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Pastor’s Corner – November 2018

Posted on Nov 1, 2018 by David Garrison in Christian Living, Devotions, General, Pastor's Corner, Spiritual Growth | 0

Nov '18

The End of the Year Is Upon Us

The end of the year is here! Perhaps you’re wondering if I mixed my months up – a distinct possibility! But no, I’m just looking at a different calendar. While the Gregorian calendar (the one we use on a daily basis) has two months left, the Christian calendar is drawing to a close.

The Spiritual Celebration of The King

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

Toward the end of this month the longest season of the Christian Calendar (called “Ordinary Time”) comes to a close. Ordinary Time is a season devoted to giving space to consider all the implications of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ for our day by day, week-in, week-out lives. But as the season moves on, and the chaos of the world presses in, we can begin to wonder if God is even at work any more. And so Ordinary Time ends with Christ the King Sunday (this year, November 25), the last Sunday before Advent and a reminder that Jesus is king, that all the world is subject to him, that the Kingdom of God is already at hand, and that one day soon He will come back to consummate His kingdom and His rule. The world may seem to be spiraling into chaos, but Jesus is still sovereign and holds it all in His hands. We may not understand much of what is happening, but we can trust that Jesus does.

A Secular Season of Gratitude

But what fascinates me about these calendars is how the Spirit moves in both sacred and secular seasons. I don’t imagine that those who suggested we celebrate Thanksgiving in November did so with any thought for the Christian calendar, but there are few ways better to celebrate the end of the Christian year than by focusing on being grateful for the kingship of Jesus Christ as well as for all that we have and are. Perhaps that’s one of the problems with the rampant anger and angst in our culture today – we focus too much on our discontent and not enough on being grateful for what God has provided for us. As Paul writes to the Colossians:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

May God bless each of us as we celebrate not just all we have to be grateful for, but also that ultimately we can be thankful because Jesus is King and we can trust in Him!

Blessings,

Rev. David Garrison

Oct '18

School Supply Collection

Posted on Oct 3, 2018 by David Garrison in Announcements, General, Local Service, Missions, News | 0

Oct '18

We’re close to two months into the school year, but there are many children that still don’t have basic and essential school supplies. Over the next few weeks we are collecting supplies for our local elementary schools to give to their students who otherwise would go without. Here are a few items students need daily:

Backpacks (currently 50% off at Target)
Pens
Pencils
Crayons
Paper
Folders
Markers

The next time you head to Walmart or Target, pick up some of these supplies. You may leave your donations in the church foyer where you will see the Mission/Outreach/Evangelism display. Thank you in advance!

Oct '18

Andrew Brunson Prayer Update

Posted on Oct 2, 2018 by David Garrison in Announcements, Devotions, General, Missions, News, Prayers | 0

Oct '18

Andrew Brunson’s trial resumes next Friday, October 12. In preparation for that, we have gathered the following resources for you.

Andrew Brunson’s Witness to the Watching World

The first is a blog by Rev. Bill Campbell who was in the courtroom with Andrew at his trial last July. This provides not only first-hand insight into what it’s like in the courtroom, but also how things are for Christians throughout Turkey.

31-Day Prayer Initiative for Andrew and Turkey

This is the first 13 days of a 31 day prayer initiative. The second half will be published once the outcome of his trial on October 12 is made known. These are short, daily prayers you can easily add to your daily quiet time routine or at any point throughout your day. Paper copies were made available last Sunday and are still available to pick up at church.

Call to Prayer and Fasting (October 2018)

In an effort to stand with and pray for the entire Brunson family, the EPC is issuing a Call to Prayer and Fasting for the week of October 8. We will make these available as a bulletin insert on Sunday, October 7.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for Andrew. May his faithfulness in spite of the adversity he’s faced encourage you in your walk with the Lord as well!

Oct '18

Pastor’s Corner – October 2018

Posted on Oct 1, 2018 by David Garrison in Devotions, General, Ministry, Pastor's Corner, Spiritual Growth | 0

Oct '18

What’s in a logo?

Now that our logo is prominently displayed on the front of the church, I’ve found myself thinking about it every day as I arrive. A good logo is simple and evocative, easy to recognize and remember, but bringing to mind multiple layers of images and meanings as you study it. Our logo accomplishes both of these things very well.

In the Beginning was the Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. — John 1:1–4

The first thing your eye catches is the open Bible, at the bottom of the image. Visually we are reminded that the Word of God is our beginning and our foundation. All of what we believe and know is grounded in and flows out of the Bible. But a closed book doesn’t do any good. It needs to be opened and read in order for the words within to bring life and light. And of course, as the passage from John implies, the image of the Bible in the logo points to the Word of God, and that Word of God is Jesus Christ. But these aren’t just old, stagnant, dead words, Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that the Word of God is “living and active.” What is it that keeps the Word of God alive today?

