3nd Sunday of Advent
NORTHSIDE NOTES:  
December 8, 2016 
Pastoral Reflections 
Pastoral Reflections
By James Lamkin
"Subversive Song to Be Sung on Sunday!"

      Yes, that's right. On Advent III, Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday, the NDBC Sanctuary Choir will sing The Magnificat. And if you haven't read that text lately, your homework is to do so. Look for it in The Gospel of Luke, chapter 1.
      The Magnificat is the first of a trio of sacred songs that rise from the Gospel's early verses. The Benedictus and the Nunc Dimittis quickly follow. The Magnificat is Mary's song in response to cousin Elizabeth's affirmation: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
      Joy requires music. Speech can stutter and stumble; but a song sports an eloquence beyond its lyrics. I like what the Irish poet, John O'Donahue said, "Music is what language would love to be, if it could."
      Mary could have riffed: "I could use some baby blue, because I'm going to birth a boy, too." Or, "We will, we will rock you." But no. She ranged poetically into the dangerous fields of power and politics. Here is a Magnificat excerpt:
 
He has scattered the proud
in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty
from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry
with good things,
and the rich He has sent away
empty.
 
      Well, there you have it. I told you it was subversive...especially for me and the rest of us who are proud, privileged, and wealthy.
      With this stained-glass song in place, St. Luke, the writer, is off and running. Oh yes, there's plenty more. There will be a manger and Bethlehem and shepherds and angels and healings and teachings and disciples and debates and controversies and conspiracies and betrayals and torture. A poor man will be executed by the state; and then, against all odds, there'll be a resurrection.
      Come to think of it, The Magnificat is to the Christian movement what We Shall Overcome was to the Civil Rights movement.  
      Thank you Sanctuary Choir for your bold initiative and invitation. Your song will offer praise and petition. It will bring us comfort and challenge and confession and courage. And, joy of joys, it will bring us even closer to Christmas.
"A Mighty Rushing Wind" 
 
      JB Gilbert, chair of our Landscape Committee, counted 20 downed trees from last week's storm.  However, none injured the church buildings.  A tree service removed many of the fallen trees over the weekend.  They estimated that some of the trees were 150-200 years old.  That means Sherman marched by them on the way from Overlook to Atlanta.


Deacons at work!  
      This week, the Northside Drive Baptist deacons are delivering poinsettias to members with limited mobility.  In this picture, Deacon Kurt Thomas not only brought a poinsettia to 101 year old Gerry Humphries, he brought his guitar and serenaded her.  Plus, his wife, Sabrina, and their kids, Bo, Van, Levon, and Jolene, brought decorated cookies from the Christmas Children's Cookie Making event at the church this past Saturday. 
Children's Christmas Cookie and Choir Party  
We had a blast at the Christmas Cookie and Choir party this past Saturday, December 3! There were around 20 children, and over 50 cookies decorated and placed in containers with care to deliver to our church members that we love so dear. It was a messy morning, as you can imagine, but the kids made masterpieces and were excited to visit our church members! They practiced their songs and sang very well, we'll hear them this Sunday singing, O' Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus. 
 
  Christmas Giving
at Northside Drive
happy_family_mother_kid.jpg
      During the Christmas season, Northside Drive provides many ways to brighten the holidays for those in need. Through gifts of clothing, toys, time, and money, we share Christ's love.
 
The Extension and the Crafton Center
      These homes provide support to men and women who are in counseling to overcome addiction. Gifts include toiletries (hotel or regular size), NEW clothing, towels, twin sheets, and blankets. Please bring the UNWRAPPED items by December 11.

