North Stars Ministry Update
October 2026 Newsletter

John Hodges • Minister of Worship & Communications
October 1, 2026

17 Minute Read

Our motto is to do “what you can,” (Romans 12:6) “when you can,” (Galatians 6:10) “the best you can,” (Eccl. 9:10) to honor Christ and his Church.

In Christ’s Name
by Doug Foster

What exactly does it mean when we close our prayers with the words, “In Christ’s name, Amen”?

For most of my life, that (or “In Jesus’ Name”) was the required and expected end of every prayer. When the person leading the prayer said that phrase, everyone knew the prayer was over and the service could proceed, or people could talk, visit, and rush out to lunch. Essentially, in most people’s minds it was the same thing as saying, “that’s all folks.”

But most of us know that that’s not what it means, and the difference between what it does mean and “that’s all folks” is pretty serious.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells the church in Corinth (the one that was VERY messed up) that they are like a human body with lots of different parts. He was trying to make the point that the different body parts do different things and for one part to be jealous of another is ridiculous. But in verse 27 he makes the point I want to zero in on. As Christians we’ve all been baptized into the one Spirit of God and are, as a result, part of the one body of Christ.

Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it (1 Corinthians 12:27).

Do we hear what that says? Somehow, WE, all together, are the body of Christ! We are not his glorified body that he got after his resurrection. We are not new saviors. We are not divine. However, WE are his body on earth today! In some wondrous sense, we have Christ living in us. Jesus prayed just before his crucifixion that his followers then and forever would be one, because he is in US.

The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one (John 17:22-23).

And Paul is very clear in Galatians 2:20 that when you looked at him, what you saw is not the human Paul anymore; he was living because Christ lived in him.

It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

What in the world does that mean? Well, I admit that I don’t know everything that this powerful statement means, but I do know one thing it means.

When we pray and end the prayer with the words “In Christ’s Name,” or “through Christ we pray,” we are praying through both Jesus, who has been raised from death and sits at the right hand of God, AND we are praying through the body of Christ—the Church, me and you who are members of Christ’s body right here and now! That means that not only are we praying to God in heaven to act, but we are also praying that Christ’s body here on earth will do something!

One of my teachers, Ronald Rolheiser, makes the point in an excellent way in his book The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality.

We are charging ourselves, as part of the Body of Christ, with some responsibility for answering the prayer. To pray as a Christian demands concrete involvement in trying to bring about what is pleaded for in the prayer. —Ronald Rolheiser

If we know of someone who is suffering a great loss and we pray for them in Christ’s name, but we do nothing to reach out and encourage them with a conversation, eat a meal together, or give an invitation to do something with them, we are not praying in Christ’s name. I have been guilty of that—feeling I had done my “Christian” duty by praying for someone and just hoping God would do something miraculous to help them. But when I did that, I wasn’t praying as a Christian. If we pray for orphans and homeless people, but do nothing to help alleviate their troubles, we are not praying as Christians. If we pray that peace will come to the world or that God’s wonderful world will be saved from destruction and pollution, but don’t do something to help in those matters, we are not praying as part of the body of Christ.

Some things almost make us despair because the issues are so overwhelming. What could I possibly do for world peace? Most of us, I suspect, will not serve on peacekeeping teams that go to warring areas to bring relief to victims or help negotiate peace. But we can make peace with and forgive anyone who has hurt us. Not many of us will likely serve on teams that go to areas of the world suffering from famine and starvation to help relieve the suffering of innocents. But we can do things that contribute to a healthy planet and community where we live and support those who do go to bring sustenance to starving and warring peoples.

The point is, to pray for anything in Jesus’ name puts a burden on each of us to act in the ways we can. All of us, as members of the Body of Christ, have things we can do as individuals and as the Church.

I know, from personal experience, that there are many who are part of the Northside Church of Christ who truly do pray as Christians. This has been a massive blessing to me and countless others as you have ministered to the hungry, widows, homeless, broken families, and broken hearts.

When we pray in Christ’s name, let’s remember that we are the Body of Christ, and then act as the Body of Christ.

O Christ Who Made Himself the Servant of All,
I would set my heart and my affections upon you—
and upon you alone—for I can only serve others rightly when such service is undertaken from first to last as an act of devotion offered to you.
(From Every Moment Holy, vol. 1, p. 158)

(Douglas A. Foster is Professor Emeritus in the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University. He is widely respected for his scholarship regarding the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. Doug has written several influential works, including Will the Cycle Be Unbroken? and The Stone-Campbell Movement: A Global History.)

Note to Senior Adults: We invite you to help strengthen our church family by connecting with our Northside youth—greet them, learn their names, share a moment of conversation, and encourage those who contribute to our newsletter. Your kindness and presence make a meaningful difference in their lives, just as their energy, faith, and perspective enrich and uplift us.

Inspired by the Northside Youth Group

Hi! My name is Lyla Holland. I have been going to Northside for as long as I can remember. I have 2 brothers, Cayson, who is in 8th grade, and Cole, who is in 7th grade. I am 15, and I am a sophomore at the Christian School at Castle Hills. I love to sing. You can see me on stage sometimes on Sundays. I also love singing with the youth group.

This year was my first summer being able to go on the youth group’s Mission Mystery trip. This year we traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, to help serve with the non-profit organization, Serve 901. They connected us to many places around Memphis that we were able to serve. My favorite was helping at the Hope House Memphis, which supports families who are infected with HIV. We got to help the kids make a craft and they were all very sweet and so happy for us to be there.

When we were not serving, we went to different places in Memphis. We visited the Civil Rights Museum on Thursday. On Tuesday, we went to the Bass Pro Shop, and we went to the top of the pyramid at sunset. It was so pretty, and we were able to see all of Memphis from so high up. That was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

(Lyla is the daughter of Travis and KC Holland.)

