Thursday, April 25, 2024

Celebrating 35 Years of Ministry: 1989 - 2024

Like me, I’m sure you have followed the developments in Gaza with horror. And like me, I’m sure some of you have hesitated to say anything out of the uneasiness of not wanting to misstep or be insensitive due to a lack of understanding. The last thing needed in this situation is more “White Saviors” thinking we know what’s best.

Perhaps for some, this issue is so political and politicized that it doesn’t belong at church. To a certain extent I agree - the evangelical bent toward unswerving support of Israel strikes me as deeply problematic. But at the same time, as I’ve said before, I believe politics not partisanism belongs at church because Jesus himself was political. 

But in the last few weeks what I’ve come to see is that what’s truly at issue in Gaza is the loss of life. People are dying and it isn’t Anti-Semitic or Pro-Palestinian to say that such deaths are unnecessary. It isn’t choosing sides to say that Hamas and the IDF have committed terrible acts of violence. It isn’t wrong to condemn bombings and drone strikes that not only end lives, but destroy peoples’ homes, workplaces, infrastructure, and their ability to live without being terrified from moment to moment. It isn’t unpatriotic to have serious questions about our government’s support of one side of this war over the other. Because even if you do think such continued support is right, it should be clear to all of us by now that there are no winners in this situation. Right and wrong are steeped in shades of grey and bogged down by decades of tit-for-tat retaliation.  

The situation in Gaza is not ours nor our government’s to “fix.” Even if such a thing were possible, such an attitude smacks of colonization. No, I believe our responsibility is to be instruments of peace - praying for a total end to the violence in Gaza, seeking out ways to support peacekeeping and reconciliation efforts, and demanding that our elected officials pursue legislation and policies that support both sides of the conflict equally and fairly. 

To conclude, let’s all remember the prayer of St. Francis which is always timely but is particularly prescient now:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

-St. Francis of Assisi

Opening Hymn: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling This hymn is said to have been suggested by a "Song of Venus" from Dryden's King Arthur. It is one of 6,500 written by Charles Wesley, the "sweet singer of Methodism," who was skilled at interweaving literary and scriptural images.

Middle Hymn: Through All the World, a Hungry Christ Shirley Erena Murray's text addresses "the Christ presence in the victims of the world, including the differently abled and AIDS sufferers." Calvin Hampton's innovative time if named for Vernon De Tar, organist and retired faculty member of The Julliard School of Music. He served as music director at Calvary/St. Georg's Episcopal Parish in New York City.

Anthem: If You Love Me by John Ness Beck.

The Communion Anthem: He Comes to Us by Jane Marshall. Text b y Albert Schweitzer; from "The Quest of the Historical Jesus."

Closing Hymn: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love This African folk melody was presented to the Church at Chereponi, Northern Ghana, by Ghanaian musicologist, A. A. Mensah, when United Church of Christ missionaries, Al and Sue Krass were serving there. Like Tom Colvin, a Scottish missionary in neighboring Tamale, Al Krass was encouraging the making of hymns to indigenous melodies. Tom Colvin wrote these words to this adapted form of the melody in dedication to the Church at Chereponi.

We Celebrate with...

Mark Wilson (28th)

Ormara Nolla (28th)

Jim Files (2nd)

Judy Gaddy (2nd)

as they celebrates their birthdays

Youth Lock-In

Our youth will hold a "Lock-In" on Saturday, May 4 beginning at 7pm through Worship on Sunday, May 5, Text Jennifer Kimble Keen to register or for more information at 318-307-6716.

Youth Cabbage Ball Tourney and Pie Face Fundraisers Saturday, May 18!

Youth Group Meals

Our youth meet every Sunday at 5:00. We would like to offer them a light meal. If you would like to help provide a meal click the link to sign up. They love easy meals. Some suggestions are tacos, spaghetti, chili, sandwiches and pizza! Please review the available slots by clicking on the button to sign up. Dates will be added as planning continues. Thank you! We typically have between 10-15 youth and adults. Please call or text Jennifer Kimble-Keen (318-307-6716) with any questions! 

 YOUTH MEALS SIGNUP

BOOK CLUB TONIGHT

Our next book is New York Times Bestseller "First Lie Wins" by North Louisiana native, Ashley Elston. Potluck and discussion will be Thursday April 25 at 6pm in the home of Debi Chandler.

2nd Annual NMC Fish Fry



Sunday, May 5 at 4:30 at the home of Beth and Damon Mayfield. (158 Blue Iris Lane, Calhoun. Use Pine Hills Drive in your GPS). Bring your lawn chairs and your fishing poles. (You don't have to catch any to eat!) Please sign up so we can be sure to have plenty of food. Fish is provided. There is a sign up sheet for frozen French fries, appetizers, salads/slaw, drinks, and desserts. You can text Beth at 318-348-2529 for more information.

Graduation Sunday



Northminster has three upcoming college graduates we will celebrate on Sunday, May 5! All three are choral scholars in our choir. Sara Talmage will graduate with a degree in Music Theory and Composition and she has received a graduate assistantship at the University of North Texas to pursue her masters in music theory. Preston Anderson is graduating with a degree in Vocal Performance and will spend the next year pursuing his career and possibly begin a master's program. LeAnn Hammons degree will be in Psychology with a music minor. She is hoping to go to get into graduate school in North Carolina.

Sarah Talmage

Preston Anderson

LeAnn Hammons

PUB THEOLOGY

Thursday, May 20 at 7pm at The Fat Pelican!

CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF

JUDY EDINGTON

On Saturday, April 27 at 4pm Northminster Church will hold a Celebration of the Life of Judy Edington. A reception will be held following the service in the Narthex.

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHURCH PROPERTY

New pictures on a beautiful day with our roses in full bloom!

APRIL MISSION EMPHASIS:

THE FOOD BANK

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is a non-profit hunger-relief organization that provides food, advocacy, education, and disaster response to the 12 parishes of Northeast Louisiana. Through its network of partners and programs, the Food Bank serves nearly 25,000 people monthly across Northeast Louisiana. Needs: Peanut Butter (plastic jars only), Beans (dry or canned), Canned Meats/Seafood (tuna, salmon, chicken, ham), Meals in a box/can (chili, mac & cheese, stew), Rice and Pasta (box or bag), Boxed Cereal, Canned fruits and vegetables, Canned soups, Pop-Top food items (spaghetti-o’s, soups) . PLEASE NO GLASS CONTAINERS. Other needs: Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels), Personal care items (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bath soap)

Arranged by Ellen Prather and Laura Duke

The floral offerings were given in honor or Eduardo and Queen Gonzalez

CHORAL SCHOLAR PRESENT RECITAL