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A NOTE FROM NATHAN
If you work in the Church, it’s a running joke: “Who wants to deliver the bad news to the worship leader for Pentecost Sunday? We better make sure to get him/her the scripture reading sooner than later, so they can start practicing!”
Amy sent the reading to Larri Wolf, our worship leader for this coming Sunday, almost two weeks ago. I haven't talked to Larri, but I suspect she's not laughing.
After all, it’s not funny to be the one doing the reading. Acts 2:1-21 is chalked full of words that are difficult to pronounce. Verse nine alone reads, “Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”
It’s a mouthful -- difficult to read, but even more difficult to understand, especially for those experiencing it. They say to one another, “How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?” Not only do those gathered for the first Pentecost come from different regions of the world, but they also speak different languages. Yet, they understand one another. How is that possible? After all, that doesn’t seem to be our experience today, even in the Church.
Conservative and liberal. Black and white. Gay and straight. Rich and poor. We all seem to be speaking past one another, rather than to each other. We appear to be misunderstanding one another more than understanding each other. It feels like we are talking more and listening less. Pentecost reminds us, however, that we can speak different languages and still understand one another. Pentecost reminds us, it is possible.
This, of course, doesn’t mean we will agree. And that’s a good thing. I have a colleague who says, “the smartest person in the room is the room.” The best ideas come from competing ones. The most inspiring ideas arise from people of difference working together. According to Pentecost, the most faithful way to be the Church is to seek understanding from those who speak a different language.
There is a great deal happening in our world right now. A number of important conversations are taking place. Debates about guns, abortion, war, the economy, and even what it means to be the Church. It’s easy to understand those who speak our language on these topics. Pentecost, however, reminds us to be open to and explore other languages.
Turns out, this Sunday is no joke. But Larri, don't worry! That's not bad news. It's good news.
Peace,
Nathan
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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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At the first Pentecost, those watching the birth of the Church assume everyone is drunk. And understandably so. What other explanation could there be for such a phenomenon? People speaking different languages, yet understanding one another. A diverse group of strangers seemingly coming together around a cause. The presence of something, among them, causing them to join together in a spirit of unity. Such an experience would look just as foolish today as it would have in the first century. Peter, though, corrects everyone. They are not drunk, at least not on wine. And yet, something is intoxicating them. We call it the Holy Spirit. Let’s imbibe of it together at SSCC this Sunday, as we celebrate Pentecost!
Remember to keep up the SSCC tradition and wear RED!
June 5, 2022
Inebriated by the Spirit
Acts 2:1-21
Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown
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WORSHIP LEADERS NEEDED
Would you like to participate in our Sunday service? We are in need of Worship Leaders on June 26th and July 3rd and 10th as well as more dates starting August 7th and beyond.
It's really simple and we can provide you with everything you need (call to worship, scripture, call to giving and a welcome to visitors). Please click on the link below to sign up, or call the church office if you have questions. Thank you for your willingness to serve!
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FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY...
WE HAVE SOME OPEN DATES
6/12, 6/26 and BEYOND!
Are you looking for a way to commemorate/celebrate something or someone? Would you like to express your love or gratitude in a special way? AND beautify the sanctuary and our livestream at the same time? Well, we have just the thing!
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WELCOME NEW MEMBER!
Wilma Zalabak joined SSCC last Sunday.
Wilma writes, "I was born in Georgia, raised in Wisconsin, and adulted in Georgia. I found Sandy Springs Christian Church in 1995 or 1996 because a friend told me about Disciples of Christ and I looked it up online. I really appreciated your large windows open to the green and light outdoors. I also enjoyed the welcome that the choir gave me, letting me experiment with the alto part.
Soon, however, I found Marietta First Christian Church much closer to me, and served there in various ways, mostly in music. Then I found a way by God's grace to pursue my education and completed my D.Min. with specialization in preaching at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. Most recently I have served Marietta First Christian church as part-time senior minister for a little more than four years.
I keep a small garden, an overloaded library, a lively writing hobby, and a street preaching ministry, besides teaching piano lessons. I'm an introvert, but I "do" extravert okay. Mostly, I'm in love with Jesus."
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2022 CRADDOCK GRADS!
Last Sunday we celebrated our first high school graduates from the Mulberry Apartments in Ellijay, Georgia! We met these students many years ago through our association with Camp Craddock. At that time, they were just finishing sixth grade and through the subsequent years we have enjoyed watching them successfully complete high school and now look forward to bright futures. We honored Jimmy, who has earned a full ride to Young Harris College with plans to become a music teacher; Ashlee, who has been accepted to Kennesaw State University to study nursing; and Bernardino, who has a full time job offer.
While we initially approached the Executive Director of the Craddock Center hoping to find a build or rehab project, we were directed to the community of Guatemalan immigrants at the Mulberry Apartments. Our SSCC volunteers fell in love with the community and returned each Christmas and summer to offer camp activities and emphasize literacy. Over the 6 years, we have returned fifteen times, sometimes for a week of summer camp, sometimes for a day of Christmas camp celebration. We have been amazed at the consistency of families that are there every year which has allowed us to build deep, caring relationships.
The mission of Camp Craddock, as established by the revered DOC minister Dr. Fred Craddock, has been to "enrich the lives of the people of Southern Appalachia through service...seeking to break cycles of poverty, isolation, and low self-esteem". Dr. Craddock dreamed of making a difference by offering programs to meet individuals' needs for "physical health, social and cultural enrichment, and the desire for greater educational and growth opportunities". What has magically happened, though, is that through our commitment to enrich the lives of these families, we have shared God's love and they have enriched ours! Dr. Craddock, who died in 2015 before we began this relationship, would be so proud of our volunteers' commitment and especially of "our" graduates!
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UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES!
