A NOTE FROM NATHAN
“…giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20
Sometimes Paul bothers me. I know his letters are written for a particular people during a specific time. They are, nevertheless, ongoing wisdom for the Church today. It’s just that I’m not sure how wise Paul’s words are to the Ephesians in chapter 5, verse 20. “At all times. For everything. Give thanks?”
That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially this year. Pandemic. Wild fires. Hurricanes. Racial unrest. Sheltering in place. A divisive election. Not to mention all of the challenges that come as a result. Like, for instance, not seeing loved ones for months on end. Families under incredible stress and strain working and schooling from home. A mounting mental health crisis. A fragile economy. An uncertain future. I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I can look back on 2020 and say I am thankful, always and for everything.
I was in a meeting the other day, during which we were discussing the challenges of this year. Someone said, “But you know, there have been blessings too.” She was right, of course. Not all of 2020 has been doom and gloom. More time spent with family around dinner tables. Longer walks outside with loved ones. Learning new technology we would have otherwise never learned. 2020 will go down as one of the darkest years in history. And, yet, there is light….
This next week, we will gather with friends and family for a Thanksgiving holiday. It will certainly look different. You may not travel to the place you traditionally celebrate. You may not be able to enjoy that favorite dish grandmother prepares. There may be some empty seats around your table. However, there is no less of a reason to be grateful.
Perhaps this year, more than ever, we need to take time to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Sometimes they are harder to see than others. Nonetheless, that does not mean they are not there. And, in the end, maybe that’s what Paul was getting at. Perhaps he was right, after all. At all times. For everything. Give thanks.
Peace,
Nathan
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STEWARDSHIP REMINDER
Dear SSCC,
As we celebrate Thanksgiving Sunday, this Sunday, we want to thank you for your ongoing support of Sandy Springs Christian Church. This Sunday concludes our stewardship campaign for 2021. We will be blessing and dedicating our commitments for the coming year during worship. If you have not yet, please take a moment to fill out your electronic estimate of giving form. For your convenience, we have included a link to the form below. Simply click on the button. You may also call the church office or email Kathryn at accounting@sandyspringscc.org. Each and every one of us have come into the life of Sandy Springs Christian Church for this time. May we use our gifts in the coming year to continue our ministry in new and exciting ways. Again, thank you for your generosity. Have a wonderful holiday season.
In Gratitude,
Caroline and Rusty Grant
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THIS SUNDAY
WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY AND LIVESTREAM
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November 22, 2020
"Second Blessing"
Luke 07:11-19
Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown
This Sunday, November 22nd, we celebrate Thanksgiving Sunday. Pastor Nathan will be back in the pulpit with a message he is calling, "Second Blessing." You can read the scripture in advance by clicking here. Additionally, to view the bulletin for this Sunday, click here. To view the livestream on our YouTube page, click here. Recorded versions of worship will be posted to our YouTube page following worship.
We hope you will join us for in-person worship in the sanctuary. Our team has worked on the logistics of in-person worship to comply with the guidelines which you can review by clicking on the button below. Also, if you have not already, please click on the button below to watch the video by the Leek children explaining our new safety rules.
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THANKSGIVING SPECIAL OFFERING
This is the last Sunday for the special offering. Please mark your donations (whether check or on line) with "Thanksgiving Special Offering".
The Thanksgiving Offering supports Disciples colleges, universities and theological institutions. Disciples have a long history of post-secondary and theological education. Gifts from this offering continue the Disciples tradition of developing leaders for our communities and the Church.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Janelle Hick's cousin Jenny Webster fell last week and broke her hip. She had a hip replacement. Janelle asks for prayer for healing and strength during her rehab.
Please pray for our members and their families who serve as first responders and health care workers: Dr. Tim Helton, Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, and Pete French. Also those serving in the military: Derrick Brown (Army) and Michelle Brown (Navy), children of Cindy and Pete Brown. Tyler Brown (Army), son of Tami and Stephen Brown. Jared Mills (Army), son/stepson of John and Floy Mills. Rachel Robeck (Navy), daughter of John and Mary Robeck. Jamie Price Smith (Air Force) and Dalton Brown (Army) granddaughter and grandson of Barb Duren and Chaplain Kevin Mooney (Navy). If we are missing someone, please let us know so that we can include their name in our weekly prayers.
JOIN SSCC!
You can join SSCC by a simple affirmation of faith anytime! If you want to join during this virtual time, just let us know you would like to join!
