NORTHSIDE NOTES: December 30, 2015
|
|
 Pastoral Reflections
by James Lamkin
"The Magic Box"
More than a few years ago, my mother (A.K.A. "Granny") and Fisher-Price added a new piece of furniture to our household: A Magic Box. It was to be used by my son Stuart. At six years old, he was quite the budding magician.
The prop contained about eighteen magic tricks including the Styrofoam rabbit, the mystery drawer, the wonder scarf, and a magic wand. Of course, the real magic was Stuart. While wearing a cape (it came with the box), he would practice his patter: "And now ladies and gentlemen...," which was followed by, "right before your very eyes."
He was good. The Magic Box was good; but, alas, it was all too limited in its magic. Blank sheets of paper never turned into spendable dollar bills. Problems piled into the drawers never ever disappeared. Difficulties with family and illness and work never vanished like we wanted. There's never a trap door when you need one.
Perhaps that's the task of growing-up: Discovering that simple solutions, quick fixes, and easy money don't grow in the wild. Cancer still has to be confronted, depression still has to be treated, and family problems have to be dealt with as God gives strength and courage. There is no magic formula that makes the difficult lessons of life easy.
Yet, God's odd gospel preaches that pain can bring a kind of healing; and loss begets gain; and death remarkably produces life.
This Sunday, the Magi are coming; and their epiphany brings their magic with them. They point to "yonder" star, they make a long journey, and their gifts are borne by reverent hearts and hands. Two thousand years later, their story still touches us. And it is still true: whenever a gift is given...freely and joyfully and lovingly...something magical and graceful happens.
In what did these wise guys carry their gold and frankincense and myrrh? Maybe, Rubbermaid. Possibly, Tupperware. Or, perhaps it was an everyday box...an ordinary box that carried extraordinary cargo made rare by hope. That's it. I bet they used a box. A Magic Box.
|
| Missions Corner
THANK YOU FROM THE MISSIONS TEAM....
Thank you for your generous support for the 2015 Christmas giving projects. Bags with new clothing, linens, and toiletries were delivered to the women and men at The Extension and the Barbra J. Crafton centers in Marietta. Your gifts of clothing, toys, and mp3 players made Christmas special for children living on the campus of Morningstar in Brunswick. And Christmas for families served through Buckhead Christian Ministry's Joyous Toys was brighter because of your donations of new toys and games. Thank you to all who participated in sharing love this Christmas season.
|
 Thursday Night Study Group "What Would Jesus Say?"
January 7, 14, 21, February 4
6 PM in Room #202
Rev. Dr. Michael Gregg will lead a Thursday Night Study Group at 6 PM in the January and February weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. The title of this study is "What Would Jesus Say?" and will guide the participants into the Lenten season. The topics include: What Would Jesus Say about the Bible? What Would Jesus Say about Poverty? What Would Jesus Say about Discipleship? What Would Jesus Say About Himself?
What would Jesus say? To address what Jesus would say, we need to discover what Jesus did say. These lessons will attempt to help us understand Jesus' teachings and apply them today.
What would Jesus say about the Bible (Matthew 4:1-11)? This lesson will explore Jesus' use of Scripture during a time of great testing. For Jesus, Scripture served as a reminder of the nature of God, providing strength in time of need.
What would Jesus say about poverty (Luke 16:19-31)? We will examine the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to understand what Jesus said about addressing the needs of others. Christians must continue to minister to the poor while addressing the circumstances that cause poverty.
What would Jesus say about discipleship (Mark 8:27-9:1)? Jesus' demanding words in Mark 8 challenge us to examine our commitment to the gospel and consider suffering and sacrifice as a part of true discipleship.
What would Jesus say about himself (John 8:39-59)? The most difficult passage in this unit deals with a conversation between Jesus and certain Jews. It is difficult to understand the message behind the sharp, contentious dialogue. Jesus presented his ministry in the context of following God's calling. Even while under personal attack, Jesus sought to focus his words on the divine will of God.
|
|
Reception for the Schleichers
Sunday, January 10, 2016
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.
|
 Triple E "GA Innocence Project" Aimee Maxwell, Executive Director January 12, @ 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall
The Georgia Innocence Project is a nonprofit organization that represents clients who have been wrongfully convicted of a crime and are in prison. They use post-conviction DNA analysis and other investigative techniques to try to prove the innocence of their clients. Come hear stories of some of those they have helped exonerate.
|
| Church Council
January 19 @ 7 PM
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.)
|
 NDBC Book Club January 20, from 1-2:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall
A book review of Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin will be Wednesday, January 20, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Jane Jerden will be the facilitator and Carolyn Mahaffey the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.
|
 Young Adults/Young Professionals January 23 @ 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall
Do you love to hang out with friends and meet new people? Do you love to eat great food? If you can answer yes to one of these questions join the 20.30 group on Saturday, January 23 at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall at the church. We will spend time together, eat a meal, and discuss the class moving forward. Come with empty stomachs and ideas to share about expectations for the upcoming year. For more information contact Jeffrey Dunkerley, at jeffrey@northsidedrive.org.
|
|
Church-in-conference
Thursday, January 28, 2015, at 6:45 PM
The first Church-in-conference meeting of 2016 will occur on Thursday, January 28, 2016, beginning at 6:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The agenda for this meeting will include the Finance Committee's presentation concerning any adjustments to the Church's Operating Budget for 2016 that was approved by the Church-in-conference in October. Please come for this presentation and other important matters affecting our Church community.
|
 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: Jeffrey Dunkerley and Brian Knight |
 Souper Bowl Sunday SAVE THE DATE...JANUARY 31 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. |
 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). + You can pledge via our website (northsidedrive.org) by clicking on the "Giving" link on our home page. |
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.
|
Church Week
SUNDAY, January 3
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
TUESDAY, January 5
10:00 AM - Staff Meeting
WEDNESDAY, January 6
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
THURSDAY, January 7
6:00 PM - Thursday Study Group
7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry
7:15 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS
Holiday Office Hours:
Dec 31 & Jan 1 - closed
------------------------------ MLK HOLIDAY
The Church & Preschool offices will be closed Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
|
THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT
January 3, 2016
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-4, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
|
|
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.
|
JANUARY
BIRTHDAYS
Chelsea Clarke - 1
Len Shelton - 2
Barbara Schroeder - 2
Dene Maltbie - 3
Gary Clark - 3
Jon Bell - 4
Kennedy Molina - 5
Katherine Bryson - 6
Bev Hall - 7
Joyce Wilson - 7
Ruth Kramedjian - 7
William High - 7
Jerry Smith - 8
Don Janney - 9
Cynthia Tunon - 9
Pam Wamberg - 9
Emma Holloway - 13
Charlton Roberts - 14
Libby Martin - 15
Sebastian Almeida-Hall - 15
Jeanne Hill - 16
Anne Ledbetter - 16
Fabio Molina - 16
Jane Jerden - 16
Lewis Bozard - 17
Donna McLarty - 17
Vanita Morgan - 17
Annie Tucker - 19
Gene Bridges - 19
Anna Kate Wilson - 21
Gail Hermance - 22
Harry Mathis - 22
Luke Fletcher - 22
Nancy Hall - 23
Levi Milligan - 24
Will Egan - 25
Jackson Singleton - 25
Stephanie Jones - 25
Michael Hermance - 26
Michael Dyson - 26
Lanier Meeks - 28
Karen Perry - 29
Riley Isakson - 31
|
| 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
|
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.
|
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 |
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
NORTHSIDE NOTES
ARCHIVES
Did you miss an issue
of our Northside Notes?
to read more.
|
|
