I've always thought small wins are much better to celebrate than big ones. To me, it's hard to set a big goal and then just try to accomplish that goal head-on. Instead, I think it is easier to reach that big goal when you have smaller goals along the way from your starting point to your endpoint. You can slowly see your progress, which gives you confidence to reach the final product. From June 6th-12th, our youth group embodied small wins through all the work that we accomplished throughout the week.

Our group was small, but we sure were mighty with everything that we got done. The first day we worshipped with our hosting church, where we stayed, Faith Harbour UMC. In the morning, we worshipped on the boardwalk near the beach, which was a great way to start the day. Following the first service, we returned to the church for their traditional service, where our youth, without hesitation, helped serve communion to the church community. It was such a blessing to watch our youth help with one of the most holy aspects of worship, in connection with a fellow United Methodist congregation.
 
The next day we ventured out to Wilmington to help with an organization called First Fruits Ministries. This is a pantry for food and clothing for community members in need. Our team received our duties, quickly split up, and got to work. Two of our girls helped check in about 290 people who needed help. The rest of our team helped sort clothes that went out during the food pantry so people could grab clothing for themselves or their children. Once we finished, we met back at the church and wrote cards to all the ministries we were going to help that week, thanking them for allowing us to work with them and for their hospitality.

Day 3, we worked the first part of the day at Lighthouse Ministries, which is a church outside of Wilmington. One of the largest ministries this church has is a food pantry as well. Our job was to help organize food and clean up areas of the property so that it looked nice for visitors and church members in the future. I was so proud of our team, specifically on this job because it was a lot of work. We were outside in the heat shoveling, raking, and carrying heavy pieces of wood. But what did we do? We split the job into small wins. The youth, after accomplishing each small win, wanted to keep going, and we finished more than what the church had thought we could get done. In the second part of the day, we helped at a homeless shelter called Good Shepherd Centre. There we cleaned both the inside and outside of four of the vans that they use on a day-to-day basis. They were so impressed by the work that they mentioned us in their newsletter to the community.

On our last day, we helped again lead a midweek service with Faith Harbour. Our youth helped lead in readings and prayers throughout the service. Then that afternoon we went to Lauren's Hope. This is a pregnancy center helping expecting mothers with the various challenges that they may face. Like the following day, it was a big job, but our team created a plan. We split up, helping clean the warehouse and paint multiple doors around the center.

During our last group meeting, we discussed what the week meant to us. What I shared was that this week was a celebration. We celebrated small wins throughout the week and had a lot of work to show for it. Northbrook, you should be proud of your youth and adult volunteers for that week. God calls us to share God's love with our brothers and sisters in Christ. They did so by serving Communion, sorting clothes, shoveling, raking, moving trash, washing vans, sweeping, and painting doors. I'm excited to see what the future of Northbrook's youth ministry will look like, and how God will continue to look on the youth and adult volunteers.
​
Peace and Grace,
Erich Wills
Minister of Youth & Missions
 
 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." — Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

"Just as we prepare for a summer road trip with maps, snacks, and a destination in mind, God invites us to travel through life with Him as our Guide."

When was the last time you went on a road trip? There was excitement about packing your bags, mapping the route, and wondering what adventures awaited around the next bend. As I reflect, sometimes the roads were smooth and easy. Other times there were road detours, traffic jams, challenging weather, or other unexpected delays.

Life is a lot like a road trip.

As our scripture referenced, when Joshua received this message from God, he was preparing for a journey into unknown territory. Moses was gone, and Joshua was now responsible for leading God's people into the Promised Land. The road ahead was unfamiliar territory, it seemed challenging, and there were many reasons he could have been afraid to move forward.

Yet God did not hand Joshua a detailed map showing every turn. Instead, God gave him something even better—His presence. God promised, "I will be with you wherever you go."

The same promise is true for us today. Whether we are traveling to a new place, starting a new school year, making new friends, facing a difficult decision, or stepping into an unfamiliar season of life, God goes with us--we do not travel alone. Knowing this should provide some comfort, but we usually feel anxious about the unknown.

When fear tries to take the driver's seat, God tells us to be strong and courageous. Our courage does not come from knowing every detail of the journey. It comes from knowing the One who is traveling with us. God's Word is our spiritual Global Positioning System (GPS). The Word guides our everyday decisions, redirects us when we make wrong turns, and reminds us that our destination is always found in following Him.

As we enjoy this VBS Road Trip adventure, let's remember that every day is another opportunity to journey with God. Wherever the road leads, His presence goes before us, beside us, and behind us.

