Guest speaker: famed Indiana author,
Philip Gulley Sunday, August 28 at Noon in Calvin Hall Space is limited Make your lunch reservation now! Call the church at 317-251-9489 or go to the Featured Events page of our website. (Read more on page 2.)
August 2016
Celebrate Abundant Joy – by Teri Thomas
August Worship
On August 28th at noon we will gather in Calvin Hall to celebrate JOY. We will have a wonderful lunch by MBP caterer. We have a special guest speaker, Philip Gulley, joining us.
In August we will continue our study of the Lord’s Prayer. (See bibliography, below left.) Each week we examine one concept. We will use a variety of versions for the prayer, and will share in song, dance and sign language.
Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor and writer and speaker from Danville, Indiana. An eclectic writer, Gulley has published 20 books, including the acclaimed Harmony series chronicling life in the eccentric Quaker community of Harmony, Indiana and the best-selling Porch Talk series of inspirational and humorous essays. Gulley attended Marian University in Indianapolis where he studied theology and sociology. He then enrolled at Christian Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity in 1992. While in seminary, he became the pastor of Irvington Friends Meeting in Indianapolis and began writing essays for the
church’s newsletter. Paul Harvey, Jr. received those newsletters and shared them with a publisher. A few months later, the publisher invited Gulley to publish his essays, which became his first book, Front Porch Tales. He has been writing ever since. Gulley is currently a co-pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting near Indianapolis. Additionally, he hosted the television program Porch Talk with Philip Gulley on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI, and their flagship show Across Indiana, for which he received two Emmy® Awards. He also writes the popular monthly Home Again column for Indianapolis Monthly and is a regular contributor to The Saturday Evening Post. Space is limited for this wonderful afternoon, so make your reservation now. You may call the church office or register on the Featured Events page of our website.
Bibliography These books were used in the creation of this series of sermons and are recommended for further study on the topics.
Crossan, John Dominic. The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord’s Prayer, Harper Collins, 2011.
Boers, Arthur Paul. Lord, Teach Us To Pray, Herald Press, 1992. Carl, William J. The Lord’s Prayer for Today, Westminster/ John Knox Press, 2006.
Mulholland, James. Praying Like Jesus, Harper San Francisco, 2001. Work, Telford. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg, William Eerdmans Publishing, 2007. -2-
Sunday, August 7, we will celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at both services. We will continue our series on the Lord’s Prayer with the phrase, “give us this day our daily bread.” Sunday, August 14, takes us to Matthew 6:12, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Sunday, August 21, we will continue with the Lord’s prayer by looking at the phrases, “lead us not into temptation” and “deliver us from evil.” We will have a blessing of the back packs as well. Sunday, August 28, we will celebrate an abundance of joy in worship and conclude our series on the Lord’s Prayer. We will look at the part that we say but Jesus did not. Don’t forget to make your reservation TODAY for the All Church Lunch at noon in Calvin Hall on August 28.
August 2016
Focus Groups Help Shape the Campaign - by Chad Kincaid Thank you to all who were able to attend one of the focus groups. Hearing everyone’s voice is such a vital aspect of this entire process. We received great feedback and heard many points of view. Everyone has an opinion and we truly appreciate you sharing yours. From these focus groups, Session will receive a report with all of the comments recorded and categorized.
The Stewardship Team will be in touch regarding the direction our campaign will take. It may include a capital campaign, along with our annual stewardship campaign, or it may be the usual standalone annual campaign. There may be an option that hasn’t been even thought of yet that comes out of everyone’s opinions. Regardless of what path our Abundant Joy campaign takes, we will have an all-church cam-
paign launch luncheon on Sunday, August 28, at noon. (See article on page 2.)
