Pryaing the Psalms*

By Rev. James Lamkin

Psalm 39 and 40

*(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.)

"All Loving God...

I've always trusted Eugene Peterson.  Since he is a Semitic language scholar, a theologian, a seminary professor, a pastor for over 30 years, an author of about that many books, and a Presbyterian...I figure he is trustworthy.  However, I've never read his translation of the Bible much, until Dick Houston suggested it.

The Message, it is called; and it especially illumines The Psalms.

So, God, I don't know if Peterson comes close to what you intended; and I don't know if it enlivens the text as the original psalmists, editors, compilers, intended...but it invigorates me!

For instance,

'I'm determined to watch

my steps and tongue

so they won't land me in trouble.'

'Tell me, what's going on, God?

How long do I have to live?

Give me the bad news!'

'Give me a break,

cut me some slack

before it's too late

and I'm out of here.'

'The world's a huge stockpile

Of God-wonders and God-thoughts.'

'Your love and truth

Are all that keeps me together.

When troubles ganged up on me,

A mob of sins past counting,

I was so swamped by guilt

I couldn't see my way clear.

More guilt in my heart

than hair on my head,

So heavy the guilt

that my heart gave out.

'And me?

I'm a mess.

I'm nothing and have nothing:

Make something of me.

You can do it

you've got what it takes-

But God, don't put it off.'

All I can do is say, Amen."

 A-Psalm-A-Day Upcoming Schedule: 

February 9 - Psalm 36

February 10 - Psalm 37

February 11 - Psalm 38

February 12 - Psalm 39

February 13 - Psalm 40

February 14 - Psalm 41

February 15 - Psalm 42

February 16 - Psalm 43

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.

February 23 at 6:45 PM, in the Fellowship Hall*

CHURCH-IN-CONFERENCE to be held Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at 6:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The Church-in-conference will feature short reports from some of the major committees, a presentation of the proposed 2011 budget, and a presentation of the proposed ByLaw revisions (see article below). 

*Prior to the church-in-conference will be a soup supper at 6 PM for $5.00 per person. To make a reservation for the meal, you may use the Welcome cards in the pew rack, call the church office at 404-237-8621, or email your reservation to info@northsidedrive.org no later than Monday, February 21, for your reservation. 

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Arts & Crafts Market 

Fun, Food & Art

Georgia Artists will be displaying their arts & crafts.

Admission is FREE.

Sunday, February 13, 2011, 11 AM-5 PM

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

600 Peachtree Battle Avenue

Sandy Springs

[404-355-5222.]

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.

Community Group 10

WHAT:  Community Group 10 gathering

WHEN:  Sunday, February 27, 2011

WHERE:  Nancy G's Cafe (4920 Roswell Rd)

WHO:  Residences of zip codes 30319, 30324, 30326, & 30342

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, in the Fellowship Hall. 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

February 20, 2011 @ 3 PM in the Chapel*

     Northside Drive Baptist celebrates the life of the human spirit, freedom 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.

     *All concerts are offered without charge, but donations are appreciated.

25th Annual Women's Retreat

May 13-15, 2011

Blue Boar Inn - Robbinsville, North Carolina

SPACE & TIME ARE LIMITED. Reservation deadline is Sunday, February 13, 2011. Make your reservation with a $100 deposit (made out to Blue Boar Inn) & give it to Joyce Wilson - (770) 773-3333 or Virginia Gilbert - (770) 333-8933.

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.

Chruch Week

SUNDAY, February 13, 2011

  9:30 AM - Church School

  9:30 AM - Roger Williams Class: Israel-Palestine Middle East

10:25 AM - Cherub Children's Choir

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:00 PM - Hymnal Sub-Committee Meeting

  5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

  6:30 PM - Beginning Handbell Class

TUESDAY, February 15, 2011

10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

11:30 AM - ROMEOS

WEDNESDAY, February 16, 2011

  6:00 PM - Northside Yoga

  7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, February 17, 2011

  7:00 PM - TNT

SATURDAY, February 19, 2011

20.30 Genesis Center Service Day