Thursday, May 1, 2025

BAPTIZING IN CUBA

This past Sunday four churches in Ciego de Avila Province in Cuba joined together for a baptismal service. The baptisms were held in a river near the community of Chambas, about an hour’s drive from the city of Ciego de Avila. In total thirty-five people were baptized. That included twenty-two from Northminster’s partner church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila. The other three churches were once mission congregations of Enmanuel, and all have been visited at various times by delegations from Northminster. As you can see from one of the photos it was a festive time. Rev. Eduardo Gonzalez, the pastor at Enmanuel, baptized the new Christians who are now new members of Enmanuel. Enmanuel’s pastor emeritus Rev. Noel Fernandez is the person wearing the hat in one of the photos. We celebrate with our friends in Cuba this significant time in the lives of these thirty-five people and the four churches. Thanks be to God!

Watch this short video below of a joyous baptism in Cuba!

Opening Hymn: Sing Praise to God, Who Has Shaped Joachim Neander was a dedicated, caring pastor of the Reformed Church in Düsseldorf, Germany. This was the most familiar of his fifty-six hymn texts, which were published along with many of his original tunes in 1680, the year of his death.

The Middle Hymn: Beautiful Jesus This text, which has also been translated as "Fairest Lord Jesus" and "Beautiful Savior," was included in a German Catholic hymnal published in Münster. The melody known by various names is thought to be a Silesian folk tune.

The Anthem: With a Voice of Singing by Martin Shaw.

The Communion Anthem: Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether by Harold Friedell.

The Closing Hymn: Alleluia! Gracious Jesus! William Dix, manager of a marine insurance company, was also a gifted writer who made a significant contribution to hymnody. This hymn was written to fill a need for communion hymns in Church of England hymnals.

JUDY GADDY (2ND)

CHARLES CRAIN (5TH)

OWEN HIGGINBOTHAM (5TH)

To the person who found the beaded bracelet that was made by one of our children, Skye, and placed it on the office desk, Skye would like to thank you so very much. She made the bracelet for her grandmother and she was most grateful that someone found it!

SUNDAY YOUTH MEALS

(OR FUNDS) NEEDED!

The Northminster Youth Group meets each Sunday at 5pm and averages approximately 10 youth. Youth leaders try to stretch the budget to provide Sunday evening meals for them. There is a sign-up sheet in the hall for those willing to help provide actual meals such as sandwiches, pizza, tacos, burgers/hotdogs, chips, drinks, etc. Speak with JK Kimble or Beth Mayfield about what would be needed should you wish to provide an actual meal one Sunday evening.

Another great way to help with this, if you're not the "cooking kind", you may give financially. If giving cash, place in an envelope and mark it "Youth Meals" and if writing a check make payable to Northminster Church and memo line "Youth Meals". You may also use our Paypal account, Northminster Baptist Church and comment "Youth Meals".

PUB THEOLOGY

Northminster's Pub Theology TAKES PLACE 7pm at the Fat Pelican on the 3rd Thursday of each Month

"Different Brews, Different Views. All are welcome!"

MAY 18 WORSHIP WORKSHOP

Immediately after worship on Sunday, May 18 immediately following worship the Worship Commission will host a brief workshop for readers and communion servers. If you are a regular reader or server or would like to read and/or serve communion please plan to attend. We will offer guidance that will make your leadership in worship more comfortable. If you plan to attend please sign the sign up sheet in the hall outside the pastor’s office or call the church office.

AFTER CHURCH FELLOWSHIPS

Our after church fellowships have been well attended and have enabled us to get to know one another better. If you don't know, the refreshments are brought each week by volunteers via a sign-up sheet (we here at Northminster love our sign-up sheets!). This coming week, March 23 has been graciously covered by Vickie Krutzer but next Sunday (5th Sunday) and the first Sunday in April have yet to be spoken for. If this is an activity you have enjoyed and wish to see it continue, please think about signing up to provide refreshments. There will be no "After Church Fellowship" on Palm Sunday, April 13 or Easter Sunday, April 20 but we will pick right up where we left off on Sunday, April 27. Please see the sign-up sheet in the hall!

LOST ITEM

Pastor Jillian is missing her "table runner" that she keeps on her coffee table in her office. If you have seen this runner (which she made), can you please bring it to her office? She would really like to have it back! Thanks!

THIS SUNDAY!!

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

6:30 pm: Choir Practice

Upcoming Events

Sunday, May 4 at 5pm: Churchwide Fish Fry at the home of Beth and Damon Mayfield

Sunday, May 11: Mother’s Day

Saturday, May 17 at 9am: Youth Cabbage Ball Tourney and Dunking Booth

Sunday, May 18 following worship: Worship Leader Training

Sunday, May 25 at 6pm: Potluck followed at 7pm by Business Meeting.



Saturday, May 31 from 10am – noon: Stagg Lecture

Northminster's Jo Ann Alley has volunteered to help facilitate the Racial Justice group if there is any interest. This group would be led by the interests of the participants, by a combination of book study, discussion groups, and videos that can either be watch together or separately and meet to discuss. We can learn much from each other about what racial justice is, and what it means to be antiracist.

This work cannot be done alone. If you are interested in either helping facilitate or participating in the group there id a signup sheet outside of Pastor Jillian’s office.

Arrangement by Susan Curry