Blessed Journey - by Mehri Mohebbi (Mehrsa) Coming from a Middle Eastern background made me live a truly challenging life through which I have learned how to struggle to survive spiritually. Moving to the Detroit Metro Area and then Indianapolis gave me the opportunity to see life through a Christian lens and realize the closeness of my ideology to Presbyterian beliefs. When I moved to Indianapolis I was constantly searching to find a place of worship. I was lucky enough to find the Covenant Bible Study classes at Northminister and started from there. When our
bible study class finished I felt like for so many years I was without sight and the past few years gave me freedom to breathe the truth and confess what I witnessed. My Presbyterian friends were the most significant leaders in my way as they showed me what it really means to be a true follower. Tolerance, Love, and Respect are not easy to find in the present convoluted world, and
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I found those all in the insightfulness of my present gifted from my faith journey. The ability to stay firm and faithful is the outcome of these brilliant experiences among a Christian community. In Your holy name we pray. Amen. (Mehri has been attending Northminster for several months. Please join us in welcoming her!)
August 2016
Abundance – by Katie Bulloff Our 2016 Stewardship theme is Abundant Joy, which took on a whole new meaning for me over the past year. On August 28th, 2015, my father had a heart attack that led to the emergency placement of a stent, followed by a quadruple bypass, followed by two pulmonary emboli, cardiac tamponade (fluid around the heart), another open heart surgery, resulting in a 26 day hospital stay. At the time, joy was a spark just waiting to go out at any second. Throughout all of this, the abundant spirit, joy, and love of the Northminster congregation never was more evident to me. I am thankful for the abundant strength and calmness from Pastors Teri and Ruth who came and sat with us during my dad’s surgeries, providing words of wisdom, prayers
for healing, and much needed caffeine when we were exhausted. I am grateful for the abundant flexibility of my job and being able to coordinate social media and stewardship from anywhere, which allowed me to stay at the hospital with my dad and allowed my mom to get back to Northminster (giving us both something to do other than worry). I am grateful for the abundant patience of the other staff members who worked around my sporadic schedule during this time and for the childcare workers who picked up extra shifts for me. I am in awe of the abundant goodness of this congregation, who provided us with meals during my dad’s hospital stay and recovery, prayed for good outcomes, asked for updates both in person and online, sent cards to our house and to the hospital, and who ask my mom and me
to this day how my dad is doing. Many of you do not know my dad as he is a member of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, but that did not matter to you. You still embraced him with abundant love and kindness, and for that, we all will be forever grateful. Now, almost a year later, I can say that joy burns abundantly like a fire in the Bulloff household. After his rocky hospital visit and complicated recovery, my dad is now stronger and healthier than he has been in years. We celebrate each milestone with abundant laughter, sarcasm, and appreciation. Thank you all for being a part of the wonderful, abundantly amazing community of Northminster, and for all of the support this past year.
Interfaith Hospitality Network
August 28 - September 4 – by Kathryn Goncalves It is IHN time again! Northminster will host families through Interfaith Hospitality Network, August 28 - September 4. Through IHN, congregations throughout the city take turns hosting homeless families for one week, providing meals, shelter and compassion. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available:
Play with kids, prepare dinner, drive the church van, stay overnight, set-up, clean-up, etc. There is something for everyone. Feel free to bring your own children to help out! Please consider spending 2-3 hours of your time to provide a smiling face and a helping hand to these families. Sign up in the Gather-4-
ing Place on Sunday mornings or across from the choir room during the week. There will be information available on the responsibilities of each position. Questions may be directed to Dolly Craft, Nancy Jarrell, or Kathryn and Gabe Goncalves. Thank you for your consideration. This project would not be possible without you!
August 2016
Pastoral Ponderings - by Teri Thomas I am working on the newsletter extra early since the articles will be due while I am on vacation. Deadlines are deadlines, even if you are out of the country. As I look at all the programs, worship services, educational events, fellowship get-togethers, committee meetings, small group gatherings and then consider the weddings, funerals and pastoral visits that will be squeezed in as well, I suddenly feel exhausted. Now my vacation looks somewhat inadequate. Fall programing used to start in September but now it is August. You also have back-to-school nights, bridge clubs, football games, and last chance escapes
to the lake. It is easy to look at it all and decide something has to go. Since it cannot be work or school, some of you will consider dropping church from your busy and hectic lives. I understand the temptation, but I encourage you to reconsider.
