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NORTHSIDE NOTES: January 13, 2016 
Pastoral Reflections
by James Lamkin

"Stanzas"

     I read recently that the word stanza comes from an Italian word meaning standing place. It also can mean a room.
    That got me to thinking. If a song is a house, then each room in the house is a stanza.
    I thought of Aunt Dorcas from years ago. As she sang and played the piano, my sister and I flanked her on the piano bench. The song was The Holy City; and I remember it from when I was ten years old. Aunt Dorcas's bracelets jingled, her voice rang-out, her arms reached, and the sound from the upright piano literally was "in our face." It was a percussive experience. I remember the rollicking ride with Aunt Dorcas's fingers flying with "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing!" But, I also remember how the frolicking would suddenly stop when she slammed on the brakes with ominous bass chords at a slowing tempo. It meant we were at the threshold of a new room: "But once again the scene was changed, new Earth there seemed to be. I saw the Holy City beside the timeless sea. The light of God was on its streets, the gates were opened wide. And all who would might enter; and no one was denied." I still get goose pimples thinking about it. Stanza to stanza,room to room, we peeked and sneaked around heaven. Every song is a journey; and so is every hymn.
    Years ago, on NDBC's 50th birthday, Bedford Davis wrote an anniversary hymn for the church. The hymn is a big house with five rooms (stanzas); and the whole thing is an invitation to follow Jesus on a big journey. You know the title: Come We Now.
    The name says it all. First, it says don't stay put; be on the move. Second, take note: all may not respond to this invitation...but WE will on our adventurous journey with God. Third, when? Well, NOW! Right now.
    As the cold of winter comes, as the possibility of spring awaits, as the season of Epiphany alerts us to ways God mysteriously shows-up, we sing stanzas that tell of God's multi-roomed song among us. Some stanzas grieve...as we walk the aisles of Tommy Clyatt's funeral, and as we gather in Fellowship Hall to say goodbye to Kristofer and Karen and their family. Some stanzas rejoice... as Valerie Waters joined and a chancel full of kids covered the steps last Sunday.
    Soon, there'll be a stanza about Ash Wednesday's ashes. Soon, there'll be a verse about Easter Sunday's joy. And throughout, we will do what our vision statement invites us to do. So, Come We Now and "...discern and act upon the ongoing revelation of God in our time and place."
    Let us stand together and sing...all the stanzas.
Thursday Night Study Group
"What Would Jesus Say?"
January 7, 14, 21, February 4
6 PM in Room #202
     Rev. Dr. Michael Gregg will lead a Thursday Night Study Group at 6 PM in the January and February weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. The title of this study is "What Would Jesus Say?" and will guide the participants into the Lenten season. The topics include: What Would Jesus Say about the Bible? What Would Jesus Say about Poverty? What Would Jesus Say about Discipleship? What Would Jesus Say About Himself?
     What would Jesus say? To address what Jesus would say, we need to discover what Jesus did say. These lessons will attempt to help us understand Jesus' teachings and apply them today.
     What would Jesus say about the Bible (Matthew 4:1-11)? This lesson will explore Jesus' use of Scripture during a time of great testing. For Jesus, Scripture served as a reminder of the nature of God, providing strength in time of need.
     What would Jesus say about poverty (Luke 16:19-31)? We will examine the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to understand what Jesus said about addressing the needs of others. Christians must continue to minister to the poor while addressing the circumstances that cause poverty.
     What would Jesus say about discipleship (Mark 8:27-9:1)? Jesus' demanding words in Mark 8 challenge us to examine our commitment to the gospel and consider suffering and sacrifice as a part of true discipleship.
     What would Jesus say about himself (John 8:39-59)? The most difficult passage in this unit deals with a conversation between Jesus and certain Jews. It is difficult to understand the message behind the sharp, contentious dialogue. Jesus presented his ministry in the context of following God's calling. Even while under personal attack, Jesus sought to focus his words on the divine will of God.
   If you are interested in this study, contact Mike at mike@northsidedrive.org to reserve your book.
Church Council
January 19 @ 7 PM 
     There is no scheduled meeting of the Church Council during the month of December. The next meeting will occur on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at 7 PM in the Art & Soul classroom. (This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 19 because Monday, January 18 is the MLK holiday.)
book clubNDBC Book Club 
January 20, from 1-2:30 PM
in the Fellowship Hall
     A book review of Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin will be Wednesday, January 20, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Jane Jerden will be the facilitator and Carolyn Mahaffey the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.
Young Adults/Young Professionals 
January 23 @ 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall
     Do you love to hang out with friends and meet new people? Do you love to eat great food? If you can answer yes to one of these questions join the 20.30 group on Saturday, January 23 at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall at the church. We will spend time together, eat a meal, and discuss the class moving forward. Come with empty stomachs and ideas to share about expectations for the upcoming year. For more information contact Jeffrey Dunkerley, at    jeffrey@northsidedrive.org .
Church-in-conference
Thursday, January 28, 2015, at 6:45 PM
     The first Church-in-conference meeting of 2016 will occur on Thursday, January 28, 2016, beginning at 6:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The agenda for this meeting will include the Finance Committee's presentation concerning any adjustments to the Church's Operating Budget for 2016 that was approved by the Church-in-conference in October. Please come for this presentation and other important matters affecting our Church community.
Souper BowlSouper Bowl Sunday 
SAVE THE DATE...JANUARY 31
       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.
Ash Wednesday 
Imposition of Ashes
February 10, 2016
In the Chapel, 7:30 AM-7:30 PM
"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
      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. 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.
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.
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
Church Week
SUNDAY, January 17
  9:30 AM - Church School
10:25 AM - Children's Choirs Rehearsals
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
12:15 PM - Worship & Music MT Meeting
12:15 PM - Young Adult: At the Table
MONDAY, January 18
Closed for MLK Jr. Day
TUESDAY, January 19
10:00 AM - Staff Meeting
  7:00 PM - Church Council
WEDNESDAY, January 20
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
  1:00 PM - NDBC Book Club
THURSDAY, January 21
  6:00 PM - Thursday Study Group
  7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry
  7:15 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
SATURDAY, January 23
  5:00 PM - 20.30 Planning Meeting

