Praying the Psalms

By Rev. James Lamkin

Psalm 74

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

     The psalms are changing the way I pray. In fact, they are changing me.

     They don't sound like church prayers. They don't float like a leaf tumbling gently, evenly, predictably. They don't rise and fall; rather, they leap and lurch. They punch. They are not Helen Steiner Nice!

     They are prayers with an attitude.

     Some are pretty. Most are not. They speak of enemies waiting to attack, gossipers who drain life-blood like a swarm of mosquitoes, death at the door, downcast spirits, sleepless nights, desperation, exile, and exhaustion. God is accused and questioned, blamed and beckoned. The psalmists grab God and life by the lapels. They want to know why!

     Yet...yet...before utter despair has the last word, the prayers turn. Not all, but most, eventually look up. Upon looking up, God is seen or remembered or anticipated or longed for. God responds by giving strength or stamina, God forgives and offers steadfast love.

     The psalms are changing me. Their broad texture of hospitality, juxtaposed by hostility, then followed by hope evokes in me an attempt at roughhewn honesty. These psalms are not ornate; most are downright ornery!

     Whatever else they do, the psalms take God seriously; and Lent is a good time for me to confess that I take nearly everything too seriously, and I don't take God seriously enough.

     I try to imagine myself sitting "down by the riverside," with the psalmists of old. One rages. One weeps. One rejoices. One repents.

     I recognize their voices. They echo my own.

     This year's reading of The Psalms is doing two things to me: 1) The Psalms prod me toward less pretty praying. 2) The Psalms induct me into the community of prayer "warriors" who used rugged speech to get at their truth and let the chips fall where they may. And of course, the chips-the pieces of their lives---always fell right in God's lap and into God's everlasting arms.

     So...

     "All loving God, the Good Book says that you are our 'Sovereign from of old; and that you are working salvation in the earth.' I don't exactly get that; but its truth doesn't hinge on my understanding. In fact, little hinges on my understanding. However, it does enchant me that the small tasks, obligations, events, and occasions that come my way today, may just be micro-opportunities for me to link-up with you. What a wonderful notion: in your grand salvific story of redeeming the world, I get included. These psalms are changing me. Amen."

 March 23-Psalm 82

March 24-Psalm 83

March 25-Psalm 84

 March 26-Psalm 85 

March 27-Psalm 86

March 28-Psalm 87

 March 29-Psalm 88 

March 30-Psalm 89

Pastor's Wednesday Morning Bible Study 

The Book of Psalms: Poetic Praying

March 2-April 27, 2011 in Room 202

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

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 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 the last session in 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. 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.

Invitation to ALL Northside Drivers!

     Please come Saturday, April 9 and spend the day with Edgewood Church. We will be cleaning, painting, renovating, and the like.

     Edgewood Church was founded several months ago by two graduates of McAfee School of Theology---Nathan and Carrie Dean. They are husband and wife and Co-Pastors of the church. This church is a real outreach ministry to the interracial community of Edgewood in southeast Atlanta.

     Recently, the Atlanta Metro Baptist Association donated a building near the Edgewood community to their cause. This building is structurally sound, but it has been used for many different purposes over the years. Most recently, it was a homeless shelter. It needs a great deal of time and attention to get it ready for Edgewood Church to use it as a communal meeting and outreach space.

     The church is located at 1550 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, 30317. Please contact Zach Bay to sign up or for more information about this missions project.

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.

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

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 27, 2011

Youth March Mission Madness

   9:30 AM - Church School

 10:25 AM - Cherub Children's Choir

 11:00 AM - Morning Worship

 12:00 PM - Marketing Ministry Team

   5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

   6:30 PM - Beginning Handbell Class

TUESDAY, March 29, 2011

 10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY, March 30, 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 31, 2011

   7:00 PM - TNT

SATURDAY, April 2, 2011

   7:00 PM - @20.30 Unplugged