NORTHSIDE NOTES: March 23, 2016
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 Pastoral Reflections by James LamkinWhat's So Good about Good Friday? Years ago, we started a Noon until Three, Good Friday service; and it has become one of my largest surprises. I'm surprised at the honesty with which our speakers "give testimony." I'm surprised at the great music that rises on the wings of hymns and Gospel songs. I'm surprised at how a hollow, tolling bell can create a hallowed place in our hearts. And I'm surprised at how a large, empty room, can get so awfully intimate. Of course, it really isn't empty. It is filled with God. It is brimming with memories and hopes. Its balcony sags under the weight of saints like Jim Williams and Ruby Brown and George Smith. Even when unoccupied, it is my sense that our sanctuary is like the hole in the middle of a LP record: it holds us in spite of our hectic spinning. The Noon until Three Service is an acquired taste. I've come to relish it. The size of the silence, and the attempt to put our wonders and wounds into words and music, will always be a spiritual muscle builder for me. I tell our speakers, most of them lay folk, that the NDBC pulpit is a high-diving board; and sometime the pool looks shallow. The time of day, plus the choices of busy people, plus the length of the come-and-go service, doesn't make for high attendance. However, those who come, do so intentionally. In my former life as a hospital chaplain, I would preside at graveside services for homeless people who came into the ER and died. Often, only the mortician and I would be present at the grave. No friends. No family. Of course, God also was there. It was my job to bring witness to that. Regardless of who wasn't present to love and care and remember, God was. And the words said over the hole in the earth didn't just fall in or be carried off by the wind. God heard...even as God did on a Good Friday long ago when Jesus prayed from a cross: "Why have you forsaken me?" See you at the Big House on Good Friday.
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NDBC Discernment Process on Same-Sex Marriage
by Don Janney, Church Moderator
On behalf of the Church Council, I want to thank all NDBC members who have participated in the on-going discussions that are part of our Discernment Process concerning same-sex marriage. We began these discussions on February 14 with Rev. Tom Conley, who served as NDBC's Senior Minister from 1976 to 1991. The discussions continued on March 13 with Dr. Diane Lipsett, who is Minister of Faith Formation and Education at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC and Assistant Professor of Religion at Salem College and who reviewed biblical texts concerning homosexuality and same-sex marriage during her visit with us. Our next session is scheduled for April 3 during lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the morning worship service, when we will discuss the process that led to the NDBC Diaconate's unanimous adoption of the "Statement of Self-Expression" (copies of which are available in the Church Office) and positions taken by other like-minded churches regarding same-sex marriage.
As I have pointed out in earlier articles, our church's Vision Statement affirms 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." In keeping with that affirmation, I encourage all members of NDBC to participate in the discussion on April 3 with an open heart and an open mind as we continue to ponder whether our church should offer the ministry of marriage to same-sex couples within our congregation.
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Where Are You in  God's Toolbox?
Ruth Kramedjian
for the Nominating Committee
We are in the season of Nominations, where we commit to tasks in our church life and prayerfully consider the nomination of self and/or others to carry out the work of God in our lives, church, and world. Our committee members will be present in the Narthex to accept your nominations for Moderator, Diaconate, Finance Committee, and Personnel Committee. We also encourage you to volunteer on the many splendid ministry teams that help bring us such great opportunities for learning and loving. You may also link to the nominating form on the Northside Drive Baptist Church website and in the Northside Notes. Consider this your invitation. I'd ask you to ponder these choices and help us complete this process by April 3.
I have my own "toolbox" story for you. This is the last hammer that my father used and treasured. It is a symbol for me of the great servant heart that lived in my father. Hear these descriptors: Son, Husband, Father, Sailor, Saddletree Maker, Salesman, TV/Radio Repairman, Farmer, Fisherman, Collector of Tools, Carpenter, Friend. He was also: Deacon, Song Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Chair of the Building Committee, Pastor, Mission Participant.
I believe my father lived out his mission in all of these jobs. In one of my favorite photos, Dad, in his overalls and baseball cap, stands on a ladder in a new church addition in upper state New York, oblivious to the camera, as he hammers a nail into a piece of wood.
It is God's work---whatever the job we do. There are many jobs at NDBC, and you represent all the tools we need. We ask for your prayerful and joyous commitment.
