News from Northside Drive Baptist Church

Holy Week

NORTHSIDE NOTES - March 30, 2011

By James Lamkin

"The Spirituality of Spring Cleaning"

Getting rid of stuff is a spiritual action. In fact, it may be more spiritual than a revival meeting; more spiritual than volunteering for a two week Vacation Bible School; even more spiritual than turning right to Lamentations during a Bible Sword Drill!

We usually think about spirituality as doing more: more prayer, more Bible study, or more church attendance (well, maybe not church attendance); but what if it is not about doing more? What if it is about letting go; and maybe by letting go we discover that we have everything we need? Come to think of it, when I finally get around to my annual ritual of spring cleaning, I feel remarkably spiritual.

The ritual of ridding can be painful. I avoid it. It is the procrastinator's plague. We are all hoarders of something. However, a few weeks ago, I took the plunge into my pile of papers.

I am a notorious "clipper." I save notes from books, stash away articles from journals, and keep newspaper clippings. On papers are ideas, notions, insights, and illustrations. They are food for thought that may show up in a sermon, a newsletter article, or a presentation.

This odd collection sits in a file germinating. Some of it is retrieved quickly, like a quotation from Bonhoeffer on a "turnip and potato communion." Other pieces sit forever, like an article from eighteen years ago in the Washington Post on "Slugging" around the DC Beltway by carpooling with strangers in the HOV lanes. (Ask me later!)

At the moment of discovery, it is often difficult to discern treasure from trash. But if it catches my attention, it goes into the pile.

Obviously, a lot catches my attention.

However, a few weeks ago, I did a spiritual thing, a Lenten thing-I threw away the pile. I gave myself an hour to go through the two foot mound; but when the bell tolled, I was done. Tossed ruthlessly! I ended-up with 2% of the original stack.

Productivity gurus, like David Allen (Getting Things Done), say that clutter takes up our psychic R.A.M. Boxes and stacks are black holes that suck-out our energy. In Jesus' day, folk believed that demons inhabited rocks and trees and lakes. We know better. We now know that they actually inhabit filing cabinets, closets, and bookshelves. Also, computers.

I am almost embarrassed at how great, how spiritual, I felt following this ritual of ridding. I was as light as a feather. I was Jean Valjean and I had just heard of the death of Javier. Free at last.

I can't explain how they are connected, but somehow Lenten disciplines and spring cleaning are related. Somehow the inner soul echoes the outer effort.

Lent is a time to leave behind what the future no longer needs. Lent is a pruning that makes room for Easter's growth.

The rabbis say that an hour of study is equal to an hour of prayer. Maybe an hour of decluttering is prayerful as well.

Pastor's Wednesday Morning Bible Study

The Book of Psalms: Poetic Praying

March 2-April 27, 2011 in Room 202

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

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 30-Psalm 89

March 31-Psalm 90

April 1-Psalm 91

April 2-Psalm 92

April 3-Psalm 93

April 4-Psalm 94

April 5-Psalm 95

April 6-Psalm 96

Combined Church School Class During Lent

"Pictures of Jesus' Passion"

with Steven Sheeley

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

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

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

New Business Manager Rose

Welcome to Rose Hidlay. She is our new Business Manager and brings experience from the business world and the church setting to our Business Manager position.

Please make sure you introduce yourself to her and remember that she is on a short learning curve but will be up to speed real soon. We are glad to have Rose with us and look forward to working with her.

Personnel Committee

Lenten Wednesdays 2011

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

Psalms that Seek the Sacred"

@ 7 PM in the Chapel

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

The Japanese Nuclear Crisis:

Dr. James Mahaffey Responds

Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 PM in the Fellwoship Hall

The powerful earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan has caused an enormous human and economic disaster. A significant component of this event is the complete breakdown of a multi-reactor nuclear power plant at Fukushima, and this has repercussions not only in Japan, but worldwide.

Conflicting and confusing accounts can arise from a complex situation such as this, but in this case I may be able to answer the questions. The reactors used at Fukushima have a history that goes back to 1952, and nuclear power plant safety concerns and emergency plans have been studied since 1957. There are reasons why this particular plant, among 17 in Japan, had continuous emergencies when none of the others did. Japan's continued nuclear power expansion may not be deterred by this natural disaster, and there are reasons for that as well.

I hope to give perspective, facts, and studied speculations to the Fukushima breakdown, and I will welcome any questions concerning it after the talk.

______________________________________________________

Dr. James Mahaffey (Jim) holds a bachelor of science in physics and a master of science and a doctorate in nuclear engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a senior research scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) he directed a multi-million-dollar project to design and install a safety system for Georgia Power Company at their Plant Hatch nuclear facility. Also during his 25 years of employment at GTRI, he directed or worked on projects for the U. S. Defense Nuclear Agency, the U. S. National Ground Intelligence Center, the U. S. Air Force Air Logistics Center, and other government and private industrial organizations. He appeared after the events in Japan on PBS NewsHour and has consulted with their science correspondent on ongoing coverage.