Two Very Important Save the Dates

October 30, 2026

We are moving the October Game Day activities from the fourth Friday of the month to the fifth Friday of the month.

Why? On that day, we will have the Game Day activities preceded by our Medicare Information Presentation, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. Our presenter will again be Esse Moreno. She did a wonderful job last year covering lots of material that included the up-to-date changes that had been announced as of the date of presentation. This date change better accommodated Esse’s personal schedule.

This year, like almost every year, there will be changes. Some of you may already have been advised of the annual publication of “Medicare & You,” which is available online at Medicare.gov. The page in that publication which aims to outline changes does not adequately portray the changes you may experience, in my opinion. You will want to be particularly attentive to the space on Prescription coverage. Some insurance companies are reacting to the changes that they experienced and expect to experience as relates to the negotiation of prices on some drugs by Medicare. I’ve already been notified with a wonderful 19-page document that outlines the changes my insurance company will implement in 2027.

I suggest that you may find significant changes in your policies as well, so the discussion about using the Medicare website to evaluate your existing prescription coverage during the “Open Enrollment Period” will carry even greater importance this year, not to mention the 14.29% increase in the maximum out-of-pocket prescription expense per person for 2027, which was not even mentioned in the government publication.

December 4, 2026

The Senior Adults Christmas Party will be held. This date is a Friday as opposed to the Saturday day of the week we have previously enjoyed. Formerly, our party was scheduled for December 12, a Saturday, but to aid in the facilitation of Jingle Mart, we made the decision to change. Other Saturdays conflicted with commitments made to other ministries to use the building, so we made the best choice available.

We want to announce that there will be no charge to attend this year’s party. We will be changing the format to make the event more participative than in the past. We have been accustomed to the banquet format with entertainment provided, but we hope to make the event a little less formal, just as entertaining, and there will be greater opportunities to mix and mingle within our space. There will be opportunities for our fabulous cooks/bakers to provide some delicious delicacies for our menu, too. So, mark your calendars for the MUST ATTEND event of the year!

Senior Provided Content aka “Newsie News”

(I’m really glad we had some input this month. I felt somewhat guilty about my commentary two months ago.)

Clifton Fuller submitted the following:

"I was voted the greatest husband ever!" in my house, for the third year in a row. "Jeanne and I celebrated our 53rd wedding anniversary on 9/15/26. As we ate at Eddie V's Restaurant, we decided to text Bob & Marilyn Glenn, who we believe were celebrating their anniversary at a Whatburger, to congratulate them on their 53rd anniversary! They are a few hours 'longer married' than we are, but I didn't hear that Bob was voted 'greatest husband ever'. Maybe next year, Bob?

(The foregoing was unverified, but the following has been verified! —BG)

Jeanne Fuller News!

"Waddle you do to have great gifts to give your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbors you want to impress, or church friends with young children?!" We think Jeanne Fuller may have the answer... just in time for Thanksgiving family meals and Christmas!

Jeanne is about to publish her first children's book from her Penguin Procession series, called "The Painting Penguin." In this first book, a macaroni penguin teaches colors, pre-reading skills, and how every person's writing and illustration skills are unique, one-of-a-kind, and different... but he does it differently. He uses his long, macaroni-shaped head feathers for his masterpieces. The book also introduces young children (& adults!) to the artwork of many famous artists: Monet, Matisse, Haun, and Vigée Le Brun. (Bet you don't even know who a few of those artists are, do you?)

Buy the book so you can impress your dinner-party friends and family with your knowledge of Impressionism, Americana, Surrealism, Pop Art, and Postmodern Art. If people who grew up in Bandera County (such as Clifton :) ) can read this book and then spot a Surrealist painter, then we're sure you can, too!

This is a great book for any young child ages 3–7. If you ask Jeanne, she'll happily give you a very cute bookmark about the book. For more info, visit JeanneFuller.com, register for the free Penguin News, and get notified when "The Painting Penguin" is available. Download free activity pages to do with your young friends. Will be available on Amazon soon!

A word of warning: it might be smart to buy multiple copies... and actually read one before giving as gifts. You sure don't want to let young children know more than you do about colors, painting styles, and artwork, now do you?

“North to Alaska, going north the rush is on...”
(Apologies to Johnny Horton)

Reported by Joe Nix

Jodel and I had a fabulous cruise along the inner passage of Alaska. We were joined by Jodel’s brother Kurt and his wife Vicki. Our son Brian and his wife, Tammy, also joined us celebrating their 25th anniversary. Tammy’s dad, Ron, completed our group.

We sailed out of Seattle on our way to our first stop in Juneau. In Juneau, we took an excursion to see the Mendenhall Glacier. Back in 2020, we made a trip to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Anchorage to Seward and cruised to Vancouver. On the cruise, we ventured into Glacier Bay and saw the glacier that looked like a 100-foot-high wall. The Mendenhall Glacier looked like a snow-covered valley between two hills that sloped into a lake but was solid ice several hundred feet deep.

From the glacier, we went on a whale watch. The humpback whales put on a show for us. Several whales worked together doing “bubbling” where they blow out air creating bubbles as they circled schools of fish, like krill, to corral the fish into a tight circle. Then some of the whales would dive deep, 200-300 feet, and come up with mouths open to swallow the fish as they come out of the water. It was amazing to watch, especially with so many whales working together. On other subsequent whale watch excursions on our cruise, we observed no more than two whales working together. Every whale watch we were on had a posted notice that the sightseeing boat was to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from the whales. Our guide mentioned that the whales did not get the notice as they often got nearer to our boat.

We also observed some very lazy sea lions.

