In preparation for celebrating our 60^th anniversary this Sunday during worship, I recently spent some time re-reading the history of Sandy Springs Christian Church. It was written 10 years ago, on the occasion of the church’s 50^th anniversary. I remember reading it for the first time, during the search and call process, while we were discerning our call to SSCC. At the time, several things stood out to me.

While we may not be able to celebrate in the way we had intended this year, we nevertheless are planning a meaningful worship experience, which will include several voices from the past. Whether you choose to worship with us in person or virtually, you will be able to enjoy hearing the stories of our history, seeing some familiar faces and remembering the last 60 years of ministry. I look forward to bringing the message, “Why Church?,” inspired by the sermon Rev. Herb Leslie preached at the 50^th anniversary celebration. If you choose to come in person, make sure and park in the parking lot on the side of the sanctuary in which you prefer sitting.

This Sunday, November 8th we will celebrate SSCC's 60th Anniversary. Whether you attend in person or online, we encourage you to attend for what we hope proves to be a very special, meaningful worship experience. Worship will include messages from current congregants, previous minsters and perhaps even some ghosts of the past. If you do plan to attend in person, make sure to park on the side of the sanctuary in which you prefer sitting. Information about worship for our Anniversary Sunday is below.

Acts 2:1-13

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.

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.

November 14 and 15, 2020

As you know, part of our visioning plan calls us to have a courageous conversation event, annually, over the next three years, to help us, as church, model for the world how to have conversation about difficult topics and remain one community. Dr. Allen Hilton, author of "A House United," will be leading us in this virtual endeavor.

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.

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).

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, we will observe our annual Thanksgiving Sunday. Let us come together and give thanks for the many blessings of this last year, despite the challenges we have faced!

On October 26th we sent out the Stewardship Packet and information via email. In addition, we mailed a few to those who requested them.

If you need a physical packet, please email Amy@sandyspringscc.org. Otherwise please open your email and search for an email titled "Stewardship Campaign 2021" from Nathan's email address, review the documents and video and remember to submit your Estimate of Giving form indicating your pledge for next year.

If you have any questions, you can email Kathryn Hartman at accounting@sandyspringscc.org.

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, 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, and Becky Chimera.

On Sunday, November 1st, we welcomed William Edward Yarber into the world at 9:59 pm at 8.7 lbs. and 21 inches long.

The proud parents are staff member, Hannah Yarber and her husband Richie.

Sandy Springs Christian Church is excited to partner with Families First to provide Christmas gifts to a very special and deserving family this year. Please use the "Sign-Up Genius" link below to sign-up to provide specific items (you may sign-up for as many items as you would like). Items may be dropped off in the church lobby at our Sunday Services in November or at the church office on Tues/Wed/Thurs from 9:30 am - 1:00pm throughout November.  Please gift wrap and label each item with the description of the family member (For example: Girl - Age 10). All items need to be received by December 1st.

While gathering up our aluminum can tabs to donate to Ronald McDonald house we found a very pretty Mickey Mouse Earring. It is a black silhouette of Micky with small diamond colored rhinestones. (See picture to left). Please contact the church office to claim it.

HELPING THE CAC: The CAC has seen increased requests for financial assistance and food requests in 2020. Covid 19 has affected many CAC clients and their families through layoffs, limited work hours and children being schooled at home. 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. 

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.

Another opportunity to assist the CAC in the coming weeks is to volunteer at the Food Pantry or with food distribution. CLICK HERE to sign up to help for Thanksgiving.

________________________

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. 

________________________

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.

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).

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.