News & Announcements
News & Announcements for November 5, 2023
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Children are welcomed in the service. A nursery is provided for infants – 4 years. Others needing childcare may leave worship after the ANTHEM.
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
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.
AUTUMN HARVEST PICNIC, Today @ The Hendersons
Gather with the NEPC church family at 2:30pm at the Hendersons’ as we celebrate the beautiful Fall season together! Please plan to bring your favorite soup and/or salad to share – and desserts are always welcome! Bread and drinks will be provided. See Cindy Henderson if you have any questions and to RSVP.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Monday, 7pm @ Church
The Women’s Bible Study meets tomorrow at 7:00pm at the church! We will be using the book, The Love Stories of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream. We will be reading from Song of Solomon and the topic is “The Gift of Love.” Karey Garrison will be our hostess and our facilitator. For this lesson. read the chapter and complete the workbook. Plan to join us, even if you don’t have a chance to read the chapter, and bring a friend!
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, 10 AM
What a special book club we are having this month! Leah Weiss will be joining us at the November meeting! She is the author of our November book, If the Creek Don’t Rise. We will be meeting at Mary Wilhelm’s house.
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Our focus for the month of November is Christmas Cheer Baskets. Peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruits, soups, and jelly or jam are always a good idea. Since we are closer to the delivery date, mid-December, we can now add packaged foods such as mac and cheese, pasta, and pancake mix. Of course, spaghetti sauce and syrup are welcome too! When buying something for yourself, consider getting two and bringing one for this worthy mission. Donations can be placed in the receptacle in the narthex. Thank you for your support!
Read more...
News & Announcements for October 29, 2023
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Children are welcomed in the service. A nursery is provided for infants – 4 years. Others needing childcare may leave worship after the ANTHEM.
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
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.
HELPING HANDS OFFERING – THIS MORNING
Each 5th Sunday, any undesignated offerings placed in the collection plates goes to Helping Hands, a ministry of churches in the Madison Heights-Elon area of Amherst County to help residents in need. It is administered through Madison Heights Baptist Church. Thank you for helping us meet the needs of those in our community!
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
Our focus for the month of October is Christmas Food Boxes. Peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruits, soups, and jelly or jam are always a good idea. Since we are closer to the delivery date, mid-December, we can now add packaged foods such as mac and cheese, pasta, and pancake mix. Of course, spaghetti sauce and syrup are welcome too! When buying something for yourself, consider getting two and bringing one for this worthy mission. Donations can be placed in the receptacle in the narthex. Thank you for your support!
AUTUMN HARVEST PICNIC, Sunday, Nov. 5
Gather with the NEPC church family on Sunday, November 5th at the Hendersons’ (115 Morcom Place), as we celebrate the beautiful Fall season together! Please plan to bring your favorite soup and/or salad to share – and desserts are always welcome! Bread and drinks will be provided. See Cindy Henderson if you have any questions and to RSVP.
YOUTH MINISTRY HALLOWEEN GAME NIGHT – TONIGHT!
Join us this evening from 6:30-8:00 for our annual Halloween Costume Contest & Game Night. We’ll meet at the Garrisons’ home. Come sporting your best (church appropriate) costume and be ready for fun games! See you there!
Read more...
News & Announcements for October 22, 2023
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
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.
HELPING HANDS OFFERING – NEXT SUNDAY
Each 5th Sunday, any undesignated offerings placed in the collection plates goes to Helping Hands, a ministry of churches in the Madison Heights-Elon area of Amherst County to help residents in need. It is administered through Madison Heights Baptist Church. Thank you for helping us meet the needs of those in our community!
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
Our focus for the month of October is Christmas Food Boxes. Peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruits, soups, and jelly or jam are always a good idea. Since we are closer to the delivery date, mid-December, we can now add packaged foods such as mac and cheese, pasta, and pancake mix. Of course, spaghetti sauce and syrup are welcome too! When buying something for yourself, consider getting two and bringing one for this worthy mission. Donations can be placed in the receptacle in the narthex. Thank you for your support!
SAVE THE DATE! AUTUMN HARVEST PICNIC, Sunday, Nov. 5
Plan to gather with the NEPC church family on Sunday, November 5th at the Hendersons’ farm for an Autumn Harvest Picnic. More details coming soon.
YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE CHANGE
Please note that the youth group will not meet on Sunday, October 8, 15 or 22 for fall break. We will resume next Sunday, October 29 for our annual Halloween Costume Contest & Game Night. See you then!