Our next stop was Skagway. Skagway was one of the major ports used by the gold rush participants to the Yukon. We took a train ride on the historic narrow gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. When gold was discovered in 1896, the only way to get to the gold fields was hiked over mountains. In 1898, two gentlemen, a London investor and an experienced railroad contractor, met in Skagway by accident, each with the concept of building a narrow-gauge railroad into the Yukon area. The railway was completed in 1900. It was a fascinating ride along the side of mountains, looking down into deep canyons.

Upon returning to Skagway, we visited several shops before catching a bus back to the ship.

Our next day was spent “at sea” as we cruised into Glacier Bay to see the Hubbard Glacier. Like the Mendenhall Glacier, it looked like a vast snow-covered meadow, with many ice floes departing from the glacier.

Our next stop was Sitka. Sitka is one of the oldest port cities in Alaska. Our excursion was to walk through the town and, of course, visit the shops. We went by St. Michael’s Cathedral, a historic Russian Orthodox church.

In touring the shops, Jodel’s brother and his wife (who were with us on the cruise) encountered a couple who lived just a short distance from them in Trinity, Texas. We did encounter some interesting shops, such as a place offering authentic Mexican food.

The next stop was Icy Strait Point, which is Alaska’s only private cruise ship destination. Our excursion was an early morning Wake with the Whales adventure. It was good (cold and wet) but not as exciting as the Juneau whale adventure. Ice Strait Point has two gondola rides, one up the mountain and one down into the market area, a former cannery. We hiked the nature trail to the market area and rode the gondola back. (We did not go up the mountain as we intended initially. Jodel wanted to do so.)

The next day we arrived in Ketchikan. We started the excursion by catching a tour bus into town. In Ketchikan, there is an area built up over a stream that is used by salmon working their way upstream. We hoped to see some bears fishing for the salmon, which is apparently a common occurrence at that location in town. A mother bear and two cubs were seen there the previous day, but not on the day we were there. The salmon were gathered and circulating, waiting for their turn to swim up the creek coming down the hillside. It looked like the folks gathered waiting for their turn to get on their plane.

We saw some more interesting restaurants, such as Chicos.

We caught a ride back to the ship in time to go on another whale watch adventure. We did see a couple of whales; one surfaced right by the boat, and we saw some more lazy sea lions and a large colony of sea otters, amazing creatures. More shopping. After a day at sea, we arrived in Victoria, Canada. We wandered from the pier to Fisherman’s Wharf, and to interesting places, such as a Mexican Seafood restaurant. The wharf had two piers extending into the bay that were occupied by permanent residences built on the piers. They were small cottage types with full utilities.

We secured passage on a small tugboat type for a guided tour around Victoria Bay. It seems that while Victoria is accessible by car, the preferred means of transportation into and out of Victoria is by seaplane.

Our guide pointed out that from the bay in Victoria, we could see the Washington coast, about a two-hour trip by boat, but our ship took all night to get to Seattle.

We arrived safely back in Seattle and caught our plane home. A great adventure, very different from our Alaska adventure back in 2000. The best was being with family to share the experiences.

I want to thank all those who took time to provide our Newsie News. Just remember, You Too Can Become a Published Author!

The Space Below Is Reserved Just for You.

AND WE ARE NOT LIMITED TO JUST THAT!

For more information about senior adults ministry at Northside, visit nscoc.org/senior-adults.

Contact us at northstars@nscoc.org.

📆 Upcoming: Trunk or Treat (hosted by the Children’s Ministry)—Sunday, October 25, 5–7 p.m. Candy donations and trunks needed!
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Up Next
From this Tag: Fall
October 21, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Family Matters
Game Day with Medicare Presentation Friday, October 30, 10:30 a.m. The next Seniors Game Day Lunch is coming up on Friday, October 30; note the date change from our usual schedule. This month, in addition to games, our senior adults will have a special program beginning at 10:30 a.m. Presented by Esse Moreno, we will learn about Medicare, Medicare Supplements, and other insurance often purchased to cover vision, hearing, and dental care. Hear about first-time enrollment, reviewing coverages annually during the open enrollment period, the benefit levels of the various Medicare Supplement Plans, and much, much more. And don’t let the word “seniors” keep you away! This event is open to anyone who is interested in learning or who might be involved in caring for a senior adult. We’d love to have you join us! After the presentation, stick around for a light lunch, games, and fellowship in Room 207 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSVP at nscoc.org/game-day. Email northstars@nscoc.org if you have any questions. 🗓️ For Your Calendar Trunk or Treat Sunday, October 25, 5 p.m. A safe, fun, fall event for our whole church family, neighbors, and friends! Come for the candy, stay for the community. Learn more. GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays Seminar Saturday, November 7, 1–3 p.m. When you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, navigating the holidays can be difficult. This 2-hour seminar includes practical advice from others who have been there. Learn more. JingleMart Volunteer Opportunities December 10–12 JingleMart provides a special Christmas shopping experience for kinship caregivers, and we need your help to make it happen! Learn more. Event Quick Links November 1 | Daylight Saving Ends November 1 | SA Hope Thanksgiving Baskets & Holiday Giving sign-ups begin November 1 | 345 & Sunday Chill November 8 | ENGAGE contemporary praise November 12 | Women’s Bunco Night November 13 | Seniors Monthly Meal Deal November 14 | Parade of Tables For additional events, visit nscoc.org/events. Gather | Midweek Tuesdays Women’s Bible Study | 10 a.m., Room 205 Men’s Bible Study | 10 a.m., Room 206 Wednesdays Wednesday Evening Meals | 6 p.m., Fellowship Room This week’s menu: Baked potato and fixings, salad, cakes Youth Gathering | 6:30 p.m., Youth Room Children’s Classes | 7 p.m., Children’s Department Wednesday Connect | 7 p.m., Fellowship Room Praise Team Rehearsal | 7 p.m., Upper Room Worship & Gather | Sundays Worship with us at 9 a.m. in the Worship Center or online at live.nscoc.org. Follow along with our order of service in the YouVersion Bible app and view this Sunday’s songs (available by Friday) at nscoc.org/youversion. Encountering Jesus with Greg Scherrer Sunday, October 18 Can love really cover a multitude of sins? Greg Scherrer’s story reminds us that God can be at work in both life’s miracles and it’s deepest heartaches. In this message, we explore what it means to love others with a commitment that doesn’t give up, even when the road is difficult. View Sunday’s message at nscoc.org. Pray Let us know how we can be praying for you this week. Visit the Prayer Hub today, or view a comprehensive list of those in our prayers this week.View Prayer HubView Prayer List Give Thank you for supporting the kingdom work being done through Northside! Click here to view a financial snapshot.Give online Submit Announcements and Share with Others Please submit announcements for events, births, deaths and others online. We will contact you back to let you know where your announcements will appear. Blessings! Submit request. Share with others! Subscribe to receive Northside emails at nscoc.org/emails. OUR MISSION To reflect and serve God’s mission of love in our city and our world FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE