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Sandy Springs Christian Church
2020 Advent Worship Schedule
Silent Night(s)
An Advent Sermon Series
It’s going to be a strange Advent season this year, not being able to sing in worship our favorite Christmas hymns. Sure, we can listen to others sing them and play them instrumentally. We, ourselves, can even hum or vocalize them in the car or in the shower. It’s not the same. It’s going to be a quieter Christmas season. There will be more than one silent night. Which, believe it or not, is in step with the tradition of many churches, even before this year. Many congregations refrain from singing Christmas songs until Christmas day. They lay in wait, in darkness and absence, yearning for light and presence, before celebrating with song. Perhaps this is the reason Advent seems to ring more true this year than others. Haven’t we been waiting in silence throughout 2020? Let’s come together this Advent season, quietly awaiting the light of the world to come once again, and, as result, appreciating even more this amazing gift.
November 29, 2020
10:15 AM
Hanging of the Greens
December 6, 2020
10:15 AM
Sanctuary
Apocalypse Now
Mark 13:24-37
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
December 13, 2020
10:15 AM
Sanctuary
What Are We Waiting For?
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
December 20, 2020
10:15 AM
Sanctuary
NOT Left Behind
Luke 1:26-38
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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December 20, 2020
6:00 PM
Sanctuary
Blue Christmas Worship
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
2020 has certainly brought a great deal of grief into our lives. That grief can be particularly hard as we approach the holiday season. If the Christmas season is bringing you sadness this year, join us for our Blue Christmas service on December 22nd at 6:00 pm lead by Pastor Nathan. Come and feel God's love and healing.
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December 24, 2020
6:00 PM
Outdoors
Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship
Luke 2:1-20
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve service will look a little different this year. We are planning an outdoor service on Thursday, December 24th at 6:00 PM. The service will take place on the the Abernathy side of the building. We hope it to be a simple, but beautiful worship experience, to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
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16TH ANNUAL ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION
November 19, 2020, 7:00 pm.
An evening of inspiration, music and humor celebrated by people of many faiths. Please CLICK HERE to view the flyer which contains the links you need to join the virtual celebration.
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UPCOMING MOUNTAINTOP LECTURE
On Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 10:00 am, Mountain Top Lectures and the University of North Georgia will sponsor a FREE virtual lecture by Dr. Peter Enns, Biblical scholar and theologian who has written widely on Christianity, science and Old Testament interpretation. To register for his lecture entitled, "Reimagining God", simply follow this link: www.mountaintoplectures.org. All registrants will receive an email link prior to the day of the event.
If you are currently an Annual or a Lifetime Sponsor of Mountain Top Lectures or became one prior to the event you will also be invited by email link to join a separate question and answer session with the speaker shortly following the lecture at 11:15 am. You will also receive a free copy of Dr. Enns’s latest book. For those interested just follow this link to become a sponsor: (Become A Sponsor).
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SPECIAL VISIT WITH SANTA FOR SSCC KIDS!
On Sunday, December 6th at 6pm we will have a special Zoom meeting with Santa. During the meeting, we will have crafts and games, and a story! Each child will also get a chance to individually meet with Santa to share their Christmas wishes. We also have some special Elves that will be delivering a package to every child that signs up to join us!
If you would like your child to be a part of this event, just email Bryant at youth@sandyspringscc.org to reserve your spot! This Christmas will certainly be different for our kids, but we are excited to share some Christmas magic and celebrate the spirit of the season with our wonderful children!
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2021 LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS OPEN
The Nominating Committee for the 2021 SSCC slate of leadership positions has been assembled and wants to hear from you! Specifically, we are looking to fill the following positions on Leadership: Secretary, Treasurer, Chair of Outreach, and Chair of Worship, Arts and Education. Additionally, we will be looking for new Elders and Deacons.
If you feel called to lead at SSCC or have a candidate recommendation for the committee you’d like to share, please email Phil Leek, Committee Chair at pleek@att.net, or reach out to any of the committee members.
Nominating Committee Members: Floy Mills, Pat Kapphahn, Dottie Gill, Shavette Turner, Teresa Edens, Denise Shipman, Kathy Woodworth, Milt Hill, and Becky Chimera.
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COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION WEEKEND FOLLOW UP
Last Saturday and Sunday, Allen Hilton led us through a very meaningful, insightful Courageous Conversation Weekend, in which many from SSCC participated. However, if you happened to miss it, there are recorded versions available, which we plan to make available. Additionally, some of the content Allen covered is included in the document below. Simply click on the button. We hope to build on what we learned from Allen and continue this work in the future. If you would like to be part of this ongoing work at SSCC, please reach out to Pastor Nathan or Leslie Lady. A big thank you to all those who participated!
