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I have shared work from the Rally: Communal Prayers For Lovers of Jesus and Justice with you before. Edited and compiled by Britney Winn Lee, the litany below was written by Tony Huynh and is called “God Who Knocks: A Litany for Making a Home with and for Refugees and Migrants.” In the commentary that goes along with the litany, Huynh writes this,
“As we consider refugees and migrants, do we look with eyes filled with compassion and mercy? Do we not allow fear or self-preservation to hinder our ability to extend hospitality and grace? Jesus repeatedly extends his hand toward those who keep others away and calls them to join him as he stands with and beside the other. Today, Jesus is with those we keep out. Whether it be in our homes, schools, places of work, or nation, Jesus is with the outsider. Therefore, Jesus is with the refugee and the migrant. May we join him and stand by his side as he stands by theirs.”
God Who Knocks
God of the caravans,
We pray for our siblings’ protection.
Provide for them as you once did for your children in the desert.
God of the sojourners,
We ask that you give them shelter.
Protect them as they are vulnerable.
God of the travelers,
We ask that you guide them on their journey.
Make clear their paths and direct their feet.
God of the exiled,
We ask that you cover them with your wings.
Let them know they are not alone.
God of the immigrants,
We ask that you bless them and give them your peace.
Grant them passage, opening doors and borders for their entry.
God of the asylum seekers,
We ask for deliverance from danger and violence.
Grant them liberation from war and poverty.
God of the refugees,
We ask for your mercy.
Remind us that you were once a refugee.
God of the weary travelers,
We ask for forgiveness.
Remind us to open our homes and our hearts.
God who is their God, God who is my God, God who is our God,
Teach us to welcome all your children.
God who has crossed all the borders between divinity and humanity,
Teach us to leave behind our comfort.
God who took on flesh
Teach us to love as you have loved us.
God who became human,
Teach us to be willing and vulnerable like you.
God, have mercy on us all. Amen.
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August 9 at 10:45 am
Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaching
Loving Your Neighbor and the Stranger
Leviticus 19:9-18; 33-37
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The Opening Hymn: Lead On Eternal Sovereign At Andover Seminary, fellow students asked Ernest W.; Shurleff to write a hymn for their graduation. This is the result. Shurleff became a Congregational minister and in his last years established churches in Europe and did relief work during World War I.
The Middle Hymn: Spirit of Jesus, If I Love My Neighbor Brian Wwen gave this poem the subtitle "Pilgrimage of Confession" when it was first written, referring in part to the walk made by nine white South Africans in 1972 to draw other whites' attention to the injustice of migrant labor laws.
The Anthem: Beloved, Let Us Love One Another by D. H. Clark and adapted from 1 John 4:7-12.
The Communion Anthem: Where Shall I Go From Your Spirit? by Kenney Potter and based on Psalm 139.
The Closing Hymn: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love This African folk melody was presented to the Church at Chereponi, Northern Ghana by Ghanaian musicologist, A.A. Mensah, when United Church of Christ missionaries, Al and Sue Krass were serving there. Like Tom Colvin, a Scottish missionary in neighboring Tamale, Al Krass was encouraging the making of hymns to indigenous melodies. Colvin wrote these words to this adapted form of the melody in dedication to the Church at Chereponi.
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When you are attached to the way things are, it is very difficult to put your faith in anything else. You do not trust yourself to risk experiencing anything other than what you already know. You do not trust life to bring you the results or rewards you desire. You do not trust that you can and will handle whatever comes your way. Without trust, there can be no faith. Without faith, you will hold on to what you know. In the process, you will not be making any progress.
Attachment reflects a lack of faith in your ability to learn. Learning takes place three ways. You learn by force. You learn by choice. You learn by being forced to make a choice. Or you can let go in faith that your next experience will be exactly what you need, but did not know you needed. -from Until Today by Iyanla Vanzant
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BARCELONA 2027!
Join Debi and many others May 30 - June 6, 2027 and perform three concerts (two conducted by British Composer, John Rutter) in Spain!
We will be debuting his new work, I'll Think Me a World in Europe.
If you wish to go and not sing it is perfectly ok but the cost will be the same. For more information see Debi or go to www.midamerica-music.com/midam-spain
If you need to see more information check these two PDF files:
Pages 1-7 Pages 8-12
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Richard Decker
Marques Tate, son of Monique Tate
Millie Hayes sister of Susan Curry
Fred & Helen Loeb, brother and SIL of Mara Loeb
Mary Delancy
Anita Breen
Paulette Cappel
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Jeanette Brumley, grandmother of Shelby Sheppard
Debra Blackman, sister of Gail Blackman
Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel, our partner church in Ciego de Avila, Cuba
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Emma Medders 7th
Melba-Kaylynn Kimble 8th
Carl Nolan 10th
Barbara Thompson 11th
Ellen Prather 14th
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YOUTH FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
We are having a time keeping the Youth Food Pantry filled. Folks are utilizing it and we need your help with items for the youth to stock the pantry with. We are in need of items that will keep in the heat and are sealed:
Any/all Canned Goods, (including meat, sauces, vegetables, etc..., Baby Food, pastas, mac and cheese, instant potatoes, rice, spapgetti sauce peanut butter crackers, snacks, protein/breakfast bars...just about anything you can think of that are considered "staples."
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UPDATE ON STRICKLIN LECTURES
Dr. Paige Rawson has announced the title of the 2026 Stricklin Lectures at Northminster:
"The Gospel Decolonized: Deconstructing Christianity to Save Faith”
Please save the dates for this important lecture series. Dr. Rawson’s lectures will be on Saturday morning, September 12 from 10:00 until noon. Thanks to the Hospitality Commission, coffee, juice, and light breakfast snacks will precede the lectures beginning at 9:30 am. Dr. Rawson will also be our pulpit guest on Sunday, September 13.
