MERRITT’S MUSINGS

If you have been in my office at the church, you might have noticed that I have a pretty good collection of record albums. (For you youngsters, record albums are round, grooved plastic discs that play music, when a special needle is rubbed over the grooves.) I've got even more (my blues, jazz, and classical col-lection) in my office at home. I love playing the old tunes, and regularly pull out a Willie Nelson, or Beach Boys or Beatles, or maybe Sinatra, to listen to while looking at the computer or reading a book or doing paperwork, or even writing a sermon.

Kim once pointed out that I have so many albums, I will never get around to listening again to them all, and she was probably right. But it feels good to know that, if ever I do want to listen again to the Jim Croce or Harry Chapin or Carol King or Kris Kristofferson set of songs I loved back in the day, it's there for the listening!

That said, when I did my big move last month or so, and in the course of the move had to re-arrange the records I keep at home, I found there were a number of albums I had forgotten or overlooked, and I started playing them again. It was like rediscovering an old friend, remembering when and where I first heard that music, what it meant to me then, and finding how much it means to me today. And that got me to thinking--just how much that is like reading the Bible!

Big jump there, but here's the thing: just like my albums, there are parts of scripture that I really like a lot, and find myself constantly reading, considering, even preaching on. The Luke parables--Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, Lost Coin, Lost Sheep--I love them, they are like my Beatles or Willie Nelson or Bach albums. Many of the Psalms--I go to them like I do my Beethoven or Electric Light Orchestra or Tony Bennett records. You get the point--I definitely have favorites, and I "play" them most often, in personal devotions or teaching Sunday school or from the pulpit.

But it is well worth re-discovering a lot of the rest of scriptural material--like I'm finding anew how much I enjoy many of the records I haven't listened to in some time. Call it "discovering the oldies!" Tucked in after the Psalter is Job (a lot to ponder there), and there's the wonderful "minor" prophets (those short books so packed with pas-sion!). There is the story of God working His purpose out, there in the pages of Old Testament history (and battles and good and bad kings and so forth). There is all the struggle Paul had, teaching brand new Christians all about this brand new faith. It really is like suddenly coming across "Dave Brubeck's Greatest Hits" or Waylon & The Outlaws or--yes, there's Meat Loaf! Each album has something special in it, and likewise each passage, when you really listen (sometimes for the extra tuning of the Holy Spirit!), has something special as well. The music can get my feet tap-ping, my soul humming--and in much the same way, going to some parts of God's Word that I haven't "heard" for a good while can get me moving along the spiritual trail.

If you haven't spent much time with the Bible recently (or in a long time), now could be a good time to do so. There is certainly good reason to get to know God's ways better, with all that's happening around us. And there's certainly more opportunity, since the world seems to be in a pandemic-related slowdown. You might start with the "records" you like--Psalm 23, for instance (you might call that "David's Greatest Hit"!). But don't skip on hearing what the Spirit might want you to consider in some of the less-read (less listened to) parts of the Bible--the short letters near the end, for instance, or maybe the long Old Testament prophets (Isaiah is great!). Wherever you open the book (whichever record you take off the shelf!), there's something worth hearing.

Here's to using our time well, staying safe, and growing in our faith! May God's richest blessings be with you all!

July/August 2020

Northminster Presbyterian Church

3911 Greenland Ave NW

Roanoke, VA 24012

(540) 366-8115

Church Office Hours: M-Fri 8:30 am–12:30 pm

Staff Pastor Russ Merritt russmerritt2@gmail.com 540-493-9622

Secretary Susie Tallmage susie@northminsterpcusa.org

Music Director Melissa Hudson hdsnme@yahoo.com

Elders

Class of 2020 Lynn Kirby, Dave Snider, Bob Newman, Bob Bielawski, Frankie Bielawski Class of 2021 Judy Ferrell, Jeremy Newman, Vee Hayes, Ray Williams, Chuck Lockard

Class of 2022 Jeff Echols, Betsy Robison, Gayle Wise, Kirk Robison, Sherry Moses

Helping Hands

Northminster Sermons By The Numbers

Chuck Lockard did an outstanding job during our time apart and still continues

posting our weekly sermons. Above is how we/you were able to hear the sermons on a

weekly basis. He and Russ met every Saturday and recorded the sermon to an empty

sanctuary. Audio sermons are still available to those unable to attend church.

Northminster members and friends have been using the church’s website quite regularly

since mid-March to listen to the audio versions of sermons. Not all visitors to our audio

sermon page are local. Since March 15, people from China, Japan, Nigeria, Germany,

Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, South Korea, the Netherlands and eight other countries

have visited the page. We have also had visitors from 30 states including North Caroli-

na, Pennsylvania, New York, South Caroliona, Oregon, California, Georgia and

Texas among others.

