A NOTE FROM TEDDY
Each week when we pray together during the pastoral prayer, we pause to share our joys and concerns aloud or in our hearts. Normally, there may be a handful of concerns voiced before God and one another. If you listen closely enough, you can almost pick out individual names. However, something was different this week. When the time came to voice our concerns, there was a much larger chorus of voices speaking the names of those that need care, love, and support. There was certainly no way to pick out individual names or voices. While the optimist in me hopes this simply means there are more joys in our community, the realist in me knows that is not likely the case.
Prayer concerns are way up at SSCC. Individuals within our church community and the church as a whole have gone through a lot lately. Multiple deaths, friends and family taken to local hospitals, and a myriad of other concerns causing stress among our friends. Unfortunately, this spike hits at the same time hospitals, doctor’s offices, and assisted living facilities begin to restrict visitations once again. How are we as a loving community going to support one another through this time when often we cannot share the same space? Here are a few ideas and I’d love to hear yours as well.
First, I would like to ask each member to make a promise. Each week when you receive the newsletter, scroll down first to the prayer concerns. I encourage us to commit ourselves to actively saying these names to God each and every week. I am certain many are doing this already, but especially when we cannot visit those in healthcare facilities, I’m sure it would be comforting for all who ask for prayers to be 100% certain that all in this community are speaking their name in prayer.
Second, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have a concern you would like shared. Concerns can be shared with clergy only, clergy and elders, or the entire congregation in the newsletter. My email and phone number are below. I answer my phone (mostly) any hour of the day or night. While I may not be able to go into hospitals, we can certainly pray together over the phone, Facetime, or I can help you get connected with spiritual care staff that can be found in most of our local hospitals and hospice care facilities.
Third, know that you are loved. It hurts to not be able to be present with you as often as we’d like, especially in times of need. However, please know that even when we as staff and lay persons cannot be with you in person, you are loved more than you know. Distance cannot change this fact. In the now famous words of John Mills, I love you and God loves you too.
Teddy Ivey
Director of Congregational Care
(706)-973-7607
Teddy@sandyspringscc.org
Peace,
Teddy
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Back to the Basics
The Olympics are back, along with concerts, family reunions and theater productions. We are coming together, again, in person. It’s been too long. As with beginning anything anew, it’s good practice to go back to the basics – to remember the reasons for which we are part of the groups and gatherings we attend. For people of faith, it’s a perfect time to refresh ourselves on the fundamentals of our faith. What are the basics of being church? Perhaps we can gain some insight from many of the “firsts” in scripture. What did Jesus do first after the resurrection? And what does Isaiah say to do first, to the people Israel? As we kickoff in-person programming once again at SSCC, let’s spend a few weeks reflecting on the “firsts” of being a community of faith.
August 15, 2021
Take Care
Genesis 1:26-31
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
August 22, 2021
Staying Power
Luke 24:36-49
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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August 29, 2021
Whoever Welcomes a Child
(TDS Sunday)
Mark 9:30-37
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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WELCOME TO THE WORLD!
UPDATE: Riley has Hirschsprungs Disease, which is what Dianna, his Mom, had as a baby and child. He had surgery Wednesday and all seemed to go well. He will remain at CHOA Scottish Rite for his recovery. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
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Dottie Gill's grandson, Riley Thomas Paul Higgins came into this world at 7:39 pm on August 3rd, weighing 9 lbs 11 oz.
The proud parents are Dianna and Phillip Higgins and Elizabeth Adrion is now an Aunt!
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REMEMBERING MARLENE RHINE
Please join us in sending condolences to the family of Marlene Rhine, who passed away on August 3, 2021.
Visitation for families and friends will be held on Sunday, August 22nd 2021 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Woodstock Funeral Home located at 8855 Main St, Woodstock, GA 30188. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 22nd 2021 at 3:00 PM at the same location.
Her daughter said that Marlene and her family joined SSCC almost 50 years ago and Marlene always enjoyed spending time with her SSCC family and volunteering where she could.
If you would like to send a card to her daughter, Linda Parrott, her address is 251 Bennett Farms Trail, Acworth, GA 30102
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Marlene's memory to SSCC.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP
In August, we began having a worship leader for our service each week. The worship leader leads a call to worship, reads scripture, offers the call to giving and welcomes visitors. All the words are scripted for you, so there is nothing to prepare. We just need individuals willing to serve as worship leaders each week. Having one worship leader each week will help the staff plan worship, give uniformity to the worship experience and give individuals who enjoy leading worship the opportunity to sign up well in advance. If you'd like to sign up to be a worship leader, please click on the link below. You may sign up for a maximum of two Sundays, for now. Those who enjoy leading communion, offering pastoral prayers and preaching will continue to be recruited as they have been. If you have any questions, please reach out to the chair of Worship, Arts and Education, Stuart Michels, or Pastor Nathan.
