This Sunday in Worship from Pastor Darren:
This Sunday begins our series on the Gospel of Mark, “Good Power.” Each week we will examine a different theme in the Gospel. This Sunday we will explore the ways Jesus embraced people who had been forgotten and rejected. You can follow along with the daily readings and reflection questions in the companion study guide that is available on our website (in "Publications" under the "Communications" tab.)
Also, throughout Lent our prayer focus will be on the Umoja Partnership in Kenya.
Please join us tonight from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for our drive-through imposition of ashes and communion, and watch our Ash Wednesday service posted on our YouTube channel. Then join us on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in person with prior registration (see accompanying story) or at 11 a.m. for our live-streamed worship service on NorthChurchIndy.com.
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Sermon Title: "Good Power: The Power to Embrace"
Scripture Readings:
- Mark 2:13-17
- Exodus 22:21-27
- Psalm 38
The bulletin will be available on our website as soon as possible. It will be in the green "Bulletins" box next to the live-streaming box on the home page. It will also be in the drop-down menu under the "Worship" tab on the home page.
Pastor Diane has prepared devotions for February. They can be used by anyone who can't access the live-streamed worship service or those who want to supplement their daily devotions.
Last Sunday's service can be found below:
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Last Sunday's bulletin is here.
Tonight's Ash Wednesday bulletin is here.
Last Sunday's sermon notes are here.
Please continue to give by making contributions through the "online giving" tab on our website, by mailing them to the church at 3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, or by texting "Give" to 1-(317) 676-2061.
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Prayers
Send us your prayer requests through this email address:
If you would like to download our daily prayer bulletin for this week please click here.
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Attendance
According to YouTube the Feb. 14 live-streamed service has 241 views to date.
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Problem with NorthNet?
Some people have been inadvertently unsubscribed from NorthNet's "Conversations" recently. Our IT company is in the process of trying to locate and solve the problem. If you experience this situation, please resubscribe. You can do that here ("Get Connected" under "Communications" on our website). We apologize for the inconvenience.
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Be Our Guest
Sunday Mornings
If you would like to be a guest at the broadcast of our 11 a.m. Sunday service please contact Pastor Darren and we will make accommodations for you to join us in the sanctuary.
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Praying for Our Parish:
In the Hospital, Rehab or Hospice:
- Joan Lafuze continues to recover at home following her recent surgery. Cards and notes can be sent to her home address.
- As Lela Russell continues to recover from her recent surgery, you can send cards and notes to her at: 10420 Hillsdale Drive, Carmel, IN 46032.
- Jan Swartz has returned home to continue her recovery from recent surgery. Cards and notes will reach her at her home address.
Prayer List:
Throughout the year each church member is prayed for on a rotating list. Below are the members for this week. The list for February is here.
- Donna Monday & Bruce Brush
- Stacy, Sherri, Addison & Chloe Meredith
- Ruth Meyer
- Ashlee Miller
- Eva Miller
- Evan Miller
- Grant Miller
- Jacqueline, Brett, Hudson & Camden Miller
- Jim & Linda Miller
- Kurt Miller
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Worship and Arts
Video, Drive-Through Ash Wed. Service Available
The Lenten season kicks off with Ash Wednesday today, Wednesday, Feb. 17. A recorded Ash Wednesday service is available on our YouTube channel for you to view 24/7. Tonight from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. we will observe Ash Wednesday in our parking lot with a drive-through imposition of ashes. You will drive under the portico to receive the ashes and communion. Stay safe and warm in your car as we begin the season together.
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8:30 Service to Resume for Lent Starting This Sunday
Beginning this Sunday Pastor Darren will offer in-person worship at 8:30 a.m. for Lent. The service will follow the protocols established last year to ensure your safety. Worshipers will be required to register in advance by emailing Jennifer Harrington, or if necessary you can call (317) 924-2612. Please indicate the number in your party and the names of all the people in your party. Jennifer will provide an email confirmation and the time to check in for your seat assignments. Face masks and social distancing will be required. The deadline to register is noon each Friday.
Since the pandemic began we have based in-person worship on the two-week rolling average of new cases in Marion and the surrounding counties. Over the past few weeks those numbers have been steadily declining.
In the coming weeks we hope to be able to make additional updates to our worship. Until then, be sure to watch our live-stream broadcast each Sunday at 11 a.m. on YouTube or by clicking the green "Live Streaming" tab on the home page of NorthChurchIndy.com.
