Thursday, April 18, 2024

Celebrating 35 Years of Ministry: 1989 - 2024

REV. EDUARDO GONZALEZ TO PREACH SUNDAY

Rev. Eduardo Gonzalez, the pastor of Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel, Northminster’s partner church in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, will preach during our worship service on this coming Sunday. Eduardo and his wife Queen arrived in the United States this past Thursday and attended the annual gathering of the Alliance of Baptists in Charlotte, North Carolina along with Jo Ann Alley, D. H. Clark and Craig Henry. Eduardo has been the pastor at Enmanuel for 17 years, having followed Rev. Noel Fernandez, the founding pastor and now pastor emeritus. Eduardo has a masters degree in teaching English as a second language and was awarded a Certificate in Theological Studies by Perkins School of Theology at SMU in Dallas following summer courses over a ten year period from 2002 to 2012.

Eduardo’s relationship with Northminster dates back to 1996 when he was our English interpreter when several of us attended a meeting of partner churches of the Alliance and the Fraternity of Cuban Baptist Churches in Havana. Several of us were in attendance at his baptism, Dr. Welton Gaddy preached at the service where he was installed as pastor at Enmanuel, and Rev. Claire McKeever-Burkett, then Northminster’s Pastor for Congregational Life, preached at the service where he was ordained to the gospel ministry. Several of us were also present for the dedication service of his second son Eduardo Manuel. Also, Eduardo has visited Northminster on many occasions, including having preached previously. He is our dear friend, and we have a wonderful history with him.

Besides pastoring Enmanuel, from 2000 to present he has been the country coordinator for Joni and Friends Ministries, a faith-based ministry located in the United States, distributing wheelchairs in Cuba to those in need of them. Recently he has also become involved with a faith-based ministry in Canada that ships containers of dry food (rice, beans, etc.) for distribution in Cuba. Eduardo coordinates the receipt and distribution of these food items in Ciego de Avila Province. For many years he has also been a coordinator with Global Partners, a U S based organization sponsoring groups coming to Cuba to teach English, make repairs, paint, etc. He is also a leader in the Cuban Council of Churches and the Fraternity of Cuban Baptist Churches. So, a very busy guy!

Please plan to attend worship on Sunday to welcome Eduardo and Queen to Northminster. Following worship, we will also cut and serve a cake celebrating Northminster’s 30-year partnership with Enmanuel. Other celebratory activities are highlighted elsewhere in this newsletter.

Opening Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy This hymn by Reginald Heber was published in a book of hymns for Bambury Parish Church in England. Nicaea, one of nearly 300 tunes by John B. Dykes, was named for the famous council that defined the doctrine of the Trinity.

Middle Hymn: The Summons (Will You Come and Follow Me? words and music by John Bell and from the Scottish tune KELVINGROVE.

Anthem: Prayer of Teresa of Avila by Kenneth Lowenberg.

The Communion Anthem: In Remembrance of Me by Beryl Red. Clarinet by Sarah Talmage.



Closing Hymn: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Converted to Methodism at age twenty, Robert Robinson soon became a Calvinistic Methodist preacher and later gained great popularity. The melody, associated with this text since 1813, is an American folk tune.

We Celebrate with...

Charlotte Eich (18th)

Ann Aro (22nd)

Camille Peterson (23rd)

Olivia Chandler (24th)

as they celebrates their birthdays

The Children and the Youth extend a BIG THANK YOU to the Northminster Church Family for all your support in their efforts to raise funds for both the renovations of the Children's rooms and Baptist Youth Camp in North Carolina this summer.

If you have not seen the renovated rooms, please check them out soon.

The fundraising carwash and baked potato sale was extremely successful and our Youth are going to have a great camp this summer. Be on the lookout for more fun fundraising ideas as our Youth continue to plan!



THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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 Jennifer Kimble-Keen (318-307-6716) with any questions! 

 YOUTH MEALS SIGNUP

PUB THEOLOGY TONIGHT

Thursday, April 18 at 7pm at The Fat Pelican!

