August 13, 2026

SOME GOOD NEWS FROM CUBA

With the current humanitarian crisis in Cuba there hasn’t been much good news from there lately. However, earlier this week we got some really good news from our partner church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila. Last week, Enmanuel held its annual Summer Bible School. There were seventy children in attendance! 70! Elderly adults were also invited, and there were thirty of them participating. An exciting week at Enmanuel. You can click below to enjoy a thirty second video of the children singing.

And that’s not all the good news. This past Sunday there were two hundred people in attendance for worship. 200! That’s a significant record for Enmanuel. There were not enough chairs in the entire church building to accommodate everyone much less enough space. A happy problem. And consider this: very few people at Enmanuel own cars, and currently what fuel is available is too expensive for most people. So, most people walk (some a long way) or ride their bicycles (or maybe some motorbikes) to get to church. The Cuban people are resilient!

Within the next few days, the container we helped to fill, along with 15 other churches of the Alliance of Baptists, will arrive in Ciego de Avila. More good news. All of the humanitarian things you gave will help make life a little easier for our sisters and brothers there. And they will know that someone—we—remembered them and sent our love and solidarity as well.

Cuba si!

CONGREGATION VIDEO

SUNDAY WORSHIP

August 16 at 10:45 am

Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaching

What Does the Lord Require of You?

Micah6:6-15 and 7:1-7

CLICK HERE

to stream service

CLICK HERE

to view Order of Worship

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to view last Sunday

MUSIC MINISTRY

The Opening Hymn: I Sing the Mighty Power of God The tune Ellacombe was named for a place in Devonshire, England. It was first published in a collection of tunes used in the private chapel of the Duke of Wirtemberg, and was possibly sung with the text "Ava Maria Klärer."

The Anthem: O For a Closer Bond With God by D. H. Clark.  -William Cowper, 1769, alt.

The Communion Anthem: Offertory by John Ness Beck and based on Micah 6:6-8.

The Closing Hymn: To You, O God, All Creatures Sing and From All That Dwell Below the Skies set to the tune  LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Somehow I feel sure that the most direct route to religious experience is to ask for the grace to give, to share, to console another, to bandage a hurting wound, to lift a failen human spirit, to mend a quarrel, to search out a forgotten friend, to dismiss a suspicion and replace it with trust, to encourage someone who has lost faith, to let someone who feels helpless do a favor for me, to keep a promise, to bury an old grudge, to reduce my demands on others, to fight for a principle, to express gratitude, to overcome a fear, to appreciate the beauty of nature, to tell someone I love him and then to tell him again

There is a haunting possibility that I have not heard the voice of God speaking to me in all circumstandces and persons in my life because I have been asking the wrong questions, making the wrong requests. I have been too busy speaking to listen. The Psalmist prays, "Create in me, O God, a loving and listenting heart!" Maybe I should pray for such a heart - from A reason to Live! A Reason to Die! aby nJohn Powell

BARCELONA 2027!

Join Debi and many others May 30 - June 6, 2027 and perform three concerts (two conducted by British Composer, John Rutter) in Spain!

We will be debuting his new work, I'll Think Me a World in Europe.

If you wish to go and not sing it is perfectly ok but the cost will be the same. For more information see Debi or go to www.midamerica-music.com/midam-spain

If you need to see more information check these two PDF files:

Pages 1-7 Pages 8-12

OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

Ellen Prather 14th

Susan Allain 15th

Jessica Brewster 15th

Konner Keen 19th

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

YOUTH FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

We are having a time keeping the Youth Food Pantry filled. Folks are utilizing it and we need your help with items for the youth to stock the pantry with. We are in need of items that will keep in the heat and are sealed:

Any/all Canned Goods, (including meat, sauces, vegetables, etc..., Baby Food, pastas, mac and cheese, instant potatoes, rice, spapgetti sauce peanut butter crackers, snacks, protein/breakfast bars...just about anything you can think of that are considered "staples."

CHURCH LIFE

DON CINCONE BOOK SIGNING

THIS SUNDAY

Recently Northminster Church was priviledged to host the P.E.O. Chapter V Spring Talent Showcase featuring the art of Don Cincone. Not only an renowned artist, Don is also an author. His bok titled "Time Was Not My Burden: The Artist Memoir" . It details his incredible life journey, starting from his birth in a Richland Parish cotton field to his rise as an internationally celebrated expressionist painter.

The book chronicles:

• Early Life: Growing up under segregation and discovering European masters through books checked out by his mother.
• Artistic Journey: His global travels, studying in Europe, and his prominent career, including creating 85 original paintings for the 1965 Universal Studios film The Art of Love.
• Philosophy: His agrarian work ethic and the spiritual and natural themes that influence his art.



The book signing will be held at Northminster on Sunday, August 16 following worshp from 12 noon - 2pm. The public is invited. Books will be available for purchase or download.

AFTER WORSHIP BRUNCH AUGUST 30

and

Youth Pantry Collection Day

Join us for brunch after worship services on Sunday, August 30. Food will be provided by Hospitality, Family Ministries and Missions. All we need is YOU! Please see the sign-up sheet to indicate you will attend so that we will have a head count for food.

Will will also take this opportunity to help restock the YOUTH PANTRY so if you plan on attending the brunch, please bring an item(s) to contribute to the pantry!

PUB THEOLOGY

Pub Theology is held on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm at Melvyns, 1128 Oliver Rd., Monroe.

DR. PAIGE RAWSON TO DELIVER STRICKLIN LECTURES

Dr. Paige Rawson will deliver the Thomas E. Stricklin Lectures in Church History at Northminster on Saturday, September 12 to be followed by the morning sermon on Sunday, September 13. The title of the lectures will be “The Gospel Decolonized: Deconstructing Christianity to Save Faith”. The lectures will begin on that Saturday at 10:00 am and will end at noon. The lectures and sermon will also be streamed live and archived on Northminster’s YouTube channel. A time for a light breakfast will precede the lectures. Childcare will be provided. Please mark your calendars! Dr. Rawson’s lectures promise to be insightful, challenging, and prophetic.

COMING UP

Sanctuary Flowers:  As is customary during the summer months of July, and August, altar flowers will only be by memorial or honorarium. If you would like to give flowers during the summer months, please contact the church office. Suggested cost $125.

OF INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY

The Rose Theatre in historic downtown Bastrop hosts a fundraising event with Homegrown Band in concert. This is the band that our Administrative Assistant, Renee is in. If you have wanted to see this band in a comfortable setting this is the place to be. Theatre seating, air conditioning, and fantastic music. Tickets are $20 and available at the door.



SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 AT 6PM! CARPOOL FROM THE CHURCH AND COME SUPPORT THE ARTS (AND RENEE) IN BASTROP!