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FEBRUARY 2026 PASTOR’S CORNER — OUR NORTH STAR
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in his wonderful face;
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of his glory and grace.— Helen Lemmel, “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”, The Worshipping Church Hymn #452
I have a friend who can’t drive anywhere without using his GPS. He uses it to get everywhere, even the grocery store. While perhaps not to that extent, most of us have become very dependent on these features of our cell phones. It’s wonderful not only to be told when and where to turn, but how long it will take to reach your destination and what traffic problems might be along your route. This is all coming from a device that fits in our pocket. Technology is an incredible thing. Pretty much anywhere I go, my phone can always tell me exactly where I am and where I need to go to reach my destination.
When we lived in St. Louis, the street we lived off was shut down as they tore it up and replaced it. This project took several months, and they put a “Road Closed to Through Traffic” sign at the nearby intersections. In spite of the sign and the clear evidence of construction (the lack of asphalt being a key clue), each day dozens of cars tried to get through. After all, that was the route their GPS was telling them to take, so they had to go that way. Our technological tools are amazing, and usually reliable, but should not be trusted blindly.
Over the past few years, our technological tools have advanced to the point where we can no longer trust the information we’re being given. Photoshop has been able to alter photographs digitally for a long time, but now we’re able to do the same thing with video, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to spot the fakes. Artificial Intelligence tools have ripped open Pandora’s Box so that any and every one can create fake images and videos. Altered and edited photographs and videos are being distributed not just by questionable sources, but supposedly trustworthy ones as well. News media, government agencies, and of course social media spread, and sometimes create, these fake images and videos with nary an apology or regret. How are we to find our way?
In light of the long arc of human history, GPS is still a very new technology. It’s hard for me to fathom being able to get anywhere without it, but we’ve only been doing so for a few decades. For most of human history, explorers had to rely on hand-drawn maps and the stars to help them figure out where they were and where they were going. It was easy to get lost, but if you did, you could just look up at night and figure it out. Even though the stars moved throughout the night, there was always one that stayed put. Polaris, the north star. Once you located Polaris, you could figure out where you were and navigate from there. Using Polaris as a navigational tool is about as old school as you can get, but as they say, “there ain’t no school like the old school.”
In an age of dis- and misinformation, when we can not trust our technological tools, the media, or even government sources, the Christian can, and should, hold fast to the only north star we’ve ever had, Jesus Christ. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). When we don’t know which way to go, we turn to Jesus who says, “follow me.” (Mark 1:17) When we don’t know what is true or false, we listen to Jesus who says, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37) When we don’t know how to live, Jesus reminds us that “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10 MESSAGE) In the same way that Polaris is always in the same place in the sky, Jesus is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). If the most reliable sources are the oldest, well, Jesus is the one who hung Polaris in the sky at the dawn of time. That which is truly good, and true, and beautiful, will look like Jesus, sound like Jesus, and act like Jesus.
The problem of disinformation is only going to get worse. The technological tools we’ve come to rely on are going to continue to misdirect us. Instead of doomscrolling on our phones, we need to “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and “look full in his wonderful face.” Immerse yourself in the Word of God by reading the Bible daily and spending time in prayer. If we spend more time looking at the face of Jesus instead of the glare of our devices, then we will know what is true and what is not, for we will beholding the Face of Truth Himself. When you can’t trust anything else, trust in Jesus all the more.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. — Hebrews 12:2-3
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
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News & Announcements for Sunday, February 1
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 9:30-10:30. 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.
ANNUAL MEETING & POTLUCK – SUNDAY, FEB. 15, NOON
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 3:30 PM
Women’s Bible Study will be meeting on Tuesday, January 6th at 3:30 in the afternoon. We are using the book, “Sermon on the Mount” by Jen Wilkin. Homework is to read and answer questions for week 4, “You Have Heard That It Was Said” – pgs. 62 – 73. Grab your book, your Bible, a snack you can share with the group and come on over for some amazing Bible study! If you don’t get your homework done, come anyway!! And, as always, we would love for you to bring a friend!! Any questions, talk to Karey or Sharon!
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Northminster uses the One Call Now phone tree system for church announcements and the prayer chain. If you would like to be added to the phone tree, please click here to fill out the form.
Coming Soon…
COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES BEGIN WEDNESDAY, FEB 18
The Community Lenten Services begin on Ash Wednesday, February 18. Each ~30 minute service is at noon at a different church in Madison Heights, with a different pastor preaching each week. The first service will be at Amelon UMC, with Rev. David Garrison (from Northminster EPC) preaching. We look forward to celebrating Lent with you and our fellow brothers and sisters in the area.