Dr. Mahaffey's first book, Atomic Awakening: A New Look at the History and Future of Nuclear Power, (Pegasus Books, New York, July 2009) has received wide critical acclaim. He is currently under contract for a six-book reference set for high schools and colleges, which will be released in the fall by Facts on File, a major publisher of educational texts.

Jim is a long-time member of Northside Drive Baptist Church.

Invitation to ALL Northside Drivers! Zach 2011

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.

Easter Lilies LILY

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.

NDBC Children's Choir

The Northside Kids Children's Choir is for children ages three years-fifth grade. Nicole Harbin and Amanda Gregg meet with the children in the Chapel from 10:25-10:45 on Sunday mornings. We hope that the children will come ready to sing and learn every Sunday immediately following Church School. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Nicole Harbin at 770-844-5797.

Alliance for Christian Media Triple E

April 12, @ 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. The www.day1.org 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-in-law of Jack & Bobbie Baldwin.

NDBC Book Club

A book review of Murder in Amsterdam: Liberal Europe, Islam, and the Limits of Tolerance by Ian Burma will be Wednesday, April 13, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Susan Harlan will be the facilitator and Helen White the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.

MOTH 2

Mozart and Brahms Sonata

April 17, 2010 @ 3 PM in the NDBC Chapel

Mozart - Sonata in C-major, KV 303 (293c)

Karol Szymanowski - "Mythes" Op. 30

Brahms - Sonata No.3 in d-minor, Op. 108

Olga Shpitko, violin

Tim Whitehead, piano

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.

MOTH schedule

Touching Taliaferro with Love

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.

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, April 3, 2011

9:30 AM - Church School

10:25 AM - Cherub Children's Choir

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:15 PM - Children's Minsitry Team Meeting

12:15 PM - Diaconate Meeting

3:00 PM - Choral Concert

5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

6:30 PM - Beginning Handbell Class

TUESDAY, April 5, 2011

10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY, April 6, 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, April 7, 2011

7:00 PM - TNT

7:30 PM - The Japanese Nuclear Crisis:

Dr. James Mahaffey Responds

SATURDAY, April 9, 2011

10:00 AM - Edgewood Church Clean-Up

Volume 3 - Issue 13

HIGHLIGHTS

Pastoral Reflections

Pastor's Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Praying the Psalms

Combined Church School

The Chancel Choir

New Business Manager

Lenten 2011

Japanese Nuclear Crisis

You're Invited!

Easter Lilies

NDBC Children's Choir

Triple E

NDBC Book Club

MOTH

TTWL

CHURCH FAMILY CONCERNS

Mary Dutton

Don DaLee

PASTOR'S

CHURCH GROWTH

TIP OF THE WEEK

Volunteer to work next week at our "Visitors' Table" in the Narthex on Sundays.

NORTHSIDE YOGA Yoga logo

For the season of Lent (March 16-April 13), we will meet for class from 5:45-6:45 PM on Wednesdays, so folks can attend both yoga and the Lenten services at NDBC. We will continue to meet on the 2nd floor in Room #202 with registered Yoga Teacher, Amanda Gregg.

Bring a mat, water, and the $10 fee. To make a reservation for Wednesday's class, email Amanda Gregg or for more information, visit www.northsidedrive.org.

"TNT"

Thursday Nights Together

People of all ages from NDBC meet at 7 PM every Thursday night for dinner.

ROMEOS
(Retired Older Men

Eating Out)
Every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 11:30 AM-1 PM. A time to visit with friends, tell stories and eat good food (bring your lunch money)!

Piccadilly Cafeteria

1715 Howell Mill Rd

NEW! YOUTH ENCORE!

Encore! is a once a month youth event on either Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening. We focus this time on fellowship, discussion, and/or mission service.

The next Encore! will be April 10. Go ahead and mark your calendar. More info soon!

Contact Zach Bay

with questions.

UNPLUGGED EVENTS

Young adult Unplugged evenings. These are casual dinners at our homes where Mike will bring the main course and everyone else brings a side item. They are on Friday nights once a month at 7 PM.

Saturday, April 30

Meditation Trail

If you are interested in attending an Unplugged event contact Zach Bay for more details.

YOUNG ADULTS: SMALL GROUP SUNDAYS

nooma
NOOMA is our young adult small group that meets to discuss theology and faith through a multimedia curriculum. We meet once a month at 7 PM in the undercroft & recreation area of the church on Sunday nights.