A NOTE FROM NATHAN


I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

                         John 15:5


I am by no means a horticulturist. However, I do have some experience with vines and branches. It is evident to me they are meant to grow. Yes, they sometimes need trimming. Jesus reminds us, they need pruning to bear fruit. In the end, though, it’s obvious they were created to stretch toward the light. It’s no wonder Jesus uses such imagery to describe us, as people of faith.

 

The last couple of years, though, it’s been difficult to branch out as we are intended. We were told, instead, to be more rooted. So, we sheltered in place, connected virtually, and kept our branches pruned more so than usual. What is intended to grow, however, cannot permanently be kept at bay. Otherwise, it will die on the vine.

 

Thus, it’s time for us, again, to branch out in every aspect of our lives. It’s time to visit people we have not seen, to go on trips we have put off, to take advantage of opportunities we missed. This, of course, includes our spiritual lives as well. It’s time for us, again, to branch out in ministry.

 

Last Sunday we began a three-week sermon series entitled, “Branching Out.” While this sermon series is taking place during our stewardship emphasis in worship, it is intended to be a series on spiritual growth. How are we, as people of faith, to stretch toward the light in new and creative ways? How might we experiment in ministry, in order to branch out to our neighbors in a world that has changed overnight? As our roots have deepened at SSCC these last couple of years, how might we now bear more abundant fruit?

 

The general answers to these questions are the same – abiding, tending, and pruning. After all, the call has not changed. However, the tools we use, the methods we employ, and those we involve in the gardening may be different. As a result, the fruit may not taste or look the same. That’s not a bad thing. It’s simply the way in which God’s creation furthers its reach. We just need to keep doing what we were created to do – growing, stretching, and branching out toward the light.

 

See you Sunday!

 

Peace,

Nathan

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by noon on Thursdays.

CURRENT SERMON SERIES

Branching Out

A Sermon Series on Spiritual Growth

 

After being encouraged for so long to abide at home, we are finally able, once again, to venture out in the world. We’ve been making up for lost time. We’ve been traveling to see people we have missed. We’ve been going on vacations we put off. Once again, we are branching out in many aspects of our lives. Are we doing the same in our spiritual lives? Are we making up for lost time with our communities of faith? Are we letting go of things that are keeping us from a deeper relationship with God and one another? Are we branching out in ministry? During the next three weeks in worship, we will explore what it looks like today for the Church to grow in God’s Spirit, venture out in faith, and stretch toward a life lived in the light.

 

 Sunday, September 24, 2022

Pruning for Fruit

Luke 16:19-31

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

 

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Abiding in the Vine

(World Communion Sunday)

John 15:1-8

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

CLICK HERE TO READ SUNDAY'S SCRIPTURE
VIEW SUNDAY'S BULLETIN
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE LIVESTREAM 10:15 SUNDAY AM OR TO VIEW PAST SERVICES
CLICK HERE to sign up for Sanctuary Flowers on a future date

NOTABLE DATES

GUEST SPEAKER AND LUNCHEON

Following service on September 25th, we will have a Ukrainian themed luncheon in Dunlap Hall. The guest speaker will be Jennifer Garcia, from Inspiritus. Her presentation will be on how Disciples Churches are helping Afghan and Ukrainian refugees resettle in Atlanta. 


The deadline to sign up is September 23rd at noon. We are asking for a $5 donation per person to help cover the cost. Hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE LUNCHEON

SAVE THE DATE!

We will have a Town Hall meeting immediately following service on October 9th. More details forthcoming.

SSCC NOTABLES

SPECIAL OFFERING

The Reconciliation Ministry Special Offering is received each year in congregations on September 27th and October 2nd (in conjunction with World Communion Sunday). Funds generated by this special emphasis are used throughout the year to provide grants to ministries and congregations actively developing and implementing programs that promote our Church’s Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racist identity. These programs and efforts seek to reveal, re-educate, and remove systemic and structural barriers in our communities that serve to deny the image of God and human thriving based on race.


When you give to this special offering, please mark your gift as such. Thank you in advance.

GIVE ONLINE HERE TO THE SPECIAL OFFERING

BACK TO YOUTH!

What a wonderful return to youth we had last week. We celebrated in style with “Banana Night” where we played so many fun games with bananas. It was a great night of fun and fellowship as we get ready for a great year of youth group. Check out some pictures from our event below.


HELP PROVIDE A MEAL FOR YOUTH GROUP

If you have a youth-aged child, we would love to see you there! Caroline Grant has made a SignUp Genius to provide meals for the group each week (average 20-25 people). There are several ways you can help. You can help prepare the meals, send one via DoorDash, or just drop the prepared food off and Caroline will take care o the rest. Please sign up to volunteer to feed the group one Sunday evening by clicking the link below to find a date that works for you. It is always a joy to have members come join our youth group! Average 20-25/week 404-697-0317.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO PROVIDE A MEAL

A NOTE FROM THE STEINMETZ/MCCLUSKEY FAMILY

"Last Saturday afternoon, as we sat in the sanctuary and celebrated my mom's life, the love and prayers from our church felt like a warm embrace. This church does so many things right and caring for our own is definitely one of them. To our dear church family, we cannot thank you enough for all of the support and love you have given us with the loss of Bunny. Thank you for the calls, cards, messages, and hugs, helping with the service and reception, and welcoming our extended family - it means more than we can ever fully express. With deepest gratitude and love, Larry, Susan, Tracey, Michael, and Emma"

A BIG THANK YOU!