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POINSETTIAS FOR SSCC
Please sign up to donate a poinsettia in celebration or memory of a family member, friend or loved one. Suggested donation is $10.00. You can mail a check to the church, or go to our website and enter your donation there. Please mark your donations "Poinsettias.” Enter your information in the COMMENTS section and simply indicate the name of the one(s) you are honoring, along with whether you are celebrating or remembering each individual. You may sign up multiple names. We will then publish a list and include it in the newsletter. We will also email the list closer to Christmas. The deadline to sign up is December 18, 2020. Thank you in advance!
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CHRISTMAS ADOPT-A-FAMILY UPDATE
Thank you to everyone from SSCC and The Day School that has generously signed up to provide items for our adopted family this Christmas! As of today, all of the gift slots have been filled! You have two weeks left to shop and deliver the items to church by December 1st. We are grateful for all who helped us make this family's Christmas merry and bright!
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Just a reminder that the Church office will be staffed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am - 1:00 pm.
We are also retrieving phone messages remotely each day as well. So feel free to call the church if you need anything or email Amy@sandyspringscc.org if you wish. |
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FACILITIES UPDATE
We wanted to make you aware that Desmond, our facilities specialist, has decided to move in a different direction and will no longer be working at SSCC. We want to thank Desmond for his time at SSCC and wish him the best.
We have since contracted with Nicole Tyes from HLR Enterprise to do the cleaning for both SSCC and TDS. She is well versed in all aspects of cleaning requirements due to Covid and has great attention to detail. We have worked with Nicole previously and look forward to serving with her in ministry!
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DOING MINISTRY DIFFERENTLY |
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UPDATE FROM OUTREACH
HELPING THE CAC: The CAC has seen increased requests for food for the pantry. Let's help our neighbors, from young to senior citizens, have the food and nutrition they need for the coming weeks and months. Collection barrels will be in the Church lobby and items may be dropped off during church office hours (Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays 9:30 - 1:00) or on Sundays.
The CAC Food Pantry is requesting donations of:
Canned meats, rice, pasta, and canned fruits and vegetables, small bottles of cooking oil, shortening, toilet paper, paper towels, small bottles or pods of laundry detergent, and anything that you might consider a special holiday food. There’s an urgent need for: canned tuna, sardines, and cereal.
If you have any questions, please contact Cindi McCollough via email -csbfish@bellsouth.net or cell 770-365-0365.
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FOOD INSECURITY: If you or someone you know in our church community are facing food insecurity because of a decrease or loss in income, please privately contact Jenna Hicks so that we can provide assistance to keep your pantry full. Email jennakhicks@gmail.com or call 404-441-1668.
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MUST MINISTIRES: If you would like to donate and drop off items please CLICK HERE to access a flyer that outlines the most needed items. Monetary donations are very much needed and can be done so online via their website, or send a check in the mail to MUST Ministries, P.O. Box 1717, Marietta, GA 30061.If you have questions please contact Cathy Cortright at cortright13@gmail.com.
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SUBMITTING PRAYER AND CONGREGATIONAL CARE REQUESTS
Due to the fact that we are holding "virtual" church service, and are not able to submit prayer requests, feel free to reach out to Merilyn Dimmit, Congregational Care, via Merilyn@sandyspringscc.org or call her at 770-448-8784 and leave a message. Please indicate if your prayer request is confidential (for Clergy/Elders only or for congregational sharing in our newsletter).
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CONNECT WITH OTHERS
SSCC has subscribed to zoom for anyone who might need it to virtually meet using a video conference method. Only one group can use our account at a time. If you would like your group to use zoom to virtually meet, please contact Amy Frost via email (amy@sandyspringscc.org) to schedule your group on the calendar. We can help you learn how to send an invite to your group.
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Sonia Bratten 11/3
Marion Brown 11/5
Bill Bradford 11/6
Robyn Hicks 11/12
Joanne Burgess 11/16
Dan McBride 11/18
Mary Robeck 11/18
Clint Campbell 11/19
Leslie Lady 11/19
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Hannah Yarber 11/19
Lynn Crowder 11/22
Stuart Michels 11/23
Peter Lochery 11/24
Allen McCahren 11/24
Elin Turner 11/24
Rusty Grant 11/26
Ella Lewis 11/26
Mandy Mooney 11/26
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