New Sermon Series! - North Avenue Presbyterian Church

I N S I D E E V E RY I S S U E :NAPC Milestones & Financial Report (P. 7)
Calendar and Birthdays (P. 8)
JANUARY 2016 | VOLUME 62.01
NEWS
New Sermon Series!
(more
on on
p. p.
4)3)
(more
details
M O R E
INSIDE
T H I S
I S S U E
Renew Your Life
w/ Kai Nilsen
Parenting
Conversation
Women’s
Retreat
P. 5
P. 6
P.7
North Avenue Presbyterian Church | 607 Peachtree Street NE | Atlanta, Georgia 30308 | 404.875.0431 | www.napc.org
T
he NAPC staff and officers pray that 2016 will be a year
filled with love, joy, peace, and the deep blessings of God
for you, your families, and North Avenue Presbyterian
Church. By God’s grace and the incredible outpouring
of generous pledging to the SHINE Campaign, we look forward to
breaking ground in our SHINE building project in early summer.
(Dependent upon a variety of factors, the exact date is yet to be
determined.)
On a personal note, thank you many times over for your loving
care, concern, prayers, and countless acts of kindness for Cynthia,
Christen, James, and me, in light of Justin’s death in September. If
God so enables me, I plan to begin preaching again on January 10
in a sermon series called “Announcing Good News,” a reflection on
the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. The call of the church
From My Heart to Yours of Jesus Christ is always to proclaim the Good News of God’s
everlasting love for the world in every circumstance of our lives. In
By Dr. Scott Weimer, Senior Pastor
a world too-often filled with fear, war, death, grief, displacement of people, isolation, and despair, God
has given us the light of the world - his only son, Jesus Christ. Jesus shines in the darkness and brings
us gifts of the Spirit that enable us to live lives of joy, love, meaning, and purpose, for the glory of God.
May it be so for each of us and for all of us together.
Blessed New Year to each and every one of you!
Grace and peace from your pastor and friend,
Scott
In the Cool of the Evening
As a way of saying “Thank you” for this past year, please take a copy
of this devotional book by Dr. Vernon S. Broyles, Jr. as a gift from
NAPC. This year-long devotional book is a great way to start 2016!
You can find a copy at the Peachtree Landing on Sunday mornings
or throughout the week. Please limit 1 copy per family.
Former and beloved pastor of North Avenue, Dr. Broyles served
this congregation and the Atlanta area
from 1941-50 and 1954-76.
2 North AveNews • January
January 10
January 17
January 24
January 31
February 7
“GRATITUDE” Philippians 1:3-11
“Joy” Philippians 1:18b-30
“Soundness of MInd” Philippians 2:1-11
“Transformation” Philippians 3:12-21
“Peace” Philippians 4:4-14
Thank
You!
A special thanks to all of the ambassadors, ushers, and 5:45 p.m. greeters who have welcomed people so
faithfully this past year! The following people were integral to the "radical hospitality" that is one of North Avenue's core
values. Some of these folks have been serving at their posts for years. Please take a moment to thank them when you
see them!
Ambassadors
Ellie Leap, Ann Carter and Allen McDonald, Bill Rice, Joseph Patterson, Sally Hale, Laura Rotroff, Lorie Coats and Paul Tom,
Jackie Milton, Tara and Chris Compton, David Bottomley, Anne Fowlkes, Lorraine and Carlton Eaton, Hubert Nall, Lynn
Hudgins, Maurice Lattimore, Philomene Atangane, Mary Duncan, Susan Thompson, Johnson Kakeu, Sally Barnes, Barbara
Chandler, Martha McGourk, Alice Pickett, Cyndy Roberts, Jim Roberts, Debra Slaughter, and Bobo Thomas.
Ushers
Bill Schaffer, Frederick Gituku, Eddie Griffin, Lee Underwood (Chair), Dottie Hopple, Carolyn Robison, Xin Xu and Jack Tie,
Mike Hair, Sharon Bailey, Kirk and Diane Baier, and Baohua Wu and Holly Li.
5:45 pm Greeters
Erin and Zack Dentmon, Tom Opdyke, Michael Payne, Nathan Miller, Rachel Lovins, Yunpeng Pan, Laurel Boatright,
Elizabeth Nadelman, Lindsay Allward, Janie Hicks, Tara Jatlaoui, Evelyn Maris, Carolyn Tye, Samuel Yenn-Batah, and Betsy White.
Please contact Kay Carlson (kay@napc.org) or Lee Underwood (underwood.lee@gmail.com)
if you have an interest in serving as well!
