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This Sunday is World Communion Sunday, a celebration of Christian unity around the world. World Communion Sunday was started by Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh as a way to demonstrate the interconnectedness of Christians regardless of denomination. I always enjoy World Communion Sunday, but it feels especially timely and poignant this year. This week has been full of despair with Hurricane Ian ravaging communities, yet another school shooting, continued warfare in Ukraine, and that doesn’t even begin to get at the personal despair and grief that accompanies diagnoses, worry for parents and children, the end of life, and more. There is no shortage of despair this week.
What a gift it is to join with others around the world in the sacrament of communion in a week where the reality of despair is on full display. No matter what despair you’re carrying, I hope you’ll come on Sunday and rest in the assurance that we do not suffer alone. Our faith connects us to communities near and far.
At 10:00 a.m., we’ll continue our Connection Hour discussion. Last week, we discussed what enriches our faith and heard about what has helped people feel rooted in faith. Outside of Quillin Hall, there is a display where you can see some of the feedback from these weekly conversations. If you pass by on Sunday, you’ll see the breadth of practices and experiences that members of this community find enriching.
This Sunday, we’ll discuss empowerment. I hope you’ll click the button below and take a few minutes to respond to some questions about how your faith empowers you. The responses will help guide Sunday’s conversation. And, as we consider how faith empowers us to live in the world, I hope you’ll check out the information about Northridge Serves Day on November 6. You’ll receive more information about how to register for this new event on Sunday, but in the meantime, we’re packing the pews each week with supplies that we’ll use to serve our mission partners. You can find the list of needed supplies on our Amazon wishlist here, or you can drop supplies in the narthex through the month of October.
I hope to see you on Sunday!
Betsy
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Join us for 9:00 a.m. outdoor worship in the lower parking lot or 11:00 a.m. traditional worship in the sanctuary.
Worship with us in person or online
(click button below).
Rev. Betsy Swetenburg will preach
a sermon entitled
"The Way of Jesus: Empowered to Act"
In preparation, you are invited to read
Acts 16:16-40.
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Sunday is World Communion Sunday, which began in 1936 at a Presbyterian church. It was adopted by the Federal Council of Churches in 1940 and has grown into an international ecumenical celebration of Christian unity. It's a day when we mark the most universal Christian practice of breaking bread with one another and remembering both the night of Jesus' betrayal—when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper as a lasting remembrance and of Jesus' sacrifice. This Sunday is a time to remember that around the globe—in different languages, with different traditions and customs, and in various forms of liturgy—the Lord's Supper is celebrated throughout Christendom.
If you are worshiping at home, please have your elements ready to participate.
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Want to provide flowers for worship? We have openings in October! Call or email the church office to sign up: 214-827-5521 or [email protected]. | |
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Names matter. Northridge is a community where no one is anonymous, to God or others. We invite you to dust off your nametag and wear it to church. If you need a nametag, reach out to Sarah Bennett at [email protected].
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Adult Connection Hour
All adults are urged to come to room #130-131 for Connection Hour through October 16 to offer their voices as we partner together in discerning the ways that we as a community can better connect, enrich, empower, and sustain.
Each week, the discussion topic will be synchronized with the sermon as we seek to unify all areas of our life together. This is a great series to start with if you have never been able to participate in Adult Education before.
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Pickleball Returns!
Join us Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the lower parking lot for some fun. Skill level doesn't matter; rookies and veterans alike are welcome! Haven't played before? We're happy to teach you. Questions? Contact Monty Watson.
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TUESDAY
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
7:30 a.m. via ZOOM
Join us!
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P.W.I.N. NIGHT OWL CIRCLE
Ladies of Northridge: do you want to connect with other Northridge women and have an insightful Bible study in the evening? (Oh, and EAT?!) NOW is for you!
Join us October 4 at 6:15 p.m. for optional dinner and 7:00 p.m. for Bible study in Room 131 at the church. All women are welcome, in person or on Zoom! (Childcare available by request.)
Our study, led by Lee Jones, focuses on how we can celebrate Sabbath, finding respite in our busy, challenging world in order to be renewed by faith. (Copies of the study guide, Celebrating Sabbath by Carol Bechtel, are in Room 131 on the bookshelves and in the narthex.) Read Lesson 2: Sabbath and Creation (p.21-26) and Genesis 1:1—2:3.
If you'd like to join for dinner ($7 paid that evening), let Laura Coomber know by 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Thanks to Sandy Barron for providing dinner!
Be on the lookout for a NOW email with more details, including how to navigate P.W.I.N. and Realm, complete with screenshots! If you didn't receive a NOW email last month and you'd like to be added, please let Laura know.
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We will resume The Wired Word meetings by Zoom on Wednesday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. This week's subject is "Smart Traffic Signals Aim to Move People Forward to a Better Future."
Previous participants will automatically receive the lesson via email. Interested? Contact Mike Marcotte.
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WHAT ARE OUR KIDS & YOUTH UP TO NOW? | | |
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KIDS @ OUTDOOR CONCERT
We loved seeing so many young families at our Outdoor Concert on Friday, September 23! Thanks to all who came out and participated.
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4-5-6ers PACK "MANNA BAGS"
Our 4-5-6ers practiced service last Sunday as the packed "manna bags" for one of our mission partners, The Stewpot!
Look for more ways to serve The Stewpot as a family every third Friday of the month, or on Northridge Serves Day.
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NPC YOUTH @ UKIRK SMU
On Sunday, September 25, our youth paid a visit to Ukirk SMU, a PC(USA) campus ministry, to get a taste of what college ministry looks like. Thank you, Ukirk, for hosting us!
And, mark your calendars for November 2, when we will host Ukirk for breakfast! Stay tuned.
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Northridge Serves
On November 6, we will participate in one worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary, gather for lunch in Quillin Hall, and then go out into the city on a mission to serve. Watch for the registration link in your inbox on Sunday!
Congregants and friends of Northridge will serve with 11 different mission partners in total. Scan the QR code to the left to see the Amazon wishlist for our "Pack the Pews" supply drives leading up to this event, or view our supply needs here and drop off goods in the narthex any Sunday in October!
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Nonagenarian Celebration
On October 16, Northridge will honor our members who are celebrating their 90th birthdays this year. This celebration will include a reception in Quillin Hall following the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
Our honorees are: MC Guilloud, William Odum, Babette Tippit, Floyce Vermillion, and Gloria and Austin Young.
Do you know of another nonagenarian in our midst? If you are 90 or know someone who is, please contact the church office at [email protected] or call deacon Sandy Barron.
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Have you logged on to Realm yet? If not, Sarah Bennett, our communications director, will be on hand 15 minutes before and after each worship service to help you. You can also email her at [email protected].
If you would like to receive help before the 11:00 a.m. service, please arrive 15 minutes prior to allow for ample time.
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Northridge is hiring! We're looking for a 9:00 a.m. worship vocalist, and we're always open to intern applicants. Want more info? Look here.
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Our summer Thrive series may be concluded, but the podcast lives on!
Catch each week's sermon in audio form, for when you're on the go. The reflection questions are listed in the show notes.
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