Worship is a place for rest, renewal, and refreshment. The sanctuary is a place to leave problems at the door and come open to God’s spirit of life and newness. If you can accomplish that by going to work on the weekend, you must have one amazing job.
When researchers study what keeps humans happy, healthy, content and productive, the number one contributor is always social interactions on a meaningful level. There is no place more suited for those interactions than church. This is where we can honestly share our joys and sorrows, where we pray, laugh, eat, and sing together. Did you know people who regularly attend worship actually live longer than those who do not?
Plan to join us this month for the beginning of a new program year. Find something that fills your soul or speaks to your spirit and make it part of your life. Sit in the sanctuary and pray. Sing in the choir. Sit in the Gathering Place, drink coffee and chat. Whatever you decide to do this year, don’t miss the All Church Lunch on August 28th. Sign up today on the Featured Events page of our website, or call 317-251-9489.
Foundation Minute – by Robert Rothrock “There shall never come an end to the good that he has done.” That is the inscription on a bronze plaque in Zion National Park in honor of Stephen Mather. This year, as our country observes the 100th anniversary of our National Park system, we remember Mr. Mather, who designed the roads that made the parks more accessible. Most of us will never have the opportunity to build roads thru the National Park system, but all of us, through a collective effort, can leave a lasting legacy that will accomplish great things.
When the Northminster Foundation was formed in 1987, I suspect that the founders intended to leverage the power of collective effort to achieve a significant impact on the future of our church and its ministry. Remembering the foundation in your will is probably the most common method of donating, as evidenced by the Legacy Society members. There is, however, a plethora of other ways to give, many of which don’t require a commitment of current income. Perhaps you can consider gifting an IRA that is not -5-
needed in your retirement plan, a paid up life insurance policy that is no longer required to fund your estate planning, or an inheritance that you might consider paying forward. A small increase in pooled resources can generate great results. Think of it this way. Water at 211 degrees is just really hot water. But when you expend just a bit more energy to get the water one degree hotter at 212 degrees, the steam that’s produced can power homes and factories. If you want to help increase that temperature one more degree, let us know.
August 2016
Christian Education / Family Ministries Happenings All School age children (K-5th gr) will attend worship with their parents and celebrate communion with the congregation on the first Sunday of the month, August 7. Look for the Children’s Worship Bulletin which will be available
along with the regular Sunday Worship bulletin. After Time with Children, toddlers and preschoolers will proceed to their classrooms on the 1st floor of the C.E. wing for Church School and care. Children’s Church for K-5th graders
will be offered at both services after the Time with Children on Sundays, August 14, August 21 and August 28. Nursery, Toddler and Preschool Church School and Care will be offered every Sunday.
Church School in August - by Debbie Bulloff Consider the scripture and talk with your friends and family about the question at the end of each week’s lesson. Copies of all of the Bible stories from the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum are available in your child’s classroom. We are following the Lectionary for Year C. This is the Season of Pentecost. August 7 - Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16 Preschoolers will talk about having faith by loving and trusting God as Abraham and Sarah did.
Looking Ahead
Children’s Choirs will begin on Wed. , August 17, for Kindergarten-10th graders, 6:00-7:00 pm. Contact John Wright: johnwright@northminster-indy. org or 317-251-9489 ext. 20. Wednesday Night Dinners will begin Wed., August 17, at 5:30 pm. Make a reservation with the church office (251-9489) by 12:00 noon on Mondays. Meals are kid-friendly and we always have salad and a vegetarian option. Adults $5.00. Kids $2.50.
How can we trust as they did that God will always be with us?
us. What is our call to discipleship in the new life that Jesus brings?
August 14 - Hebrews 11: 29-12:2 Life is full of challenges. Bad things happen. But God is with us, always. We can persevere. How can we profit from knowing this?
