"Missing Mike; Giving Thanks; Finding Christmas"

   'Tis the season of preparation. For my colleague, Mike, that season came early in August as he prepared us for his time away on sabbatical. Now we welcome him home. He is an early Christmas gift to me; and a Thanksgiving blessing to all.

     While he was in absentia, people stepped-up and filled-in. Karen Perry was one of those. As chair of the Children's Ministry Team, she offered leadership, consultation, and communication. Her clear voice and low anxiety were good gifts. Grateful am I for all those who "stood in the gap," during a time of change: seasons changing, staff changes, plus many a diaper that needed to be changed.

     Also, I gave thanks for the showing of Northside Drivers at Flora's funeral. At Antioch Baptist Church, we stood-out. I think there were about twenty-five of us; maybe more. I was proud that our presence said who we are. (And remember, at 9:30 AM, December 7, in the Fellowship Hall, we will do our own memorial service.)

     In addition, I give thanks for the NDBC folk who came on that dark and stormy night to Trinity Presbyterian for the Community Thanksgiving Service. Those who could come, did come...and there were more than I expected. The Jews, Episcopalians, Methodists, and Presbyterians seemed to enjoy the winsome, quirky Baptists among them. I think they were jealous.

     Plus, I give thanks for the many who came together for the tight turn-around, labor intensive holiday week. The Missions Ministry Team filled the chancel steps with fresh, colorful vegetables and fruit for the Festival of Thanksgiving. These ripe icons pointed to a God of creativity, variety, and beauty. Then, the same folk loaded them onto a truck to be hauled-off to feed hungry people.

     Furthermore, I give thanks for those who readied the sanctuary for Advent: greenery, candles, wreaths, and trees. Plus, the children have a wall of handmade Chrismons hanging in the Narthex.

    Bounty and beauty joined with delight as we shared in the Hanging of the Green this past Sunday. Parents helped spread the word that kids were welcome to come and bring their fidgety joy. Excited children and child-like adults praised and prayed and prepared sanctuary for the Advent season. Kurt Thomas topped it off by singing our way into Christmas anticipation.

     Whew. Other than that, it's been business as usual. Yet, in the ordinary doing of church...loving, serving, worshiping, praying, maturing...an extraordinary gift happens. The Word becomes flesh and dwells among us...all over again. Amen. 

     With the Advent/Christmas season right around the corner now, things are very busy in the music ministry at NDBC. Our Sunday morning worship services during this season will be blessed once again this year by ten minutes of pre-service music, provided by members of the congregation.

December 7 - Dixie McClure, violin

December 14 - Jenn Knight, violin

December 21 - Parker Holloway, piano

December 28 - Alan Johns, organ

November 23-December 7

     It has long been our tradition at Northside Drive to give poinsettias each Christmas in honor/memory/thankfulness for our friends and family. This year our annual Poinsettia display will be in place on Sunday, December 14. After the service on December 14, you will be able to take your memorial Poinsettia home to enjoy throughout the Christmas season. Each Poinsettia plant is $20. Order envelopes are available in the Narthex for your use-simply fill it out & drop it in the offering plate. Or call Rose Hidlay at 404-237-8621 with the number of Poinsettias you wish to give, the memorial details, and mail your check to the church office. The deadline for orders is December 7.

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

Joyous Toys Christmas Store--Buckhead Christian Ministry

Toiletries and New Clothing--The Extension

     Located in Marietta, The Extension provides support to men and women who are in counseling to overcome addiction. A home for men and another for women provides extra support to those clients who are homeless. Contributions of toiletries (hotel or regular size) and NEW clothing, towels, and blankets will help these men and women in transitional programs experience the hope and joy of Christmas. Please return the NEW UNWRAPPED items by December 7.  

     Contact: Susan Harlan 770-377-3869.

Giving Tree--Morningstar Children and Family Services

     For many people Christmas is a time filled with memories of family, bountiful meals, and cherished gifts. Imagine the holidays for a child who is removed from family and for whom family may hold few positive memories. Through the Giving Tree, we can help the children in Morningstar's residential care feel the love and joy of the Christmas season. Take a tag from the tree and return the UNWRAPPED gift to the church by December 7.  

     Contact: Barbara Atchley 770-436-0709.

Submit YOUR pledge FOR

THE 2015 CHURCH BUDGET

through any of these ways:

   1- You can return your pledge card by "snail mail".

