|
A NOTE FROM SUSAN
Dear Church Family,
‘Tis the season!! What a lovely start to our advent season at SSCC! We are so blessed to have a
church family with so much talent and so many musical gifts to give.
Charles Schulz once said, “Christmas is doing a little extra for someone.” Well, this coming Sunday a group of our children and younger youth will be performing the play, “A Charlie Brown Christmas!” They have been rehearsing and memorizing their lines and are excited to present this play to you as a gift during this festive season as a little “something extra” for you to enjoy!
If you have a moment this week, please lift them up in prayer to have courage and calmness and for the Lord to give them joy as they present this play to everyone. It will be Sunday evening in Dunlap Hall around 6:00. Dinner starts at 5:30. For those of you who signed up, we'll see you there!
As we continue anticipating Jesus’ birth on Christmas Eve, my wish for you is that you will sing, hum, play or listen to a Christmas hymn or song and it brings you great joy this holiday season.
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Susan
| |
|
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, 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
Saturday, 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
| |
|
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.
| |
|
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENT!
For those who signed up, we will see you for a fun-filled evening on Sunday, December 11th. At 5:30 pm we will have a special all-church Christmas Dinner, followed by 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!
| |
|
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.
| |
|
5:30 PM
Traditional Candlelight
Christmas Eve Service
| |
|
7:30 PM
And intimate service of singing and lighting candles
in the Whitmire Pavilion
| |
|
Sunday, December 25, 2022 (Christmas Day)
A Virtual Worship Experience
(There will be no In-Person Worship on Christmas Day)
The Manger Full of Hay
Luke 2:1-14
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
| |
|
STAFF GIFTS
If you'd like to contribute to the staff gift fund, please do so by Dec. 18th. Make sure to notate "Staff Christmas" on envelopes and checks so funds can be directed for that purpose. Thank you, Rusty Grant
| |
|
POINSETTIAS
Every Christmas season we offer the opportunity for you to remember and/or celebrate loved ones by donating to cover some of the cost of the Poinsettias. Each Sunday, through December 18, there will be a form in the bulletin that you can fill out and return in the offering plate as it is passed. Please wrap the poinsettia form around your donation and remember to mark your checks on the memo line with "Poinsettias".
An insert with all of the celebrated and remembered names will be included in the bulletins on Christmas Eve. If you choose to take your poinsettia(s) home, you may do so after service on Christmas Eve. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 404.256.2582.
| |
|
SSCC STAFFING THE CAC
The CAC is in need of volunteers on Saturday, December 17th, 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.
| |
|
THANK YOU! WE ARE ALL SET!
Thanks to those who contributed to our efforts to collect presents for Campbell-Stone residents. We were informed that the gifts will be distributed at their Christmas pizza party this year.
Thank you to Janis Hill for transporting the gifts over to Campbell-Stone!
| |
|
CAC ADOPT-A-FAMILY AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Thanks to your generosity 15 children and 3 families will have a brighter Christmas this year! If you wish to make an additional donation, click HERE to visit the CAC website.
Help is needed to prepare and distribute holiday gifts to over 500 families. Opportunities to volunteer through 12/15 are available by clicking HERE. Questions Contact Kendra Plotkin.
| |
|
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFERING.
The Christmas Offering supports regional ministries. In 31 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.
| |
|
SCHOLARSHIP FUND NEWS
The scholarship fund accrued $880.00 thanks to you, a generous support group of a congregation. We also helped the church library lose some weight and most of the plants found good homes. Thanking those who helped, in addition to those who purchased, is a pleasure: Demaris, Peggy and Perry (Youth group), Amy Frost, Sandy Matthews, Floy Mills and Mary Anne Posey. Because Mary Anne is not well at this time, if you paid for a recipe book, please let me know and your money will be returned. With sincere appreciation, Joanne Burgess.
| |
|
THANKSGIVING OFFERING
Thanks to your generosity we were able to send $508 for the Special Thanksgiving offering to benefit DOC education ministries.
| |
|
ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Once again, our community's annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, held at Temple Kol Emeth on November 17th, succeeded in bringing together people from different denominations and faiths for an evening of celebration and inspiration. There were presentations challenging everyone to learn to seek to find common ground with each other, meaningful and entertaining music, and a reception that offered a time for fellowship and for sharing favorite ethnic snacks. SSCC was well represented at the event. Not only did we have many members attend, we also had members serving as ushers, parking attendants, coordinator of ushers, choir members and planning committee members. In addition, several members provided homemade snacks.
