NORTHSIDE NOTES - March 5, 2014

Imposition of Ashes

Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2014
7:30 AM-7:30 PM, in the Chapel

Pastoral Reflection

By James Lamkin

"Dust in the Wind"

While walking The Camino de Santiago, I stopped for lunch one day just outside of Carrion, Spain. A small grocery store seemed to appear out of nowhere...in the middle of nowhere.

The day's temperature was hot. The wind pushed dust across the rocky path. Plus, the guidebook said I still had 250 miles to go! I was only half-way.

Picnic tables nested under a few shade trees. Fellow Camino colleagues sat around rearranging packs, changing socks, and eating oranges.

But there was something different about this place. This place had music. Music sang-out over the Mercado's loud speaker system.

I will never forget the music. It was Dust in the Wind, a song by the American rock group, Kansas, from 1977. "All we are is dust in the wind," the lyrics said. It was holy and haunting.

I close my eyes.

Only for a moment and the moment's gone.

All my dreams

Pass before my eyes with curiosity.

Dust in the wind.

All we are is dust in the wind.

With as much of the Camino before me as was behind me, I paused at this sanctuary spot beside the road, gazing at a moment before the "moment's gone."

I reached for my journal. I wrote the words, "From dust I came and to dust I will return."

These words hold both grief and relief. Grief...in that, my short life will come and go, and all too quickly, like a granular dirt particle gusting past. But also, relief...in that, like confession, it is good for the soul to go ahead and say what you know to be true. Lay down your burden. There's little life left to spend much time pretending.

Today is Ash Wednesday. All day long, it is Ash Wednesday. I will use the day to contemplate that I am dust in the wind. I will sing to myself the hymn's familiar lyrics: frail children of dust, and feeble as frail.... I will hold my mortality lightly in my hands.

But I will not stop there. With a cruciform smudge on my forehead, I will keep singing. I will pick-up my backpack, give thanks for the gift of the day, be amazed that I can still put one foot in front of the other, and continue my Camino journey.

Though still just a child of dust, I will sing to God:

...in Thee do we trust,

nor find Thee to fail;

Thy mercies how tender,

how firm to the end,

Our Maker, Defender,

Redeemer, and Friend.

Daily Lenten Devotional

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.

Pastor's Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Wednesdays in 2014

@ 10:30 AM, in the Conference Room

We meet weekly from 10:30-11:30 AM, in the church's Conference Room. We study the texts selected in the Revised Common Lectionary for the next Sunday. Large print editions are available each week and for the upcoming Sunday. Discussion is deep and wide and lively. All are invited.

Lenten Wednesday Services

A Lenten Journey of Storytelling...

In the Chapel at 6:45 PM (Childcare Provided)

This Lenten Series will offer theological reflection, spiritual connection, scripture, song, and storytelling. The "testifier" each Wednesday night will tell stories relating their spiritual life, and how God's story connects to our stories. Come and join in the narrative of God and God's people as we walk through Lent's shadows all the way to Easter's light.

March 5 ... Ash Wednesday

(Not only will ashes be offered at the 6:45 PM Ash Wednesday Service in the Chapel, but there will also be a minister in the Chapel all Ash Wednesday long, from 7:30 AM until 7:30 PM, for any who would like to come and receive ashes.)

March 12 ... Alyssa Aldape (Song & Story), plus Alan Johns, pianist

March 19 .. Dr. Larry McSwain, plus Valerie Waters, pianist

March 26 .. Dr. David Bell; plus Joel Stouffer, pianist

April 2 ...... Dr. Karen Massey; plus Jenn Pittman, violinist

April 9 ...... Kurt Thomas (Song and Story)

St. Valentine & St. Patrick Luncheon Triple E

Tuesday, March 11, at Noon

In the Fellowship Hall

The Valentine Luncheon has now been moved to March 11, at Noon. We will celebrate two saints---St. Valentine and St. Patrick! Guests, please come early to socialize, enjoy a special meal, fellowship time, and some music. Please mark your calendars NOW for this wonderful event. You may RSVP to Barbara Atchley at atchley2005@gmail.com or 770-436-0709. The church looks forward to honoring you on March 11!

The A Cappella Choir

Thursday, March 13, 7 PM @ Dunwoody UMC

The Baylor A Cappella Choir is the premier choral ensemble at Baylor University. Selected by competitive audition, the 60-voice choir performs a wide variety of musical styles. In the fall of 2006, the choir performed for the Baptist General Convention of Texas and also performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in the spring of 2007. The Baylor A Cappella Choir has also performed for the Texoma Region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the College Band Directors Association, and the prestigious National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in San Diego.

Family Lunches after Church

Join with other NDBC families for after-church lunches. Everyone is invited for a time of fun and fellowship together! We hope to see you there.

March 16 - Shane's

April 27 - Uncle Maddio's
June 15 - Zoe's
July 20 - Moe's
August 17 - Shane's
September 21 - Uncle Maddio's
October 19 - Zoe's
November 16 - Moe's
December 21 - Shane's

For more information contact Amanda Gregg at amanda_agd@yahoo.com.

