By James Lamkin

The Bittersweet of Halfway...

 

       We are halfway through Lent.

       I remember the place in Spain which was the halfway point on the Camino de Santiago. I paused and pondered and shook my head at the remarkable notion that I had just walked 250 miles. I was surprised that I had made it that far.On that day and at that place, a fellow pilgrim encouraged me. "Walk in a relaxed manner," he said, "just keep putting one foot in front of the other," he said. And I did. I picked-up my backpack, stuffed my guidebook in my pocket, checked my water bottle, grabbed my walking sticks, and headed-out once more...with only half of the pilgrimage to go.

"Every Voice In Concert Ring..."*

   In the Chapel at 6:45 PM

   (Childcare provided.)

 

March 13..........Jeff Harbin in the Sanctuary

March 20..........NDBC Sanctuary Choir

                           and Friends

 

*From "Of the Father's Love Begotten,"

#145 in The Worshipping Church Hymnal.

       Dr. Steve Sheeley will be writing devotionals through the Lenten season. If you would like to be on his email list and receive his musings, you may email him at ssheeley4@comcast.net. May the longings of this Lenten season lead us to the resurrected Christ.

 

Today's devotional...

 

       It seems to me that the juxtaposition of these words from the Psalmist and Paul represents a cautionary tale. As much as we like to think that we are people truly known by our actions, our words all too often reveal our real selves. They give voice to our true thoughts and feelings, unless we dissemble in an attempt to fool others and ourselves.

       The Psalmist has nothing good to say about those who "speak lies" and are "bloodthirsty and deceitful." Instead, he seeks to be numbered among those who take refuge in God; they "rejoice," "sing for joy," and "exult." Such rejoicing speaks true words of life and salvation. And the inescapable conclusion we draw is that such truth comes from those whose rejoicing and singing is the direct result of God's protection and refuge.

words....(click here to read more)

       Pizza lunch will be provided. Kids 3 and under need to be picked up by 11:30 AM or accompanied to the lunch. Kids 3 and up will have choir rehearsal, craft time and games. Please RSVP to Nicole Harbin, nicoleharbin@yahoo.com or 770-365-6423. We need to have an adequate count to plan for child care as well as food.

 

Kathy Harris, Chair

 

*U.S. tax regulations do not allow us to offer contribution credit for Easter & Christmas plants because the plants are returned to the giver.

 

A book review of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford will be Tuesday, March 19, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Mary Ann Hickman will be the facilitator and Marjorie Rives the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.

 

March 1 - Renee Gamache, 6 years

March 15 - Joleen Neel, 12 years*

March 17 - James Lamkin, 16 years

 

 We are glad that Renee, Joleen & James are a part of our team.

 

Gratefully,

 

Mike Gregg, Zach Bay, Paul Fletcher, Jeff Harbin, Rose Hidlay, Vanessa Johnson, & Richard Willingham.

 

* NDBC Preschool Curriculum Coordinator

 

March 24: Palm Sunday

11:00 AM, Worship

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

March 27: Passover Seder Service

6: 45 PM, A Seder ritual, not a full meal.

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March 28: Maundy Thursday

A Service of Tenebrae

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March 29: Good Friday

"Noon Until Three"

The seven last words of Christ.

Homilies presented by NDBC members.

David Cook

Chris Coleman

Alyssa Adalpe

Karen Massey

Brian Knight

Mary Dean

Rachel Sherron

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March 31: Easter Sunday

11:00 AM, Worship

12:15 PM, Easter Egg Hunt

       All college students and young adults who cannot go home for Easter are invited to Mike and Amanda Gregg's home for a potluck lunch following NDBC's Easter Worship Service and Easter Egg Hunt on March 31. Bring a side item or dessert to share. The Gregg's address is: 2346 Thomas Rd, Atlanta GA 30318. We look forward to spending Easter together.

 

Palm Sunday: March 24

       Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. On this day we remember Jesus' "Triumphal Entry" into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey. The Gospel writers vary on the timing of the event and even its meaning and scope. Some say cloaks were tossed on the road, others say "leafy limbs," and John's Gospel speaks of "palm branches". The 11:00 AM worship service will begin with a Processional Hymn as the children, youth, choir and ministers enter waving palm branches. It is a festive day, though a penultimate one. The joy of celebrating the Christ who reigns, will soon be followed by the juxtaposed image of the Christ who has come to die. The shadow of the cross reaches all the way back to Palm Sunday.

 

Passover Seder Service: March 27

       Every spring, our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate the Passover feast. It is an eight-day celebration, begun with the Seder, the Passover Meal. Passover is one of the high holidays---the most holy of days---in the Jewish year. It marks the single most important event in Jewish history, the Exodus from Egypt. And Passover is a joyous celebration. In that event, God delivered a people from oppressive slavery, and called them to be the people that would make this God known to the rest of the world. Celebrate the Passover Seder Service at Northside Drive on Wednesday night, March 27, at 6:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Remember, this is a symbolic ceremony, not the actual meal. Please make reservations through Renee Gamache at renee@northsidedrive.org or 404-237-8621.

 

Maundy Thursday: March 28

       The 6:45 PM service of Maundy Thursday in the sanctuary remembers Jesus' last supper with his disciples. To them he gave the commandment to "love one another." Thus, Maundy Thursday is from the Latin, Dies Mandati, or Day of the Mandate. In this quiet evening service we observe a solemn communion service at the rail and own the darkness within ourselves and our need for grace.

       It is a Northside Drive tradition to end the Maundy Thursday service with The Office of Tenebrae (Shadows). There are eight scripture readings. The candles in the Passion Cross and on the Chancel will be snuffed. The service will end in darkness.

 

 Good Friday, Noon Until Three: March 29

       This is the most somber of all services. One Gospel writer comments that as Jesus died on the cross, "there was darkness from noon until three." Thus, the sanctuary will be open during this time for any who want to spend the afternoon in worship and reflection. The Noon Until Three service contains seven rhythms focused on the seven last words of Christ (a composite from the four Gospels). Each rhythm lasts about twenty minutes and includes a tolling bell, a scripture reading, instrumental music, a brief homily, a prayer, and silence. It is "come and go" or feel free to "come and stay".

 

Easter Sunday: March 31

       What a day of rejoicing it will be! On this day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The choir offers joyous and celebrative music; and before we go, as always, there will be a congregational singing of The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. An Easter Egg Hunt for all children will follow the Worship Service on the church grounds.

 

Children and Youth Waving Palms

Sunday, March 24, 11 AM Worship Service

       Attention all children and youth! Sunday, March 24, is Palm Sunday! We want you to help us praise Jesus in worship by waving palm branches in the air! Please meet Mr. Mike in the Narthex before the 11AM Worship Service on March 24, to get your palm branches and instructions about waving them in the service. Bring a friend to Palm Sunday!

 

Donate Easter Eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt

       The children of the church and in the community eagerly anticipate the Easter Egg Hunt every year. Please donate 1-2 dozen stuffed plastic eggs for the event (no peanut products please). You may drop off the eggs at the church office during the week or in the Children's Sunday School room every Sunday until Easter.

 

Nursery Help for Easter Sunday

       Easter, March 31, is one of the best opportunities to welcome guests and their children. In order to keep our nursery safe with an increased number of children during Easter Sunday Worship, the Children's Ministry Team needs you to volunteer to be in a preschool room or the nursery. Please contact Mike Gregg at mike@northsidedrive.org for availability and more information.

Church Week