November 5, 2026

I'm thinking ahead to Christmas because I’m really hoping to make this year magical for Eirinn. She's at the age where she's beginning to understand what holidays are all about, and I'm excited to watch her experience Christmas in a new way. I want her to enjoy the lights, the decorations, the traditions, and all the little things that make my favorite holiday special. I'm looking forward to seeing Christmas through her eyes.

Of course, there's always a difference between the Christmas we imagine and the Christmas we actually get. We make plans, buy presents, decorate, and try to create those moments we hope will become good memories. Sometimes everything comes together, and sometimes life has other plans. People get sick, plans change, someone can't make it, or the holidays just feel different than they used to.

For many of us, Christmas brings a mixture of joy and sadness. We may find ourselves missing someone who used to be part of our celebrations, adjusting to new traditions, or trying to make sense of a year that hasn't gone the way we expected. And sometimes we put so much pressure on the holiday to be perfect that we forget to enjoy the moments right in front of us.

As I think about Christmas with Eirinn, I know there will be things I want to do and traditions I hope she'll enjoy. But some of the moments she'll remember may be the ones I never thought to plan. A funny conversation, an unexpected surprise, or simply being together may end up meaning more than anything I carefully arranged.

There's something fitting about that when we think about the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph didn't get the circumstances they might have imagined for the birth of Jesus. They found themselves far from home, dealing with uncertainty, and making their way through a situation they hadn't planned. And yet, that's where the story of Christmas begins.

God didn't wait for everything to be settled or for life to look the way it was supposed to. The story begins right in the middle of the unexpected.

As we move into the holidays, I hope we can remember that Christmas doesn't have to look a certain way to be meaningful. Some of us will celebrate much as we always have, while others will be figuring out new traditions or simply trying to get through a difficult season. Whatever this Christmas looks like for you, I hope there's room for the unexpected, room for one another, and room to enjoy the moments that come our way.

I'm still hoping to make Christmas magical for Eirinn. But maybe part of that magic will be discovering that the best moments aren't always the ones we plan, and that sometimes the most meaningful things happen when we make a little room for something unexpected.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

November 8, 2026 at 10:45 am

Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaching

Matthew 25:1-13

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MUSIC MINISTRY

The Opening Hymn: Sing Praise to God, Our Highest Good Johann Jakob Schultz practiced both civil and canon law in Franfort, Germany, throughout his life. He had an interest in the company that purchased land in Germantown, PA from William Penn in 1683. Schultz purblished two collections of hymns.



The Middle Hymn: All My Hope on God is Founded British composer Herbert Howells studied with Charles Stanford at the Royal College of Music in London and later taught there. The tune was composed for an English school and was named for Howell's son who died in childhood.



The Anthem: Give Me Jesus arranged by Brian Fairbanks.

The Communion Meditation: Lamb of God arranged by F. M. Christiansen.

The Closing Hymn: Be Now My Vision Dating from the eighth century or earlier, this Irish hymn was translated into prose by Mary Byrne. It was then versified by Eleanor Hull, author of several books on Irish literature and history. David Evans arranged the Irish melody for this text in 1927.

Christianity is mainly wishful thinking Even the part about Judgment and Hell reflects the wish that somewhere the score is being kept. Dreams are wishful thinking. Chldren playing at being grown-up is wishful thinking, interplanetary travel is wishful thinking. Sometimes wishing is the wings the truth come true on. Sometimes the truth is what sets us wishing for it.

OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

Jimmy Curry 9th

Pastoral Care Ministry Team

On-Call Team Member for November is Carol Ann Tubbs (318-355-4801)

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

The cost is $12 per person, with a cap of $50 / famil. Funds are due at signup!

(You may pay by Paypal, check, (note" Agape Meal") or cash. If cash, please indicate on the envelope that it is for the Agape Meal.

PUB THEOLOGY

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



A LETTER FROM THE COORDINATING COUNCIL NOMINATING COMMITTEE & CC CHAIR

Dear Northminster Family,

As we near the end of 2026, it is again time to elect new leaders to our Coordinating Council. The Nominating Committee has worked diligently to develop a slate of nominees for 3 vacant positions. These three positions are left vacated by the following 3 members who will rotate off at the end of this year. Beth Ingram rotates off in December at the end of her 3 year term. Barbara Thompson and Baron Brandon rotate off in December after completing the unexpired terms of Mary Delancy and Carol Ann Tubbs who were unable to complete the last year of their three year terms. The slate of nominees is as follows:

1. Baron Brandon - Baron hails from Bastrop, works for Entergy, and joined Northminster Church in 2023. He has been an active, faithful and committed member from the beginning. He is a member of the choir, the adult Sunday School Class, the Northminster Book Club and you will always find him participating in and supporting whatever is going on at the Church. He curently serves on the Missions Commission. He rotates off Coordinating Council after completing the unexpired term of Carol Ann Tubbs so is eligible to be selected for a full 3 year term.

2. Charles Creech – Charles works for the Delta Community College in a management position and has been a member of Northminster Church since 2001. He has previously served on the Coordinating Council and the Missions and Properties Commissions. He is serving currently on the Worship Commission and is a choir member.

3. Carol Ann Tubbs – Carol Ann joined Northminster Church in 1991 and quickly became an active member. She has served on several commissions and on the Coordinating Council previously. She is retired from University of Louisiana Monroe. She currently serves on the Hospitality Commission.

4. Patti Pate – Patti is a charter member of Northminster Church. She has been a member of the choir and served in many capacities over the years including several terms on the Coordinating Council. Pattis is recently retired from University of Louisiana Monroe. Patti is currently serving on the Worship Commission and on the Pastoral Care Ministry Team.

5. JoAnn Alley – JoAnn has been a member of Northminster since 1996. She has served on a variety of commissions within the church as well as Coordinating Council. She currently serves on the Education/Arts and Hospitality Commission. She works at Ochsner Medical Center in Monroe.

6. Scott Higginbotham – Scott grew up in Louisiana and then lived in Mississippi while attending Millsaps College and Ole Miss. He currently works at LA Delta Community College. He enjoys theater through which he met his wife Amy. He has been an active member of the choir for many years and has also previously served on various commissions and Coordinating Council.

Our last Business Meeting of the year will be on November 22 directly after worship. We will NOT have a potluck or food before the meeting. This is a most important meeting of the church year, as leaders are elected for the Coordinating Council and for vacant positions on each of our 6 Commissions. Please make every effort to be present at the Business Meeting to show your commitment and support by casting your vote for the future leaders of Northminster Church.

Grace and Peace,

J.K. Kimble, Chair of the Coordinating Council

Nominating Committee Members

Beth Ingram

Barbara Thompson

Baron Brandon

Gail Blackman

Kyle Gregory

Beth Mayfield

COMING UP

THE FLORAL OFFERING

Arrangement by

Marilyn Decker

OF INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY

GIVING TO NORTHMINSTER