Volume 8 - Issue 2 

  MLK HOLIDAY
The Church & Preschool
offices will be closed
Monday, January 18,
in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
THIS SUNDAY'S
LECTIONARY TEXT 
January 17, 2016
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday Night Study Group
Church Council
20.30's
Church-in-conference
Souper Bowl Sunday
Ash Wednesday
BWIM
Church Week
Birthdays
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.
JANUARY
BIRTHDAYS
Chelsea Clarke - 1
Len Shelton - 2
Barbara Schroeder - 2
Gary Clark - 3
Jon Bell - 4
Kennedy Molina - 5
Katherine Bryson - 6
Bev Hall - 7
Joyce Wilson - 7
Ruth Kramedjian - 7
William High - 7
Jerry Smith - 8
Don Janney - 9
Cynthia Tunon - 9
Pam Wamberg - 9
Emma Holloway - 13
Charlton Roberts - 14
Libby Martin - 15
Sebastian Almeida-Hall - 15
Jeanne Hill - 16
Anne Ledbetter - 16
Fabio Molina - 16
Jane Jerden - 16
Lewis Bozard - 17
Donna McLarty - 17
Vanita Morgan - 17
Annie Tucker - 19
Gene Bridges - 19
Anna Kate Wilson - 21
Gail Hermance - 22
Harry Mathis - 22
Luke Fletcher - 22
Nancy Hall - 23
Levi Milligan - 24
Will Egan - 25
Jackson Singleton - 25
Stephanie Jones - 25
Michael Hermance - 26
Michael Dyson - 26
Lanier Meeks - 28
Karen Perry - 29
Riley Isakson - 31
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.
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
children's choir
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

Off campus after worship
Meeting at restaurants, at the church and in participants' homes.

Don't want to get up before 9 AM? Join this class of young singles and couples in their 20s and 30s to nosh on the Word in an informal setting at a local restaurant. They will gather around the table during lunch after the worship service every Sunday. This class will examine the lectionary texts, deconstruct the sermon of the day, and fellowship together with food and drink. Teachers: Jeffrey Dunkerley and Brian Knight 

stained glass book

 

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.

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
at info@northsidedrive.org to let us know. 

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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.
Northside Drive Baptist Church is affiliated with 
the Alliance of Baptists and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
CBF logo 2     CBF logo
Renee Gamache
Northside Drive Baptist Church | 3100 Northside Dr NW | Atlanta GA | 30305
404-237-8621 | northsidedrive.org