NORTHSIDE NOTES: November 25, 2015
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 Pastoral Reflections
by James Lamkin
"Giving...and Thanksgiving" I think it was our beloved former trustee, John McIntyre, who said it so eloquently, "The Bible says, 'God loves a cheerful giver'; but we'll take money from a grouch!" John had a way with words. This time of year, we travel on the dual tracks of giving and gratitude. We don't have to look far to see how they are connected. 'Tis the season to recollect; but upon doing so, we collect. Spirituality is motivated by some guilt...but also (I hope) by a lot of gratitude. Near the holidays, I often reprint my Thanksgiving article about our own, George Smith. (It ranks up there with my Jesus and Waffle House piece.) George was a natural businessman. He could go for the bottom-line of a budget's spreadsheet as strategically as an Acapulco cliff-diver. Those of us who knew him, knew of his rather gloomy disposition. It seemed oddly juxtaposed to his more-than-generous giving. Yet, each Thanksgiving Day a metamorphosis occurred. He seemed to shed his sad eyes; and a glad smile found its way from ear-to-ear. The hidden source of his generosity and giving became visible. George's heart was full of gratitude. His favorite song was Count Your Many Blessings. It is a good 'un, and always makes me cry. It speaks of being "tempest tossed" and hollow-gut discouragement when "all is lost." But the song has a simple prescription to counter-act the poison of a morose diagnosis: count your blessings, name them one-by-one, and be surprised at how busy the unseen God has been working all things together for good. Sometimes, George was a cheerful giver. Often times, he was a grouchy giver. George has long crossed the Jordan; but I still look for him on occasion. I see him on All Saints, sitting in the balcony, along with all the company of heaven. I can hear him saying, "Tell 'em preacher! Tell 'em it takes money to run the church. Tell 'em to give and to commit to be givers." On All Saints Sunday we were fed at Jesus' Table; and we left filled with gratitude and ready to give. Thanks be to George...and to God. |
 Hanging of the Green and the First Sunday of Advent Sunday, November 29, 2015
You're invited to our annual Hanging of the Green Service Sunday, November 29, in the NDBC Narthex & Sanctuary, at 9:30 AM. This is always a special service marking the beginning of the Advent Season. In lieu of Church School we will gather in the Narthex at 9:30 AM for fellowship and refreshments followed by reflections on the season and sacred music as we decorate the Sanctuary. Plan to bring greens from your garden (holly, magnolia, evergreens, etc.) to help adorn our sacred space. Parents: This will be a family-friendly service. Children will be invited to carry greenery into the Sanctuary, hang Chrismons, and gather around the tree for a special song with Kurt Thomas. Childcare will also be provided for up to age 5; however, we hope all parents will bring their children to this special service. |
 Christmas Poinsettias (revised) Orders received November 29-December 13
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 20. After the 10:30 PM service on December 24, you will be able to take home a memorial Poinsettia to enjoy throughout the Christmas season. Each Poinsettia plant is only $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 13.
*U.S. tax regulations do not allow us to offer contribution credit for Easter & Christmas plants because the plants are returned to the giver.
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 Children's Cookie and Choir PartyDecember 5 at 10 AM in the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary
Our second annual Cookie and Choir Party for Children's Ministry is on December 5 at 10 AM. Last year we had over forty kids and parents attend this fun and meaningful event. The children's choirs will practice their songs for Christmas while taking breaks to bake and decorate cookies. Then the children and parents will take the cookies to homebound church members. This is a fun time for kids and a great ministry to our homebound members.
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Young Adult & Young Parent Christmas Party
December 4 at 7 PM at Jordan & Patti Clark's Home
Patti and Jordan Clark have generously offered to be the host the 20s and 30s young adult and parents Christmas party on Friday, December 4 at 7 PM. We'll have good food, Christmas fun, and we get to leave our kids at home. If you connect with young adults or young parents in the church, please let them know of this great time of fun and fellowship. You may contact Mallory Davis or Graham Mudd for more information and to RSVP.
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 Triple E "Music of the Season" with Hal Meeks December 8 @ 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall
Come enjoy songs and stories of Christmas with our own great entertainer and MC, Hal Meeks. We'll have great fun around the tables as we listen, reminisce, and sing along. Bring your favorite Christmas memories to share.
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Gaudete Sunday:
A Service of Expectant Joy
Sunday, December 13, at 11 AM, in the Sanctuary
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 its 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 13, at 11 AM, the Northside Drive Baptist Church music ministry will feature the Sanctuary Choir, the Northside Drive Ringers, and the Children's Choirs.
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Reception for the Schleichers
Sunday, December 13, 2015 12:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall Kristofer and Karen and Louisa and Benjamin and Susanna are moving to Ft. Worth, Texas! We celebrate with them...but grieve in seeing them go.Kristofer was the Youth Minister at NDBC "back in the day." He has been a part of us since 1984. More than 30 years! Karen Perry has provided strong leadership to our Children's Ministry. And we have loved their kids.Following worship on the 13th, we will gather for a light reception in Fellowship Hall to bless them as they go. |
 A Baptist Moravian Lovefeast Sunday, December 13, 2015
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 traditions, and sing our Christmas carols.
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Missions Corner
Christmas Giving at Northside Drive
As in the past several years, NDBC will be providing gifts to both children and adults through three ministries...
