NORTHSIDE NOTES: September 30, 2015
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Mike's Memos  by Michael Gregg5 Reasons We Should Complain
(Part 1)
I've become accustomed to hearing my kids complain. Such phrases as, "I don't want to go to bed," or "This sandwich is yucky," or "My sister is bothering me," are repeated on a seemingly infinite loop some days. Complaining happens in congregations as well with gems like "Her sermons are too long," or "No young people come to church anymore," or "I'm the only one who ever does anything for the Missions Committee." Complaining is everywhere. I figure it must be productive to complain. What do grumblers know that makes complaining such an enticing act? Here are five reasons we should complain.
It is easier than actually changing. We all know how awful change is. Instead of thoughtfully taking action to fix a problem or working with others to come up with a solution, complaining only takes enough energy to negatively talk about a situation. It would take too much energy to actually fix the problem. We will get better at it. Practice makes perfect! The more we complain, the better we will get at it, and the easier it will become. Try not to give up too soon. If we complain about the little things like a song on the radio or the smell of our shampoo, then eventually we will become more skilled complainers who can nitpick our spouses, aggravate our coworkers, and depress our pastors. But remember to start small and to do it often so that some day we can be so skilled at complaining that everyone knows it's our unique calling in life. It provides opportunities to challenge the mundane days. Don't we get bored when things in our lives go exactly as planned? The best thing to give our lives meaning is by adding a little more challenge to it. Do we really need days that aren't ruined by complaining? Where's the challenge in that? It provides many friends. Who doesn't want more friends? If we do, then complaining will help us gain friends. And these friends will be complainers just like us! We will become attractive to a whole new community of folks who bring their negativity straight to us, their new friends. Complaining about a sports team, about a minister, an organization, or family members will bind our new complaining community together and won't let any of those pesky non-complainers in. As long as we can ingest constant negativity, our new community will be right by our side-until our new friends begin to complain about us. It makes us feel superior. It feels great when we feel more important than others. By complaining, it keeps us from the stresses of being who we actually are. Complaining happens when we compare ourselves to others and want to bring them into our own insecurities and misery. It takes a lot of work to have a high self-image. Instead of celebrating our own skills and accomplishments it is much easier to demean and derail other's achievements so that they are on equal footing with us. It is easier to compare our own selves to others rather than live authentically. It is exhausting to be confident and secure and cultivate our true selves. Being unique is overrated and a lot of hard work. Complaining puts others down so we can feel superior. But what if complaining isn't for us? I will list five things to do instead of complaining in the next issue. Stay tuned. |
The Callaway Cup - REVISED
The 2015 Callaway Cup will be played at Woodland Hills Golf Club at Carter Grove, October 11, tee times beginning at 1:40 PM. If you haven't done so already, contact Hal Meeks to participate. Cell 404-293-4042, email: Rhalmeeks@gmail.com. Prizes are similar to those awarded by the Tour Championship at East Lake, adjusted for ability.
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Triple E  "Idealism Meets Racism" with Jim Auchmutey October 13, @ 11 AM, Fellowship Hall An Atlanta Journal Constitution reporter and editor for 29 years, Jim will tell us the story of a young white man growing up on Koinonia Farm in the 1960's and the prejudice he faced at Americus High School. His book, The Class of 1965: A Divided Town, and The Long Road to Forgiveness, is a well-researched, popular history with a powerful message of hope.
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| Trunk-or-Treat
Sunday, October 25, 2015
5-6:30 PM in the church parking lot
Get ready for costumes, candy, and carnival games at Trunk-or-Treat! This year, we'll need your help with spooky bounce houses, bean bag toss, disk drop, and much more! We're collecting extra candy now until Sunday, October 18, to insure we have plenty for our little ladybugs and Buzz Lightyears. Invite your kids, your neighbors' kids, and of course all grandchildren.
Set-up will start at 3:30 PM. We'll serve hot dogs and chips for $2. Childcare will be provided for children of volunteers. Bring your festive car trunks filled with candy and put on your smiling faces! Let's work together to make Trunk or Treat a fun, community-wide event for all ages! Contact Sarah Milligan for volunteer sign-ups at sarahwolffmilligan@gmail.com.