North AveNews 3
Fulfill a New Year’s Resolution: Join North Avenue!
Our first Membership Exploration class of the new year is coming up in February. We will gather in the
Eldridge Room at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, donuts, and introductions, then move to the 9:00 service. From there we will
return to the Eldridge Room for discussions of faith, as well as a glimpse into North Avenue’s vision and
mission. We will conclude at 12 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please contact or Kay Carlson
(kay@napc.org) or call 875-0431, ext. 213.
3
N 3
T O U R N A M E N T
One of the ways we engage the city is through a basketball ministry on Monday
nights. Mike Buchanan and Jessie Breite have been opening the gym to men from the
neighborhood and Atlanta Mission for the past four years. Many of these men have
become plugged into the life of NAPC and made positive life changes with the help of the
Holy Spirit.
Three years ago, we held our first three-on-three tournament. This year eight teams
competed.
If you would like to take part in Monday night basketball, contact Mike Buchanan at
mbbuchanan@gmail.com or just show up Monday evenings at 6 p.m.
4 North AveNews • January
Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 17 immediately following the 11 a.m. service
The sole purpose of the meeting is to approve the sale of the vacant quarter acre
tract of land located on the northeast corner of Courtland Street and Linden
Avenue and commonly known as the Alpha House lot.
DISCOVER YOUR
V O C AT I O N
IN YOUR
O C C U PAT I O N
V O C AT I O N C O N V E R S AT I O N S :
"Renew your life"
with
Kai Nilsen
Sunday, January 24 at 5:45 p.m.
Since 2005, Kai Nilsen has served as lead pastor at Peace after having joined the staff in 1993. Throughout his career, Kai’s ministry has
been motivated by a core conviction that God has planted in each of us the capability to love each other, to serve those in need, to hope
during dark times, and to experience a full life in the present moment.
Beyond his work at Peace, Kai is on the Ministry Team for Renovaré—an ecumenical movement focusing in spiritual formation, a teacher
in the Renovare’ Institute for Spiritual formation, and a leader in the local ministerial association.
In 2009, Kai completed his Doctor of Ministry degree through Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. Nilsen graduated from Concordia
College, Moorhead, Minnesota in 1985, where he met his wife Patty. He graduated from Luther Seminary in 1989 and was then called to
serve Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin.
Kai’s book Renew Your Life: Discovering the Wellspring of God’s Energy will come out in the fall of 2015. In it he describes the seven ways
that God has been renewing life from the very beginning (Genesis 1:1-2:3) through the creative energies of Grace, Possibility, Paradox, The
Natural World, Relationships, Fruitful Work and Rest.
You can pre-order Pastor Kai’s book today!
The Nilsens are parents of four children—Anders, Annika, Leif and Siri. When asked what he does when he is not at Peace, Kai answered,
“During the time I have not devoted to work or my family, I love heading to the YMCA for an intense workout, sharing a glass of wine with
friends or curling up on the couch for a relaxing read.”
View A Video about his book at Napc.org/kainilsen
North AveNews 5
Pride for Parents
A great big thank you to all of our North Avenue friends who
donated toys for our “Pride for Parents” toy drive. We collected
over 100 toys and gift cards that were loaded in a minivan and
taken to South Atlanta Marketplace on Monday, December 14.
We know that these toys are a blessing for the parents who
purchased them and the children who received them. Thank
you for being a part of bringing hope, peace, joy and love to our
friends in South Atlanta!
Annual Youth Lock-in
Friday, January 8 from 7 p.m. - 8 a.m.
in the BMC
The cost is $20/youth and parents can drop off and pick up
their youth in the BMC lobby. They can get a permission form
when they sign up by emailing Jessica Dart, Director of Youth
Ministry, at jessica@napc.org. This will be the last lock-in
before renovations start! Come join the fun!!
MOM’S NIGHT OUT
Mom’s Night Out meets for dinner and sharing life together on Tuesday, January 19. For more information, contact Alison
Smith at alisonrobson@mindspring.com.
Parenting Conversation:
Engaging Social Media with Jim Roberts
Sunday, January 31 from 12:15-2 p.m.
Since getting his PhD from Penn State, Jim Roberts has taught media, film, and literature
at Georgia State University. A side-benefit of this career is the first-hand knowledge he
gains from his students about how teens navigate social media and the channels they
engage information he has used in raising his own four children. Jim will share his family
and professional experiences in navigating ever-changing social media. He will provide
a framework for parents so they can better understand the social media landscape and
will lead a discussion about options for guiding their children through the (rich and trapstrewn) social media terrain.
