The Pinnacle for January 2, 2022

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The Pinnacle

December 31, 2021

January 2 Livestream * Order of Worship * Scriptures

Changes to NDBC Preschool

After discussion, careful consideration, and consultation with church leadership, the Preschool Ministry Team has made a decision to close the NDBC Preschool at the end of the current school year, May 2022.

JB Gilbert, ministry team chair, says, “As we looked at the preschool’s unpredictable enrollment, the many new pre-K programs in our area (this past year, we lost four NDBC students who moved to public pre-K), and other factors, we knew we needed to make this difficult choice. We are proud of what the preschool has meant to our church and to the local community, but this is the right decision.” The other Preschool Ministry Team members are Susan Dew and Don Janney.

The preschool will have another change on January 15, when director Joleen Neel will leave her post to follow a new job opportunity. Preschool staff member Mary Ann Hammond will serve as interim director for the remainder of the year. Joleen’s letter to parents explains her plans and gives other information about the transition to closing.

Don Janney, NDBC interim operations administrator, adds, “I want to thank JB and Susan for their hard work during this process and the love and dedication they have given the preschool over their many years of work on the Preschool Ministry Team. They have given a great gift not only to our church but also to the children and parents of the NDBC Preschool. We also want to thank Joleen for her years of service and give her our best wishes for happiness in her new position.”

Pastor Search Committee Report

After nearly a year of deliberation, the Pastor Search Committee has selected a candidate to recommend to our church for the position of senior pastor.

On Friday, January 7, the candidate will meet with key NDBC leaders, including chairs of the Diaconate, Finance Committee, Personnel Committee, along with others. We will release to you as soon as possible the candidate's name and biographical information.

Our proposed schedule calls for the candidate to be in Atlanta January 28 to 30, with a congregation-wide opportunity to meet the candidate on Saturday, January 29, followed by a sermon from the candidate on Sunday, January 30. In the already-scheduled Church in Conference on January 30, we will vote on whether or not to call the selected candidate as our pastor.

This has been a long but very rewarding process, and we of the committee are excited to present this candidate to you very soon. Thank you for your patience and for your prayers.

Geneva Hall-Shelton, Chair

NDBC Pastor Search Committee

Congregational Care and Concern

We extend the condolences and prayers of the NDBC family to Susan and John Isakson upon the death of John's father, Johnny Isakson, who died on December 19 in Atlanta. For more information, please read Senator Isakson's obituary.

We also extend our condolences and prayers to Andrew Taylor and David Beavers upon the death of Andrew's father, Ronnie Taylor, who died on December 28 in Thomaston, Ga. For more information, please read Mr. Taylor's obituary.

Worship for January 2

January 2 is Epiphany Sunday in the liturgical calendar and the first Sunday of the new year. We hope you will join us in worship at 11 a.m. in person (please register in advance if possible) or online.

The NDBC staff singers will present the musical offering, "O Morning Star How Fair and Bright," by Philipp Nicolai. Dr. Greg DeLoach will preach the sermon, "What Do You Really Know About God?"

Although this will be the first Sunday of the month, we will not hold communion as usual. This will allow all in the sanctuary to wear their masks throughout worship as a Covid precaution.

Art & Soul This Sunday

The Art & Soul church school class will meet this Sunday, January 2, and begin a new, multi-part discussion of the book of Ruth. The study is part of the Uppity Women of the Bible series, produced by Living the Questions. The lessons are presented on video by Dr. Lisa Wolfe, professor of Hebrew Bible at Oklahoma City University.

Dr. Priscilla Eppinger will teach the introduction to the series this Sunday, and we hope you will join us for what promises to be a lively discussion. We will meet at 9 a.m. via Zoom. If you are joining by phone, you will need the passcode, which is 936319.