NORTHSIDE NOTES - September 23, 2009 |
 PASTORAL REFLECTIONS
"When through the Deep Waters..."
I cannot help but think of waters on this morning after.
Last night, 9/21/09, our city was flooded. Some died. Some lost everything. Some lost a lot. And the rest of us are grieving what our friends have lost.
As of this writing, the Northside Drivers that I know of that have been evacuated due to flooding are Jordan, Patti, LeAnna, Greg, Betty, Ruth, and Armand. Overnight, creeks named Peachtree, Nancy, and Sweetwater became rivers; and much got washed-away.
The Bible talks a lot about water and waters and rivers and seas. By the Bible's sixth verse, God is fiddling with water---putting some up in the sky and some down below. A few chapters later, God sends a destructive flood, and then promptly says, "I'm not going to do that anymore."
If my house were underwater this morning, I would think that God had forgotten. And yet, some hymn lyrics come to my mind. I pass them along. Remember the song, How Firm A Foundation?
In particular, I am thinking of the third stanza that begins: "When through the deep waters...." These words make no bones about the undertow of life---the drenching, drowning, devastating, downpour of just living on Planet Earth.
But then the writer offers an oddly worded promise:"...the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow." I see. River water can take away most everything; but it cannot take away God's presence.
Therein lies the promise: "For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress." I don't know how God does that---blessing troubles, sanctifying distress; but as I think back over the unwelcome floodwaters that have come my way and nearly killed me---they also baptized me. They have become a part of my story, our story, and somehow, God's story.
So let us wade in the water, befriending our friends, having hope in God, for the river of woe shall not thee (or we) overflow. Amen. |
| CALLED CHURCH-IN-CONFERENCE
There will be a called Church-in-conference on Sunday, October 11, 2009, immediately after morning worship. At this Church-in-conference the Nominating Committee will move that Walter Grant be elected as Trustee for Northside Drive Baptist Church, with a vote to follow. |
 IONA SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGEA Northside Drive Baptist Church Youth Tradition
June 4-13, 2010
The NDBC Youth (9-12 grades) will embark on the 3rd pilgrimage in the past ten years to the Isle of Iona. Recently graduated youth (still in college) who didn't get to experience the previous pilgrimage to Iona are welcome to come, as well as a few adult leaders, seminary students, and young adults. There will be a limited number of spaces for parents of youth. We will have room for approximately 22 participants.
The 10-day experience costs $1100 deposit for each participant. The cost will be split up into four payments of $275 each over a nine-month period. This will include transportation, lodging, most meals, and retreat events. The youth will be participating in fundraising activities to raise additional funding for the pilgrimage. Some limited costs will be offset by financial assistance per the youth budget.
This is a spiritual pilgrimage, not just a "trip." The purpose of this experience is to engage in the life of the Iona community in Scotland, a place rich in Christian church history and spirituality, deepen your faith commitment, and further explore your life calling.
Contact Rev. Eric Cain if you plan to attend at eric@northsidedrive.org with your name, e-mail and phone number by October 1. Grace & Peace, Rev. Eric Cain |
| RECHARGE YOUTH FALL RETREAT
Woodland Christian Camp & Retreat Center, Temple, GA
October 2-4, 2009
Join the NDBC Crew as we attend the CBF-Georgia sponsored ReCharge spiritual youth retreat this fall in Temple, GA. This year's theme will be "Logos"-learning how to read, study, and use Scripture in our daily lives.The retreat includes time for reflection, spiritual practices, recreation/fun time, fellowship, worship, music, and much more. Over 200 youth from churches across the state have registered. Visit the website for more information:
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PRAYER MEETIN'
WEDNESDAYS
September 9-November 18, 2009
What ever happened to "prayer meetin's?" Our needs are so immense that two minutes of prayer at church every week seems rather trivial. At NDBC we would like to bring prayer to the forefront of our Wednesday night activities this Fall through study, sharing, silence and song. We think we can do this by getting back to basics and joining God and each other in prayer each Wednesday at 6:45PM.
Preceding the "Prayer Meetin" there will supper with Chick-fil-A and Jason's Deli alternating weeks, served at 6PM. The boxed meals are $5.00 per person, with a $25.00 family cap. To make a reservation for the boxed meal, you may use the Welcome card in the pew rack, call the church office, or email your reservation to
info@northsidedrive.org no later than Noon the Monday before the event. |
SYD'S SYNOPSIS
Do You Receive the Sunday E-mail Update from Syd Janney?
If you don't, you can!
