By James Lamkin

The Far Eastand a Far Easter

     This article was headed in a light direction, a gentle riff on the notion of Spirituality as Spring Cleaning. It was a good Lenten angle: the healing ritual of getting rid.

     However, it was too lighthearted for our heavy hearts as we watch with horror the severity of the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster unfolding in Japan. The images are that of a triptych tragedy.

     Mother Nature is acting like an abusive parent. Aftershocks bully the orphaned. Freezing temperatures threaten the most vulnerable and the millions without power. The non-receding sea still buries hundreds, maybe thousands, in unmarked watery graves.

     Since world finances truly are one eco-system (eco as in economic system), waves that hit Japanese shorelines also have washed across Wall Street. Plus, there are literal tidal waves that reached all the way to northern California and dragged a fishing industry out to sea.

     It is not every day that the earth's rattlin' is so powerful that it reshapes an ocean, moves an island, alters the planet's rotation, and changes time. That was some 8.9 earthquake!

     I talked to our own Jim Mahaffey, author of Atomic Awakening, about the explosions at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant. He confirmed that it is very tragic and complications will continue to compound.

     However, amid the humanitarian calamity are stories of human compassion. Tonight's news carried a story of a noodle shop owner. His house was completely washed away. Yet, every day since, he goes to his store and serves up hot bowls of noodle soup and then gives them away at no charge! His reasoning? "I lost everything...but I want to give my food to people who lost more than that."

     Several times a day, emails pop up on my computer. Some are from the Associated Baptist Press. They report of aid arranged through Baptist groups such as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist World Alliance. A Hungarian Baptist Aid group responded immediately.

     There is so much to do...so much. As donation channels continue to emerge, I will pass these possibilities along to Northside Drivers.

     As a kid, I remember thinking how far away the Far East was. It was the backside of my fourth-grade geography textbook. It was many exotic issues deep our library's stack of 1959 National Geographic magazines.

     But now, the Far East is no longer that far. It is as near as my television, as close as my computer. More than that, it is as next-door as my next door neighbor in my international neighborhood.

     If I were a Christian in Japan, made homeless by Mother Nature, only one week deep into Lent, I would think that the earthquake just extended this long season of waiting. Easter must feel even further away.

     Yet, all of the human stories noted above bring pieces of Easter with them. From compassionate Japanese neighbors to responsive Hungarian Baptists, God shares Easter. According to Jesus, there are days when a cup of cold, fresh water is worth more than its weight in Gospel sermons.

     The Far East is a far piece away...but through the miracle of love, it is not too far for Easter.

Praying the Psalms

By Rev. James Lamkin

The congregation is invited to read A-Psalm-A-Day during 2011.

A-Psalm-A-Day Upcoming Schedule:

March 16-Psalm 75

March 17-Psalm 76

March 18-Psalm 77

March 19-Psalm 78

March 20-Psalm 79

March 21-Psalm 80

March 22-Psalm 81

March 23-Psalm 82

Pastor's Wednesday Morning Bible Study 

The Book of Psalms: Poetic Praying

March 2-April 27, 2011 in Room 202

March 16...Lesson Three.....Psalm 1: The Portal Psalm

March 23...Lesson Four......Psalm 23 & 51: Favorite Psalms

March 30...Lesson Five.......Psalm 99: Royal Psalms

April 6.......Lesson Six........Psalm 137: Angry Psalms

April 13               ********NO MEETING**********

April 20.....Lesson Seven....Psalm 8: Humanity as God's Poetry

April 27.....Lesson Eight.....Psalm 121: Life as Poetic Pilgrimage

Lenten Wednesdays 2011

"This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song...

Psalms that Seek the Sacred"

@ 7 PM in the Chapel

Zach Bay.............................March 16

Carol Younger............................March 23

Jillian Farmer...................................March 30

James Lamkin...........................................April 6

Seder Service w/Nancy deClaissé-Walford..........April 13

(NO supper will be served prior to any of the services.)

Music & the Arts

Music on the Hill @ 3 PM in the Chapel

Mozart and Brahms Sonatas.............................April 17

Holy Week Services 2011

Palm Sunday.................................Sunday, April 17 @ 11 AM

Maundy Thursday Service...............Thursday, April 21 @ 7 PM

(Preceded by a potluck meal in the Fellowship Hall @ 6 PM)

Good Friday Service............Friday, April 22 @ Noon until 3 PM

Easter Sunday...............................Sunday, April 24 @ 11 AM

Easter Egg Hunt........................Sunday, April 24 @ 12:15 PM

Combined Church School Class During Lent

"Pictures of Jesus' Passion"

with Steven Sheeley

@ 9:30 AM in the Room 202 (Art & Soul Classroom)

March 20 - Earliest Passion Traditions

1Cor 15, Phil 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:21-25, 3:18-22

March 27 - Passion in Mark

Mark 11-15

April 3 - Passion in Matthew

Matthew 21-27

April 10 - Passion in Luke

Luke 19-23

April 17 - Passion in John

John 12-19

April 24 - Resurrection

Mark 16, Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20-21

The Roger Williams church school class invites you to join us for a nine-week study of the history and causes of the Israel-Palestine Middle East conflict, and the reality on the ground there today. Jim Barksdale, who traveled to the West Bank last year, will lead the series. Class discussion will begin promptly at 9:45 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

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

Mar. 27  Today: Legal Rights

     The Nominating Committee has begun its task of encouraging and soliciting your help in carrying out the work of the many programs of our church. We need your help in two ways. First, eagerly sign up for one or more of the volunteer ministry teams of our church. And, second, make thoughtful nominations for Diaconate, Finance Committee, and Personnel Committee.

