A NOTE FROM NATHAN
Reconnect. That has been the theme of 2021 for Sandy Springs Christian Church. So far, we have been doing plenty. We began the year with a series of zoom check-ins, which we used to touch base with those whom we had not seen for some time. We enjoyed virtual classes, worship services and other opportunities for reflection during Lent and Holy Week. We launched a new church software program, Breeze, which we are hoping you will sign into and utilize to stay connected to our ministry.
We are offering a regular podcast which is aimed at deepening our spirituality and keeping us informed about things happening within the life of the church. We have also been taking incremental steps toward loosening safety protocols for worship, including increasing the number in the sanctuary to 100, congregational singing and providing nursery care for parents and their children, all of which make it easier for us to reconnect to one another and to God.
As people become vaccinated and/or feel safe to come back to in-person activities at church, I am seeing so many of you for the first time, face to face, in over a year. Easter worship brought tears to my eyes, as we were able to engage in practices unseen since the beginning of 2020 like singing, baptisms and child dedications in the sanctuary. In this Easter season, we are witnessing new life all around us, as we reconnect to not only SSCC, but also to so many aspects of our lives that were upended over the last year.
I encourage you, as you become comfortable, to consider becoming more regular in your participation within the life of our congregation. This may not be easy. As we emerge from this time and reprioritize our lives, we will inevitably be faced with difficult choices. I hope reconnecting to SSCC is one of those priorities.
I pray you will consider being in-person, in worship, more regularly. Invite friends and family members to attend with you. Many are looking for and making decisions about their new norm, which includes how/where they practice their faith. Stay up-to-date through our newsletter and other communications. Reach out to someone you have missed or have not heard from in some time. As new opportunities emerge for connection, take advantage of them both for your own spiritual growth, as well as the spiritual vitality of SSCC.
Things certainly will never be the same. That is for sure. In some ways, though, perhaps that’s not all bad. In fact, I believe we have an opportunity – to co-create, with God, a future church that builds on our strengths, while letting go of those things that kept us from living into our future. As we continue to live into that future, I encourage you to reflect on how you might be part of making it possible.
There is no better place to start than in worship this Sunday, in person or via livestream, as we begin a new sermon series in worship we are calling, I am. I look forward to seeing many of you then!
Peace,
Nathan
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I Am
A Sermon Series for Eastertide
I am ____. How would you fill in the blank these days? Tired? Overwhelmed? Hope-filled? Optimistic? Jesus fills it in several different ways throughout the gospel of John. "Light." "Bread of Life." "The way, the truth, and the life." On the one hand, on any given day, we might fill in the blank differently. On the other hand, every day, we fill in the blank the same. After all, if Jesus is _____, then we are always _____. Let’s fill in the blanks together during worship as we explore an Easter sermon series we are calling, “I am.”
April 25, 2021
Gate
John 10:1-10
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 2, 2021
Shepherd
John 10:11-18
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 9, 2021
Vine
John 15:1-8
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 16, 2021
Bread
John 6:35-51
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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To view the service this Sunday on our YouTube page, click here.
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UPCOMING SERMON SERIES ON HYMNS
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HYMN?
Obviously, one of the things we have missed most the last year has been singing our songs of faith together in worship. Finally, we are singing hymns again in person! In order to celebrate this gift of practicing our faith, Nathan is going to preach a sermon series this summer on the gift of song. He and the staff would like to incorporate many of your favorite hymns and the stories behind them in worship during that season. Please take a moment to click on the button below and share your favorite hymns. If you are willing, please also share stories or reasons for which you enjoy them. Look to the newsletter for more information about this upcoming series!
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TOWN HALL MEETING NOTICE
Per our constitution and By-Laws, Sandy Springs Christian Church is to have "regular" Town Hall gatherings to discuss upcoming ministry opportunities, new or revised policies, and other items of interest. To this end, Leadership is planning a Town Hall meeting this Sunday, April 25th, which will be held in the sanctuary immediately following service. We will also livestream the meeting on our YouTube page. In addition, you may participate via ZOOM by clicking the button below.
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STAY IN TOUCH WITH SSCC MEMBERS
This past Monday, SSCC Members should have received an email invitation to sign up for our new Church Member software called Breeze. Please remember to sign up, log in and verify your profile information in the system. It's a great new way to keep up with your SSCC Family!