Yours In Christ,
Phyllis Baskin
Office Manager
 

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen   __1 Peter 4:10-11 

This month, one of our local mission partners, The Drake House, is celebrating 20 years of service to single homeless mothers and their children in North Fulton. This nonprofit was started by a group of volunteers in a leadership class through The North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. They identified an unmet need in our community and found four families who anonymously backed a mortgage for a condemnable apartment building. After forming a Board of Directors, they hired two employees: 1) one would find funding and a sponsor to make the apartments habitable; and 2) the other would discern who to serve and how to serve them. This also included finding partners within the community to identify families in need; to secure a variety of supportive services; and to secure additional partnerships, as there were limited funds. Both daunting and sometimes seemingly impossible feats. John Smith and I were both prayerful and hopeful as we set out on this journey laid before us.
 
​The first partnership that would serve as a firm foundation would be our local faith community. I distinctly remember the day I scheduled an appointment with Rev. Jenny Andone in 2005. Northbrook was sponsoring an apartment at another local nonprofit, Homestretch, where I had previously worked.  My goal was to convince Jenny that sponsoring the new Drake House apartment was a worthy adoption for the church. I was laying out the conditions of the relationship with The Drake House when Jenny interrupted me to say, “Yes,” we’ll take one! That was one of many moments of encouragement from God, that His presence would be made known along the way.
 
Many of you remember that time as members were gathered to help paint and furnish the apartment, making it welcoming to an anxious family in crisis. And others volunteered to walk alongside the mom and children providing unconditional support and encouragement during their stay. Or maybe you made homemade ice cream to serve at our community fundraiser in the town square, “Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin.” And member Stephanie Schutte organized a meeting with her fellow Fulton County school social workers to identify and refer families who had temporary and unstable living situations, such as weekly hotels. The Body of Christ was at work as we assembled services to help meet the needs of the families and boost them to self-sufficiency through an intense program of accountability and education. 
 
Years later, Linda Sandstrom still hears from the mother she mentored at The Drake House, her unconditional support and encouragement was not forgotten by this former resident.  And my own heart was filled when I ran into a mom at the ballpark recently--she was coaching her son’s team, fully integrated into our community and volunteering, just as it was modeled for her years ago when she brought her two young sons to The Drake House.
 
Happy 20th year anniversary to The Drake House for their continued service to families in need and to Northbrook United Methodist Church for being with them every step of the way! You have shared the love of Christ and a forever home through sharing your many gifts and talents over the years.
 
In gratitude,
Christy Merritt
Coordinator of Godly Play

A few weeks ago, my family took our first vacation with three children. I use the word vacation somewhat generously. I organized the trip for my husband, our three kids, my parents, my two brothers, and my brother’s spouse. There was a mountain of preparation: booking the Airbnb, planning meals, ordering groceries, packing clothes, swimsuits, toys, towels, snacks, sand toys, coolers, and everything else that comes with transporting a small army to the beach.

We loaded the car in pouring rain, making frantic trips back and forth to ensure every bag was packed and every child was buckled. When we finally pulled out of the driveway, I felt an enormous sense of relief. Unfortunately, it lasted only a few moments.

That trip reminded me of something I have come to believe: every journey has two parts—the first step, and every step after it. The first step is difficult because it requires us to leave what is familiar. But every step that follows demands perseverance, trust, and faithfulness.

Genesis 12 marks the first step in God’s great plan of redemption. The first eleven chapters of Genesis tell the story of a world repeatedly losing its way. Creation gives way to rebellion. Hope gives way to violence. The flood reveals humanity’s brokenness. Babel reveals humanity’s pride. Dream after dream falls apart.

Then God calls Abram. “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” With those words, a new story begins. Abram is asked to leave behind everything that provides security and stability. He is not given a detailed map. He is not told exactly where he is going. Instead, God offers a promise and asks Abram to trust enough to take the first step. What makes Abram remarkable is not who he was, but that he went.

After generations of curses, God promises blessing. After humanity scatters, God gathers one family and commissions them to become a blessing for all families of the earth. God’s purpose has always been larger than a single individual or community. Blessing is meant to flow outward. That same pattern continues today.

Over the years, Northbrook has taken faithful first steps of its own. Previous generations discerned the need to raise resources, reduce debt, and invest in ministries not yet imagined. Those decisions led to the Beyond Fund, the merger with Christ United Methodist Church, and opportunities to share significant resources with the wider community. Because others responded faithfully to God’s call, we are able to bless our neighbors today.

