A NOTE FROM NATHAN
As Palm Sunday worship unfolded this year, something mysterious happened. The sun was shining outside. The service began with “All Glory, Laud and Honor,” as it does every year. We waved palm branches and heard again the story of the people praising their new king with shouts of “Hosanna!”
However, about the time the sermon concluded, and Ella began her meditative reflection, a storm blew through Sandy Springs—a severe storm. As we moved through the call to giving, the Lord’s Supper and the benediction, the storm increasingly engulfed the church, so that by the time we left the sanctuary, we did so in darkness. In a span of one hour, we moved from the Palms to the Passion. It was a powerful reminder that before light, comes darkness.
That darkness will culminate over the next three days. Tonight, Jesus will share with his disciples the last Supper. Friday he will be crucified. Saturday he will be laid in the tomb. Easter is not yet…
Which, for many of us, we understand now more so than ever before. After all, for the last year, it has felt like we have been living one long season of Lent. As the challenges of this time in our history have mounted, at times, it felt like we were living an unending Holy Week. It has been like one long, not yet….
And yet…the next three days are not the end of the story. Darkness is not the end of our story. Easter is always coming.
You watch, the storm will soon subside. Life will break through once again. Passion will turn into praise. It may not look as it did before. Perhaps that’s not a bad thing. In fact, isn’t that our Easter hope?
As the storm of this time waters seeds of new life, it will be up to us to nurture them. The stone will be rolled away from the tomb, but it will be our responsibility to share the story of resurrection. What will it look like? Will we take the good that’s come from this time and build on it for the future? Will we let die the problems of the past in order that we might live in more fruitful ways? As we emerge from the darkness of Lent into the light of Easter, how will we live the story of resurrection?
It’s Maundy Thursday. We are not through this time of darkness…no…not yet. But, as the angel says, “Do not be afraid.” Easter is coming. Easter is always coming. Get ready. Before you know it, once again, it will be time to share the good news!
Peace,
Nathan
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SSCC Easter Schedule
April 4, 2021
7:00 AM Sunrise Service
(Whitmire Pavilion)
9:00 AM Easter Worship – Child Dedication
(Sanctuary and Livestream)
10:00 AM Easter Egg Hunt
(Abernathy Hill Lawn)
11:00 AM Easter Worship - Baptisms
(Sanctuary and Livestream)
12:00 Easter Egg Hunt
(Abernathy Hill Lawn)
We are excited about Easter worship at SSCC this year!
As you prepare for this special day, please take note of a few highlights below:
- In order to fulfill our safety protocols, the maximum occupancy of the sanctuary for the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services is 100, respectively. Overflow will be available in the Whitmire Pavilion to view the livestream. If we reach capacity, we would love if some of our members might consider giving up their seats to welcome visitors.
- Nursery Care will be provided for children from birth to 3 years of age for both the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services. Our childcare workers have been vaccinated, will be wearing masks and the nursery will be sanitized in-between services.
- Consider coming early. We expect all three services to be close to capacity. Please give yourself and your families plenty of time to arrive and find your seats. This will help us have a safe, meaningful worship experience.
- If this is your first time back in-person or you have not attended recently, please take a moment to review the safety protocol video below. The only change is that we WILL be singing (with masks) on Easter Sunday!
- Finally, if you plan to attend in-person, and have not already signed up, please click on the button below and let us know how many are attending from your family. Again, this is NOT a reservation, but it does help us for the purposes of planning.
We are excited to see many of you on Sunday!
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To view the service this Sunday on our YouTube page, click here.
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EASTER EGG HUNT
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are so excited to announce that we will have an Easter Egg Hunt after both the 9:00 am and 11:00 am Easter services this Sunday! The egg hunt will take place outside after each service and children over the age of 3 will need to wear masks. We will also do our best to make sure we are still following safety protocols. All families will meet after worship in the green space outside of the sanctuary near the lower parking lot on the Abernathy side of the church grounds.
We need some last minute help from the congregation though! If you are able, we would love for you to drop some pre-stuffed eggs by the church any time in the next two weeks (Office hours are Mon. - Thurs. from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm) or when you are here for Service. We will even take them on Easter Sunday! Any amount you can bring would be helpful.
We look forward to a fun, safe event for our SSCC Kids as we celebrate the risen Christ. Thanks for your help!
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EASTER LILIES
Our SSCC Family has a long-standing tradition of sponsoring Easter Lilies in honor, memory or celebration of family and loved ones.
Please click on the button below to view this year's list.
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DOC EASTER OFFERING
The Easter Offering, received by most congregations, supports several of the general ministries of the Christian Church. Your gift supports college students in leadership development programs, global mission partners, health and social service ministries, the formation of new congregations, support for pastors and chaplains, and so much more.
You may give online by CLICKING HERE or by sending a check to the church marked "Easter Offering" in the memo line.