Ushered In

Bob Bielawski and his ushering crew kept us

safe and 6 feet apart when we returned to church on

June 8th. His helping hands have included Frankie

Bielawski, Sherry Moses, Gayle Wise, Vee Hayes,

Lynn Kirby, Betsy Robison, Bob Newman, Dora

Slee, Hope & Tom Hale. If you would like to help,

please contact Bob!

Listening By The Numbers—Sunday Worship COVID 19 Style

April May March June July

1 5 89 3 89 7 82 5 55

8 12 129 10 129 14 30 12

15 52 19 90 17 91 21 39 19

22 126 26 87 24 72 28 52 26

29 105 31 77

Helping Hands

Church Landscaping

Chuck Lockard and his team of helpers,

Bob & Frankie Bielawski, Susan Lock-

ard, and Bob Newman provided some

manpower to beautifying the church (inside

and out).

Card Crew

These ladies colored, cut,

stamped, embossed, signed and

glued beautiful messages of

faith, love, and hope throughout

the time the church was closed.

These helping hands included

Debbie Newman, Susan

Lockard, Frankie

Bielawski, and Hope Hale.

Little Library and Blessing Box

At Sunday's Session meeting, Mission Committee members

Holly Woodson and Lynn Kirby discussed the church's

"Little Library and "Blessing Box". The library provides books

for neighborhood folks, and has been very popular, but there is a

real need now for children's books since kids are out of school

due to the pandemic. If you have unused children's books to

donate, please contact Holly. Lynn shared that the congregation

has provided a lot of food for the Blessing Box, and neighbors

have been gratefully availing themselves of that generosity.

Margie Lemon has been resending the cards to those out-

side our Northminster family with an explanation about the

card ministry! If anyone else would like to do this, envelopes

can be purchased from Michaels or online!

Shout Outs

Financial Summary

To All Of Northminster

Since the start of the CoVid-19 pandemic in March, our fi-

nancial picture has remained in remarkably good shape. From

March 1 until June 30, we received $62,353 in offering

contributions while spending $57,236 on expenses for a

gain of $5,117. In June alone, our Total Actual Income

for all budgeted funds was $22,455.54 vs Total Ex-

penses of $15,008.71 for a surplus of $7,446.83 for

the month. This brings our current Assets to $469,075.70

at the end of June. We are greatly appreciate everyone’s

generous gifts to the continuing work of our church during

these trying times.

Tom and Jane Olsen celebrated their 50th anniversary in June. Jane wishes to thank all of

you for your cards, warm messages, and thoughts. We love and appreciate our Northmin-

ster church family!

Helen Taylor stayed busy during the pan-

demic by sewing 21 pillow case dresses!

Great Job!

Judy Ferrell has been

kept in stitches with her

mask-making during the

pandemic. She has made

over 1100 masks and con-

tinues to sell her products

on Etsy.

Happy Birthday Russ, COVID 19 Drive By

ZOOMING Together

Zooming is time together online where the children of the church have

met weekly every Thursday night. Lessons were planned and packets

were mailed or delivered to the children so they were prepared for the

upcoming zoom sessions. Each family receives an email with an invita-

tion and a link to join in. It was “Game Night” and Dana Esworthy and

Lauren Axelson had the kids jumping and hopping and running and

dancing like crazy. Melissa Hudson leads the music (on ZOOM the kids

can sing as loudly as they want). They also played a “home-bound scav-

enger hunt”. It is always good to see them so happy, but I’m sure they

would love to see their friends face to face!

The Worship Committee (which oversees the music program, among many other responsi-

bilities) met recently and re-affirmed the importance of the COVID-19-related practices we

are strongly encouraging for Sunday worship services. (1) Everyone does need to wear masks.

It is actually a Christian courtesy, to help care for your neighbor and fellow worshipper. (2)

Singing, according to just about every expert on any side of the issue, is a potential major

spreader of the virus. Singing can send out droplets a goodly distance, even if singing in a quiet

voice, even if masked. We will continue with instrumental music, but no singing. (3) Follow-

ing the seating arrangement is very important. It helps us maintain social distancing, and has

been laid out to maximize the number of seats within that distancing. (4) It is also important

to refrain from spending too much time with others (including the Minister), as much as we

would like to. That’s just another unfortunate loss during these pandemic days.