John Hodges

Minister of Worship & Communications

October 20, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Trunk or Treat
Join us at Trunk or Treat 🍬 Trunk or Treat is THIS Sunday, October 25, 5–7 here in the Northside parking lot. It’s not too late to come with a trunk and candy and join us in this amazing outreach event. Trunks can begin setting up at 4:15 and are asked to enter from the south parking lot and the event will begin at 5 p.m. We hope to see you there! Important Trunk or Treat information for Sunday, October 25 Cars/trunks should arrive by 4:15 p.m. for setup. Event begins at 5 p.m. Those providing cars/trunks: We encourage everyone to provide a car/trunk if possible. THE MORE, THE BETTER! You can begin arriving at 4:15 p.m. to set up your vehicle. Our wonderful Traffic Team will direct you. Anyone providing a trunk should provide their own candy or treats and any decorations they choose to use. Be ready to greet treaters by 5 p.m. Extra treats and candy will be available for those in need. Don’t forget your lawn chairs! Clean-up will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Volunteers: Thanks so much to those who signed up to help with concessions, food preparation, the welcome table, popcorn, and directing traffic! Traffic/Safety team, please arrive by 4 p.m. All others, please arrive at 4:15 p.m. We still could use some help! Please let Ms. Coco know if you are available to lend a hand. Those with children: We will not open the Trunk or Treat Lot until 5 p.m. for children who are gathering treats. Families are welcome to enjoy the playground if they arrive early. All food and activities are FREE. All families will receive 1 ticket per person for a hotdog, bag of chips, cookie, and drink. Restrooms will be available. All activities, including an inflatable bouncer, will be held in the parking lot. We ask that all parents monitor their children closely at this public event! Email Ms. Coco at children@nscoc.org with questions.

Nicole Largent

Children's Minister

October 14, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Family Matters
Help Make Christmas Bright With JingleMart! This Christmas, Northside has an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for families in our San Antonio community, in partnership with South Texas Alliance for Orphans. JingleMart provides a special Christmas shopping experience for kinship caregivers, giving them the opportunity to choose gifts for the children in their care at no cost. It’s a chance to offer practical support, share some Christmas joy, and remind these families that they are seen, valued, and not alone. Hosted at Northside on Saturday, December 12, JingleMart will take LOTS of volunteers to make it happen! Whether you help organize gifts, welcome families, wrap presents, or serve in another role, there’s a place for you. Special volunteer opportunities that only Northside members can fill are also available on December 10 and 11 to receive and organize donations. Thank you for being part of this special ministry! Sign-ups are linked below. NORTHSIDE-ONLY VOLUNTEERS The Northside-only sign-up list is reserved for our members and includes specific roles such as gift sorting and setup, the Safety Team, and the Prayer Team. Please use this list first to help us fill our reserved volunteer positions. Each volunteer age 12 or older should be registered individually. COMMUNITY-WIDE VOLUNTEERS Additional volunteer opportunities are available through the community-wide sign-up list. 🗓️ For Your Calendar Funeral Service for Bill Hickman Friday, October 16 Visitation will begin at 12 p.m., with funeral to follow at 1 p.m. at the Mission Park Funeral Chapel, 3401 Cherry Ridge Dr. Learn more. Trunk or Treat Sunday, October 25, 5 p.m. A safe, fun, fall event for our whole church family, neighbors, and friends! Come for the candy, stay for the community. Learn more. Game Day with Medicare Presentation Friday, October 30, 10:30 a.m. Join us for a special presentation about Medicare and other insurance coverage, followed by lunch and games! Sign up today. Event Quick Links October 16–18 | Father/Son Campout November 1 | Daylight Saving Ends November 1 | 345 & Sunday Chill November 7 | GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays Seminar November 8 | ENGAGE contemporary praise November 14 | Parade of Tables For additional events, visit nscoc.org/events. Gather | Midweek Tuesdays Women’s Bible Study | 10 a.m., Room 205 Men’s Bible Study | 10 a.m., Room 206 Wednesdays Wednesday Evening Meals | 6 p.m., Fellowship Room This week’s menu: Mexican meal (tacos or nachos), cookies Youth Gathering | 6:30 p.m., Youth Room Children’s Classes | 7 p.m., Children’s Department Wednesday Connect | 7 p.m., Fellowship Room Praise Team Rehearsal | 7 p.m., Upper Room Worship & Gather | Sundays Worship with us at 9 a.m. in the Worship Center or online at live.nscoc.org. Follow along with our order of service in the YouVersion Bible app and view this Sunday’s songs (available by Friday) at nscoc.org/youversion. Encountering Jesus with Kellie White Sunday, October 11 You are not invisible to God. Through Kellie’s moving testimony, we’re reminded that even when suffering comes, God does not forsake us. And often, he makes his love known through the people who walk beside us. View Sunday’s message at nscoc.org. Pray Let us know how we can be praying for you this week. Visit the Prayer Hub today, or view a comprehensive list of those in our prayers this week.View Prayer HubView Prayer List Give Thank you for supporting the kingdom work being done through Northside! Click here to view a financial snapshot.Give online Submit Announcements and Share with Others Please submit announcements for events, births, deaths and others online. We will contact you back to let you know where your announcements will appear. Blessings! Submit request. Share with others! Subscribe to receive Northside emails at nscoc.org/emails. OUR MISSION To reflect and serve God’s mission of love in our city and our world FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE

