So, you can imagine I was thrilled when someone recently shared some words are helping me process this time. Sam Wells, in a recent Christian Century article, was writing about the words he turns to in times of grief and distress. Several years ago, he was asked by a group of people what he’d like inscribed on his tombstone. Without thinking, the words came out: “If it can’t be happy, make it beautiful.”

About these words he writes, “Notice those words don’t say, ‘If it can’t be good.’ Beauty isn’t an alternative to goodness; it isn’t a distraction from depth, seriousness, honesty, or integrity. Nor do they say, ‘Make it pretty.’ Making it beautiful is about realizing we’re usually operating on a mundane level, where things will seldom make sense and where most things are fragile and contingent. In the face of dismay, the best approach is to go up a level, to a realm of fittingness, recalibrated priorities, and God’s kingdom. But making it beautiful also addresses the powerlessness at the heart of grief. There is, it turns out, something you can do, and that is to take the wisdom, grace, or soul of what’s been lost and portray its transcendent quality in word, deed, or collective gesture.”

To view the bulletin for this Sunday, click here.

To view the livestream on our YouTube page, click here.

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JOIN SSCC! 

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.

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 led by Pastor Nathan. Come and feel God's love and healing.

Our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve service will look a little different this year. We are planning an outdoor service on Thursday, December 24^th at 6:00 PM. The service will take place on the the Abernathy side of the building. We hope it to be a beautiful candlelight celebration of the birth of Jesus that will be safe for everyone. 

As a follow up to our Courageous Conversation Weekend held last month, we finally have the video session from Saturday for you to watch, if you missed it. Allen was kind enough to record the content and send to us for our use. We hope you will take some time to watch it and learn more about our Vision at SSCC, to be a congregation that embodies and models more courageous conversation for the world!

If you would like to contribute to this effort, please place your gift in the offering plate, drop it by or mail it to the church, or donate online. Be sure to indicate that the funds donated should be directed “Staff Christmas.” Please submit your contributions by Tuesday, December 15^th so that gifts can be distributed to the staff on Sunday, December 20^th, just in time for Christmas.

Dare we imagine a new world? In this new daily devotional for the four weeks of Advent, Terri Hord Owens, leader of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, delves into the Advent lectionary texts to reflect on God’s vision for the world and how we might find the courage to imagine, the permission to change, and the freedom to fear no more. 

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The Christmas Offering will be taken up December 13th and 20th which supports regional ministries. In 32 regions across the United States and Canada, ministers are nurtured and congregations are provided opportunities for work and worship. Often recognized for the ministries of camps and conferences, regions also play a critical role in the preparation and authorization of ministerial ordination. Both are key to church leadership and development. Regions partner with congregations to support the work required to call a new minister.

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.

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. 

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.

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.