Thursday, February 22, 2024

Celebrating 35 Years of Ministry: 1989 - 2024

A WORD FROM REV. DR. DARRELL CLUCK

(Pulpit Supply During Rev. Hankamker's Maternity Leave)

Lenten Discipline is not novel to me. I engage in the practice each year with varying levels of vigor and devotion. Lent comes from the Old English word meaning “lengthen” and certainly lives up to the name as the days stretch to their exhausting ending. “Giving up” and “taking on” have always battled for my allegiance. Some years I both give up and take on. Those are the years I deepen most in my spirituality, but also the years I fail most miserably in keeping my Lenten promises. For me, poetry most authentically reflects my struggle on the journey to the cross and beyond. The following poem peels back the layers of Lenten discipline, both giving up and taking on.

SPENT AT LENT

Taloned ardor, dripping guile

Ruptures Reason’s tranquil smile

Flagging zealot’s dying cause

Ripped of love by flesh-starved claws

Bloody dreamers blithely stare

Winsome, wounded, leaving bare

Jagged remnants, rendered hearts; freely offered holy parts

Wretched charmer burdened down

Laden now with slaughter’s crown

Imbecilic from the fray

Lurching, languid, Lenten-way

                         - Darrell Cluck

*February is Black History Month - The Voluntary, the Communion Anthem, and some preludes are composed by African American composers.

Opening Hymn: Lift High the Cross Since its first inclusion in a U.S. hymnal in the 1970's, this hymn has become enormously popular. G. W. Kitchin and M. R. Newbolt were Church of England ministers.



Middle Hymn: In the Cross of Christ I Glory John Bowring's goal "to do something which may connect my work with the literature of the age" was attained with this enduring hymn. The gifted Bowring studied 200 languages and wrote extensively in many fields.

Anthem: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Gilbert Martin, music by Isaac Watts and based on a tune by Lowell Mason.

The Communion Anthem: Fix Me Jesus by African American composer Hall Johnson. Sung by choral scholar, Preston Anderson, tenor.



Closing Hymn: Called as Partners in Christ's Service One of Janes Parker Huber's most widely sung texts, this hymn was originally written for a women's breakfast at the 1981 Presbyterian General Assembly meeting to celebrate the partnership of women and men in service to the church.

We Celebrate with...

Steve Davidson (22nd)

Zachary Ingram (29th)

Robert Trent (28th)

Noel Fernandez (28th)

as they celebrate their birthdays

Prince Addo, Angela Boateng, and Kwabena Addy

Northminster is pleased to welcome Prince, Angela and Kwabena to our church family. These three have been regular and active attendees for some time now and officially joined the church on February 11, 2024. All three are in graduate studies at ULM. Be sure and pick up their Pictorial Directory page to add to your book and also please be sure to welcome them to our fellowship!

Welcome Baby Hankamer!

Jillian and Erich Hankamer welcomed

Eirinn Sophia Hankamer

on Friday, February 16. She weighed 5 lbs and

12 oz and measured 19" long.

A Meal Train sign-up has been set up to help the new parents as the begin their new life as a family of three. Click the link below to help provide a meal for Erich and Jillian!

Click Here

HELP NEEDED!

Updating the Baby/Toddler Nursery

The nursery now has a fresh coat of paint but we have nothing to put in the room! Please see the Amazon wish list by clicking the link below to help transform this space into a usable nursery. Also, if you would like to contribute to this renovation, make checks payable to Northminster Church and memo line the check "nursery". CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON LIST

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

Co-Ed Sunday School Class

This class will begin Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinheirited beginning this Sunday, February 25. Books can be purchased in hard copy or for Kindle through Amazon. Here is the link:

Click Here

Northminster Book Club

Our next book is The Women by Kristin Hannah. Join us for potluck and discussion on Tuesday, March 19 at 6pm in the home of Kyle Gregory.

THERE IS A RIVER: Black History, Black Freedom, and a Vision for the Future For Black History Month, the Alliance of Baptists will celebrate by offering a teach-in on the "Long Black Freedom Struggle" and what it means for the times in which we live. Led by our very own co-director, Reverend Elijah R. Zehyoue, Ph.D. we will look at Vincent Harding’s text, There Is A River, as we examine the significance of Black history today, especially as more states restrict and suppress this important history. We ask you to join us as we engage with some aspects of this powerful history and discover how we can all embrace it.

REGISTER HERE

PIATIGORSKY CONCERT

SAVE THE DATE: On Tuesday, March 12 at 7pm Northminster will present the Piatigorsky concert. More information is coming soon!

PUB THEOLOGY

Thursday, March 21 at 7pm at The Fat Pelican!

SECURITY TEAM MEMBERS NEEDED

If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact Lola Wheeler (318-816-1341) or the church office for details.

FEBRUARY MISSION EMPHASIS:

EXIT 318

EXIT-318, signifying the 318 area code geography, and the abbreviation for Ex-Offenders In Transition, is a program funded by the Department of Corrections, and presents a re-entry accountability plan in the form of a contract with ex-offenders. This is a program supported by many companies and local businesses, with a home base in Goodwill Industries. This has been a very successful program in our region for 5+ years, and Northminster is in our 3rd year of collecting for this 2nd Chance program.  There are 3 phases to the Exit-318 Program. The first begins well in advance of release from the incarcerating institution, involving education, getting ready, and understanding what is required to qualify and stay in the program. The second is going home, and ideally the third phase is staying home within the community. Both these phases have many support services involved, but part of any second chance involves re-homing, and the stuff needed to keep up with yourself.



NEEDS: Deodorant, razors/shaving cream, shampoo, soap, toothpaste-toothbrush. Towels, washcloths. New undergarments, socks. Basic cleaning supplies: broom/dustpan, mop, dishwashing liquid, laundry soap, 409, windex, etc. Bedding: pillows, sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters. Coats and other clothing. Grocery gift cards and non-perishable food.

The flowers last Sunday were from the Celebration of the Life of Tracy Sandow.

Arranged by Marilyn Decker, Peggy Burns and Robert Crawford

8th Annual Food Bank Empty Bowls 2024

The Food Bank's Empty Bowls event will be held Saturday, April 6 at the Monroe Civic Center arena. With an all-inclusive event ticket, guests can choose a beautiful bowl to take home as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in our community. Enjoy a tasting from over a dozen local restaurants, live music, a silent auction and more. All proceeds benefit the Food Bank’s hunger relief efforts in Northeast Louisiana.