Worship
Sunday, July 22, 2018
10:00 AM Worship
Worship Leaders:
WIW: Marie Hodgman Schoeneberg
Liturgist: Corey Dunn
Head Usher: Jack Kittle
Ushers: Becky and David Evans,
David and Shelly Roberts
Greeter: Bill Castle
AV: Thom Schreck
Guest Musician: Jerrell Melton
Special Music: Debby Miller and Darryl Payne
Extended Sessio
Nursery: Susan Fraysse
2-3 yr olds: Dee Raeside
4-6 yr olds: JD McCrary,
Jason Schoeneberg
Floater: Angela Cass
Flowers: The flowers are given by Debby Miller in gratitude for the good work North Decatur Presbyterian Church does in the world.
Fellowship and Refreshments:
Weather permitting, after service, fellowship and light refreshments will be provided and served outdoors on the patio. In the event of rain, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you to
Holly Williams for providing our refreshments.
To submit comments or suggestions about worship, or to volunteer to donate flowers or serve as an usher or liturgist, contact
worship@ndpc.org.
Sermons:
July 22nd, 2018, Rev. Dr. Bill Brown preaching: Proverbs 8:22-31 and Colossians 1:15-20, “Playful Wisdom, Cosmic Christ, and Mr. Rogers”
The Christ Hymn in Colossians may be the most ancient piece of literature in the New Testament. It depicts Christ on the most cosmic of scales, as the web that connects all things and holds all things together. There is also another side to this ancient hymn that often gets overlooked: the joyful, playful side of God in Christ, which is drawn from Wisdom’s child-like play as portrayed in Proverbs. How is this connection relevant for children and for adults in such a time as this? Mr. Rogers may help us out here.
The Rev. Dr. William P. Brown is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, here in Decatur, GA. He is the author of several books and numerous essays on biblical interpretation and theology. He is currently working on a major commentary on the Psalms. Bill enjoys teaching Sunday School and is active at Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL). Gail and Bill have two grown daughters, Ella and Hannah.
July 29th, 2018, Rev. Dr. Bettina B. Kilburn preaching: John 6:1-21, "A New Exodus?"
We can name the characters – the anxiety-ridden disciples, the generous little boy, the five thousand gathered on the mountain, and our Lord, who pulls it off. We know that Jesus gave thanks before he distributed the abundant food. Many of us can recite Jesus’ words to the disciples as he calms the stormy seas – “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Jesus feeds the multitude in all four Gospels. He walks on water in Mark’s and Matthew’s narratives. We've heard these stories – and many other miracle stories in the Bible – many, many times on our own faith journeys.
The writer of John's Gospel speaks of Jesus' dramatic acts not in terms of God's power or God's miracles – but as signs. As they did for the Johannine community, struggling with their own faith identity, the signs move us away from our own assumptions and certitude. Today's reading echoes the Passover narrative of the manna and the crossing of the Red Sea, and invites us to consider what a new exodus in Jesus Christ means for our own faith challenges. What signs do we see – in our own lives and as a community? What does it mean for us to proclaim in our time
“This is indeed the prophet who has come into the world”?
The Rev. Dr. Bettina B. Kilburn is a graduate of CTS (2001) after feeling a call to ordained ministry as a way of ordering and deepening medicine as her vocation. She is still a full-time practicing psychiatrist/medical director/medical ethicist, ordained by Presbytery of Greater Atlanta to Specialized Ministry in Medical Ethics in 2003. She has served on the presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, including as vice chair, and served as a director on the Board of Pensions 2008-2016. She and her husband Norm (married 36 years) have worshipped with the NDPC community since 2007. She says, “It is a joy to be part of the rich and varied group of clergy affiliates at NDPC, and I'm honored to help the sabbatical pulpit team.”
Please Note: Thanks to the hard work of Tim Merritt, NDPC's website is up to date with great preaching in the tradition of NDPC! Go to
ndpc.org and select "sermons."
Children and Youth
Focus on Music For Children:
Starting on
August 12th and through
Labor Day weekend, extended session will focus on music with children. All children up through those rising to 5th grade are invited to leave worship after Word in Worship and join Kathy Smith for a time of learning about music and learning a song the children will sing on September 9 at the beginning of our Education program year.
Office Matters
NDPC Office hours will be 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Thursday and upon request by members.
Please take the time to like our posts on Facebook and share them on your timelines. We are trying to expand our reach through that media organically. Thank you.
https://www.facebook.com/NDPChurch
Community Life
Sages Program Suggestions: Friends, it is that time once again when we are planning the programs for next year and we need your help. We always have a wonderful variety of programs so we would love any suggestions you have, even if they might seem off the wall to you! We want to continue to present programs that we can all enjoy so your input is very much appreciated. If you suggest someone to speak, please send any contact information you have to Barbara Jung at
barbarajung@gmail.com.
Fundraiser for Backpacks and School Uniforms. Starting the school year with the right supplies and uniforms is so important for children. The children living in housing provided by the Initiative for Affordable Housing are already dealing with so much; let’s get their school year off to a great start by giving generously. The apple tree will appear in the narthex full of “apples.” When you pick an “apple,” you are pledging to give a $30 donation which will provide a backpack full of the required school supplies for a grade school student. New this year, a $30 donation can also be used to provide 2 sets of uniforms for a grade school student. If you want to support a high school student, pick two apples. Your $60 donation will provide a full backpack or 2 sets of uniforms for a high school student. Instructions on how to make your donation are printed on the apples. This fundraiser is set to conclude August 5. So pick your apples fast!
