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SABBATICAL: A COMMITMENT TO RENEWAL
When we called Nathan to be our Minister, the congregation approved a three-month Sabbatical after five years of service, as we had with Danny and Phil before him. Little did we know that the first years would include a nearly two-year pandemic and unprecedented changes to how we worship and engage as a congregation. While a sabbatical is a contractual obligation, it is also an opportunity for the congregation to have a journey of growth and renewal parallel to Nathan's.
A sabbatical is not taken without congregational planning. So now, in this fifth year of Nathan's service, we begin to plan for his Sabbatical in 2023.
This Sabbatical is not defined by the absence of work - more a respite from the pressures of day-to-day pastoral responsibilities to provide time for professional and spiritual renewal. We hope it will effectively reignite passion and bring inspiration for growth in many aspects of Nathan's life and ministry.
A committee has been formed to aid Nathan in applying for a grant that will cover some personal and congregational expenses. This committee will also be working closely with Nathan in planning for a meaningful experience during his absence. Both Nathan and the church will share the goal of gaining inspiration, passion, and opportunity for our future.
What an exciting time in the life of the church! Join us as we support Nathan's renewal and commitment to the future of Sandy Springs Christian Church.
Watch the newsletter for updates throughout the next year. We will be sharing more information on April 3rd, at our Town Hall meeting as well.
Sincerely yours in the journey,
Leslie Lady, Chair, Sabbatical Planning Committee
Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown
Floyd Hale
Joan Bramblett
Linda Whitmire
Tony Chimera
Cindy Brown
Rusty Grant, Ex Officio
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Facing DOUBT. Finding FAITH.
A Sermon Series for the Season of Lent
We all have doubts. They seem to be more frequent during times of crises -- which means many of us have had plenty the last couple of years. Does God actually exist? Are my prayers really heard? Why do bad things happen to good people? Is Jesus the ONLY way? Questions are not the enemy of faith. They are the path to a deeper faith. Let us journey the wilderness of this Lenten season, exploring our questions, that we might face our doubts and find a more meaningful faith. ~ Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, March 27, 2022 - Does God Have a Pronoun Preference?
Luke 13:31-35
Sunday, April 3, 2022 - Is Jesus the Only Way?
Romans 9:1-5
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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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SANDWICH MAKING
We are looking for a few folks to help with table set up before church. Then immediately following service this Sunday, March 27th, the Outreach Team will conduct a sandwich making service project in Dunlap Hall. Please plan to stay a few extra minutes this Sunday. Many hands make light work!
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IT'S J.A.M. TIME!
We hope your children will make plans to join us for JAM this Sunday after worship from 11:15 to 1:30 pm in Dunlap Hall.
This Sunday we are preparing for Easter with crafts, the Easter story and some fun Easter games! 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 as we prepare for Easter Sunday! See you there!
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TOWN HALL MEETING
On Sunday, April 3rd, we will have our quarterly Town Hall meeting. The meeting will take place in the sanctuary following service. We will be discussing some of the following topics:
- Sabbatical Committee Report
- Financial Report
- Outreach Report
- Visioning Report
- The Day School Report
Childcare will be provided during the meeting, for those who wish to utilize it. We expect our time together will last approximately 30 - 45 minutes. We hope you can be part of this time together to learn more about the ministry of SSCC!
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Join us Thursday, April 14, at 7:00 pm for our Maundy Thursday service in the sanctuary. | |
This year on Good Friday, April 15, we will have the stations of the cross here at the church. More details forthcoming. | |
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EASTER SCHEDULE:
Sunday, April 16, 2022
7:00 am Sunrise Service in the Whitmire Pavilion
9:00 am Easter Breakfast in Dunlap Hall
9:45 am Easter Egg Hunt starts on the lawn and playground
10:15 am Traditional Easter Service in the sanctuary
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THE TALENT SHOW WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!
Last Sunday, Dunlap Hall hummed with more energy than we have seen since COVID began! Marilyn Torbert used her talents to lead a group of volunteers in preparing a hot lunch for the more than 100 people gathered to enjoy the Sandy Springs Christian Church Talent Show and Talent Auction. Teddy Ivey served as Master of Ceremonies and John Mills was the auctioneer. There were 20 items custom made and donated by talented members and friends, which were then auctioned off, often in a lively battle until the top bid was secured. This event highlighted talents of our congregation including painters, knitters, babysitters, photographers, bakers, handymen and more! Interspersed between auction breaks were wonderful performances showcasing the variety and depth of talents of people in the SSCC community. Attendees enjoyed instrumental and vocal performances by both youth and adults. Perhaps the most unique talent was Lauren Ivey's speed reading demonstration!
The beneficiary of the event is The Chaplaincy Fund at Campbell Stone. This program relies on donations and volunteers to provide worship, pastoral care and emotional support to residents. Thanks to everyone's participation and generosity, over $3000 was raised and you can't put a price on the afternoon's fun, entertainment and fellowship. Thanks everyone!
