Growing our faith ...

At Northwood we believe that we strengthen our relationship with God through worship, study, and offering ourselves through service.

Elsewhere on this site there are pages devoted specifically to our "Worship Services," but you can become directly involved in leading this part of our congregational life through assisting as:.

  • Greeters
  • Ushers
  • Communion Preparers and Servers
  • Acolytes
  • Chancel Choir

Our Christian education program is much broader than the traditional "Sunday School" hour. Some of our key educational ministries include:

  • Nursery 9:40 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Adult\Teen Bible Class at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday
  • An Enrichment program for grade school children following the "Children's Message" in the worship service that focuses on music, Bible study and learning to be actively engaged in worship. Approximately 10:20 to 11:00 a.m.
  • Study Trips that have included special classes in advance of visits to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Greece and Turkey
  • Bible Study and Prayer Groups meeting in both daytime and evenings throughout the week

Growing our hope ...

Hope Ministry is a subset of the church Session (the church governing board) and is concerned with obtaining and conserving the resources that are needed to carry out the church’s mission to the congregation and to the world. What resources does the church need? Major resources are money, facilities, employees, and corporation (business) management.

Hope Ministry conducts stewardship campaigns approved by the Session to raise money for general and specific needs and oversees the counting of the offerings. Annual budgets are prepared for Session approval. Monthly and annual financial reports are produced comparing income and expenses to the budget. Any funds retained for future purposes are managed to minimize risk of loss and maximize returns.

Hope Ministry maintains the facilities (buildings and grounds) through repairs as needed and manages improvements and expansions approved by the Session. Hope also oversees use of the facilities according to approved policies.

Hope Ministry manages employee relations, including proposing salary and benefits for Session or congregation approval, preparing employee policies and employee work plans, conducting employee reviews, and complying with laws concerning employees.

Finally, Hope Ministry manages the “corporation” aspects of the church as a legal entity, such as managing risk with adequate insurance, developing banking relationships, executing contracts, and complying with government regulations.

Growing our love ...

Love is extended through all the ways that we “make Christ known” by providing Care for individuals and families, Hospitality to members and guests through fellowship opportunities, Witness and Service by involvement in local and global ministries, and Relations with other churches both within the Presbyterian denomination and ecumenically.

Some key Love ministries include:

  • Women circles provide missions and hospitality
  • Fun Night Group for singles, couples and young families
  • Parish Care Committee helping members in need
  • Monthly Book Discussion Group
  • Prayer Shawl ministry knitting for those in need
  • Lunch Bunch occasional midweek lunch gathering
  • Scrabble Players helping seniors keep alert

Within Northwood church, the Love Ministry sponsors church wide events such as the Coffee Hour, Easter breakfast, Christmas dinner, Chinese dinner and the Annual Picnic.