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A NOTE FROM NATHAN
Just when we thought it was over, on Wednesday we learned we have four more weeks. I’m talking about political ads, of course. I know we were all ready for this election season to be final. Unfortunately, in Georgia, the results are such that, for now, the election season will carry on.
Given those circumstances, I would offer a few suggestions to help get us through – not just the next few weeks, but the divisive times in which we live, in general. As we continue to move toward becoming a House United Church, working with Allen Hilton on growing in our understanding of one another, despite our differences, there are things we can do as people of faith to help us weather this time.
First and foremost, remember that politics cannot ultimately save us. Politics and our politicians are finite. The decisions we and they make are critical, for sure. In the end, however, politicians and their positions come and go, different parties will take power and lose power, and, as John writes in Revelation, “the former things will pass away.” God’s love, on the other hand, is infinite and eternal. As Christians, above all else, we are called to focus on sharing that love, regardless of our politics.
Second, and similarly, Genesis reminds us that we are all created in the image of God. This means that no matter how your friend, family member, or fellow Christian votes, they are not your enemy, but your neighbor. I wonder what the world might look like if we assumed the best about one another, first, rather than the worst. We are all God’s people. As such, we are called to love one another, despite our differences.
Finally, have faith that our world is, ultimately, in God’s hands. No matter what decisions we might make here on earth, we believe in a God who has the power to bring life out of death. We have hope that no matter how bad we might mess things up on earth, God can still use us and those circumstances to redeem and save the world. Don’t forget that we are, above all else, a people who claim the Easter story as our own.
Thank you, Sandy Springs Christian Church, for being a congregation who models for the world how to be unified in Christ, even in our diversity. May we continue to live this ministry, not only these next four weeks, but in perpetuity, as we strive to embody the prayer Jesus prayed: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.”
Peace,
Nathan
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THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED!
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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.
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This Sunday, November 13th, we will observe All Saints Sunday. This is our annual recognition of those members of our congregation who have died in the past year. We want to remember the deceased and the many ways in which they touched our lives.
Our records indicate that we will recognize and remember the following members/Saints during the service this year: Richard Allen, Barbara Duren, Pat Emerson, Bryant Hodgson, Walt Michels and Frances (Bunny) Steinmetz.
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Sunday, November 13, 2022
Ghost Adventures
John 11:32-44
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
Next Sunday we will celebrate our annual Thanksgiving Sunday. This is an opportunity to give God thanks for all that we have been given and to celebrate our ministry in the last year. Let us come together and give thanks to God for the ongoing ministry of Sandy Springs Christian Church!
Free Bread
John 6:35-51
Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown
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COMMUNITY WIDE SUNDAY SCHOOL | |
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We will wrap up the series starting at 9:00 am this Sunday, Nov. 13th in Dunlap Hall.
November 13 – For All the Saints: Celebrating the Life of Your Loved One (Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown)
Please note: if you miss a session, please email amy@sandyspringscc.org and she will email you a link to the video recordings.
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Signs
A Sermon Series for the Season of Advent
We follow signs every day, whether we realize it or not: traffic signs, billboards, posted instructions. If they are clear, signs can help point the way. Unfortunately, some signs are obscured. Just read your daily horoscope, as an example. The season of Advent is full of signs. Some are obvious. Some, less so. All of them, though, lead us to “the reason for the season.” Let us journey to the Christ Child together, as we attempt, along the way, to look for and follow the signs.
Sunday, November 27th, 2022 (Hanging of the Greens)
The Symbols of the Season
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Written in the Stars
Matthew 24:29-44
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Prophets to Point the Way
Matthew 3:1-12
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, December 18, 2022
One Song
Luke 1:46-56
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, December 24, 2022 (Christmas Eve)
A Light in the Darkness
John 1:1-14
Sunday, December 25, 2022 (Christmas Day)
The Manger Full of Hay
Luke 2:1-14
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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Join us for our annual Hanging of the Green service, as we prepare our sanctuary for the Christmas season. The service will take place on Sunday, November 27th during the normal worship hour at 10:15 AM. We look forward to sharing in this special holiday tradition with you and yours!
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SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENT!
Join us for a fun-filled evening on Sunday, December 11th. At 5:30 pm we will have a special all-church Christmas Dinner, followed a performance by our children and youth of, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The event will take place in Dunlap Hall and dinner will be prepared by the famous Chefs Torbert and their wonderful team. We hope to have a special visitor that night as well! Mark your calendars now!
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BLUE CHRISTMAS
If the Christmas season brings you some sadness instead of joy, we will have a Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 21st at 5:30 pm lead by Rev. Teddy Ivey. Come and feel God's love and healing.
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5:30 PM
Traditional Candlelight
Christmas Eve Service
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7:30 PM
And intimate service of singing and lighting candles
in the Whitmire Pavilion
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Sunday, December 25, 2022 (Christmas Day)
A Virtual Worship Experience
(No In-Person Worship on Christmas Day)
The Manger Full of Hay
Luke 2:1-14
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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MAKE A CHILD'S HOLIDAY SPECIAL!
Make a child's holiday special - participate in the Holiday Adopt-A-Family program.
You can help a local family in need have a happier holiday season.
