NORTHSIDE NOTES: April 6, 2016
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 Pastoral Reflections by James Lamkin"Of Creaking and Speaking" When I climb the pulpit's two steps, I do so accompanied by sounds. No, it's not snoring. (Too early for that.) Nor is it my usual grunting and groaning that I make, at my age, when I push and pull my way out of the Lazy Boy at home. What accompanies me are pulpit's own sounds. The pulpit creaks. And its creaks come in different pitches. Since I, too, creak, we are a duet. I can't blame it. The pulpit sits there six out of seven days minding its own business. Then suddenly, this forty year old piece of woodwork is called into action People ask me, "When were you called to the ministry?" "In utero, I say." And that's just about true. Been pastoring a church of some sort since I was about 18 years old...though you may not believe that. Even while serving as a hospital chaplain, I interim-pastored several churches. It may be as much addiction as it is calling. All of that to say: the sweet agony of preaching, as Gardner Taylor, the Dean of African-American preachers put it, is still oddly sweet and doggedly agonizing. But I go it not alone, my creaky steps, my moaning pulpit, they comfort me. A sermon is a "verbal meeting ground" where a text, a context, some people, and a preacher pull up a chair. To my chagrin, the Bible has no interest or instruction in making me or us more successful or important or better parents or great CEO's, or (you could argue) even more virtuous. The Bible is up to enchanting us into believing that we live in a God-drenched world. God is in our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows, our differences and disagreements, our unity and diversity. And occasionally, God just breaks in on us as suddenly as a Christmas manger or as strangely as an empty tomb. The Bible is not up to making us into better people. The Bible is up to telling us that we are God's people...like it or not! And it is too late to change it! No wonder the pulpit moans and groans under the burden and blessing of the Bible's message...as do I. But it never sounds-out alone. God seems hooked on the idea that salvation comes best through community, maybe even church. Between the speaking and creaking, God keeps on calling a new kind of community into being: the body of Christ. Each week, it is a miracle. |
| Tired Parents Class Breakfast
April 10 & May 8
9:30 AM, Fellowship Hall
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!
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Sanctuary Renovations
Soon there will be some 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 some upcoming Sundays. We will let you know more as the project trajectory gets clearer; and we will notify the whole congregation.
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 Triple E
"Crime Victims Advocacy Council (CVAC)"
w. Rev. Bruce Cook
April 12 @ 11 AM, Fellowship Hall
Jesus taught us how to love in the story of the Good Samaritan. The person shown love in the story was a crime victim. Over twenty-five years ago, Rev. Dr. B. Bruce Cook of Atlanta, GA. founded a nonprofit organization, called the Crime Victims Advocacy Council (CVAC), serving greater Atlanta. Rev. Cook will be speaking about CVAC and the book he has written, titled Redeeming the Wounded. The book outlines practical ways to enable the healing process for victims of violent crimes and ways to change our justice system to be more supportive of the victims of violent crimes.
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Youth Sunday, May 1, 2016
 YOUTH SUNDAY LUNCHEON
The youth will lead the worship service on Sunday, May 1. We will also celebrate our graduating senior, Terrell Kilgore. You won't want to miss this worship experience! Lunch will be served after the worship service! On the menu: traditional Mexican food for $7.00 per person. To make a reservation for the luncheon, use the Welcome cards in the pew rack, call the church office at 404-237-8621, visit our website, or email your reservation to info@northsidedrive.org no later than Thursday noon, April 28. This is a time to connect with the Youth and their families and graduating seniors. For more information contact Jeffrey Dunkerley ( jeffrey@northsidedrive.org).
ATTENTION COLLEGE & HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
 Do you know a church or family member who will be graduating from High School or College this year? If so, we would like to announce his or her accomplishments in the May 1 issue of the Pinnacle and as an insert in the Order of Worship for Youth Sunday. Please submit a head shot along with the graduation date, school name, type of diploma, and their next step (education or work) by Friday, April 15. You may submit electronically to info@northsidedrive.org to the attention of Renee Gamache; or stop by the church during business hours. (Submissions after Friday, April 15, will only appear in post-Youth Sunday issues of the Pinnacle.)