Buckhead Christian Ministry's Joyous Toys program helps Atlanta's children, infants to teens. Parents are able to select toys and other items for their children and volunteers on site assist with the wrapping. Suggested gifts include: character toys (Dora, superheroes, Disney, etc.), African American and Hispanic doll sets, Transformers, Stereo headphones, sports equipment, Fisher Price sets, Baby Alive doll sets, Tonka trucks or $10-$25 gift cards to Walmart or Target. Please return the unwrapped gifts by December 6.
The Extension and Barbara J. Crafton Center are located in Marietta and assist men and women who are in counseling to overcome addiction. This ministry provides homes for both men and women who are homeless. Suggested items include toiletries (regular or hotel size), twin sheets, towels and washcloths, blankets, winter shirts, jackets, gloves, and scarves. Please return the unwrapped gifts by December 6.
Morningstar Children and Family Services provides both residential and foster care for some of Georgia's most vulnerable children. NDBC is sponsoring five children who live on the campus in Brunswick. Your gift from their wish lists will make their Christmas brighter. Take a tag from the Giving Tree and return the unwrapped gift by December 6.
Brochures are available in the Narthex. Questions? Please contact Susan Harlan 770-377-3869 or Barbara Atchley 770-436-0709. |
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Dr. Steve Sheeley Daily Advent Devotions
Northside Drive member Steve Sheeley will be writing electronic 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. For other Advent devotionals visit our Bible Study and Fellowship page at www.northsidedrive.org.
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 A Choral Guild Concert "Christmas with the Choral Guild"
December 15 @ 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary
Featuring Vivaldi's Gloria
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.
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| Church Council
There is no scheduled meeting of the Church Council during the month of December. The next meeting will occur on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at 7 PM in the Art & Soul classroom. (This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 19 because Monday, January 18 is the MLK holiday.)
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 Advent Adult Church School
Practicing the Virtues of Advent
Dr. Becky Shoaf
December 6, 13, 20 & 27
9:30 AM in Room #202
Amid the holiday rush, observing the season of Advent creates an inward calm. When we approach the four weeks before Christmas as opportunities for reflection on Christ's birth, and when we put ourselves in the shoes of the Israelites long ago as they longed for the Messiah to come, we keep ourselves focused on what really matters in our lives.
The church has traditionally assigned four virtues to each of the four Sundays in Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. Our lessons during Advent will explore these virtues.
May God instill these virtues in each of us this Advent, not in spite of the busyness of the season, but in the very midst of the hustle and bustle as we love God and love our neighbors.
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 2016 Pledging Submit YOUR pledge for the 2016 CHURCH BUDGET through any of these ways: + You can return your pledge card by "snail mail". + 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. + 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). + You can call the church office (404-237-8621), ask for Rose, and tell her your pledge (or even leave her a voice mail). |
Church Week
SUNDAY, November 29, Advent I
Poinsettia sales begin!
9:30 AM - Hanging of the Green Pre-service Fellowship
in the Narthex
9:45 AM - Hanging of the Green Service
10:25 AM - Children's Choirs Rehearsals
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
12:15 PM - Young Adult: At the Table
TUESDAY, December 1
10:00 AM - Staff Meeting
WEDNESDAY, December 2
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
THURSDAY, December 3
7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry
7:15 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
FRIDAY, December 4
7:00 PM - Young Adult Christmas Party
SATURDAY, December 5
10:00 AM - Children's Choirs Cookie Party
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THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
The Church & Preschool
offices will be closed for
the Thanksgiving Holiday,
Thursday & Friday,
November 26 & 27.
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CHURCH COUNCIL
There is no scheduled meeting of the Church Council during the month of December. The next meeting will occur on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at 7 PM in the Art & Soul classroom. (This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 19 because Monday, January 18 is the MLK holiday.)
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THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT
November 29, 2015
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
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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.
Jack & Joey Guynn
Gerry Humphries
Wilton & Martha Looney
If you would like your name placed on our rotating TLP list, please give the church office a call.
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NOVEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
Ian Fletcher - 25
George Smathers - 26
Teri Rhodes - 28
Reidar Bjornard - 29
Annaleigh Gregg - 30
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DECEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
Paxton Cooper - 1
Steven Sheeley - 2
Stacie Holloway - 2
Mary Lester - 5
Susan Richards - 5
Hans-Luca Davis - 6
Syd Janney - 7
Victoria Tunon - 7
Laura Butts - 7
Caleb Younger - 7
Lisa Barksdale - 8
Andrew Hardin - 9
Jack Guynn - 10
Ava Grace Cook - 10
Elaine Eassa - 13
Clay Manley - 17
Charlotte Dalke - 20
Brian Hendrix - 21
Carol Younger - 22
Jenn Knight - 23
Joan McIntyre - 24
Emma Chandler - 27
Joseph Cassata - 27
Bill Jones - 28
Mary Chance - 28
Amanda Gregg - 28
Ruth Trager - 28
Muriel Hardy - 29
Jeanne Goodwill - 30
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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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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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CHURCH MAINTENANCE SUGGESTION BOX
Rose Hidlay,
Business Manager There is now a way for church members to deal with church maintenance issues as they arise. There is a clipboard located at the Business Office entrance door. If you see something that needs to be repaired or replaced, jot it down on the clipboard. I will look into it and get it taken care of. Willie Hicks, one of our custodians, and I appreciate your input, and will work on the problems as they arise. |
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