What a joyful day last Sunday was! From worship to Jeopardy to our first Fall Bash, I loved seeing the fellowship and watching the ways you extended such a warm welcome to so many neighbors from our community.
This Sunday will kick off our stewardship season as we begin a sermon series called In God We Trust. What does it mean to say we trust in God when it comes to money? What narratives shape our money? And how do we as people of faith have healthy and honest relationships with money? This is the season when we ask you to consider giving to the church; however, my hope for these next weeks is so much bigger than that. You don't need a sermon to know that it takes money to fuel to the ministries of this community, but worship these next few weeks will be about more than asking you to give to Northridge. These next few weeks are an invitation to think critically about your relationship with money and how giving money is a spiritual practice, an expression of your soul's deepest longings for this world. I've enjoyed diving into our scriptures and I hope they will open up meaningful questions and insights for you about faith and money.
We'll also celebrate All Saints Day and remember the beloved members of this community who joined the church triumphant in the last year. It promises to be another joy-full Sunday!
With great hope,
Betsy
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- Masks and social distancing are required for indoor gatherings, including worship.
- Masks are not required for outdoor activities, such as 9:00 worship.
- If you are feeling ill or have been exposed, please worship with us through our YouTube channel.
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Reminder: Daylight Savings Time ENDS on Sunday! Set your clocks back
one hour!
Rev. Betsy Lyles Swetenburg will be preaching a sermon titled
In God We Trust: Remember
in preparation for Sunday.
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Recontextualizing Secular Music in Worship
Using secular music in a sacred context is not a new concept. Luther and Wesley did it, and Bach borrowed his own secular melodies in his sacred works. Ralph Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten used folk songs as the basis for their sacred music, as did Pablo Sosa, I-to Loh, David Dargie, and John Bell. Even our beloved Christmas carol “What Child Is This” is sung to the tune “Greensleeves,” which hails from less-than-honorable origins. Still, these examples are far-removed from our contemporary context, relinquishing some of the culture shock of secular song in worship.
A few summers ago, a bluegrass band led us in worship, and we presented “Jesus Walking on the Water,” a secular song with a clearly sacred theme by the American folk rock band Violent Femmes. Many of their songs deal with religious themes, mostly with angst, however this song presents the astonishment of the disciples when Jesus performs one of his most popular miracles.
This Sunday at our 9:00 a.m. outdoor service, we will present “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen. Click THIS LINK to hear the song. This song—which never mentions God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, the bible, communion, or baptism—tells us who is welcome into the singers’ community; the broken, the lost, the outcast. And what is waiting for them in this community? A house, a table, a fire; friends, symbols, love; purpose; courage, stability. This sounds a place where Jesus is the host.
Peace,
Bryan Page
Director of Music
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Advent Wreath Making Event
November 28 at 10:00 AM
Registration Required: $5 cost to help cover supplies
Come to Quillin Hall on November 28 to make an Advent Wreath to take home. In addition to the Advent Wreath supplies, we will provide an inspirational hand out to guide your walk through the Season of Advent at home.
REGISTRATION LINK WILL GO UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK!
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CHURCH DECORATING
Help decorate the church for the season! Contact Laurie Bret to confirm your spot.
- Sunday Nov. 21 immediately after the 11:00 service
- Monday Nov. 29, 9:00–1:00
- Tuesday Nov. 30, 9:00–1:00
- Wednesday Dec. 1, 9:00–1:00
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DONATE GOODS FOR REFUGEES |
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Help Northridge Without Borders support a recent refugee family by donating goods or supplies to furnish one small apartment! Must sign up through link below. We need:
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Dishware
- Linens
- Cleaning supplies
Donate the following times:
- Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9-11 AM
- Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9-11 AM
- Sunday, Nov. 14 after 11:00 worship
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PWIN DAY CIRCLE MEETS TUESDAY |
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If a daytime in-person or virtual meeting is convenient for you, welcome to the Day Circle meeting Tuesday, November 9 at 10:00 AM!
The in-person meeting, with masks and distancing, is at the church. We will also provide the meeting live on Zoom. We meet the second Tuesday of the month. Mary Marcotte will present the lesson; this month we are studying Rahab—quite a story!
