OFFICER PLANNING SESSION

 February 16th, 12-3pm in Fellowship Hall.

Lunch will be provided.

All current elders and deacons are asked to attend.

Eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. What’s that all about? Shrove Tuesday marks the day before the official beginning of Lent, which is Ash Wednesday. It is derived from the word shrive, which refers to the confession of sins as a preparation for Lent. On Shrove Tuesday, people would be summoned to the church to be shriven the day before Ash Wednesday.  



It is also called Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French) whereby rich delicacies containing perishable items of milk, eggs and fats would be enjoyed before the serious fast of the 40 days of Lent. Pancakes are an obvious choice for this day, which is also called Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday.

Another iconic part of Mardi Gras includes the king cake, an iced ring-shaped pastry that is sprinkled with gold, green and purple sugar and typically contains a plastic figurine representing the Baby Jesus. The person who receives the figurine is named “king” or “queen” of the Mardi Gras.

The Northmont Deacons will be whipping up these sweet, mouthwatering confections for us all to enjoy on Tuesday, March 4th, 5:30-7:30 PM in Polley Fellowship Hall. No tickets are needed since this will be a free will offering. There will be pancakes, of course, but also king cake to savor, Mardi Gras beads and masks to wear, and the swinging sounds of Dixieland Band music to listen to. No, it will not be just like New Orleans, but it just may come close! Bring all your family and friends to this fun event!

To aid in planning, the Deacons ask you to please email your RSVP to churchoffice@northmontchurch.org by Feb. 23rd, or fill out the form included in your bulletin on Sunday, and place it in the offering plate.

LAZARUS FUND SPECIAL OFFERING



The Lazarus Fund Offering, one of the six Presbytery special offerings we collect at Northmont each year, is received during the month of February. The fund, a Pittsburgh Presbytery initiative, started during the economic struggles of 1984, but the need continues today. It makes grants of direct aid available to families in crisis, who are struggling to pay for basic survival needs. 70% of the undesignated funds provide emergency assistance to session sponsored families and the remaining 30% provide economic and employment development assistance. Designated funding supports the Caring Program for Children. The fund has no overhead and is administered through a special committee of the Presbytery. Please consider helping families in need by contributing to the Lazarus Fund. Checks can be made out to Northmont UP church, marked for the Lazarus Fund. Thank you.

AMOS (A Ministry of Sharing)

 meets next Wednesday, 2/19 at 6pm



Join us for comfort food and fellowship.

Roast chicken, cheesy potatoes, salad, and ice cream are on the menu.

All are welcome!

ATTENTION ALL YOUTH!

Spring Retreat Sign Up!

(See the link below for details)

Click Here for 2025 Spring Youth Retreat Details

Clef Notes

Music Director, Stephen Schall

stephen@northmontchurch.org

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious. And it does not cease to bear fruit.” 

–from Jeremiah 17

Trees make great metaphors. They’re strong, provide shade, fruit, and some are quite ancient. Most can withstand considerable drought without dying. This passage from Jeremiah, which we will hear on Sunday, describes the situation for those who put their trust in God. 



Trees have been featured in other poetic texts too. There’s a terrific translation of a 16th-century text in the Glory to God hymnal, “There in God’s Garden,” that refers to the tree of Wisdom in God’s garden, which is Christ Jesus. This hymn no doubt took its inspiration from the 6th-century hymn, “Crux fidelis” (faithful Cross), which tells how Christ becomes the new tree to replace the one in the Garden of Eden.

And then we have the beautiful text the choir will sing this week: “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” set by Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987). Written in England in the 18th century, probably by the Rev. Richard Hutchins, a Calvinist Baptist clergyman, this text was made popular in American hymnals beginning at the end of the 18th century. Here’s a link to the full story. Resting in the shadow of Christ is a lovely image. 

The tree of life my soul hath seen,

Laden with fruit, and always green:

The trees of nature fruitless be

Compared with Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought,

And pleasure dearly I have bought:

I missed of all; but now I see

'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel:

By faith I know, but ne'er can tell,

The glory which I now can see

In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil

Here I will sit and rest awhile:

Under the shadow I will be,

Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,

It keeps my dying faith alive;

Which makes my soul in haste to be

With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

NORTHMONT DINING OUT GROUP will be meeting at

Walnut Grill on Monday, February 17 at 6:30pm.

Specialized Ministry

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