Praying the Psalms* 

By Rev. James Lamkin 

Psalm 23  

*(The congregation is invited to read A-Psalm-A-Day during 2011. Here is today's prayer by James Lamkin based on a Psalm from the past week.)

     "O God, what a gift the 23rd Psalm has been to Your people for millennia. We say it, pray it, frame it, decoupage it, and hang it on many a Sunday School classroom wall. Like a song, its words touch us in deep ways, deeper than we know. Its power is greater than the sum of its parts.

     "I remember when we buried Jo Pearce a few years ago. In attendance at the funeral was John Hayes, former Northside Driver and Old Testament scholar (and eccentric) extraordinaire. He said to me in the Narthex, 'I see you are using the 23rd Psalm in the funeral. You know it was written by a convict, probably a murderer, who sought asylum by living in the Temple as a safe house where he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever...for the rest of his life.' Then John said, 'It's in my book...read it!'

     "So...God...I haven't read the 23rd Psalm the same since! If Dr. John is right, the green pastures and the still waters were out of view of this Psalmist. His life was lived, not in pastoral settings with babbling brooks, wild flowers, and meandering sheep; rather, stones and walls and floors were his companions. He was a prisoner. The comfort of the open fields was in his imagination, not his reality.

     "In a way, this stark interpretation is a gift. Most of us who quote the psalm and rely upon it for comfort are as equally removed from green pastures and still waters. Perhaps praying this psalm calls for our best imagination. As we sit in a pew or stand in our office building, it is an act of faith to believe that the arms of The Good Shepherd are as near as the one who stands in the fields keeping watch over the flock by night. To believe that is an act of faith; and I believe that.

     I prayed it last night as Liz and I sat for the evensong service at the Washington National Cathedral. Off the main nave is a small chapel large enough for only three or four people. Most of the chapel is a sculpture of a shepherd holding a sheep on his shoulder. Exhausted from his lostness, the sheep has been found and is finally safe and home...the only home he has...home in the presence of The Good Shepherd.

     "This, too, is the only home we have. And it is the home to whom we will go as did our friend, Jane Jones, on this past Sunday night when she walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I, too, will make that journey one day. We will all make that journey one day. 

     "And on that day, O Lord, remember us. Amen."

 A-Psalm-A-Day Upcoming Schedule: 

January 27 - Psalm 27 

January 28 - Psalm 28

January 29 - Psalm 29

January 30 - Psalm 30

January 31 - Psalm 31

February 1 - Psalm 32

February 2 - Psalm 33 

February 3 - Psalm 34 

February 4 - Psalm 35

By James Lamkin

"You Are Now Entering the Mission Field"

     Some churches have a sign hanging above the door. Some print it on the tail-end of the Order of Worship. The idea is that as you leave the church house-somewhere around the liminal space of the Narthex, you glance at the sign above the door and remember, "You Are Now Entering the Mission Field."

     There's a church near where my grandson lives with that very sign in their parking lot. You see it as you pull away from the building, onto the road, and head into Macon.

     Having such a sign is not a bad idea. You Are Now Entering the Mission Field. However, it may be...that it is facing the wrong way.

     As a friend of mine preached a sermon at his church, an ill-timed (or perhaps "perfectly timed") comment came from a two-year-old. About mid-sermon the preacher said, "Don't make the mistake of thinking that church people are any different than anybody else. We have the same anxieties, worries, problems and sins that everyone has!"

     It was right at that moment that the two-year-old shouted, "Uh Oh!" The "Uh...Oh" said it all.

     Uh Oh," indeed.

     I like the imagery of "A Hospital of Sinners," to describe the church. At our best we are meant to be a healing place. We welcome those wanting to become well. A lot of folk pass through the church's mission field. Some need an incubator as God gets them "born again." Others need a half-way house-searching, but not yet settled. Some need a hospice; and we know how to give last rites.

     Maybe we're a rehab center?

     Years ago I heard of a survey that asked, "Where have you found God?" To no one's surprise several answered, "In church!"

