NORTHWAY WEEKLY UPDATE | Week of March 21

This Sunday: "Deep is the Hunger for Presence"

Scripture: John 12:12-16

Join us On Campus or Online | Sunday, March 24, 2024

One of the lessons we learned in the pandemic was the importance of presence. When we were stuck at home for months (some for years) we experienced several shifts. Many of us rediscovered the joy of having more time with family and our close circle of friends because we were working from home. Others of us experienced a great lack because we could not be present with those we love – family, friends, church. At the same time, we discovered that technology can actually do a lot to help us connect and be present with one another if we will be intentional. We are not sending hugs via zoom yet, but there are hugging robots (see Big Hero 6 movie) so maybe soon. In the meantime, as we’ve emerged (slowly) from the trauma of those years, around the world people are prioritizing presence in new ways. As we strive to increase presence in our personal lives, let’s keep in mind all those who are isolated, who don’t have people showing up for them, or even for whom they can show up. Let’s join presence with connection to facilitate transformation of ourselves, our congregation, and our community.

A Note from our Music & Worship Director

It is hard to believe, but this Sunday is Palm Sunday. This is the sixth Sunday in Lent and the first day of Holy Week. We celebrate the entrance of Jesus on a donkey into Jerusalem. This story appears in each of the four gospels with every gospel writer describing the crowd greeting Jesus as shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” The Children’s Choir will set up the story by setting the scene and then singing out “Hosanna, hosanna, blessed is he…”


As we know, the story does not end on that celebratory note. Our worship service will reflect what is coming as we will journey on to Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. The “Word in Song” sung by the Chancel Choir is titled “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” and begins with trumpet and organ in the style of a fanfare announcing the arrival. The choir joins in singing with a very full and triumphant sound, singing “Ride on, Ride on!”


This mood quickly changes as the choir sings “Ride on in majesty, hark all the tribes hosanna cry,” gradually becoming softer and softer. The following words “O Savior meek your road pursue…” are sung in a solemn tone. The next “Ride on, Ride on” phrase is once again triumphant only to continue singing “Ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die.” The piece ends in triumphant cries singing “Ride on, ride on!"


Palm Sunday will always include a foreshadowing of what is to come because the story is so familiar. Our gatherings for worship will guide us through the emotions of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday that need to be experienced to fully appreciate and celebrate the resurrection. On Good Friday we will gather in the evening to hear the seven last words with musical reflections provided by the Chancel Choir and Scott Ayers at the organ. I look forward to our gathering and processing on Palm Sunday as we shout our Hosannas and begin the journey to the resurrection!


Leanne Seabright

Director of Music and Worship Ministries

9:00 am - Sunday School

10:00 am - Fellowship

10:15 am - Palm Processional

10:30 am - Worship Service


This Sunday we will meet in front of the church under the porte cochere at 10:15 am for a donkey-led palm processional.


You may join us in the Sanctuary or online for Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 am. The service is also available on Facebook and YouTube. Below are some tips for worshiping with us online.


Announcements begin at 10:15 am, with the prelude to follow. Join us early! Prepare your own bread, cup and candle for communion. Turn on and adjust the sound to your computer.


Worship Rocks

Following the children's moment

in the worship service, children

ages 3 - 5th grade will be escorted

to F-102 for their own kid-friendly worship experience.



After Church Youth & JYF

11:45 am in Youth Hall


After Church Choir Rehearsal

11:45 am in the Music Suite

Solomon's Porch (Men's Group)

2nd and 4th Saturdays 7:45 am

in the Music Suite.


Diaper Distribution

4th Saturdays

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Front lot of the church.


Tai Chi

Mondays at 10:30 am In F-101 Contact Donna for info

972-271-3949


Mobile Food Pantry

1st, 2nd, 3rd Tuesdays

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Front lot of the church.


Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

in the Music Suite .


Stacup School for the Laity

March 23 at 9:00 am in F-102

Register here


NTA DWM Spiritual Life Retreat

April 19-21 at Disciples Crossing Request more info


Tri-Area Men's Retreat

May 17-19

at Disciples Crossing

Register here

To make sure your lily dedication is included in the Easter Worship Guide, please turn in your dedication forms by Monday, March 25. Lily dedications are $10 ea.

Lily Order Form

Do you plan to join us for Maundy Thursday? Please RSVP here.

Click the image or scan the QR code above to see a full list of

 Easter and Holy Week activities.

Volunteers Needed

To volunteer contact us at mail@northwaychristian.org

SET UP EASTER LILIES: We need a few people to come to the church on Saturday, March 30 to help arrange 50 lilies in the Sanctuary for Easter. No heavy lifting required!

FLOWERING THE CROSS: Help is needed to prepare our beautiful, flowered cross for Easter Sunday! Prior to the 10:30 am worship service on Sunday, March 31, we will need help cutting stems and pre-filling some of the cross with flowers.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: We need Sunday School teachers for our children and youth. No experience is required. You are enough! We usually work on a month on and month off rotation, but if you are available on different timing, we will work with you.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: There are so many ways you can serve before and during the week of VBS. We need set-up helpers the week before, small group leaders, game leaders, craft and marketplace helpers...and more. If you are available, we will find the right job for you!

Writing as a Spiritual Practice

Tuesdays, April 2 through May 7 from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, on Zoom

Have you ever said “I’m not a writer. I don’t understand poetry.” What other excuses have you given God to hiding your light under a bushel?


Join us for a virtual six-week time of discovering our voices as writers and poets with Dr. Tomi Oredien to deepen our own faith, and reflect on how we can profess our experience of God’s amazing work in our lives. We will begin on select Tuesdays after Easter at 5:00 pm. Interested? E-mail Johnny Brown.


Zoom details to be announced.

Parent Connection

Hey Parents! If you'd like to keep up with Northway's activities for children and youth, you'll want to click here to check out our "Parent Connection" newsletter. If you're not receiving this weekly email, but would like to, send us a note.

Happy Birthday

Birthday blessings to

Carolyn Jeter, Pegge Flowers, Cathy Dozier, Amy Koh, Liz Gunter, and Lisa Gholston.

Financial Update

Week of March 14 - March 20, 2024

Weekly Receipts: $2,353.

Year to Date Receipts: $76,630.

2024 Budget: $464,840.

Financial Update Note: Contributions will be reported at the time they are received, even if they are prepayments of annual pledges. If you have questions, please contact Laura Giffin or call the church office at 214-361-6641.

Giving Options for Northway Christian Church


 Give online at northwaychristian.org

Give via text message by texting NORTHWAY to 73256

Gifts and offerings may also be mailed to the church office at

7202 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX 75225