106 Clearview Rd, Madison Heights VA, 24572
Northminster Church © 2017
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27
Jun '24
July 2024 Pastor’s Corner — A Reflection or The Real Thing?
27
Jun '24
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. — 2 Corinthians 3:18
Last Friday was a full moon. I am always amazed to look outside in the middle of a clear night and see how bright it is during a full moon. The moon shines so brightly, it’s hard to see the other stars in the sky, and sometimes it’s almost bright enough to read a book. A few months ago, I was at the beach for the full moon and it almost looked like the sunrise (pictured on the left). The moon is glorious in its own right, but it is ultimately lacking and inadequate.
The light of a full moon pushes back the darkness of the night, but only partially. The light of the moon does not provide warmth, or life, or health. It might be enough to see by, but just barely. This is because the moon doesn’t have any light of its own; it is not the source of its light. The light the moon provides is but a reflection of the real thing. An amazing reflection, a brilliant reflection, but a reflection nonetheless. I love the light of a full moon, but it doesn’t compare to the real thing.
The sun, on the other hand, is the source of the light the moon reflects. When the sun rises, the dark is banished for as long as the sun is in the sky. It is the light of the sun that warms the earth, that enables plants and life to grow, that provides nutrients and vitamins that are essential for our health. Even the sunrise itself is degrees of beauty above and beyond that of the moonrise. One can look at a full moon, but to look upon the sun is to risk severe damage to your eyes. The glory of the sun is far beyond that of the moon. The light of the moon is pretty neat, but it’s no substitute for the real thing.
There are many things that claim to be able to replace the light of the presence of God in our lives. Money, possessions, people, things, and much more. Some of those things are good and provide a pretty good reflection of God, but most of those things are cheap imitations that don’t actually reflect God at all. Sometimes, because trying to look at the glory of God is as painful as trying to look directly at the sun, we’d rather have the reflection than the real thing. It’s easier for me to look at what I believe about God rather than seek to be present with God. But, even if my beliefs and theology are perfect, they are a mere reflection of the glory of God. They cannot sustain, nourish, feed or warm my soul. Only God can do that. Imagine how much more harmful it is for us to choose the false reflections, the idols that claim to be able to replace God in our lives. It’s like trying to replace the sun with a flashlight.
This morning I sat outside on our deck reading my Bible and praying as the sun rose over my neighbor’s house. A cool, almost chilly morning was instantly warmed, the dew almost immediately evaporating. I was struck by how often I choose the things of God instead of the presence of God, let alone the false idols that claim to imitate and reflect the warmth of God’s presence over the real thing. Jesus Christ came and died so that we could behold the glory of the Lord directly. Don’t settle for a poor imitation or reflection when the real thing is available to you. Seek the presence of the Lord and behold His glory, so that you may be transformed by Him.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. — Hebrews 10:19-22
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
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27
Jun '24
News & Announcements for June 30, 2024
27
Jun '24
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
HELPING HANDS OFFERING – THIS MORNING
Each 5th Sunday, any undesignated offerings placed in the collection plates go to Helping Hands, a ministry of churches in the Madison Heights-Elon area of Amherst County to help residents in need. It is administered through Madison Heights Baptist Church. Thank you for helping us meet the needs of those in our community!
JUDE NYANZI VISITING NEXT MONTH
Jude Nyanzi from Daystar Junior School in Uganda will be visiting with us next month. We are looking for folks who would be willing to house him for a portion of his visit. If you are interested, please contact Anne Wilkins for more information.
MISSION FOCUS FOR JUNE: DAYSTAR JUNIOR SCHOOL
Our mission focus for the month of June is Daystar Junior School in Uganda. Opened in 2015, this school is for children ages 3 to 15 years and is located in the slum areas of Kirombe Uganda, East Africa. Donations from Northminster have helped to purchase uniforms for the students, wood for new desks, and begin a 3-floor classroom building. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Daystar on your check memo line.
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20
Jun '24
News & Announcements for June 23, 2024
20
Jun '24
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
HELPING HANDS OFFERING – NEXT SUNDAY
Each 5th Sunday, any undesignated offerings placed in the collection plates go to Helping Hands, a ministry of churches in the Madison Heights-Elon area of Amherst County to help residents in need. It is administered through Madison Heights Baptist Church. Thank you for helping us meet the needs of those in our community!
JUDE NYANZI VISITING NEXT MONTH
Jude Nyanzi from Daystar Junior School in Uganda will be visiting with us next month. We are looking for folks who would be willing to house him for a portion of his visit. If you are interested, please contact Anne Wilkins for more information.
MISSION FOCUS FOR JUNE: DAYSTAR JUNIOR SCHOOL
Our mission focus for the month of June is Daystar Junior School in Uganda. Opened in 2015, this school is for children ages 3 to 15 years and is located in the slum areas of Kirombe Uganda, East Africa. Donations from Northminster have helped to purchase uniforms for the students, wood for new desks, and begin a 3-floor classroom building. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Daystar on your check memo line.
