"The Lord is my Shepherd" - for many of us this is a romanticized image that perhaps reminds us of movie scenes from the English countryside - maybe even from Babe. A shepherd, a dog, and a flock working in harmony. I have a friend who retired from full time academic work and with her spouse bought a farm where they raise a flock of sheep and goats. It is both as romantic, and as much work, as you might think. The term pastoral of course is derived from the shepherd and sheep metaphor. The shepherd is a pastor to the flock.

As we make our way toward Holy Week and Easter, these Psalms are our companions in our reLENTless journey. We've been conditioned to think that being religious or spiritual means trying harder. Our 12 Step friends know this isn't the case - it's not about will power and effort so much as the need to acknowledge that we can't work our way toward health and wholeness. At some point we need to release ourselves into the arms of a loving and benevolent force beyond ourselves and TRUST. 

How can we open our hearts to the ways that God is seeking to bless us through others, and others through us? We hear there is a table prepared in the presence of our adversaries. We also hear Jesus call us to love our adversaries and bless those who persecute us. The Table where God welcomes us is the table where we are called to welcome all. What stands in the way of our setting a simple, humble, and welcoming table?

Northway is literally and figuratively helping building tables of welcome, both on our campus and in the community. As we look at our Master Planning process, this is the goal - to ensure our campus offers tables of welcome. How do our facilities and grounds help you move in love, opening your heart and life to others so that together we might experience God's fullness? Our Community Garden and Be the Neighbor initiatives are two of the latest ways that we are making room at the table and learning together. We are developing new fellowship and study opportunities that offer new tables to those present and those yet to arrive. 

Where can you offer space at the table? Where do you need and long for a seat? Together let us imagine what God might do to bring the full hope and promise of Psalm 23 into our congregation and community.

Rev. Dr. Ken G. Crawford

Minister of MIssion, Innovation and Operations

Sunday, March 26

9:00 am in F-101

The architects from

OMNIPLAN will be in attendance at a town hall meeting to be held Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 9:00 am

in the fellowship hall.

Sunday, March 26

4:00 pm on Zoom

Contact: Donna Schmidt

for more information

Do you enjoy conversation and connecting with others? How would you like to be a part of a new Connections Group at Northway? We're looking for people who would like to help by making phone calls to members and visitors periodically throughout the year, to share the news about upcoming activities at Northway. If this sounds like something you'd like to learn more about, please join us for an informational Zoom meeting on Sunday, March 26.

Monday, March 27

6:30 pm in F-102 & on Zoom

All Northway Board Meetings are open to congregants, unless otherwise noted.



This meeting is hybrid and will take place in F-102 and also on Zoom.

Learn more here.

Copies of the approved minutes from the prior month’s Board Meeting will be available at the Welcome Center each month.

Saturday, April 1

8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Join your Property Ministry for an all-church spring cleaning day.

Come early or come late! No matter what time you get here, regardless of your skill set, even if you want to bring the kids - we need YOU. Please come and serve with us.

We'll be planting flowers, sprucing up, polishing wood, and decluttering. There will be a lot of opportunities to help out.

Lily Dedications

Due by April 3

Now through April 3, you have the opportunity to submit a lily dedication in honor or memory of a loved one.

Lily dedications are $10 each.

A list of dedications will be included in the worship guide on Easter Sunday.

To submit a dedication, you may use the online form here, or fill out a paper form if you prefer, which is available in the Narthex. You may also contact the church office if you need assistance.

Mark your calendar for these events and watch for details

 to be shared soon.

4/2 Fellowship Potluck Lunch

4/29 Carter Blood Drive

5/4 Nat'l Day of Prayer Lunch

5/20 Women's Brunch

6/12-16 Vacation Bible School

7/17-22 Youth Mission Trip

Do you have questions about an event? Email us or call

214-361-6641.

Hey Parents! If you'd like to keep up with Northway's activities for children and youth, you'll want to click here to check out our "Parent Connection" newsletter.

If you're not receiving this weekly email, but would like to, send us a note.