NORTHSIDE NOTES - March 19, 2014

Pastoral Reflection

By James Lamkin

"Lent as Poetic Possibility"

Below is a poem I read as part of last Sunday's sermon from John 3. It seemed to fit well the invitation of Jesus to Nicodemus to trust God's Spirit to accompany him on the adventure of life.

To me, it feels like prayer. I pass it along to you, as well.

Blessing for a New Beginning

John O'Donohue

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,

Where your thoughts never think to wander

This beginning has been quietly forming

Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire

Feeling the emptiness grow inside you

Noticing how you willed yourself on

Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety

And the grey promises that sameness whispered

Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent

Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,

And out you stepped onto new ground,

Your eyes young again with energy and dream

A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk

Soon you will be home in a new rhythm

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

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 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)

2014 Diaconate/Committee/Ministry Team/Church Moderator Nominations

The Nominating Committee is eagerly seeking church members who have time and talents to share in the on-going ministries and programs of NDBC. Please consider where you can best invest your time and talents.

The sign-ups for our Ministry Teams began March 16, and will continue each Sunday until March 30, in the Narthex following the Worship Service.

Please remember to make nominations for persons to serve on the Diaconate, Finance Committee, Personnel Committee, and as Church Moderator. Forms are available for you to make your nominations, and the form can be returned to one of the designated boxes.

All nominations are due by Sunday, March 30, 2014.

NDBC Kid's
Holy Week & Easter

Children and Youth Waving Palms

Sunday, April 13, @ 11 AM Worship Service

Attention all children and youth! Sunday, April 13, 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 11 AM Worship Service on April 13, 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

Easter Sunday, April 20

The children of the church and in the community eagerly anticipate the Easter Egg Hunt each 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 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 Rachel Sherron for availability and more information.

Children's Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Sunday, April 20, @ 12:15 PM

Front Lawn of Sanctuary

Invite the children of your friends and relatives to come to Northside Drive's annual Easter Egg Hunt right after morning worship. Also, please donate 1-2 dozen stuffed plastic eggs to be used for the event. You may drop off the eggs at the church office or in the Children's Sunday School room on Sunday.

Easter Lilies LILY

Our personal and community histories have been enriched by our family and friends, both past and present. At Easter, the Flower Ministry Team provides you an opportunity to make a tangible expression for gratitude with Easter lilies on Easter Sunday. Your $20 donation 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 Rose in the church office with your dedication information included. Please respond by April 13. For more information see a Flower Ministry Team member.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Church Week

SUNDAY, March 23

9:30 AM - Church School

10:25 AM - Children's Choir

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:15 PM - Adult Ed Ministry Team

5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

TUESDAY, March 25

10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY, March 26

10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study

5:30 PM - Northside Yoga

6:30 PM - Lenten Worship Service

7:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

CHILDREN'S CHOIRS

The Cherub Choir

Children ages 2 through Kindergarten

Directed by Ms. Amanda

Sunday morning from 10:25-10:50 AM,

in the 2s & 3s Church School classroom (#102).

The Celestial Choir

Children in grades 1-5

Directed by Ms. Nicole

Sunday morning from 10:25-10:50 AM in the Chapel.

YOUTH ENCORE!
LUNCH AFTER CHURCH

The NDBC Youth meet every 2nd Sunday after church to have lunch together. For more information contact the church office at info@northsidedrive.org.

DINNER AND DISCUSSION
Homebrewed

Young Adult Small Group

Every Third Sunday

at 7PM

@ Central City Tavern

The young adults of Northside Drive Baptist Church are invited to listen to the Homebrewed Christianity podcast and share their thoughts over dinner at Central City Tavern on Howell Mill. For more information, contact Mike Gregg at mike@northsidedrive.org. Check the Young Adults event calendar for a full list of dates.

Volume 6 - Issue 12

THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT

March 23, 2014

Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42

HIGHLIGHTS

Pastoral Reflections

Lenten Wednesday Services

2014 Nominations

NDBC Kid's - Holy Week & Easte

Easter Lilies

Daily Lenten Devotional

Morning Bible Study

Northside Yoga

Affiliations

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.

Nancy Davis

Mary Dutton

Gerry Humphries

Raymond & Bernice Jones

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

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

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.

NORTHSIDE YOGA
Yoga logo

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.

YOUNG ADULT
20.30

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, April 5, at 7 PM
@ Barbara Atchley'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.

stained glass book