John Hodges

Minister of Worship & Communications

October 1, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Children's Ministry Update
What’s happening in October? Ms. Coco has the scoop! 345 is Sunday, October 4, from 4–6 p.m. Get ready for games, worship, service, fellowship, and a closer look at one of the Bible's great faith heroes: Noah! See you Sunday! ACU Learning to Lead for 2027 is scheduled for June 20–25 in Abilene, Texas. This is a sleep-away camp for children entering 4th–6th grade. Parents are invited to a short informational meeting during 345 Ministry this Sunday, October 4, at 4:15 p.m. in the Fellowship room. We hope you will join us to find out more about this amazing camp! Father/Son Campout is coming on October 16–18, and it's a chance to get outside, have some fun, and, most importantly, invest in your relationship with your son. Don't wait to make the time. Visit nscoc.org/campout for all the details and to sign up.Father/Son Campout Registration We are excited that so many of our Preschool–2nd graders are coming to Children's Worship! Don't forget: if you are joining us for Children's Worship, come to the check-in desk before you go to worship with mom and dad, and let us know so Ms. Charli can print your tag ahead of time. Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 25, 5–7 p.m. It's a safe, fun, fall event for the church family and the surrounding community. All are encouraged to participate. Wear your best costume, bring a bag for candy, and make plans to join us! If you would like to host a trunk or need more information, email Ms. Coco at children@nscoc.org. What Are We Learning? Our curriculum, “Brite,” teaches children they belong to a God who loves them while developing their beliefs through fun themes as they become disciples of him. In October, through fun, hiking-themed activities, students will learn from the book of Judges that even when people fail God and each other, God will never fail them. To see the lessons we are learning this month or some great activities and verses for your family that connect with the lessons, check out the links below!Lessons and Memory VersesFamily Activity Calendar If your child has a game, performance or activity, Ms. Coco would love to come and watch! Email children@nscoc.org to share your child's schedule. If you have not signed up for our text reminders, text CHILDREN to (210) 934-2424. Those who have signed up for the text updates will receive information like event sign-up links as soon as they are available. We will continue sending monthly emails to let you know what’s coming up. To learn more about the Northside Children's Ministry, and to see more upcoming events, visit nscoc.org/children.

Nicole Largent

Children's Minister

October 1, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Youth Ministry Update
YG Tricks and Treats for October! Zombie Night October 18, 6–8 p.m. Zombie Night is back! Grab your friends and get ready for one of our most ridiculous and fun nights of the year. We’ll spend the evening battling it out in an EPIC Nerf war, competing in a spooky (or not-so-spooky) costume contest, and fueling up with some seriously good snacks. Come dressed for the occasion, bring a friend, and start practicing your aim now. You’ve got a few weeks to prepare for the zombie apocalypse! Sunday Chill Community Groups The first Sunday of each month is Sunday Chill: a chance to slow down, hang out, and build community with the people in our YG. We’ll begin with some fun, enjoy worship as a group, hear from Rachel, and then break into Community Groups for conversation, connection, and prayer. Whether you’ve been part of YG for years or you’re brand new, there’s a place for you here. These evenings are all about getting to know one another and learning what it means to follow Jesus together. Upcoming dates: October 4 • November 1 • December 6 4–6 p.m. Journey Camp July 5–9, 2027 Next summer, we’re starting a new chapter in our summer camp tradition! We’re heading to Highland Lakes Camp & Retreat Center for Journey Camp, joining more than 600 students from churches across the region for a week filled with worship, Bible study, swimming, games, activities, and plenty of time to make new friends. Journey Camp is open to all current 6th–12th graders, and we’re excited to experience this new camp together. It’s going to be a great week to have fun, grow in faith, and make memories with our YG community. Want to see what Journey Camp is all about? Check out our short Journey Camp video to get a feel for the camp, the setting, and what students can expect. Information Meeting Sunday, October 4 3:30 p.m. • Youth Room Parents and students are invited to join us before Sunday Chill for a casual information meeting. Come learn more about Journey Camp and Highland Lakes and hear what we’re excited about. There will be a time for you to ask questions. No pressure, no commitment. Just come learn more! Secure your spot at camp with a $50 deposit, due by December 6. Official Student Registration opens Monday, January 4. Early Bird Cost: $365 We’re excited to begin this new adventure together! Trek: Colorado June 19–27, 2027 High school students: Colorado is calling. Next summer, we’re heading into the mountains with Wilderness Trek for an unforgettable week of adventure, challenge, community, and encountering God in the beauty of creation. We’ll spend four nights on the trail, hiking through the Colorado wilderness and pushing ourselves to nearly 14,000 feet. Trek is more than a backpacking trip. It’s an opportunity to step away from the noise of everyday life, discover what we’re capable of, and experience God in a different kind of place. Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 1, for a Trek Information Meeting at 3:30 p.m. before Sunday Chill. We will share some trip details, cost and payment schedule, and more! Registration will open after the meeting. Wednesday Gathering Midweek Connect Wednesdays are our chance to hit pause in the middle of the week. School, sports, activities, homework, and work can make the week feel pretty full. That’s why we love having a place to come together, catch our breath, and reconnect with God and with one another. Church-wide dinner begins at 6 p.m., and YG meets from 6:30–8 p.m. We’ll spend the evening hanging out, worshiping, learning, and making space to be present with God and with our community. Bring a friend, grab some dinner, and come spend your Wednesday night with us. Stay Connected Join our Youth Ministry text messaging group by texting YG to (210) 934-1121. To learn more about the Northside Youth Ministry, and to see more upcoming events, visit nscoc.org/youth. FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE 📆 Upcoming: Trunk or Treat (hosted by the Children’s Ministry)—Sunday, October 25, 5–7 p.m. Candy donations and trunks needed!

