A NOTE FROM NATHAN

I’m looking forward to heading to Kansas City for a few days, next week, for the annual Senior Minister Conference of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The event is sponsored by the Christian Church Foundation and takes place in a different city each year. Typically, a DOC church in that city hosts the conference.

This year, we will be at Country Club Christian Church, where our own Glen Miles served for several years. The conference is always a good opportunity to catch up with colleagues and learn from other congregations about how they are creatively engaging in ministry.

Last year’s conference was cancelled due to COVID, so we are especially looking forward to gathering this year. However, we are most excited about our keynote speaker, Rev. Adam Hamilton. As you know, Hamilton serves the Church of the Resurrection, a large United Methodist Church in the suburbs of Kansas City. He is a prolific author who has written several books we have used in studies at Sandy Springs Christian Church, including a study entitled The Walk, which the Modern Disciples are beginning during Sunday School, this coming Sunday.

During the last couple of years, it’s been difficult to connect with other clergy about how the Church is changing. I am looking forward to sharing ideas, comparing notes, listening for trends and discerning, with other DOC ministers, congregational ministry in a post-pandemic world. I appreciate your prayers while I am away and look forward to sharing with you what I learn, when I return.

See you Sunday!

Peace,

Nathan

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 23, 2022

Choose the Light

Matthew 5:13-20

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 23rd

It's JAM Time! (From 11:15 to 1:30 pm)

We hope your children will make plans to join us for JAM this Sunday after worship. This Sunday we are celebrating MLK Day as we will take time to learn about service to our church and community. We'll also have a service project for them to work on!

Lunch will be provided and we'll also have some time for fun and fellowship! Pick-up is at 1:30 pm. It should be a great day of service! See you there!

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 30th

On 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. Make note, this date has changed.

SAVE THE DATE!

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.

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

NEW 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

VIDEOGRAPHER NEEDED!

We are currently in the process of revamping our website and need to hire a videographer to help us create a video banner for the site. Nothing too extensive, just a 30 to 60 second looping video with scenes from our church.

If you or anyone you know is able to help please have them reach out to Amy at the church office 404.256.2582.

OUTREACH UPDATE

Outreach is looking for suggestions for community and individual volunteer opportunities. We want your input. If you have an organization or project in mind, or want a place for your talents and time to make a difference, please join the Outreach Committee. Call or text Cindi McCollough at 770-365-0365.

Food barrels will be in the welcome area of SSCC in the near future. A list of requested items will be published in next week's newsletter and will be posted on the Outreach bulletin board.

Collections of travel sized toiletries for MUST will be ongoing with baskets placed next to the Outreach bulletin board.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Community Assistance Center has re-opened the CAC Client-Choice Mini Market at 8607 Roswell Road location. SSCC will handle the 3rd Saturday sessions from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Strict Covid-19 protocols will be in place to protect both clients and volunteers. No prior training is necessary. We would love to see some new faces along side our "seasoned" volunteers.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Prayers for Kathy (Kraebel) Gregory, TDS Director, whose mother, Cristie Kraebel passed away peacefully on January 6th. Please also pray for her father, Dennis Kraebel and her brother, Kevin Kraebel.

Wayne and Merilyn Dimmitt request prayers for Merilyn’s surgery to go well on Today, January 21.

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.