One of the photos is of the choir. The other is of just a few of SSCC members who were there that night.
SAVE THE DATE - Next year's celebration will be on Thursday, November 16, 2023!
| |
|
CenterStage North (The Art Place - Mt View 3330 Sandy Plains Rd. Marietta, GA) is proud to announce that we will be partnering with One Warm Coat for our production of The Last Night of Ballyhoo December 9th and 10th at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available now by clicking here.
One Warm Coat partners with local organizations to provide free coats to children and adults in need while promoting volunteerism and environmental sustainability. Over the past 30 years, One Warm Coat has collected 7.3 million coats, that have been distributed through 1,400 nonprofit partners across all 50 states.
CSN will be accepting the following donations in the lobby during show runs: Winter hats and scarves, mittens and gloves, socks and new outerwear.
| |
|
THE CHRISTMAS 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 through December 18th at noon. Get some lunch and bring it with you. 'Tis the Season for Christmas STORIES! ~ Leslie Lady
| |
|
PATHFINDERS
John Mills will facilitate a discussion of the origins and meaning of Advent.
| |
MODERN DISCIPLES CLASS
This Sunday we will conclude our study of Art Edwards' book "Fruit of the Spirit." We will listen to/study the chapter on "Love: Agape" & "Omega: Gifts vs. Fruits & Spiderman."
We will NOT have class on 12/18.
| |
|
We have opened up slots for Worship Leader sign ups for the NEW YEAR starting January 8th and beyond. If you would like to participate in Sunday's service, please sign up.
Worship Leaders typically do the Call to Worship, Scripture Reading, Call to Giving and the Welcome to Visitors. We have a guide we can send you that outlines exactly how to do the respective parts, and we can send you everything you need in advance of the service. Please call the church office if you have questions. We appreciate your willingness to serve.
| |
PRAYER REQUESTS AND THANKS | |
|
Sandie Reed would like to sincerely thank everyone for the cards, calls and especially the prayers. They do work and she is happy to be cancer free!
Prayers for Jo Ann Baright at the passing of her husband, Les, Wednesday morning.
Lauren Ivey asks for prayers for a close friend struggling with mental health issues.
Lynn McCahren requests prayers for Allen McCahren and Dan Ross.
Please pray for Zeyneb Sayilgan. She is the Muslim scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore. Her three year old daughter, Meryem, was killed, while she and her seven year old daughter, Alif, were seriously injured when they were struck by a truck in Howard County near Baltimore.
Prayers please for two of Tim Helton's closest friends from high school-Buddy G and Don W; one is dealing with cancer of the bile duct and the other with recurrent prostate cancer. One final request - "If you are healthy, be grateful."
The family and friends of 8 year old Adaline Cowley ask that you pray for her. Her cancer is now in remission, following chemo treatments.
Janet Lochery requests prayers for her friends Jennifer and Sterling in Colorado. They recently had a young child, Emerald, who along with the mother needs prayers for strength and healing.
Prayers for Dan Ross on the passing of his dear wife, Lolly.
A praise for Robyn Hicks! After a recent procedure, her eyesight has much improved! We give thanks to God for this wonderful news.
Prayers for Mary Anne Posey's health to improve.
_________________________________________
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.
| |
|
Niki Norman December 10
Larri Wolf December 10
Laura Prescott December 13
Lorelei Lee December 15
Kyle Norman December 15
Elinor Tollman December 15
| |
|
Presley Campbell December 18
Jared Mills December 18
Jonah Mills December 18
Lorelei McGahee December 21
Elizabeth Adrion December 22
Julie Sanford December 27
Janelle Hicks December 29
| | | | |
