Advent Combined Adult Church School

Led by Dr. Karen Massey

Sundays -- December 5, 12 & 19

Room 202 at 9:30 AM

"The Characters of Advent:  The Good, The Bad and The Ugly"

This Advent series will study some of the lesser characters of the Christmas drama, such as Herod, Zechariah, and Joseph. The class will take a closer look at their roles in the story of Christ's coming, and what their behaviors and attitudes might say to us as the world anticipates Christ's coming again this Christmas.

Deacon Spotlight 

JB Gilbert is serving his third term on the diaconate. He was ordained a deacon at Union Avenue Baptist Church in the spring of his senior year at Memphis State University. Having left Memphis to come to Atlanta to work, JB joined Northside Drive Baptist Church in 1979. He taught seventh and eighth graders in Church School with Jim Hermance back in the eighties. JB taught the elementary age children in the nineties along with Cathy High, Syd Janney, and Susan Dew. Now in the twenty-first century, JB is teaching the preschoolers with the help of Susan Dew, David Moore, Jane Lamkin, Jackie Poole, and Nicole Harbin. (JB is gradually being demoted:) JB sings in the choir. That's where he met Virginia. They have a son James who is now at the University of Alabama. Outside of church, JB likes to play golf, watch Alabama football, and rock babies at the Genesis House, a shelter for homeless mothers and their infants. He works as a statistician for Rural Metro Ambulance Company. JB fulfilled one of his childhood dreams when, as a member of the Braves Grounds Crew, he got to change first base in two 1999 World Series Games and in the 2000 All Star Game.

Christmas Church School Breakfast

Forty years ago I met the man who became my role model in how one responds to God's call when it comes to time and talents, including money. He was a Presbyterian, but despite that, he was an Elder, Chair of Finance Committee and Moderator of the Session, among many other positions within his church.  He gave generously of his time and resources to the God through the church he loved. Susan has known this model, her father Harry Gibbons, all of her life.

Having served on our finance committee for several terms, I have seen the inner workings of our financial picture. The amount of good work that is done by so many groups with limited resources is amazing. I know that every gift, every dollar is important to our mission.

Susan and I moved to Atlanta knowing no one. This church became our family then and still is today. Our best friends are here.  You and the generation before you helped raise our children from birth. You have stood beside us as we buried parents. Yes, we try to give generously to God through Northside Drive, but that is because to us, God looks a lot like you.

Hartwell Dew, Finance Committee Chair

How do you give to NDBC?

For over 50 years, our congregation has continued a strong tradition of generous giving. Yet, the way we give has changed significantly over the years.

No doubt many born-and-bred Baptists remember bringing a contribution in an envelope every week. Today, our church donors send their offerings in a variety of ways - mailing a check, generating an electronic check from a bank, dropping a check into the collection plate on Sunday or donating stock shares. Some folks choose to prepay their pledges annually; others give on a monthly or quarterly basis.

As we all make a concerted effort to "go green", in 2011, the Finance Committee is embracing the notion of "giving green". What does that mean? Simply put, rather than providing boxes of church offering envelopes to all church members, the Finance Committee will make available boxes of offering envelopes only on an "as requested" basis. Generic (undated) envelopes will continue to be available in the church pews.

The goal of this effort is wise stewardship of money AND natural resources. We want to facilitate and encourage giving to our beloved church but at the same time to respond to change. This change to our normal practice will save trees and money.

If you use and want to receive a box of offering envelopes for calendar year 2011, simply call the church office at 404-237-8621 and request a box of envelopes for pickup or to be mailed to you.

Your ongoing gifts and contributions to NDBC are deeply appreciated. Help us in this stewardship effort for 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Atchley.

The Finance Committee

January 11, 2011 @ 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall

Tony Callaway is the Director of Development for the Alliance for Christian Media, which produces the weekly Day1 radio program and sponsors the day1.org website. The radio program is broadcast on more than 200 radio stations each week and is also available on the American Forces Radio Network. Tony's website receives more than 60,000 visits per month. Tony served as the Youth Minister of Northside Drive from 1970-1975 and is the son-inlaw of Jack and Bobbie Baldwin.

NDBC Book Club

A book review of The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery and Alison Anderson will be Wednesday, January 12, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall.  Nancy Hall-Shelton will be the facilitator and Billie Davis the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.

FFA/FCCLA of Georgia Retreat Center

January 14-17, 2011

$85 per person

Recreation, Learning, and Fellowship

Contact Zach Bay at zach@northsidedrive.org

January 23, 2011 @ 3 PM in the Chapel

Northside Drive Baptist celebrates the life of the human spirit, free-dom of thought, and the power of imagination through the arts. With these concerts we welcome the wider community to experience the beauty and joy of chamber music. Our chapel offers a graceful and spiritual space where performers and listeners may join in celebration of the genius and inspiration of great composers.

Mark your calendars now for NDBC's Souper Bowl Sunday on January 30 (one week early) in the Fellowship Hall after church. Everyone is welcome to come down and join us for a wonderful selection of soup/chili and make a donation to the Hunger Fund for 2011. These monies are used to help support the Atlanta Community Food Bank as well as send aid to hungry people around the world. Last year we raised over $1,500 at the fun event!

How do we do it? Well, your chef skills are needed! To volunteer to cook a pot of chili/soup or help clean/set up, contact Mona Stines at flyingMJS@bellsouth.net or 770-941-6478. If you'd rather bring 3 dozen brownies or cookies, contact Linda Clark at 404-237-2326. Call today and you'll be reminded closer to time! What a great gift to give this holiday season!

It's a fun time together and the monies raised go to help those really in need. Can we count on you to help?

Church Week