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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Gayle Caswick
Gayle writes, "We joined the Diciples Church in Lafayette, Indiana in 1984. Jack Snellgrove baptized my son there in 1987. We moved to Seattle for seven years, then moved to the Atlanta area in 1994, at that time joining PCCC. I currently live north of downtown Roswell. I enjoy bridge, golf, outdoor activities, and time with my two children and two grandchildren."
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EASTER BRUNCH FOOD SIGN UP
On Easter Sunday we will be having a brunch for all. We are looking for volunteers to sign up to bring dishes, and beverages.
The sign up sheets are in the lobby. Please write your name in next to the item you will be bringing, and thank you for your help!
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EASTER LILIES
For the next few Sundays, you will find an insert in your bulletin for donations for Easter Lilies. You can fill out this form to celebrate, honor or remember loved ones. Please note "Easter Lilies" on your check and designate if you wish to pick up your lilies on the form, and you may take it/them with you after Easter Services are complete.
In addition, you may click on the button below to sign up for lilies. You can mail in a check or CLICK HERE to enter a payment online.
Each of the Easter Service bulletins on April 17th will have an insert with all of the names of the honorees.
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THE EASTER BUNNY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
The Easter Bunny will make a guest appearance at our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter (April 17th) at 9:45 am. He let us know that he's going to be quite busy that morning and he needs your help! Our goal is to have 1,000 plastic eggs for our children to hunt that day.
Pre-stuffed eggs with candy are the most helpful, but we also welcome candy or eggs and we'll stuff them here. Whatever you can do is greatly appreciated. Please have them in by April 13th. Thank you!
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Several of you have asked for a copy of the Prayer Stations that Teddy Ivey set up for our Ash Wednesday service. Please CLICK HERE to view/download the pdf.
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DONATE A DRESSER...
Spring is the perfect time to do some cleaning! Carmen Santiago is looking for a dresser for her daughter Demarise. If you have one that you were thinking about donating, please reach out to her. You can call her at 404.992.8219 or email Csantiago070@gmail.com. She lives very close to church, and might need help getting it to her apartment.
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THANK YOU!
A big thank you is in order to Bruce and Leslie Lady for ordering and donating new Acolyte Tapers to the church!
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WEEK OF COMPASSION
Once again SSCC's members and friends demonstrated their generosity. Thanks to your contributions we will be sending $995.00 to the DOC for Week of Compassion.
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LET'S RECYCLE!
As you know, SSCC has the designation of being a Green Chalice Church from the DOC. You may have noticed we have placed scratch pads in the pews for the artists in attendance (so offering envelopes don't get doodled on). In addition, we would appreciate recycling your bulletin and/or Welcome Card (if you didn't fill it out). We can actually reuse the Welcome Cards, saving not only trees, but money in copying costs.
We are still collecting aluminum can tabs (not steel like from soup cans) and paper & plastic bags for CAC. Thank you for your help!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES | |
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PLEASE JOIN US!
Hello Modern Disciples!
This Sunday, please attend our class that will gather in the Conference Room at our normal time... 9:00-ish for socializing & refreshments then class begins around 9:15-ish.
This Sunday, we will continue our stroll through the final chapter of "The Walk". The theme of the last chapter is a summary of the first five through the lens of the resurrection story. We will likely continue this stroll up until Easter weekend.
Over the next few weeks, Teddy & I will be researching and taking advice on new video-led studies to commence after we finally finish up our stroll through Adam Hamilton's, "The Walk".
Hope to see you in class this Sunday... even if you haven't read the book or attended any previous Modern Disciple sessions!
All the best,
Casey
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SIX-WEEK STUDY
Please join the Pathfinders Class at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning in the Common Ground Room. We are currently in 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.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayers for JoAnn Baright's daughter, Linda Lee, who is undergoing lots of tests.
Dottie Gill asks for prayers for Phillip Higgins, her son-in-law, as he anticipates knee replacement surgery.
Please continue to pray for Bryant Hodgson as he continues rehab. Prayers for recovery and encouragement for good spirits are needed.
Pray for Jim Torbert after a small heath scare as they search for solutions.
Prayers for Jim Armstrong as he recovers from surgery.
Elizabeth Adrion requests prayers for her aunt, Becky Adrion, who recently took in a young child in need of a good home after a death in the family.
Cindi McCollough requests prayers for Phillip, who will undergo neck surgery soon.
Continued prayers for the perseverance of the people of Ukraine.
Dottie Gill requests prayers for her dear friend Diane Lanier who lost her husband Lance to cancer.
Prayers for John Robeck as he continues to recover from a medical procedure.
Please pray for Stephen Brown as he recovers from surgery on his spine.
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.
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Laura Campbell March 25
Emily Leek March 26
Denise Shipman March 26
Angela Brown March 28
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Richard Walker March 28
Dennis Bramblett March 29
John Gilmore March 29
Harrison Brown March 31
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