Read more...
News & Announcements for October 15, 2023
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
GLEANING FOR THE WORLD – WEDNESDAY, 8:30AM
Please join us in the parking lot of the church for carpooling. We will return to the church around 11:30 am.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, 10:00AM
The Women’s Book Club will meet Thursday, October 19 at 10:00am at Sharon Bryant’s home. This month’s book is The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. The next meeting will be November 9 at Mary Wilhelm’s house. Leah Weiss, author of If the Creek Don’t Rise will be a special guest.
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
Our focus for the month of October is Christmas Food Boxes. Peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruits, soups, and jelly or jam are always a good idea. Since we are closer to the delivery date, mid-December, we can now add packaged foods such as mac and cheese, pasta, and pancake mix. Of course, spaghetti sauce and syrup are welcome too! When buying something for yourself, consider getting two and bringing one for this worthy mission. Donations can be placed in the receptacle in the narthex. Thank you for your support!
SAVE THE DATE! AUTUMN HARVEST PICNIC, Sunday, Nov. 5
Plan to gather with the NEPC church family on Sunday, November 5th at the Hendersons’ farm for an Autumn Harvest Picnic. More details coming soon.
YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE CHANGE
Please note that the youth group will not meet on Sunday, October 8, 15 or 22 for fall break.
PASTOR DAVID AWAY ON STUDY LEAVE – OCTOBER 9-20
Pastor David is away on Study Leave from October 9-20. If you have a pastoral need, please contact Bob Mills or one of the Elders. Thank you to Bob Mills for filling in the pulpit while he is away.
Read more...
News & Announcements for October 8, 2023
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
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.
NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Monday 10/9, 7pm @ Church
The Women’s Bible Study will begin on Monday, October 9th at 7:00pm at the church! We will be using the book, The Love Stories of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream. In this book, Shannon Bream draws lessons from the good, the bad, and the ugly of Biblical romances, friendships, and families. These insights into biblical relationships will uplift and encourage you and reveal new dimensions to the most central Christian duty: to love God and your neighbor. Please come and bring a friend!
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
Our focus for the month of October is Christmas Food Boxes. Peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruits, soups, and jelly or jam are always a good idea. We are also looking for packaged foods such as mac and cheese, pasta, and pancake mix. Spaghetti sauce and syrup are welcome too! When buying something for yourself, consider getting two and bringing one for this worthy mission. Donations can be placed in the receptacle in the narthex. Thank you for your support!
SAVE THE DATE! AUTUMN HARVEST PICNIC, Sunday, Nov. 5
Plan to gather with the NEPC church family on Sunday, November 5th at the Hendersons’ farm for an Autumn Harvest Picnic. More details coming soon.
YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE CHANGE
Please note that the youth group will not meet on Sunday, October 8 or 15 for Fall Break.
PASTOR DAVID AWAY ON STUDY LEAVE – OCTOBER 9-20
Pastor David is away on Study Leave from October 9-20. If you have a pastoral need, please contact Bob Mills or one of the Elders. Thank you to Bob Mills for filling in the pulpit while he is away.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, October 1, 2023
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
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.
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
Our focus for the month of October is Christmas Food Boxes. Peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruits, soups, and jelly or jam are always a good idea. Since we are closer to the delivery date, mid-December, we can now add packaged foods such as mac and cheese, pasta, and pancake mix. Of course, spaghetti sauce and syrup are welcome too! When buying something for yourself, consider getting two and bringing one for this worthy mission. Donations can be placed in the receptacle in the narthex. Thank you for your support!
DISASTER RELIEF DONATIONS
When disaster strikes locally or abroad (such as the Maui wildfire or Hurricane Idalia, and you would like to contribute to the recovery efforts through the work of the church, you may do so by putting “Disaster” in the memo field or by going to https://epc.org/donate/emergencyrelief/. Relief funds are distributed through local EPC churches in the impacted communities so the aid goes to those who need it most.
DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH CENTER APP
Scan the QR code with the camera on your smartphone to download our app! In the app are the church calendar, small group and volunteer opportunities, the online church directory, and more.
YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE CHANGE
Please note that the youth group will not meet on Sunday, October 8 or 15. We are meeting today, October 1 and will resume on October 22.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, Sept 24, 2023
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
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.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – TODAY, following Worship
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, September 24, immediately following worship, for the purpose of electing three members of the congregation to the Nominating Committee.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, 9/28, 10:00AM
The Women’s Book Club will meet next Thursday, September 28 at 10:00am, at Northminster. This month’s book is A Painted House by John Grisham.
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
Our focus for the month of August is Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NHN has a selective food warehouse that provides “guests” with the opportunity to shop for their groceries; it’s open the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturdays from 8:00-10:30 am. If you would like to donate funds to help Neighbors Helping Neighbors, please specify “NHN” on your check memo line. See the newsletter for more information. Thank you for your support!
DISASTER RELIEF DONATIONS
When disaster strikes locally or abroad (such as the Maui wildfire or Hurricane Idalia, and you would like to contribute to the recovery efforts through the work of the church, you may do so by putting “Disaster” in the memo/note field of your donation, or by going to https://epc.org/donate/emergencyrelief/. Relief funds are distributed through local EPC churches in the impacted communities so the aid goes to those who need it most.
Read more...
News & Announcements for Sunday, Sept 17, 2023
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – Sunday, Sept 17, 2023
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
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.
GLEANING FOR THE WORLD – WEDNESDAY, 8:30AM
Please join us in the parking lot of the church for carpooling. We will return to the church around 11:30 am.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – NEXT THURSDAY, 9/28, 10:00AM
The Women’s Book Club will meet next Thursday, September 28 at 10:00am. Location TBD. This month’s book is A Painted House by John Grisham.
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
Our focus for the month of August is Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NHN has a selective food warehouse that provides “guests” with the opportunity to shop for their groceries; it’s open the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturdays from 8:00-10:30 am. If you would like to donate funds to help Neighbors Helping Neighbors, please specify “NHN” on your check memo line. See the newsletter for more information. Thank you for your support!
DISASTER RELIEF DONATIONS
When disaster strikes locally or abroad (such as the Maui wildfire or Hurricane Idalia, and you would like to contribute to the recovery efforts through the work of the church, you may do so by putting “Disaster” in the memo/note field of your donation, or by going to https://epc.org/donate/emergencyrelief/. Relief funds are distributed through local EPC churches in the impacted communities so the aid goes to those who need it most.
Read more...
September 2023 Pastor’s Corner — Restructure, Recast, Release
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
— Is. 43:19
If you weren’t able to join us for the Rally Day & Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, August 27, I wanted to share with you what God has been doing in and through the Session over the past several months. At the Annual Meeting in February, we looked at the challenges we are facing as a church and anticipated some of what we thought God might be leading us toward in the months to come. That work is ongoing, but the picture is beginning to come into better focus. While there is concern about the future of Northminster, God is making a way for us to follow as He continues to use Northminster to “experience and share the love of God in order to transform our homes, our community, and our world.” As we said in February, that work involves Restructuring, Recasting, and Releasing.
Restructuring
As a church, we are facing a very pragmatic problem: As a congregation whose worship attendance currently averages in the low- to mid-30s, we are not able to find enough people willing and qualified to serve as Ruling Elders on the Session. This has led the Session to ask, just what is an Elder supposed to be and do? Does the way our Elders currently function match what Scripture says and what the EPC Book of Order describes? With the help of the leadership of the New River Presbytery, we have worked hard to answer those questions. We’ve learned that the primary work of an elder is that of “under-shepherd” (1 Peter 5:1-5), but our elders have more often functioned as committee chairs. The duties and responsibilities of managing committees prevents our elders from being shepherds (see Acts 6:1-6 for how the early church addressed this same problem) — and that has only been compounded as we’ve combined committees due to the lack of willing and qualified elder candidates over the years.
In order to address these issues, we are going to reduce the number of elders seated on Session to three. This means that the elders will no longer be able to serve as chairs of the various committees, which will free them to serve as shepherds. While we have extensive examples and descriptions of what this might look like, there’s a lot of it we’re going to figure out as we go along. But the only way this works is if we recast the work of the various committees.
Recasting
Our “committees” will be recasted as “ministry teams.” While initially this might sound like a new name for the same thing, it actually represents a culture shift. A committee is a group of people who are responsible for taking action on a particular matter; it “does the work” on behalf of the organization. A ministry team, however, is committed to take action on the vision entrusted to it through the experience of Christian Fellowship, and the discipleship of its members. Ministry teams are exceptionally flexible, dynamic means of aligning people for effective ministry, while providing ongoing encouragement to each person. A ministry team invites the congregation to join and participate in the work of the Kingdom of God. Instead of having “chairs,” we will have team leaders, which do not have to be (and will not be able to be) the seated elders on Session. The elders will exist to resource and support (shepherd) the ministry teams. The ministry teams will help equip and release the church for mission and ministry.
