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News & Announcements for February 4, 2024
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!
MIDWEEK 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 BIBLE STUDY – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 7PM
The Women’s Bible Study will meet on Monday, February 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Cindy Copp will be our facilitator and hostess this month. We are using the book, The Love Stories of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream. This month, we will be studying Adam and Eve – The Original Love Story. Ladies, read your book and complete your workbook! Bring a friend. As always, if you don’t get your homework done, come anyway!!
YOUTH GROUP TONIGHT! – FEBRUARY 4, 6:30PM
All students in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us Sunday evenings here at Northminster from 6:30-7:45pm. Next Sunday (February 11) is our annual Super Bowl Party at the Garrisons’ house from 6:30pm until halftime. See you there!
COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES BEGIN WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14
The Community Lenten Services begin on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Each ~30 minute service is at noon at a different church in Madison Heights, with a different pastor preaching each week. The first service will be at Amelon UMC, with Rev. Derik Hamby (from Randolph Memorial) preaching. We look forward to celebrating Lent with you and our fellow brothers and sisters in the area.
MISSION FOCUS FOR THE MONTH: BURUNDI HOPE PROJECT
Our mission ministry for the month of February is the Burundi Hope Project established by Mark and Susan May. The work of Burundi Hope includes schools for deaf and blind students, a fish farm, sewing center, chicken business, church support, and training for pastors and teachers. You may make a donation to this important ministry by specifying Burundi on your check memo line.
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February 2024 Pastor’s Corner — A Slow But Steady Process
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” — Isaiah 1:18
Being the snow lover that I am, I delighted in our most recent winter storm. While far from the largest snow, it was the most we’ve received in a couple of years and more than enough to blanket everything in a beautiful coating of white. It was a slow process that took most of the day, so slow you almost couldn’t see it happening. But surely enough, as the hours ticked by, the world was transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland.
As I watched the snow falling and the slow transformation of everything, I thought of the passage from Isaiah quoted above. No matter how deep our sins, God’s grace will cover them like snow. Isaiah uses the color red for sin because “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb 9:22). The more crimson the color, the worse the sin. And yet, no matter how crimson our sins might be, they’ve all been paid for, atoned for, by the shed blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our souls are made as pure white as a fresh snowfall.
But we aren’t finished with our sin, are we? Even though our forgiveness and salvation are assured, as long as we’re on this side of Glory, we continue to wrestle with our sinful nature. As Martin Luther famously said, “We are at once justified and sinful.” Our journey with Jesus is a journey of becoming ever more sanctified (which means holy, or more like Jesus) and ever less sinful. Sometimes we make great strides toward holiness, sometimes we slide back into our sins. It’s a process, a journey, and it takes time. Kind of like how it takes time for the world to turn white while the snow falls.
When the snow first started, the ground was still fairly warm. Most of the snow melted immediately. In fact, a lot of the snow melted before the ground cooled enough for the snow to begin to stick. The tree branches were the first to collect the snow, but roads took a lot longer, and even when the snow began to stick, the roads first turned to a mushy grey. Puddles in the yard where the already melted snow collected held out for as long as they could, but even they eventually froze and were covered over with snow. Yet the snow was persistent and relentless, persevering until all was remade under a beautiful white blanket.
It is the Holy Spirit that is restoring our souls, one day at a time, moment by moment. Just like the snowfall, the Holy Spirit is persistent and relentless with you. Often, you might not notice that anything is changing at all. But over time, as we continue to walk with the Lord in faithfulness and pursue Him in all things, we’ll begin to notice that we aren’t who we used to be, that our soul is gradually becoming more and more pure and white. Set your mind and your heart on the things of God, and freely confess your sins — old, new, even the repeats —so He can “purge you with hyssop” so you can “hear joy and gladness” in your soul.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. — Psalm 51:7-8
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison
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News & Announcements for January 28, 2024
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!
MIDWEEK 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.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – TODAY AFTER WORSHIP
The Session has called a congregational meeting for this morning following the worship service in order to receive the report from the Nominating Committee. The elder-nominees are: Anne Wilkins (class of 2024), Mike Henderson (2025) and Ron Reyburn (2026).
YOUTH GROUP TONIGHT! – JANUARY 28, 6:30PM
All students in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us Sunday evenings here at Northminster from 6:30-7:45pm. We’re continuing a three week series looking at true-life stories from people in the Old Testament: “Old Timers: Priceless Advice from Old Friends.” See you there!
COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES BEGIN WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14
The Community Lenten Services begin on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Each ~30 minute service is at noon at a different church in Madison Heights, with a different pastor preaching each week. The first service will be at Amelon UMC, with Rev. Derik Hamby (from Randolph Memorial) preaching. We look forward to celebrating Lent with you and our fellow brothers and sisters in the area.
2024 OFFERING ENVELOPES NOW AVAILABLE
2024 Offering Envelopes are now available to be picked up. You can find them in the church narthex.
FEBRUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
The February edition of “Highlights from the Heights” is now available in the newsletter rack outside the sanctuary. Mailed copies will be sent this week.
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News & Announcements for January 21, 2024
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!
MIDWEEK 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.
YOUTH GROUP RESUMES TONIGHT! – JAN. 21, 6:30PM
All students in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us Sunday evenings here at Northminster from 6:30-7:45pm. We’re starting a three week series looking at true-life stories from people in the Old Testament: “Old Timers: Priceless Advice from Old Friends.” See you there!
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 10 AM
The book for January is “All Girl’s Filling Station’s Last Reunion” by Fannie Flagg. We will plan to meet on Thursday, January 25th at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Sookie Earle awakes one morning a 59 year old happily married female Methodist with American roots that go way back in history and a wonderfully steadfast dentist husband. However, before she goes to bed that night all that will change.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – Sunday, January 28 at 11:30am
The Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, January 28 at 11::30am to receive the report from the Nominating Committee. The elder-nominees are: Anne Wilkins (class of 2024), Mike Henderson (2025) and Ron Reyburn (2026).
DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH CENTER APP
Scan the QR code under the weekly calendar with the camera on your smartphone to download our app! In the app are the church calendar, small group and volunteer opportunities, the online church directory, and more.
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News & Announcements for January 14, 2024
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!
MIDWEEK 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.
GLEANING FOR THE WORLD – WEDNESDAY, 8:30AM
Please join us in the parking lot of the church for carpooling. We will return to the church around 11:30 am.
YOUTH GROUP RESUMES NEXT SUNDAY! – JAN. 21, 6:30PM
All students in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us Sunday evenings here at Northminster from 6:30-7:45pm. We’re starting a three week series looking at true-life stories from people in the Old Testament: “Old Timers: Priceless Advice from Old Friends.” See you there!
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB – THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 10 AM
The book for January is “All Girl’s Filling Station’s Last Reunion” by Fannie Flagg. We will plan to meet on Thursday, January 25th at 10:00 a.m. Please let Sharon Bryant know if you would like to host. If we don’t get anyone to host this month, we will plan to meet at the church. Sookie Earle awakes one morning a 59 year old happily married female Methodist with American roots that go way back in history and a wonderfully steadfast dentist husband. However, before she goes to bed that night all that will change.
DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH CENTER APP
Scan the QR code under the weekly calendar with the camera on your smartphone to download our app! In the app are the church calendar, small group and volunteer opportunities, the online church directory, and more. If you need help, see Peter Garrison before or after the worship service.
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