Ben Crain

Youth Minister

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October 1, 2026 • 17 Minute Read
North Stars Ministry Update
Our motto is to do “what you can,” (Romans 12:6) “when you can,” (Galatians 6:10) “the best you can,” (Eccl. 9:10) to honor Christ and his Church. In Christ’s Name by Doug Foster What exactly does it mean when we close our prayers with the words, “In Christ’s name, Amen”? For most of my life, that (or “In Jesus’ Name”) was the required and expected end of every prayer. When the person leading the prayer said that phrase, everyone knew the prayer was over and the service could proceed, or people could talk, visit, and rush out to lunch. Essentially, in most people’s minds it was the same thing as saying, “that’s all folks.” But most of us know that that’s not what it means, and the difference between what it does mean and “that’s all folks” is pretty serious. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells the church in Corinth (the one that was VERY messed up) that they are like a human body with lots of different parts. He was trying to make the point that the different body parts do different things and for one part to be jealous of another is ridiculous. But in verse 27 he makes the point I want to zero in on. As Christians we’ve all been baptized into the one Spirit of God and are, as a result, part of the one body of Christ. Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it (1 Corinthians 12:27). Do we hear what that says? Somehow, WE, all together, are the body of Christ! We are not his glorified body that he got after his resurrection. We are not new saviors. We are not divine. However, WE are his body on earth today! In some wondrous sense, we have Christ living in us. Jesus prayed just before his crucifixion that his followers then and forever would be one, because he is in US. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one (John 17:22-23). And Paul is very clear in Galatians 2:20 that when you looked at him, what you saw is not the human Paul anymore; he was living because Christ lived in him. It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). What in the world does that mean? Well, I admit that I don’t know everything that this powerful statement means, but I do know one thing it means. When we pray and end the prayer with the words “In Christ’s Name,” or “through Christ we pray,” we are praying through both Jesus, who has been raised from death and sits at the right hand of God, AND we are praying through the body of Christ—the Church, me and you who are members of Christ’s body right here and now! That means that not only are we praying to God in heaven to act, but we are also praying that Christ’s body here on earth will do something! One of my teachers, Ronald Rolheiser, makes the point in an excellent way in his book The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality. We are charging ourselves, as part of the Body of Christ, with some responsibility for answering the prayer. To pray as a Christian demands concrete involvement in trying to bring about what is pleaded for in the prayer. —Ronald Rolheiser If we know of someone who is suffering a great loss and we pray for them in Christ’s name, but we do nothing to reach out and encourage them with a conversation, eat a meal together, or give an invitation to do something with them, we are not praying in Christ’s name. I have been guilty of that—feeling I had done my “Christian” duty by praying for someone and just hoping God would do something miraculous to help them. But when I did that, I wasn’t praying as a Christian. If we pray for orphans and homeless people, but do nothing to help alleviate their troubles, we are not praying as Christians. If we pray that peace will come to the world or that God’s wonderful world will be saved from destruction and pollution, but don’t do something to help in those matters, we are not praying as part of the body of Christ. Some things almost make us despair because the issues are so overwhelming. What could I possibly do for world peace? Most of us, I suspect, will not serve on peacekeeping teams that go to warring areas to bring relief to victims or help negotiate peace. But we can make peace with and forgive anyone who has hurt us. Not many of us will likely serve on teams that go to areas of the world suffering from famine and starvation to help relieve the suffering of innocents. But we can do things that contribute to a healthy planet and community where we live and support those who do go to bring sustenance to starving and warring peoples. The point is, to pray for anything in Jesus’ name puts a burden on each of us to act in the ways we can. All of us, as members of the Body of Christ, have things we can do as individuals and as the Church. I know, from personal experience, that there are many who are part of the Northside Church of Christ who truly do pray as Christians. This has been a massive blessing to me and countless others as you have ministered to the hungry, widows, homeless, broken families, and broken hearts. When we pray in Christ’s name, let’s remember that we are the Body of Christ, and then act as the Body of Christ. O Christ Who Made Himself the Servant of All, I would set my heart and my affections upon you— and upon you alone—for I can only serve others rightly when such service is undertaken from first to last as an act of devotion offered to you. (From Every Moment Holy, vol. 1, p. 158) (Douglas A. Foster is Professor Emeritus in the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University. He is widely respected for his scholarship regarding the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. Doug has written several influential works, including Will the Cycle Be Unbroken? and The Stone-Campbell Movement: A Global History.) Note to Senior Adults: We invite you to help strengthen our church family by connecting with our Northside youth—greet them, learn their names, share a moment of conversation, and encourage those who contribute to our newsletter. Your kindness and presence make a meaningful difference in their lives, just as their energy, faith, and perspective enrich and uplift us. Inspired by the Northside Youth Group Hi! My name is Lyla Holland. I have been going to Northside for as long as I can remember. I have 2 brothers, Cayson, who is in 8th grade, and Cole, who is in 7th grade. I am 15, and I am a sophomore at the Christian School at Castle Hills. I love to sing. You can see me on stage sometimes on Sundays. I also love singing with the youth group. This year was my first summer being able to go on the youth group’s Mission Mystery trip. This year we traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, to help serve with the non-profit organization, Serve 901. They connected us to many places around Memphis that we were able to serve. My favorite was helping at the Hope House Memphis, which supports families who are infected with HIV. We got to help the kids make a craft and they were all very sweet and so happy for us to be there. When we were not serving, we went to different places in Memphis. We visited the Civil Rights Museum on Thursday. On Tuesday, we went to the Bass Pro Shop, and we went to the top of the pyramid at sunset. It was so pretty, and we were able to see all of Memphis from so high up. That was one of my favorite parts of the trip. (Lyla is the daughter of Travis and KC Holland.) Two Very Important Save the Dates October 30, 2026 We are moving the October Game Day activities from the fourth Friday of the month to the fifth Friday of the month. Why? On that day, we will have the Game Day activities preceded by our Medicare Information Presentation, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. Our presenter will again be Esse Moreno. She did a wonderful job last year covering lots of material that included the up-to-date changes that had been announced as of the date of presentation. This date change better accommodated Esse’s personal schedule. This year, like almost every year, there will be changes. Some of you may already have been advised of the annual publication of “Medicare & You,” which is available online at Medicare.gov. The page in that publication which aims to outline changes does not adequately portray the changes you may experience, in my opinion. You will want to be particularly attentive to the space on Prescription coverage. Some insurance companies are reacting to the changes that they experienced and expect to experience as relates to the negotiation of prices on some drugs by Medicare. I’ve already been notified with a wonderful 19-page document that outlines the changes my insurance company will implement in 2027. I suggest that you may find significant changes in your policies as well, so the discussion about using the Medicare website to evaluate your existing prescription coverage during the “Open Enrollment Period” will carry even greater importance this year, not to mention the 14.29% increase in the maximum out-of-pocket prescription expense per person for 2027, which was not even mentioned in the government publication. December 4, 2026 The Senior Adults Christmas Party will be held. This date is a Friday as opposed to the