IN OBSERVANCE OF INDEPENDANCE DAY, THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, JULY 5th. |
|
A NOTE FROM NATHAN
Of course, as a result, Journalists have created a name for this trend: “The Great Resignation of 2021.” They also say that those paying attention saw this trend coming. People delayed normal job transitions because of the uncertainty created during the pandemic. Others discovered they want to do different kinds of work or work in different ways. Both points are, obviously, well taken.
Although, I suspect something more is going on. The pandemic gave everyone a chance to pause and reconsider every aspect of their lives: their vocation, their marriage, their priorities, their geographical location and, yes, even their community of faith. I’ve certainly been witness to this over the last several months.
As we have gradually been re-opening the church building to in-person activities, I’ve seen more visitors than usual. We've had new people join. Those with whom I have corresponded express the same sentiment of those who have changed jobs – they are looking for something new, something different, a fresh start, a new beginning.
Of course, this means that we have not seen some of our own members as well. Some have already left. Others will leave. Inevitably, whenever a long-term crisis happens in the world, the world changes. People's needs change too. God is always doing something new in each of our individual lives and the life of the church.
As a result, our congregation already no longer looks the same, as we live into the new normal. Let us not, though, shy away from this reality, but rather lean into it. Be hospitable to those who visit worship on Sunday morning. Invite someone to lunch you don’t know. Volunteer to do something you’ve never done before. Let’s experiment with worship, programming and other ministry opportunities. Death and resurrection are central to who we are as people of faith. Let us embrace our story as we live into the future.
If you have ideas, please share them with myself, an Elder or someone on Leadership. When you see a new program or something different on Sunday morning, give it a chance. If we’ve learned nothing else in this last year, it’s that we are all more flexible than we realized. Not to mention, change isn’t always a bad thing. That's what resurrection is all about.
Hope to see you Sunday!
Peace,
Nathan
|
|
Make a Joyful Noise
Summer Sermon Series 2021
For over a year, we did not sing together in worship. We were singing with our families and friends in front of a television or computer screen. We were humming along to the tune, in the sanctuary. We were listening to our leaders sing. Finally, on June 27th, for the first time since March of 2020, we will be able to sing the hymns of our faith, as a congregation and choir, without protocols. What better way to spend the first few Sundays of this gift with a series in worship that highlights your favorites! Therefore, for the last month, we have been compiling these hymns, along with your stories about them, in order that they might be used in worship. Through this series we plan to rediscover how God, among other things, reminds, inspires, challenges and is present through song. We hope you will make plans to be part of this special series at SSCC. Let’s come together and make a joyful noise!
Sunday, July 4, 2021
God Reminds Through Song
Theme Hymn: “In Remembrance of Me”
Matthew 26:26-30
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, July 11, 2021
God Inspires Through Song
Theme Hymn: “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Luke 1:46-56
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, July 18, 2021
God Challenges Through Song
Theme Hymn: “Here I Am”
Deuteronomy 32:1-12, 44-47
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
|
|
To view the service this Sunday on our YouTube page, click here.
|
|
We will have our second JAM meeting on Sunday, July 11 right after the worship service. You can drop your children (preschool-5th) off in Common Ground and head to the Town Hall meeting and cookout!
Our focus for this JAM meeting will be science! We will have some awesome experiments and focus on the story of David and Goliath. Lunch will be provided and pick up is at 1:30.
|
|
JOIN US FOR A TOWN HALL MEETING
On Sunday, July 11, we will hold our Congregational Town Hall Meeting in the sanctuary immediately following service. Leadership will provide updates on our financials and other upcoming programming and opportunities for ministry.
|
|
THEN JOIN US FOR LUNCH...
Right after the meeting is over, please join us in the Whitmire Pavilion for a hot dog cookout lunch prepared by the Torberts. We hope to use a portion of this time together to discuss upcoming Christian Education opportunities at SSCC!
|
|
THANK YOU FROM THE OUTREACH TEAM!
Cindi McCollough and the Outreach Team would like to send out a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who helped assemble hygiene kits for MUST Ministries and school supply filled backpacks for the CAC following worship last Sunday. They couldn't have done it without you!
|
|
THANK YOU PART TWO!