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PATHFINDERS CLASS MEETING VIRTUALLY
Join John Mills and the Pathfinders for Zoom discussions every Monday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. You can CLICK HERE to join the video call each week, or you can call in 929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID: 985 6868. The passcode is 831869. For more information please contact John Mills. |
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ANOTHER SSCC GRANDBABY!
Congratulations to the Ralph and Agnes Bowlin on the arrival of their grandchild, Brayden, born April 20th at 8:19 am. weighing 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 1/4" long. The proud parents are Reshika and Aaron Landry.
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WELCOME TO THE SSCC FAMILY!
We are happy to announce that Lauren and Josh Jones welcomed their son, Nolan Everett into the world on April 10th at 6:23 pm. He weighed in at 10 lbs. and 1 oz. and is 21 and 1/2 inches long.
Proud SSCC Grandparents are Milt and Janis Hill.
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NEW CAC CEO
Sunday May 2nd we have the honor of meeting the new CEO of the CAC. Frances Horton will introduce himself to the congregation during worship and give us an update on the CAC. Let's give him a warm SSCC welcome!
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VISITOR LUNCH
If you have been visiting Sandy Springs Christian Church we hope that you have found your time with us meaningful and that you are beginning to feel a sense of belonging. Our Care and Connect team will host a special “Intro to Sandy Springs Christian Church” luncheon on Sunday, May 16th, in the Whitmire Pavilion following worship.
This is an opportunity to learn more about the ministry of Sandy Springs Christian Church, to meet some of our leadership and to ask any questions you might have. The luncheon will be relaxed and informal. If you are considering church membership, want to become more involved or are simply interested in learning more about SSCC, this is a great opportunity.
Boxed lunches will be provided at no cost to your family. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Janis Hill at janishill@comcast.net.
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PRAYER REQUESTS AND THANKS
Please pray for Cordelia and Philip Rowell. They traveled to Tallahassee Florida to see her brother, William Sweat who was extremely ill and passed away peacefully Tuesday morning.
Claire Roper requests prayers for Geoff and Julia Roper whose friend, Susan, was hit by a car in the Grant Park area and was hospitalized.
Please pray for Al Burgess' good friend, Rob Taylor, who is facing surgery for a non-cancerous mass on his brain. He has been suffering from seizures and memory loss.
Donna Lassiter says, "Thanks for all the prayers and calls" while she is in the hospital undergoing tests.
Please pray for our members and their families who serve as first responders and health care workers: Dr. Tim Helton, Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, Dr. Vijay Rathinam, Robyn Hicks 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), Linda Whitmire's granddaughter, Hayleigh Whitmire (Army) and Kathy Woodworth's step grandson Parker Mansel (Marines). If we are missing someone, please let us know so that we can include their name in our weekly prayers.
If you have any prayer requests or would like to reach out to Teddy Ivey, our Director of Congregational Care, please email him at Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.
JOIN SSCC!
You can join SSCC by a simple affirmation of faith! If you are attending virtually, just let us know you would like to join!
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DOING MINISTRY DIFFERENTLY |
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GOLF TOURNAMENT TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CAC OFFICE
Join us for a special golf tournament on May 5 to support the construction of Community Assistance Center’s new branch office in Sandy Springs! The Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGCGA) Young Leadership Program’s 22nd Annual Golf Classic will take place at two golf clubs in Peachtree City. This year, 100% of proceeds will be used on YLP’s interior build-out CAC’s new branch office in south Sandy Springs on Northwood Drive! Registration information is available on CAC’s website at www.ourcac.org.
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HELPING THE CAC
Pease CLICK HERE for updated information from the CAC regarding:
- CAC Thrift Shop Expanded Hours/Volunteers Needed
- Golf Tourney to Support Construction of New CAC Office
- Fulton County Honors Tamara Carrera
- Helping Families Facing Eviction
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FOOD INSECURITY: If you or someone you know in our church community is facing food insecurity because of a decrease or loss in income, please privately contact Jenna Hicks so that we can provide assistance to keep their 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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Carol Armstrong April 25
Ryan Driemeyer April 25
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Michaela Mason April 27
Donovan Frost April 29
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