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 Thursday Night Study Group
September 17-November 19
Art & Soul Classroom @ 6:00 PM
"Facing Life's Challenges"
by Mike Gregg
September 17, 24, October 1
Facing Life's Challenges explores four significant challenges common to most persons of faith. They are challenges faced by every generation of believers. They are neither simple nor easy to ponder. First is the challenge of new light. What do we do when we see new light on old truth? Do we close our eyes and pretend not to see? Or do we follow new light into the pain and joy of growing and changing? Second, we face the challenge of time's limits. We will not live on this planet forever. There is a limit to the time of our lives. Parents are aging. Children are growing. The years are passing. How can we best live each of our days, keeping in mind that any one of our days could be our last? Third is the formidable task of living with mystery. Tragedy, suffering, and pain leave us struggling to understand the incomprehensible and inexplicable mystery of life. Real spiritual maturity means being at home with mystery and choosing silence over inadequate explanations. Fourth is the endeavor of authentic spirituality. Is there an authentic Christ-centered spirituality for sincere followers of Jesus who don't feel at home with often self-righteous hyper-religion, on the one hand, or cool nonchalance, on the other?
Scriptures: Luke 5:33-39; Psalms 39:4-6; Mark 13:32-37; Job 42:1-9; Romans 14:1-15
Sessions Included: The Challenge of New Light; The Challenge of Time Limits; The Challenge of Living with Mystery; The Challenge of Authentic Spirituality
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"Romans: The Letter that
Changed Christian History"
by Mary Lester
October 8, 15, 22 Phoebe, a deacon from the Cenchrea church, trudged up the streets of Rome, looking for the house of the well-known Christian leaders Priscilla and Aquila. She had agreed to deliver a letter to the church in Rome on Paul's behalf while there on business. After nearly an 800-mile journey from Corinth, Greece, Phoebe had arrived in the mighty seat of the Roman Empire holding nothing less than what would become one of the mightiest books of the canon.
What was so urgent that Paul needed to write to the Christians in Rome? On the one hand, Paul was laying the groundwork for his upcoming visit as well as preparing his readers for future requests to help in his church-planting efforts. After leaving Corinth, Paul planned to travel east to Jerusalem and then reverse course and head west to Spain. On the way to Spain, he would stop in Rome to meet the Christians there and seek their help for the Spanish mission.
This was not the only reason, however. If Paul simply wanted to send greetings and alert the Roman church that he would like their help in future missions efforts, he didn't need to compose such a magnum opus. Why did he do it? What was the purpose of this massive theological treatise? Why did he choose this letter to explain his theology more fully than he did anywhere else? What does this theological book have to say to us today? These are the ultimate questions of Romans, written by the Apostle to the Gentiles in the greatest Gentile city of the day. Join us in a study of this life-altering work from Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.
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"Understanding Ruth"
by Liz Harris-Lamkin
November 5, 12, 19 In these engaging sessions Rev. Dr. Lisa Wolfe takes you on an enlightening journey through the Book of Ruth. This is a lively and thoughtful examination. Dr. Wolfe considers the vulnerability of widows and the difficult situation of foreigners in biblical times. She explores themes of loyalty, bitterness, courage, poverty and seduction. What really happened on the threshing room floor? Combining humor and careful scholarship, this study invites you to re-read the book with new insight and understanding for all its characters, especially the intelligent, confident---even uppity---heroine Ruth.
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 Northside Drive Ringers
Each Sunday @ 5 PM
Balcony Handbell Room
The Northside Drive Ringers is Northside Drive's adult Handbell ensemble, ringing three octaves of Schulmerich Handbells. This group began weekly rehearsals last Sunday, September 27. The Handbells play in Sunday morning worship several times throughout the year. All are invited to join, but basic music reading skills are required.
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from the Children's Ministry Team...
We are looking for a teacher for the 2-3 year-old Sunday School class. We have a wonderful and experienced assistant teacher as well as a paid nursery staff person committed to being there every week; we just need someone to take the lead.
There is no advance preparation required; just come to play, talk, read a Bible story, and build relationships with our little ones. As one of three on the team, you will be a loving face they associate with coming to church. The rewards will be great. If you love 2-3 year olds and can spare an hour for them on Sunday mornings,
WE NEED YOU. There will be substitutes available when you must be away. Please contact Karen Perry ( karen.perry@comcast.net) to discuss this important need. Thank you!
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Cosmetic Bags and Toiletries
We would like to provide "cosmetic bags" loaded with goodies to the women at the Barbara J Crofton Center. Please bring in any new, unused cosmetic bags Estee Lauder, Clinique, etc. to the church as well as any hotel toiletry items. Collection basket will be in the Narthex. Gift bags will be delivered to the women later this fall. Contact Mona Stines 404-936-8812 with any questions.
