April 16, 2026

"Laughing Matters"


In times like these, we need to arm ourselves with the most effective weapon to defend from us from despair. That weapon is laughter, the first casualty of war.

Nathan Lane sang this song from the Broadway production of "When Pigs Fly" written by Dick Gallagher and Mark Waldrop on his last appearance on Stephen's Colbert late night show.

Meanwhile, even without the clarion tone of Colbert's nightly soliloquy, may laughter ring on:


Laughing Matters


Live at Five and CNN

keep us all abreast

of breaking stories that can tend

to make us anxious and depressed.

Problems with no answers

hang on like some chronic cough.

And every day some brand new issue

rears it's head to piss you off.


Bad guys win.

Optimism's wearing thin.

Things are spinning out of control.

Cynicism's all the fad.

World events could make us mad

as hatters.

Almost every day

some underpinning slips away.

These aren't laughing matters.


Time bombs tick.

People keep on getting sick.

And a nickel's not worth a cent.

Wickedness and greed abound.

Just as peace is gaining ground

it shatters.

Hate is here to stay,

and justice goes to those who pay.

Friend, these aren't laughing matters.


The truth is scarier by far

than anything that Stephen King could write.

The stories in the paper are

the daily small decline and fall

spelled out in black and white.


Oh, what to do, what to do?

how to take a brighter view

when your noodle's totally fried.

Human spirits need to be

leavened by a little levity.

So take those blues

and bounce them off the wall.

Keep your humor please,

'cause don't you know in times like these that

laughing matters most of all.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

April 19 at 10:45am

Rev. Dr. Darrell Cluck preaching

Zombies, Vampires, and Jesus

John 6:56-69

CLICK HERE

to stream this Sunday's service live

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to see the Order of Worship

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to stream last week's service

MUSIC MINISTRY

OUR WORSHIP IN SONG



The Opening Hymn: Rejoice, You Pure in Heart This hymn, inspired by Philippians 4:4, was written for the Choral Festival held at Peterborough Cathedral in England. The author was an Anglican priest and a professor of theology at Oxford University.



The Middle Hymn: O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing The hymn is a cento from a longer poem of eighteen stanzas written by Charles Wesley on the first anniversary of his conversion,. The present form of the hymn is one edited by John Wesley for The Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780.


The Anthem: A Jubilent Song by Allen Pote and based on Psalm 90, 96.


The Communion Anthem: Near to the Heart of God by Ralph Manuel. Text by Cleveland McAfee.



The Closing Hymn: Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us The theme of Christ as shepherd is familiar and beloved to Christians. Emma Lyons Doyle, grandddaughter of Lorenzo Lyons once said, "If you want to know the full beauty of this hymn, hear it sung in Hawaiian."

To show mercy is to step into someone elses pain and refuse to let their failure define the...iit is not pretending wrongs didn't happen, it is choosing compassion over retaliation. Mercy does not erase truth, but it wraps truth in grace-the ones who truly understand grace, who know what it feels like to be forgiven are the first to extend it. But it is easy to accept grace from God and withhold it from others. Mercy is contagious and extending it breaks open the soul so grace can come in. Show Mercy, receive grace!

OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

Family of Mary Sandow

Ellen Prather

Fred Loeb, brother of Mara Loeb

Elizabeth Loeb, sister of Mara Loeb

Marques Tate, son of Monique Tate

Mary Delancy, Carol Ann Tubbs,

Pat Hayes, Conrad Rispoli,

Anita Breen, Paulette Cappel

Family of JoeAnn Hawsey Henderson, grandmother of Traci Stephens

Bobby Stapleton, family of Hannah Clark

Debra Blackman, sister of Gail BlackmanI

Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel, our partner church in Ciego de Avila, Cuba

Rachael Brewster 20th

Ann Aro 22nd

Camille Peterson 23rd

Olivia Perkins (Chandler) 24th

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

CHURCH LIFE

DATE CHANGE

Due to the Alliance Gathering next week, Pub Theology has been pushed to March 23 at 7pm at Melvyns. Join us!

The Bayou Masterworks Chorale presents "Turn the World Around" at Northminster Church on On Monday, April 20 at 7pm. The chorale is directed by Dr. Deborah Changler and includes many Norrthminster choir members. This even is free and donations are accepted.

On Tuesday, April 21 at 5:30 pm the students of the National Association of Teachers of Singing will present a fundraising concert at Northminster. Join us for this showcase of very talented individuals!

COMING UP

This Sunday

9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am - Sunday School

10:45 am - Preludes

11:00 am - Worship Service


Wednesdays

5:30 pm: Craft and Chat

6:30 pm: Choir rehearsal


Monday, April 20 at 7pm: Bayou Masterworks Choral


Tuesday, April 21 at 5:30pm: SNATS Fundraising Concert


Friday, April 24 from 7-9pm: Youth Dinner and Silent Auction

MISSIONS OF NORTHMINSTER

THE FLORAL OFFERINGS

Arrangements by Peggy Burns

OF INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY

10TH ANNUAL EMPTY BOWLS EVENT
Over the past 9 years, the Empty Bowls event has raised funds to provide over 1.5 million meals to local children, families and seniors who were facing hunger. What an incredible impact made possible by artists, restaurants, musicians, sponsors, community members and YOU! Thank you for being a part of this amazing effort.
Tickets are now available, including a limited number of VIP tickets that provide early entry at 10:30. We're also offering a pre-sale for t-shirts as an add-on option with your ticket purchase. If you or your business is interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to me for details.
This year, we will be back at the Monroe Civic Center Arena, with plenty of space for the best food, art and music in town. All guests will enjoy a tasting of delicious food & beverages from local restaurants, live music, kid’s activities, photo booth and more. 

We hope you will join us on Saturday, May 30th, 2025 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (or 10:30 if you get a VIP ticket!), at the Monroe Civic Center Arena. Make sure to order your tickets before they sell out!

GET TICKETS

Click Here if you can’t attend but would like to make a donation.

Giving to Northminster

If you have found a space of community, or healing, or hope at Northminster and believe in the work we are doing, please consider supporting us financially so that we will be able to continue creating spaces like this in all the days to come. Just click here, or scan the QR code with the camera on your phone.

Find Us

Northminster Church is located at:


2701 Lamy Lane

Monroe, LA 71201

318-388-3717

office@northmin.org


Church Office Hours:

Monday -Thursday 9 am to 4 pm

Closed Friday

Northminster Website

Our YouTube Channel

The Northminster Podcast

Our Instagram Page

State of Belief 


Our Facebook Page


Vocal Vibes

by Dr. Deborah Chandler,

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