Volunteer Ministry Teams

     You are encouraged to prayerfully consider where your gifts and interests lie. Then, sign up for the ministry team(s) that can best use what you have to offer and that best energize you.

Nominations for Diaconate, Finance Committee, and Personnel Committee

     You are encouraged to prayerfully consider those church members who have demonstrated gifts of leadership, who have been active in the overall life of NDBC, and who have willingly given of their time and gifts in the mission and ministry of the church. And feel free to nominate yourself for any of these positions.

     The Nominating Committee will be stationed at a table in the narthex after worship each Sunday during the month of March. You may sign up for volunteer ministry teams at that time. Feel free to remain on your current ministry team(s), or sign up for a new challenge on a different ministry team. Nominating forms will be sent to all church members either by email or U.S. mail. You may return the forms in one of three ways: via email, by U.S. mail, or by dropping the forms in one of the Nominating Committee boxes located through out the church.

     The deadline for receipt of the volunteer/nomination forms is Sunday, March 27. Thank you for your investment in the life of our church. We look forward to receiving your input as our church family prepares for the opportunities ahead.

Nominating Committee Members: 

Karen Massey, Chair          Janet Bell          Jada Getsay

Theresa Goriczynski           Beth Laxton       Mary Lester

David Moore

March Mission Madness

YOUTH

March 25-27, 2011 (please note date change)

NDBC's very own Kristy Eggert (associate pastor of Milledge Avenue Baptist Church, Athens) will be the keynote speaker at this year's March Mission Madness in Marietta, GA. Stay tuned for more information or contact Zach Bay at zach@northsidedrive.org.

Community Group #2

WHAT:  Community Group 2 gathering

WHEN:  Sunday, March 26, 2011

WHERE:  Andrew Hardin's abode

(270 17th St NW, Apt 907 Atlanta GA 30363)

WHO:  Residences of Zip Codes 30306, 30030, 30033, 30306, 30307, 30308, 30309, 30317, 30324, 30329, 30344 & 3036.

A Concert of New Christian Anthems

   with

The Chancel Choir

Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (Marietta, GA)

Gregory Colson, conductor & pianist

Meaningful texts set to descriptive music to commemorate

the entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Good Friday,

the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Sunday, April 3 at 3 PM in the NDBC Sanctuary

Our personal and community histories have been supported by numerous family and friends both current and past. At Easter, the Flower Ministry Team provides a tangible expression for gratitude with the Easter lilies on Easter morning. Your $20 contribution in memory or celebration of loved ones makes this memorial possible. Please sign up on the Easter envelopes provided in the narthex or send your money to the church office with the information included. Please respond by April 12. For more information, call Richard Wilson at 770-773-3333 or see a Flower Ministry Team member: Blanche Roberts, Kathy Harris, Robbye Taylor, Wilma Underwood, or Nancy Davis.

June 19-24

     It's time to sign up for our summer mission trip! Since 2007, Northside Drive has led a week of Vacation Bible School/summer camp in Taliaferro County, one of the poorest and most neglected areas of Georgia. Supported through individual churches and the Georgia Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, TTWL provides summer camp activities for children in first through fifth grades.

     If you can tell a Bible story, teach a craft, provide a recreational activity, or guide a group of lively children from one activity room to another, then there is a place for you to share your talents and love with the children in Taliaferro County. While it's great to have volunteers for the entire week, you are welcome for any number of days that fit your work schedule.

     A planning meeting will be held after worship on April 17 for all who are interested in being part of this wonderful week. 

     For more information contact Susan Harlan, Rhonda Harris, or Barbara Atchley. 

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.

Spring quarter for LifeSpan Resources resumes at Peachtree Presbyterian Church April 7-May 26. Come participate for a variety of interesting classes, including book club reviews on April 25, May 23 and June 27 at Trinity Presbyterian Church at noon. Brochures are in the fellowship hall and narthex. Any questions call LifeSpan at 404-237-7307.

Church Week

SUNDAY, March 20, 2011

   9:30 AM - Church School

 10:25 AM - Cherub Children's Choir

 11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12: 00 PM - Youth Ministry Team Meeting

   5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

   6:30 PM - Beginning Handbell Class

   7:00 PM - Dream.Think.Be.Do.

MONDAY, March 21, 2011

   7:00 PM - Church Council

TUESDAY, March 22, 2011

 10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY, March 23, 2011

 10:00 AM - Preschool Chapel

 10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study

   5:45 PM - Northside Yoga

   7:00 PM - Lenten Service

   7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, March 24, 2011

   7:00 PM - TNT

FRI-SUN, March 25-27

Youth March Mission Madness

SATURDAY, March 26, 2011

   6:00 PM - Community Group #2