Northampton United Methodist Church

09/06/2026

John 3:1–17 (NRSV)

* We say yes; God does the work
* Faith doesn't have to be pretty or systematic (like our creeds - even those developed over hundreds and thousands of years)
* It doesn't necessarily happen all at once - sometimes it's, "I believe, help my unbelief"
* Think of your most faithful companion - your "ride or die" - that's who Jesus wants to be for you
* God isn't asking us to set aside our intellect, our experiences, our reason - He wants to meet us IN them, and accompany us through them.
* God is faithful and unchanging, and He is always showing you that. The question is: can you see it? Are you willing to experience it? The relationship - the growing trust - it never ends because God is always doing a new thing among us
* My prayer is that you will find the kind of trust you have in your most faithful friend, in Jesus. He's worth it - and so are you.

08/30/2026

Matthew 16:21-28

Message: What is it like to be someone who God would die for? How do we live into being called a beloved people - pick up our cross and follow.
Sometimes love calls us out before it calls us forward.
Focus:
Just verses after being named “rock,” Peter is called “Satan.”
This week confronts the reality that discipleship involves correction, rebuke, and truth spoken in love.
Peter’s misunderstanding isn’t malicious—it’s human.
He wants glory without suffering, victory without the cross.
Jesus’ words are sharp because the stakes are high.
This isn’t name-calling—it’s course correction.
Jeremiah speaks of the cost of truth.
Romans calls for love that is genuine, patient, and resilient.
“Get behind me” is not exile—it’s repositioning.
Peter is not dismissed; he is re-aligned.
God does not name us to shame us—but sometimes truth must disrupt us before it transforms us.

08/26/2026

Wednesday Night Community Starts September 16th! - https://mailchi.mp/2a39359cc66f/wednesday-night-community-starts-september-16th

08/23/2026

Matthew 16:13-20

Theme: Before we speak faith, we must listen.
Focus:
This week turns from naming others to listening for God’s naming of us. Jesus asks a deceptively simple question: “Who do you say that I am?”—and in the asking, identity is formed. Jesus talks about what it means to be “Messiah”.
Before we speak faith, we must listen. This week turns from naming others to listening for God's naming of us. Jesus asks a deceptively simple question—"Who do you say that I am?"—and in the asking, identity is formed.
When we truly listen for who Jesus is, we begin to hear who God is calling us to be.
The disciples first report what others are saying—prophet, teacher, Elijah. So many voices try to name Jesus, and so many voices try to name us.
Jesus presses further: "Who do you say that I am?" Faith is not inherited, assumed, or crowdsourced. Eventually, everyone has to answer for themselves.
Simon speaks—and Jesus responds by renaming him Peter. The new name isn't based on past behavior, but future calling.
It's not about what he has been, but who he will become. God's naming looks forward, not just backward.
Identity is never individual alone. Romans reminds us that we are named and gifted for the sake of the whole community—Peter's new name comes with a mission that includes others.

08/16/2026

Matthew 15:[10-20]21-28

Theme: Names have power. What names do we use for ourselves, for others? What names does God use for us? What names do we choose to live in? Names shape identity. Words can wound or heal. And again and again, Jesus speaks names that unsettle us—not to dismiss us, but to reveal who we are becoming and who belongs in God’s story.
This series explores how God calls, hears, and redefines names—especially when those names challenge our assumptions about belonging, faith, and discipleship
Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman forces us to confront the power of naming, exclusion, and persistence. This is one of the most uncomfortable stories in the Gospels—and that discomfort is the point.
The disciples report what others are saying—prophet, teacher, Elijah.
So many voices try to name Jesus—and us.
Jesus presses further: Who do you say that I am?
Faith is not inherited, assumed, or crowdsourced.
Simon speaks—and Jesus responds by renaming him Peter.
A name not based on past behavior, but future calling.
Not what he has been, but who he will become.
Romans reminds us that identity is never individual alone.
We are named and gifted for the sake of the whole community.
When we truly listen for who Jesus is, we begin to hear who God is calling us to be.

08/06/2026

Have you checked out this week's newsletter yet?

It's honestly become the hub for everything happening in our church family — calendar events, prayer list updates, even little check-ins to help us pause and ask "what is God inviting me into this week?"

If you haven't opened it yet, take a few minutes today. And if something in there speaks to you — a prayer request, an event, anything — drop a comment below or share it with someone who needs to see it. We'd love to hear from you!

https://mcusercontent.com/cbfeca5df14435b84b7186632/files/a0a29932-c21c-50c8-7fad-642deb4ce410/Northampton_Notes_080626.pdf

Send a message to learn more

07/17/2026

Heads up-
If you get a message, email, or link from Pastor Becky that seems off (weird links, unusual requests, asking for money, Etc.) Please don't click or respond- just delete it. Someone is impersonating her email, and she is working to get it secured. Thank you for your patience, and sorry for the inconvenience!

07/11/2026

Do you know everything that's happening around Northampton UMC each week?

Sometimes people assume churches get quiet in the summer. Not here. In fact...this has been one of our *slower* weeks!

And here’s just a glimpse: Movie Night on Monday, Meetings on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, Walking Worship on Wednesday, Worship Team rehearsal on Thursday, A Contemplative Worship Service tonight, A church night at the baseball game this week, Welcoming a Motorcycle Run stop at the church, Getting ready for next week's Community Spaghetti Dinner, Preschool teachers busy preparing for fall, VBS volunteers planning, organizing, and getting everything ready, Community groups using our building throughout the week, Worship together tomorrow morning, Eucharist Ministry Training after worship.
And that's only part of what's happening!

Church isn't just something that happens for an hour on Sunday morning. It's people gathering, serving, praying, laughing, planning, learning, caring for one another, and finding new ways to love our neighbors every single week.

So if you've been wondering what's going on around Northampton...the answer is quite a bit! And the best part is that there's always room for one more. What ministry, event, or gathering has meant the most to you? Or is there something you've been wanting to check out? We'd love to hear from you in the comments!