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A NOTE FROM TEDDY
There is something happening at SSCC. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I have no doubt that the Spirit is moving through this congregation. In my limited experience, when this happens a variety of emotions and feeling can come along with it, but I’d like to focus on just three.
First, when the Spirit moves, especially in a new direction, fear is often the first response. It’s the reason in some of the biggest moments in scripture we hear the words “do not be afraid” before the revelation of something great. When the Spirit moves it often means we move too, leaving behind the things of the past that bring us comfort. However, to those in scripture who agree to move as well, and often they do have a choice, so much more good and beauty come of it, even when it isn’t easy. So I’ll invite you as the Spirit moves not to run from the fear but discuss it with your community here. Yes it will be scary at times, but if we stick with God and each other, just wait until you see what’s next.
Second, when the Spirit moves, things tend to get a bit messy. This may sound odd at first, but right after we hear “do not be afraid” in scripture and get amazing news, the newness of things does not always immediately lead to the great ending. At first in the confusion we tend to find chaos, running from evil rulers or trying to understand what it means that Christ is risen. While I don’t think we should expect chaos necessarily, I do suspect that even in our most sincere and humble attempts to listen, things will get messy sometimes. So I invite us all to work through the mess that will come, again not running from it, but embracing it as loving attempts to work with the Spirit from which we can continue to grow.
Third, when the Spirit moves and we get past the fear and the mess, and sometimes even in the middle of it, it will be exciting/liberating/life changing! If we accept the fear and the mess and stick it out, truly listening for God to speak, I am certain amazing things will happen. So I invite us all to listen quietly over the coming weeks, months, and years. I am confident that if we do so, we will look back together as a community and stand amazed at what God has done.
With all respect to Buffalo Springfield, there’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear. However, I am as excited as I remember being in a Christian community at the opportunity we have before us. To echo Rev. Whitmire’s question below, “So where do we go from here?” I may not be sure, but I know if we prepare for and embrace the fear, messiness, and excitement of it all, it is going to be glorious.
Peace,
Teddy
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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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We tend to think that Easter is the culmination and end of the road in this pell mell journey we take from Christ's birth to his death and resurrection each year. At least his disciples thought so. They hadn't a clue how to live as an 'Easter People in a Good Friday World'. Life on the road has been exciting, often beyond belief. Then it ended. And the world was still a hard place, the dreams and imagining of change died on a cross. The only thing they knew to do was go home and go fishing. What they didn't get, was life as a follower of the Christ was at its real beginning. So where do WE go from here?
~ Rev. Linda Whitmire
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YOUTH SUNDAY
We hope you'll make plans to join us for worship on 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 on May 1st!
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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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YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO CAMP CHRISTIAN
This weekend our youth are headed to Camp Christian to help get ready for summer camp! Our youth will be working on lots of projects to help repair cabins and clean camp for another wonderful camping season. We are excited to give back to a place that is so meaningful to our youth!
Below is a list of youth and adults attending. Please pray for a meaningful and spirit-filled trip for our youth group!
Frances Grant, Thomas Grant, Demarise Nelson, Ansley Crutchfield, James Crutchfield, William Reese, Henry Marmo, Zach Chimera, Harrison Brown, William Cox, Josh Wagner, Bryant Gibson, Patty French, Gary Peterson, Kimberly French, Tyler Brown, Trenton Brown, Cindy Brown, and Caroline Grant.
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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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SPEAKING OF FLOWERS...
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 at the same time? Well, we have just the thing!
Starting the first Sunday in May, we will be adding flowers to our church space. Every week, two arrangements from Flowers of Marietta will be on the baptistry. They have agreed to supply the flowers at half price if we mention their name in the bulletin. We are paying $50.00/per arrangement ($100 value) plus delivery. We hope you will sponsor one arrangement for $57.50 or two for $115.00. Your name and why you purchased will be acknowledged both in the bulletin and in Nathan’s announcements. Best of all, you will get to take the flowers home with you at the end of the service! You can sign up for your date/dates by clicking the button below, by signing up on the sheet in the lobby or just call the church office 404.256.2582. Then write a check to SSCC any time prior to your date or you can ZELLE the amount to "accounting@sandysppringscc.org".
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EASTER SPECIAL OFFERING
Thank you to everyone for your generosity in giving to the Easter Special Offering. SSCC was able to send $441.00 to the DOC. The Easter Offering supports General Ministries of the Church. General ministries serve across the United States and Canada, and around the world. General Ministries also partner in ministry with a variety of far-reaching and unique organizations.
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MOTHER'S DAY 2022
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th, and we know you will need to order your gifts soon. 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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TAKE THE OUTREACH SURVEY
The Outreach team is looking for your feedback regarding the programs you would like to see SSCC support. Please contact any member of the Outreach team if you have questions. There are paper copies of the survey and the current program descriptions available on the Outreach credenza in the lobby (but we prefer that you take the survey using the link below).
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INTERNATIONAL DINING IS BACK!
Our International Dining Group is resuming meeting Sunday, April 24, at noon at Kid Cashew, 6090 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. This is a very new Mediterranean restaurant.
All are welcome - members and/or visitors. If you care to be added to our mailing list - to guarantee being advised of our upcoming dates, times and places - please contact Milt Hill at: milthill@comcast.net.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES | |
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PLEASE JOIN US!
Modern Disciples will continue watching “An Introduction to Joy!” by Rob Bell; we will also feature and discuss recent moments of Joy! shared by fellow Modern Disciples! Please join us if you can, but if you can’t… no worries! We hope whatever you are doing is bringing you Joy!
All the best,
Casey Evans
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CURRENT STUDY
Please join the Pathfinders Class at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning in the Common Ground Room. We are currently studying Ecclesiastes, facilitated by John Mills.
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PRAYER REQUESTS AND A THANK YOU
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.
Prayers of joy for Casey Evans who passed his teaching certification exams to become a Special Education teacher!
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.
A personal thank you from Cindi and Phil McCollough for the love and support of them for Phil's neck surgery. The surgery was successful and he is recovering well. Your prayers were felt and so appreciated.
Pray for Jim Torbert as he continues successful rehab. Feel free to send cards to the house with well wishes.
Please pray for Fran Michel's friend, Derek Wright, who is in ICU.
Dottie Gill asks for prayers for Phillip Higgins, her son-in-law, as they investigate options for his knee.
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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