February 12, 2026

Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday on February 18th. The staff will once again be using materials from A Sacred Art through this season of the church year. We last used them for Advent, and as is likely obvious, I enjoy both the thoughtfulness and quality of this organization’s work. 

Especially for Lent, our theme is: “Tell me Something Good: Grounding Ourselves in the Good News this Lent.” If your brain immediately went to the Chaka Khan and Rufus song by the same name, you aren’t alone! Debi and DH both started singing that song when I told them this title. But this material is actually about the Good News of Jesus, which feels like something we could all benefit from focusing on right now. 

Although scholars have long debated whether the ancient church baptized infants or only adult converts, what they’re sure of is that the ancient church asked adult converts to undergo a long process of preparation for baptism. During this time, they were called “catechumens” in a program of preparation known as the “catechumenate” from which we get our word catechism. Often, Lent was used as a period of preparation for baptism on Easter Sunday, and during this time, catechumens would study the central lessons of Christianity.

 That’s what this Lenten series was crafted to reflect: Those ideas and teachings that are central to Jesus’ life and ministry. As the authors of the series write, these themes are “radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, [and] nonviolence in the face of injustice. At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace - all of which are meant ot be very good news for us all.”

The authors also helpfully point out that “Jesus’ ministry can be described as ‘radical,’ which comes from the Latin word ‘radicalis,’ meaning ‘root’ or ‘ground.’ Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots. Emulating Jesus and his teachings should ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be ‘good news’ people in a world too often burdened by bad news?”

I realize this is a different approach to Lent. Traditionally, this season is relatively devoid of good news and is focused on penitence and self-reflection. It tends to be a quiet season, a time for being still and inviting in silence. I believe all of these practices and feelings are still possible with this worship direction as we, like believers from long ago, learn again the teachings central to Jesus’ ministry again. 

I look forward to worshiping with you through this season. The staff is working on some ways for us to worship that are creative and fresh, even as they remain within our worship style. May we step into Lent with hearts, ears, and eyes open for Christ’s Good News.  - Jillian

SUNDAY WORSHIP

February 8 at 10:45am

Rev. Jillian Hankamer Preaching

Matthew 5:13-20

Stream live here

Order of Worship

Last Sunday's Service

OUR WORSHIP IN SONG



The Opening Hymn: O Radiant Christ, Incarnate Word Commissioned by the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, Ruth Duck's text provides a fitting center for Epiphany celebrations, with its sense of wonder at the incarnation and petition that through Christ's revelation our lives may be changed.



The Middle Hymn: We Have Come at Christ's Own Bidding In his commentary on the text, hymnwriter Carl P. Daw, Jr. describes the "implicit comparision between the attitudes and assumptions of the disciples on the Mount of the Transfiguration and the expectations of present-day Christians as they gather for worship.

The Anthem: O Splendor Bright by Dana Mengel. Ambrose of Milan, 4^th century. Tr. by Robert S. Bridges, 1844-1930, alt.

The Communion Anthem: Jesus My Lord, My Life, My All by Bob Burroughs

The Closing Hymn: O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair This tune was composed in honor of the defeat of France at Agincourt by England under Henry V. The words, Deo gracias..." were added in honor of the English king's wish that the glory for the victory be given to God.

God speaks to us through our lives, we often too easily say. Something speaks anyway, spells out some sort of godly or godforsaken meaning to us through the alphabet of our years, but often it takes many years and many further spellings out before we start to glimpse, or think we do, a little of what that meaning is. Even then we glimpse it only dimly, like the first trace of dawn on the rim of night, even then it is a meaning that we cannot fix and be sure of once and for all because it is always incarnate meaning and thus as alive and changing as we are ourselves alive and changing. - from Listening to Your Life by Frederick Buechner

OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

Marissa Jaquess 14th

Eirinn Hankamer 16th

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

CHURCH LIFE

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION AND INQUIRERS CLASS



Are you a new member of Northminster? Have you been attending here for some time? Do you wish to learn more about us? Next Sunday, February 22 you'll have the opportunity to have all your questions answered! We strongly encourage new members who've never attended to sign up for this class. (Participation in this class is required should you ever choose to serve on the Coordinating Council)

A soup and salad luncheon will be held following worshp and those attending the class can fix their plates and then go into the class with their lunch!

SOUP AND SALAD LUNCHEON

Your hospitality commission is sponsoring a Soup and Salad Luncheon following worship next Sunday, February 22. There are two sign-up sheets in the hall. One sheet is to indicate you plan to attend. The other sheet is for those willing to provide either appetizers, soup, salad, dessert or drinks. Please plan on staying after worship and join us for a great time of food and fellowship!

PUB THEOLOGY

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

LOST EARRING

Mara Loeb is looking for this earring she lost last Sunday. If found, please give it to her or leave it on Renee's desk. Thanks!

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 (Feb. 8 and 22)

Wednesdays

5:30 pm: Craft and Chat

6:30 pm: Choir rehearsal

Sunday, February 22 following worship:

Soup and Salad Luncheon



Sunday, February 22 following worship:

New Member Orientation and Inquirers Class

March 6-7: BYC Spring Planning Retreat

THE FLORAL OFFERING

ARRANGEMENT BY PEGGY BURNS

OF INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY

You and your members, family and friends are invited to a free lecture by one of our members. The lecture is an historical and interfaith exploration of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This will be held at Temple B'nai Israel, 2400 Orell Place, Monroe on Sunday, February 15 at 2 pm. Everyone is invited. For info call:(318) 387-0730.