August 28 - Luke 14: 1, 7-14 The Church School will consider how Jesus wants us to welcome people through Luke’s story of hosting a banquet in God’s way. What makes us feel welcome? Unwelcome? How shall we extend Christ’s hospitality in this place called Northminster and elsewhere in our daily lives?
August 21 - Luke 13: 10-17 In the story of the bend-over woman who is healed by Jesus on the Sabbath, we can see how Jesus welcomes us, restores us, and loves
Church School “Official” Kick-off is September 11. 3rd Grade Bible Sunday is September 11, at both services. Our third graders will be presented with their own copies of NRSV Merriman Bibles. Communion Training will occur September 25 in Children’s Church at 9:20 and 11:20 am. All children, Kindergarten - Grade 5, are encouraged to attend as we prepare for World Communion Sunday on October 2. Parents are welcome to join us. -6-
Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Presbyterian pastor and author of the popular blog Bread, not Stones (breadnotstones.com) and the new book 100 Things Every Child Should Know before Confirmation: A Guide for Parents and Youth Leaders will be with us at Northminster over the weekend of September 24-25.
August 2016
Youth Fellowship
August 2016 Birthdays Edy Merida Brad Ronco Cooper Ball Andrew Clayton Knox Rasmussen Hutton Owens Charles Bishop Sandy Learned Sandra Corbito Adam Williams Sam Fisher Patrick Gresham Fese Mokube Steve Swanson Jim Bork Buzz Reasoner Stella Shannon Debbie Grush Dotty Burnside Maureen Purcell Norma Arend Elizabeth Brase Marilyn Mart Mary Clark Jeremy Gray Joe Komenda Susan Karpicke Evelyn Ronco Lauren Robinson Katy Mann Betty Busch Benz Jack Belschwender John Swisher
8/1 8/1 8/1 8/1 8/1 8/2 8/3 8/3 8/3 8/3 8/4 8/4 8/5 8/6 8/6 8/6 8/7 8/7 8/7 8/8 8/8 8/8 8/8 8/8 8/9 8/9 8/9 8/10 8/11 8/12 8/13 8/15 8/15
Amy Skeels Henry Senseny Benjamin Ronco Teresa Sherow Damon Auble Jim Jordan Sally Gray Matt Kroeger Eva Ellington Neils Casperson Monica Brase Caroline Beck Sally Simpson Leah Shannon Kelley Smith Mary Walker Adam McGoff Soloman Alexander Donna Walker Ginny Jonas Brenda Reed Jennifer Calwell Jamie Schulte Jeff Schmahl Doug Thorpe Ryan Auer Terri Palladino Don Haney P.E. MacAllister Andy Longo Molly Fenneman Nate Zubler
8/15 8/15 8/15 8/16 8/16 8/18 8/18 8/18 8/18 8/19 8/21 8/21 8/21 8/22 8/23 8/24 8/24 8/25 8/25 8/25 8/25 8/26 8/26 8/28 8/28 8/28 8/29 8/29 8/30 8/30 8/31 8/31
Northminster Community Preschool (NCP@NPC) begins September 6. Contact Haley Holdaway, Director: Preschool@ northminster-indy.org or 317-251-9489 ext. 21. -7-
– by Julie Shannon
August 7: No Youth Fellowship. August 8: State Fair Outing! 6 - 8 pm. Family Day at the State Fair. $25 wristbands are good for rides all day. Meet at the Shannon’s (3935 Central Ave). We’ll walk over to the fair, or meet us there. We may have free fair tickets for the first 10 people. (Usual cost to enter is $12.) Also bring money for food and carnival rides. Contact Julie (jshannon@northminster-indy.org or 317-753-6985). You can be picked up at our home by 8:30 pm. August 14: No evening youth fellowship. August 21: Youth & Family Cookout & Kick-Off Party, 5:30 – 8 pm! Jacob Mann and family will host us (3140 W. 46th St., Indpls, 46228). Wear clothes that you can get wet (your most colorful tie dye shirts), as we will be doing some slip-nslide activities (weather permitting). Bring a side dish or dessert to share. This is a great time to connect with other NPC families! August 28: All Church Lunch. Please attend this with your family. No evening youth fellowship. September 4: No Youth Fellowship (Labor Day weekend). We might go on a movie outing on the 2nd or the 3rd. Regular Youth Fellowship will begin Sunday, September 11, 6 to 8 pm. Details will be mailed to all youth (6th-12th grades) and their families.
