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A NOTE FROM NATHAN
If you’ve ever seen The Hunchback of Notre Dame, there is probably one scene you remember above others. After Quasimodo saves Esmeralda from execution, he grabs a rope and, holding Esmeralda, swings into the worship space of the town Cathedral yelling, “Sanctuary!” It’s memorable because it’s a dramatic scene. Yet, it is based in a real religious custom.
In medieval Europe, fugitives could escape the death penalty by claiming sanctuary in a church. While they usually were forced into permanent exile afterward, their lives would be spared. In fact, the concept of “sanctuary” predates Christianity. Greek and Roman temples also offered refuge to fugitives seeking asylum. The sacred spaces of worshipping communities, throughout history, have been intended as places of safety for God’s people. Even today, many churches along the border of Mexico and the United States are designated as “sanctuary congregations.” Part of the ministry these churches offer is to shelter and feed those crossing the border, who have nowhere else to go.
Sanctuary, literally defined, means “a place of refuge and safety.” Utilizing this word for our worship spaces, Churches have always tried to embrace this concept. We want our buildings and grounds to be safe places for all people. Safety comes in many different forms. Certainly, we all have different ideas of how to keep one another safe. Given the circumstances in our world today, it’s important that we are intentional about doing all that we can to keep the people who are in our building as safe as possible, not only on Sunday morning, but throughout the week.
As a result, the Trustees are currently in conversation about our safety/security practices, procedures, and policies. As a first step, we are attempting to assemble a hospitality team, who would greet/welcome congregants on Sunday mornings at the entrances to our facility and be more aware of those coming to and going from the building. If you would be interested in being part of this team or would like to offer input to the greater safety conversation, please touch base with Phil Leek, chair of the Trustees at PLeek@att.net.
Obviously, it’s a fine balance we hope to find – one between welcoming all people into the life of Sandy Springs Christian Church, while simultaneously keeping those safe who choose to participate in our ministry. After all, at the heart of our ministry is a space we offer to the entire world, both practically and theologically. We call it “the sanctuary.”
Peace,
Nathan
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LIMITED OFFICE HOURS JUNE 22 - 27
From Wednesday, June 22 through Monday, June 27th
The Church Office will be open from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.
We will resume our regular 9:00 am to 4:00 pm hours on Tuesday, June 28.
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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Dear Church
A Sermon Series on Paul’s letter to the Galatians
While Paul’s letter to the Galatians addresses the specific circumstances of that time, he may as well have been writing to the Church today. After all, the Galatians are wrestling with how to be church in a rapidly changing world. They are trying to figure out what to prioritize during significant change. They are polarized and need a path forward. The Church is becoming something new. Sound familiar? As we worship together, let’s listen for wisdom from Paul as he addresses both the church of yesterday and the church of today through a series we are calling, “Dear Church,.”
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Remember Who You Are
Galatians 3:23-29
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, June 26, 2022
Proclaim the Gospel
Galatians 1:1-12
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, July 3, 2022
Feel Free to…
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Hold on to Hope
Galatians 1:11-24
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Become a New Creation
Galatians 6:7-16
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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VOLUNTEER TOMORROW!
SSCC's 3rd Saturday helping our neighbors in need is TOMORROW, Saturday, June 18. Please click the link below to sign up and give a few hours of your time: CAC Needs Food Pantry & Thrift Store Volunteers.
If you would like to share your suggestions for Outreach projects or programs, please use this link to use 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, please contact Cindi McCollough,
SSCC Outreach Chair, 770-365-0365. Thank you for your servant hearts.
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SANDWICH MAKING
On Sunday, June 26th, we are looking for a few folks to help with table set up in Dunlap Hall before church. Then immediately following service that day the Outreach Team will coordinate a sandwich making service project. Please plan to stay a few extra minutes that Sunday. Many hands make light work!
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Upcoming Outreach events & projects:
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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FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY...
WE HAVE SOME OPEN DATES and FROM
7/17 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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RECYCLING REMINDER AND A THANK YOU!
Just a reminder that we collect aluminum can tabs for Ronald McDonald House, shopping bags for CAC, "undonate-able" cloth/clothing for ReLoom and real (not plastic) wine corks for recycling.
A big thank you to Milt Hill for loading up his trunk to make the deliveries of our collected items to RMDH, ReLoom and CAC today!
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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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NEW ADDRESS
Dottie Gill and Elizabeth Adrion have a new address: 2622 Bailey Road, Norcross, GA 30071.
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PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING
Thank you to those who donated a total of $498.00 to this year's special offering. Each year, half of these gifts go to our 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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SSCC VBS IS COMING!
We are so excited for our upcoming Food Truck VBS! We will fire up the trucks on Sunday, July 24 from 11:30-2pm with a VBS kickoff party in Dunlap Hall, lunch will be provided. VBS will run from Monday - Wednesday, July 25 through July 27 from 9:30 - 1:00 pm.
If you would like to register your child, ages 3 (potty trained) through just finishing fifth grade, please click below for more details and to register.
NOTE: We are limiting registration to 50 kids!
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If you would like to volunteer as a helper at the event, please click the button below to use our signup genius to let us know if you can make it! You can come some days, or all! We can't wait for another amazing VBS at SSCC. See you there! | |
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 Allen Hilton.
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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
Please pray for Barbara Duren's daughter, Beth McCartha who was recently hospitalized but has been released.
Prayers are requested for Jeff Moore's brother-in-law, Scott Nesbit, who recently learned he has cancer in his lungs and brain. Prayers for healing and endurance through his treatments.
Nancy Trusty requests prayers for continued recovery after her recent back surgery.
Lynn McCahren asks for prayers for Rami Eylon who had open heart surgery recently. Prayers for recovery and for the heart not to reject. He lives in Israel and is the brother of a dear friend of Lynn’s.
Art Edwards writes, "We (Art, Joyce and Owen, their grandson) are looking forward to lots of travel this summer, but first . . .After seeing a host of medical professionals and researching on my own, it looks like the hole in my heart that I was told doesn’t need closing does need it. In preparation, I’ve had a pacemaker-like device inserted and will have surgery at the end of June. The surgery is similar to inserting a stent which means I could go home the same day." Prayers are appreciated.
Prayers for Pat and Paul Kapphahn and for continued healing after Paul tested positive for covid.
Allen McCahren requests prayers for Billy Blount and Joan Day after they both tested positive for COVID.
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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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
Charlotte Hale June 16
Jeff Matthews June 20
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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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