Christmas Giving Due Date Reminder
The gifts for Morningstar Children and Family Services, The Extension, and the Crafton Center are due Sunday, December 11.   Please bring your unwrapped gifts to the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Harlan or Barbara Atchley.
Advent Studies 
Art and Soul Classroom @ 9:30 AM on Sundays
  1. December 11: Broadway in Judea: Luke with Steve Sheeley
  2. December 18: On the Road: Matthew with Steve Sheeley

Gaudete Sunday: A Service of Expectant Joy
Magnificat 
by John Rutter
Sunday, December 11, 2016, 11:00 AM
      Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western Church, symbolized by the rose candle on the Advent wreath. The day takes its name from the Latin word Gaudete ("Rejoice").
      As we celebrate the Joy of the Advent season, the Sanctuary Choir will present Magnificat by John Rutter on Sunday, December 11, during the 11 a.m. service. The choir will be accompanied by chamber orchestra and will feature Katherine Carey, Courtney Loner, and Sharon Simons as soloists.
     Under the direction of Mary Lou Swan and accompanied by Joel Stouffer, the Cherub Choir and the Celestial Choir will share their Joy of the season. We invite all our members and friends to join us for the joyous musical service.
Christmas Party
Triple E 
Triple E
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Music of the Season
Dr. Steven Sheeley
     Come learn more about the dulcimer and enjoy songs of Christmas with our own both novice and expert, Steve Sheeley.  We'll have great fun around the tables as we listen and perhaps even sing along.
Welcome New NDBC Member: Will Bell
      Will is a graduate of Clayton State University.  Also, he has been a member of First Baptist Church, Morrow, GA, where his father is the Director of Music Ministries. 
      Will works on Capitol Hill in the state government budget planning office.  He and his brother, Cooper, live in midtown Atlanta.  Welcome Will!
Christmas Poinsettias
The deadline for orders is December 13.
poinsettias.jpg
      It has long been our tradition at Northside Drive to give poinsettias each Christmas in honor/memory/thankfulness for our friends and family. This year our annual poinsettia display will be in place on Sunday, December 18. After the 10:30 pm service on December 24th, you will be able to take your memorial poinsettia home. Each poinsettia plant is only $20. Order envelopes are available in the Narthex for your use. Simply fill it out and drop it in the offering plate, or call Rose Hidlay at 404-237-8621 with the number of poinsettias you wish to give, and the memorial details. Then mail your check to the church office.

*U.S. tax regulations do not allow us to offer contribution credit for Easter & Christmas plants because the plants are returned to the giver.
A Baptist Moravian Lovefeast 
Moravian
Sunday, December 18, 2016, at 5:30 PM, in the Chapel
      The Christmas Lovefeast, with its lighted candles, is one of the most beautiful services in the Moravian Church. In recent years, it has made its way into the hearts of a few Baptists too! Come and join us as the Youth and others lead in a service of simple Christmas joy. We will light beeswax candles, share sweet buns and coffee, hear stories of Christmas traditions, and sing Christmas carols.
NDBC Youth Christmas Party
December 18th
      The Youth Christmas Party will immediately follow the Moravian Lovefeast. We will make our way to Scallini's Italian Restaurant to share food, laughter, and gifts with each other. Bring one gift to play White Elephant. We will leave the church around 6:45 PM to start our celebration. Plan for about an hour and a half to enjoy time in fellowship with friends and family. Invite friends to come along as we celebrate together!
Christmas Eve Family Vespers
Thursday, December 24, 2016, at 4 PM, in the Sanctuary
      Do you need a Christmas Eve Service designed especially for your kids? If so, make plans to attend Northside Drive's Family Vespers Service at 4 PM on Christmas Eve. We sing kid friendly carols, have a costumed Christmas pageant, partake in family communion, and see the Pastor juggling while telling a Christmas story. Northside Drive Baptist Church has designed this unique service with the whole family in mind.
Christmas Eve
Lessons, Carols, and Communion  
Thursday, December 24, 2016, at 10:30 PM, in the Sanctuary
      As midnight approaches on Christmas Eve, the world is dark. One by one, candles begin to light up the darkness as Silent Night, Holy Night resounds in the air. The Christ child is coming and the people will soon break forth with the jubilant hymn, Joy to the World! Join Northside Drive Baptist Church in a beautiful Christmas Eve service of Lessons, Carols, Communion and Candlelight. The Christmas story will be read from Scripture and the familiar carols will wrap us in the hopeful warmth of a Savior to be born.
Pledging the NDBC 2017 Budget... 
"Giving with Gratitude..."
by Kathy Harris caring comm