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COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION
If you haven't already, make sure to block your calendars on September 11-12, 2021 for this year's Courageous Conversation weekend. The purpose of this event is to help promote healthy and productive conversation about some of the difficult issues facing our community, nation and world today.
We are excited to welcome Allen Hilton back to lead the event. If you missed the event with Allen last year, you can access both the sermon he preached during worship and the first session of the event he led on our YouTube page. Just go to the archive and look to worship on November 15, 2020 and the video posted December 3, 2020.
Below is a short video that was played during worship from Leslie Lady about the event. We hope you will make plans to join us!
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WE ARE HAVING A TALENT SHOW!
Saturday, October 16th @ 5:00 PM
“Talent? Great idea, but I don’t sing, I can’t play an instrument...Wish I could help you but, sorry, you really don’t want me!” Yes, we do want YOU! and we are issuing a challenge in support of a great cause: the Chaplaincy program at Campbell-Stone! So, think outside the music-box, think fun, think creatively. Think “nothing ventured, nothing gained!“
Then, think not only of “performance” talents but also about “services” you could perform: dog-sitting, car-washing, cooking, photography, knitting. Chances are, all of us can contribute an infinite number of services...after all we live in a service economy—your talent may be how you make a living or something you do for fun or extra income.
This Talent Show will be a lot like Talent Shows you may have participated in or been an
audience for in the past— with one exception. This show will also include an auction of
services! An auction is a performance in and of itself, right?
We all know the more you put into something the more you get out of it! This is an opportunity for some lasting dividends in fun, friendship (do something with a friend or a group), and relaxation! AND you have time (two months) to figure out how YOU can make a contribution!
Thank you! We are counting on YOU! It will only be as fun and financially successful as we make it. So assignments one and two: Reserve the date and time: October 16th at 5:00 pm then think creatively “How can I contribute?” More information to follow.
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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. |
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Dottie's new grandson, Riley, will be having surgery. Please pray for him, Dianna and Phillip.
Prayers are requested for Lolly Ross who is in the hospital.
The Evans family requests prayers for Brandi's father, Sam Williams, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and will need to go through radiation treatments.
John and Mary Robeck request prayers for all of the students on John's school bus.
Carmen Santiago asks for prayers for her mother, Maria, who is in a great deal of pain, so she can get well soon and feel better.
Prayers for Eric Kusmierz, Amy Frost's nephew, and his mom, Laura Baker, who are both hospitalized.
Milt Hill requests prayers for Carol Retger who entered hospice this past Monday.
Please pray for Sabrina Hulse who lost her husband last week, and her family. She is a friend and neighbor of Jim and Suzanne Ruehman.
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), Dalton Brown (Army) and Caleb (Marines), granddaughter, grandson and great grandson of Barb Duren. 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!
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PATHFINDERS CLASS
Whether you have questions, answers, both, or neither you can expect wide-ranging information, discussion, and support in the Path Finders’ class. Your ideas, experiences, and knowledge are all welcome. And, if you feel that you don’t have any ideas, experiences, or knowledge you’ll find more than you can imagine as part of this community. Check out our topic each week in the newsletter and plan to join us.
Join John Mills and the Pathfinders in person every Sunday morning in Common Ground 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.
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MODERN DISCIPLES
Our name, Modern Disciples, accurately reflects our mission to strive to live Christ-centered lives in this ever-changing modern world. We welcome you to visit our class no matter your age, your marital status or family make-up. If you are seeking to grow in your walk with Christ in a fun, casual setting, please consider joining us.
We meet in the Conference Room each Sunday at 9:00 AM and use video series, book discussions and service projects to grow spiritually, connect with one another and to serve others.
On August 8th, we started a new study called, "The Difficult Words of Jesus," based on the new book by Dr. Amy Jill Levine. You can learn more about the study by clicking the button below.
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KID'S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
Every Sunday at 9:00 am, kids age Preschool - 2nd grade will meet in the Leslie Classroom upstairs. Kids ages 3rd through 5th grade will meet downstairs in room 120.
They follow a new "Whirl" curriculum which includes games, lessons, arts and crafts and Bible study. The kids will have fun and learn all at the same time.
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HELPING THE CAC
CAC Pantry/Thrift Shop Expands 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.org to volunteer at the Thrift Store. Visit CAC’s website for more details.
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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. |
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Amy Frost August 15
Zachary Chimera August 16
Benay Gunby August 16
Aubrey Norman August 16
Jim Ruehman August 16
Jim Bickelhaupt August 19
Walt Michels August 19
Andy Torbert August 19
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Kimberly French August 23
Suzanne Ruehman August 23
Brooks Torbert August 24
Lisa Berger-Gilmore August 25
Barbara Duren August 25
Maggie Driemeyer August 26
Sheri Mason August 27
Courtney Strickland August 28
Jay Donnelly August 30
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