Through the pandemic, our Outreach Team has remembered the community at the Mulberry Apartments in Ellijay. Last week, a small group of SSCC volunteers returned to the apartments where we were first introduced six years ago through The Craddock Center. We were pleased to see the population at the apartment complex has stayed consistent so we enjoyed marking the growth of the campers and rekindling friendships. Most of these kids have known SSCC for well over half their lives! As always the campers were waiting on their apartment balconies as we drove in and quickly ran to help set up activities. This year, the one-day camp theme was Fourth of July. Beads were strung to make keychains and ball caps were decorated in red white and blue. One boy took his hat around and had everyone sign it, then surprised Miss Chris with it as a gift so she would always remember everyone. Each camper received a new book and a large reusable cup (thanks to Jenna and Betsy), and every apartment was given a patriotic door decoration. Thanks to Chris Dalton for planning and preparing the activities, Jim and Marilyn Torbert for preparing, delivering and serving a hot dog lunch, to Cindi McCollough and Nancy McDaniel for assisting in the semi-annual tradition of sharing God's love with these kids at Mulberry.
|
|
COFFEE ANYONE?
We’re looking for someone who is willing to take on a “Coffee Ministry” for SSCC. It’s truly as easy as pushing a button and you don’t even have to know how to make coffee!
Your main qualification must be that you are willing to arrive most Sundays (perfect attendance is not a qualifier) around 8:40 a.m. in order to push said button. After that you are free to go back home, exercise, read the AJC, or meditate before the Sunday School crowd arrives. If you are an Early Bird, this just may be your kind of Ministry. Please call the church office 404-256-2582 if you are interested.
|
|
CAMP CHRISTIAN LETTERS!
If you would like to send a letter to a camper at Camp Christian this summer, the address is 3735 Dennard Hardy Rd., Gordon, GA 31031.
Camps are the following dates: Junior camp - July 12-16 (3rd-5th), Chrysalis camp - July 12-14 (1st-2nd), Genesis camp - July 16-18 (K).
If you would like to know which camp a specific camper is attending, please reach out to Bryant at youth@sandyspringscc.org.
|
|
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT?
Did you know you can download the Breeze app onto your phone and access SSCC Member Directory information right at your fingertips? You can download the app from the app store (for iphones and ipads) by CLICKING HERE. Please call the church office if you have any questions. |
|
PATHFINDERS CLASS - UPDATE!
Join John Mills and the Pathfinders in person every Sunday morning in the Leslie Classroom at 9:00 am. You can also join via Zoom by CLICKING HERE or to join by phone just dial 929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID: 985 6868. The passcode is 831869. For more information please contact John Mills.
(Please note, the Pathfinders will NOT be meeting Sunday, July 4th).
|
|
PRAYER REQUESTS
Susan McCluskey and family request prayers for Bunny and Larry Steinmetz, as Bunny has recently been in the hospital.
Please pray for our members and their families who serve as first responders and health care workers: Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, Dr. Vijay Rathinam, Robyn Hicks and Pete French. Also those serving in the military: Michelle Brown (Navy), daughter 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 grand-daughter, 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!
|
|
DOING MINISTRY DIFFERENTLY - OUTREACH |
|
HELPING THE CAC
CAC Pantry/Thrift Shop Expand to 5 Days,
The Community Assistance Center’s food pantry and thrift shop, Upscale Thrift, will once again be open 5 days a week. Contact Nolan at volunteer@ourcac.org for volunteering at the food pantry and Debbie at Debbie.Olson@ourcac.orf to volunteer at the Thrift Store. Visit CAC’s website for more details
Give Kids Tools for School for the Next School Year!
While the current school year has ended, the Community Assistance Center is already looking ahead to help our local students be prepared to learn come August! Together we can give local children Tools for School!
|
|
MUST MINISTRIES: If you would like to donate and drop off items at Must Ministries 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. |
|
Alexandra Reese July 02
Larry Reese July 06
Tami Brown July 08
Becky Strickland July 09
Corey Lee July 11
Philip Rowell July 11
Alice Villa July 11
Kiera Bass July 13
Linda Whitmire July 13
Dottie Gill July 15
Betty Saygbor July 16
|
|
Lynn McCahren July 17
Bryant McDaniel July 18
Breijanna Dyke July 20
Floyd Hale July 21
Karla Worley July 21
Bailey Mooney July 22
Patty French July 23
Cooper Gibson July 25
Alan Burgess July 30
Tyler Brown July 31
Donna Lassiter July 31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