We have been asked to reach a combined total of $100 worth of gifts per child, pre tax. You may sign up to purchase a gift with values from $10 to $70. If you find a gift at a lower price or on sale, please supplement with other age appropriate gifts to reach the total of the gift you sponsored. For more details click the button below to to review the children's wish lists and purchase your gift.
Bring your unwrapped gifts with receipts, each identified with the child's unique number to the church no later than Nov. 27th, if not before.
Questions? Contact Kendra Plotkin.
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INSPIRITUS UPDATE:
Inspiritus, our refugee agency partner, is conducting a drive called Hope Tree 2022 to collect Walmart and Visa gift cards as well as new winter coats for refugees and immigrants who are newly arrived and needing a coat for their first winter in the US.
Inspiritus Family Update: A small team of volunteers continues to support Susan, and her 7 month old baby. Please click on the link below for the entire update on the family and for important links on how you can help with the Hope Tree.
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SSCC STAFFING THE CAC
The CAC is in need of volunteers on Saturday, November 19th, to help with stocking the food pantry and sorting in the thrift store at 8607 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. Here's your chance to give just a few hours of your time to help our neighbors in need. SSCC will be volunteering the 3rd Saturday of every month at the CAC Food Pantry (no previous experience necessary):
Click the button below to view time slots available in the sign up
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SCHOLARSHIP FUND RAISER
From Joanne Burgess, "Thanks so much for your support of scholarship on Sunday, Nov. 6. We will be finishing the sale on Sunday, Nov. 13. Look again at the books! They are reorganized with some new additions.. We have scrubbed the tables with bleach and provided hand sanitizer). And please don’t forget the little plants!"
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INTERNATIONAL DINING
Our NEXT International Dining event will be on Monday, November 14 at 7 PM at Thai Restaurant of Sandy Springs, 5975 Roswell Road, Suite 233D, Sandy Springs. Their web site is: www.thaiofsandysprings.com.
Please reach out to Milt Hill if you plan on joining us so we may secure adequate table space.
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NEXT THURSDAY!
This year's annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration will take place on Thursday, November 17th, at 7 PM, at Temple Kol Emeth, located at 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta - 30062. The theme is "Finding Common Ground". The celebration will be both entertaining and inspirational.
For more information, CLICK HERE to view the flyer which contains links to the YouTube event and a QR code for donating. For information contact Mary Robeck, at jmrobeckga@aol.com or 404-849-0727, or Owen Janeway, at owenjaneway@bellsouth.net.
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THE CHISTMAS STORIES
Most of us think of the birth of Jesus as one story about two people who travel to Bethlehem, can’t find a room, bring a baby into the world in a stable, are visited by shepherds who have heard about the birth from angels, and kings who follow a star. We have combined two stories – a Luke version and a Matthew version into one simple story leaving behind what Jesus meant to each writer.
Let’s read and discover together the stories that Luke and Matthew wanted us to hear. Each is a Christmas gift!!!
We will meet in the Leslie Classroom for three Sundays during Advent (December 4th, 11th, and 18th) at Noon. Get some lunch and bring it with you. Tis the Season for Christmas STORIES! ~ Leslie Lady
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LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS
Now that fall is here not only do we have beautiful fall foliage and cooler temperatures, we also have the opportunity to nominate members to lead and serve our church. In the coming days, a Nominating Committee will be formed to develop a slate of officers, elders, deacons, and ministry forum chairs.
If you want to serve or want to nominate someone, please contact Laura Prescott, Nomination Committee Chair, or look for the nomination forms and drop box in the Lobby. Thank you for your help with this very important task.
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A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST!
Thank you to Cathy Cortright and her green thumbed garden helpers! With a little love and hard work, they gathered the first harvest from their late summer planting of Grace Gardens. This is a wonderful ministry in that all of the harvest is donated to the CAC pantry so neighbors in need can have fresh produce.
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TRUNK-N-TREAT WAS A SUCCESS!
A sincere thank you to all who made the event a success and to all who participated. Care packages were assembled for our College kids, and a few pounds of candy were consumed that day.
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PRAYER REQUESTS AND THANKS | |
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Prayers are requested for Sandie Reed who will be having surgery on November 14th at Cherokee Northside Hospital.
Prayers are requested for JoAnn and Les Baright.
Please pray for Mary Robeck's niece's husband, Buddy Harvey, who has a cancer diagnosis. And also for her former coworker, Markita, whose teenaged son was killed in a car accident last week.
Continued prayers for Scott Nesbit (Jeff Moore's brother-in-law) and his wife, Amy who both face serious health challenges.
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Prayers are requested for our members and their families who serve as first responders or health care workers: Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, Dr. Vijay Rathinam, and Robyn Hicks. Also those serving in the military: Tyler Brown (Army), son of Tami and Stephen Brown. 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), and Linda Whitmire's grand-daughter, Hayleigh Whitmire (Army). 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 joys to share, please contact Rev. Teddy Ivey, Minister of Congregational Care via email: Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.
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Robyn Hicks November 12 Joanne Burgess November 16
Dan McBride November 18
Mary Robeck November 18
Clinton Campbell November 19
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Leslie Lady November 19
Hannah Yarber November 19
Stuart Michels November 23
Allen McCahren November 24
Rusty Grant November 26
Mandy Mooney November 26
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