The Spirit Gives Life

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. — John 6:63

The eye naturally moves upward from the open Bible and sees the dove, with wings spread, rising out of the center. The dove has long been a visual representation of the Holy Spirit (see Luke 3:21-22), and as it prepares to take flight it gives the image of being alive and free. Being centered in the Word, the dove also reminds us that the Spirit is the seal of our salvation and our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). And as the Spirit fills the Word, so also it fills us. The Holy Spirit gives life to believers and empowers us to take the Word of God into the world through our actions and our words.

May God bless each of us as we seek to be a community of faith that are “hearers and doers” of the Word (James 1:22) and “strengthened with power through his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16) to serve others in Christ’s name!

Blessings, Rev. David Garrison

Sep '18

Pastor’s Corner – September 2018

Posted on Sep 1, 2018 by David Garrison in Christian Living, General, Ministry, Missions, Pastor's Corner, Spiritual Growth | 0

Sep '18

For [the sacraments] are visible signs and seals of an inward and invisible thing, by means whereof God worketh in us by the power of the Holy Ghost.
– Belgic Confession Article 33

A New Sign…

Have you noticed there’s a new sign on the front of the church? It’s kind of hard to miss.

Aug '18

Pastor’s Corner – August 2018

Posted on Aug 1, 2018 by David Garrison in Devotions, General, Ministry, Pastor's Corner | 0

Aug '18

One Year Ago…

Do you remember a year ago? You were wondering just what this new pastor you’d called would be like; and we were wondering about this new congregation and community we’d been called to serve. There were so many unknowns and questions for us all. But just behind all of that uncertainty was our God, who holds all of us in His hands, who knows the future as certainly as the past. God has shown all of us that He knows exactly what He is doing. Without a doubt, it has been a wonderful year. One of the things I enjoyed most at the EPC General Assembly in June was being able to brag about the wonderful congregation I’ve been blessed to serve as pastor for the past year. As I told several friends and mentors, I couldn’t imagine a better congregation to serve for my first solo pastorate. It’s hard to find the words to express how thankful I am for how you’ve welcomed and loved my family over the past year. The picture to the right was taken the day we moved into our new home.

…But There’s More To Come!

As great as the past year has been, I can’t wait to see all that God has in store for the year(s!) to come. The various ministries of the church and the Session are hard at work prayerfully discerning how God is already at work in and around us, and how He is inviting us to join Him in that work. Plans are being laid for some pretty cool things in Christian Education, Missions & Outreach, Worship and Fellowship over the months to come. The best part is that you get a sneak peek at what’s ahead on Rally Day, coming up Sunday, August 26. How is God inviting you to continue growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ and what opportunities is He providing for you to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet? Plan to join us for Rally Day and you just might find out. We look forward to seeing you there!

Blessings,

Rev. David Garrison

Jul '18

60th Birthday Celebration!

Posted on Jul 3, 2018 by David Garrison in Announcements, Christian Living, News | 0

Jul '18

Join us on Sunday, July 15 as we celebrate 60 years of experiencing and sharing God’s love to transform our homes, communities and world! We’ll have a covered dish luncheon immediately following worship. In addition to fantastic food and fellowship, we’ll take some time to look back at how God has worked in and through Northminster over the past 60 years and also look ahead to dream about how we anticipate God continuing to work in the years to come. We look forward to seeing you there!

Jun '18

Pastor’s Corner – June 2018

Posted on Jun 1, 2018 by David Garrison in Devotions, General, Pastor's Corner, Worship | 0

Jun '18

“Ordinary” Time

Beginning the day after Pentecost, the church calendar begins it’s longest season of the year: Ordinary Time. After the past six months of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent and Easter; and given that it coincides with the beginning of summer; it can be easy to think of “Ordinary Time” as “vacation time,” or “back to our regularly scheduled lives time.” But that would actually miss the opportunity that Ordinary Time gives to us, a gift the Early Church recognized in making this the longest season of the year.

Philip Reinders writes, “With all the big holidays and celebrations over, Ordinary Time offers us the space to find our place in God’s story. We’ve celebrated and taken in the momentous life of Jesus; now we need a long stretch of days to absorb and assimilate it. In Ordinary Time, we fully take in the gospel, allowing it to take shape in our daily living, making connections between Jesus’ story and our lives.” (Seeking God’s Face, pg 431)

To that end, we begin this season with a brief look at the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is a masterful book that, at first glance, can seem like a pessimistic pile of skepticism and futility. But in reality, it provides an opportunity to wash us clean of our pretensions and false spiritualities that keep us from knowing Jesus as He really is and following Him as closely as He invites us to do. After a 3 week break, we’ll then take a deep dive into a book of the Bible to see how God’s word is as applicable to our lives today as it was when it was written, 2,000 years ago. Speaking of that 3 week break…

“Where’d Pastor David go?”

