically helping, please let me know. I can be contacted at 318-348-3026 or maraloeb@hotmail.com

If you would like to give flowers one Sunday in honor of someone special, please contact the church office.

Library Dates for Mother Goose's Super Silly Summer Show

July 20: Ouachita Valley in West Monroe

July 21, Sterlington Library close to Sterlington High

July 25, Carver Library, close to Carroll High in Monroe

July 27, Louise Williams Library on Hwy 80 east (past PeGe's) 

Free to the public, showtimes 10 am

Administrative Assistant, Renee Decker's band, Homegrown will begin at 7pm!