A NOTE FROM PASTOR NATHAN AND CINDY BROWN, PERSONNEL CHAIR

Dear SSCC,

For the last 10 years we have been blessed by the ministry of Bryant and Katie Gibson with our children and youth. They have loved our SSCC kids, nurtured them in faith, and led a meaningful program for the young people of SSCC. By now you have read that while they are not leaving, there are some transitions taking place with our children’s ministry. Bryant will continue to lead our middle-school and high-school aged youth. However, Bryant and Katie will be transitioning out of their role of leading our children’s ministry.

In the time they have been at SSCC, their ministry has touched the lives of many families, not only at SSCC, but throughout the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia. They have been faithful leaders in our Region, directing and counseling at Camp Christian, participating in and leading children’s and youth regional programming, all while keeping our young people connected to both the local congregation and the wider denomination. We are grateful for the way in which they have generously given their lives to the young people of SSCC and our Region. We look forward to the ongoing ways they will serve the families of SSCC and the new ways in which they may be in ministry during this next chapter.

On Sunday, May 15^th we will recognize Katie for her ministry at SSCC during worship. Following worship, we will have a reception in the centrum for Katie and her family. J.A.M. will follow for the kids. (If you would like to help and bring items for the reception, CLICK HERE.)

We would like to present a love gift to Katie in gratitude for her service to SSCC. If you’d like to contribute to this gift you may send a check to SSCC or make a contribution online. Make sure to notate your gift, “Katie Gibson Love Gift.” We will present this gift to Katie on the 15^th.

We are already in the process of revising the ministry description for the Director of Children’s ministry position and will be posting it to local seminaries and church networks soon. We will keep you posted on our progress. Bryant and Katie have graciously agreed to continue leading our children’s program during this transition. Please keep us in your prayers as we search for whom God is calling to lead our Children’s ministry into the future.

Thank you, SSCC, for your ongoing flexibility and resilience. More than anything, thank you for your deep commitment to God and our shared ministry at SSCC. We hope to see you on the 15^th for a special day.

Peace,

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown           Cindy Brown

Senior Minister                          Personnel, Chair

IMPORTANT NOTE RE: BOOK STUDY

We had some technical difficulties with our sign up document, which has now been fixed. However, we did not capture the names of the first 14 people that signed up. WE ARE ASKING ANYONE WHO SIGNED UP PRIOR TO THIS MORNING TO RE-SIGN UP FOR THE STUDY AND INDICATE YOUR DATE/TIME PREFERENCE.

We will take care of any duplicate entries.

Please accept our sincere apologies.

Full article about the study is below.

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE

If you have something for publishing in the newsletter next week, please submit it via email to: amy@sandyspringscc.org

by noon on Thursdays.

NEW SERMON SERIES

In the lectionary readings, during the weeks following Easter, we encounter some extraordinary stories. The resurrected Jesus reveals himself to Thomas and the Disciples. Paul has his "Damascus Road Experience." Peter raises someone from the dead. During the Easter season we encounter several miraculous stories of new life. In the background of these stories, however, there are some seemingly ordinary people who often get overlooked. While we might not always notice them, their roles are essential in making new life possible. For the remainder of this Eastertide, let’s spend some time reflecting on how being ordinary can sometimes make possible the extraordinary.

May 8, 2022

Tabitha

Acts 9:36-43

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

May 15, 2022

Judas

John 13:1-35

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

May 22, 2022

Lydia

Acts 16:9-15

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

SSCC NOTEABLES

CONTRATULATIONS PASTOR NATHAN!

Our very own Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown was elected to the Christian Church Foundation Board of Directors.

UPCOMING STUDY – A HOUSE UNITED

Coming soon, we will be studying the book “A House United” by Allen Hilton. As you know, Hilton has led SSCC in two different Courageous Conversation events over the last two years. His work is aimed at helping churches witness to the world that we can have conversations about challenging topics and still love one another, despite our differences. In preparation for Allen’s return, we would like to spend time in small groups, in different locations and at different times, reconnecting with one another, while engaging this book

We will have books available at the church for $16.00 each which includes shipping and tax. We are trying to create small groups based on day/time preferences so please click on the link below to select yours.

