Thursday, September 18, 2025

Normally, crumbs all over the floor would be a problem. A mess to be cleaned up. The indication of poor table manners. A general lack of tidiness. 

At Northminster, crumbs all over the floor mean that we’ve had church. That we’ve worshiped God together. And that we’ve gathered at Christ’s table to share a simple, singularly important meal. 

I’ve been in church my whole life, and this is the first congregation I’ve experienced that celebrates communion weekly. But we don’t just “celebrate” communion; it is the heart of our worship. The center that holds everything together. No one part of the worship service is more important than another—at least if you’re engaging in thoughtful, holistic worship—but these days, I would be hard-pressed to feel like I’ve worshiped fully without communion. It feels like a touchstone. A centering space, time, and physical practice that I rarely find. 

I take such joy in the rhythm of our communion celebration. I know who crosses themselves before they partake, which kids don’t drink the grape juice, who amongst our regulars needs a gluten-free wafer, and which server gives the biggest pieces of bread (Chels King. It’s always Chels King.) I am honored to serve at Christ’s table every week and often get so caught up in the almost tangible sacredness of the moment that I fail to pay attention and leave our cup servers waiting for a full tray! 

I think rather than being the “gay church” or the “liberal church” or any other silly descriptor people would like to pin on us, in reality, we’re the “communion church.” Or the “crumbs on the floor” church. The “open table” church. The “our communion bread is better than yours” church. Okay, maybe that last one isn’t the stance to take, but I do think we owe our Founders a debt of gratitude for making communion part of our weekly worship. What foresight they had. What a sense of community. What a gift to all of us who call Northminster our church home. 

On Sunday, we will gather once again around Christ’s table. I can’t wait to celebrate with you. I can’t wait to see the crumbs on the floor. Jillian

Sunday, September 21 at 10:45 am

Rev. Jillian Hankamer Preaching

Matthew 5:1-9

The Opening Hymn: Praise to the Living God Curtis Beach, born into a family of several generations of ministers, was educated at Harvard, the Boston University School of Theology, and the University of Southern California. A minister in the United Church of Christ, Beach authored The Gospel of Mark: Its Making and Meaning.

The Middle Hymn: Spirit of Love Originally titled "Weaver Spirit," this text was written for the World Council of Churches Assembly at Canberra. It addressed one of the themes of that meeting - "Come, Holy Spirit Reconcile Your People."



The Anthem: Blessed Are You by Craig Courtney.

The Communion Anthem: Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit arranged by K. Lee Scott.

The Closing Hymn: There's a Wideness in God's Mercy Of Huguenot Protestant ancestry, Frederick Williams Faber was influenced by the Oxford Movement and eventually became a Catholic priest. He wrote 150 hymns to correspond to the number of psalms.

Praise the living God who sings,

pulsing through created things,

harmonizing nature's arts,

voicing hope in human hearts!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

God's eternal anthem rings!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Tell the nations God still sings!

Celebrate creation's God!

Magnify redemption's Lord!

Praise the Spirit's power to bring

understanding as we sing!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Wake the woodwinds, pipes, and strings!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Join the anthem, God still sings!

-David A. Robb

To My Dear Northminster Family,

Thank you! Thank you for your prayers, cards, texts, and calls during the most difficult months of my life. I felt you with me. God is working His purpose out in my life and I look forward to loving, sharing, and worshiping with you for many years to come.



My favorite Bible verses are Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Many dark and lonely days passed by very slowly, but I came to understand the verses in Psalms, Joy cometh in the morning. If not, life would not be worth living, but it is! May the peace, hope, and mercy of Christ surround us all and lead us together through this thing called "life." Debi

Holden Fisher (18th)

Joyce Files (19th)

Paulette Cappel (20th)

CUBAN FRIENDS CELEBRATE 60^TH

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

This past Friday, September 12 our dear friends Rev. Noel Fernandez and his wife Ormara Nolla celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary. Noel of course, is the founding pastor and now pastor emeritus of Northminster’s partner church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, and Ormara is also a founding member and very active leader in the church. Their 60^th anniversary celebration was held on September 12 at 7:00 in the morning at Enmanuel in a service of celebration followed by a big breakfast. That time was chosen because it was at 7:00 in the morning on Sunday, September 12, 1965, that Noel and Ormara were married in the First Baptist Church of Ciego de Avila. This allowed them then to attend Sunday School and worship!