Following most morning worship services, Syd Janney e-mails a wonderful summary of what she experienced in the doing and being of church. This is quite an undertaking; and quite a gift. Reviews are high! "Two thumbs up, way up!" said one deacon. I call it Syd's Synopsis! She prefers the Sunday Newsletter.
Here's what Syd says she's up to: "I do it as one way of distributing the special experience of worship---from the church family concerns, to church school, to the care with which the worship service is put together, to the essence of the pastor's sermons. It seems such a natural way to keep people in a close-knit church community together. Secondly, I send it because of people like Linda Clark who always are interested in what happened at church even if they can't attend each Sunday and Gerry Humphries who relies upon the newsletter to hear her worship experience. Going the extra mile, Gerry personally mails a hard copy of the Sunday Newsletter every Monday morning to about thirty folk in our church who do not have email!"
Syd e-mails to about 175 each Sunday. I encourage you to receive a weekly copy of the Sunday Newsletter (either by e-mail or post). If you'd like to be added to the e-mail list, contact sydjanney@bellsouth.net. You can also notify the church office at renee@northsidedrive.org or 404-237-8621.
By James E. Lamkin, Pastor |
MISSION OPPORTUNITY
2009 Interfaith Partnership Habitat for Humanity Build
Volunteers are needed for building the 2009 Interfaith Partnership for Habitat for Humanity house. Both skilled and unskilled workers are welcomed. Please consider participating in this very important mission work.
This year's house will be built at 2205 Ajax Drive, NW, Atlanta, 30318. The house is located off Hollywood Road and will be owned by Michael Karmin. Michael has a daughter, Michelle (age 16).
Michael works at Piedmont Driving Club. Michelle is in high school and works with VOX Teen Magazine, a nonprofit youth development organization.
Michael is excited about being able to own a home for him and his daughter and to be a part of a growing community.
The work schedule for this year's build is:
Day 3 - September 26
Shingle roof
Insulate walls and ceiling
Continue siding and begin caulking
Day 5 - October 10
Continue exterior painting
Finish interior painting
Install baseboard, window sills and miscellaneous interior trim
Install kitchen cabinets and countertops
Begin soffit and fascia
The house will be dedicated on Sunday, October 25.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Beth Laxton at 404.351.2324 (work), 770.438.7963 (home) or laxton2125@charter.net. |
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UNPLUG THE CHRISTMAS MACHINE WORKSHOP
 Join us for a weekly workshop focusing on bringing love and joy back into the chaotic Christmas season. The workshop will be on Thursday nights, October 1-22, from 6-8PM, with dinner from 6-6:30PM and small group discussion following. The text, Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season will be provided at no cost to participants. Please register by either calling the church office: 404-237-8621 or by emailing Renee Gamache at info@northsidedrive.org. |
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NEW YOUNG ADULT SMALL GROUP
 Dream.Think.Be.Do. is a small group video study for twenty to thirty-somethings to help build a 21st Century faith. DTBD features the insights of over twenty-five theologians and teachers at the top of their game. Each of the twenty self-standing sessions contains a 20-minute DVD segment drawn from the critically acclaimed "Living the Questions" series-updated with connecting narrations, graphics, and music to engage a postmodern generation. The first volume Dream is 5 sessions long. Sundays at 7PM at the church in the Undercroft and Youth area October 4, November 1, November 29, and January 10. You may sign up by emailing Mike Gregg at mike@northsidedrive.org. |
NDBC STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF NORTHSIDE DRIVE
There are still Stained Glass Window books available for purchase. A copy of the book is in the Narthex for previewing purposes. The cost is $30 per book. To purchase your copy contact the church office at 404-237-8621, info@northsidedrive.org or see Mike Gregg at church on Sundays. |
PASTOR'S WEDNESDAY MORNING
BIBLE STUDY
The Book of Daniel: From Lion's Den to THE END!
September 23-November 11
10:30-11:30AM in the Fellowship Hall |
| A SEASON OF ORDINATION
The Ordination of Laura Wheeler to the Ministry..... Sunday, October 25, during the 11AM worship service. |
During the upcoming fall/winter season, Music on the Hill will present all 10 of Beethoven's piano and violin sonatas in a series of concerts. Each concert will feature an early versus late sonata contrast. For example, on October 11, Sonatas Nos. 1 and 6 will be presented (plus a sonata by Schumann), followed on November 29, with Sonatas Nos. 2 and 7 (plus a Schoenberg Phantasy). The concerts will be held in the Chapel at 3PM with Olga Shpitko on violin, and Tim Whitehead on piano. Admission is free, although donations are requested. |
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LOST, FOUND & MISSING
A silver bracelet was found in the church parking lot last week; also a jump drive (a small USB drive for the computer) was lost at the recent funeral of Fisher Alberson. We are also missing a wheelchair that was stored in the Narthex closet. If you have any information on its whereabouts, please call the church office.
