Events

On the first Sunday in June, the lectionary was from 1 Samuel 3.  After hearing his name called three times, Samuel finally answers, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening”.

At a time where compassion is needed, we invite you to listen to God’s call to assist Indianapolis families in need.  Our next week of hospitality for homeless families referred to us by IHN/Family Promise is August 12-19.

We need food preparers and servers, drivers, activity helpers, and overnight hosts, as well as set-up helpers, clean up helpers, and laundry assistance.  If you have not volunteered in the past, we would be glad to match you with an experienced volunteer, so you too can help and experience the gratification of compassion.

IHN Coordinators will be in the Gathering Place at 10 am and noon, or Sign Up Here.

Our congregation has always listened and answered the call.  Let’s continue to serve these families. 

The Deacons are selling Northminster T-shirts again! This year's version will be in YELLOW and orders will arrive in time for everyone to wear their shirt to our 3rd Annual Day of Caring on September 16th. The shirts will be tagless and made from 100% pre-shrunk cotton. Adult shirts are $15 in sizes S - 4XL and Youth shirts are $10 in sizes XS - XL. You can place your order online here or by printing an order form and mailing your payment to the church office. Orders close August 28th with all proceeds benefiting the Deacons fund. 

Questions? Please email Barb Hill or call 317-850-4238.

From mid-July through the end of August we will be collecting school supplies for John Strange Elementary School. (School 55 has a new community partner that is providing school supplies for them this year.)

John Strange Elementary has requested the following items:
crayons, pencils, Ticonderoga pencils, glue sticks, dry erase markers – black, disinfectant wipes, gallon zip lock bags, hand sanitizer, pink pearl erasers and Kleenex boxes.

These supplies are for the students, teachers and staff. Please pick up something on the list the next time you are out shopping and place them in the yellow bin in the Gathering Place.

Discipleship Small Group Opportunities

Men’s Prayer Breakfast 
Wednesdays at 7:30 am throughout the year. Prayers are offered for the congregation. Bible study is led by participants.

Parents with a Passion
6:15 pm on Wednesdays, beginning August 22.  This group discusses topical parenting issues and faith.  For parents of all ages. Led by church staff and the group.

Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study
11:00 am, beginning September 11. Study and discussion about the lectionary scriptures, plus prayer and support for each other. Led by Ruth Moore.

American Village Bible Study
1:00 pm on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, beginning September 12. Lectionary scriptures are studied and discussed.  All are invited to join us – not just those who live at American Village! Led by Ruth Moore.

Wednesday Night Study Group
The Great Spiritual Migration
Beginning Wednesday evening, September 26, you are invited to join in an 8 week study of The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian McLaren. In this book, McLaren will discuss how the world's largest religion is seeking a better way to be Christian. The call to Christian discipleship is a call to get going ...to move forward. Join us as we reflect on and explore who we are and who we can become.  Parish Associate Carol McDonald will facilitate our discussions.

We will meet from 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. on the following Wednesdays with this proposed reading and discussion schedule:

September 26 -- Preface, Introduction, Chapter 1

October 3 -- Chapters 2 and 3

October 10 -- Chapters 4 and 5

October 17 -- Chapter 6

October 24 -- Chapter 7

October 31 -- Chapters 8 and 9

November 7 -- Chapter 10

November 14 -- Afterword and Appendices

Copies of the book are available in the church office at $12 per copy. Or you may order from Amazon.com. This title is also available for e-readers. You will need your Bible ... the Common English translation if you have access to it.

Please sign up for this study online, or by calling the church office (317-251-9489) so we will know how many to prepare for. 

(Wednesday Night Dinner is available at 5:30 pm.  Reservations due by noon on Mondays: 317-251-9489.)

Discipleship in October and November
– 10 am in the Board Room 

1st Sunday of the Month (Oct. 7 and Nov. 4): Science Fiction Book Discussion.  Discussion of A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle. Led by Bill Dynes.  

2nd Sunday of the Month (Oct. 14 and Nov. 11): The New York Times and the Bible. Led by Mark Moore. 

4th Sunday of the Month (Oct. 28 and Nov. 25): Coffee with Krista Tippet. Led by Jennifer Dzwonar and Marcia Young.

Contemplative Prayer and Meditation
This five-week program will engage you in different contemplative prayer practices designed to help you explore ways to spend time with God. Contemplative prayer is designed so we talk less and listen more in ways that open us to a deeper attentiveness to God’s love for us. The five types we will explore are:  Breath Prayer, Praying with Icons and images, Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and Prayer of Examen.

Mary Beth Riner will lead us.  She has been engaged in contemplative prayer practices for over 20 years. As an experienced educator she has led this course in the past and been active in prayer ministry with faith communities.

Sessions will be on Sundays from 5:30-6:30 pm, from October 7 through November 4, downstairs in the Board Room. 

