Thursday, November 21, 2024

NOEL FERNANDEZ’S MEMOIR PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH

Noel Fernandez’s memoir Living According to the Circumstances has been published in English. It is available from Amazon in paperback, hardcover and Kindle. Simply go to amazon.com on the internet and search Noel’s name or the book title. It’s as easy as that to order. Noel is the founding pastor and now pastor emeritus of Northminster’s partner church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel, in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. For many years he has championed the Church’s response to persons with disabilities through the Cuban Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches. 

The book’s title is taken from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi where he writes of living his life according to the circumstances. At the time Paul was imprisoned for his faith. Noel has been blind from retinitis pigmentosa since his early thirties and has also encountered other significant challenges in his life. Despite his blindness and other challenges he has lived a life committed to justice, compassion and peace. All of this he recounts in the book.

Noel’s important memoir deserves a wide audience. So, please share this information with your network of friends and associates and encourage them to read about Noel’s life journey. Like Noel, may we all be challenged, grow and live according to our own circumstances!

AGAPE MEAL THIS SUNDAY

Northminster's annual Agape Meal is this Sunday, November 24 at 6pm at the church.

The meal will be $8 per person with a cap of $30 for the family. Payment is due at the time of the meal. If paying by cash, please place in an envelope with the names of those paid for so Renee can keep an accurate accounting. Make checks payable to “Northminster Church” and memo note the check is for the “Agape Meal”. Leave your payment on Renee’s desk. You may also pay on PayPal (especially if you need to use your credit card) and add a comment that the payment is for the Agape Meal. IF YOU DID NOT SIGN UP, WE STILL HAVE ROOM FOR YOU!

The Agape Meal is quite an undertaking and the majority of the work falls on The Agape Committee which is a separate group from Hospitality. Please consider lending a hand, especially with set up and break down. If you can remain after church on November the 24 to help set up tables and chairs in the Sanctuary please do so. We will also need folks to stay after the meal to assist with removing the tables and chairs and putting our sanctuary back in order. Men, this means we need you especially!!!

Opening Hymn: You Servants of God, Your Sovereign Proclaim Written at a time of anti-Methodist sentiment, this hymn was included in Charles Wesley's "Hymns for Times of Trouble and Persecution." The tune is attributed to William Croft, composer at England's Chapel Royal and organist at Westminster Abbey.

The Anthem: From All That Dwell Below the Skies by Gordon Young and text by Issac Watts.

The Communion Anthem: Bread of the World by David Henne and text by Reginald Heber 1827, alt.

The Closing Hymn: Jesus Shall Reign The second half of a longer paraphrase of Psalm 72, this hymn was included in Issac Watts Psalm of David, a collection of psalm-based poems with New Testament orientation. John Hatton once lived in Duke Street in St. Helen's Lancaster, England.

We Celebrate Belated Birthdays with...

MEL MOBLEY (14TH)

CAROL ANN TUBBS (17TH

KEN MCKENZIE (17TH)

CHARLIE ARCHER (17TH)

SCOUT ARCHER (17TH)

AMY HIGGINBOTHAM (19TH)

MARY ANN WILCOX (19TH)

We Celebrate Birthdays with...

DAMON MAYFIELD (22ND)

HAL MAYFIELD (25TH)

ELLA MAYFIELD (26TH)

PATREN SPICER (27TH)

PRINCE ADDO (28TH)

KIRK FISHER (29TH)



DECEMBER:

CAROL RISPOLI (1ST)

JEN FARMER (3RD)

WILL SUMNER (3RD)

NATHALIE SHLOSMAN (4TH)

JEFF SEBASTIAN (5TH)

TRAE CARRINGTON (5TH)

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!

NO NORTHMINSTER NEWS NEXT WEEK

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 28, there will be no Newsletter next week. Our next edition will publish on Thursday, December 5.

ADVENT 1 "HOPE" is DECEMBER 1

The season of Advent begins on Sunday, December 1 with HOPE. Northminster will also celebrate the Hanging of the Greens on this first Sunday in Advent. Be sure and join us as we explore the season of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love

COORDINATING COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTED

Three new Coordinating Council members have been elected to serve a three year term. Those elected were Ann Aro, Peggy Burns, and Jennifer Kimble. They will be replacing those members rotating off: JoAnn Alley, Susan Curry, and Mark Windham.

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."

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!

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

NORTHMINSTER BOOK CLUB



Book Club has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

PUB THEOLOGY RESUMES IN JANUARY

Pub Theology will not meet in November or December.



Advent Makers Group

Wednesdays at 5pm

If you like to quilt, paint, crochet, knit, scrapbook, draw, or generally enjoy making things, plan to join Pastor Jillian on Wednesday nights before choir at 5pm. We will be preparing for Advent by making squares to accompany each week’s theme. This gathering is for adults and kids of any skill level. 

If you prefer a particular craft please plan to bring your own supplies. If not, Pastor Jillian will provide a variety of materials for you to unleash your creativity! 

NOVEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS: Northminster is sponsoring 20 children this year and all have sponsors! Gifts should NOT BE WRAPPED, but should be placed in a trash bag and the child's wish list placed in the bag for identification. The gifts are due at the Center for Children and Families, 622 Riverside Drive, Monroe no later than Wednesday, December 4. DO NOT bring your gifts to the church.

ALL CHILDREN HAVE BEEN SPONSORED! THANK YOU!

The floral offering was given to the glory of God

Arrangement by Laura Duke and Ellen Prather