NORTHSIDE NOTES: February 3, 2016
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 Pastoral Reflections by Rev. James Lamkin"Lent...A Time of Conversion"
Ever notice similarity between the words conversation and conversion? Come to think of it, whenever there is a true conversation, conversion always happens.
Of course, one's viewpoint may not change. One's opinion may not be altered. But I believe real conversation does mature the persons and relationship of those conversing. How many times have you finished a conversation with, "Given what you've said about how you grew-up...or hearing what you said about your fears...or knowing what's going on in your family...or seeing the issue from that angle...I can better understand your viewpoint." This is one of the things that spooked the Holy Mother Church when the Protestant Reformation broke out. People conversed. How dangerous is that! Once the Bible was translated into the people's vocabulary, then folks started talking about possible meanings of the text rather than simply being told what text meant. All of the above to say: there seems to be less capacity for conversation these days. There is more "talking at" and less "conversing with." More accusation, less conversation. It's like the old joke, "My mind's made up, don't confuse me with the facts." Whatever else the season of Lent is...it is a conversation. We talk with God. We confess our sins and successes. We ask for forgiveness. We admit our defensiveness. We listen. Lent is a porous time that invites us to open-up, rather than hunker-down. Theologically, we believe that conversion is an ongoing process. "You are being redeemed," as Claypool used to say. Lent is "spring training" when we team-up with God for 40 days of scrimmage. Our newsletters are chock-full of the Lenten spring training schedule. Authors, preachers, parishioners, and God. Men, women, ashes, evenings, and God. God is present in every Lenten conversation. We begin with a cruciform smudge on Ash Wednesday, just one week away on February 10. With it, we confess our morality and mortality. The cross shapes all Lenten conversation. |
| NDBC Discussions on Same-Sex Marriage
by Don Janney, Church Moderator
Last summer, the NDBC Diaconate unanimously adopted a "Statement of Self-Expression" concerning our church's ministry to same-sex couples. In their statement, the deacons asserted that marriage should be an option for same-sex couples "to express their spiritual commitment to God and each other regarding the fidelity of their relationship" and that all members of our congregation, as well as friends from the larger community, should be afforded "the opportunity to celebrate the ritual of marriage" in our church. When submitting this statement to me, as moderator, and to the Church Council, the deacons expressed their hope that our church will offer the ministry of marriage to same-sex couples with the prayers and support of our congregation.
In our church's Vision Statement, we have affirmed our belief that "God calls us into Christian community with the challenge to discern and act upon the ongoing revelation of God in our time and place." That affirmation encourages us, as members of NDBC, to ponder the Diaconate's statement by engaging in a process of discernment regarding the marriage of same-sex couples in our church. In planning this discernment process, James Lamkin, Mike Gregg, and I have consulted with several members of our congregation (Larry McSwain, Susan Pearson, Brian Knight, and Carolyn Mahaffey) to arrange a series of discussions in which all NDBC members are invited to participate. Our schedule for these discussions is as follows:
 * Sunday, February 14, 2016 -- Rev. Tom Conley: Rev. Conley is a former Senior Minister of NDBC. He will discuss his views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage during the Church School hour in the Chapel and will lead a follow-up discussion during a meal in the Fellowship Hall after the morning worship service.
 * Sunday, March 13, 2016 -- Dr. Diane Lipsett:
Dr. Lipsett is Minister of Faith Formation and Education at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC and Assistant Professor of Religion at Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. She will preach during the morning worship service and will discuss biblical texts concerning homosexuality and same-sex marriage during a meal in the Fellowship Hall after the service.
* Sunday, April 3, 2016 -- Congregational Discussion:
This discussion will occur during a meal in the Fellowship Hall after the morning worship service and will cover several topics, including the NDBC Diaconate's process leading to its "Statement of Self-Expression," the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, and positions taken by other like-minded churches regarding same-sex marriage.