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Holy Week at NDBC
Maundy Thursday: March 24, 2015 @ 6:45 PM The 6:45 PM service of Maundy Thursday in the Chapel remembers Jesus' last supper with his disciples. To them he gave the commandment to "love one another." Thus, Maundy Thursday is from the Latin, Dies Mandati, or Day of the Mandate. In this quiet evening service we observe a solemn communion service with prayer at the rail and own the darkness within ourselves and our need for grace. It is a Northside Drive tradition to end the Maundy Thursday service with The Office of Tenebrae (Shadows). There are eight scripture readings. The candles on the menorah and on the Chancel will be snuffed. The service will end in darkness. Good Friday: March 25, 2015 from Noon Until Three This is the most somber of all services. One Gospel writer comments that as Jesus died on the cross, "there was darkness from noon until three." Thus, the sanctuary will be open during this time for any who want to spend the afternoon in worship and reflection. The Noon Until Three service contains seven rhythms focused on the seven last words of Christ (a composite from the four Gospels). Each rhythm lasts about twenty minutes and includes a tolling bell, a scripture reading, instrumental music, a brief homily, a prayer, and silence. It is "come and go" or feel free to "come and stay". Easter Sunday: March 27, 2015 @ 11 AM What a day of rejoicing it will be! On this day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The choir offers joyous and celebrative music; and before we go, as always, there will be a congregational singing of The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. Easter Egg Hunt: March 27, 2015 @ 12:15 PM |
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Nursery Help for Easter Sunday
March 27 from 11 AM-12 Noon
Easter is one of the best opportunities to welcome guests and their children. In order to keep our nursery safe with an increased number of children during Easter Sunday Worship, the Children's Ministry Team needs you to volunteer to be in a preschool room or the nursery. Please contact Anna Kate Wilson for availability and more information.
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 Donate Easter Eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt The children in our church and community eagerly anticipate the Easter Egg Hunt every year. Please donate 1-2 dozen stuffed plastic eggs (no peanut products) for the event. You may drop off the eggs at the church office during the week or in the Children's Sunday School room every Sunday until Easter. |
 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. |
Missions Corner
Mark April 6 on your calendar if you would like to participate in serving a meal at the Barbara J. Crafton Women's Center in Marietta. The center provides a home where women in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction can have a place to get back on their feet. The center has meetings for them to attend, job placement and help with the skills needed to rejoin the workforce. For more information about this mission opportunity contact Susan Harlan at 770-377-3869.
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 Church Work Day Saturday, May 14, from 9 AM-1 PM Mark your calendar! It is time for the next all-church clean up and work day. We have many different jobs that need some willing hands! Join us from 9 AM-1 PM on Saturday as we spruce up the inside of the church while others accomplish outside landscaping tasks. This is a great way to serve with your friends and family for a few meaningful hours. We will have the needed supplies ready; simply contact the church office to let us know you are participating. Childcare and snacks will be provided. |
 Youth Island Adventure Jeffrey Dunkerley, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
We escaped! The youth took on the challenge of breaking out of a room the last weekend of February. We managed to get off of the island before the volcano erupted. The rest of the night we played games and shared laughs over milkshakes. Thank you to all of the adults that helped make this event possible.
We are officially registered for Passport Camps this summer too. We will be going to Danville, VA, to participate in Passport Missions on June 26-July 1. If you or anyone you know would be interested in chaperoning this trip, please let me know.
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Sanctuary Renovations
After Easter Sunday, there will be about two weeks of renovations and repairs to the Narthex ceiling and flooring, and also to the flooring in the Nave and Chancel. Though it is uncertain as to the length of time the project will take, there is the probability that worship will be in the Chapel on Sunday, April 10, and possibly April 17, as well. We will let you know more as the project trajectory gets clearer.
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| Church Week
EASTER SUNDAY, March 27
9:30 AM - Church School
10:25 AM - Children's Choirs Rehearsals
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
12:15 PM - Easter Egg Hunt
1:00 PM - Easter Brunch Potluck
EASTER MONDAY, March 28
Church/Preschool Office Closed
WEDNESDAY, March 30
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
THURSDAY, March 31
7:15 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
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THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT
March 27, 2016
Acts 10:34-43
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Luke 24:1-12
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EASTER MONDAY
The Church & Preschool
offices will be closed
Monday, March 28
in observance of
Easter Monday.
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DAILY LENTEN DEVOTIONAL
Dr. Steve Sheeley is 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.
Mary Chance
Linda Clark
Aline Cofield
If you would like your name placed on our rotating TLP list, please give the church office a call.
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MARCH
BIRTHDAYS
Don Wamberg - 24
Dan Oakley - 26
Raj Anantaraman - 27
Calvin Dalke - 29
Walter Grant - 30
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APRIL
BIRTHDAYS
Chance Cooper - 1
LeAnna Anantaraman - 3
Anne Hunt - 4
Linda Long - 4
Allen Abbott - 5
Dot Clark - 5
Greg Colson - 6
Jackie Hardin - 6
Kay Braswell - 6
Allison Blaisdell - 6
Letty Konenkamp - 8
Jennifer Sardone - 10
Mary Schwartz - 12
Brian Knight - 12
Zach Stines - 13
Robbye Taylor - 13
Suzanne Stearns - 13
Tim Whiffen - 14
Marjorie Rives - 14
Ken Brant - 16
Liam Collins - 16
Daniel Moore - 16
Dick Houston - 17
Hardy Pickering - 17
Ryan McClure - 17
Wilton Looney - 18
Jada Getsay - 20
Heather Bongers - 20
Theresa Goriczynski - 20
Dave Wooten - 21
Patti Clark - 21
Simon Goodhead - 21
Noah Davis - 23
Gerry Humphries - 30
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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 |
TIRED PARENTS CLASS BREAKFAST
With all the crazy things going on in our lives each month, we wanted to create a time and space where you can fellowship and socialize with other tired parents. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall and share breakfast together once a month (4/10 & 5/8) during Church School. If you are still looking for a church school class, please join us! |
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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