As we move through the remainder of this year, we will be focusing on our theme, A Season of Belonging. We are creating new opportunities to welcome people, deepen connections, and ensure everyone can find a meaningful place at the table. In a world increasingly marked by division and isolation, Northbrook is called to embody a different way—a community shaped by grace, hospitality, forgiveness, and love.

I believe God has blessed this congregation with stability, resilience, and beloved community for a reason. Like Abram, we are called not simply to receive blessings, but to become a blessing. We are heirs of the promise and participants in God’s ongoing journey of restoration.

The first step is never easy. But it is always worthwhile when God is the one calling us forward.
​
Grace and peace,
Rev. Kena Newkirk, Associate Pastor
​

Many of you know of my deep appreciation for traditional worship and sacred church music, especially the timeless hymns of the church that have shaped the faith of generations. Among these treasured hymns, Blessed Assurance remains at the top of my list.
 
Written by Fanny Crosby, this cherished hymn has encouraged generations of believers through its powerful message of faith and hope. Its words call us to rest in the assurance that God’s promises are true and His presence is constant. A close friend of Crosby’s, Phoebe Knapp, composed the music for this hymn. According to tradition, Knapp played a melody on the piano and asked Crosby what the tune said to her. Crosby immediately replied, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!” From that moment, one of the most beloved hymns in church history was born.
 
What makes this hymn so enduring is its message of unwavering confidence in Christ. The lyrics speak of peace, surrender, joy, and hope:
 
“This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.”

For many believers, these words are more than poetry, they are a personal testimony! The hymn reminds us that faith is not built on uncertainty or fear, but on the assurance of God’s love and salvation.
 
Fanny Crosby is one of the most influential hymn writers in Christian history. Though she lost her eyesight as an infant, Crosby’s spiritual vision and poetic gift touched millions around the world. Over her lifetime, she wrote more than 8,000 hymns, including many still sung today in churches of every denomination. Hymns like “To God Be the Glory,” “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” “Close to Thee,” and “Rescue the Perishing,” just to name a few.
 
Crosby often wrote from personal experiences. Despite physical hardship and challenges, her hymns consistently reflected joy and trust in God. Her life serves as a powerful example of how faith can overcome adversity and inspire generations.
 
I would encourage you to reflect on the message of Blessed Assurance and the influence of Fanny Crosby’s hymns. May we also choose to live with the same unwavering faith and confidence in God’s promises. Let us be encouraged today to walk by faith, to praise God in every season, and to hold firmly to the assurance that Jesus is with us always. My prayer is that my life, like Crosby’s hymns, will be a testimony of hope, joy, and steadfast trust in the Lord.
 
With Joy,
 Dr. Chad Hunt
Director of Worship & Music
 

                                                             Photo from Eternity News/Wikimedia and Hymnary.org

In the book, An Altar in the World, Barbara Brown Taylor has a chapter on the spiritual practice of pronouncing blessings.  Taylor says that we should be blessing things more often because when we are seeing things closely enough to bless them, we are looking at them through the eyes of God.  Pronouncing blessings, she says, might be the closest we ever get to God.  Blessing things and people and spaces is a way of looking at them not for what they can do for you or what they have accomplished, but simply for the wonder that God made them to be. So as I say goodbye as a staff member at Northbrook, where I have laughed, grown, stressed, worked, loved, and been loved for 12 years, I would like to pronounce some blessings - a benediction if you will - “a blessing that comes at the end of something, to send people on their way.”

Northbrook, you are a church filled with love.  

• You notice people.  
• You check-in with people.  
• You encourage people.  
• You welcome people - not just with a quick hello, but with a “join me in my pew/sit at my table."  You aren’t afraid to dig-into-scripture, to hard conversations, to the gritty work of service, to seeing the world both as it is and as it could be.  
• You are joyful.
• Your spaces are filled with laughter more often than not.

 
When I tell people about the wonderful church that you are, I tell them that you will always choose loving the person in front of you over holding tight to some belief with which you are grappling.
 
You have loved my family so well.  You have cheered my girls on, helped keep them safe, taught them the stories of God, and made sure they knew how loved they were.  You have been a home for all three of us for more than a decade.
 
You have made an indelible mark on my life, and I will forever be thankful for my time (and all 400 jobs I have held) at Northbrook.
 
And until we meet again, remember you are a beloved child of God (and loved so fiercely by me).

Many Blessings,
Leslie Bowers
Former Director of Creative Services

School's out for summer, and I am eagerly anticipating it all — pool days, popsicles, summer salads, house projects, and a daze of patriotic celebrations that give my husband an excuse to crank up the grill and feed the masses. So, if you're craving a Smashburger this weekend, you know where to find us.