     The surveyor inquired further, "In church, means in worship?"

     Then came the surprise, "No," several said. "In the church basement," they said. "A lot of Alcoholics Anonymous groups meet in church basements. There we work on our lives together and find grace and encounter God."

     Stories like this remind us to keep singing one more stanza of "Just As I Am," not because somebody might get saved...but because you and I might keep being saved! It is a brave decision to keep being saved and to keep "being church."

     "Hi, I'm James, and I'm a sinner."

     "Hi, James," you respond, "You are now entering the mission field."

Northside Drive Baptist Church: January 2011

Revision of May 20, 2009 Bylaws

The ByLaws Study Committee recommends to the Church-in-conference the following changes to the ByLaws of Northside Drive Baptist Church as amended May 20, 2009.  Copies of both the current and the proposed Bylaws are available from the church office in either email or print form for any member who requests such. Questions may be addressed to LeAnna Anantaraman, Syd Janney, Larry McSwain, Kristofer Schleicher, or Turner Warmack.

SECTION I-Editorial changes only.

SECTION II-Editorial changes only.

SECTION III-Title eliminates "Directors."

        1.  The responsibilities of each officer are described in greater detail, incorporating other sections of the Bylaws for clarity and focus.

        2. Editorial changes clarify the importance of the Church-in-conference as the source of authority for the transaction of corporate business in III.A. 9, 10, 11, 12.

        3.  Authority to authorize non-budgeted expenses in III.A.13 is shifted from the officers to the Finance Committee and Church Council.

        4.  Terms of officers are described in a new section III.B.

       5.  Decisions for indemnification are moved from the role of offices to the Church Council upon recommendation of Personnel and Finance Committees.

SECTION IV is renamed "Church Organizations" with major changes in simplifying descriptions of organizations.

      1.  The roles and responsibilities of Deacons remain unchanged.  Spouses may serve on the Diaconate concurrently.

       2.  The roles and responsibilities of the Personnel and Finance Committees are described more fully with language from throughout the current ByLaws incorporated in one place.

       3.  All current committees for which members volunteer are renamed "Ministry Teams" to reflect their functions as groups doing the primary work of the church.

       4.  The process of nominating members to committees is clarified to encourage selection of persons with best skills for needed roles as a factor along with the most nominations by members.

       5.  The functions of auxiliary organizations are clarified.

SECTION V is incorporated into Section IV of the new ByLaws.

SECTION VI, "PERSONNEL" is consolidated into SECTION V, "EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL."

       1.  Responsibilities of the Personnel Committee have been moved to SECTION IV.

       2.  Policies described now in the "Personnel Manual" and the "Committee Policies and Procedures Handbook" are eliminated from the ByLaws.

       3.  The title of Pastor has been changed to Senior Pastor and Pulpit Search Committee to Senior Pastor Search Committee.

       4.  A three-fourth majority vote of the Church-in-conference has been added to the requirement for the call of all ministerial staff.

       5.  One member has been added to the Senior Pastor Search Committee to provide representation of both the Finance and Personnel Committees.

SECTION VII-CHURCH MEETINGS is changed to SECTION VI with no substantive changes.

SECTION VIII-MEMBERSHIP IN DENOMINATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS is changed to SECTION VII with no substantive changes.

SECTION IX-CHURCH FINANCES has been eliminated with the policies written there included in SECTION IV.B.4 under Finance Committee.

Envelopes for Giving

If you need envelopes for your tithes and offerings:

1.  To receive a complete box of offering envelopes for calendar year 2011, simply call the church office at 404-237-8621 and request a box of envelopes with dates that you may pick up or be mailed to you.

2.  Generic NDBC offering envelopes are located in the pew rack behind the Welcome Cards.

3.  Extra envelopes are located on the Welcome Table in the Narthex.

Beginning January 30, the Roger Williams church school class invites you to join us for a 9 week study of the history and causes of the Israel-Palestine Middle East conflict, and the reality on the ground there today. Our hope is to bring clarity and understanding to a topic that affects us all. Jim Barksdale, who travelled to the West Bank last year, will lead the series. Class discussion will begin promptly at 9:45 AM. The itinerary is below, and we hope you can join us.

