"Flora...and Fauna" 

     The final number was 160. Barbara Atchley actually counted that many (with 28 standing) who squeezed into Fellowship Hall last Sunday morning as we remembered Flora. I told the attendees, "This many Northside Drivers wouldn't show up for Jesus at 9:30 in the morning; but you would do so for Flora." Everyone nodded and wondered why I acted so surprised.

     We grieved her sudden death. We gave thanks for her long life. For three decades, she taught kids to say "Bye-bye" as they passed-over the nursery's half-door into parents' arms. On Sunday, we said "Bye-bye" to Flora one last time.

     There is specificity to life. Each intersection of time and place and person is unique and asks something uniquely of us. Change the equation of time or place and you change the kind of life that happens then and there. This is true whether you're talking about the Great Salt Flats, which contained much life under water a million years ago; or you're referencing Appalachia before the deforestation in the early 20th century; or you're talking rush-hour traffic on West Paces Ferry in 1970.

     Biologists call the regional particularity of life a study of flora and fauna (plants and animals). The flora and fauna that feeds and impedes life at 3100 Northside Drive is different than it was even last year.

     Yet, amid these changes, Flora remained pretty much the same. You heard the testimonies of parents and how Flora helped them step-down their anxiety. And you heard emails from Lanier Meeks and William High and others as she stayed connected with their changing lives.

     Twenty-five folk from Flora's family showed-up. Most stayed for worship. Kenneth Dean told me later, "I know you want to find the right words to say about Ferguson, MO, and Staten Island, NY, as well as the racial pain all over our country. But what we were doing on Sunday, with Flora's family present, is addressing the issue." Good point.

     And maybe it is the best point. Just by being ourselves...and staying connected to other selves different from us...we do our small bit for God and give our unique Christmas gift for the good of the world.

Thank you from the Missions Team...

     Thank you for your generous support for the 2014 Christmas giving projects. Bags full of new clothing, towels, blankets and toiletries were delivered to the women and men at The Extension and the Barbara J. Crafton centers in Marietta. Your gifts of clothing, toys, games and MP3 players will make Christmas morning special for children living on the campus of Morningstar Children and Family Services in Brunswick. And Christmas for families served through Buckhead Christian Ministry's Joyous Toys is brighter because of your donations of new toys and games for toddlers through teens. Thank you to all who participated in sharing love this Christmas season.

     NDBC'er Dr. Steve Sheeley will be writing devotionals through the Advent season. If you would like to be on his email list and receive his musings, you may email him at ssheeley4@comcast.net. May hope, peace, love and joy be with you this Advent season.

     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,int he Fellowship Hall. This will be a fun morning for the families to enjoy a Christmas activity together. Save the Date! More details coming soon.

     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 14 - Jenn Knight, violin

December 21 - Parker Holloway, piano

December 28 - Alan Johns, organ

December 14, 21 & 28 @ 9:30 AM

Located in the Art & Soul Room (#202)

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! 

2014-15 Concert Series

 Reception following in the Fellowship Hall in honor of James Bohart.

     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

Christmas Eve Family Vespers

Wednesday, December 24, at 4 PM

    Do you need a Christmas Eve Service designed especially for your kids? If so, make plans to attend Northside Drive's Family Vespers Service at 4 PM on Christmas Eve. We sing kid friendly carols, have a costumed Christmas pageant, partake in family communion, and see the Pastor juggling while telling a Christmas story. Northside Drive Baptist Church has designed this unique service with the whole family in mind.

Lessons, Carols, and Communion

Wednesday, December 24, at 10:30 PM

     As midnight approaches on Christmas Eve, the world is dark. One by one, candles begin to light up the darkness as Silent Night, Holy Night resounds in the air. The Christ child is coming and the people will soon break forth with the jubilant hymn, Joy to the World! Join Northside Drive Baptist Church in a beautiful Christmas Eve service of Lessons, Carols, Communion and Candlelight. The Christmas story will be read from Scripture and the familiar carols will wrap us in the hopeful warmth of a Savior to be born.

    2014 Season of Advent & Christmas

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.

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.

SAVE THE DATE...January 25

Our Annual "Souper Bowl Sunday"

     Volunteers are needed to either prepare a pot of soup or chili, or to bake cookies or brownies! If you are not fond of cooking we can always use help with set-up or clean-up. Whatever your talents are, join us that day for fellowship and fun. The donations we collect that day help support the Hunger Fund. To volunteer contact Mona Stines at mona.stines@att.net or 404-936-8812.

     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.

SUNDAY, December 14 - Gaudete Sunday

  9:30 AM - Advent Adult Church School

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

  6:00 PM - Moravian Lovefeast

  7:45 PM - Youth Christmas Dinner

TUESDAY, December 16

10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

12:00 PM - Staff Christmas Luncheon

12:00 PM - ROMEOS

  7:00 PM - Choral Guild Concert

WEDNESDAY, December 17

10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study

  5:30 PM - Northside Yoga

  7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry

      Per the November 30, 2014, NDBC Financial Report, the church's generosity is quite noticeable. 2014's year-to-date offerings are $655,877.92. This reflects an increase of $5172.98 (1%) as compared to $650,704.94 for the same period during 2013. Let us give thanks to God and the generous people of Northside Drive Baptist Church.