GRIEF SHARE SUPPPORT GROUP

GRIEF. It is part of all our lives. It comes with every goodbye and every anticipation of goodbye when one we love is moving toward their life's close. It comes in the loss of our identity and the necessity of building another identity: daughter to orphan; married to single, parent to the most enduring of all losses with the loss of a child. There are many in our Sandy Springs family and extended family of friends whom this describes. Sharing with others experiencing their own grief and understanding the grieving process, in time eases the anguish of grief and enables the grieving person to more with greater confidence into their changed lives. Grief isn't easy but it is that gift that allows us to move into the life ahead in stronger ways.

It you are experiencing grief, no matter what the loss that your journey entails, you are invited to participate in a new grief support group. We will meet in Common Ground at the church, twice monthly, on the first and third Wednesdays, 10:00 -11:30 AM. Rev. Linda Whitmire will facilitate. If you are unable to participate at that time but feel you need grief support, contact Linda or Amy Frost (at the church office).  

MEMORIAL SERVICE

There will be a memorial service held at SSCC on May 15 at 4:00 pm for Judi Chimera, Tony Chimera's mom, who passed away last week. 

Please keep the Chimera family in your prayers.

FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY...

Are you looking for a way to commemorate/celebrate something or someone? Would you like to express your love or gratitude in a special way? AND beautify your church and our livestream at the same time? Well, we have just the thing!

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL REUNION

We’ve missed you! Please mark your calendars for an Adult Sunday School Reunion to be held Saturday, May 21st at 5 p.m. at the Hill residence. This is open to all adults who are or have been active in an adult Sunday School class in the past few years, particularly pre-Covid! Please RSVP to Janis hill by text or phone: 770-926-0131 and tell her what you will bring. The hosts will provide the meat main dish. Salads, sides, and desserts are needed. Thank you!

PLEASE JOIN US!

This week we will finish our short two week series called, "Wait, what?! That's in the Bible?!" We will look at some absolutely crazy biblical lessons that don't often get talked about and try to figure out what we can still learn from these odd stories. Come and have some fun reading these unusual tales.

CURRENT STUDY

In Pathfinders for the next few weeks we will be studying the book "What Is the Bible?" by Rob Bell. In this book, Bell argues that an ancient library of poems, letters, and stories (i.e., the Bible) can transform the way you think and feel about everything, if only you will learn how to read it.

PRAYER REQUESTS

JOYS AND PRAYER REQUESTS

Milt Hill would like to share the joyful news of the marriage of his daughter Lynne Vanahill to Ed Auer. The two were married in Colorado last week. Lynne is currently the Associate Director of International Student Services at the University of Kansas and Dr. Auer is an Associate Research Professor at George Washington University and is able to work remotely from Lawrence. May we share in the Hill's joy!

John Dalton sends his best to the entire congregation. He would certainly appreciate cards sent to his home address: 4975 Exodus Ct. Marietta, GA 30062.

Bob Hicks will have hip surgery on May 9th. Please pray for a successful procedure and a smooth recovery.

Please pray for John Gilmore as he is currently at North Fulton Hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis.  He is improving but still requests prayers from this community.

Prayers are requested for Barb Duren. She was hospitalized briefly and underwent tests after not feeling well this week.  She is now home and improving each day.

Please pray for Mary Robeck's niece, Dee Dee Bentley and her husband Jules. Jules had heart surgery on Friday April 15th. Dee Dee is also scheduled for major surgery in May.

Pray for Jim Torbert as he continues successful rehab at home. Feel free to send cards to the house with well wishes.

Please continue to pray for Bryant Hodgson as he continues rehab. Prayers for recovery and encouragement for good spirits are needed.

CLICK HERE to see the list of our first responders and military members who we continue to pray for.

If you have any prayer requests or joys to share, please contact Teddy Ivey, Director of Congregational Care via email: Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.

Jo Ann Baright May 05

Nancy McDaniel May 06

Darby Peterson May 07

Frances Grant May 08

Andrew Michels May 09

Stacie Booker May 10

Lauren Jones May 10

Lawrence Steinmetz May 10

Garrett Michels May 12

Monica McGahee May 13

Casey Evans May 16

Jim Armstrong May 17

Steve Butz May 17

Anslie Worley May 21

Owen Janeway May 22

Ruth Michels May 23

Susan McCluskey May 25

Maisie Worley May 26

Michelle Brown Kahn May 30

Josie Worley May 31