Due to an unusual and unexpected confluence of events, the Session has been kind enough to grant me 3 Sundays off in a row, June 24 – July 8. Over those three weeks, I’ll be heading to the EPC General Assembly meeting in Memphis, celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary with our extended family in North Carolina, and heading back to St. Louis to preside over the wedding of one of the youth from our time ministering there. I’m looking forward to each of these events, but know that I’ll miss worshipping and partnering with you all in mission and ministry over that time as well. While I’m gone, you will be blessed with the opportunity to hear the Word of God expounded by our own Michael Babcock and Bob Mills, as well as Lowell Sykes. With their excellent preaching, you’ll hardly have an opportunity to know that I was gone!

Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison

May '18

Pastor’s Corner – May 2018

Posted on May 1, 2018 by David Garrison in Devotions, General, Local Service, News, Pastor's Corner | 0

May '18

After the Storm

Storms are used in fascinating ways in Scripture. Take a look at Genesis 6-9 (Noah’s flood), Psalm 18, and Matthew 8:23-27 (Jesus calms the storm) for a couple of good examples. But my favorite “storm story” is in 1 Kings 19. Elijah has just won a powerful victory over the prophets of Ba’al, but ends up fleeing for his life as Jezebel and Ahab seek vengeance. He hides in a cave on Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai), and God tells him, Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” What happens next is incredible:

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. (1 Kings 19:11–13)

I think most of us would assume that God would’ve been in the storm, the earthquake or the fire. But He wasn’t. God was in the stillness and quiet that came after the storm. The same is true with the story of the flood – the rainbow came after the waters receded. And when Jesus calmed the waters? That’s when the disciples fell down in worship.

“What are you doing here?”

That’s the question God asked Elijah in the silence after the storm. Through your tireless acts of love and support, God’s presence after the storm has been made real. I have been overwhelmed with the incredible response of our community in the weeks that have followed the tornado in Elon and Lynchburg. You have answered God’s question to Elijah with your actions – by faithfully living what Paul calls us to in Galatians 5: “Serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Gal 5:13–14) The cleanup work for those affected has just begun and will continue long after the tornado has left the news cycle. May we continue to be God’s hands and feet as we pray without ceasing, give as we are able, and serve as the opportunity presents itself. You can find some helpful suggestions and guides on our website at www.npcmh.com/blog.

Blessings,

Rev. David Garrison

May '18

EPC asks churches, individuals to fast and pray May 5-6 ahead of Andrew Brunson trial resumption

Posted on May 1, 2018 by David Garrison in Announcements, General, Missions, Prayers | 0

May '18

This post is reposted from EPConnection.org.

The trial of Andrew Brunson, EPC Teaching Elder imprisoned in Turkey since October 2016, resumes on May 7. In an effort to stand with and pray for the entire Brunson family, the EPC is issuing a Call to Prayer and Fasting for the weekend of May 5-6.

Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk, suggests praying Scripture in four specific ways:

That Andrew will be strengthened, emboldened, and released: Pray Isaiah 42:3 (A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness, He will establish justice.); Isaiah 40:31 (Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength); and Luke 4:18 (The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free).
That Norine will not grow weary: Pray Exodus 17:12 (When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady until sunset.) and Isaiah 40:29 (He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak).
That the Brunson’s children (Jordan, Jacqueline, and Blaise) would walk in the steadfast love of the Lord: Pray Lamentations 3:22-23 (Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness).
That Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey, would be directed by the Holy Spirit: Pray Proverbs 21:1 (The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases).

“Norine was blessed and encouraged by how many people participated in our call to prayer and fasting before the April 16 trial,” Jeremiah said. “On Thursday, April 26, she was able to pass this on to Andrew, with our plan to do it again before May 7. I hope every EPC church will continue to pray for Andrew, Norine, their family, and the rest of the trial as Andrew faces the judges again.”

Following opening arguments on April 16, Brunson was returned to prison. Prosecutors in the case have asked for a 35-year prison sentence on charges that Brunson helped terrorist organizations and worked to convert Turks to Christianity.

To help facilitate corporate prayer, a printable bulletin insert in pdf format with these prayer suggestions can be downloaded at www.epc.org/news/freepastorandrew. The bulletin insert is available in two sizes and is designed to be printed on standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper and cut in half (either horizontally or vertically).