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13
Jun '24
News & Announcements for June 16, 2024
13
Jun '24
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
GLEANING FOR THE WORLD – WEDNESDAY @ 8:30 am
Please join us in the parking lot of the church for carpooling. We will return to the church around 11:30 am.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY @ 10 am
Please join us on Thursday, June 20 at the home of Sharon Bryant at 145 Adrian Street at 10:00 a.m. as we discuss the book, The Last Carolina Girl by Meagan Church. We have such a great time eating, talking and finally discussing the book of the month. This month’s book is about Leah Payne, a 14 year old girl, who lives on the coast in a Carolina town. Her life is simple and free. She is devoted to her lumberjack father and loves her country life where she can run through the forest and on to the shore.
MISSION FOCUS FOR JUNE: DAYSTAR JUNIOR SCHOOL
Our mission focus for the month of June is Daystar Junior School in Uganda. Opened in 2015, this school is for children ages 3 to 15 years and is located in the slum areas of Kirombe Uganda, East Africa. Donations from Northminster have helped to purchase uniforms for the students, wood for new desks, and begin a 3-floor classroom building. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Daystar on your check memo line.
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06
Jun '24
News & Announcements for June 9, 2024
06
Jun '24
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
GRADUATION SUNDAY – THIS MORNING
This morning we celebrate the graduation of the high school seniors that have been part of our church for the past several years. This year we are celebrating six of our students: Hunter Brightwell, Danielle Caplinger, Cole Chapman, Brinna Midgley, Jackson Moore and Colin Scruggs. Congratulations, Seniors, on your accomplishments. May the Lord bless you and keep you as you enter the next stage of your life!
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – NEXT THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 10AM
Please join us on Thursday, June 20 at the home of Sharon Bryant’s home as we discuss the book, The Last Carolina Girl by Meagan Church. We have such a great time eating, talking and finally discussing the book of the month. This month’s book is about Leah Payne, a 14 year old girl, who lives on the coast in a Carolina town. Her life is simple and free. She is devoted to her lumberjack father and loves her country life where she can run through the forest and on to the shore.
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MISSION FOCUS FOR JUNE: DAYSTAR JUNIOR SCHOOL
Our mission focus for the month of June is Daystar Junior School in Uganda. Opened in 2015, this school is for children ages 3 to 15 years and is located in the slum areas of Kirombe Uganda, East Africa. Donations from Northminster have helped to purchase uniforms for the students, wood for new desks, and begin a 3-floor classroom building. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Daystar on your check memo line.
Read more...
30
May '24
News & Announcements for June 2, 2024
30
May '24
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
GRADUATION SUNDAY – NEXT SUNDAY IN WORSHIP
Next Sunday, June 9, we will be celebrating the graduation of the high school seniors that have been part of our church for the past several years. This is always a special Sunday, and we encourage you to be sure to be present for it. This year we are celebrating six of our students: Hunter Brightwell, Danielle Caplinger, Cole Chapman, Brinna Midgley, Jackson Moore and Colin Scruggs. Join us as we celebrate their achievements and send them off to their next stage in life!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MISSION FOCUS FOR JUNE: DAYSTAR JUNIOR SCHOOL
Our mission focus for the month of June is Daystar Junior School in Uganda. Opened in 2015, this school is for children ages 3 to 15 years and is located in the slum areas of Kirombe Uganda, East Africa. Donations from Northminster have helped to purchase uniforms for the students, wood for new desks, and begin a 3-floor classroom building. You may make a donation to this special ministry by specifying Daystar on your check memo line.
Read more...
30
May '24
June 2024 Pastor’s Corner — Blessed Naïveté
30
May '24
Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
— 1 Corinthians 14:20
Has anyone ever accused you of being “holier than thou”? It’s a strange insult, when you think about it, but it’s also one that I think most folks dread having applied to them. There’s a good reason for that — the phrase is really directed at those who are arrogant and self-righteous in their “holiness” and look down on those who they deem not as worthy. However, our dread of this accusation has had a consequence that is deeply affecting the Church (capital ‘C,’ as in the church universal not just the local church).
Instead of striving after true holiness, as just about every page of the Bible calls us to, we strive to be relevant and relatable so folks will see us as just like and certainly no better than they are. We try to avoid the scarlet ‘H’ as much as possible. As NT Wright writes, “There are people who pride themselves on knowing about evil, but can’t be bothered to think through serious issues from a biblical or theological point of view. There are many Christians who can tell you which film star is getting divorced but can’t tell you where in the Bible you might find teaching on the subject.” We want to make sure that folks know we’re no different than they are. I doubt any Christian is trying to be an expert in evil; most likely we just want to make sure that we’re not being naïve about it. We want to be seen as mature, not childish.