   2- You can pick up a pledge card at the door of the church office, fill it out on the spot, and leave it in the envelope on the Business Manager's (Rose Hidlay) door.

   3- You can pick up a pledge card in the Narthex, fill it out and drop it in the offering plate (or hand it to an Usher).

   4- You can call the church office (404-237-8621), ask for Rose, and tell her your pledge (or even leave her a voice mail).

   5- You can e-mail your pledge to Rose at rose@northsidedrive.org.

   6- You can pledge via our website (www.northsidedrive.org) by clicking on the "Giving" link on our home page.

"Musical Members"...New Faces and Talent

December 9 @ 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall

    We will have a musical treat for you to celebrate the holiday season. Due to uncertain schedules as we go to press, we will just have to surprise you! We can promise it will be lots of fun!

There will be a Family Cookie Decorating Party and Children's Choir Rehearsal (Cookies and Choir) on Saturday, December 13, from 10-11:45 AM. This will be a fun morning for the families to enjoy a Christmas activity together. Save the Date! More details coming soon.

Sunday, December 14, 2014, at 11 AM

     Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western Church, symbolized by the rose candle on the Advent wreath. The day takes it name from the Latin word Gaudete ("Rejoice"), the first word of the intro of this day's Mass: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete.  

     On December 14, at 11 AM, the Northside Drive Baptist Church Music Ministry will present a program of Advent Lessons and Carols, featuring the Sanctuary Choir, the Northside Drive Ringers, and the Children's Choirs. This Gaudete Sunday service will consist of familiar readings from scripture, interspersed with beautiful music of the Advent season.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

@ 6 PM in the Chapel 

     The Christmas Eve Lovefeast, with its lighted candles, is one of the most beautiful services in the Moravian Church. In recent years, it has made its way into the hearts of a few Baptists too! Come and join us as the Youth and others lead in a service of simple Christmas joy. We will light beeswax candles, share sweet buns and coffee, hear stories of Christmas tradition, and sing our favorite carols. And in all of that, we will anticipate the cheer of Christmas Eve. It will be here before you know it! 

     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.

2014-15 Concert Series

     The mission of Choral Guild of Atlanta is to program the outstanding choral works from all musical periods, including works that are not often performed. See George Taylor for ticket information. NDBC member ticket price is $10.

December 21 @ Shane's

    2014 Season of Advent & Christmas

2nd WEEK of ADVENT - Sunday, December 7

  9:30 AM - Flora Carswell Memorial

11:00 AM - Worship: "The Wonder of Peace"

Tuesday, December 9

11:00 AM - Triple E - Christmas Party

Friday, December 12

10:30 AM - Preschool Christmas Pageant

Saturday, December 13

10:00 AM - Children's Choir Cookie Party 

  6:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir Christmas Party

3rd WEEK of ADVENT - Sunday, December 14

Gaudete Sunday

  9:30 AM - Advent Combined Adult Church School

11:00 AM - Worship: "The Wonder of Joy"

                   Sanctuary Choir, Children's Choirs

                   and the Northside Drive Ringers

  6:00 PM - A Baptist Moravian Lovefeast

  7:30 PM - Youth Christmas Dinner

Tuesday, December 16

12:00 PM - Staff Christmas Luncheon

  7:00 PM - Choral Guild Concert

4th WEEK of ADVENT - Sunday, December 21

  9:30 AM - Advent Combined Adult Church School

11:00 AM - Worship: "The Wonder of Love"

Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24

  4:00 PM - Family Vespers

10:30 PM - Lessons, Carols, and Communion

1st SUNDAY of CHRISTMAS - Sunday, December 28

  9:30 AM - Church School

11:00 AM - Worship: "The Wonder of Christmas"

EPIPHANY SUNDAY - Sunday, January 4

  9:30 AM - Church School

11:00 AM - Worship: "The Wonder of Epiphany"

*Chrismon Pamphlets and Buckner Daily Advent Guides are available in the Narthex and also at www.northsidedrive.org.

SUNDAY, December 7 (Poinsettia sales end!)

  9:30 AM - Flora Carswell Memorial

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:15 PM - Youth Encore!

TUESDAY, December 9

11:00 AM - Triple E

WEDNESDAY, December 10

10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study

  5:30 PM - Northside Yoga

  7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

FRIDAY, December 12

10:30 AM - Preschool Christmas Pageant

SATURDAY, December 13

10:00 AM - Children's Choirs Cookie Party

  6:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir Christmas Party