Consider the act of "giving".........
      A vital part of some Native American cultures is the potlatch, a ceremony the main purpose of which is the re-distribution and reciprocity of the wealth of the community.  Status is not conferred to those who have the most resources, but is bestowed on those who give the most.  Like our annual Pledge Campaign, potlatches occur in winter and feature feasting, music, dancing and spiritual ceremonies.  How different our Pledge Campaign would be if we celebrated it this way!
      From a scientific perspective, the psychology of giving has been a favorite subject for studies on human behavior by psychologists, anthropologists and economists.  All have found the act of giving is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define and strengthen relationships.  Indeed, psychologists say it is often the giver, not the recipient, who reaps the biggest psychological gains from a gift.
      Now what does "gratitude" have to do with giving?
      Gratitude researcher Robert Emmons has examined the growing evidence that feelings of gratitude improve the quality of our lives.  One study found that people who wrote five things for which they were grateful or thankful on a weekly basis reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic.  In another study Emmons found that people who feel gratitude are more likely to help others, concluding that "Gratitude leads not only to feeling good, but also to doing good."  Finally, noted gratitude theologian (!), Dr. James E. Lamkin has written, "Gratitude somehow evokes generosity."
      Think about how generous others have been to you and yours, and all that you are grateful for.  Then think how generous you can be on your NDBC Pledge card.
 
Submit Your Pledge for The 2017 Church Budget Through Any of These Ways:  
      You can return your pledge card by postal mail.
       You can pick up a pledge card at the door of the church office, fill it out on the spot, and leave it in the envelope on the Business Manager's (Rose Hidlay) door. 
      You can pick up a pledge card in the Narthex, fill it out and drop it in the offering plate ( or hand it to an Usher). 

      You can call the church office (404-237-8621), ask for Rose, and tell her your pledge (or even leave her a voice mail).  

      You can e-mail your pledge to Rose at rose@northsidedrive.org.

Church Week  
SUNDAY, December 11
  9:30 AM - Advent Study Class 
10:25 AM - Children's' Choir Rehearsal
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
12:15 PM - Young Adults: At the Table Class
12:30 PM - Personnel Committee
  1:30 PM - Hand Bell Practice
  6:00 PM - Choir/Hand Bell Christmas Party 
Monday, December 12   
  7:30 PM - Choral Guild Rehearsal
TUESDAY, December 13
11:00 AM - Triple E
  7:30 PM - Choral Guild Concert 
WEDNESDAY, December 14
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
THURSDAY, December 15 
  6:10 PM - Yoga in the Fellowship Hall
  7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry 
  7;30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Volume 8 - Issue 48
THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT
December 11, 2016
 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Luke 1:39-42, 46-55 
HIGHLIGHTS
Pastoral Relfections
Winds
Deacons
NDBC Children's
Christmas Giving
Advent Studies
Pledging
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.

Jack & Joey Guynn
Nelle Holbrook

If you would like
your name placed
on our rotating TLP list, please give the
church office a call.
December
Birthdays
Paxton Cooper        1
Steven Sheeley      2
Mary Lester           5
Susan Richards     5
Hans-Luca Davis    6
Syd Janney           7
Victoria Tunon       7
Laura Butts           7
Caleb Younger       7
Lisa Barksdale       8
Andrew Hardin       9
Jack Guynn          10
Ava Grace Cook    10
Elaine Eassa        13
David Nelson         13
Clay Manley          17
Charlotte Dalke      20
Brian Hendrix         21
Jenn Knight            23
Joan McIntyre         24
Emma Chandler      27
Joseph Cassata      27
Amanda Gregg       28
Ruth Trager            28
Bill Jones               28
Muriel Hardy           29
Jeanne Goodwill      30
 
Namaste Y'all! Yoga is Back!

Holiday Class Schedule 
December 15
January 5

Thursday's from
6:10 - 7:10 pm
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
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.
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.
PRAYER SHAWL
MINISTRY
shawl
  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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Northside Drive Baptist Church is affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists,
the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Interfaith Power & Light.
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Northside Drive Baptist Church | 3100 Northside Dr NW | Atlanta GA | 30305
404-237-8621 | northsidedrive.org