There will be a CALLED Church-in-conference on September 11, in the Sanctuary immediately following the worship service. The purpose of the meeting will be to hear and vote upon the Worship & and Music Ministry Team's recommendation for a new hymnal.

By James Lamkin

"Calling All Deacons"

     Last Saturday, Virginia and JB Gilbert hosted an orientation brunch for our Deacon bunch. It was part locker-room pep talk, part war-room strategy, part allocation of resources, part catch-up on congregational info, and much fellowship, food, faith, and fun.

     The new crop of deacons and their colleagues are off and running!

     My perspective on the deacon job description is: Offer connection with your congregational families, serve communion when called-upon, pray, and minister as a care-giving team.

     It is easy to feel guilty as a deacon. Most say, "I wish I could do more; I should have done more." So, I try to help them plan the year and set reasonable "doing" goals. Ministry, always, is a balancing act between initiative and invitation; and rarely do we ministers/deacons feel like we get it right.

     Calling on your deacon. A deacon is assigned to each church member. Most deacons have about 15-20 households on their ministry list. One list per month will be printed in The Pinnacle. If you don't know who your deacon is, call the church office and ask.

     Your deacon will take the initiative to contact you. However, there are some instances where you will need to contact your deacon. Examples include:

• The need for prayer regarding something in your life.
• When you or a loved one is sick.
• When you or a loved one is in the hospital.
• When there is a death in the family.
• When a listening ear may help.
• When your family is going through a stressful transition.
• When a regular sit-down visit, or a regular phone call conversation would be helpful.

     Calling NDBC members regarding deaths. Ours is an intimate faith community. Thus, it matters to hear directly when a member has died. In former days the Deacons used a Calling Tree to notify the church. However, with many traveling during the week, all it takes is for one or two to miss the message, and the calling tree falls through. The deacons want a more trustworthy notification process.

     Email is the fastest and most informative method. Most NDBCers have email.

     However, the deacons and I have created a Special Notification List containing names of members who don't have email, or who have told us they don't check it regularly. There are 39 individuals on the list today.

     When there's a death in the church, Mary Chance (and occasionally other helpers) call these to notify of the death. For security purposes, we won't print the list; but call the church office if you want more information about this.

     I am grateful to all Deacons who have been "called-up" for deacon service; and thanks to Virginia Gilbert who is doing a great job as the chairperson of this Called and Calling Team. 

Jillian Farmer is originally from Nacogdoches, Texas. She graduated in 2008 from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor's degree in Social Work and History. She is a third year student at the McAfee School of Theology, studying Christian Social Ethics. After graduation she plans to follow her calling into congregational ministry, hopefully somewhere in Texas. She is excited to take part in the opportunities God is currently providing at Northside Drive, and is thankful to be a part of this family of faith.

Dear Friend of Northside Drive,

Worship has always been at the center of everything done at Northside Drive Baptist Church, and music has always been a major element in our worship. As you look at the front of our Sanctuary, the cross is the focus, but the pipes of our wonderful organ provide a strong framework for the cross. While many outstanding musicians have contributed to our music ministry as organists, directors and vocalists, our organ has been a constant and central part in our worship since 1974. Our organ, which has served us so well for almost 40 years, now needs our help.

For more information about how you can help, please visit the NDBC website where you will find a letter from the Organ Restoration Committee and a virtual pledging form: http://www.northsidedrive.org/giving.asp.

Dee Davis is married to Nancy de Jonge Davis. They have two children, Ramsey & Hans-Luca. Dee has been a member of Northside Drive Baptist Church since 2007.

Dee's Deacon Families are:

 Michael & Sara Bailey

Myrtie Cope & Ansley

Nancy E. Davis

Fulgencio Ferrer & Dalia Abreu and Priscilla Ferrer

Steven & Cassandra McAllister

John Powell

Irwin & Cristy Ray and Garrett

Linda Rushing

Joe & Judy Schneider

George & Gloria Smathers and Drew

Jose & Cynthia Tunon and Sofia & Victoria 

Sunday, September 11, 2011

in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 AM

You will get a chance to learn about all the 2011-2012 Church School classes and their curriculum as well as congratulate all of the children on their promotions to their next grades. Bring your favorite breakfast food to share. Please bring food already warmed. Milk, juice and coffee will be provided. 

September 11, from 10:25-10:50 AM

Upstairs Elementary Church School Room (Rm 204)

Ages 3 through 5th Grade

Please make every effort to join us for our kickoff on Sunday morning, September 11. In addition to singing, we have a special craft planned for the children. There will be a registration form for parents to complete. A tentative calendar for the year will be provided. Feel free to contact Nicole Harbin with any questions, nicoleharbin@yahoo.com.

First tee time is 1:30 PM, and we will play at Bobby Jones Golf Course, close to the church. To sign up call Hal Meeks: c. 404-293-4042; h. 404-352-2438, o. 404-880-7180 or email hmeeks@plmllp.com.

All concerts are at 3 PM, in the Northside Drive Chapel.

Fall, 2011

September 11- Texas Guitar Quartet

October 23 - Ravel & Brahms Violin Sonatas

November 13 - Haydn & Borodin Quartets

November 20 - Beethoven & Mozart Trios

(Music on the Hill brochure)

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

September 13 @ 11 AM

in the Fellowship Hall

Name That Tune!

Come test your musical knowledge as Greg Colson plays everything from old favorite Baptist hymns to 40's dance tunes to beloved classical pieces. Challenge your memory, enjoy a little competition, and have a lot of fun as we reconnect after our summer break. 

September 14, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall 

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

   Author: Muriel Barbery

   Facilitator: Nancy Hall

   Hostess: Nancy Hall

Book Review Schedule

The cost:  $40 PER CHILD for the whole 10 weeks. Usual cost is $157.

The place:  Music Together is on the first floor down from the Preschool hallway near the handicap accessible door (Rm 109).

The days:  Wednesday night's, September 14-November 16, at 6 PM.

Please register ONLINE to confirm your space as soon as possible at http://musictogethermetroatlanta.com/register.aspx.

  Needs After-School Tutors through September 19.

School's back in session and The Andrew P. Stewart Center's after-school tutoring program has begun! The Mission Year volunteer missionaries who will be doing the majority of the tutoring, however, do not arrive until September 19. This leaves the Center understaffed for 4 weeks. The Executive Director, Clayton Davis, and Program Director, Megan Warley, have asked the members of the Board for help in finding tutors to bridge this gap. 

It would be great if NDBC could be able to offer hands-on support for the important work of The Stewart Center, as well as our financial support. I know that giving of our time can sometimes be more difficult than writing a check, but I also know that personal participation reaps huge personal rewards, one being that your heart will swell from the experience. The tutoring program is Monday through Friday, begins at 2:30 PM and concludes at 6 PM. If you can serve please send me an email stating your date(s) preference as soon as possible to Kathy.Harris@equifax.com. 

2011 Interfaith Habitat for Humanity Build

(This study also will be offered

on most fall Wednesday evenings.)