Please come and participate in these discussions with an open heart and an open mind as our congregation considers this important matter.
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 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.
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Triple E: Valentine Luncheon
Special Performance by Kurt Thomas
Tuesday, February 9 @ Noon, Fellowship Hall
We are so lucky to enjoy his music from time to time in Worship. Now we have the opportunity to get to know Kurt even better as he shares with us some of his favorite music as well as stories of his life and songs.
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 Stations of the Cross The NDBC Chapel February 10-March 27
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. |
 Ash Wednesday Services
February 10, 2016"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, which is forty days prior to Easter. Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline. Come and receive this ancient symbol on Ash Wednesday in the Chapel of Northside Drive Baptist Church.
Imposition of Ashes
In the Chapel from 7:30 AM-7:30 PM
On Ash Wednesday, the clergy of Northside Drive Baptist Church will impose ashes upon all who wish to participate. Recipients may come at any time during the day to receive the sign of the cross on their foreheads or their hands.
Congregational Worship Service
In the Chapel at 6:45 PM Ash Wednesday congregational worship service will begin at 6:45 PM in the Chapel. |
 Lenten Evening Services
"Story, Song, & Spirit"
A Lenten Path to Easter
February 18-March 24
6:45 PM in the Chapel (Childcare Provided)
February 10 - Ash Wednesday Service
February 18 - James Lamkin, story
February 25 - Parker Holloway, piano
March 3 - James Lamkin, story
April 10 - Steve Sheeley, hammer dulcimer
April 17 - Kurt Thomas, guitar
April 24 - Maundy Thursday Service
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Church Council*
The next Church Council meeting will be Monday, February 15, at 7 PM, in the Art & Soul Classroom, #202.
*The Church Council consists of the Moderator, Senior Pastor, Treasurer, and Church Clerk, the chairs of the Diaconate, the Finance, Personnel, and Nominating Committees, the Adult Education, Children's, Communications/Technology, Facilities Management, Grounds, Landscaping, Hospitality, Marketing, Membership Development, Memorial Gifts, Missions, Weekday Preschool, Worship & Music, and Youth Ministry Teams, and the Auxiliary Triple E.
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 Baptist Women in Ministry
Celebrates the Gifts of Preaching Women w/Kristy Bay
Sunday Morning Worship @ 11 AM
February 21, 2016
Beginning in 2007, Baptist Women in Ministry invited Baptist churches to participate in Martha Stearns Marshall Month of Preaching by having a woman preach during the month of February. This annual event has been a deeply significant source of joy and discovery for many churches as they have celebrated the giftedness of women. This annual preaching month is named for Martha Stearns Marshall, an eighteenth-century Separate Baptist woman. This annual preaching month is named for Martha Stearns Marshall, an eighteenth-century Separate Baptist woman. Our guest BWIM preacher this year is Kristy Bay.
Kristy Bay earned two undergraduate degrees from Belmont University in Music and French. She received her Master of Divinity degree from McAfee School of Theology. She is married to Zach, the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, KY and currently works as the Executive Assistant to the Provost at Lincoln Memorial University where she is an Instructor of Religion for LMU as well.
Kristy has worked with numerous churches in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky as a preacher, student minister, retreat leader, devotion writer, worship leader, and student pastoral care giver. She has blogged for Baptist Women in Ministry, written devotions for Smith and Helwys' Reflections and NextSunday Resources, and been published in the book This is What a Preacher Looks Like. She was awarded the 2010 Emily Weatherspoon Preaching Award for excellence in preaching, and has been a Martha Stearns Marshall preacher for four years at various churches.