Worship Christian

Education

Mission Building/

Grounds

Stewardship/

Finance

*Bob Bielawski

Judy Ferrell

Betsy Robison

*Frankie Bielawski

Vee Hayes

Gayle Wise

*Lynn Kirby

Ray Williams

Sherry Moses

*Dave Snider

Jeremy Newman

Kirk Robison

*Bob Newman

Chuck Lockard

Jeff Echols

Kroger Rewards Program

Northminster is proud to announce we have joined the Kroger Community Rewards Program. To participate simply go to the Kroger.com website. Once logged into your Kroger account, you can search for Northminster Presbyterian Church or code PL601 and then click ENROLL. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a Re-wards Card. Remember, purchases will not count for the church until after you register your Rewards Card. You must swipe your registered Kroger Card when shopping for each purchase to count. If you do not yet have a Kroger Rewards Card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Krog-er. Contact Chuck Lockard if you have question. Thanks for supporting our work at Northminster.

Hunger Busters

We will be collecting food for the Presbyterian Community Center

during the month of July. Bags will be handed out to those who are

attending church. If you would like to participate from home, feel

free to use your own bags. Bags will be collected at the church and

taken to the PCC the first week of August. If you would like to take

your bags directly to the PCC, they will accept them Monday

through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Youth Roller Skating

held on February 24th at the

Roanoke Valley Skate Center

was one of the last “together”

youth events.

July/August/September

7/8/1984 Mike & Maggie Hambrick

7/19/1980 Jyke & Paula Jones

7/22/1972 Barry & Judy Ferrell

8/1/1998 Jason & Katie Moretz

8/3/1974 Bob & Debbie Newman

8/15/1982 Bobby & Diane Brammer

8/19/2006 Sam & Katie Stephens

9/2/2000 Steve & Dana Esworthy

9/5/1981 Chuck & Susan Lockard

9/9/2000 B.J. & Jennifer Pace Baker

9/10/1983 Eddy & Sarah Godsey

9/10/1977 Tim & Karen Smith

9/18/1971 Reggie & Margie Lemon

9/28/2013 Kevin & Emma Cameron

July

2 Lee Ann Kabana

4 Garry Harris

5 Richard Clatter-

baugh

10 Ann Pace

11 Kathy Baker

16 Ron Staon

17 Abbie Caldwell

24 Lucy Graybill

24 Susan Lockard

August

13 Amanda

Craddock

14 Kirk Robison

16 Quinn Kirby

19 Patsy Linton

20 Allen Kling

23 Tyler Allen

24 George Smith

27 Stephen Esworthy

28 Matt Graybill

28 Kristin Newman

Postponed until 2021

Rocky Railway VBS

at Bethany Christian Church

Participating Churches…

Northminster Presbyterian

Williamson Road Church of the Brethren

Ramblings Round-Up ReCap

Greg Cundiff is already back to work after his July 1st hip resurfacing in Co-

lumbia, SC. Greg was happy to learn from a doctor at Duke that he was a good can-

didate for hip resurfacing instead of a hip replacement. Instead of cutting off a chunk

of bone, they shave off a few millimeters and cap it. This approach preserves more

of the patient’s natural bone, and reduces postoperative risks of dislocation and inac-

curate leg length. He had a pre-op the day before, had the outpatient surgery on July 1st, stayed overnight in a local hotel,

and his doctor visited him the following morning (yes you read that correctly) and released him to go home! Greg report-

ed that he was doing great and using a cane. He appreciates all the prayers and good vibes!

One of the all-time greatest golfers ever was Slammin’ Sammy Snead—and he frequently was given medical care by our

own Dr. Don Myers, up in Hot Springs! Don and Glenna told me during a recent visit that Snead—an avid fisher-

man—once came to Don with a hook in his finger. He wanted Don to get it out, but to save the expensive fly (fancy lure)

that was attached. Don did just that—saving the valuable finger for golf and lure for fishing. Snead was quite apprecia-

tive. Don continues to be bedridden, he is weak and needs a lot of rest, but his spirits are good, and he has great care

(from Glenna especially).

Atwood Huff has been moved to Friendship South for rehab, the goal being to get him strong and stable enough to

come home and manage with Maryanne’s assistance. The pandemic has made it tough for Maryanne to see him as often

as she’d (and he’d) like, but the move to Friendship is a step in the right direction.

Michael Hambrick had another procedure recently, and while there are still issues to be addressed, there is no sign

of cancer returning, a real blessing! Michael and Maggie thank everyone for your continued support and prayers!

Floyd Moretz reports that Mary is getting weaker, is failing physically, but at the same time her dementia is increas-

ing and she is getting more combative. I know a number of you have reached out to Floyd, and that he deeply appreciates

your support and prayers. Things are hard—and the pandemic issues add to the burden. Please remember them in your

prayers.

Because he was diagnosed earlier with the virus—his tests are now negative—Ray Williams has wisely stayed away

from church and fellow members, but he wants everyone to know how much he misses you, and appreciates your reach-

ing out to him. Ray is currently on a month’s leave from his job with the state, caused by a reaction to mold in his work-

place, and he is hoping for a new working arrangement.