Church Council*

The next Church Council meeting will be Monday, March 17, at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

*The Church Council consists of the Moderator, Senior Pastor, Treasurer, and Church Clerk, the chairs of the Diaconate, the Finance, Personnel, and Nominating Committees, the Adult Education, Children's, Communications/Technology, Facilities Management, Grounds, Landscaping, Hospitality, Marketing, Membership Development, Memorial Gifts, Missions, Preschool Liaison, Worship/Music, and Youth Ministry Teams, and the Auxiliary Triple E.

NDBC Book Club

March 19, from 1-2:30 PM

In the Fellowship Hall

A book review of The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig will be Wednesday, March 19, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Robbye Taylor will be the facilitator and Anne Raymond the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.

28th Annual Women's Retreat

April 25-27, 2014

Blue Boar Inn

Robbinsville, North Carolina

SPACE IS LIMITED

For more information: Joyce Wilson (770)773-3333

joyceowilson@starband.net

Missions Corner TTWL

Touching Taliaferro with Love: June 15-20

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, direct a craft activity, lead in recreation, 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 or family schedule.

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

Church Week

SUNDAY, March 9

9:30 AM - Church School

10:25 AM - Children's Choir Practice

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:15 PM - Worship & Music Ministry Team Meeting

5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

TUESDAY, March 11

9:00 AM - Preschool Liaison Meeting

11:00 AM - Triple E

6:30 PM - Personnel Committee

WEDNESDAY, March 12

10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study

5:30 PM - Northside Yoga

6:45 PM - Lenten Worship Service

7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

A Word About Bad Weather and the Church

As a rule of thumb, we will not cancel worship services on Sunday morning except under the most extreme weather conditions. Members are urged to use their own good judgment as to whether they should attempt to make the trip. Should inclement winter weather cause the cancellation of a service, here is the plan:

1) The ministers and the moderator will make the decision.

2) The ministers and the moderator will notify the deacons.

3) The ministers will email all those on the church's email list, and place a notification on the church's voice mail (if electricity and phone service are available).

4) The deacons will call members who need to be notified, but do not have email.

NORTHSIDE YOGA
Yoga logo

YOGA CANCELED FOR MARCH 5

YOGA meets on Wednesdays @ 5:30 PM, in the Fellowship Hall with Amanda Gregg. The cost is $60 for a 6 week session or $13 per class for drop-in. Bring a mat, water, small towel, and wear comfortable clothing. To make a reservation for a class session, email Amanda at mandayoga@gmail.com or visitwww.northsidedrive.org.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
shawl

Come join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 PM, in Room #207, the Parlor, to knit or crochet a prayer shawl. If you are not sure how, no problem, there will be plenty of people to help you get started. This group is open to anyone who would like to join! For more information call Susan Harlan at 770-377-3869.

Volume 6 - Issue 10

Daylight Saving 2014

Begins at 2:00 AM on

Sunday, March 9, 2014

THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT

March 9, 2014

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Psalm 32

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

HIGHLIGHTS

Pastoral Reflections

Morning Bible Study

Triple E

Northside Kids

Book Club

Church Calendar

Birthdays

This Week's

TENDER LOVING

PRAYER

(TLP List)

The TLP is a Diaconate ministry. Each week's list contains the rotating names of three or four NDBC senior adults.

Betty Almeida

Reidar Bjornard

Jeff & Faye Brewer

Mary Chance

----------------

In addition, this week we pray for...

Gordon & Billie Davis Jack & Joey Guynn

If you would like your name placed on our rotating TLP list, please give the church office a call.

MARCH

BIRTHDAYS

Jim Mahaffey - 1

Jo Meeks - 1

Janet Bell - 2

Virginia Gilbert - 2

Parker Holloway - 2

Jordan Clark - 3

William Chandler - 3

Raymond Jones - 7

Ginger Cooper - 7

Laura Foushee - 7

Caroline Sisk - 12

Wendy Overton-Ervin - 14

Lora Hawk - 14

Benjamin Cadaret - 15

Aline Cofield - 16

Charley Joyner - 18

Jane Fitzgerald - 18

JL Jerden - 19

Vanessa Johnson - 19

Jim Barksdale - 20

Harper Bell - 21

Don Wamberg - 24

Dan Oakley - 26

Raj Anantaraman - 27

Calvin Dalke - 29

Walter Grant - 30

ROMEOS
(Retired Older Men
Eating Out)

Every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 12 PM-1 PM. A time to visit with friends, tell stories and eat good food (bring your lunch money)!

Piccadilly Cafeteria

1715 Howell Mill Rd

NDBC 2030

NDBC 20.30 is a group for singles and couples in their 20's and 30's to come together for special events, social gatherings, Bible studies, and mission work. We are an informal and casual group. Even if you are not a member of Northside Drive Baptist, you are invited and accepted. We are a group that explores life together in hopes of learning more about ourselves, our place in the world, and our connection with God. NDBC 20.30 is place to be honest and a place to belong.

UNPLUGGED

Young Adult Dinners at Home Every First Saturday Night at 7 PM

Saturday, March 8, at 7 PM
@ Don & Syd Janney's Home

Sharing food and friendship that feed our souls. Join us as we unplug from our busy schedules and gather for casual dinners at the homes of members of Northside Drive Baptist Church. Bring a side item or dessert and the main course will be provided. For more information, contact Mike Gregg at mike@northsidedrive.org. Check the Young Adults event calendar on the website, Facebook page, or in print for a full list of dates.