Lent News

Lent is a period of 40 days, (not including Sundays) when we reflect on the events leading up to the death of Jesus. This year Lent begins on Feb 17, Ash Wednesday.

We will have a special Ash Wednesday service in person and on Zoom, at noon on February 17th. (about 40 minutes). It will include a celebration of the imposition of ashes. Since this service will also be done virtually, we have prepared small packets of ashes that you can use to participate in this reverent celebration in your own home. You may pick them up at the church office or we will be happy to deliver them to you. Just let Linda in the office know your preference.

If you do not wish to attend the service in person, we encourage you to set aside a sacred space in your home as a place of reflection throughout this holy season. The space could be a simple shelf or small table with the ashes and perhaps a candle, the Bible, and a list of prayer concerns for daily consideration, anything that reminds you to take a moment to consider the astonishing depth of love Christ has for you. 

We will resume our 8am devotional time on Wednesday 17th, which will meet daily (except Sunday’s) until Easter. 

Daily Lenten Devotional Virtual (Online) Meeting

Mark your calendars! Pastor Jay will resume our daily (except Sundays) 8 am devotional time beginning on Wednesday, February 17th until Easter. It is the same zoom number as we used for Proverbs. (Contact the office if you do not have this information.) The office will email a digital copy of the Lenten devotional material and it will be posted in the Events page on this web site as we get closer to the date. Contact Pastor Jay if you would like the material in advance. It will be displayed on the screen during the devotional session each day.

Advent News

Dear Northminster Family and Friends,

Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all time, the saving grace of Jesus. This year, we want to celebrate that gift together, just like we always have. But this year, we need to stay distant to stay safe. Please continue reading to find out how we will try to do both – celebrate the birth of Jesus together while staying safe.

Let’s begin with a sacred space that you can create in your own home. It can be anywhere; on a table or a shelf, outside in the fresh air, anywhere you have a small area where you can set up an advent wreath and some candles, along with a chair to relax in with your Bible or Advent Devotional – and maybe a cup of something warm and comforting. There, you can light your Advent candles as we light the ones in the sanctuary during our Sunday Zoom services. Please let us know if you would like a set of candles, we’re happy to provide them.A

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Our 2020 Advent Daily Devotional comes from Presbyterians Today and is called, “Let Us Light Candles: Matthew 25 and the work of Advent.”  It is an online devotional which will take us through Advent, Christmas, and all the way to Epiphany. You can find links to each week on our website or we can provide you with a paper copy.

Join Pastor Jay on Nov. 30 8:00am M – Sat. on a special Zoom meeting, as we read the devotional together. Contact the NPC Office for the Zoom ID and password.

We will continue our tradition of purchasing poinsettias in honor of our loved ones but this year we want you to place yours in your sacred space at home. You can still send your message of dedication to the church office and we will make sure it is published to the congregation. 

Our Christmas Eve service is still in the planning stages, more info to come, but be assured we will celebrate this special time!

Save the date: Dec 20, 2020 at 4:00 and come to the NPC parking lot for a drive-in Christmas Caroling Party! Joel will be there to lead us in singing some of our favorite carols. We’ll provide song books and an assortment of feel-good, individually wrapped treats, or you can bring your own. But please come and enjoy some Christmas cheer and togetherness all while staying socially distanced in the safety of your own car.

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CCSA Christmas Plans 2020

This year many changes have and arc occurring. Adapting lo these changes and attempting to continue our care of neighbors, family, and ourselves has given us opportunities for growth, for patience, and for deeper understanding of God's care and love for all people. CCSA, (Community Christian Service Agency) a local agency that has been helping people in emergency need of food, clothing, and counseling for over 40 years, has been concentrating its efforts on food distribution to families and homeless persons and serving approximately 30% more persons this year than in 2019, with generous donations from the community and local churches.

In years past CCSA has provided San Diego clients with special food baskets at Christmastime. Last year more than 200 families received baskets and 150 or so homeless persons were given bags of necessities and candy. All recipients received gift cards in their baskets/bags— for purchase of whatever extra items might be needed.

The baskets were prepared with loving care by individuals and families, buying foods and gifts thoughtfully and packing barrels to the brim. Bags for the homeless included new sox, gloves, and hats, as well as sweets and Christmas cards. Deacons at Northminster PC have overseen the collection and creation of the Christmas baskets—18 or so in 2019 and similarly in previous years.

This Christmas, because of complicating factors re Covid, CCSA has decided to give only gift cards to clients, and, therefore, instead of the joy of shopping and packing baskets and bags, persons who are concerned for those in need in San Diego ARE BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER GIVING ONLY CASH or CHECKS this year. The money will be turned into gift cards for the needy—a truly GREEN CHRISTMAS. We might think in terms of the cost if we were providing a basket ($100?) or a bag ($15?) when deciding what numbers should go on a check to CCSA.

At Northminster, these checks could be made out to Northminster Presbyterian Church, noting that the donation should be forwarded to “CCSA Christmas Program." Of, course, we can always send the financial gift directly to CCSA at 4167 Rappahannock Ave., SD 92117.

