Church Calendar



News and Events

Fat Tuesday or Ash Wednesday?

Posted on February 21, 2012

Fat Tuesday is coming to be a rather popular and festive occasion–in places far away from New Orleans! Party hearty and going for the gusto sounds fun.  And the prospects of eating large quantities of gumbo  and washing it down with something cold may be a hoot.  

But perhaps it would be worth considering the value of Ash Wednesday instead.

I recognize that this is a hard sell.  Given the choice between a party or a quiet time of reflection, even the most introverted among us will suggest that a little time with some good friends and good eats is a much more inviting option.

But if we could set aside  the pleasures of good company and food for a moment and ask about the ongoing human pursuit of meaning, I think that we could make a case for exploring Ash Wednesday. . . . and just as important, the season of Lent.  

Many people think that Lent is a time when you are supposed to give up something–give up meat, or chocolate, or watching TV.  The idea is to give up something, to do without.  And by giving up something we are supposed to become more grateful, more loving, more something.

But what is we only have part of the story on this.  What if giving up something during Lent is really and more fully, “Give up something so that you can receive something of greater value?”

If my hands are full, then I have no ability to accept something else–a gift from someone who loves me, perhaps?  Indeed, Lent is a time when I choose to relinquish something in order that I might receive something–something of greater value than the things we normally fill our hands–our lives–up with.

And so, Christian people use the time leading up to Easter Sunday to practice letting go so that we can receive.  And the gift that God has in mind is a whole lot better than gumbo!

If you would like to explore the season of Lent, here are some resources for you.

Textweek

Vanderbilt Library

A Daily Reading

 

Additionally, different members of the church staff will post each week leading up to Easter, a brief guide for the week.  That guide will offer scripture, thoughts, and ideas about how we can let go, in order to receive the goodness of God.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tagged ,

Housewarming for the Huhtanens

Posted on February 21, 2012

 We are excited to welcome our missionaries Kyle, Bety, Mia and baby Emily into our church family as they begin a furlough and transition from their mission work in Honduras to a period of preparation for future ministry.   Their arrival date in Atlanta is March 7th.   We also welcome them into our neighborhood, as they are renting a house in Edinburgh Estates.  We invite you to share in the collection of food staples as well as other household items in preparation for their stay here.  Sunday afternoon, March 4, will be the housewarming day!   A work crew will help with outside yard/gutter cleanup, while others will arrange furnishings and stock the pantry, refrigerator, and bathroom.  Specific items needed in good condition are a vacuum cleaner, push lawn mower, bookcase, and double bed. 

 Please contact Doris Clark at <doris@northlake.org> or Marianna Anderson at anders40@bellsouth.net for more information and Ike Reeser at <ike@northlake.org> to volunteer to help prepare the house for their arrival.

 

Friend’s Day

Posted on February 20, 2012

It’s a Season For Inviting!

  •   Invite a friend to join you in a service activity
  •   Invite a neighbor to your LIFE Group
  •   Invite a new acquaintance for lunch/coffee & share life together.

God works in BIG ways, always bigger than we can think and imagine!  Be assured that when we practice friendship and hospitality to acquaintances and to the stranger, God is at work.  We warmly invite; God prepares the heart!

 Invite neighbors or friends to “Friends Day” on March 18!

 A Potluck Fellowship Luncheon will follow the Worship service on that day.

 

Tagged

The Forgiveness of Sins

Posted on February 18, 2012

Stanley Hauerwas once said that the church was the only organization in the world crazy enough to be constituted by the confession of sin.  Admitting wrong and extending mercy is an odd way of living, but forgiveness is written on the pages on the New Testament and across the heart of God.

 

Lauren Reed explores forgiveness in this telling of Jesus’ parable.

The Story of Doug

 

See you Sunday as we explore what it means to be a people who believe in the forgiveness of sin!

Tagged ,

Northlake Team Goes to Honduras

Posted on February 15, 2012

Founding Board Members of Predisan

This coming week a Northlake team joins Mission Predisan and other volunteer partners in multiple services and teaching opportunities in the community of Catacamas, Honduras.    Our elders Joe Glenn, Brent Wiseman, along with Doris Clark will travel Sunday February 19; Ralph McCluggage and Sabrina Macdonald travel later in the week to participate in Mission Predisan’s tri-annual board meeting.   Part of our ministry will be with our missionaries Kyle and Bety Huhtanen as we share in this transition time for them and give thanks for their work as God’s instruments of grace through the organization Predisan, their church family, and community relationships.  Kyle and Bety return to the USA in March. 

We will not be the only visiting volunteers with Predisan next week!   A surgical/medical team from Baylor Medical in Garland, Texas, arrives to provide surgical and specialized services for scheduled patients who have long awaited this opportunity to have a needed surgery done or to see a specialist about critical health problems. 

Doctors, nurses, chaplains, and support staff will work together in an intensive week of proclaiming of God’s message and seeking his healing power for every person touched.  

Arriving on the same flight with us will be a team from the East Brainerd Church in Chattanooga.  They plan to share their talents and interact with the community through Bible stories done with puppeteers, one on one evangelism among community contacts, a business seminar for local business people, an optometric team will provide eye care and glasses for people in need, and a licensed family therapist will give additional training and encouragement to the therapy staff at CEREPA, the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center. 

Northlake Team 2011

Among the Texas and Tennessee volunteers are six other members of the Predisan Board who along with Joe, Ralph, Sabrina, Doris, and still others arriving from Oklahoma, California and Atlanta will convene for the meeting on Friday and Saturday Feb 24-25.    These men and women freely give along with many of YOU so that good news is preached to the poor, the sick are healed, the blind can see, and the oppressed and imprisoned are freed in Honduras.

Please pray specifically for this full week of work among volunteers and national staff—for safety in travel and that the light of Christ will shine through each servant in all that is said and done. 

Mission Predisan Board of Directors