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Baptism of the Lord
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Pastoral Reflections
Pastoral Reflections "From Gilligan to Pilgrim"
By James Lamkin
I remember my first day on the Camino de Santiago in 2012. The day was foggy, then sunny, then snowy, then over. But by the end of the day, I had launched an adventure like no other; I was on my way to walk 500 miles across Spain.
There's a picture of me that tells it all. I'm standing on a bridge in St. Jean Pied de Port, France. This is the ancient starting line of the Camino Frances. From there, you walk over the Pyrenees Mountains and into Spain. In the bridge picture, I'm wearing my borrowed backpack. Got my trusty hiking pole. Around my wrist are some prayer beads from a French monastery. I'm wearing a smile that is wider than my face. And I'm wearing my white, turned-down, sunhat. I look like Gilligan.
Come to think of it, I felt more like a castaway, than a pilgrim, that day. But there's a Camino saying, "The path is made by walking." It is true. The path turns tourists into pilgrims...and does so in only 500 miles.
We all look like Gilligan this week. Naive. Befuddled. Goofy. Vulnerable. And the experience and appearance of our shipmates do not build confidence. We've set out on an adventure unlike any we've been on before. It is called: 2017.
I think of the Christmas carol that sings of, "the hopes and fears of all the years." I think of the Sacred Harp hymn that mulls, "through many dangers, toils, and snares...."
And I think of all the times in the Bible where the people of God found themselves on unfamiliar terrain and their maps did not match. But, their prayers did. The prayers reminded them that God was present, even though their faith felt absent.
Ready or not, we walk from St. Jean's bridge onto the nearby ridge. We follow the mountain pass until we are in Spain. And then we put one foot in front of the other; and a few weeks later, we get to the Atlantic Ocean.
God walks with us; and the miracle always happens. We are transformed from Gilligan to Pilgrim. Amen.
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Triple E
Tuesday, January 10, 2016
Civility Rules!
Stephen M. Paskoff, Founder and CEO of ELI, Inc. Steve is a nationally recognized authority on workplace legal issues and has appeared on or been interviewed by many news outlets including ABC's 20/20 CNBC,
The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Fox News, HR Executive Magazine, and
Inc. Magazine. Come hear this delightful, engaging speaker discuss how a more civil and respectful workplace increases productivity, profits, and personal satisfaction for owners and employees alike.
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Church Council
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
There was no scheduled meeting of the Church Council during the month of December. The next meeting will occur on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at 7:00 PM in the Art & Soul classroom. (This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 17 because Monday, January 16 is the MLK holiday.
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Northside Drive Book Club
Wednesday, January 18, 2016
Most Blessed of the Patriarchs
Author: Annette Gordon-Reed + P.S. Onuf
Facilitator: Pam Wamberg
Hostess: Robbye Taylor
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Church-in-Conference
Thursday, January 26, 2017
The first Church-in-conference meeting of 2017 will occur on Thursday, January 26, 2017, beginning at 6:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The agenda for this meeting will include Finance committee's presentation concerning any adjustments to the Church's Operating Budget for 2017 that was approved by the Church-in-conference in October. Please come for this presentation and other important matters affecting our church community.
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Our Annual Souper Bowl Sunday
Sunday, January 29, 2017
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.
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31st Annual Women's Retreat
April 21-23, 2017
Robbinsville, North Carolina
SPACE & TIME ARE LIMITED
Reservation deadline is Sunday, February 12, 2017
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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Moravian Lovefeast
This past Sunday, we gathered for a simple service in the midst of a busy season. We heard scriptures that all told of the coming of Jesus. We sang songs that asked for Emmanuel to be with us. We lit candles to remind us of the light of Christ that we are called to share with everyone around us. As Christmas quickly approaches, may we take the light and love displayed Sunday night and spread it into the world. May we find our childlike joy for the birth of our Savior. The children in attendance reminded us what it is like to be excited for Christmas. May everyone have a safe and blessed Christmas day. Most importantly, may we remember to spread love in this broken world.
-- Jeffrey Dunkerley, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
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Youth Christmas Party
Laughs were shared. Great food was enjoyed. Presents were passed around. The youth celebrated another wonderful year at Scallini's Italian Restaurant immediately following the Moravian Lovefeast. We reflected on the year we've had and the year we want to have moving forward. To close out the night, we participated in White Elephant, a game that causes many laughs. From the youth program, we wish everyone and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
-- Jeffrey Dunkerley, Director of Youth & Young Adults Ministries
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Church Week
SUNDAY, January 8
9:30 AM - Baby Celebration
9:30 AM - Church School
10:25 AM - Children's Choir Rehearsal
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
12:00 PM - Back to School Lunch for Youth
12:15 PM - Diaconate Meeting
TUESDAY, January 10
10:00 AM - Triple E
WEDNESDAY, January 11
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
10:30 AM - Weekday Preschool Ministry Team Meeting
THURSDAY, January 12
6:10 PM - Yoga in the Fellowship Hall
7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
SATURDAY, January 14
9:30 AM - Training Event for Syrian Family Care Team
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LECTIONARY TEXT
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
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MLK Holiday
The Church & Preschool
offices will be closed
Monday, January 16,
in observance of MLK Day.
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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.
Aline Cofield Gordon & Billie Davis Jo Hunter
If you would like your name placed on our rotating TLP list, please give the church office a call.
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January
Birthdays
Chelsea Clarke 1
Armand Kramedjian 2
Barbara Schroeder 2
Len Shelton 2
Gary Clark 3
Jon Bell 4
Kennedy Molina 5
Katherine Bryson 6
William High 7
Ruth Kramedjian 7
Joyce Wilson 7
Jerry Smith 8
Don Janney 9
Cynthia Tunon 9
Pam Wamberg 9
Charlton Roberts 14
Sebastian Almeida-Hall 15
Libby Martin 15
Jeanne Hill 16
Jane Jerden 16
Anne Ledbetter 16
Fabio Molina 16
Lewis Bozard 17
Donna McLarty 17
Annie Molina 19
Gail Hermance 22
Harry Mathis 22
Luke Fletcher 22
Nancy Hall 23
Levi Milligan 24
Will Egan 25
Stephanie Jones 25
Jackson Singleton 25
Michael Hermance 26
Lanier Meeks Yi 28
Karen Perry 29
Riley Isakson 31
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Namaste Y'all! Yoga is Back!
Thursday's from
in the Fellowship Hall. The instructor is Shelia Cooper. Her children are in our weekday preschool. Free childcare will be provided in the nursery area of the building.
$10.00 per person
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ROMEOS
Retired Older Men Eating Out
Every 3rd Tuesday of the month our "Retired Older Men" eat lunch together at Piccadilly Cafeteria from 12 PM-1 PM. It's a time to visit with friends, tell stories and eat good food (bring your lunch money)! Piccadilly Cafeteria is located at 1715 Howell Mill Rd.
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PASTORS WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday @ 10:30 AM Conference Room
We meet weekly from 10:30-11:30 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.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
led by Susan Harlan
Every 1st & 3rd Thursday at 7:00 PM
Come join us on the first and third Thursday of each month, at 7:00 PM, in Room 207, the Parlor, to knit or crochet a prayer shawl. If you are not sure how, no problem, there will be plenty of people to help you get started. This group is open to anyone who would like to join! For more information call Susan Harlan at 770-377-3869.
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