Summer also means wonder. My oldest son and I have been spending our mornings outside, watching new blooms arrive and looking up at the sky. He's very curious, and we've been having all sorts of conversations sparked by his curiosity. He once asked me if heaven is in the clouds. I'm still thinking about it. Matthew 6:25–34 reminds us not to worry about our daily needs but to marvel at the world around us. We're trying to start our days with a bit of this wonder.

We also have exciting things happening with the children's choir this summer. We have a full season of themed rehearsals planned, and our kickoff is "Fun in the Sun" — so if you're wandering through campus next Wednesday, don't be surprised if you spot some goofy sunglasses and bright colors. Worshipping God through music has always been joyful — this summer, we're adding a little sprinkle of sunshine to it.

My family and I are always eager to share our love for Northbrook. It is such a special place to us — for school, for worship, and for community. Lately, discipleship keeps coming up in conversations and messaging. It has led me to pause and consider what it really means and what it looks like for our family right now. I keep coming back to John 1:39: "Come and you will see." If you're wondering whether this is where your family belongs, come and see. Come and be! We're here to welcome you.

Let us wonder, wander, and share our love of God this summer. And let us enjoy the season we're in.

In Christ,
 Chelsea Spits, Director of Children’s Music

I love the game of baseball. Like many Americans I look forward to this time of the year. I was introduced to baseball at a very young age. My older brother taught me all that I needed to know. We would sit around the radio listening as he explained every pitch. It felt as though we had front row seats in the stadium! We would listen to the Houston Astros or the Chicago White Sox. As a matter of fact, we were so into the sport that my brother, Lucien, invented a replica of the game. I'll share with you how it was played.
​
A 12x12 piece of cardboard was cut out and used for the diamond. A circle was drawn in the center for the pitcher's mound. First, second, third and home plate were labeled on the corners. It was placed on the floor where two walls met using the baseboards for the outfield walls. It was a perfect height for our players. So now we need some players. An old chess game came in handy. Several pieces were selected and given a name and position. Letters were marked on players for better identification. For instance, there could be a Knight A and a Knight R. One could be a shortstop and the other a catcher. A few toy soldiers were also added to the rosters.
 
Now let's play ball! Each pitch was determined by the roll of a dice borrowed from a monopoly game. If a three is rolled, it's a ball thrown by the pitcher. A six is a call strike and four is a strike swing and a miss. Four balls you walk, and three strikes and you are out! Roll a one and it's a liner to the outfield. Roll another one and it drops in for a single. Roll a two and it's a fly ball. Roll another two and it becomes a homer. A two rolled followed by a one becomes a double, with a chance of becoming a triple with the roll of another one. Oops, I almost forgot. The roll of a five was an infield ground ball which the batter would be safe at first only if a one was rolled next. Nine innings were played for every complete game. If the score was tied at the end of nine innings, the game went into extra innings until a team scored a run. Every pitcher had a win/loss record along with strike outs accomplished. For every position player's batting average was calculated and a record was kept of his hits, runs, homers and runs batted in.
 
I think that covers it my friends. That is why I love the game of baseball. Thank you Lu for teaching me the ropes of my favorite sport. Until we meet again, love all.
 
GO BRAVES!
 
In Christ,
Jerome Young, Facilities Manager
 

​And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
--Mark 3:33-35

When Mother's Day is approaching, we often talk in our weekly worship staff meeting about being sensitive on Mother's Day to the variety of feelings people have around the day based on their own family and life experiences. We recognize the day can bring as much sadness and grief as joy and celebration, depending upon one's vantage point in life. One of the ways we address this is by trying to focus on the word "mother" more as a verb rather than a noun.

In her book Captivating, Stasi Eldredge writes, "...the word mother is more powerful when used as a verb rather than a noun. All women are not mothers, but all women are called to mother...A woman is not less of a woman because she is not a wife or has not physically born a child...All women are made in the image of God in that we bring forth life."

To mother is "to give birth to, to create, to watch over, nourish, and protect." As followers of Jesus, the Holy Spirit blesses each of us, male and female, with gifts to help others fully become who God created them to be. When we love and nurture others in the faith, we are partnering with God in bringing forth new life in the name of the One who is "the way, the truth, and the life."

Think, if you will, about those who have mothered or fathered you in the faith and offer thanks to God for them. Then consider this question: "Who, outside of my family, am I mothering or fathering in the faith?" Then ask God to reveal to you who and how you can mother and father someone outside your family.

I hope to see you on this "Mothering" Sunday at Northbrook, a spiritual family where God welcomes ALL as members of the family of God!

Pastor Jennie