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| Called Meeting of Church-in-conference
By Don Janney, Church Moderator
Sunday, April 17, following Worship
As part of our Discernment Process concerning same-sex marriage, the Church Council has adopted a statement that affirms our church as "a diverse congregation that is unified by our shared identity as a people of faith" and "a covenant people who are bound together, not by our agreement on all issues, but by our desire to worship and serve together." The statement also affirms that "we welcome, honor, and respect all members, even though our views may differ" and that "we value an environment for worship and service that is open and welcoming to all people." (Copies of the Council's complete statement were distributed at our discussion session on Sunday, April 3, and are available in the church office and in the Sanctuary Narthex.)
Under our church bylaws, the Church Council has a duty to recommend policies and procedures to the Church-in-conference. Therefore, the Church Council has recommended that our church adopt the following statement of policy to decide whether we will offer the ministry of marriage to same-sex couples within our congregation:
Northside Drive Baptist Church, believing in the love of God for all persons, will provide equal access to all facets of the life and ministry of our church (including membership, baptism, ordination, marriage, teaching, staffing, and leadership) without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.
We will hold a called meeting of the Church-in-conference on Sunday, April 17, in the Sanctuary immediately following the morning worship service to vote on the Church Council's recommended statement of policy. Voting will be by secret ballot. Because our church bylaws prohibit voting by proxy, church members must be present at the called meeting to vote on this matter.
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20.30's Drinks for Jesus  The 20.30 group of NDBC are invited to a time of casual conversation and dinner at Max Lager's Brewery on April 17 at 7 PM. We will share vibrant theological discussion while exploring the pub and restaurant scene. For more information, contact Jeffrey Dunkerley at jeffrey@northsidedrive.org Check the 20.30 event calendar on the church website, under Ministries/Young Adults for a full list of dates. |
 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. |
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Summer Lecture Series 2016
Family, Gender, and Sexuality in the Bible
Sundays, June 5-August 28 @ 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall
~~~~~ June 5 - Dr. David Bell
Dirt, Darwin, and Creation
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June 12 - Dr. David Bell
Lilith and Gender Justice:
The Construction of the Fall and Feminine Gender
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June 19 - TBD
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June 26 - Dr. Lewis Bozard
To Value or To Vanquish: Christianity's Mixed
Messages About the Body
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July 3 - Holiday Weekend
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July 10 - Dr. Nancy L. deClaisse-Walford
Feminine Images of God in the Psalter
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July 17 - Dr. Nancy L. deClaisse-Walford
A Feminist Reading of Psalms 90-92
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July 24 - Rabbi Judith R. Beiner
Dreamgirls of the Bible: Women Who "Worked It."
A Look at Tamar and Ruth
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July 31 - Rabbi Judith R. Beiner
Dreamgirls of the Bible: Women Who "Worked It."
A Look at Miriam and Esther
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August 7 - Dr. Tina Pippen
Family Values in the Bible
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August 14 - Dr. Tina Pippen
Apocalyptic Sex
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August 21 - Dr. Steven M. Sheeley
Watching What We Say and Sing:
Committing to Inclusive Language
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August 28 - Dr. Steven M. Sheeley
Are We Really Reading Scripture?
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| 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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| Church Week
SUNDAY, April 10
9:30 AM - Church School
9:30 AM - Tired Parents Breakfast
10:25 AM - Children's Choirs Rehearsals
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
12:15 PM - Diaconate Meeting
12:15 PM - Nominating Meeting
12:15 PM - Young Adults: At the Table
12:15 PM - Youth: Encore!
12:15 PM - Worship & Music Ministry Team Meeting
TUESDAY, April 12
11:00 AM - Triple E
WEDNESDAY, April 13
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
10:30 AM - Weekday Preschool Ministry Team Meeting
THURSDAY, April 14
7:15 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
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THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT
April 10, 2016
Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19
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CHURCH COUNCIL
The next Church Council
meeting will be Monday,
April 18, at 7 PM,
in the Art & Soul
Classroom, #202. |
GAS TURNED OFF FOR THE SUMMER
Off - April 30, 2016
Back On - TBD
As a cost savings to the church, the gas is turned off in the Spring and turned back on in the Fall. This is part of the summer savings program with Infinite Energy. We will have an electric water heater for use during those months.
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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 Dutton
Jack & Joey Guynn
Nelle Holbrook
If you would like your name placed on our rotating TLP list, please give the church office a call.
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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 |
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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