RECEPTION HONORING

EDUARDO & QUEEN GONZALEZ

On Tuesday, April 23, from 6-8, you are invited to come by the home of Craig Henry and D H Clark, 2401 Point Drive, Monroe 71201, 5^th house on the right after entering Point Place Subdivision off Loop Road, for a chance to have time to visit one-on-one with Rev. Eduardo Gonzalez, pastor of our partner church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, and his wife Queen.

We will have some typical Cuban food, including the ever-present Black Beans and Rice, pork, and chicken. We are not asking that everyone bring food, but if you would loke to contribute an appetizer or any specialties you might wish, just let us know. You might want to bring the drink of your choice.

We would like to have an idea of how many to expect, so please let us know if you think you can make it. You may let the church office know or Text D H at 318-366-7519, or email him at dellieclark@bellsouth.net. We will also have a sign-up sheet on the table off the narthex Sunday to indicate your intention on coming. However, if you forget to sign-up, please, by all means, plan to attend!

This relationship has been an incredible journey of 30 years now. This is a great opportunity to connect and share. As you know, Eduardo, having taught the language in his younger days, is fluent in English. He and Queen are eager to share their journey, which you will find remarkably similar to ours, with us. Please plan to come. 

CELEBRATING OUR THIRTY-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH

IGLESIA BAUTISTA ENMANUEL

CIEGO DE AVILA, CUBA

(Additional Activities with Eduardo and Queen Gonzalez)

In celebration of Northminster’s 30-year partnership with Enmanuel there are several activities planned. As mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter, Rev. Eduardo Gonzalez, Enmanuel’s pastor and our good friend, will preach in our worship service this Sunday. Following the service, we will cut and serve a cake in celebration of our partnership.

Eduardo and his wife Queen will also visit the Sunday School class led by Craig Henry. That class will meet in the sanctuary this Sunday beginning at 10:00 am. All are welcome to attend. We will need to adjourn by 10:40 in preparation for the worship service.

Eduardo and Queen will meet with our youth on Sunday afternoon where a Cuban meal of black beans and rice will be served. As mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter on next Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 pm we will further celebrate with a come and go Cuban dinner at the home of DH Clark and Craig Henry. Everyone is invited to enjoy some good Cuban food and to visit with Eduardo and Queen. They will be leaving Monroe for Miami on Wednesday where they will visit Eduardo’s two sons who are now living in Miami.

BOOK CLUB DATE CHANGE

Our next book is New York Times Bestseller "First Lie Wins" by North Louisiana native, Ashley Elston. Potluck and discussion will be Thursday April 25 at 6pm in the home of Debi Chandler.

CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF

JUDY EDINGTON

On Saturday, April 27 at 4pm Northminster Church will hold a Celebration of the Life of Judy Edington. A reception will be held following the service in the Narthex.

APRIL MISSION EMPHASIS:

THE FOOD BANK

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is a non-profit hunger-relief organization that provides food, advocacy, education, and disaster response to the 12 parishes of Northeast Louisiana. Through its network of partners and programs, the Food Bank serves nearly 25,000 people monthly across Northeast Louisiana. Needs: Peanut Butter (plastic jars only), Beans (dry or canned), Canned Meats/Seafood (tuna, salmon, chicken, ham), Meals in a box/can (chili, mac & cheese, stew), Rice and Pasta (box or bag), Boxed Cereal, Canned fruits and vegetables, Canned soups, Pop-Top food items (spaghetti-o’s, soups) . PLEASE NO GLASS CONTAINERS. Other needs: Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels), Personal care items (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bath soap)

Arranged by Robert Crawford

The Narthex arrangement was given by Robert Crawford and Richard Decker

THIS FRIDAY NIGHT IN BASTROP

Directions: US 165N to Bastrop. Travel past the courthouse to its corner then turn left on to US 425N. Travel through 4 red lights. At the 5th red light on the right is the Boiling Point.

CHORAL SCHOLARS PRESENT RECITALS

STARS OF TOMORROW: ICONS OF POP

Saturday, April 20 at 7pm

This fabulous show includes all of Northminster's Choral Scholars!