If you have not, please consider taking the OUTREACH SURVEY. We need your input. What projects, what agencies, and where do you want Outreach to help? Here's the link for a brief survey: 2022 SSCC Outreach Survey.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Cindi McCollough,
SSCC Outreach Chair, 770-365-0365. Thank you for your servant hearts.
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Upcoming Outreach events & projects:
June 18 - 3rd Saturday, CAC Food Pantry & Thrift Store
June 26 - Sandwich making after church in Dunlap Hall
July 16 - 3rd Saturday, CAC Food Pantry & Thrift Store
July 17 - Backpack stuffing & Pizza Party after church
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RECOGNIZING OUR GRADS!
We want to congratulate SSCC's 2022 graduates and recognize them in an upcoming worship service.
We know William Reese, Zach DeBrock, and Maisie Worley will be graduating high school, along with Bailey Mooney and Teddy Ivey from grad school.
If you know of any other graduates please send an email to amy@sandyspringscc.org. We want to include them as well. Thanks in advance!
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WE NEED YOU!
We are looking for some volunteers to help with AV/Sound during service on Sundays. We would like to be able to rotate more folks in and out. If you can push a button, you are qualified, and we will train you. (In addition, this counts towards HS Volunteer hours). Please reach out to Susan McCluskey, Leslie Lady or Amy Frost if you can help.
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GRIEF SHARE SUPPPORT GROUP
It you are experiencing grief, no matter what the loss that your journey entails, you are invited to participate in a new grief support group. The group will meet in Common Ground at the church, twice monthly, on the first and third Wednesdays, 10:00 -11:30 AM. Rev. Linda Whitmire will facilitate. If you are unable to participate at that time but feel you need grief support, contact Linda or Amy Frost (at the church office).
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FOOD INSECURITY
If you or someone you know in our church community is facing food insecurity because of a decrease or loss in income, please privately contact Kendra Plotkin so that we can provide assistance to keep their pantry full. All information is kept in complete confidence. Please email kendra.plotkin@gmail.com.
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FREE CONCERT AND DESSERT THIS SATURDAY EVENING!
Becky and Courtney Strickland invite to a FREE concert by the group Knightsong, this Saturday at 7:00 pm in Dunlap Hall. We hope you enjoy listening to the group who will be wearing Renaissance costumes! Then join us for some dessert. A love offering will be taken.
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SPECIAL PENTECOST OFFERING
By making a gift to the 2022 Pentecost Offering, this Sunday, June 5, you can ensure that the new church movement continues to prosper in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Each year, half of these gifts go to your own region to support local new church development. The other half goes to New Church Ministry, which trains, equips, assists, and multiplies new church leaders across the United States and Canada through programs such as coaching, New Church Hacks, and Water the Plants.
Planning, nurturing, and sustaining new places of worship is part of the Disciples’ vision – participation in this Special Day Offering helps this vision come to life.
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JUNE INTERNATIONAL DINING
The June international dining event has been scheduled. We will meet at the new Sandy Springs location of Food Terminal, 6550 Aria Blvd. Sandy Springs - just off Abernathy and near the Mercedes-Benz headquarters. We will meet there at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 13. Reservations will be mandatory for this event. Please advise Milt Hill as soon as you can if you plan on attending at milthill@comcast.net.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES | |
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SUMMER BREAK!
Modern Disciples class is taking a Summer break and will return in August sometime. We hope you signed up for the book study on A House United by Adam Hamilton.
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CURRENT STUDY
In Pathfinders for the next few weeks we will be studying the book "What Is the Bible?" by Rob Bell. In this book, Bell argues that an ancient library of poems, letters, and stories (i.e., the Bible) can transform the way you think and feel about everything, if only you will learn how to read it.
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JOYS AND PRAYER REQUESTS
Nancy Trusty requests prayers as she is scheduled for back surgery on June 7th.
Fran Michels asks for prayers for her friend, Bobbi.
Please pray for the family of Jeff Moore after the passing of his mother this week. After turning 90 last week, she passed away peacefully in their home on Monday from cancer. The family is grateful to God for placing people in their lives to help them better support her these past few months. The dogs already miss all of her under-the-table treats. She knew the love of her family each and every day.
Prayers are requested for Kerry Bensch. Kerry had knee replacement surgery this week. Please pray for a smooth recovery and improved health overall.
Please continue to pray for Bryant Hodgson as he continues rehab. Prayers for recovery and encouragement for good spirits are needed. Cards and well wishes may be sent via the Memory Center, 12050 Findley Rd. Johns Creek, GA 30097. The center is open for visitors in small numbers as well. Calling ahead is suggested (770) 476-3678.
Ferris Leslie asks for prayers for her youngest brother, Carl Tippin, who is at St. Joes after suffering a heart attack. Please pray for good doctors and a speedy recovery.
Please pray for CJ Kennedy and his parents, Henry and Jessica. CJ is an adorable 11-month old who was diagnosed with liver cancer this week. He is Linda Whitmire's sister's great grandson. All are devastated.
Bob Hicks is home after his hip surgery. Please continue to pray for a smooth recovery and full healing.
Pray for Jim Torbert as he continues successful rehab at home. Feel free to send cards to the house with well wishes.
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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Agnes Bowlin June 02
Ryan Chimera June 04
Doug Driemeyer June 06
Cindy Driemeyer June 10
Atticus Mooney June 10
William Reese June 10
Cathy Cortright June 13
Joshua Jones June 14
Carolyn Dishman June 15
Tracey McCluskey June 15
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Charlotte Hale June 16
Jeff Matthews June 20
Kathy Woodworth June 20
Teresa Edens June 21
Patsy McBride June 21
Laura McKinney June 21
Sue Strahm June 21
Tony Chimera June 25
Brandi Evans June 27
Gregg Worley June 28
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