106 Clearview Rd, Madison Heights VA, 24572
Northminster Church © 2017
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01
Oct '18
Pastor’s Corner – October 2018
01
Oct '18
What’s in a logo?
Now that our logo is prominently displayed on the front of the church, I’ve found myself thinking about it every day as I arrive. A good logo is simple and evocative, easy to recognize and remember, but bringing to mind multiple layers of images and meanings as you study it. Our logo accomplishes both of these things very well.
In the Beginning was the Word
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. — John 1:1–4
The first thing your eye catches is the open Bible, at the bottom of the image. Visually we are reminded that the Word of God is our beginning and our foundation. All of what we believe and know is grounded in and flows out of the Bible. But a closed book doesn’t do any good. It needs to be opened and read in order for the words within to bring life and light. And of course, as the passage from John implies, the image of the Bible in the logo points to the Word of God, and that Word of God is Jesus Christ. But these aren’t just old, stagnant, dead words, Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that the Word of God is “living and active.” What is it that keeps the Word of God alive today?
The Spirit Gives Life
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. — John 6:63
The eye naturally moves upward from the open Bible and sees the dove, with wings spread, rising out of the center. The dove has long been a visual representation of the Holy Spirit (see Luke 3:21-22), and as it prepares to take flight it gives the image of being alive and free. Being centered in the Word, the dove also reminds us that the Spirit is the seal of our salvation and our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). And as the Spirit fills the Word, so also it fills us. The Holy Spirit gives life to believers and empowers us to take the Word of God into the world through our actions and our words.
May God bless each of us as we seek to be a community of faith that are “hearers and doers” of the Word (James 1:22) and “strengthened with power through his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16) to serve others in Christ’s name!
Blessings, Rev. David Garrison
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26
Sep '18
Burundi School Uniforms
26
Sep '18
You might recall that last spring we did a fundraiser to help purchase new uniforms for the Burundi Hope Project. Susan May passed along these pictures of the students wearing the uniforms you helped provide! Thank you for your generosity and contribution to making an impact for the Kingdom of God around the globe!
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24
Sep '18
Paul & Reinhild Sydnor Update September 2018
24
Sep '18
MINISTRY
In August, I was in the States for our organisational meetings. We had a full summer of ministry. Two highlights of ministry were the youth camp and a music workshop. I created a short video about each of those which you can find at the following links.
PRAY for REINHILD
For the past six weeks Reinhild has been suffering from the Trigeminal Neuralgia nerve disorder. This causes excruciating attacks of pain in her face. (Click here for more Info.) She has constant itching all over her body from the side-effects of the medicine. She can’t speak and can’t sleep more than a few hours at a time. She can only eat a few spoonfuls of liquid each day and she has lost a lot of weight.
The neurologist increased the medication (Tegretol) to 800 mg today and said that if the pain does not break by Monday then he will hospitalise her in order to treat her further for the pain. He will also schedule her for an MRI as soon as possible.
She went to visit her Mom while I was in the States and is still there. This has been a blessing. The house is quiet and her mom takes care of her like no one else could. There is no stress from the routine of daily life and ministry. I’ll see her again at the end of next week. You can write her at: Reinhild.Sydnor@gmail.com
With each week, she has expected that it will eventually pass. But now after six weeks she is really tired.
I have kept up with various ministry efforts and have not been there with her. We send messages via Skype each day. If I were there, she would have the stress of meals and activities she can’t do and one more person to communicate with –which is stressful. Still, it is hard to be separated and to see there is nothing that helps.
So we are calling on God’s help everyday and ask for your prayers too.
Paul for Reinhild
Organization & Financial Details
International Association for Refugees
P.O. Box 1405
Wheaton, IL 60187-1405 USA
If you would like to make a donation to our ministry you can donate online here.
Or, write a check to IAFR for “the Sydnors” and mail it to the address above.
IAFR
Tel: 612.200.0321
Email: info@iafr.org
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01
Sep '18
Pastor’s Corner – September 2018
01
Sep '18
For [the sacraments] are visible signs and seals of an inward and invisible thing, by means whereof God worketh in us by the power of the Holy Ghost.
– Belgic Confession Article 33
A New Sign…
Have you noticed there’s a new sign on the front of the church? It’s kind of hard to miss. Read more…
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28
Aug '18
Table Talk Resumes Wednesday, September 19
28
Aug '18
This fall, we’ll launch our Wednesday evening Table Talk by concluding our series of studies Christian Faith and Other Faiths: Understanding and Outreach. We’ll begin with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), more popularly known as the Mormons. We’ll look first at the founding and the growth of the LDS. Then, following the pattern of our previous studies, we’ll look at points of contact and points of conflict between the LDS and historic Christianity. We’ll follow a similar outline in exploring the history, theology, and practices of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
If you’ve ever wondered about either of these faiths – what they believe, why they are so persistent about coming to your door, or how to engage them in conversation – bring your questions and join us Wednesday evenings, beginning at 5:30 PM.
