2025 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

The theme of this year’s campaign is how do we go further to be invitational to the community around us, especially as we begin to make plans to celebrate our 100th year as a congregation? The scripture supports this in Isaiah 12:4-5 "And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord. Call on his name: make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.” You should have received a letter about the campaign, along with your commitment/pledge card. If you did not, please contact the church office. We will present our commitment/pledge cards this Sunday, October 27, 2024. Please mail your commitment /pledge card to the church, or bring it with you to worship by October 27. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity and care for one another.

Just Harvest is a non-profit organization that reduces hunger through sustainable, long-term approaches that lift up those in need. We get at the root causes of hunger by using public policy and programs to reduce poverty and improve food access.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

PEACEMAKING SPECIAL OFFERING

October is upon us, and with it comes cooler weather, fall colors, and also the annual Peacemaking Offering. This collection, also known as the Peace and Global Witness Offering, is one of three PCUSA General Assembly Special Offerings that we collect at Northmont throughout the year. The other two are the Eastertime One Great Hour of Sharing Offering and the Christmas Joy Offering. The Peacemaking Offering is typically collected on World Communion Sunday, which is the first Sunday in October, but contributions can be made throughout October. Generally, 25 percent of the offering is retained by each congregation for their own peacemaking use, 25 percent is used by synods and presbyteries, and 50 percent is used by the General Assembly ministries. Gifts to the Offering enable the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world, and can be made using the designated pledge envelope or marking Peacemaking Offering on a pew envelope. Thank you for your consideration for this offering.

-Your Mission Committee

Join Us for Trunk or Treat!

Sunday, November 3, will be a special musical service of remembrance. If you would like to remember a loved one who has died in the past year, at the service, please submit their name to Dianna by Wednesday, October 30. churchoffice@northmontchurch.org or 412-364-0105.

Clef Notes

Music Director, Stephen Schall

stephen@northmontchurch.org

Reformation Sunday is inextricably linked, in musicians’ minds at least, with the hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. Both its text and tune were written by Martin Luther, and it became the rallying cry of the Protestant Reformation. The tune may have been an adaptation of a Gregorian melody; the hymn (the text) is based on Psalm 46. 

A Mighty Fortress will be the opening hymn. In a nice twist, the choir will sing Psalm 46 as the Responsorial Psalm, set to an Anglican Chant that uses Luther’s melody. Special thanks goes to Glenn Rudolph for composing the congregational refrain.

Anglican Chant, for those who aren’t familiar, is a way of singing the psalms, similar to Gregorian psalm tones but sung in four-part harmony instead of in unison. I’m not sure who had the bright idea to turn Luther’s tune into Anglican Chant but it works nicely.

A composer who is particularly associated with A Mighty Fortress is Felix Mendelssohn, who used it in his Reformation Symphony. We’ll be hearing two pieces by Mendelssohn on Sunday, the first movement from his Fourth Organ Sonata as the prelude, and a lovely duet from his cantata, Lobgesang (Song of Praise) as the anthem.

Calling All Youth!

Grades 6 and up

NORTHMONT DEACON’S ANGEL TREE will return on Sat, Nov. 2. You can help give a proper Christmas to those less fortunate by choosing gift tags off the Angel Tree that will be set up in the foyer by the main entrance from the parking lot. Gift suggestions from the tree should be brought back to the church between Nov. 3 and Dec. 1. Gift cards can be placed in the wrapped shoebox in the church office and other items placed (unwrapped) in a special box in the church library. Last year’s North Hills Community Outreach Toy Drive reached 821 children who received new toys, games, and other gifts for the holidays. Northmont has always been a generous church. We pray our efforts will be fruitful once again this year to those families in need in our community.

NORTHMONT’S DINING OUT GROUP will enjoy dinner at Sesame Inn (711 Browns Lane, Suite 1, Pgh) on Monday, November 18, at 6:30. Everyone is welcome to join. Please text or call Sarah Jane (412-952-0662), by November 14, to be included in the reservation.

ELECTION-DAY SOUP SALE

Containers are now available in the church kitchen and all soup should be returned by Monday, Nov. 3 at 1:00. Please call Bonnie 724-914-3680 with any questions.

NORTHMONT LADIES, hope your calendars are marked for PW’s Christmas Brunch on Saturday,

December 7, 2024, at 10 in Polley Fellowship Hall. The Brunch begins with Raffle Basket browsing and enjoying a cup of coffee or tea with friends. A tasty, brunch plate will be served by delightful male servers. Tickets are $10. They will be available Sundays, Nov. 10, 17, and 24 before and after worship. If one is unable to purchase a ticket at church, please call Sarah Jane Beorn (412-952-0662) for a ticket. November 24 is the last day to purchase. Northmont’s 2024 recipient of Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women will be announced.

Specialized Ministry

Click the picture to learn more about each ministry.