November 26, 2025

SUNDAY IS THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

HANGING OF THE GREENS

Please plan to join us in worship this coming Sunday as we celebrate the first Sunday in Advent with our now traditional “Hanging of the Greens” service. The service is a festive time as we celebrate the various traditions of the Christmas season. The timely theme for Advent this year at Northminster is “What do you fear? Insisting on hope this Advent.” Rev. Hankamer’s sermon title for Sunday is “We Long for God to Break In”.

Of course, on Sunday we will light the first candle of Advent, the candle of Hope. Advent is the Christian season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas. It’s also a time for reflection and hopeful anticipation of Christ’s presence in our lives. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts for four weeks, each often focusing on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. 

Be in worship on Sunday as we begin rejecting fear with hope.

Sunday School

Beginning this Sunday (Advent I) we have two new Sunday School classes to choose from!

CLASS 1:

READING THE BIBLE AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME

On Sunday our Bible study class will begin the study of Marcus Borg’s book Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but not Literally.

This from the book’s publisher: “Many inside and outside organized religion are searching for an enlightened, contemporary way to be believers and to appreciate the profound richness of the Bible. In this groundbreaking work, leading biblical expert Marcus Borg offers a bold new understanding of scripture that respects both tradition and reality, blending the best of biblical scholarship with a profound concern for authentic faith and how it can be lived today.”

All are welcome to join us in this study. We have books available. We promise this book will transform your view of the Bible and remind you, or maybe convince you, of the Bible’s richness and importance to our lives.

CLASS 2:

CHILDREN / YOUTH / ADULTS

Starting the first Sunday of Advent - November 30 - you will have a special opportunity to get to know our youth and kids better during the Sunday School hour. 

We will be offering an Intergenerational Sunday School class for the four weeks of Advent that will be available to all adults and kids/youth.

This intergenerational class will be taking place in the large classroom, and our kids’ teachers will be helping with its leadership. Join us to celebrate Advent and learn together.  

November 30 at 10:45 am

Hanging of the Greens

Rev. Jillian Hankamer Preaching

We Long for God to Break In

Luke 1:5-13

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To Stream This Week's Service

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To View Order of Worship

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To Stream Last Week's Service

The Opening Hymn: O How Shall I Receive You As a German Lutherian pastor serving during the Thirty Years' War, Paul Gerhardt's trials were legion. In the midst of it all, he composed more than a hundred hymns, among them some of the finest and most beloved in Christian hymnody.

The Carols: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - Marks. Sung by Justin Havard. Lo, How a Rose E;'re Blooming set to the tune ES IST EIN' ROS. O Christmas Tree!, a traditional German Carol, The First Noel by Dan Forrest

The Communion Anthem: In the Bleak Midwinter by Gustav Hoist and arranged by Gwyneth Walker. Text by Christina Rossetti



The Closing Hymn: Joy to the World Issac Watts, an English Congregationalist, freely paraphrased Old Testament psalms to glorify Christ and here develops a hymn of advent and nativity from a psalm.

Joye Young (26th)

Patren Spicer(27th)

Kirk Fisher (29th)

Jen Farmer (3rd)

Will Sumner (3rd)

Jeff Sebastian (5th)

PASSING OF NORTHMINSTER CHARTER MEMBER,

KAY SOUTHERN



It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved charter member, Kay Southern, on November 24. Kay was not just a founding member of Northminster; she was a beacon of hope and a pioneer whose unwavering spirit was instrumental in the establishment of our church. As we transitioned from Parkview Baptist, Kay opened her home to host our first gatherings, exemplifying her commitment to nurturing community.

Her profound impact extended far beyond the walls of our church; she single-handedly purchased and transformed a DeSiard Street building into the DeSiard Steet Shelter, (now the Renewal Center of NELA located at 722 Adams St.) demonstrating her relentless dedication to those in need. For years, she funded this initiative out of her own pocket, driven by a selfless desire to serve rather than seeking recognition or support from external entities. Kay believed in helping others on her own terms, providing love and guidance to those striving to reclaim their lives. Her legacy is a testament to the values we hold dear at Northminster—compassion, inclusion, and unwavering support for the marginalized. As we reflect on her extraordinary life, let us honor Kay's spirit by continuing to embody her commitment to love and service within our community.



Service information is incomplete at the time of this publication but will be handled through Mulhearn Funeral Home.

NEW REIMBURSEMENT FORM



We now have a new reimbursement form to be used by anyone who incurs personal expenditures for church activities. You must fill out the form with details of what, when, who, how much, and attach a receipt for documentation of the purchase. The forms are located in the church office on the bottom shelf of the bookcase on the left by the door. The form is necessary for our treasurer if you require reimbursement of monies spent, a record of in-kind gifts or want a record of any gifts posted to your individual giving logs. Our treasurer sends out giving summaries to each member at the end of the year for tax purposes. Thank you for your cooperation in using these forms.

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, November 30: 1st Sunday of Advent; Hanging of the Greens

Monday, December 15 at 7pm: Messiah

Wednesday, December 17: Choir and Children go Caroling

Sunday, December 21 at 6pm: Chili Supper at the church

Wednesday, December 24 at 6pm: Christmas Eve Service

NOVEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS



TURN IN DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 3

• Provide at least one full clothing outfit, shoes, a coat and at least one toy from their wish list. ($100-$150)
• Do not include gift cards.
• Do not wrap gifts. All items are to be placed in a bag with the child's wish list included in the bag.
• DO NOT BRING ITEMS TO THE CHURCH
• Items are due at the Center for Children and Families by Wednesday, December 3. Located at 622 Riverside Dr. in Monroe.

The Floral Offering

Given to the glory of God

and in loving memory of

Bill and Florene Alley

By Jo Ann Alle

Arrangement by Susan Curry

Join us on Friday, December 5th from 5:00 - 7:00 in the home of Barbara Thompson as she invites you to a festive Christmas Party and show of handmade items by local artists:

Mara Loeb - Jewelry

Dianne Rizzo - Paintings

Cally Hyams - Calyco Creations

Billie Barringer - Paintings

804 Eason Place, Monroe