Paul flips that kind of thinking upside down in 1 Corinthians 14:20. He says that what I just described isn’t mature — it’s childish. True maturity doesn’t come from familiarity with or knowledge of evil, but rather by pursuing Christ and holiness. Those who are truly holy don’t go around flaunting it in front of and over others. Somewhat ironically, the holier we become, we become all the more aware of the depths of our sin and brokenness. Consider Jesus. He was perfectly relatable and relevant to all with whom he came in contact. Sinners were drawn to him, so much so that He spent far more time with the “sinners” than He did with those who considered themselves “saints.” Yet He never compromised his holiness or his righteousness, nor did He ever entertain temptation, sin or evil.
If we are striving to show the world that Christians are just like them, then what do we have to offer? The entire point of the Gospel is that the world can never provide that for which our souls yearn. The world can never heal our brokenness. The world can never help us atone for our sins and failures. The world cannot provide life. The Gospel, the Good News, is that by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ we have been called out and set apart (that’s what “holiness” means). Being mature and holy isn’t about being perfect or sinless, but it does mean that we strive to leave sin and evil behind, focusing instead on Jesus Christ. True maturity comes from “pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14-15)
Instead of trying to show how much like the world we are, “let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. — Philippians 4:8-9
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
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23
May '24
News & Announcements for May 26, 2024
23
May '24
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
UNRAVELING REVELATION – SUNDAYS, 9 AM
If there’s one book of the Bible that people have questions about or don’t understand, it’s the very last book, the Book of Revelation. It’s become quite popular to read it in such a way as to try to unlock the secrets to the future, but doing so actually robs the book of its true power and import. Revelation isn’t so much about the future as it is a field guide to dissident discipleship in the here and now. Join us for Sunday School each Sunday as we seek to Unravel Revelation.
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MISSION FOCUS FOR MAY: HELPING HANDS
Our mission focus for the month of May is Helping Hands of Amherst County which help citizens of Amherst County who need an occasional helping hand with necessities such as food, electric bills, rent and water bills when children or medical needs are present. It is administered out of Madison Heights Baptist Church. You may make a donation by specifying ‘Helping Hands’ on your check memo line.
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16
May '24
News & Announcements for May 19, 2024
16
May '24
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
UNRAVELING REVELATION – SUNDAYS, 9 AM
If there’s one book of the Bible that people have questions about or don’t understand, it’s the very last book, the Book of Revelation. It many respects, it is one of the most unique books in the entire Bible, bringing together all sorts of unusual imagery and confusing language. It’s become quite popular to read it in such a way as to try to unlock the secrets to the future, but doing so actually robs the book of its true power and import. Revelation isn’t so much about the future as it is a field guide to dissident discipleship in the here and now. Join us for Sunday School each Sunday as we seek to Unravel Revelation.
AMHERST SENIOR CENTER HYMN SING – MONDAY @ 11:00 am
The Amherst Senior Center will be holding an old-fashioned hymnsing, led by Robert Cardwell, here in the Fellowship Hall from 11-12 noon, on Monday, May 20. Everyone is invited to attend. Please contact Julie Lerner with any questions
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
MISSION FOCUS FOR MAY: HELPING HANDS
Our mission focus for the month of May is Helping Hands of Amherst County which help citizens of Amherst County who need an occasional helping hand with necessities such as food, electric bills, rent and water bills when children or medical needs are present. It is administered out of Madison Heights Baptist Church. You may make a donation by specifying ‘Helping Hands’ on your check memo line.
Read more...
09
May '24
News & Announcements for May 12, 2024
09
May '24
JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to join us Sunday mornings for a intergenerational Sunday school class, from 9:00-10:00. We look forward to seeing you!
UNRAVELING REVELATION – BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 12
If there’s one book of the Bible that people have questions about or don’t understand, it’s the very last book, the Book of Revelation. It many respects, it is one of the most unique books in the entire Bible, bringing together all sorts of unusual imagery and confusing language. It’s become quite popular to read it in such a way as to try to unlock the secrets to the future, but doing so actually robs the book of its true power and import. Revelation isn’t so much about the future as it is a field guide to dissident discipleship in the here and now. Join us for Sunday School beginning May 12th as we seek to Unravel Revelation.
GLEANING FOR THE WORLD – WEDNESDAY @ 8:30 am
Please join us in the parking lot of the church for carpooling. We will return to the church around 11:30 am.
WEDNESDAY PRAYER – WEDNESDAYS @ Noon
Please join us on Wednesdays at noon for a time of prayer in the sanctuary as we bring our needs before our loving God.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY @ 10 am
The Women’s Book Club will meet on Thursday, May 16, at 10 a.m. at Anne Wilkins’ house. We will be reading The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede. All women are welcome.
MISSION FOCUS FOR MAY: HELPING HANDS
Our mission focus for the month of May is Helping Hands of Amherst County which help citizens of Amherst County who need an occasional helping hand with necessities such as food, electric bills, rent and water bills when children or medical needs are present. It is administered out of Madison Heights Baptist Church. You may make a donation by specifying ‘Helping Hands’ on your check memo line.
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