Thank you.
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 THE CALLAWAY CUP
GOLFERS!!!
The last major of the year, the Callaway Cup golf tournament is scheduled for Sunday, October 18! The outing is for members and repeat visitors, men and women, young and old, anyone who knows which end of the club to hold. We do request that if you hit them often, you know how to hit them quick. We will be again be playing Wolf Creek Golf Course, and again at a very reasonable discount rate. For more information email defending champion Hal Meeks at hmeeks@plmllp.com or call 404-352-2438 or 404-880-7191. |
 DISCOVERING GOD IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Reservations are now being accepted for our hike to the Len Foote Hike Inn on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7. Nestled in the mountains of north Georgia, this inn offers a truly unique experience to visitors, as it is the only inn in Georgia that is accessible only on foot. Guests arrive at the inn after a five-mile hike through Amicalola Falls State Park and the Chattahoochee National Forest. Our trek will begin early on Friday, November 6, and conclude as we hike back to our cars at mid-morning on Saturday, November 7. This adventure is open to all members and friends of Northside Drive Baptist Church. The cost will be $80 per person, which will include two all-you-can-eat hot meals (Friday supper and Saturday breakfast), hot showers, overnight accommodations (two to a room in bunk beds), and all the amenities of home! If you have further questions, please contact our music director Paul Fletcher, who is coordinating this event, by phone at the church, 404-237-8621, or by emailing to paul@northsidedrive.org. To learn more about the Len Foote Hike Inn, you may visit www.hike-inn.com. Please do not delay in signing up for this event, as there are only a limited number of spaces still available.
Paul Fletcher,
Music Director | |
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CHURCH CALENDAR
SUNDAY, September 27
Fall Women's Spiritual Retreat
9:30 AM - Church School
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers
TUESDAY, September 29
1:00 PM - Staff Meeting
6:00 PM - Northside Yoga
WEDNESDAY, September 30
10:00 PM - Preschool Chapel
10:30 PM - Pastor's Bible Study
6:00 PM - Supper
6:45 PM - Prayer Meetin'
7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Practice
THURSDAY, October 1
6:00 PM - Unplug the Christmas Machine Workshop
FRI-SAT, October 2-3
Youth Recharge Fall Spiritual Retreat | |
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CHURCH FAMILY CONCERNS
Marjorie Alberson
Cecil Turner
Helen Callaway
Mary Dutton
Bob Haywood |
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NORTHSIDE YOGA 
Northside Yoga meets on Tuesdays at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall with registered Yoga Teacher, Amanda Gregg. Bring a mat, water, and the $10 fee.
To make a reservation for Tuesday's class, email
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The youth café, UNDERGROUNDS, will be open for a light breakfast at 9:30 AM each Sunday. Youth Church School will meet in the newly renovated youth space and begins at 9:45 AM.
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THE PAPERLESS PINNACLE
The Pinnacle is emailed as an attachment to the congregation and is available on the church website at www.northsidedrive.org.
If you would prefer not to receive the Pinnacle by U.S. mail, please call 404-237-8621 or email us at info@northsidedrive.org to let us know. |
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Wi-Fi is now available in the Educational building as well as the Fellowship Hall and Youth Area.
The network is: ndbcwireless.
The password is: northsidedrive. |
Call the church office and ask for Renee if you lost or found an item at the church. |
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Join the NDBC Facebook group
Follow NDBC on Twitter |
| SEPTEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
Beth Laxton - 1
Charles Dew - 3
Linda Clark - 4
Bill Goddard - 5
Amy Redd - 6
Jeff Harbin - 10
Liz Harris-Lamkin - 11
Tim Getsay - 12
Betty Kendrick - 12
Elizabeth Poole - 12
Jane Lamkin - 13
JB Gilbert - 14
Merrill Davis - 15
Will Ervin - 15
Megan Hendrix - 15
Susan Pearson - 15
Henry Collins - 18
Tom Hicks - 18
Karen Massey - 18
Hal Meeks - 18
Linda Rushing - 18
Cyndi Vander Ven - 19
Linda Bridges - 20
Rebecca Moore - 20
Kendall Konenkamp - 21
Bil Cadaret - 22
Mary Dutton - 25
Lew Dorrity - 26
Ann Morton - 27
Don DaLee - 30 | |