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 WANTED: Adults to be with our children one hour every other month. Calling all NDBC members--older, younger, parents, singles, men or women...we need help with our children for one hour during worship every other month. Is this something you could possibly offer? Please consider getting on our nursery rotation schedule. The more folks who help, the fewer Sundays we will all have. The children will be in three different rooms by age group with a paid professional plus one volunteer in each. Have you been wondering who all these children are? Would you like to know them a little better? This is a wonderful opportunity! Please get in touch with Karen Perry ( karen.perry@comcast.net) to say Yes! |
Church Week
SUNDAY, October 4
9:30 AM - Church School
10:25 AM - Children's Choirs Rehearsals
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
12:15 PM - Young Adult: At the Table
5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers
TUESDAY, October 6
10:00 AM - Staff Meeting
WEDNESDAY, October 7
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
THURSDAY, October 8
6:00 PM - Thursday Study Group
7:15 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
SATURDAY, October 10
Habitat for Humanity Build
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THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT
October 4, 2015
Job 1:1, 2:1-10
Psalm 26
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16
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2015 HABITAT BUILD
October 10-November 21
Day 1...Oct 10
NDBC Lead day
(15 volunteers to build plus volunteers for child care
and lunch preparation)
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Day 2...Oct 17
(4 volunteers)
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Day 3 & 4...Oct 24 & 31
not workdays for NDBC
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Day 5...Nov 7
(4 volunteers)
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Day 6...Nov 14
(4 volunteers)
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Day 7...Nov 21
Dedication Day
(4 volunteers)
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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.
Jon & Janet Bell
Reidar Bjornard
Jeff & Faye Brewer
If you would like your name placed on our rotating
TLP list, please give the church office a call.
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OCTOBER
BIRTHDAYS
Bess Goodhead - 2
Jennifer D'Mato - 2
Eleanor Chandler - 2
Dick Underwood - 3
Jim Hermance - 3
LaDonna Foxworth - 3
Larry Prince - 4
Camden Janney - 4
Andrew Wamberg - 5
Qingsong Wen - 5
Mona Stines - 6
Addie Cook - 7
Geneva Hall-Shelton - 9
Carolyn Herndon - 10
Lindsey Bryson - 10
Louise Davis - 13
Mike Fletcher - 14
Barbara Atchley - 14
Joe Schneider - 15
Billie Davis - 15
Helen White - 15
Stuart Meeks - 15
Susan Harlan - 16
Dianne DaLee - 17
Sloane Mudd - 17
Bruce Dick - 19
Janna Chandler - 20
Nelle Holbrook - 21
Miriam Wright - 21
Elizabeth Granger - 23
Triston King - 24
Cassandra McAllister - 25
Mike Egan - 28
Hartwell Dew - 28
Christopher Davis - 31
Jordan Davis - 31
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| ROMEOS
(Retired Older Men
Eating Out)
Every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 12 PM-1 PM (bring your lunch money)!
Piccadilly Cafeteria
1715 Howell Mill Rd
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PASTOR'S WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
We meet weekly at 10:30 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. |
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Led by Susan Harlan
Every 1st & 3rd
Thursday
@ 7 PM in the Parlor
For more information call Susan Harlan at 770-377-3869.
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CHILDREN'S CHOIRS REHEARSALS
The Cherub ChoirChildren ages 2 through Kindergarten Directed by Ms. Amanda Sunday mornings from 10:25-10:50 AM in the Room 103 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Celestial ChoirChildren in grades 1-5 Directed by Ms. Mary Lou Sunday mornings from 10:25-10:50 AM in Room 116 |
AT THE TABLE
Off Campus After Worship
(Meeting at restaurants,
at the church and
in participants' homes.)
Don't want to get up before 9 AM? Join this class of young singles and couples in their 20s and 30s to nosh on the Word in an informal setting at a local restaurant. They will gather around the table during lunch after the worship service every Sunday. This class will examine the lectionary texts, deconstruct the sermon of the day, and fellowship together with food and drink.
Teachers: Andrew Hardin and Brian Knight
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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.
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THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS BOOK
A copy of the book is in the Narthex for previewing and the cost is only $30. To get your copy, call us at 404-237-8621 or email the church.
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THE PAPERLESS PINNACLE
The Pinnacle is emailed as a link to the congregation and is available on the church website at www.northsidedrive.org.
If you would prefer not to receive the Pinnacle by U.S. mail, please call404-237-8621 or email us
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Wi-Fi is available in the educational building as well as the Fellowship Hall and youth area.
The network is: ndbcwireless The password is: (not required)
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