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 on 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.

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

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS to my Northmont Family.

I gratefully appreciated your prayers, cards, and phone calls following my eye surgery last week. I can't thank you enough. All is well with my eyes. - Bonnie Elphinstone

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

This Sunday the congregation and choir join in singing the canticle, The First Song of Isaiah, which will take the place of the Responsorial Psalm. This begs the question, what is a canticle? A canticle is a liturgical song text, similar in form to a psalm, but which is usually drawn from another source than the book of Psalms — although there is at least one canticle that is a psalm, the Jubilate Deo, which is Psalm 100. Throughout the Old and New Testaments there are texts that scholars believe were sung in Jewish worship, which are sung regularly in the various Christian liturgies and referred to as “canticles.” Since Presbyterianism was not historically liturgical, many of these canticles are not familiar to us, although some of the more famous ones might be. Examples of famous canticles are the Magnificat (The Song of Mary) and Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon), sung at every Evensong service; the Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest), sung at Mass; or the Te Deum, which is sung for solemn celebrations of victory or joy. The First Song of Isaiah is one of the so-called “lesser canticles” because it is used less frequently and comes from the Old Testament. It would have remained among those Presbyterians would likely not know were it not for Jack Noble White’s famous setting that we sing on Sunday. It is no stranger to Northmont and we hope you enjoy singing it for the next couple of weeks.

The choir will also sing a setting of Psalm 150 by Brazilian composer, Ernani Aguiar. Sung acapella in Latin, the piece has rapid-fire text and a distinctively Latin-American feel— and it’s fun to sing!

OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

This Sunday, October 20, we will be recognizing and celebrating Rev. Robbins and all the ordained Pastors in our congregation during Fellowship Hour.

Calling All Youth!

Grades 6 and up

THE NORTHMONT BOOK CLUB kicks off their reading series with I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, this Saturday, 10/19 at 9:30 in the Malawi Room.

All are welcome to join! Please email any questions to

Amy Phelps at phelpsa@duq.edu.

NORTHMONT’S DINING OUT GROUP will enjoy dinner at Patron Mexican Grill (11675 Perry Hwy in Wexford)

this Monday, October 21 at 6:30.

Everyone is welcome to join. Please text or call Sarah Jane (412-952-0662) to be included in the reservation.

ELECTION-DAY SOUP SALE

We're looking for your best homemade soup for our sale on November 5. Containers will be provided. Please call or text Bonnie at 724-914-3680

or Kathy at 724-601-1153 with any questions.

NORTHMONT LADIES, mark your calendars for PW’s Christmas Brunch on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 10 am. Prepping of raffle baskets has begun and brunch menu taste-testing has been enjoyed by the team! Details to follow.

THE NORTHMONT DEACONS encourage the congregation to purchase flowers to beautify our sanctuary on Sunday mornings. These can be in memory of a loved one, to honor someone special in your life, or to celebrate a birth, birthday, or anniversary. Arrangements can be had for $25 but can be larger if desired. Please sign up on the calendar in the hallway by the church office or contact Bill English Jr. at 412-366-1713 or english14@verizon.net if you have any questions. Thank you!

Specialized Ministry

Click the picture to learn more about each ministry.