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 Dennis Covington
Journalist and Author
Sunday, February 28, 2016 Church School at 9:30 AM in the Chapel McComb Lecture Series at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall
Dennis Covington is the author of two novels and three non-fiction books. REVELATION: A Search for Faith in a Violent Religious World was recently released on February 16, 2016, by Little, Brown and Company. His classic book Salvation on Sand Mountain was a National Book Award finalist and his articles have been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, Lapham's Quarterly, Vogue, and many other periodicals. He was born in Birmingham, AL, and earned a BA degree from the University of Virginia. He earned his MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, studying under Raymond Carver, and teaches creative writing at Texas Tech University.
Covington will lead a Sunday School class at 9:30 AM in the Chapel utilizing one of his famous books, Salvation on Sand Mountain. He will focus on Appalachian Spirituality covering the trial of Glenn Summerford to experiencing a snake handling church. Covington will then talk about his new book, REVELATION: A Search for Faith in a Violent Religious World, at the McComb Lecture Series at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall. A book-signing will follow the lecture. |
 30th Annual Women's Retreat
April 21-24, 2016
Blue Boar Retreat
Robbinsville, North Carolina
SPACE & TIME ARE LIMITED
Reservation deadline is Sunday, February 14, 2016.
Make your reservation with a $100.00 deposit
(made out to Joyce Wilson)
& give it to Joyce Wilson or Virginia Gilbert
For more information:
Joyce Wilson (770)773-3333
Virginia Gilbert (770) 333-8933
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THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT
February 7, 2016
Exodus 34:29-35
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
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DAILY LENTEN DEVOTIONAL
Dr. Steve Sheeley will be writing devotionals through the Lenten season. If you would like to be on his email list and receive his musings, you may email him at ssheeley4@comcast.net.
May the longings of this Lenten season lead us to the resurrected Christ. |
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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.
Gerry Humphries
Wilton & Martha Looney
Helen White
If you would like your name placed on our rotating TLP list, please give the church office a call.
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BEVERLY HALL MEMORIAL
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 6 at 10:00 AM, in the Northside Drive Baptist Church Chapel. There will be an internment will be at Georgia Memorial Park, Marietta, GA.
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FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAYS
Janie Joyner - 1
Martha Looney - 2
Rhonda Harris - 4
Lindsay Cadaret - 4
Dalia Abreu - 5
Virgil Herndon - 6
Tanner Stines - 9
Mary Dean - 10
JoAnna Miller - 11
Cindy Bell - 11
Mike Almeida - 13
Blythe Goodhead - 13
Cate Denham - 14
Letty Denham - 14
Mary Ann Hickman - 14
Jeanne Hicks - 14
Bo Thomas - 14
Lindy Dyer - 14
Van Thomas - 18
Harry Morgan - 20
Marshall Dewell - 20
Susan Dew - 21
Taylor Janney - 21
Gloria Smathers - 22
Dee Davis - 23
Rebecca Tatum - 23
Levon Thomas - 24
Maggie Johnson - 25
Brett Younger - 26
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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 & 3rdThursday
@ 7 PM in the Parlor
For more information call Susan Harlan at 770-377-3869.
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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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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
In the Balcony of the Narthex after Worship
Don't want to get up before 9 AM? Join this class of young singles and couples in their 20s and 30s at the big table in the balcony of the Narthex after the worship service in an informal setting for snacks and coffee. We will gather around the table every Sunday to briefly examine the lectionary texts, deconstruct the sermon of the day, and fellowship together. We will then go to lunch together after class. |
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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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NORTHSIDE NOTES
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CHURCH WEEK
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SUNDAY, February 7
9:30 AM -
Church School
10:25 AM -
Children's Choirs Rehearsals
11:00 AM -
Morning Worship
12:15 PM -
Children's Ministry Team
12:15 PM -
Nominating Committee Meeting
12:15 PM -
Young Adult: At the Table
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TUESDAY, February 9
12:00 PM -
Triple E Valentine Luncheon
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ASH WEDNESDAY, February 10
7:30 AM -
Imposition of Ashes
10:30 AM -
Pastor's Bible Study
6:45 PM -
Ash Wednesday Service
7:30 PM -
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
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