Saturday day of the week we have previously enjoyed. Formerly, our party was scheduled for December 12, a Saturday, but to aid in the facilitation of Jingle Mart, we made the decision to change. Other Saturdays conflicted with commitments made to other ministries to use the building, so we made the best choice available. We want to announce that there will be no charge to attend this year’s party. We will be changing the format to make the event more participative than in the past. We have been accustomed to the banquet format with entertainment provided, but we hope to make the event a little less formal, just as entertaining, and there will be greater opportunities to mix and mingle within our space. There will be opportunities for our fabulous cooks/bakers to provide some delicious delicacies for our menu, too. So, mark your calendars for the MUST ATTEND event of the year! Senior Provided Content aka “Newsie News” (I’m really glad we had some input this month. I felt somewhat guilty about my commentary two months ago.) Clifton Fuller submitted the following: "I was voted the greatest husband ever!" in my house, for the third year in a row. "Jeanne and I celebrated our 53rd wedding anniversary on 9/15/26. As we ate at Eddie V's Restaurant, we decided to text Bob & Marilyn Glenn, who we believe were celebrating their anniversary at a Whatburger, to congratulate them on their 53rd anniversary! They are a few hours 'longer married' than we are, but I didn't hear that Bob was voted 'greatest husband ever'. Maybe next year, Bob? (The foregoing was unverified, but the following has been verified! —BG) Jeanne Fuller News! "Waddle you do to have great gifts to give your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbors you want to impress, or church friends with young children?!" We think Jeanne Fuller may have the answer... just in time for Thanksgiving family meals and Christmas! Jeanne is about to publish her first children's book from her Penguin Procession series, called "The Painting Penguin." In this first book, a macaroni penguin teaches colors, pre-reading skills, and how every person's writing and illustration skills are unique, one-of-a-kind, and different... but he does it differently. He uses his long, macaroni-shaped head feathers for his masterpieces. The book also introduces young children (& adults!) to the artwork of many famous artists: Monet, Matisse, Haun, and Vigée Le Brun. (Bet you don't even know who a few of those artists are, do you?) Buy the book so you can impress your dinner-party friends and family with your knowledge of Impressionism, Americana, Surrealism, Pop Art, and Postmodern Art. If people who grew up in Bandera County (such as Clifton :) ) can read this book and then spot a Surrealist painter, then we're sure you can, too! This is a great book for any young child ages 3–7. If you ask Jeanne, she'll happily give you a very cute bookmark about the book. For more info, visit JeanneFuller.com, register for the free Penguin News, and get notified when "The Painting Penguin" is available. Download free activity pages to do with your young friends. Will be available on Amazon soon! A word of warning: it might be smart to buy multiple copies... and actually read one before giving as gifts. You sure don't want to let young children know more than you do about colors, painting styles, and artwork, now do you? “North to Alaska, going north the rush is on...” (Apologies to Johnny Horton) Reported by Joe Nix Jodel and I had a fabulous cruise along the inner passage of Alaska. We were joined by Jodel’s brother Kurt and his wife Vicki. Our son Brian and his wife, Tammy, also joined us celebrating their 25th anniversary. Tammy’s dad, Ron, completed our group. We sailed out of Seattle on our way to our first stop in Juneau. In Juneau, we took an excursion to see the Mendenhall Glacier. Back in 2020, we made a trip to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Anchorage to Seward and cruised to Vancouver. On the cruise, we ventured into Glacier Bay and saw the glacier that looked like a 100-foot-high wall. The Mendenhall Glacier looked like a snow-covered valley between two hills that sloped into a lake but was solid ice several hundred feet deep. From the glacier, we went on a whale watch. The humpback whales put on a show for us. Several whales worked together doing “bubbling” where they blow out air creating bubbles as they circled schools of fish, like krill, to corral the fish into a tight circle. Then some of the whales would dive deep, 200-300 feet, and come up with mouths open to swallow the fish as they come out of the water. It was amazing to watch, especially with so many whales working together. On other subsequent whale watch excursions on our cruise, we observed no more than two whales working together. Every whale watch we were on had a posted notice that the sightseeing boat was to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from the whales. Our guide mentioned that the whales did not get the notice as they often got nearer to our boat. We also observed some very lazy sea lions. Our next stop was Skagway. Skagway was one of the major ports used by the gold rush participants to the Yukon. We took a train ride on the historic narrow gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. When gold was discovered in 1896, the only way to get to the gold fields was hiked over mountains. In 1898, two gentlemen, a London investor and an experienced railroad contractor, met in Skagway by accident, each with the concept of building a narrow-gauge railroad into the Yukon area. The railway was completed in 1900. It was a fascinating ride along the side of mountains, looking down into deep canyons. Upon returning to Skagway, we visited several shops before catching a bus back to the ship. Our next day was spent “at sea” as we cruised into Glacier Bay to see the Hubbard Glacier. Like the Mendenhall Glacier, it looked like a vast snow-covered meadow, with many ice floes departing from the glacier. Our next stop was Sitka. Sitka is one of the oldest port cities in Alaska. Our excursion was to walk through the town and, of course, visit the shops. We went by St. Michael’s Cathedral, a historic Russian Orthodox church. In touring the shops, Jodel’s brother and his wife (who were with us on the cruise) encountered a couple who lived just a short distance from them in Trinity, Texas. We did encounter some interesting shops, such as a place offering authentic Mexican food. The next stop was Icy Strait Point, which is Alaska’s only private cruise ship destination. Our excursion was an early morning Wake with the Whales adventure. It was good (cold and wet) but not as exciting as the Juneau whale adventure. Ice Strait Point has two gondola rides, one up the mountain and one down into the market area, a former cannery. We hiked the nature trail to the market area and rode the gondola back. (We did not go up the mountain as we intended initially. Jodel wanted to do so.) The next day we arrived in Ketchikan. We started the excursion by catching a tour bus into town. In Ketchikan, there is an area built up over a stream that is used by salmon working their way upstream. We hoped to see some bears fishing for the salmon, which is apparently a common occurrence at that location in town. A mother bear and two cubs were seen there the previous day, but not on the day we were there. The salmon were gathered and circulating, waiting for their turn to swim up the creek coming down the hillside. It looked like the folks gathered waiting for their turn to get on their plane. We saw some more interesting restaurants, such as Chicos. We caught a ride back to the ship in time to go on another whale watch adventure. We did see a couple of whales; one surfaced right by the boat, and we saw some more lazy sea lions and a large colony of sea otters, amazing creatures. More shopping. After a day at sea, we arrived in Victoria, Canada. We wandered from the pier to Fisherman’s Wharf, and to interesting places, such as a Mexican Seafood restaurant. The wharf had two piers extending into the bay that were occupied by permanent residences built on the piers. They were small cottage types with full utilities. We secured passage on a small tugboat type for a guided tour around Victoria Bay. It seems that while Victoria is accessible by car, the preferred means of transportation into and out of Victoria is by seaplane. Our guide pointed out that from the bay in Victoria, we could see the Washington coast, about a two-hour trip by boat, but our ship took all night to get to Seattle. We arrived safely back in Seattle and caught our plane home. A great adventure, very different from our Alaska adventure back in 2000. The best was being with family to share the experiences. I want to thank all those who took time to provide our Newsie News. Just remember, You Too Can Become a Published Author! The Space Below Is Reserved Just for You. AND WE ARE NOT LIMITED TO JUST THAT! For more information about senior adults ministry at Northside, visit nscoc.org/senior-adults. Contact us at northstars@nscoc.org. 📆 Upcoming: Trunk or Treat (hosted by the Children’s Ministry)—Sunday, October 25, 5–7 p.m. Candy donations and trunks needed!