You can register online starting January 6 at napc.org/parenting-conversation.
Cost: $10 per family. Care is available for children elementary age and younger.
SAVE THE DATE: Family Night of Worship
Saturday, February 6 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the BMC
Come worship as a family for a special “Ash Wednesday” worship experience and stay for
a pizza dinner and time to be with friends and family! Dinner is $5 per family.
6 North AveNews • January
NAPC Women’s Retreat
February 27-28 at Unicoi State Park, Helen, GA
Just imagine: a weekend away to step back from everyday life,
with nothing but time to discover your role as a “living stone” in the
kingdom of God. Time to connect and enjoy fellowship with other
women. Time to rest your body, stimulate your mind, and delight your
soul. That’s the promise of the NAPC Women’s Retreat, scheduled for
February 27 - 28, 2016.
This year, Rev. Megan Johnson will lead us on a spiritual journey set
amid the serene natural beauty of the North Georgia mountains and
Unicoi State Park near Helen, GA. Along with small group discussions,
prayer time, conversations, and meals, you’ll have time to hike to a
waterfall, gather ‘round a bonfire, explore your creative side, or just
close the door and take a nap. Spiritual and physical renewal is the
goal.
Sound like a daydream? We want YOU to make it a reality. Your
place is with us, even if you can find 100 reasons to stay home.
To learn more about being part of this rejuvenating weekend,
stop by the registration tables in the lobby or contact Jill Fossett
(jillfossett@gmail.com) or Carol Reeder (CarolSReeder@gmail.com).
Specific details about the event are online at napc.org/livingstones.
D E C E M B E R M I L E S TO N E S
• Marriage of Jenna Andrews and Alex Sponseller on
December 4
• Baptism of Edwin Goh on December 13.
FINANCIAL REPORT
OCT 2015
Ministry & Mission Income $ 201,604
Ministry & Mission Expenses
179,732
Difference
$ 21,872
YEAR-TO-DATE
$ 1,922,575
2,169,438
$ (246,863)
CO N TA C T I N F O R M AT I O N
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. D. Scott Weimer
scott@napc.org, ext. 210
Theologian in Residence
Rev. Dr. Samuel Mwaniki
samuel@napc.org, ext. 211
Senior Associate for
Discipleship/Teaching Pastor
Rev. Jeff Meyers
jeff@napc.org, ext. 216
Associate for Congregational Care
Rev. Frank Eldridge
frank@napc.org, ext. 247
Associate for Women’s Ministry
Rev. Megan Johnson
megan@napc.org, ext. 220
Director of Children
& Family Ministries
Roxie Chess
roxie@napc.org, ext. 243
Director of Youth Ministry
Jessica Dart
jessica@napc.org, ext. 205
Director of Missions & Outreach
Matt Seadore
matt@napc.org, ext. 226
Equipping Ministries Associate
Kay Carlson
kay@napc.org, ext. 213
International Student Ministry
Coordinator
Jason Yu Chen
jason@napc.org, 404.578.7250
Assistant to Director of Music
Lisa Ellinger
lisa@napc.org, ext. 209
Director of Music & The Arts/
Organist
Melinda L. Clark
melinda@napc.org, ext. 208
Executive Director
of Finance and Operations
Roger Young
roger@napc.org, ext. 222
Worship Leader in Mission
Josh Schicker
josh@napc.org, ext. 236
Staff Accountant
Karen Dickey
karen@napc.org, ext. 221
Director of Communications
Tyler Jackson
tyler@napc.org, ext. 215
Facilities Manager
Gene Wooldridge
gene@napc.org, ext. 224
Membership
Involvement Coordinator
Kim Goldsmith
kim@napc.org, ext. 206
Director of Food Services
Richard Slade
richard@napc.org, ext. 241
Administrative/
Pastoral Assistant
Andrea Henry
andrea@napc.org, ext. 201
Administrative Assistant/
Receptionist
Bridgett Stewart
bridgett@napc.org, ext. 223
Director of Music & The Arts, Emeritus
Oscar L. Rodriguez
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North AveNews 7
REGULARLY
SCHEDULED
EVENTS
S U N D AY S
