NORTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER
Thursday, May 18, 2017
This Sunday, May 21 - YOUTH SUNDAY
Come support the youth for this special joint  service
of Northminster and Calvary  at 10:30 AM
In the past five years, if you have walked around Northminster and noticed a clean restroom, a shiny tile floor, a vacuumed carpet, a mowed lawn, or a shoveled walkway on a snowy day, in fact, if you have noticed anything at all about the beauty and organization of our church, you have Rich Hirschman to thank.
Since I have been at Northminster, I have watched Rich work long, hard hours to make our building and grounds beautiful, and he always does it with a smile on his face. Rich is a humble and dedicated servant of God, and I know him well enough to know that for him, the greatest reward for his work has always been to see us have a beautiful, clean and safe place to worship God.

It's with mixed emotions that I now share the news with you that Rich is going to be leaving us at the end of May in order to enjoy his retirement and his life together with Sue. Together, the two of them will also be spending time focusing on their ministry at The Church of the Lakes in Canton. I know we will all be sad to see Rich leave us and we will miss him, but we also celebrate this new chapter in his life.

Rich, as you leave us, you carry our prayers with you, and we wish you and Sue many years of health, happiness, and fond memories of your time at Northminster!

In Christ,
    Pastor Rich
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Pastor Rich will continue
the series on
"The Resurrection"
at 9:15 this Sunday, May 21.
THIS SUNDAY

"Evidence of God "
by Liam Hill


Last Week's Sermon:

" Rethinking the   Church "



THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE READING
OLD TESTAMENT READING:
Psalm 19:1-6
NEW TESTAMENT READING:
Acts 14:8-17

Following Sunday's service we will
COOK OUT
(Don't forget to bring your food!)

and  CLEAN UP!

(It's Spring Cleaning time around the church.)
Feel free to wear your  work clothes to the service.

Pregnancy Choices
BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN
is in progress.

YOUR BOTTLES ARE DUE BACK
THIS SUNDAY,  MAY 21

You can leave them in the box on the Welcome Desk

MINISTRY LEADERS

One More to Go....
A  Liturgist is needed for June 25.


WOMEN'S CIRCLE
Tuesday, June 6 
12:30 PM
The June meeting of the Women's Circle will take place at Hartville Kitchen.  
This meeting is open to all the women of Northminster!

We will meet at 12:30 PM at the Hartville Kitchen for good food and fellowship. This is BYOM (Buy Your Own Meal) but you will be able to choose from the great Hartville Kitchen menu.

There is a sign up sheet on the Welcome Desk. We must let Hartville Kitchen know how many will be attending.  Sign-ups should be done by Sunday, June 4.  We hope you will join us.


YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
THERE WILL CLASS
THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21, at 9:15.


Joint Youth Service with Calvary
this Sunday, May 21


FOOD & FELLOWSHIP NIGHT
Tuesday, May 23
We will meet the Sonic at Washington Square
at 5:30 PM.

REEDURBAN DINNER
Tuesday, May 30
Youth will participate 4:30 to 6:30 PM.

  CONTACT NICK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUTH ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEK'S
BIRTHDAY'S 

18 - Adam Dowell
27 - Brett Jacobsen
29 - Kyle Marcus
30 - Rich Holmes  

MAY
ANNIVERSARIES

19 - Larry & Nancy Marcus
21 - Bill & Michelle Giffin
23 - Rich & Judy Felton
30 - Greg & Karen Moore

NORTHMINSTER HOMEBOUND

This Week's
Featured Member

FRANCES TESSMER
304 N. Market Street / Minerva, OH  44657
PRAYER REQUESTS
PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE TO UPDATE OR REMOVE REQUESTS
  • Doris (grandmother of Courtney York) is recovering from back surgery.
  • Denise Geiger (friend of Joanne Sogan) - Brain Surgery
  • Bill Griffin - Cancer
  • Travis King (Downerd's 11-year-old grandson) needs continued prayer for proper healing following his recent surgery.
  • Barb Laney (Debra Pierpont's sister) - Cancer
  • Yoichi Matsumoto - Prostate Cancer
  • The Family of Jason Roma (son of Jim Roma, Tina Young's pastor) who passed away on May 4.
  • Kevin and Diane Schlub (friends of Terry Tannehill). Kevin has suffered a stroke.
  • Betty Vincent (friend of Joanne Sogan) is in treatment for breast cancer.
  • Courtney York is recovering from her C-section.

ON the CALENDAR 

Tuesday, May 23
Bible Study at 10:00 AM in
the Parlor

Sunday, May 28 & June 4
Pentecost Offering

Monday, May 29
Memorial Day - Church Office is Closed

Sunday, June 4
June Birthday Celebration with Calvary at 9:30 AM
Graduate Sunday
DEVOTION OF THE WEEK
by Bruce Swaffield in Memoriam

What God Can Do Through You

There is a house around the corner that is always closed up. The blinds are shut tight, even during the day, and the garage door is never open. Occasionally, I see someone going in or coming out. I often think about who lives there and what they do. There lives seem to be a mystery, cut off from the rest of the neighborhood.

On the one hand, perhaps this family feels safe from the world in the isolation of their house. On the other hand, they are not giving themselves a chance to know the neighbors and to be a part of a community.

I wonder if the same thing happens to us when we are going thrugh difficult situations. Do we retreat from God and our sisters and brothers in Christ? Do we shut out friends and family who are trying to help? Maybe we put up our defenses and not let anyone in. We might even be like Jonah and try to run away. We could also act like Peter and try to hide when we fail.

We must fight our natural instincts to separate ourselves from others. God wants us to be in the world and changing people for his glory. We are of no use to the Lord or to ourselves if we withdraw from everything around us. He desires for us to be involved in sharing his love, not keeping it to ourselves. Reach out to others today. Open your life and let them in. Give yourself a chance to see what God can do through you and others.

Swaffield, Bruce C. Devotions for Life: New Ideas from Old Ways. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars, 2013 p. 247.