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Lenten Sermon Series, Small-Group Study Underway
" Good Power” is our theme for Lent. We will examine the power of Jesus’s message and ministry in the Gospel of Mark and how it gives love, life, and hope today. Each Sunday Pastor Darren will preach on a theme in Mark. A study guide for personal, family, and small-group use is available to download here. The study guide provides daily readings and reflection questions on the weekly themes as well as a weekly prayer exercise.
There are three small groups meeting via Zoom: a Monday night men's group at 6 p.m.; a group on Tuesdays at 3 p.m., and a third group on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. To get the Zoom link for any of these groups or to be paired with another member as a Lenten partner, contact Amy.
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Discipleship and Formation
Synoptic Puzzle Sunday School Class Starts Sunday
We know that the Gospels are similar in many respects, but also different in other ways. During Lent we will look at the relationship between the Gospels, especially Matthew, Mark and Luke. By doing so we will gain a better understanding of each evangelist’s voice. Join Dr. Perry Kea for a virtual five-week study on Sundays from this Sunday, Feb. 21, through March 21 during the Sunday school hour (9:45-10:45 a.m.).
For the first Sunday the suggested reading is a blog post by Bart Ehrman called “Similarities and Differences: The Synoptic Problem.”
To receive the Zoom link and for any additional questions please email Amy.
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Missions and Outreach
Update on North's
Advocacy Efforts
The Justice and Advocacy Team hosted Zoom programming recently to address racial equity, police accountability, and incarceration during the pandemic. Programs were constructed to include important issues while avoiding politicization of these topics.
First, City Council members gave updates on the efforts to address violence in the city, the need for expanded access to mental health services, and proposed changes to the police review board.
Next, we hosted a discussion about the conditions for women incarcerated at the Indiana Women’s Prison during the pandemic.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day we hosted a program to provide reflection and discussion on quotes from Dr. King.
Our presenters were directly involved with the issues rather than presenting a political stance.
Also, the Justice and Advocacy Team joined with the hospitality, evangelism and membership committees to erect a banner reading “Black Lives Matter to God and to Us – Do Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly.” This is a statement that both affirms our neighbors who have been subject to so much violence and ties scripture to this affirmation. We hope that this witness can support our community during Black History Month, providing a specific way for us to affirm Black lives without being distracted by political differences.
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Care and Nurture
'Vaccines and COVID-19 Update' Video Coming Soon
A new video will be ready for your viewing by the end of February that will include a discussion on the mutating virus, COVID and kids, vaccines, and our behaviors and social interactions with others. When it's available an announcement will be made in the newsletter, NorthNet, and during Sunday morning worship.
Share Your Love
Last Sunday we celebrated St. Valentine's Day and expressed our love for our partners or spouses. During this week let's extend that love to others in our North community that we haven't seen during the pandemic. Send a card, a note, or an email. Make a phone call. If you need contact info, email Pastor Diane.
'The Upper Room — March-April 2021' Is Available
I f you have not been receiving the bi-monthly mailing of "The Upper Room" but would like to, please email Pastor Diane. She will be happy to send it to you before the first of March.
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Children and Families
Blessed Are the Merciful
On Sunday we learned about offering others mercy, kindness, and forgiveness while we explored the fifth of nine of our Beatitudes: Blessed are the Merciful. You can watch the Sunday school lesson here.
Next week’s topic will cover “Blessed are the Pure in Heart.” We will explore what it means to integrate our hearts, minds, and bodies to be whole human beings.
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Worship Resources for This Sunday
Here are the children’s worship bulletins for this Sunday, Feb. 21, for kids age 3 and older and 7 and older. Enjoy these while you watch the worship service as a family.
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Youth
Special Youth Group Sessions to be Held This Month
Youth Group is taking on a new look in February. Each Sunday of the month will be open to specific grade groups, and the time has changed to 3-4:30 p.m.
The remaining February schedule follows:
- Feb. 21, 3-4:30 p.m. — Ninth- and 10th-grade students
- Feb. 28, 3-4:30 p.m. — 11th- and 12th-grade students.
Contact Cory for more information or to get the link for your student.
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Young Adults
Online Game Winner Will Receive a Gift Card!
Join us tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 18 from 6:30-8 p.m. for our Young Adults Online Game Night. To make things more interesting, this month the winner of our game will get a $10 gift card to the place of their choosing! For more information contact Cory.
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United Methodist Women
Let Your Legislators Know Your Thoughts on Issues
Please look in North’s "Conversations" emails for updates about the legislative bills that the United Methodist Women is supporting or opposing in alignment with the church’s and its social principles and missions. It is very important for you to express your views and values by contacting your legislators by phone calls, emails, or letters.
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