A NOTE FROM JOHN MILLS

This Sunday ends my three years as President of this Congregation. With your help, much has been accomplished, despite challenges never faced by any church. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we successfully completed the process of becoming an “Open and Affirming” Congregation, meaning we live into “all are welcome.” We also completed a Visioning/Strategic Plan that should ensure our vitality and growth in the coming years.

Then came 2020 and 2021. In mid-February of 2020 a sewer back-up caused us to be without water until mid-March due to the need to replace the pipe that connects our facility to the Fulton County water system. Bruce Lady, Amy Frost and Jay Donnelly worked tirelessly on restoration of our water, handling a number of problems with the State of Georgia, Fulton County, the City of Sandy Springs, and our plumbing contractor. Immediately after our water was restored came COVID-19 and lockdowns. We were unable to use our facility for seven months. The Day School for much longer. During this time, our Staff and many volunteers learned the art of the “virtual service,” with videos produced at home and integrated into a coherent whole by Bryant Gibson. As we gradually moved our virtual services into the Sanctuary, Leslie Lady and Susan McCluskey led the effort to upgrade our technology to enable high quality live streaming. With respect to Pastoral Care, our then Director of Pastoral Care, Merilyn Dimmitt, along with the Board of Elders and a host of others, kept us connected through their many telephone calls and notes. Even as we were able to open our facility to full use this past June, the successful and gradual process, begun in November 2020, for outreach to those in our community and beyond through live streaming our Worship Service continues and will remain a vital part of our ministry.

On the financial side, you folks generously responded to requests by me and Josh Jones, our then Treasurer, to donate as much as possible to overcome the costs of water restoration and the COVID-19 lockdowns, which cut off the income traditionally received from rental of our facilities for weddings, etc. In addition, in order to ensure our liquidity, an initial $60,000 unsecured line of credit with the Disciples Extension Fund was secured and later converted to a $200,000 line of credit, secured by our facility. We were able to avoid requesting an advance against the line of credit until this past December, when $76,000 was borrowed to complete payment of the replacement HVAC system for the Sanctuary. A few folks deserve mention. Scott Dalton navigated our insurance claim for the sewer back-up and water restoration, obtaining reimbursement of all but $7,000 of the costs incurred. Jim Armstrong obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans for the church and The Day School and ensured that the loan funds were spent in the manner necessary for forgiveness of those loans. Kathy Gregory, Director of The Day School, obtained a number of grants from the State of Georgia and continues to do so. I mention all of this because at a time when many churches shuttered their doors for good, we persevered, and even ended 2020 and 2021 with modest surpluses.

Finally, Nathan held us all together, both out front as our Senior Minister during Worship, as well as behind the scenes with pastoral care and his unique gift for resolving disputes among us. I have enjoyed the past three years. This Congregation is never dull. Remember: where two are gathered there are three opinions. Thank you for the privilege of serving you. I love you, and God loves you too!

Sincerely,

John Mills

SERMON SERIES

Glow

A Sermon Series for the season of Epiphany

by Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

“You are the light of the world” -- that’s what Jesus says, according to Matthew 5:14. He doesn’t say, “you should,” or “you could” or “you can.” No, he says, “You are the light of the world," which means we glow. Each and every one of us emanates light. Yes, sometimes we forget. Sometimes we fail to recognize it. Sometimes we have a hard time trusting it. Perhaps we are not putting it under a bushel basket, but sometimes we do try to hide it. So, during this season of light, we call Epiphany, let us spend some time in worship

reflecting on how we might spend less time living in woe and start learning

to embrace our glow.

January 30, 2022

Share the Light

Luke 4:14-21

February 6, 2022

Follow the Light

Luke 4:21-30

February 13, 2022

Trust the Light

Luke 5:1-11

February 20, 2022

Woe or Glow?

Luke 6:17-26

IMPORTANT DATES

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE

If you have something for publishing in the newsletter, please submit it via email to: amy@sandysprings.org by 10:00 Thursday mornings.

THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 30th

This Sunday, January 30th, we will have our annual congregational meeting. We will meet to approve both our 2022 budget and slate of leadership. Please stay after worship, in the sanctuary, for this brief but important meeting.

THIS SUNDAY!

Greetings SSCC Leadership,

The SSCC annual leadership retreat will take place on Saturday, February 12th. Save the date now! More details will follow in the next few weeks. Once again, thank you for agreeing to take on your respective leadership roles. I look forward to serving with each of you in 2022!

Peace, Nathan

VISITOR LUNCH

If you have been visiting Sandy Springs Christian Church we hope that you have found your time with us meaningful and that you are beginning to feel a sense of belonging. Our Care and Connect team will host a special “Intro to Sandy Springs Christian Church” luncheon on Sunday, February 13th following worship.

This is an opportunity to learn more about the ministry of Sandy Springs Christian Church, to meet some of our leadership and to ask questions you might have. The luncheon will be relaxed and informal. If you are considering church membership, want to become more involved or are simply interested in learning more about SSCC, this is a great opportunity.

Boxed lunches will be provided at no cost to your family. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Janis Hill at janishill@comcast.net. If you would like to RSVP to the luncheon, please email amy@sandyspringscc.org.

TWO NEW STUDIES

We have sung, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” and “We Three Kings.” Before we know it, it will be Palm Sunday and we will sing, “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” followed by “When I Survey the Wonderous Cross,” and then “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” Between Epiphany and Palm Sunday, the church commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert reflecting on his faith, his values, his life, and ultimate death. During this time, it has been an SSCC tradition to offer a special study for personal reflection on our own faith and values. This year, we are excited to offer two.

