NORTHSIDE NOTES: February 10, 2016

Pastoral Reflections

by Rev. James Lamkin

"Valentine's Day and Tom Conley"

This Sunday, February 14, Tom Conley will speak at 9:40 AM in the Chapel during the Church School hour. The Discernment Committee (Don Janney, Susan Pearson, Larry McSwain, Brian Knight, and Carolyn Mahaffey) and I invite all adults and youth to join in.

Tom was the sixth pastor of NDBC, 1976-91, during an important epoch of the church's life. Here are three reasons why:

First, during this era, the theological tent of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) shrunk. NDBC, and churches of similar ilk, found themselves sleeping out in the rain, though we had not moved our cot! NDBC offered a refreshing alternative to the neo-SBC world view. Other Baptist refugees left sister churches and found among us a new home. (Later, in 1999, we finally admitted that the SBC tent was not going to stretch back wide enough to cover our cot. We owned that we were out.)

Second, the liturgical renewal movement was embraced by NDBC. Baptist churches from Maryland down to Texas chose good ecumenical nutrition and liturgy that was high in protein and fiber. This healthy diet was offered as regular fare in the NDBC cafeteria; and all were welcomed who were hungry for it. Tom and Clyde and Ken were eloquent, liturgical dietitians. 'Twas the best church cuisine in town.

Third, from what I've been told, NDBC grew numerically in every-which-way...including the number of gay persons. Unlike many churches of the 70's and 80's, we were a safe house.

Indeed, the time of Tom's tenure was an important epoch.

We carry our history with us. Faulkner said, "The past isn't dead; it is not even past." We bring our wishes and our wounds, our successes and our sins. We bring them to God; God holds them with us; God matures us; God leads us.

Tom Conley was a part of that journey back then. The Discernment Committee and I have invited him to be a part of our journey now.

So, Sunday: Come for Sunday School. Stay for a FREE lunch after worship; and walk down Memory Lane with Tom. Childcare is provided.

After all, Sunday is Valentine's Day. Don't you love it?

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.

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.

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

Missions Corner

Winter Clothing Collection

Donations of gently worn winter clothing are needed for the homeless veterans program at Fort McPherson. Items most needed are men's shoes and boots. Other items requested (for both men and women) are coats, sweat shirts, sweat pants, jeans, hats and gloves. A collection basket is in the Narthex.

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.

Where Are You in God's Toolbox?

Ruth Kramedjian, for the Nominating Committee

Michael Gregg recently reminded us in one of his Children's Sermons that our hands, our hearts, our talents, and our feet are the tools that carry out the ministries of NDBC. And now the Nominating Committee is asking you to commit your talents, your passions, and your gifts to help the church carry out God's work in our world. Childcare? Gardener? Music? Education? The Ministry Teams and Committees of NDBC need you to be in God's toolbox.

Look for Nominating Committee members in the Narthex where you can sign up to serve on ministry teams or make nominations for MODERATOR, DIACONATE, FINANCE and PERSONNEL COMMITTEE.

Ministry Teams 2016
Nominations Form 2016

NDBC Book Club

February 17, from 1-2:30 PM

Fellowship Hall

A book review of Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy will be Wednesday, February 17, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Carolyn Mahaffey will be the facilitator and Mary Ann Hickman the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.

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.

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.

Easter Lily Orders*

February 28-March 20

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, beginning Sunday, February 28, 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 Sunday, March 20. For more information see a Flower Ministry Team member.

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

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

Volume 8 - Issue 6

THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT

February 14, 2016

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Psalm 91:1-2; 14-16

Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13

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.

CHURCH COUNCIL

The next Church Council meeting will be Monday, February 15, at 7 PM,
in the Art & Soul Classroom, #202.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ash Wednesday

Stations of the Cross

Lenten Evening Services

Missions Corner

Same-Sex Marriage

Where Are You in God's Toolbox?

NDBC Book Club

BWIM

Dennis Covington

Easter Lily Orders

Women's Retreat

Daily Lenten Devotional

Birthdays

Paperless Pinnacle

NN Archives

Church Week

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.

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

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
shawl

Led by Susan Harlan

Every 1st & 3rdThursday

@ 7 PM in the Parlor

For more information call Susan Harlan at 770-377-3869.

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

CHILDREN'S CHOIRS REHEARSALS

The Cherub Choir
Children ages 2 through Kindergarten
Directed by Ms. Amanda
Sunday mornings
from 10:25-10:50 AM
in the Room 103
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Celestial Choir
Children 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.

Teachers: Jeffrey Dunkerley and Brian Knight