John Hodges

Minister of Worship & Communications

October 1, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Women's Ministry Update
October arrives in a blaze of color, a reminder that even in the changing of seasons, God’s handiwork is on full display. As the harvest comes in and the days grow cooler, we pause to gather up the blessings of the year and give thanks for all God has provided. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). May this month be one where we count our blessings, linger in gratitude, and trust that the work God began in us is bearing fruit. Parade of Tables Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. All adult ladies are invited to a soup and salad lunch hosted by the Northside Women's Ministry. Come enjoy great food, fun, and fellowship as you experience an eclectic offering of tables decorated to reflect the personalities of each table hostess. Registration opens on October 25.Sign Up Here 📅 Women's Bible Study—Tuesdays, 10 a.m. in Room 205: The group is currently studying a series of books by Ray Vander Laan called That the World May Know, accompanied by videos filmed in Israel. 📚 Women’s Book Club—Book Club is meeting quarterly this year. Our next gathering will be on Thursday, December 17, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Room. In addition to our regular book discussion, we will also have a book exchange. Please bring a new or gently used book. Email bookclub@nscoc.org for more details. 🎲 Women’s Bunco Night—Come and roll the dice with the women of Northside! Bunco is open to anyone; you don’t have to know how to play. Bring $5, and we’ll provide the snacks. We play at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month unless otherwise noted. It is hosted in members' homes, which change each month. Have questions? Email women@nscoc.org or check the Facebook group. For more information about women’s ministry at Northside, visit nscoc.org/women. Stay in touch by joining our text thread. Text WOMEN to (210) 866-8398 to receive notifications about events for women. This will greatly help us keep you informed about ministry activities and special information. Another great way to stay in the loop is by joining our Facebook group: “NSCOC Thrive Women’s Ministry.” Contact us at women@nscoc.org. 📆 Upcoming: Trunk or Treat (hosted by the Children’s Ministry)—Sunday, October 25, 5–7 p.m. Candy donations and trunks needed!

Rachel Crain

Communications Specialist