"On the Road to Easter"

February 18-March 25

6:45 PM in the Chapel

     The road to Emmaus (Luke 24) is our guide for the Lenten Wednesday night worship services in the Chapel. The road is a symbol of the "in between" time. The road is the journey between our homes and our destinations. During Lent, we are on the road to Easter, traveling the way of the cross to the resurrection. The walk to Emmaus by the two followers of Jesus will spur our theological conversations, our music, our holy silences, our prayers, and our worship. Join us on this journey to Easter every Wednesday night of Lent. The Lenten road will prepare our spirits, enliven our senses, and reveal to us new visions of Jesus.

On the Road to Easter --- Testifiers and Musicians:

     March 11:  David Cook, testifier & Joel Stouffer, musician

     March 18:  Gene Ledbetter, testifier & Alyssa Aldape, musician

     March 25:  Liz Harris-Lamkin, testifier & Alan Johns, musician

The NDBC Chapel

February 18-April 5

     The Stations of the Cross represents certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, of the special form of devotion connected with fifteen key events on the day of Christ's crucifixion. A majority of the images represent Jesus's walk through the streets of Jerusalem, carrying the cross.

     The Stations originated in medieval Europe when wars prevented Christian pilgrims from visiting the Holy Land. Thus, European artists created works depicting scenes of Christ's journey to Calvary to help pilgrims make a spiritual journey to Jerusalem even if they could not go physically. The faithful installed these sculptures, paintings, or images at intervals along a procession path, inside the parish church, or outdoors in order to have a devotional route in which to stop and pray at each "station."

     The object of the Stations is to help the faithful make in spirit a pilgrimage to the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death by passing from station to station, with certain prayers and devout meditations upon the various incidents of Christ's final days. The Stations of the Cross will be in the NDBC Chapel throughout the Lenten Season. Simply follow the instructions attached to the walls and walk the Way of the Cross.

March 18, from 1-2:30 PM

In the Fellowship Hall

     A book review of The Obituary Writer by Ann Hood will be Wednesday, March 18, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Carolyn Mahaffey will be the facilitator and Nancy F. Davis the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.

Church Work Day  

Saturday, March 21, from 9-1 

    As you may know, Northside Drive Baptist Church will host the Alliance of Baptists Annual Gathering in April. Any time we know "company is coming" we tend to look at our surroundings with different eyes. We have several small jobs that need some willing hands! Please mark your calendars for March 21 from 9 AM-1 PM as an opportunity to spruce up the church. We will have the needed supplies ready, so simply bring yourself and join us in a day of preparation for this wonderful event! If you have any questions, please contact Susan Harlan. Childcare will be provided. 

Friday-Sunday, March 27-29

    The Youth will participate in March Mission Immersion at Park Avenue Baptist Church, in Grant Park, March 27-29. This is a unique experience for youth to participate in a sustainable mission locally. It will be an exciting time to participate in the work of God and remember the call of Jesus to love others.

March 8-29

    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 of gratitude with Easter lilies on Easter Sunday. Your $20 donation,* in memory or celebration of loved ones, makes this memorial possible. Please sign up, March 8-29, 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 March 29. For more information see a Flower Ministry Team member.

  ~ Virginia Gilbert, Chair

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

March 29: Palm Sunday - 11:00 AM, Worship

       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.

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April 2: Maundy Thursday - 6:45 PM, A Service of Tenebrae

     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.

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April 3: Good Friday - "Noon Until Three"

The seven last words of Christ. Homilies presented by NDBC members.

     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."

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

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

JD Granade...12:55 PM, "Woman, behold thy son!"

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

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

Dan Tatum...2:10 PM, "It is finished."

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

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April 5: Easter Sunday

11:00 AM, Worship & 12:15 PM, Easter Egg Hunt

     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.

Children and Youth Waving Palms

Sunday, March 29, 11 AM Worship Service

     Attention all children and youth! Sunday, March 29, is Palm Sunday! We want you to help us praise Jesus by waving palm branches in the air! Please meet Mr. Mike in the Narthex before the 11AM Worship Service on March 29 to get your palm branches and instructions about waving them in the morning worship service. Bring a friend to Palm Sunday!

Donate Easter Eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt

     The children in our church and community eagerly anticipate the Easter Egg Hunt every year. Please donate 1-2 dozen stuffed plastic eggs (no peanut products) for the event. 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, April 5

     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 Mike Gregg at mike@northsidedrive.org for availability and more information.

Children's Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Sunday, April 5 at 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.

Easter Brunch at the Gregg's Home

Sunday, April 5 after the Easter Egg Hunt

     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 5. Bring a side item or dessert to share. The Gregg's address is 2346 Thomas Rd, Atlanta GA 30318. RSVP to mike@northsidedrive.org. We look forward to spending Easter together.

     The search for an organist at Northside Drive Baptist is now "officially" open. If you have a potential candidate you would like for us to consider, please let us know. The Notice of Vacancy for the position is available for viewing on our church's website, www.northsidedrive.org. There you may find three points of access for this information. Additionally you may view the full job description as set by our Committee on Staff. As the Notice indicates, all requested application materials should be sent electronically to: organistsearch@northsidedrive.org

The Organist Search Committee:

  Mr. Jim Hermance, Ms. Jackie Poole, Ms. Jo Meeks,  

  Mr. Paul Fletcher, & Dr. Irwin Ray, Chair 

     There will be a 100th Birthday Celebration Luncheon for Gerry Humphries on Saturday, April 25, from 1-3 PM in the NDBC Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited. More details to follow.