May 7, 2026

This blessing is from one of my favorite writers, Jan Richardson. She writes this about the blessing, “in this season of resurrection [this is] a blessing that has plenty of space in it, and room enough to welcome us all.”

Blessing with Many Rooms

As you step inside

this blessing,

we wish to tell you

it is large enough

for you to lie down in.

Or (though it may not look it,

small as it is upon this page)

you can curl up

in this blessing

with a cup of tea

and a good book

beside the window—

here, just behind you—

that faces east.

Likewise it is true,

though you might not have

paused long enough

to notice,

that this blessing

is big enough

for a table—

quite a sizeable one

can be accommodated—

where your guests

will want to linger

far into the night.

And if they desire to stay,

you will find that

through this door—

you did not see it before?—

there are rooms in plenty

where they can

lay their heads

and stretch out with abandon

in their dreaming sleep.

One room,

many rooms—

in this blessing

it is all the same.

The point is that

there is space

Enough:

enough to make

a life, a home;

enough to make

a world;

enough to make

your way toward

the One who has made

this way for you.

—Jan Richardson

from How the Stars Get in Your Bones: A Book of Blessings

SUNDAY WORSHIP

May 10 at 10:45am

Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaching

John 14:15-21

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OUR WORSHIP IN SONG



The Opening Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy This hymn by Reginald Heber was published in a book of hymns for Banbury Parish Church in England. Nicaea, one of nearly 300 tunes by John Dykes, was named for the famous council that defined the doctrine of the Trinity.



The Middle Hymn: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness This popular hymn by songwriter James Manley grew out of a sabbatical leave at the School of Theology at Claremont, CA. It was first sung at Waiokeola Congregational Church in Honolulu, after which Manley added the fourth stanza at the suggestion of a church member.

The Anthem: Breath on Me, Breath of God by Chaz Bowers and words by Edwin Hatch 1835 – 1889, alt.

The Communion Anthem: If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments taken from John 14:15-17 and written by Thomas Tallis.

The Closing Hymn: Come Now, Almighty God This anonymous English hymn to the Trinity was first published in George Whitefield's Collection, 1757. This tune was composed especially for this text by Giardini, who was a brilliant violinist.

The earliest reference to the Resurrection is Saint Paul's and he makes no mention of an empty tomb at all. But the fact of the matter is that in a way it hardly matters how the body of Jesus came to be missing because in the last analysis what convinced the people that he had risen from the dead was not the absence of his corpse but his living presence. And so it has been ever since.

OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

Jillian Hankamer 15th

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

NEW T-SHIRTS FOR SALE BY YOUTH

The youth are offering new Northminster t-shirts for $25. You have your choice of phrase and color you would like on the shirt.

Colors are: Black, Sage, Light Blue, Gray.

Phrases include:

A. Come As You Are, Leave Transformed

B. Find Your Tribe, Find Your Purpose

C. Embrace Grace, Embrace Community

D. Hope, Healing, & Community

E. Stronger Together, Growing in Faith

There is a sign-up sheet on the hall table where you indicate your preferences.

CHURCH LIFE

SUNDAY, MAY 10: GRADUATE RECOGNITION

Our graduates will be recognized in our Sunday service this week. Graduating are:

Kaylee Grassi is graduating from ULM with a bachelor's degree in Social Work. She was awarded the Outstanding Graduate in Social Work award and the Outstanding Impact on Society Award from the College of Business and Social Sciences. Kaylee will attend Ball State University in Indiana in the fall to work on her Masters Degree in Social Work. She plans to be a school social worker. 

Norris Duke graduates from West Ouachita High School. He received the 30 plus award for the ACT. He was voted "Most Likely to Change the World" and "Most Likely to become a Millionaire " by his peers. He will attend Louisiana Tech University in the fall majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security. 

Emmy Grassi graduates from West Monroe High School. She plans to go to Aesthetician School in the fall.

PUB THEOLOGY

Pub Theology is held the third Thursday of each month at a location TBD.

COMING UP

Arrangement by Marilyn Decker