August 2016
August 2016
Worship through Arts and Mission (W.A.M.M.) Step a bit closer to God in a new way; Grow in your Faith
What is WAMM? Worship enrichment through Art, Mission, Music, and Mission. When/Where is WAMM? Sunday Mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Place. Who can participate? WAMM is for everyone ages Kindergarten-Adult. WAMM is Intergenerational. Why? Learn more about and participate directly in Worship at Northminster Church. Watch the weekly email, and the tv screens on Sunday morning, for interesting, enriching opportunities in Worship, Art, Music and Mission for all ages! WAMM! We will feature Prayer Stations all month to focus on learning and praying The Lord’s Prayer. Come and experience the prayer Jesus taught in new ways!
August 7 Interactive Prayer Stations for the Lord’s Prayer in the Chapel, the Gathering Place and on the ramp to the Narthex.
August 21 Prayer Stations for the Lord’s Prayer. Many versions/translations/ meanings of the prayer that Jesus taught.
August 14 Congregational Life will sponsor Northminster Hobbies: Gifts from God. Interactive Prayer stations on the ramp to the Narthex. Storytelling center under the stairs.
August 28 Prayer Stations for the Lord’s Prayer. Add another prayer to the Prayer board. Take a prayer card home to pray for others.
VBS Arts Camp “Who is my Neighbor?” Interesting Facts Vacation Bible School Arts Camp had 100 registered participants with 92 actually participating at least one evening. This is an increase over last year. Our Mission project to collect quarters ($0.25) for Thrive 360 (http:// www.thrive3sixty.org) was a success. We collected 400 quarters! Campers contributed $100.48 to Thrive360, which will help North-
minster Church purchase enough food to fill 402 bags of food for hungry people in Indianapolis and elsewhere in the world at our Day of Caring on September 18, 2016. Thanks to everyone who donated and participated back in June! If you would like to be on the Arts Camp Creative Team for 2017, plan to attend the first planning session on September 6, 2016 at 7:15 p.m.
Presby Day - Aug. 11, 10 am at Faith Mud Creek Players will perform!. Come to Faith Presbyterian Church (8170 Hague Road Indianapolis, IN 46256) and hear about this unique group who have
been creating memories for over 60 years! This program will be full of laughter and fun. Lunch is $5. Call Faith at 849-1930 to RSVP and indicate if you need a ride.
Parents with a Passion
We will gather on August 17, following the choir meeting. Our regular Wednesday night schedule will begin on August 24, 6:15-7:15 pm, upstairs in the Knox Room, with childcare provided. We will explore a variety of topics, watch and discuss videos, welcome various speakers, and have time for sharing. We enjoy supporting, encouraging, and helping one another on our parenting adventure. Come laugh, vent, think, pray, and relax with us! Contact Julie Shannon (jshannon@ northminster-indy.org or 317753-6985).
Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Boulevard, East Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46220-2799 www.northminster-indy.org 317-251-9489
August 2016
What Do Deacons Do?
In August Deacons are helping to collect and distribute school supplies to School 55 (see article, below). They will also host a back to school luncheon for the school’s teachers on August 9th. Our annual Deacons fundraiser is coming back in October! You’ll be able to order Butter Braids on Sundays in October (with delivery in early November.) Watch for details soon!
