SEASON OF ADVENT

ADVENT REMINDERS FOR NEW SEASONS

ABOUT THE THEME

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church  year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we  know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small,  personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new.  Christ’s birth offered a beautiful new beginning for shepherds and Magi alike—all the while, King  Herod tried to bring Christ’s story to an end. When we ourselves navigate seasons filled with  endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a  path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown.  

We have crafted an Advent series filled with blessings, with the words we need to hear again and  again as we begin a new season. We imagined the words Mary would speak to her newborn son.  What scriptures and stories would she impart to him? What lessons would she teach him as he  grew? And so, our weekly themes may feel like the lessons we teach to children, but in reality,  these are lessons we continue to learn and relearn as adults. They may sound like the messages  we impart to loved ones during special ceremonies or sacred rituals. We intentionally selected  scriptures that may be frequently used in weddings, ordination services, or baptisms. And so, we  invite you to enter this Advent season as if you are entering a sacred new chapter, holding fast to  the reminders that will bolster you for the journey ahead.  



As you journey through this season, may you find words for belovedness and hope. May you find  words for beginning again. For no matter what you are facing, no matter what this new day brings,  love is your beginning.

2025 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN



Thank you to all who have submitted their pledges for 2025. Thus far we have received 40 pledges for 2025 which total $193,000, an average of $4,825 per pledge. There were 25 pledges that increased, 12 pledges that remained the same, and 3 pledges that decreased.  For comparison we received 60 pledges for 2024 that totaled $251,300.  We have 19 additional pledges we expect to receive for 2025.  In addition, Northmont receives about $75,000 of donations each year for which no pledge is made. It would be very helpful if you plan to donate to Northmont in 2025 if you would pledge. Please mail or drop off your 2025 pledge as soon as possible, so the Stewardship and Finance Committee and Session can finalize a 2025 budget in December. Thank you.

Clef Notes

Music Director, Stephen Schall

stephen@northmontchurch.org

Happy New Year! We begin a new liturgical year on Sunday. During this season we consider the coming of Christ at the end of time, at the end of our lives, and in history. Throughout this Advent we’ll be hearing about Mary and her agreeing to become the Mother of God. Our hymn of the month will be a beautiful setting of the hymn, “Ye Who Claim the Faith of Jesus” written by the contemporary American church musician, David Hurd. Some of you may be familiar with his tune for the hymn, “A Stable Lamp Is Lighted.” “Ye Who Claim the Faith . . . “ encourages us to honor Mary and to join in her song, the Magnificat, as we remember that God has cast down the mighty and raised up the lowly. 

The choir’s anthem is Boris Ord’s famous setting of the 15th-century carol “Adam Lay Ybounden.” The text explains that Adam was bound by the bond of sin for “four thousand winter” — a reference to the belief that 4,000 years separated Adam and Christ. Adam was bound by the sin caused by disobeying God and eating an apple. Then, in an all’s-well-that-ends-well twist, the carol essentially states, “If the apple hadn’t been taken Mary wouldn’t have become queen of heaven, so blessed be the time that Adam ate the apple.” God can truly make something good come of any situation.

Northmont will be hosting the December Presbytery meeting on 12/12/24, which we haven't done in quite some time. Following the meeting, there will be a light reception in Fellowship Hall for approximately 150 people. Our Presbyterian women have a special request of you: while you're doing your Christmas cookie baking, please consider sharing a couple dozen of your cookies/bars with NUPC to serve at that reception.

If you're willing to help out, please click on this link Cookie Donations for Presbytery Mtg 12/12/24 and fill out the information. Please respond by Dec. 8th so PW will know if they need to purchase additional cookies. You can also just email your donation information to Dianna: churchoffice@northmontchurch.org

Thank you to those who have already signed up to contribute!

Calling All Youth!

Grades 6 and up

NORTHMONT DEACONS’ ANGEL TREE still has some tags with the gift wishes of local children. Please consider purchasing a gift for those in need. Gifts should be returned to the church no later than Dec. 8. Please put gift cards in the wrapped shoebox in the church office; place other items (unwrapped) in the marked box in the church library. Thank you for your generosity!

The Mission Committee is pleased to announce another year's installment of Bill Markus at Northmont in December! We were delighted to hear that our dear friend, Bill, is still on the speaking circuit and will be joining us from 8:45 to 9:45 on December 8th and 15th. I'll let you know when we've settled on the exact topic, but, whatever that is, I know you won't want to miss it, so I hope you'll join us for this special 2-week annual event, and please spread the word. Thank you! - Ted Mills

Specialized Ministry

Click the picture to learn more about each ministry.