Pastoral Reflections 

by James Lamkin

Gaudeamus Igitur

Graduation season is upon us like pine tree pollen on a black car. Soon, graduates in robed regalia will send their mortar boards flying; and another class will commence.

Years ago, I wrote a Pinnacle article entitled Gaudeamus Igitur. I remember that Paul Maddox liked it! That was a compliment coming from a man who lived to be over a hundred and was married for over three-quarters of a century.

Gaudeamus Igituris a song played at nearly every commencement; and as far as I can tell, it is played only at commencements! You would recognize the tune if I hummed it. Dum-de-dum, Dum-dum-de dum. Followed by, Dum-de-dum-dum-dum-de-dum. (Think of graduates in a long, drawn-out procession that feels like it will never end...and the tune immediately will come to you.)

I've heard it all my life, and marched to it on several occasions. However, I did not know the words...not until the writer/commentator, James Fallows, put me on to them. His 1994 article on NPR's Morning Edition reported his discovery of the lyrics at a Harvard class reunion.

Fallows had attended that year's commencement ceremony. Alumni seating was done by year and graduating class. The eldest alumnus was up front; and the most recent was seated in back. Fallows sat midway.

In front of him were older alumni who needed the help of hearing aids and walkers. There was a wheelchair or two among the ranks.

Behind him were younger graduates with little kids on their laps. They had a lot of energy.

"I know my chair wasn't actually moving," said Fallows, "but I felt as if I was on a vast conveyor belt, moving from youthful vitality all the way to the slow-motion of old age."

While the processional march droned on, Fallows glanced at his program; and there were the English words to Gaudeamus Igitur. The lyrics gripped him with a somber, yet celebrative affirmation.

Let us rejoice while we are yet young.

After delightful youth,

After grievous old age,

The Earth will hold us all.

Fallows' concluded: "From now on, all graduation ceremonies should skip the long speeches. Skip the advice-giving; and skip those grandiose words about boundless horizons. Just sing this song and leave. 'The ride is short,' says the text, 'make the most of it.'"

Not long after Paul Maddox told me that he liked these words, Paul died. "And the Earth held him."

But, until he died, he lived his life with the gusto of the first line, "Let us rejoice!"

I say: Let us do the same.

Praying the Psalms*

By Rev. James Lamkin

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

April 27-Psalm 117

April 28-Psalm 118

April 29-Psalm 119

April 30-Psalm 120

May 1-Psalm 121

May 2-Psalm 122

May 3-Psalm 123

May 4-Psalm 124

Young Adult: @ 20.30

On Saturday, April 30 at 9 AM, the Young Adults will be gathering for a grounds clean up day at NDBC. All Northside Drivers are welcome to come and join the 20.30s as they weed, mulch and work. If you have been looking for a good opportunity to get to know some of the younger folks in the church, this could be it! As Susan Dew says, "You really get to know someone when you work with your hands alongside them!" For more information on this event, please contact Zach Bay.

Youth Sunday 2011

The youth will be leading our worship service on Sunday, May 1.  We will also be celebrating our graduating senior.

[Do you have a senior or know of a college student about to graduate?  We want to print their picture and future college or goals in the next issue of the Pinnacle, so send them in to the church office today.]

A luncheon will be served after the service! On the menu: beans, rice, chicken, beef, and tofu to make soft tacos, burritos and/or salad with dessert for $7.00 per person.

To make a reservation for the luncheon you may use the Welcome cards in the pew rack, call the church office at 404-237-8621, visit our website, or email your reservation no later than Thursday noon, April 28.

Technology at Northside Drive Workshop

Using the Internet, NDBC Website, Membership Database, Facebook and Twitter

Wednesdays May 4 and 18 at 7PM in the Fellowship Hall

Would you like to connect better with Northside Drive Baptist Church through technology and social media? Do you want to know how Northside Drive is connecting with our community and the world through our website, Facebook and Twitter? Would you like to know how to access your membership information on the church's membership database? If so, you should attend our first ever Technology at Northside Drive Workshop.

Bring your laptop and your inquisitiveness on May 4 and May 18 to receive one-on-one help with all of your technology questions regarding Northside Drive Baptist Church's website, social media pages, and membership database. We hope this will connect you better to Northside Drive as we hope to connect better to the world.

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.

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 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.

NDBC Newcomer Orientation

  by

James E. Lamkin, Pastor

"Who Do We Think We Are?"

Sunday, May 15, 2011

at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall

Since NDBC is a "different kind" of Baptist church, we will walk through our history, vision, and role in the life of God in the world. For regularly attending non-members and new members.

Saturday, May 21 at 5PM

in the Fellowship Hall

All Northside Drive families with children between birth and 5th grade are invited to a Children's Ministry potluck dinner and social gathering. Come and meet other Northside Drive families, eat home-cooked food, and learn about the wonderful things happening in the Northside Kids Children's Ministry. Simply bring a dish of something to share.

Childcare and dinner will be provided for all children. Please make a reservation through the church office at info@northsidedrive.org, with Renee at 404.237-8621 or Mike at mike@northsidedrive.org.

Newcomer Eat & Greet

June 5, 2011, 3-5 PM

at the home of Susan & Hartwell Dew

"Roots and Wings: NDBC's History and Hope"

A conversation led by James E. Lamkin, Pastor

 For regularly attending non-members and new members.

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.

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

Church Week

YOUTH SUNDAY, May 1, 2011

  9:30 AM - Church School

10:25 AM - Children's Choir

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:15 PM - Youth Sunday Luncheon

  5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

TUESDAY, May 3, 2011

10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY, May 4, 2011

10:00 AM - Preschool Chapel

  6:00 PM - Northside Yoga

  7:00 PM - Using NDBC Technology Workshop

  7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, May 5, 2011

  7:00 PM - TNT

FRIDAY, May 6, 2011

  7:00 PM -@20.30 Young Adult Unplugged Fiesta