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News & Announcements for Sunday, October 5, 2025
3 CIRCLES EVANGELISM TRAINING – CONTINUES TODAY
You are encouraged to sign up for the 3 Circles: Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations training class. 3 Circles is a simple way to have gospel conversations. This began last Sunday but will meet weekly for 6 weeks at 9:30 am. Even if you missed it today, plan to join us next week!
COLLEGE & CAREER BIBLE STUDY –SUNDAYS, 6PM
Join us for a weekly(ish) bible study for College & Career Young Adults this summer. We meet at the Garrisons for dinner (probably something fancy, like pizza) and then spend some time digging into God’s Word. This is a place and time you can bring your questions and whatnot as well. All young adults, ages 18-29(ish) are welcome.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 7PM
The Women’s Bible Study will meet next Monday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. We will be starting a new study that we’re excited to tell you about Monday evening! If you haven’t come in a while or been wanting to join, this is a great time to do so. We look forward to seeing you next Monday!
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 10AM
The Women’s Bible Study will meet Thursday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. We will be reading, You Have a Calling, by our friend, Karen Swallow Prior. Karen will be at our meeting on October 9 to read parts of her book and share her motivation for writing this book. She will also answer your questions. (And if you don’t get a chance to read it, come anyway!)
MEN’S BREAKFAST – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 8AM
All Northminster men are invited to breakfast at Pastor Dave’s house on Wednesday, October 22 at 8 AM! There will be food, fellowship, and a topical discussion. Pastor Dave will be cooking, so you can count on plenty of bacon and coffee. Feel free to invite friends who are not affiliated with our church.
MISSION FOCUS FOR OCTOBER – CHRISTMAS BASKETS
The October Mission Focus is the Christmas Baskets. Please bring items to help bring a little joy to needy families in our area. Details can be found in the October newsletter.
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September 2025 Pastor’s Corner — Picking Sides
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” — Joshua 5:13-14
It has been a trying month, at the end of a trying summer. Two politically-motivated assassinations, multiple attacks on churches, several shootings at schools and workplaces, and an awful lot of finger pointing has us all in a state of constant anxiety and tension. It seems as if every word spoken, every statement made on social media, every speech (or sermon) given is parsed to try and determine who is with us and who is against us. We know (well, presume actually) that God is on our side and want to know whether the people we read or talk to are our friends or our enemies. Perhaps God doesn’t pick sides the same way we do.
The verses above come in the middle of a very tense moment for Joshua and the people of Israel. Moses has died and Joshua was appointed to take his place. Chapter 1 of the book of Joshua recounts God’s commissioning of Joshua (God tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous” no less than three times in the first nine verses) and how he took command of the people. Chapter 2 is the famous story of Rahab and the spies in Jericho. In chapters 3 and 4, Israel crosses into the Promised Land through the River Jordan, in a scene reminiscent of the crossing of the Red Sea during the Exodus. At the beginning of chapter 5, as they prepare to begin the conquest of the Promised Land, the people of God are re-consecrated to the Lord. Just after the verses above, in chapter 6 we have the fall of Jericho. Squeezed in at the end of chapter 5 we have this very short scene with Joshua and and angel, the Commander of the Army of the Lord.
Joshua, pacing in the desert with anxiety and worry about what lies ahead (the impenetrable and impassable walls of Jericho), comes across a stranger with a sword. It’s a perfectly reasonable question to ask: “Are you friend or foe? Are you for us or our adversaries?” What stands out most about this is how the angel answers Joshua’s question. Of course the answer is, “I am for you.” Everything up to this point has shown just how thoroughly God is “for them.” They are the people of Israel, God’s chosen ones. God, himself, commissioned Joshua and directed his steps to this point. God, himself, stopped the waters of Jericho so the people could cross. God, himself, directed their re-consecration to Him. But the answer wasn’t, “I am for you.” The answer is as blunt as it is curt: “No.”
God is only ever on one side: His own. This is made most clear in Isaiah 48:9-11: “For my name’s sake I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” (Is. 48:9-11) What God does, or does not, is based solely on what furthers His plans and increases His own glory. We get so wrapped up in presuming that God is on our side that we rarely stop to ask whether we are on His.
Almost a thousand years later, the disciples wanted to know the same thing Joshua did. After three years of following Jesus, facing the depths of despair as He was crucified and died, and then the heights of exaltation when He rose from the grave, they still thought He was on their side. Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, they asked, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8) Once again, Jesus doesn’t give the expected answer. Jesus basically says, “You’re asking the wrong question. But I’m going to empower and enable you to be on my side, to be my hands and feet, to carry the good news of the coming of God’s Kingdom to all corners of your neighborhoods and the globe.”
It took a long time for Israel to take possession of the Promised Land. At the end of the book of Joshua, he gathers all the people together. He reminds them of all that God has done for them from the time they left Egypt up to that moment because they were on God’s side. Joshua then issues a challenge, one that echoes through to our day. Fear the Lord, Joshua says, and put away the petty “gods” and divisions that this world tells you matter. Choose for yourself whose side you will be on: God’s, or not God’s. With Joshua I declare, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. What say you?
Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. — Joshua 24:14-15
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
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News & Announcements for Sunday, September 28, 2025
3 CIRCLES EVANGELISM TRAINING – BEGINS SUNDAY
You are encouraged to sign up for the 3 Circles: Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations training class. 3 Circles is a simple way to have gospel conversations. This began this morning but will meet weekly for 6 weeks at 9:30 am. Even if you missed it today, plan to join us next week!
MIDWEEK PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
COLLEGE & CAREER BIBLE STUDY –SUNDAYS, 6PM
Join us for a weekly(ish) bible study for College & Career Young Adults this summer. We meet at the Garrisons for dinner (probably something fancy, like pizza) and then spend some time digging into God’s Word. This is a place and time you can bring your questions and whatnot as well. All young adults, ages 18-29(ish) are welcome.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 7PM
The Women’s Bible Study will meet next Monday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. We will be starting a new study that we’re excited to tell you about Monday evening! If you haven’t come in a while or been wanting to join, this is a great time to do so. We look forward to seeing you next Monday!
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 10AM
The Women’s Bible Study will meet Thursday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. We will be reading, You Have a Calling, by our friend, Karen Swallow Prior. Karen will be at our meeting on October 9 to read parts of her book and share her motivation for writing this book. She will also answer your questions. (And if you don’t get a chance to read it, come anyway!)
MISSION FOCUS FOR SEPTEMBER: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Our mission focus for the month of September is Amherst County Habitat for Humanity. We have partnered with Amherst County Habitat for Humanity for many years. Recently, we helped fund three houses in Amherst and provided volunteer support for two new homes off Coolwell Road. Learn more about Amherst County Habitat for Humanity in this month’s newsletter. You may make a donation by specifying Habitat for Humanity on your check memo line.
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News & Announcements for Sunday, September 21, 2025
CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – AFTER WORSHIP
The Session has called a congregational meeting for this morning after the worship service for the purpose of electing a Nominating Committee to find a Ruling Elder to begin serving in January, 2026. This meeting will not be livestreamed.
COLLEGE & CAREER BIBLE STUDY –SUNDAYS, 6PM
Join us for a weekly(ish) bible study for College & Career Young Adults this summer. We meet at the Garrisons for dinner (probably something fancy, like pizza) and then spend some time digging into God’s Word. This is a place and time you can bring your questions and whatnot as well. All young adults, ages 18-29(ish) are welcome.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 10AM
The Women’s Bible Study will meet Thursday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. We will be reading, You Have a Calling, by our friend, Karen Swallow Prior. Karen will be at our meeting on October 9 to read parts of her book and share her motivation for writing this book. She will also answer your questions. (And if you don’t get a chance to read it, come anyway!)
MISSION FOCUS FOR SEPTEMBER: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Our mission focus for the month of September is Amherst County Habitat for Humanity. We have partnered with Amherst County Habitat for Humanity for many years. Recently, we helped fund three houses in Amherst and provided volunteer support for two new homes off Coolwell Road. Learn more about Amherst County Habitat for Humanity in this month’s newsletter. You may make a donation by specifying Habitat for Humanity on your check memo line.
Coming Soon
3 CIRCLES EVANGELISM TRAINING – BEGINS SUN. SEPT. 28
You are encouraged to sign up for the 3 Circles: Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations training class. 3 Circles is a simple way to have gospel conversations. This begins on Sunday, September 28th and will meet weekly for 6 weeks at 9:30 am. Sign up today by scanning the QR code or going to npcmh.churchcenter.com.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, September 14, 2025
CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – NEXT SUNDAY
The Session has called a congregational meeting for next Sunday, September 21, for the purpose of electing a Nominating Committee to find a Ruling Elder to begin serving in January, 2026. This meeting will not be livestreamed.
COLLEGE & CAREER BIBLE STUDY –SUNDAYS, 6PM
Join us for a weekly(ish) bible study for College & Career Young Adults this summer. We meet at the Garrisons for dinner (probably something fancy, like pizza) and then spend some time digging into God’s Word. This is a place and time you can bring your questions and whatnot as well. All young adults, ages 18-29(ish) are welcome.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 10AM
The Women’s Bible Study will meet Thursday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. We will be reading, You Have a Calling, by our friend, Karen Swallow Prior. Karen will be at our meeting on October 9 to read parts of her book and share her motivation for writing this book. She will also answer your questions. (And if you don’t get a chance to read it, come anyway!)
MISSION FOCUS FOR SEPTEMBER: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Our mission focus for the month of September is Amherst County Habitat for Humanity. We have partnered with Amherst County Habitat for Humanity for many years. Recently, we helped fund three houses in Amherst and provided volunteer support for two new homes off Coolwell Road. Learn more about Amherst County Habitat for Humanity in this month’s newsletter. You may make a donation by specifying Habitat for Humanity on your check memo line.
Coming Soon
3 CIRCLES EVANGELISM TRAINING – BEGINS SUN. SEPT. 28
You are encouraged to sign up for the 3 Circles: Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations training class. 3 Circles is a simple way to have gospel conversations. This begins on Sunday, September 28th and will meet weekly for 6 weeks at 9:30 am. Sign up today by going to npcmh.churchcenter.com.
Read more...