Please contact Helen Stevenson with any questions or to be added to the email list, which contains the Zoom link. Join us!
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This is your friendly reminder regarding the Forward by Faith Capital Campaign: If you have not yet paid the 2021 installment on your campaign pledge, please do so as soon as possible!
Thank you,
Co-chairs Cory Barnard and Rob Taylor
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HAPPENING NOW: TWO ADULT CLASSES |
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Flawed Family of God: Stories About the Imperfect Families of Genesis.
Reconciling with Your Siblings as an Adult - Ch. 9
Led by Rev. Betsy Swetenburg
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"Living the Questions"
Nov. 7 - Stories of Creation led by Bill Swart
This class will be using a video-based curriculum that features acclaimed scholars, theologians, and other experts as they seek to study in a new way. On their website, this study is described as "an open-minded alternative to studies that attempt to give participants all the answers and instead strives to create an environment where participants can interact with one another in exploring what’s next for Christianity."
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Bible Study: Tuesdays - 7:30 a.m.
Join us!
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WIRED WORD - Wednesday nights at 7 pm via ZOOM
Christianity and a current event - a group discussion.
Each week, The Wired Word provides resources on a current event.
This week's topic is:
"Many American Young People Say What Matters to Them
Doesn't Seem to Matter to the Church"
An email is sent to those interested. Previous participants don't need to sign up again — they're on the list. Those who would like to join or who would like more information are invited to contact Mike Marcotte.
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New Partnership with IRC
& Northridge Youth
Starting in January, Northridge youth and IRC youth will gather monthly to play games, get to know each other, and learn about various cultures represented. Many of these IRC teens are recent refugees or asylum seekers interested in learning more about their new home's culture. This will be an amazing opportunity for Northridge youth to expand their horizons and for the IRC youth to learn about America and make friends in their new hometown. Learn more about the IRC here: https://www.rescue.org/page/ircs-impact-glance
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NCDC MOMS: BABYSITTERS WANTED! |
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Babysitters Needed!
NCDC moms are in need of babysitters! Many of you may be able to help. We just need to prepare a list and share it with the NCDC families. Please contact Cindy George with your name, age (12 and up), and contact information.
If you are restricting yourself to certain age groups, number of kids, times of day, etc., please include that in your email, as well as whether you can provide your own transportation. Respond by November 15. Thanks for your participation!
-Cindy George, NCDC Chair
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NOV. 16: GUEST ARTIST AT NORTHRIDGE |
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The Engagement & Connection Committee is pleased to announce a complimentary art lecture and demonstration: Associated Creative Artists (ACA), the longest running fine arts group in Dallas, will meet on November 16 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. in Quillin Hall. Guest artist is the acclaimed Clinton Broyles, and all of Northridge is invited.
The ACA invites well-known professional artists to do a demonstration painting during their monthly meetings. No sign-up is required.
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Looking for ways to plug in at Northridge? There are many small groups that meet regularly with a variety of focuses including thoughtful discussions, an afternoon or morning of pickleball, or an evening of purely social connection.
If you're interested in joining an existing small group or forming a totally new one, please contact Kim Shuler with the Engagement & Connection Committee to see how you can connect on a whole new level at Northridge.
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NORTHRIDGE HEROES: DENNIS DELAUNE |
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A resident of Lakewood since 2000 and a member of Northridge since 2010, Dennis Delaune is no doubt a familiar face. "From the time we joined, we have felt like the Northridge congregation was extended family," he says.
Dennis is known to help in many capacities, including VBS decorations, Fourth of July floats, landscaping care with Debi Ellis and Candy Haynes, Sunday school teacher, deacon, administration committee member, and NWB volunteer.
Thank you, Dennis, for all that you do!
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REV. DEANNA HOLLAS AT CAMP GILMONT |
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REV. DEANNA HOLLAS at
CAMP GILMONT, DEC. 3-5
Rev. Deanna Hollas, who interned with Northridge several years ago, will be leading a retreat at Camp Gilmont in East Texas this December.
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