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WRAP UP SESSION WITH PASTOR NATHAN
Join Pastor Nathan for a wrap of of the Everybody Always series, today, April 1st at 7:00 pm via ZOOM - Meeting ID: 834 0609 8216.r click the button below to join that evening.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayers are requested for Miranda Cook who is having surgery today.
Teddy Ivey's friend Carie Whittaker is having more health issues related to her COVID experience earlier this year.
Please pray for our members and their families who serve as first responders and health care workers: Dr. Tim Helton, Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, Dr. Vijay Rathinam, Robyn Hicks and Pete French. Also those serving in the military: Derrick Brown (Army) and Michelle Brown (Navy), children of Cindy and Pete Brown. 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) and Dalton Brown (Army) granddaughter and grandson of Barb Duren and Chaplain Kevin Mooney (Navy), Linda Whitmire's granddaughter, Hayleigh Whitmire (Army) and Kathy Woodworth's step grandson Parker Mansel (Marines). If we are missing someone, please let us know so that we can include their name in our weekly prayers.
JOIN SSCC!
You can join SSCC by a simple affirmation of faith anytime! If you want to join during this virtual time, just let us know you would like to join!
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WELCOME TO THE WORLD!
Members Chris and Scott Dalton are thrilled to announce the birth of their grandson, Thomas Buchanan Dalton, born March 22! Thomas is the son of Stuart and Kate Dalton, their son and daughter-in-law.
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REQUEST FROM OUR "MARKETING TEAM"
Congregation, as part of our marketing efforts this year the team would appreciate if you could take a couple minutes of your time and leave a review on google of our church. We have 5 stars but only 7 reviews! This will help encourage visitors for those using the internet.
Also along that line, when you come to Sunday service we would appreciate if a few more of you could park in the Abernathy side parking lot and spread out, just so that people know we are open and meeting in-person!
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UPDATED CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
We have expanded Church office hours to Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm.
We will be retrieving phone messages each day and will return calls the following day. So feel free to call the church if you need anything or email Amy@sandyspringscc.org if you wish. |
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HELP SUPPORT CAMP CHRISTIAN!
Join us again April 9 - 11 as we run/walk in your hometown for our 2021 Camp Christian Virtual 5K to raise money. It’s as easy as tying your shoes! Put on an old Camp t-shirt (if you have one), and grab your running buddies, camp buddies, and church buddies and get out there! After you run, you can record your time and post it to the events page. Take some pictures and sing some songs, and let’s raise some money for Camp Christian!
Register before midnight on April 1st to guarantee a t-shirt. Cost is $35. T-shirts will be mailed after the race weekend.
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DOING MINISTRY DIFFERENTLY |
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GOLF TOURNAMENT TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CAC OFFICE
Join us for a special golf tournament on May 5 to support the construction of Community Assistance Center’s new branch office in Sandy Springs! The Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGCGA) Young Leadership Program’s 22nd Annual Golf Classic will take place at two golf clubs in Peachtree City. This year, 100% of proceeds will be used on YLP’s interior build-out CAC’s new branch office in south Sandy Springs on Northwood Drive! Registration information is available on CAC’s website at www.ourcac.org.
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HELPING THE CAC
Pease CLICK HERE for updated information from the CAC regarding:
- CAC Thrift Shop Expanded Hours/Volunteers Needed
- Golf Tourney to Support Construction of New CAC Office
- Fulton County Honors Tamara Carrera
- Helping Families Facing Eviction
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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 Jenna Hicks so that we can provide assistance to keep their pantry full. Email jennakhicks@gmail.com or call 404-441-1668.
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MUST MINISTIRES: If you would like to donate and drop off items please CLICK HERE to access a flyer that outlines the most needed items. Monetary donations are very much needed and can be done so online via their website, or send a check in the mail to MUST Ministries, P.O. Box 1717, Marietta, GA 30061.If you have questions please contact Cathy Cortright at cortright13@gmail.com.
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CONNECT WITH OTHERS
SSCC has subscribed to zoom for anyone who might need it to virtually meet using a video conference method. Only one group can use our account at a time. If you would like your group to use zoom to virtually meet, please contact Amy Frost via email (amy@sandyspringscc.org) to schedule your group on the calendar. We can help you learn how to send an invite to your group.
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Camden Gibson April 01
Suzanna Torbert April 01
Austin Michels April 02
Caroline Filacchione April 03 Michael McCluskey April 03 MacKenzie Michels April 04
Nathan Brown April 05
Emma McCluskey April 05
Claire Giles April 08
Tanner Hicks April 10
Betsy Robinson-Hicks April 11
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Leslie Kahrs April 11
Michelle Leek April 12
Tom Money April 13
David McGahee April 17
Terry Frost April 20
Evan Bensch April 21
Carol Armstrong April 25
Ryan Driemeyer April 25
Michaela Mason April 27
Donovan Frost April 29
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