School Supplies for School 55 Northminster E-Team Hosts Storytelling Renowned storyteller Bob Sander will be on hand to tell “Stories From the Heartland,” a selection of his favorite stories of growing up a Hoosier as well as folktales that reflect Indiana’s pioneer past.
Join us on Saturday, August 13, at noon in the Broad Ripple Community Center, or Sunday, August 14, at 2 pm in the Old Family Center. For more info on the celebration and all the events, go to broadripple200.org or brva.org.
Day of Caring – Sunday, Sept. 18 The planning for our day of service out in the community is well underway. This is the Sunday when we will worship at 9 am, and then go out and help in our community. We will start sign up for the different mission proj-
ects on Sunday, August 14, in the Gathering Place. You will also be able to sign up for projects on the Featured Events page of our website. More details will be available where you register. Help us reach out in Christ’s love.
As you are out shopping this month, don’t forget to buy school supplies for our IPS partner School 55. The students are in need of pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, lined paper, composition notebooks and probably anything you would buy for your child or grandchild. The teachers need copier paper. Bring your contributions to the Gathering Place in the yellow cart. The Deacons will deliver your donations to School 55.
August 2016
NorthStars - by Pennie Lumley We’ll gather for a summer supper pitch-in and annual program planning meeting on Monday, August 22, at 6 pm in Calvin Hall. This is an ideal time to bring clippings, brochures, printouts and recollections of places you've been that fellow NorthStars might enjoy. Bring your favorite salad or cookies to share; $3 will cover the cost of sandwich makings and bever-
ages. Remember to bring canned goods for Westminster Neighborhood Food Pantry! Please make reservations with Allen and Mary Ann McCormick(549-3171) or Lowell and Pennie Lumley (5492864 by August 20. Mark your calendars to tour Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church and visit the Levi Coffin State Historical site on Tuesday, September
6:00pm
Celebration Choir 6:15pm Chancel Choir 7:00pm
Saturday, August 6 Recycling Event 10:00am
Monday, August 22 NorthStars Meeting 6:00pm
Sunday, August 7 Recycling Event
Sunday, August 28 Abundany Joy lunch 12:00pm IHN week begins
12:30pm
Monday, August 8 Stephen Ministry 6:00pm Men’s Book Group 7:00pm Tuesday, August 9 Deacon’s Meeting 7:00pm Wednesday, August 10 Finance Meeting 4:00pm Sunday, August 14 Hobby Sunday
10:00am
NorthStars is a fellowship group for folks in their sixties, seventies and beyond. However, we welcome anyone in the congregation who would like to participate in our activities. To be added to the NorthStars email list, contact Lowell and Pennie Lumley ( ltphlumley@sbcglobal.net).
Church Picnic
August Calendar Highlights Tuesday, August 2 Session Meeting
20. (More information in the next issue of News & Views.)
Tuesday, August 30 Newsletter Assembly 9:00am Each Sunday Worship 9:00 & 11:00 am Children’s Church (9:20 & 11:20 am on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Sundays) WAMM 10:00am Fellowship/Coffee 10:00am Childcare all morning
Tuesday, August 16 Session / Planning 6:00pm
Each Tuesday Exercise class
Wednesday, August 17 Peace Choir 6:00pm Bel Canto 6:00pm
Each Thursday Lunch with Friends 11:30 am
1:30 pm
Sunday, September 11, is the All Church Picnic with Jug’s Catering. Start dreaming of fried chicken, biscuits with apple butter, etc.! Beginning August 2, tickets will be available Sundays, during coffee hour, or you may register on the Featured Events page of our website. Cost will be $5, with a $20 family maxiumum. Kids under 5 eat free. Buy tickets or register by September 8! 3B will resume on September 12! Watch for details.
What’s Your Hobby? Demonstrate or display your hobby during the 10 o’clock hour on Sunday, August 14. All ages are encouraged to participate. Sign up at the coffee bar and indicate the amount of space, table, etc., you need. Don’t be bashful! Join the fun! Contact Betty Bowers: betbobbowers@att.net.