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A NOTE FROM BRYANT
Last weekend as our youth gathered around a campfire at Camp Christian, after working hard all day, I had this overwhelming sense of peace and gratitude come over me. It was one of those feelings you get when you just know everything is going to be okay.
As they laughed, told stories, and began to make smores, I took a moment to pray for each of them. I prayed for all they had to endure these last two years, for their resilience and the remarkable ability they have to adapt to new normals. But mostly I prayed for them to know just how loved they are for who they are.
Our youth are an example of everything that is right with the church and they would have made you so proud this weekend. I am so excited that they get the chance to lead worship with you this Sunday and share their amazing gifts. We will share stories from our trip, but we also hope to share a good word of the meaningful and life giving faith of our youth and just how important they are to the life of our church.
This Sunday is also our final youth group meeting of the Spring, concluding with our youth banquet in the evening. Please take a moment and pray for our seniors- William Reese, Zach DeBrock, David Cox and Maisie Worley as they begin the transition to college. We will celebrate them more this summer with a special graduation service, but we are so proud of each of them!
We hope to see you Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Bryant
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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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YOUTH SUNDAY
We hope you'll make plans to join us for worship this Sunday, May 1st as our youth will lead worship. We are excited to bring a message from 1 Timothy 4:11-14 focusing on the gifts of our youth! It is surely going to be a meaningful service as they will lead all aspects of worship, including music, prayer, the message and communion.
We are so excited to share our gifts with the church and can't wait to worship with you Sunday!
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In the lectionary readings, during the weeks following Easter, we encounter some extraordinary stories. The resurrected Jesus reveals himself to Thomas and the Disciples. Paul has his "Damascus Road Experience." Peter raises someone from the dead. During the Easter season we encounter several miraculous stories of new life. In the background of these stories, however, there are some seemingly ordinary people who often get overlooked. While we might not always notice them, their roles are essential in making new life possible. For the remainder of this Eastertide, let’s spend some time reflecting on how being ordinary can sometimes make possible the extraordinary.
May 8, 2022
Tabitha
Acts 9:36-43
Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 15, 2022
Judas
John 13:1-35
Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 22, 2022
Lydia
Acts 16:9-15
Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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MOTHER'S DAY 2022
Mother's Day is next Sunday, May 8th, and we know you might shop online for your gifts for mom. Just a reminder that by shopping for gifts at smile.amazon.com or with Amazon Smile in the Amazon shopping app, Amazon will donate a percentage to SSCC just by designating the church as your favorite organization.
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UPCOMING STUDY – A HOUSE UNITED
Coming soon, we will be studying the book “A House United” by Allen Hilton. As you know, Hilton has led SSCC in two different Courageous Conversation events over the last two years. His work is aimed at helping churches witness to the world that we can have conversations about challenging topics and still love one another, despite our differences. In preparation for Allen’s return, we would like to spend time in small groups, in different locations and at different times, reconnecting with one another, while engaging this book. Be on the look-out for sign-ups and more information. There will be opportunities for both hosting and attending. Stay tuned!
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GRIEF SHARE SUPPPORT GROUP
GRIEF. It is part of all our lives. It comes with every goodbye and every anticipation of goodbye when one we love is moving toward their life's close. It comes in the loss of our identity and the necessity of building another identity: daughter to orphan; married to single, parent to the most enduring of all losses with the loss of a child. There are many in our Sandy Springs family and extended family of friends whom this describes. Sharing with others experiencing their own grief and understanding the grieving process, in time eases the anguish of grief and enables the grieving person to more with greater confidence into their changed lives. Grief isn't easy but it is that gift that allows us to move into the life ahead in stronger ways.
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. We will meet in Common Grounds at the church, twice monthly, beginning NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 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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NEWLY BAPTIZED!
Congratulations to our newest members!
Presley Campbell, Ben Gibson, Camden Gibson, Kate McKinney, Alexander Leek, Emily Leek, and Lorelei McGahee were all baptized last Sunday during our wonderful Easter Service.
All of these children have practically grown up in the church and are active participants in our youth program, outreach projects and attend Camp Christian
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FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY...
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 your church and our livestream at the same time? Well, we have just the thing!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES | |
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL REUNION
We’ve missed you! Please mark your calendars for an Adult Sunday School Reunion to be held Saturday, May 21st at 5 p.m. at the Hill residence. This is open to all adults who are or have been active in an adult Sunday School class in the past few years, particularly pre-Covid! Please RSVP to Janis hill by text or phone: 770-926-0131 and tell her what you will bring. The hosts will provide the meat main dish. Salads, sides, and desserts are needed. Thank you!
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PLEASE JOIN US!
This week, Modern Disciples will take a break from Rob Bell as Casey will be out this week. This week we will start a short two week series called, "Wait, what?! That's in the Bible?!" We will look at some absolutely crazy biblical lessons that don't often get talked about and try to figure out what we can still learn from these odd stories. Come and have some fun reading these unusual tales.
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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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PRAYER REQUESTS AND A THANK YOU
Please be in prayer for Tony and the entire Chimera family after the loss of Tony's mother. There will be a service in Buffalo at a later time. Cards can be sent to their home address.
Prayers for Stephen Brown after a hospital stay this week. Cards and well wishes for continued healing can be sent to their home address.
Please pray for Mary Robeck's niece, Dee Dee Bentley and her husband Jules. Jules had heart surgery on Friday April 15th. Dee Dee is also scheduled for major surgery in May.
Dan and Lolly Ross wish to thank everyone for their love, cards, letters, prayers and support. They want you to know you are wonderful appreciated and not forgotten.
Pray for Jim Torbert as he continues successful rehab at home. Feel free to send cards to the house with well wishes.
Please continue to pray for Bryant Hodgson as he continues rehab. Prayers for recovery and encouragement for good spirits are needed.
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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David McGahee April 17
Evan Bensch April 21
Carol Armstrong April 25
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Ryan Driemeyer April 25
Debbie Olson April 28
Addison Brown April 29
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