INQUIRERS CLASS
Would you like to know more about our church? Are you interested in the possibility of becoming a member? This class will give you the opportunity to hear about our church, the denomination we belong to, and where we see God leading us. If interested, tell Pastor David or sign up by clicking here..
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AT-HOME WORSHIP GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026
January 25, 2026
The Third Sunday of Epiphany
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leader: The mystery from which true godliness springs
is great—come and see!
Jesus Christ appeared in the flesh,
People: was vindicated by the Spirit,
Leader: was seen by angels,
People: was preached among the nations,
Leader: was believed on in the world,
People was taken up in glory.
Leader: May all the ends of the earth
see the salvation of our God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION — Unison, based on Matt. 2:1-16; 6:33
Confession is our honest response to God’s grace. Because God is merciful, we do not hide our sin or pretend we have it all together. We come truthfully before Him, trusting that forgiveness is found in Jesus Christ.
everyone is searching for your light
shining in the face of Christ.
The Magi sought Christ simply to worship him.
But Herod sought him to appease his jealous anger.
We confess that our motives in seeking Jesus are not pure.
We do not come simply to worship:
we come to Christ, asking his benefits of reassurance, health, wealth;
asking him to fulfill the hundred petitions
for not-so-important requests that we heap before him.
But the Magi sought first the kingdom.
Help us, God, to follow their example,
putting our own need in perspective,
worshiping the Christ in love, content to be in your presence,
and laying our gifts before you.
Then may we journey, trusting that your goodness and light
will accompany us all the days of our life. Amen.
that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him
while we are walking in darkness,
we lie and do not do what is true;
but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Westminster Confession of Faith 18.8
Each week we affirm our faith together, often with a passage from the Westminster Confession or Catechisms, sometimes with the Apostles or Nicene Creed. In doing so, we both profess to others and remind ourselves of the truths of our faith, truths that are not new but ones that believers have professed for hundreds of years (or more).
We believe that Jesus Christ insures with absolute certainty that everyone for whom he purchased redemption actually accepts and receives it. He makes intercession for them, reveals the mysteries of salvation to them in and by the word, and effectively persuades them to believe and obey by his Spirit. He governs their hearts by his word and Spirit and overcomes all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom in such ways as are most in agreement with his wonderful and unknowable administration of things. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
We encourage you to open to the Word of God in a Bible that you have at home with you. If you do not have a bible, you can find the scripture reading below the order of worship.
NEW TESTAMENT READING: John 17:1-26
Pastor: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
SERMON: Rev. David Garrison
NAMED & CLAIMED
Series: Blessed to be a Blessing
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. – John 17:3
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you,
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace,
Now, and forevermore. Amen.
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
— John 17:1-26 (ESV)
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News & Announcements for Sunday, January 25, 2026
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 9:30-10:30. 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.
ANNUAL MEETING & POTLUCK – SUNDAY, FEB. 8, NOON
Plan to join us for a potluck luncheon on Sunday, February 8th immediately after church. Please bring a pot of soup or chili and a dessert to share. The church will provide drinks and bread. We plan to have our annual church meeting and a little Valentine fun, as well. We will also vote to approve the Pastor’s Terms of Call for 2026.
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Northminster uses the One Call Now phone tree system for church announcements and the prayer chain. If you would like to be added to the phone tree, please click here to fill out the form.
Coming Soon…
INQUIRERS CLASS
Would you like to know more about our church? Are you interested in the possibility of becoming a member? This class will give you the opportunity to hear about our church, the denomination we belong to, and where we see God leading us. If interested, tell Pastor David or sign up by clicking here..
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News & Announcements for Sunday, January 18, 2026
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 9:30-10:30. 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.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 10:00 AM
Northminster’s Book Club will meet on Thursday, January 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the church. We will be reading, “Whistling Past the Graveyard” by Susan Crandall. Please join us on January 22nd to discuss the book and bring a snack to share with the group. Come even if you have not read the book. And, as always, bring a friend!!
NORTHMINSTER PHONE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM
Northminster uses the One Call Now phone tree system for church announcements and the prayer chain. If you would like to be added to the phone tree, please click here to fill out the form.
Coming Soon…
INQUIRERS CLASS
Would you like to know more about our church? Are you interested in the possibility of becoming a member? This class will give you the opportunity to hear about our church, the denomination we belong to, and where we see God leading us. If interested, tell Pastor David or sign up by clicking here..
Read more...