Click here to learn more about Table Talk.
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28
Aug '18
Church Picnic – Sunday, September 23 @ 5PM
28
Aug '18
Annual Church Picnic
Sunday, Sept. 23, beginning at 5PM
We’ll eat at tables under the big tent in the backyard of the church by the shade trees. There will be games for kids of all ages, great food and live bluegrass music provided by the talented Moore family, featuring Axn Jxn! The church will provide hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill, beverages, buns and condiments. All who attend are asked to bring their favorite picnic dish to share. This is a great opportunity to invite extended family, former members, or someone looking for a church family, and let them experience what a
fun group your NEPC family is! In case of inclement weather, picnic will be moved inside to the fellowship hall. Please contact the church office or see the sign up sheet outside the sanctuary to reserve your seat(s).
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28
Aug '18
Youth Group Kicks Off Sunday, September 9!
28
Aug '18
Every Sunday, beginning September 9
6:00-7:15pm
Youth Group returns on Sunday, September 9 at 6 PM! We hope you’ll plan to join us each week for fun games and opportunities to understand who Jesus is and who He is inviting you to become. All students in 6th-12th grade are welcome.
Our fall series is Inked.
Like a tattoo, our lives show we’ve been marked.
People get tattoos for a lot of different reasons, but in almost every case, it’s because they want to make a statement. To physically and permanently show others something about themselves, or what they believe, or what’s important to them. And the thing about tattoos? They’re pretty much forever. You can’t easily get rid of that statement, that mark.
The Christian life is a lot like a tattoo. When we place our trust in Christ, our lives are changed, transformed, marked. Permanently. And how we live our lives, the decisions and choices we make every day, speak as loudly as a tattoo. What does your life tell others?
Each Sunday @ Youth Group we’ll be exploring just what a life marked for Christ looks like. What are the characteristics and attributes that show a life that lives and shows “trust in Christ, expressed in love” (Gal. 5:6)? How do we live this out in our daily lives?
Join us each week as we explore those questions and more!
Want to learn more about the Youth Ministry at Northminster? Click here!
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07
Aug '18
Youth Ministry End-Of-Summer Back-To-School Cookout! Sunday, August 19
07
Aug '18
Sunday, August 19
6:00-7:30pm
@ The Garrisons
Students and their friends in 6th-12th Grade are invited to the Garrisons for a cookout as we celebrate the unofficial end of summer and beginning of school. We’ll grill some food, play some games, eat the food we grilled, and more! We look forward to seeing you there. See Pastor David or Karey if you have any questions.
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07
Aug '18
Hymn Sing & Ice Cream Sundaes! – Wednesday, August 15, 6pm
07
Aug '18
join us for a time to sing our favorite hymns and be introduced to some new praise songs. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy ice cream sundaes together. Few things bring us together as well as singing praises to our God and eating ice cream! We look forward to seeing you there.
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01
Aug '18
Pastor’s Corner – August 2018
01
Aug '18
One Year Ago…
Do you remember a year ago? You were wondering just what this new pastor you’d called would be like; and we were wondering about this new congregation and community we’d been called to serve. There were so many unknowns and questions for us all. But just behind all of that uncertainty was our God, who holds all of us in His hands, who knows the future as certainly as the past. God has shown all of us that He knows exactly what He is doing. Without a doubt, it has been a wonderful year. One of the things I enjoyed most at the EPC General Assembly in June was being able to brag about the wonderful congregation I’ve been blessed to serve as pastor for the past year. As I told several friends and mentors, I couldn’t imagine a better congregation to serve for my first solo pastorate. It’s hard to find the words to express how thankful I am for how you’ve welcomed and loved my family over the past year. The picture to the right was taken the day we moved into our new home.
…But There’s More To Come!
As great as the past year has been, I can’t wait to see all that God has in store for the year(s!) to come. The various ministries of the church and the Session are hard at work prayerfully discerning how God is already at work in and around us, and how He is inviting us to join Him in that work. Plans are being laid for some pretty cool things in Christian Education, Missions & Outreach, Worship and Fellowship over the months to come. The best part is that you get a sneak peek at what’s ahead on Rally Day, coming up Sunday, August 26. How is God inviting you to continue growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ and what opportunities is He providing for you to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet? Plan to join us for Rally Day and you just might find out. We look forward to seeing you there!
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
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