This famous line seems appropriate here. “God bless us, every one!”


In-Person Church Services Temporarily Suspended

11/10/2020: The state of California announced today that due to the COVID-19 case rate, San Diego will move up from the current red tier status into the most restrictive purple tier. The restrictions go into effect at midnight on Saturday, November 15, 2020. Thus, the in-person church services will be temporarily suspended until San Diego moves back into the red tier. We will continue to have live-streamed services AND Sunday school for children on Zoom at 10 am on Sundays. Call the NPC Office (858-490-3995) or email (church@northminstersandiego.com) for the meeting ID(s). If you miss a Sunday, remember that the Zoom services are recorded and posted on our Sermons Web page for your convenience.

Safe Trick or Treating for Preschool Children & Guest Children 10/30/2020

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat!

On Friday, October 30th, the NPC Preschool children will be dressed in their costumes and the NPC Deacons thought it would be fun to provide treats to the children as they leave for the day.

Date: Friday, October 30, 2020

Place: Outside Congdon Hall

Time: Northminster Preschool Students 12 - 2 pm and Guests 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Social distancing will be observed.

Please invite your children or grandchildren, who might enjoy… they are welcome to come by between 12:30-1:30.

At the moment NPC has enough goodies. Thank you to those who will contribute goodies, please drop off at the office. The Deacons have offered to provide the rest of the treats! Thank you for helping in this fun event. If you are still interested in decorating a Halloween table & dressing up, we still have plenty of room. Please contact the office.

In-Person Church Services at NPC have Resumed!

Starting on August 23, 2020, we will open our doors for people who want to attend church services in person!  The service will also continue to be live-streamed on Zoom, recorded and linked to from the Sermons Web page. Call (858-499-3990) or email (church@northminstersandiego.com) the NPC Office for the meeting ID. Join us each Sunday at 10 am either in person at NPC or online via Zoom. If you miss a Sunday, no worries, you can experience the service viewing the recording posted on our Sermons Web page.

Zoom Sunday School 11:15 am Every Week!

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Hello Parents, Northminster children and the Community. Northminster is excited to start Zoom Sunday School this Sunday August 23, 2020 at 11:15 am.  It will start after Zoom Church Service.  We would love to have your child join us for an engaging children's ministry.  We hope to discover what the Bible has to teach us about being a person of faith and the community.  Bible stories and arts and crafts will teach us about God's love and sharing it with each other.  Please respond to Gladys Sarno at grdelacruz5@yahoo.com, so that she can send you the reproducibles that will be used for our Bible lesson on Sunday and Zoom meeting ID.  Preschool and elementary children are welcome.

Northminster Preschool Now Enrolling for Fall 2020

Northminster Preschool is now enrolling children ages 2-5 for the 2020 - 2021 school year. We are very proud of the program we offer here and strive to provide a safe, high-quality learning experience for your children. The first day of sc…

Northminster Preschool is now enrolling children ages 2-5 for the 2020 - 2021 school year.

We are very proud of the program we offer here and strive to provide a safe, high-quality learning experience for your children.

The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept 8th. Our core hours are 9am - 12pm with early drop off starting at 8:30am and optional Extended Care until 2pm.

For more information, please visit our website at: www.northminsterpreschoolsd.com.

You can also contact the Preschool Office at: preschool@northminstersandiego.com or 858-270-3760.

Baja Presbyterian Missions

 www.presbyterianmission.org

Our friends to the South need our help with monetary gifts for supplies. Aside from COVID-19 itself, the fallout from joblessness is of serious concern. México ruled that most jobs are non-essential.   The unemployment is staggering. The government provides no assistance to these jobless workers. Pastor Robelio’s church has teamed with three other churches in the Baja Presbytery to hand out food to those critically in need. These churches have also started a relief fund to purchase COVID-19 treatment drugs, medical supplies.  Ten churches also need thermometers and sanitation supplies. Please continue your prayers for Baja Presbyterian Missions and our Presbyterian churches in México who face a horrendous struggle. Please also pray for our Mexican brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling to stay healthy while returning to work. If you wish to help, please make your check out to NPC and in the memo of your check put Baja Mission. 100% of your gift will be sent to this Mission Ministry.

Other Ministries supported by Northminster Presbyterian:

Ladle Fellowship

Interfaith
Thrivent Seniors

Urban Youth Collaborative, Nate Landis www.uyc.org
Presbyterian Special Offerings:
    One Great Hour of Sharing
    Pentecost
    Peacemaking
    Christmas Joy

CCSA Christian Community Service Agency  www.ccsasandiego.org

New Day Urban Ministry   www.newdayurbanministries.org

San Diego Military Outreach Ministries' (SDMOM) www.sandiegomom.org

Baja Presbyterian Missions www.presbyterianmission.org

Offerings and any other gifts can be dropped off at the Church office M-F 8-noon or dropped into the lock box that is on the office door at any time. Thank you very much.