Materials for all five sessions is $10.  Register online, or by calling the church office (317-251-9489) no later than October 1, 2018.  Questions? Contact Mary Beth ( ).

Book Club
Sundays at 12:00 noon.  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas on the October 21, and Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover on November 18.  Led by Carol McDonald and Ruth Moore.

Advent Study
A look at the lectionary scriptures for Advent.  6 pm on Wednesday nights (November 28 – December 19) and 10 am on Sunday mornings, (December 2 – 23). Led by pastoral staff.

For over 10 years Sound & Spirit, the Arts at Northminster Presbyterian Church, has featured eclectic concerts appealing to a wide array of audiences.   From Bach to bluegrass, sometimes the music is sacred; sometimes it is secular.   One style may appeal to you more than another, but the music makes an impact on all who experience it.

The common denominator for the various soloists and groups appearing on the series is excellent quality.  Since 90% per cent of our funding comes from private donors, we all have a vested interest in maintaining the quality of the series.  For those who have contributed in the past, we sincerely thank you.  Your ongoing support – not only financial, but also your presence and your advocacy – has helped us continue the tradition of music of the highest quality FREE of charge to all in Central Indiana.   Whether you are a past supporter or  a potential new supporter, we  sincerely hope you will consider a gift to Sound & Spirit, regardless of the amount.   Please help us keep the series alive another year as we make plans for the 2018-2019 season. 

Both the arts and charitable giving are powerful reminders of who we are as human beings.  We give to those organizations or causes that we feel are important, or to those which we feel sustain others.   I hope you will find Sound & Spirit to be such an organization.  At any given Sound & Spirit concert, the music may entertain, delight, challenge, give meaning to, interpret, raise awareness, transport, and stimulate. 

As a contributor to Sound & Spirit, your name(s) will be included in the list of supporters in each concert program.  Your tax-deductible donation goes directly to sustaining the musicians who appear on the series.   Northminster Presbyterian Church graciously pays our “overhead” costs.   Put simply, we need your assistance to maintain and advance Sound & Spirit’s tradition of artistic excellence and accessibility.

Deadline to receive contributions is Friday, September 21, 2018. 

You may make a contribution in two ways:

1)      Online here.

2)      Mail or bring a check to the church office.  Checks may be made out to Sound & Spirit.

The levels of contributions are:

             Saints                $2000 and up

             Angels               $1000 – 1999

             Patrons              $500  - 999

             Benefactors       $250 – 499

             Donors              $100 – 249

             Friends               up to $99

On Thursday, August 16th, we will gather for our annual planning session for NorthStars.  Please come with your creative ideas for monthly activities, including trips, concerts, mission possibilities, and places of interest.  If you have never planned or led an event, please consider it.  We are always looking for new people and program ideas!

This passed year, we helped assemble food backpacks for needy children at Gleaners, observed beautiful stained glass windows in Richmond, IN, and visited the Link Observatory near Bloomington, IN.

We will meet in Calvin Hall at 6:00 P.M. for a pitch-in-dinner. Set up will be at 5:00.  Please bring a dessert or a salad / side dish of your choice.  We will supply pulled pork and chicken for sandwiches, and will provide the drink. We will be taking a donation of $2.00 per person at the door.

Please email   or call Marty and John Brooks at (317) 848-6995 by Monday, August 13th if you plan to attend. Bring a friend. Hope to see you there!

In the fifth chapter of Ephesians, Christians are encouraged to  “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord…. giving thanks to God at all times.”

On Sunday, August 19th in both morning worship services, we plan to do just that even more than usual!  Chancel Choir and instrumentalists will lead us in a joyous Hymn Festival.

Anyone 15 years of age and up are invited to sing with the choir on this Sunday.  Simply show up at 8:30 or 10:30 am to rehearse.  NO experience is necessary!

Choir is a great place for spiritual and musical learning and formation.    Our children’s, youth and adult choirs are open to all, regardless of experience, and convene Wednesday, August  22nd.  There is no sign up procedure, simply show up at the first rehearsal! Children and youth rehearse once a week (Wednesdays) and sing once a month in worship.  The Chancel Choir rehearses once a week and sings each Sunday in worship. 

Wednesday Evening Choir Rehearsal Schedule

Celebration Choir  (K – 2nd grade), 6:15 – 7:00 pm, Room 203
Contact: Robbie Foote, director

Peace Choir (3rd – 5th grade), 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Choir Room
Contact: Stephanie Voll, director

Bel Canto  (6th – 11th grade), 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Contact: John Wright, director 

Chancel Choir  (age 16 and up), 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Choir Room
Contact: John Wright, director 

Please join the Christian Education team this summer for Friday evening fellowship activities from 5:00 – 7:30 pm.  We'll share a pitch-in style fellowship meal and then have a theme for the evening.  Bring a food item to share. Everyone is welcome and invited!

