June 25, 2026

LET’S CELEBRATE CUBA SUNDAY!

Please join us for worship this coming Sunday as we will celebrate the 32^nd anniversary of Northminster’s beautiful partnership with Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. Rev. Eduardo Gonzalez, Enmanuel’s pastor, and his wife Queen, will be our special guests. Eduardo will bring the sermon. During the preceding Sunday School hour, we will also gather in the sanctuary for Eduardo to discuss the current situation in Cuba and to answer our questions. All are invited to that time as well.

Northminster’s partnership with Enmanuel began in June of 1994 when four of us went to Cuba to attempt to find a partner church. This was part of an effort by the Alliance of Baptists to encourage its affiliated churches to partner with churches in Cuba, resulting in about 30 such partnerships. When our little group arrived in Ciego de Avila, as we’ve said many times, we “fell in love” with the little band of progressive Baptists that were not yet a church. They were meeting in the home of the founding pastor Rev. Noel Fernandez and his wife Ormara Nolla. And as is said “the rest is history”. And what a wonderful history of partnership, love, and solidarity.

Almost each year since 1994, and sometimes twice a year, a group from Northminster has visited Enmanuel, including in November of 1994 when Enmanuel was constituted as a church. Over the years about 40 Northminster members and friends have visited Enmanuel. We’ve worshipped together, visited Enmanuel’s several mission congregations, made home and hospital visits, been welcomed in homes for meals, and much, much more. Noel and Ormara, Eduardo and Queen, and others have visited us in Monroe on multiple occasions.

Please plan to be in worship and during the Sunday School hour on Sunday as we welcome Eduardo and Queen to Northminster. Let’s celebrate!

UPDATE ON THE CONTAINER FOR CUBA

Many thanks to all of you who have contributed to help fill Northminster’s share of the container for Cuba. Because of your generosity we are very near our monetary goal. If you haven’t yet given and would like to there is still time. However, we would appreciate all gifts to be received by this coming Sunday, June 28, if at all possible. Again, you can write a check to Northminster or go to our PayPal account on our website, northmin.org. Just be sure in the memo line to put “mission container”, and DO NOT put the word “Cuba”. We also continue to welcome and thank you for your prayers and good thoughts for this endeavor and for our sisters and brothers at Enmanuel who are suffering so during these difficult days.

Eduardo and Queen arrived in Miami last week, are supervising collection of the items for the container, and will help with its packing in early July. There are 14 Alliance of Baptists affiliated churches participating in this endeavor. Like Northminster most have partnerships with churches in Cuba that are affiliated with the Fraternity of Cuban Baptist Churches. Thus far there is a wide array of items being contributed including solar panel systems and solar powered generators, bicycles, wheelchairs, food, toiletries, a laptop computer, a cell phone for a pastor who doesn’t have one, and much, much more. This effort will do a lot of tangible good! Again, thanks to all of you for helping to make Northminster’s part possible.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

CUBA SUNDAY

June 28 at 10:45 am

SPECIAL GUEST:

Rev. Eduardo Gonzalaz preaching

The Sword That Unites

Matthew 10:14-42

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MUSIC MINISTRY

Opening Hymn: Come Worship God, a Latin American Folk Hymn translated to English by D.H. Clark.

The Anthem: Justic, Peace, and Love by D.H. Clark and written in 2024 in celebrationm of thirty years as one family - Enmanuel ande Northminster.

The Communion Anthem: Kyrie by Francisco Tárrega and adapted by D.H. Clark

The Closing Hymn: Called as Partner's in Christ's Service One of Jane Parker Huber's most widely sung texts, this hymn was originally written for a women's breakfast at the 1981 Presbyterian General Assembly meeting ito celebrate the partnership of women and men in service of the church.

• LOVE I have endeavored to live my life full of love, expressed in my relationships with others and in my career as a singer. Love is at the same time strength and gentleness. I believe that if everyone lived love, there would be no wars, no dissent, only harmony. I've heard it said that love is the only thing you can give away and get back more in return. - Frankie Laine, singer and actor. From I Give You My Word by C. Welton Gaddy
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MEZZO FORTE I have always felt whether in my own profession or in the more difficult profession of life, it is always good to charge in, in a positive manner but also have a braking system to prevent train wrecks. - Skitch Henderson, Music Composer, Conductor. From I Give You My Word by C. Welton Gaddy

WEDNESDAY CHOIR REHEARSALS ON HIATUSe

The choir will not meet on Wednesday nights through the month of July but will still rehearse on Sunday mornings at 9am during this summer hiatus.

If you are considering choir membership, please join us when regular rehearsals resume in August! We are always excited to hear of folks interested in choir and you will be embraced regardless of your skill level! 

OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

Tiffany Smith 26th

Larry Prather 27th

Sherri Free 30th

JULY

Patti Morris 1st

Connie Smallwood 1st

Lola Wheeler 1st

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

VBS COMING JULY 26-30 5:30 - 7:30



Northminster's Vacation Bible School will run July 26 - 30 for preschool through 5^th grade. There is a sign-up sheet in the hall for volunteers either during VBS hours (meals, activities, etc...) or you may sign up to help in other ways not associated directly with the VBS schedule. See Beth Mayfield for more information.

YOUTH FOOD PANTRY

The Youth Food Pantry has been a big success in the community. Each Sunday the youth ensure the pantry is stocked with items such as canned peas, corn, beans, soup, and canned meats. Other items include cereal, rice, pasta, protein bars, candy, juice boxes and any kind of packaged ready to heat and eat meals. So, as you do your weekly shopping keep this pantry in mind and pick up a few items to add to their stash. You can always place items in the youth room, kitchen or Renee's office. If placed outside the youth room please leave a note nearby specifying items are for the pantry. Thanks for helping to support this outreach mission!

CHURCH LIFE

Northminster Book Club Meeting

Our Book Club will meet in the home of Peggy Burns, 3408 Stowers, Monroe on Tuesday, June 30 at 6pm. The book is "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi. Join us for potluck and discussion. Peggy asks that you please let her know if you are coming so she can have a head count! Call or email: 318-366-4431 peggyburns4431@gmail.com

PUB THEOLOGY

Pub Theology is held the third Thursday of each month at Melvyn's, 1126 Oliver Road, Monroe at 7PM.

COMING UP

THE FLORAL OFFERING

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.

The floral offering was given to the glory of God

And in loving memory of

Charlotte Creech

honoring her birthday

By Clinton Charles Creech

Arrangement by Robert Crawford

OF INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY