Praying the Psalms*

By Rev. James Lamkin

Psalm 96

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

Neither of my parents could sing; however, both of my parents did sing! Even these days my mother rarely is without a song...from How Great Thou Art to You Are My Sunshine.

My father sang while shining his shoes every Sunday morning, adding syllables to accompany the shoeshine brush strokes: "Oh why, yi, yi, yi, not tonight, ni, ni night?" (It is a Gospel song in case you are wondering.)

As the proverb puts it: "Those who wish to sing always find a song."

I love the Robert Lowery (an American Baptist minister) song written in the 1880's:

My life goes on in endless song:

Above earth's lamentation,

I catch the sweet, tho' far-off hymn

That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife

I hear the music ringing;

It finds an echo in my soul--

How can I keep from singing?

The psalmists were singing fanatics. They believed that life creates lyrics which must be sung to God.

First, Psalm 96 invites all of the earth to "sing to the Lord." That says to me that we are choristers, not soloists. Creation, already, is in the choir loft praising God long before we get to the sanctuary. Birds chirp. Whales sing. Trees wave. Planets swing dance. As the song invites...

Join with all nature in manifold witness

to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Second, Psalm 96 invites us to sing of God's salvation. Put another way: sing about how God is saving you!

I speak less these days of salvation being something that waits for us on the other side of death. I speak of salvation as God's process of tending, caring, redeeming, and gracing our lives this day...as well as well as "one day." It helps me to journal my thoughts every morning. Sometimes I write a poem or song; and songs always say more than words can carry. The effort reminds me that God may be trying to live a bigger life with me and through me than I know.

Maya Angelou said, "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song." Join with me in thanking God for turning our lives into lyrics of God's great hymn of live, love, and light.

"O God, thank you for psalmists who tried with all their hearts to put their pains, their prayers, their pleas, their problems...and your promises...into songs. Help us to do the same. Amen."

April 6-Psalm 96

April 7-Psalm 97

April 8-Psalm 98

April 9-Psalm 99

April 10-Psalm 100

April 11-Psalm 101

April 12-Psalm 102

April 13-Psalm 103

The Japanese Nuclear Crisis:

Dr. James Mahaffey Responds 

Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 PM in the Fellowship 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.

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

     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.

Anantaraman Baby Shower 

Please join us Sunday, April 10, for a church wide shower honoring LeAnna and Anant Anantaraman in celebration of the upcoming birth of their son! Light refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the worship service. Come celebrate the newest addition to the Northside family! No reservations are necessary. Any questions regarding the shower or registry may be directed to Lora Hawk: lorahawk@yahoo.com or 404-405-1748.

Combined Church School Class During Lent

"Pictures of Jesus' Passion"

with Steven Sheeley

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

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

Easter Lilies

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.

Alliance for Christian Media

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 www.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.

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.

Pastor's Wednesday Morning Bible Study 

The Book of Psalms: Poetic Praying

March 2-April 27, 2011 in Room 202

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

Fatal Embrace... 

Sundays in May @ 9:30 AM in Room #201

For the five Sundays in May, the Roger Williams Class invites you to join them reading Mark Braverman's book, "Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land".  Braverman shows how the Jewish quest for safety and empowerment (which led Judaism to embrace Zionism's call for separation from Gentiles and a Jewish state), and the Christian endeavor to atone for centuries of anti-Semitism (which culminated in the Holocaust), have combined to suppress the conversations needed to bring about a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land. The book charts Braverman's journey as an American Jew struggling with the difficult realities of modern Israel. Books are available for $12 from Jim Barksdale.

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 10, 2011

  9:30 AM - Church School

10:25 AM - Children's Choir

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:00 PM - Anantaraman Baby Shower

12:15 PM - Youth Ministry Team

  5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

  6:30 PM - Beginning Handbell Class

TUESDAY, April 12, 2011

  9:30 AM - Preschool Council/Liaison 

11:00 AM - Triple E

  6:30 PM - Youth Chat

WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2011

10:00 AM - Preschool Chapel

  1:00 PM - NDBC Book Club

  5:45 PM - Northside Yoga

  7:00 PM - Lenten Service

  7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, April 14, 2011

  7:00 PM - TNT

FRIDAY, April 15, 2011

  3:00 PM - @ 20.30 Unplugged

FRI-SAT, April 15-16, 2011

       Youth Lock-In #3