Together, we made a difference! Trees were trimmed, a Garden was planted, the Pit and the Pantry got reorganized, the Kitchen got a thorough cleaning, and so much more! Thank you to all who gave their time and effort to our recent all church workday. Our thanks to Jim Armstrong, Peter Brown, Tony Chimera, Cathy Cortright, William Cox, Caroline and Frances Grant, Benay Gunby, Tim Helton, Janis Hill, Phil Leek, Bryant and Nancy McDaniel, Sarah Money, Elizabeth and Gary Peterson, Michaela Scarborough, Denise Shipman, Jim and Marilyn Torbert, and Nancy Trusty for a job well done.  


Thank you to Janis Hill and the Care and Connect team for the breakfast and waters, and thanks also to Phil Leek for helping coordinate the effort.

CAC NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

SSCC will soon partner on 3rd Saturdays at CAC with Temple Sinai. We’re excited about working together with Temple Sinai! Our next 3rd Saturday at CAC is October 21st.


If you have computer skills, office experience or just want to help, volunteers are needed in the Career Center; as client interviewers; Food Pantry volunteers and Upscale Thrift volunteers. Find more here: CLICK HERE TO READ "CONGREGATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES" From Francis Horton, CEO of CAC.


FOOD COLLECTION FOR CAC

With rising food and fuel costs many families and individuals are struggling to make ends meet. Supplies are running low on food pantry shelves. Please bring items listed below for food collection barrels in the church lobby. Standard size containers and no glass, please! Urgently needed: Pasta, Sauces, Dry Grains (Beans, Lentils and Rice), Peanut Butter, Canned Tuna and Chicken, Baby Food and Diapers sizes 0, 1, 5, 6.

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PHOTOGRAPHERS NEEDED!

Are you one of those folks with a fancy new phone with an upgraded camera? Are you a budding photographer? Do you love taking pictures of everything, even selfies? Are you a fan of SSCC's events and special services? Then we would like to talk to you!


With all of the special events and services we have coming up, we often times fail to capture those special moments and people in photographs. If you are interested in just snapping a few photos (on a camera or cell phone) and sending them to the church, we would love to hear from you. Please Contact Amy at the church office. No previous experience required!

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES

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NEW UPDATE

Join us starting this Sunday as we listen, discuss, and enjoy some "Fruit (and Dunkin' Donut holes) for Thought" together in the conference room before church on Sundays. There will be no pre-reading necessary ahead of time. Just come to learn & share your Fruit!

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WELCOME

Please join John Mills and the Pathfinders in Common Ground, Sundays at 9:00 am. This Sunday we will be discussing Death and the Purpose of Rituals and Funerals in Light of Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral Services and Internment Service.

PRAYER REQUESTS

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Janet Lochery requests prayers for Michael Lane and his wife, Isobel. Michael has skin cancer and is just embarking on radiotherapy at the Churchill hospital in Oxford, UK.


Prayers are requested for Elizabeth Adrion who was diagnosed with Covid on Monday.


Please pray for Ron Underwood, a friend of the Frosts, who will begin treatment for an esophagael tumor.


Dennis Bramblett had an outpatient procedure yesterday. He and Joan request our prayers.


Continued prayers are requested for Scott and Amy Nesbit who are both challenged with serious health issues.


Prayers requested for Mary Anne Posey after a recent fall and hip surgery last Friday. She is recovering well and we pray that continues.


Prayers requested for Allen McCharen following a recent fall. He is currently recovering at home and receiving great care from Lynn.

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Prayers are requested for our members and their families who serve as first responders or health care workers: Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, Dr. Vijay Rathinam, and Robyn Hicks. Also those serving in the military: Tyler Brown (Army), son of Tami and Stephen Brown. Jared Mills (Army), son/stepson of John and Floy Mills. Rachel Robeck (Navy), daughter of John and Mary Robeck. Jamie Price Smith (Air Force), Dalton Brown (Army) and Caleb (Marines), granddaughter, grandson and great grandson of Barb Duren. Chaplain Kevin Mooney (Navy), and Linda Whitmire's grand-daughter, Hayleigh Whitmire (Army). If we are missing someone, please let us know so that we can include their name in our weekly prayers.


If you have any prayer requests or joys to share, please contact Rev. Teddy Ivey, Director of Congregational Care via email: Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.

Madelyn Rathinam September 25 Jenna Hicks September 26

Beverly Mitchell September 26

Teresa Bensch September 27

Becky Chimera September 29

Sid Elliott September 29

Marilyn Torbert September 29