9 AM Contemporary Worship in the Sanctuary
9:15 AM Cherub & Junior Choirs Rehearse
10 AM Sunday School & Living Waters Prayer
Ministry in the Prayer Room
11 AM Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
& Sunday Lunch in the Gym (also at noon)
12 PM Healing Service on third Sundays of the month
in the Session Room behind the Sanctuary
1 PM Orchestra NAPC Rehearsal in Room 301
5 PM Youth Group meets on Fourth Floor
5:45 PM Evening Service in the Sanctuary
M O N D AY S
6 PM Volunteer with Basketball with the Atlanta
Mission in the Gym
Diaconate & Session Meetings on the second Monday
of the month
T U E S D AY S
10 AM Presbyterian Women Inductive Bible Study
meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month
10:30 AM Presbyterian Women Circles meet on the
second Tuesday of the month
W E D N E S D AY S
5:30 PM Volunteer at the Community Men’s Bible Study
in Room 408 (contact matt@napc.org)
5:30 PM Wednesday Dinners in the Dining Room
5:30 PM ESL meets on the Fourth Floor
5:50 PM NAPC Handbell Choir rehearses in Sanctuary
6:15 PM Prayer Warriors meet in the Library
7 PM Young Adults Small Group meets in Room 316
7 PM Wednesday Women’s Bible Study meets in Room 323
7 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Choir Room
7 PM Tuk & Tak International Soccer meets in the Gym
8 North AveNews • January
JANUARY CALENDAR
T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 31
5PM Year-end Gift Deadline
F R I D AY, J A N U A R Y 8
7PM - 8AM Annual Youth Lock-in (see details on p. 6)
S U N D AY, J A N U A R Y 10
New Sermon Series: “Announcing Good News”
(see details on p. 2-3)
S U N D AY, J A N U A R Y 17
12PM Congregational Meeting
(see details on p. 5)
S AT U R D AY, F E B R U A R Y 6
4:30-6:30PM Family Night of Worship
(see details on p. 6)
F E B R U A R Y 27 - 28
NAPC Women’s Retreat: Living Stones
(see details on p. 7)
See up to date events and news online at
www.napc.org/news
S U N D AY, J A N U A R Y 24
5:45PM Renew Your Life with Kai Nilsen
(see details on p. 5)
S U N D AY, J A N U A R Y 31
12:15 - 2PM Parenting Conversation
(see details on p. 6)
J A N U A R Y B I R T H DAY S
01 Jane Davis, Kargi Tasi, Lauren
Flinn, Asher Black
02 Cindy Holt, Ruth Waihiga,
Jonathan Goldsmith
03 Theron Ragsdale, Lindsey Elliot
04 Virginia Ferguson,
Samuel Mwaniki, David Glass,
Emma Hughes
05 Jean McFadden, Nigel Lush,
Megan Johnson, Armani Jusu
06 Jim Alm, Hannah Goodyear,
Tracy Knapp
07 Edna House
08 Cyndy Roberts
09 Mullin Underwood, Hannah Choi,
Jack Susong, Dorie Watkins
10 Deborah Lowery, Linda
Thompson, Charles Knapp
11 Jeff Rice, Sally Barnes, Vivian
Wells, John Crawford Langley,
Emily Liu, Everett Gray
12 Betty McKay, Lakshmi Sankar,
Lei Xie
13 Beth Brady, Connie Pinder
14 Betsy Primm, Monicah Mwaniki,
Dana Klest, Kim Wilson, James
Din, Yagiong Guo
15 Ben Carmichael, April Pilgrim,
Malaika Cheney-Coker, Cole
Thompson
16 Scott Thompson, Tristan Askew
17 Jorge Millan, Matthew
Boatwright, Nathaniel
Gieseking
18 Lisa Wells
19 Marian McGaughey, Rachel
Carruth, Amanda Abernathy,
Neil Whitman
20 Sherrie Smith, Eric Johnson,
Lauren Handell, Walker Rogers,
Hannah Tie
21 Ann Cousins, Glad Eldridge,
22 Corie Galusha,
Emily Toriani-Moura, Katy
Mosby, Andrea Bowers, Will
Perry
23 Wallace Underwood, Sarah
Kenady, Bo Underwood, Camryn
Dawson
24 Ralph Rutherfod, Matt Bruso,
Jared Lowe, Tyler Jabaley, Ben
Radford
25 George Rice, Lynne Norman,
Han Choi, Ben Buxton
26 Al Valerius, Micheal Hair
27 Lynn Bishop, Joan Goodyear,
Kermit Llaurador, Isabel Carter,
Alexander Carter
28 Paul Tom, Dan Lowery,
Yoko O’ Brien, Juila Roberts,
Aiden Armstrong, Trina Respess,
Jasmine Gray
29 Tillman Douglas, Carolyn
Curtis, Margaret Draper, Amelie
Respress
30 William Flinn, Hubert Nall III,
Andrew Watkins, Josh Gregory,
David Millan
31 Jiaming Li, Mattie Kelbaugh