June 15th – Game Night.

July 13th - Mission Night.   5:00 – 7:30 pm, we'll be sorting and hanging clothes for B2SE.  Bring the family, a pitch-in food item to share, and a nonperishable food donation for Gleaners.

August 24th – Open Mic Night.  Bring a pitch-in food item and your talent!

Contact Maureen Wilson with questions:   or 317-251-9489 ext. 18.

School is back in full swing and church programming has begun. Save September 9th on your calendar to stay and eat, play and catch up with your church friends after worship. We will have bounces houses, games, face painting, entertainment, and 2 food trucks.

Greiner’s Food trucks will have cheese steaks, hoagies, meatball sandwiches and more. Mac Genie will have deluxe mac and cheese entries. Sea salt brownies, chips and ice cold drinks will also be for sale. Sandwiches are $9.00 and the mac and cheese is $9.50. Credit cards and cash will be accepted. No reservations are required.

We are also inviting the community to join us so put on your best smile and welcome our neighbors.

Neighborhood friends are being offered a free sandwich and bottle of water, but church members are being asked to pay for their own food. (We wouldn’t charge our neighbors to come and eat at our home, so we won’t charge our neighbors to eat with us at our church home!)

This event will be held, rain or shine. Invite your friends and neighbors too!

(The south parking lot next to Kessler will be CLOSED that day for picnic set up.)

The 4th Annual Homecoming Reunion is fast approaching on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 10:00 am.

The Reunion is an opportunity for members who are unable to attend worship on a regular basis to come for a time of fellowship and lunch. All members who would like to see friends they don’t get to see on a regular basis are welcome to attend.

There will be a brief worship service, followed by lunch (which will be provided by the Forum again this year!)

Please call the church office at 317-251-9489 to RSVP by September 3rd. 

Mark your calendars for Day of Caring on Sunday, September 16. We will spend our morning connecting with our neighborhood and mission partners through service. There will be a short worship service at 9 am, but no worship service at 11 am because we will worship that day by serving others. 

There is a project for everyone! All ages and abilities can participate either at the church and in the community. At various sites, we will help our partners sort donations, paint, clean, and do yard work. In the church building, we will write letters to our church homebound members, make meals for those in need, and pack bags with supplies for those who are homeless. 

Sign up here
... or stop by the table in the Gathering Place on Sundays to sign-up for a project and to learn more about our partners (Dayspring Center, Exodus Refugee Immigration, Joy's House, the Julian Center, Westminster Neighborhood Services, and Wheeler Mission).

There will be childcare provided for young children and the Deacons are selling Northminster t-shirts for you to show your NPC spirit and caring out in the community. We hope to see you on this special day! 

Projects

Broad Ripple Village Association
Weeding, removing stickers from light poles, trash pick up. Wear long pants, closed shoes & gloves. 20-25 people. Children welcome if accompanied by a parent.

Joy's House
Prep work for their gala fund raiser in October – mostly a seated activity. Perhaps some indoor light cleaning. 5 people

Julian Center
Activities with the youth staying at the center. No decision on specific activities yet but it may involve some physical activity. No more than 10 people. Ages 18+ only.

Dayspring Center
Gardening - getting beds weeded and ready for winter. Open to all ages. Wear clothes and shoes for yard work. Bring yard work tools. 15 people.

Exodus Refugee
Assembling furniture - dining tables and chairs for refugee families. Children welcome with a parent or guardian. Wear clothes and shoes comfortable for assembling furniture. Bring tools (screwdrivers, possibly a drill). 15 people.

Yard Work/House Cleaning for Church member
Yardwork, gutter cleaning and house cleaning. Open to all ages. Kids welcome with a parent/guardian. Wear clothes and shoes suitable for getting dirty. Supplies and tools to be determined. 10 people.

Wheeler Mission - hygiene kit assembly
At Northminster. Assembling hygiene kits. Open to all ages. No special clothing or equipment instructions. 10 people.

Wheeler Mission - craft kit assembly
At Northminster. Assembling craft kits. Open to all ages. No special clothing or equipment instructions. 10 people.

Casserole Prep
At Northminster. Casserole Prep for church and community needs. Cooking, preparing and assembling casseroles. Open to all ages. Children under 12 OK with a parent/ guardian. Wear clothes that can get spills on them. 15 people.

Childcare for parents doing projects
At Northminster. Help with nursery and pre-school childcare alongside paid care-givers. Open to those 12 and up. 5 people.

Prepare baptism blankets
At Northminster. Help assemble baptism blankets. No experience needed! Ages 8 and up. 5 people.

Notes to homebound members
At Northminster. Write notes or draw pictures for members who are homebound. All ages. Supplies provided. 10 people.

Notes to those on our prayer list
At Northminster. Write notes or draw pictures for members who are homebound. All ages. Supplies provided. 10 people.