We hope you will be able to participate in one or both. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Leslie Lady at bwlady@bellsouth.net. The closer we walk beside Jesus to the Cross, the louder our voices will proclaim, “He is risen; he is risen indeed!”

TALENT SHOW UPDATE

Our Talent Show and Auction to benefit the Chaplaincy Program at Campbell-Stone has now been re-scheduled for March 20th. More details to follow in the coming weeks. Thank you, Care & Connect Team

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES

PLEASE JOIN US!

Attention Modern Disciples Sunday School Fans (and Soon-to-be Fans)! This Sunday and for many many Sundays ahead in 2022... please attend our "class" that will begin at 9:00am (ok, more like 9:15ish) in the Conference Room. We will start the year off with the introduction of a new Adam Hamilton book study called "The Walk". No reading necessary to attend class... purely optional! We'd love to see you on Sunday morning for coffee & refreshments before Sunday worship!

All the best, Casey Evans

SIX-WEEK STUDY

Please join the Pathfinders Class at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning in the Common Ground Room. We are beginning a six-week study of Galatians, facilitated by John Mills, using the book, Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians (2020) by Beth Moore and Melissa Moore. (The Class overruled John’s idea of studying the Use and Abuse of “Thee” and “Thou” in the King James version of the Bible.)

SSCC NOTEABLES

WORSHIP LEADER SIGN UP

A sincere "Thank You!" to those of you who have signed up to be worship leaders. Slots are filling up! If you are interested in doing the Call to Worship, Scripture Reading, Call to Giving and Visitor Welcome during the service, please click on the button below and choose your date!

OUTREACH UPDATE

An observation from last Saturday morning...one of the CAC clients was chatting with several of our volunteers and said "y'all are church folks, aren't you? I can tell because the Spirit shines in y'all"... What a wonderful feeling that gave us! Yes, SSCC is shining a light for with those we meet and serve. 

1. We had a great Saturday morning assisting CAC Clients in the Food Pantry. Many thanks to all who volunteered by stocking, checking in clients, assisting clients with food selection and with check out. Your support is greatly appreciated: Denise Shipman, Leslie Lady, Nancy & Bryant McDaniel, Kendra & Phil Plotkin, Allen McCahren, Sarah Money, Victoria Smith, Barbara & Eleanor McElhanon. 

2. Our next Third Saturday at CAC is Saturday, February 19th. The Sign Up Genius will be posted next week and a link will be published in the newsletter. Your neighbors and SSCC need YOU! Please share a few hours of your time with us at the CAC.

3. The CAC also needs volunteers throughout the week at both the 8607 Roswell Road location and the new Northwoods location to help: sort & stock food donations in the Food Pantry, sort & prep clothing donations for the Thrift Store, light office work, VITA tax help and other functions. Free training is avialble via United Way and CAC for VITA tax help. More info is available on their website http://www.ourcac.org. Last minute volunteer needs are posted via the app WhatsApp - CAC Volunteer Chat. Simply download WhatsApp on your Android or iPhone and you may also link it with your PC.

4. Do you have a servant heart? Would you like to help our community through SSCC Outreach? Contact Cindi McCollough - csbfish@bellsouth.net, 770-365-0365 text or call. 

5, Have a suggestion for an outreach program or project - text, call or email - Cindi McCollough

6. Baskets and barrels are waiting in the church Welcome Area for food donations and toiletries. Current food needs: 

 Beans (dry), Canned Fruit, Canned Meats (chicken, tuna, ham etc)

Canned Vegetables (green beans, peas, mixed) Canned Tomatoes

Canned Pastas, Cereal/Oatmeal, Dry or Evaporated Milk, Jelly

Jell-O or Pudding Mix, Macaroni & Cheese, Meal Helpers

Meat Entrees (canned chili, beef stew, chicken & dumplings)

Pasta, Peanut Butter, Potatoes (dry/can), Rice, Soup

Snacks (crackers, cookies), Spaghetti Sauce

Toiletries:

Diapers (medium, large, xl), Deodorant, Disposable Razors, Feminine Products

Shampoo, Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Toilet Paper

SIZES: Standard sized containers are best, oversized or family size containers are difficult to pack and carry for many of our clients using public transportation. (Except for dry goods which can be repackaged into smaller containers).

EXPIRATION DATE: For safety reasons, canned and dry goods past the three-month expiration date cannot be distributed.

BROWN BAGS: Consider requesting paper bags when shopping and then donate them to CAC. It is a great way to recycle!

BRING DONATIONS: to the CAC Food Pantry, 8607 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. The Food Pantry delivery door is on the right side of the building. Current food donation delivery hours.

Or contact CACpantry@ourcac.org to schedule a time.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Dawna Abel asks for prayers for her son, Tim, who is having serious issues with his back that may require surgery.

Cordelia Rowell asks for prayers for her daughter, Jennifer Colman, who will be undergoing tests soon.

Prayers requested for Donna Vruyere as she recovers from COVID and double pneumonia. Donna is a dear friend of Barb Duren, Donna Lassiter, and Nancy Trusty.

Please pray for Nancy Trusty's cousin, Greg Whitehead, who lives in Tennessee who just found out that he has bladder cancer.

Janelle Hicks asks for prayers for her cousins Stephanie and Drew. They recently lost their 25 yr. old son in a car accident. He was an organ donor so he helped others even in the tragedy. It has been a very difficult time for these parents and for the rest of the family.

Wayne and Merilyn Dimmitt request prayers for Merilyn as she continues to recover from her surgery.

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.