At the time of their wedding, Ormara was an active member of FBC Ciego de Avila, where her grandmother and mother were also devoted members. A few years later, Ormara was expelled from membership at the church because she disagreed with the pastor on his interpretation of a scripture passage. Our kind of person! Interestingly, Noel and Ormara now live in an apartment about a half a block from First Baptist. They are also within easy walking distance from Enmanuel.

We celebrate this milestone with Noel and Ormara and wish them many more years of marital bliss!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

We have a wonderful problem! Due to an increase in children in the nursery during worship we need an additional adult in the nursery. We are seeking volunteers to rotate nursery duty. There will be an orientation meeting in October (TBA). We will go over expectations, responsibilities, and safety procedures. Parents of young children are also welcome to attend to ask questions and provide feedback. Please sign up if you plan to attend. You know where to find the sheet outside of Jillian's office! For more information contact Beth Mayfield or Ann Aro.

POTLUCK AND BUSINESS MEETING SUNDAY

Join us Sunday, September 21 at 6pm for potluck followed by our Business Meeting at 7pm.

SHORT MEETING SUNDAY

On Sunday, September 21, following worship, the Racial Justice Group will hold a short meeting.

MEMBER SUGGESTTIONS FOR

COORDINATING COUNCIL POSITIONS

Fall is here and the time of election for new Coordinating Council members is drawing near. Our Nominating Committee, consisting of the three Coordinating Council members who rotate off at the end of this year and the three who rotated off last year will be meeting soon to develop a list of 6 nominees from which 3 new members will be elected during our November business meeting. As per our Bylaws, active members may submit names to the Nominating Committee for consideration. Nominees must have been active members for at least two years AND have agreed to be considered for the position. This coming Sunday there will be nominating slips available in the Narthex if anyone wishes to submit a name(s) for consideration. The Nominating Committee will accept names for the next three Sundays, ending on September 28. Place your nominating slip in the offering plate to be collected.

NORTHMINSTER'S FALL FOLLIES

"A Talent Show"

SIGN UP NOW!!

Do you sing, dance, play an instrument, compose or read poetry, like doing short skits? If so, then Northminster is the place to be on Sunday, September 28 at 6pm!

Don't miss this delightfully entertaining occasion! If you are interested in being in the show, there is a sign-up sheet in the hall. We want YOU!!

NORTHMINSTER HOSTS OPERA

On Friday October 24 at 7 PM and Saturday October 25 at 7 PM we will host Justin Havard as he brings the opera, Rusalka by Antonin Dvorak to Northminster. The opera is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid (the sad one where she doesn’t get the guy at the end). Our version is a cutting in English, and it’s approximately 90 min long.

Tickets will be $20 for adults and free for all students and children. ULM will handle ticket sales and admission for the nights of the performances. We use an online ticketing website called eventbrite.com (free tickets are usually claimed in person at our ULM VAPA office), and profits are split with the children's museum. 

PUB THEOLOGY TONIGHT

Northminster's Pub Theology meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Fat Pelican at 7pm.

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

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

Sunday, Sept. 21 following worship: Short Racial Justice meeting and after church fellowship

Sunday, Sept. 21 at 6pm: Potluck followed at 7pm by Business Meeting

Sunday, Sept. 28: Covenant Sunday

Sunday, Sept. 28 at 6pm: Fall Follies

The Floral Offering

The floral offering was given to the glory of God

Arrangement by Susan Curry