Dennis Kincer is still waiting for his hip surgery to be scheduled. Like Frances Bowling, he has had to wait out the

pandemic on a bum and painful hip. We pray for them both!

Ramblings Round-Up ReCap

It was good to see Gary and Janet Harris in church Sunday. Gary has

lost weight, due to the issues with his esophagus, but his latst treatment

seems to have been very successful, and he is getting his appetite back and

should soon be in much better shape.

I spoke with Reba Kling, who said she’s still having eye issues, but that

she and Allen are doing fine, “other than being bored”. They remain hunk-

ered down at home for the time being.

Judy Moore, one of Russ’ “Pastor’s Partners”, reports that Frances Bowling has been receiving therapy

for her arm. She finds it difficult to eat with her left arm, while she tries to get her right arm back in shape. Her

daughter will be with her when she meets with her surgeon next week for her “hippy” consultation.

Sherry Moses (who recently lost her nephew Risky to COVID-19) has asked that I share the following note

with you, which I gladly do:

“Northminster equals love. Since April I have felt your amazing love and prayers every single day. Your beauti-

ful cards, prayers, emails, and phone calls have sustained us through a long rough time. My nephew, Ricky, was

in ICU for 39 days before God took him home. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your Christian

love and sympathy.”

While checking out life in the Grandin Road area the other day, I rode past the Graybill home (very conveniently

located near all the Grandin activities!) and visited (through the car window) with Matt and Lucy Gray-

bill. Lucy, who goes to school up the hill at Virginia Heights Elementary and has become quite the conversation-

alist, shared that she had been active learning to ride her "razor" scooter, while Matt was giving her a watchful

eye. It was a pleasant surprise to ride past and see them enjoying a beautiful afternoon in front of their wonderful

home!

Bill Waddell was hospitalized back in late May, but Lois tells me the doctor most recently has said Bill suf-

fered nothing organic, it was a muscle issue. He will be heading back to the doctor in September for some type

of electrical test. Their son, Chuck, comes about every 10 days to help with groceries and as Lois reports “filling

his father’s pill box.” Staying in has become a bit boring for Lois, as she has started counting flowers on the wall!

I had a good phone visit with Joan Critzer the other day. Joan had a dental procedure back in February that

has left her face still numb. Joan told me she is “a Navy widow”—her now-deceased husband was a Navy lifer,

serving over 20 years. He was away often, so she raised their three children frequently on her own. Joan says

she misses seeing everyone, and hopes we are all back together soon.

Ramblings Round-Up ReCap

Bobby Brammer is doing well, he will hear more on Thursday about his heel issue. He is trying to get outside more,

I’m guessing to supervise Di’s work in the garden. Di says the garden has kept her busy especially now with all the water-

ing.

Judy Moore talked with Lois Hopkins who recently visited a chiropractor to work on her back pain. She seems

happy with the results and visits him twice a week.

Judy Moore says she is going “crazy”. Saturday evening she planned to go out and

cut the purple flowers from her hostas, but not until the hot sun went down! She is

getting tired of all the shredding that she has been doing. She can’t wait to get out!

Judy Ferrell tells me that grandson Cam O’Conner—who plays basketball at

Longwood University—has been sequestered on campus, along with other members of

the team. Cam was injured his freshman season last year, and is looking forward to being able to play this year. But no

matter how many points he scores, it’s his academic record that is really all-star quality, putting him on the Dean’s List for

the 2020 Spring Semester in Business and Economics.

One past Saturday morning in June, our Presbytery of the Peaks had its regular stated meeting—by Zoom! I “attended”

with our Session representative, Lynn Kirby, as the Presbytery and its technical gurus did a pretty good job handling

around 130 folks linked in together—very few glitches! Richard and Pam Claterbaugh were also present—Richard made a

report, as the Chair of Presbytery’s Administration Committee, and Pam served as Assistant Stated Clerk for the meeting

(a challenging job under usual circumstances, and more so due to the Zoom setting). The Co-Moderator of the national

General Assembly joined us via Zoom from Boston, and the Synod Exec was present from Richmond.

Speaking of Richard and Pam Claterbaugh, they have for some time been great representatives to the

higher church courts—Richard recently served as the Moderator of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, and Pam has just been

elected to represent the Presbytery at this coming week’s bi-annual denominational General Assembly meeting. (Be in

prayer for Pam and all the representatives from across the country as they meet via Zoom!) While mentioning service to

higher Presbyterian courts, let me also thank Marie Haines, who is part of our Presbytery’s Mission Committee. Pam

Claterbaugh filled in for Russ the first two Sundays in July! We enjoyed both of her sermons, “A Message of Hope” and

“Anyone With Ears, Listen.”