Releasing
In the Great Commission, Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:18-20) He has released his disciples to do the work of the Kingdom of God. It is a work every believer is called and released to do, and it doesn’t require a committee approving it beforehand. We want to be a church that is equipping, releasing and sending disciples into our homes, community and world in order to transform them through experiencing and sharing God’s love. We believe that the Holy Spirit is already at work in and around us, and is inviting us to join Him in that work today. For Northminster to continue to impact our community for the Kingdom of God, we need to embrace our calling as disciples of Jesus to “go.”
I imagine you’re feeling something similar to what I’m feeling right now: a little bit of excitement, and a little bit of anxiety as well. This is a pretty big shift in how we understand ourselves as a church as well as how to go about the work of the church. I imagine it’s not too different from what the early explorers felt when they set out from the “old world” to discover the “new.” They knew where they were headed, had a pretty good idea of what they were looking for, but also knew they’d be figuring out most of it as they went along. God has given us a strong vision for the future of Northminster, and we have a pretty good idea of what it’s going to look like, but we also know we’re going to be figuring out much of it as we go along. As we head into both the known and unknown of our future, we can step out boldly, trusting fully in the very last words Jesus spoke in the book of Matthew:
“Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matt. 28:18-20
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
Read more...
Upcoming Sunday Morning Schedule Change
Beginning Sunday, August 27
Sunday School moves to 9:00 AM
Worship moves to 10:30 AM
Beginning on Sunday, August 27, we are changing the Sunday morning schedule. Sunday School will now start at 9 AM, and the worship service will start at 10:30AM. We believe this will enable us to be more effective in our discipleship, fellowship and worship.
Discipleship: With a Sunday school time of 9-10am, we are able to provide a full, unhurried hour of discipling opportunities. While we currently schedule an hour of Sunday school each week, practically speaking it’s usually 30-40 minutes. By spreading out the end of Sunday school and the beginning of the worship service, we will be able to focus more fully on our study and application of the Word of God to our lives.
Fellowship: With a “break” in the schedule from 10-10:30, we are able to offer a time of “purposefully unstructured” fellowship to the congregation. This provides time for those who attended Sunday school and those who are arriving for worship to visit together prior to the start of the worship service. This is separate from the regular fellowship receptions we offer, since with the earlier start time for worship, there will be ample opportunity for the receptions after the service without feeling like we need to dash off to lunch.
Worship: One of the challenges we face every Sunday is the transition from Sunday school to worship.Many of those attending Sunday school are also involved in leading the service, and often the transition is rushed and harried.By starting the service at 10:30, those who need to prepare for worship are able to do so without missing out on Sunday School and without feeling rushed. This also provides a better opportunity for us to be fully present in worship, knowing that the service will end earlier, leaving us with the sense that most of the day is still available to them.The service itself will also feel less harried as a result.
Sometimes when we settle into a routine, it becomes comfortable. This change provides us with an opportunity to think intentionally about the rhythms of how they seek to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). There are a lot of things in our lives that “compete” with Sundays — such as chores, sports, family gatherings, and the always important Sunday nap. Nevertheless, Sunday is meant to be given to the Lord and to worshipping Him first and foremost. Please let us know if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you at 10:30am for worship on August 27!
Read more...
November 2021 Pastor’s Corner – Dancing With The Devil
Tell me something, my friend. You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? — The JokerDon’t… tempt me Frodo! I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe. Understand, Frodo. I would use this ring from a desire to do good… But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine. — Gandalf
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. — 1 Peter 5:8–9)
Rev. David Garrison
Read more...
Upcoming Event Changes at Northminster
- The Community Worship Celebration at Madison Heights Baptist Church on Sunday, September 19 has been cancelled. We look forward to partnering with our sister churches in Madison Heights for other opportunities in the future.
- The Kickoff for Sunday Night Live, originally scheduled for this Sunday, September 12, will now be next Sunday, September 19 from 6:30-7:45. Look for more information about this via email and mail in the days to come.
- Sunday Morning Worship will continue to be offered in-person and online.
Read more...