Jan. 30   Introduction & Current Viewpoints

Feb. 6    1880 - 1919: Zionism & WWI

Feb. 13  1919 - 1947: The British Mandate & Immigration

Feb. 20  1947 - 1949: Formation of Israel & Consequences

Feb. 27  1949 - Today: Israel's History & Wars

Mar. 6    Today: Refugees & Right of Return

Mar. 13  Today: Settlements, Walls, Checkpoints & Consequences

Mar. 20  Today: Non-violent vs. Violent Resistance in Palestine

Mar. 27  Today: Legal Rights

     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 770-941-6478. If you'd rather bring 3 dozen brownies or cookies, contact Susan Dew at 404-252-5715. 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?

February 2 and 9, from 7:00-8:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall

     As we begin a new year, it is a good time to reflect and plan for some important decisions we often neglect. To this end, the Adult Education Committee invites you to Faithful Healthcare Choices Now, a guided discussion on personal healthcare decisions in the final season of life. This program is for people of ALL AGES. We never know when our personal "final season" may come; a catastrophic accident or diagnosis could change any of our lives tomorrow. It is both responsible and faithful to be prepared.

     This program will include two sessions, February 2 and 9, from 7:00-8:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Sheridan Ruiz and Liz Harris-Lamkin will lead our discussion. Sheridan, a Family Nurse Practitioner, is in the Palliative Care Program at Piedmont Hospital and has 18 years of nursing experience with her main focus on palliative and end of life care for over 10 years. Liz Harris-Lamkin is Chaplain at Piedmont Hospital and Lieutenant Colonel of the Joint Forces Headquarters and State Chaplain and brings with her perspective from 20 years of experience as a hospital and military chaplain.

     Session One will identify how our spiritual values and religious beliefs inform our health and healthcare choices, particularly in the final season of life--whether years, months, or days. Every person is encouraged to do advanced care planning in the event they are unable to speak for themselves. That includes developing an Advanced Directive and appointing a trusted agent to be your Healthcare Power of Attorney. There is no greater gift to your family and all those who love you than to make clear your wishes, so that they can be at peace about actions they may be called upon to take on your behalf.

     In Session Two, we will walk through the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care form, addressing questions related to each section. Each person is encouraged to fill out his/her own advanced directive or review a current one for any needed updates. Individuals are encouraged to talk with their physicians about their choices and provide documentation for their patient charts. Most importantly, you will be strongly encouraged to have in-depth conversations with those closest to you who may not know how you feel about various care options.

     Exploring questions of personal meaning, the nature of Christian hope, ethics, and economics can help us choose wisely for our care when we consider the benefits, burdens and limitations of medical interventions and the current healthcare delivery system. Join us to walk through this process together; it will be a great gift to your family.

For childcare contact the church office at 404-237-8621.

Your are Cordially Invited to the Annual Valentine Luncheon

Honoring

NDBC Retired Members

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

12 o'clock noon

Fellowship Hall

RSVP by February 2

Barbara Atchley

770-436-0709

atchley45@charter.net

February 20, 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.

Chruch Week

SUNDAY, January 30, 2011

  9:30 AM - Church School

  9:30 AM - Roger Williams Class

                 "Israel-Palestine Middle East Conflict"

10:25 AM - Cherub Children's Choir

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:15 PM - Souper Bowl Luncheon

  3:00 PM - Community Group # 9

  5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

  6:30 PM - Beginning Handbell Class

TUESDAY, February 1, 2011

10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY, February 2, 2011

10:00 AM - Preschool Chapel

  6:00 PM - Northside Yoga

  7:00 PM - Making Faith's Final Choices

  7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, February 3, 2011

  7:00 PM - TNT