The Pinnacle for January 7, 2022

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The Pinnacle

January 7, 2022

January 9 Livestream * Order of Worship * Scriptures

Departing Words from Interim Pastor Greg DeLoach

I have never been one to stay up for the arrival of the New Year, mainly because staying up late – anytime after 10 pm! - is difficult for me. I am an early riser by nature and nurture, which means staying up much past dark is a chore. For well over fifty years now I have discovered that the New Year arrives whether I am awake or not. Still, I like the days leading up to the New Year as well as the days following it, because it affords me a time of reflection and time to look ahead.

In reflection, I am grateful for these last few months sharing in worship and community with you. In the past, I knew about you from the testimony of others, but now I have my own experiences with you, imbued with love and devotion through our shared pilgrimage.

Looking ahead, I am delighted to share with you in worship and sermon through January 23. Starting in February I have a commitment with another congregation that will take me away on Sundays, but I will continue meeting with staff during the week as well as leading the Wednesday Bible studies. The Personnel Committee has chosen to expand the transition team to include Rev. Matt Duvall, who will preach on Sundays, starting February 6. I have known and admired Matt and his work for many years, and he will be a gift to you, as I know you will be to him during this interim period.

Speaking of gifts, I am encouraged that soon you will be able to share the gift of community with a new pastor. A good church and a good pastor bring out the very best in one another. I am confident in the greatness that awaits both church and pastor, because you, dear church, have blessed me in more ways than I can name. May grace continue in you and through you for 2022 and beyond.

Gratefully,

Greg

Matt DuVall Guest Preacher in February

In February we will welcome Rev. Matt DuVall to the NDBC pulpit. Matt currently serves as Director of Development for Mercer’s McAfee School of Theology. A native of Cordele, Ga., he is a graduate of Mercer University (2001) and the McAfee School of Theology (2004). Matt has served churches in the areas of student ministry and missions and pastored churches in Kentucky and Georgia, most recently in Rome. Matt is married to Caroline, a nurse practitioner, and they are parents to two daughters.

Church in Conference on January 30

Please mark your calendars for our next Church in Conference on January 30, immediately following our worship service. While this is a regularly scheduled church conference, it will be especially important and impactful.

As usual, we will consider for approval our updated budget for the current year. In worship that morning, we will hear a sermon from the candidate whom the NDBC Pastor Search Committee has recommended to be our next senior pastor. In the Church in Conference we will vote on the compensation range for the next pastor, as our bylaws require, and we will also vote on whether to approve the candidate.

Our bylaws state that Church in Conference votes must be made in person, so it is important that as many of you as possible can attend. I hope you will make every effort to be with us.

Jo Meeks, NDBC Moderator

Congregational Care and Concern

The prayers and condolences of our congregation are extended to the family of Hardy Pickering, who died on January 6. Arrangements are incomplete as of this Pinnacle issue, but more information will be made available as soon as possible. In the meantime, hold the Pickering family, especially wife Lois, close in your prayers.

Completing Your 2021 Pledge

If you have not yet met your NDBC pledge for 2021, there is still time to do so. Contributions received by January 15 will be credited toward any remaining 2021 pledge balances, and thereafter to 2022 pledge amounts. For more information, contact Business Manager Rose Hidlay at rose@northsidedrive.org or by phone at 404-237-8621.

Art & Soul This Sunday

Art & Soul continues its study of Uppity Women of the Bible: Ruth this Sunday, with a discussion of part 2, "In Case of Emergency," from the series. You are invited to join us and prepare by watching a video of a short lecture by Dr. Lisa Wolfe, professor of Hebrew Bible at Oklahoma City University.

Cathy Wooten will facilitate the discussion. We will meet at 9 a.m. via Zoom. If you are joining by phone, you will need the passcode, which is 936319.