Circle of Care, Sunday, July 22nd, 4:30 pm, Parlor. Circle of Care meets twice a month and offers support and fellowship for caregivers and those living with mental or physical health issues. This group meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 4:30 pm. August dates are 12th and 26th. Contact Mary Anona,
maryanona@ndpc.org.
Homeless Laundry Ministry, Wednesday, August 1st and 15th, 6 pm, Medlock Laundry. Help wash clothes for our neighbors who are homeless. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, a group of volunteers meets at the Medlock Coin Laundry to wash clothes, study scripture, and pray with each other. Contact: Dee Raeside,
deeraeside@gmail.com.
Book Club, August 2 at 7:00 pm, at Mike Nichols' home to discuss "The Orphan Master's Son" by Adam Johnson. This novel takes place in North Korea, which is timely to say the least. "Pak Jun Do is the haunted son of a lost mother - a singer 'stolen' to Pyongyang - and an influential father who runs a work camp for orphans. Superiors in the North Korean state soon recognize the boy's loyalty and keen instincts. Jun Do rises in the ranks. He becomes a professional kidnapper who must navigate the shifting rules, arbitrary violence, and baffling demands of his overlords in order to stay alive. Driven to the absolute limit of what any human being could endure, he boldly takes on the treacherous role of rival to Kim Jong II in an attempt to save the woman he loves, Sun Moon, a legendary actress 'so pure, she doesn't know what starving people looked like.’” For more information contact:
gkduchon@gmail.com.
SAGES Summer Poetry Readings, Tuesday, August 7th and 21st, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. Church Parlor: Bring a favorite poem or two to share. We'll chat about how we want to explore the wonderful world of poetry as our pastor is doing this summer. All adults and teenagers are invited to join in the fun. It will be a relaxing way to spend a summer afternoon. For questions contact
barbarajung@gmail.com.
The Creation Care Committee, Kate & Larry Mosley's home, Sunday, August 5, from 5-7pm. Join us for a planning meeting and potluck meal to share your passion for environmental stewardship! Bring a favorite dish to share. Please RSVP to
katemosley99@gmail.com and to learn more about this committee. The Creation Care Committee welcomes your participation in our efforts to be good stewards of our church resources, property and ministries!
Congregational Care: Do you need care or know someone who does? The phone number f
or care at the church is 404-981-6372. Or contact
care@ndpc.org at our confidential email address to let a pastor know of a concern that needs prayer, a visit, or pastoral attention. If you would like to be added to the weekly In Touch prayer list, for a concern or a celebration, contact
iyabo@ndpc.org.
NDPC Three Year Strategic Plan:
Please access the NDPC strategic plan 2018-2021 presentation by clicking here.
FYI
Becoming the Beloved Community invites you to conversation and dinner co-sponsored
by First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery, Peacemaking Partnership and Church Women United of Atlanta. There are conversations being led by the Beloved Community planning committee and are followups to an original April dinner which Presbyterian Women helped sponsor. Please join us for a conversation in July or August. These small group meetings will give us the opportunity to come together and share our stories. Please RSVP to one of these gatherings by contacting Karen Turney at
kt2654@gmail.com, We greatly appreciate your RSVP to help us plan for each gathering. The dates, times and locations are as follows:
- Tuesday, July 24, 1 - 3 p.m. - St. Mark AME Church, 3605 Campbellton Rd SW, Atlanta.
- Saturday, July 28, 9 - 11 a.m. - Radcliffe Presbyterian Church, 286 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr. NW, Atlanta.
- Tuesday, August 14 7 - 9 p.m. - Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2461 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta.
Board of Commissioners’ meeting, Tuesday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m., Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive Decatur 30030: Good Growth DeKalb has been working with developers to encourage inclusive housing in new apartments in central DeKalb. While we're pleased that the Fuqua and Whole Foods developments will have 10-20% of workforce housing, the gap between the need for this kind of housing and reality is vast.
The senior facility in Phase 3 of the Fuqua development was encouraging with its 33% affordable, 33% means-tested sliding scale, and 33% market rate apartments. We were also pleased to see the plans for inclusive housing at Decatur’s United Methodist Children’s Home development.
Phoenix Station will be a seven-story, elevator-served building with 244 units: 5% will be fully accessible and 2% will be for people with visual or hearing impairments. Phoenix Station will cast a broad net by seeking to attract young professionals, families with children, and seniors, and people with disabilities who desire quality, safe, and affordable housing.
Planned amenities include a pool, a playground, green space, three pedestrian connections with the Kensington MARTA station, and a walking trail. If the rezoning is approved, the development will also include the first Georgia office of LDG, which creates on-site management by the owner company.
GGD supports LDG’s plan for Phoenix Station. Along with the high-end, luxury homes going up on the north side of the Kensington Station and other mixed-use developments surrounding it, it’s approval will provide more equitable housing choices in this area.
DeKalb needs affordable housing and the proximity to the MARTA station is ideal. Please join Good Growth DeKalb to express your support for the request for re-zoning.
- Email or call the DeKalb commissioners:
As always, thanks for your commitment to making DeKalb County a better place to live, work, and play!
Last spring as we anticipated this summer of staff sabbaticals, some of us thought of it as a sabbatical opportunity for us as well---for a break, for down time, for an opportunity, maybe, for withdrawal into rest, a quiet time for incubation of new awarenesses and new ideas. After all, as some are fond of saying, “Everything at North Decatur stops during the summer! There’s no Sunday school, no choir; and church attendance is always way down, nothing going on.” And with our staff leaders gone….
