January 22, 2026

In the Bleak Midwinter,

frosty wind made moan

Snow was falling, snow on

 Snow, snow on snow.

                                               Christina Rosetti

In Rosetti’s “bleak, midwinter”

More than frosty wind makes moan,

We all make moan,

Moan for mercy,

Moan for peace,

Moan for justice.

Chilled and shrill is the icy ache

Of the winter of the world.

Bleak is the freezing of our hopes

In the permafrost of reality.

Only one way will this world warm,

When the dawn thaws the frozen horizon.

Love is the light breaking bleakness into possibility.

Midwinter remains,

But relents.

The killing frost of despair  

Cannot stay

When comes the golden light

Of day.

                                                  Darrell Cluck

                                                  Epiphany 2026



Due to the prediction of inclement weeather and with so many of our congregants living outside of Monroe proper, the decision has been made to cancel ALL Sunday morning and evening activities at Northminster.

Please stay home and stay safe!

Composers do not often hear the music that is being played; it only serves as an impulse for something quite different - for the creation of music that only lives in their imagination. It is a sort of schizophrenia - we are listening to something and at the sazame time creating something else. - Wilfold Lutostawski

I am the strings, and the Supreme is the musician. - Carlos Santana

If your talent is choir or organ, there's no problem. Choir members and organists can be sure their gift is from God because who else but God would be interested? Just like nobody gets fat on celery, nobody goes into church music for the wrong motives. - Garrison Keillor

Our Joys and Concerns

Ann Files (24th)

Seth Dodd (25th)

Gail Blackman (26th)

Church Life

NEXT YOUTH MEETING - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Youth is canceled for January 25.

PUB THEOLOGY

Pub Theology meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm at the Fat Pelican unless otherwise notified.

This Sunday

9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am - Sunday School

10:45 am - Preludes

11:00 am - Worship Service



Noon - After Church Fellowship

5:00 pm - Youth

Wednesdays

5:30 pm: Craft and Chat

6:30 pm: Choir rehearsal

Coming Up

Thursday, January 29 at 5pm: Family Movie Night

Sunday, February 22 following worship: New Member Orientation and Inquirers Class

WE NEED FOOD!

The pups and kitties need your help! Please consider adding puppy, dog, kitten, and cat food (wet and dry) and cat litter to our trunk. Costs are high on these items and the shelter is in dire need!

The Floral Offering

Arrangement by Marilyn Decker