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

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

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

     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.

The Revitalized Andrew P. Stewart Center

Rev. Clayton Davis, Executive Director

April 8, @ 11 AM, in the Fellowship Hall

       NDBC has a long, loving relationship with the Stewart Center in Reynoldstown. Over the years we've been one of a small number of churches and individuals committed to sustaining the Center's important ministry to children in this underserved area of Atlanta. Within the last three years, Clayton Davis has worked miracles bringing new life, vision and energy to the mission of the Center, reinvigorating its work in Reynoldstown, and even expanding its reach to the blighted Pittsburgh neighborhood. Come hear the good news of the great work being done, and the future plans for the Center as it looks ahead to its 100th anniversary.

     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.  

        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.

The next Church Council meeting will be Monday, April 14, 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.

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.

Good Friday Service

April 18, 2014 

"Noon Until Three"

The seven last words of Christ.

Homilies presented by NDBC members.

Jada Getsay

12:05 PM, "Father forgive them..."

Becky Shoaf

12:30 PM, "Today, thou shalt be with me..."

Steve Sheeley

12:55 PM, "Woman, behold thy son!"

Clay Manley

1:20 PM, "My God, my God why...?"

Tom Vander Ven

1:45 PM, "...I am thirsty."

Cyndi Vander Ven

2:10 PM, "It is finished."

Kenneth Dean

2:35 PM, "Into thy hands..."

Palm Sunday: April 13, 2014

     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: April 16, 2014

     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, April 16, at 6:45 PM in the Parlor. 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: April 17, 2014

     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: April 18, 2014

     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: April 20, 2014

     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.

Easter Egg Hunt: April 20, 2014, @ 12:15 PM  

     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 April 20. Bring a side item or dessert to share. Contact Mike for more information. We look forward to spending Easter together.

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.  

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.

April 25-27, 2014

Blue Boar Inn

Robbinsville, North Carolina

SPACE IS LIMITED

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

joyceowilson@starband.net

LAETARE SUNDAY, March 30

  9:30 AM - Church School

10:25 AM - Children's Choir Practice

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

  5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

TUESDAY, April 1

10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY, April 2

10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study

  5:30 PM - Northside Yoga

  6:30 PM - Lenten Worship Service

  7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry

  7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

SATURDAY, April 5

  7:00 PM - Young Adult Unplugged