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POSTPONED:
Previously scheduled for tonight, Family Movie Night has been postponed due to unforseen circumstances and will be rescheduled at a new date and time.
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TUESDAY AUGUST 11: BOOK CLUB
Our next book Club meeting is Tuesday, August 11 at 6:30pm in the home of Jo Ann Alley. The book is The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
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DON CINCONE BOOK SIGNING
NEXT SUNDAY
Recently Northminster Church was priviledged to host the P.E.O. Chapter V Spring Talent Showcase featuring the art of Don Cincone. Not only an renowned artist, Don is also an author. His bok titled "Time Was Not My Burden: The Artist Memoir" . It details his incredible life journey, starting from his birth in a Richland Parish cotton field to his rise as an internationally celebrated expressionist painter.
The book chronicles:
- Early Life: Growing up under segregation and discovering European masters through books checked out by his mother.
- Artistic Journey: His global travels, studying in Europe, and his prominent career, including creating 85 original paintings for the 1965 Universal Studios film The Art of Love.
- Philosophy: His agrarian work ethic and the spiritual and natural themes that influence his art.
The book signing will be held at Northminster on Sunday, August 16 following worshp from 12 noon - 2pm. The public is invited. Books will be available for purchase or download.
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HOSPITALITY AND FAMILY MINISTRIES HOST AFTER WORSHIP BRUNCH AUGUST 30
Join us for brunch after worship services on Sunday, August 30. This will not be a "potluck" but more of a brunch with finger foods, snacks, and charcuterie items. Think heavy h'orderves! Desserts also needed! There will be a sign-up sheet in the hall to indicate your attendance and what you might bring!
More info to follow!
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PUB THEOLOGY
Pub Theology is held on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm at Melvyns, 1128 Oliver Rd., Monroe.
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This Sunday
9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal
10:00 am - Sunday School
10:45 am - Preludes
11:00 am - Worship Service
Noon - Fellowship
Wednesdays
5:30 pm - Craft and Chat
6:30 pm - Choir rehearsal
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Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm: Book Club
Saturday, August 15, 9-noon: Car Wash on church parking lot
Sunday, August 16 12-2pm: Don Cincone Book Signing Event
Sunday, August 30 following worship: Churchwide Brunch
Sept. 12 & 13: Stricklin Lectures
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The floral offering was given to the glory of God and in honor of
the Children and Youth of Northminster
B the Kimble-Keen Family
Arrangement by Peggy Burnsr
Sanctuary Flowers: As is customary during the summer months of July, and August, altar flowers will only be by memorial or honorarium. If you would like to give flowers during the summer months, please contact the church office. Suggested cost $125.
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Join us this fall as we continue to reckon with our roots at the Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana, and in New Orleans October 15-17, 2026.
In Joshua 4, God commands the Israelites to gather stones from the Jordan River and build a memorial. Not for themselves, but for the generations to come. "When your children ask, 'What do these stones mean?'" they are to tell the story. Sacred memory is the spiritual practice of truth-telling. In an age of book bans and unprecedented historical revisionism, people of faith are called to erect stones, to witness the stones of generations past, to hear the stories and tell the stories, to tell the truth and be shaped by it. And not to just rest there–but we practice in this way so that we may be moved to be a people of liberation and freedom.
We'll be guided by 2nd Line Tours. The weekend will include a day trip to the Whitney Plantation, a nonprofit museum dedicated to telling the history of slavery on a former sugar, indigo, and rice plantation (1752–1975). Notably, Whitney is one of the only plantation museums in the South to center the lives and experiences of enslaved people.
2nd Line Tours will then guide us through the city of New Orleans and the invaluable contributions made by enslaved individuals to the city’s economy, from enslaved labor to skilled artistry, and how free people of color played an essential role in shaping New Orleans’ identity. We will gather together at congregational partner St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church to debrief our time together.
Thanks to a generous grant received from the Baugh Foundation, registration for this event is only $25. Registration opens on August 3rd, 2026.
To learn more about the event schedule, travel, and lodging click below.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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The Rose Theatre in historic downtown Bastrop hosts a fundraising event with Homegrown Band in concert. This is the band that our Administrative Assistant, Renee is in. If you have wanted to see this band in a comfortable setting this is the place to be. Theatre seating, Air conditioning, and fantastic music. Tickets are $20 and available at the door.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 AT 6PM! CARPOOL FROM THE CHURCH AND COME SUPPORT THE ARTS (AND RENEE) IN BASTROP!
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For 30 years, you've helped make something extraordinary possible.
Today, we're excited to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and share a fresh new look that reflects who we are, where we've been and where we're headed.
Established in 1996, the Food Bank distributed about 225,000 pounds of food during our first year. Thanks to the generosity of our community, that number has grown to more than 8.4 million pounds of food distributed in our most recent fiscal year. Today, we serve nearly 32,000 people every month through our network of community partners, meal programs, schools and other distribution sites across Northeast Louisiana.
As we celebrate this milestone, we're also excited to unveil our new logo, which was inspired by our commitment to nourishment, health and community.
We invite you to celebrate with us by making a gift, volunteering your time or sharing our anniversary with friends and family. Together, we can continue creating hope for the next 30 years and beyond.
With gratitude,
Jean Toth, Executive Director
GIVE HERE
| | | | 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. | | | |
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
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