A NOTE FROM NATHAN

Doubt. We all have it from time to time. It’s part of the human condition. In fact, there is something healthy about having some suspicion. As a result, we all tend to live by the phrase, “Trust, but verify.”

As people of faith, though, should we ever doubt God? Should we ever question our beliefs? Should we ever practice anything other than sheer, blind-faith? And what does the Bible say about doubting the Divine or, at the very least, questioning the teachings of our faith?

During the season of Lent this year, we are going to explore some of these questions, among others, through worship. After living through crises the last two years, most of us have likely, at one time or another, wrestled with our faith. If you believe in God, having questions is inevitable.

So, I want to hear what those questions have been in the past or currently are for you. Does God really exist? Does prayer work? Is Jesus the ONLY way? Is there a Divine plan for my life? No question is off limits. Although, I can’t promise every question will make it into my sermon series.

Lent is a time during which we journey through the wilderness – a time that we cultivate a more meaningful relationship with God. Questions and doubt are not the enemy on this journey. They're the path to a deeper faith. 

Please send your questions to nathan@sandyspringscc.org by Friday, February 11^th. I certainly don’t have all the answers. I can promise, however, to live the questions with you.

Peace,

Nathan

SERMON SERIES

Glow

A Sermon Series for the season of Epiphany

by Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

“You are the light of the world” -- that’s what Jesus says, according to Matthew 5:14. He doesn’t say, “you should,” or “you could” or “you can.” No, he says, “You are the light of the world," which means we glow. Each and every one of us emanates light. Yes, sometimes we forget. Sometimes we fail to recognize it. Sometimes we have a hard time trusting it. Perhaps we are not putting it under a bushel basket, but sometimes we do try to hide it. So, during this season of light, we call Epiphany, let us spend some time in worship

reflecting on how we might spend less time living in woe and start learning

to embrace our glow.

February 13, 2022

Trust the Light

Luke 5:1-11

February 20, 2022

Woe or Glow?

Luke 6:17-26

IMPORTANT DATES

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE

If you have something for publishing in the newsletter, please submit it via email to: amy@sandysprings.org by 10:00 Thursday mornings.

TOMORROW!

Our SSCC annual leadership retreat will take place tomorrow, Saturday, February 12th at Sandy Springs Christian Church. We will meet in the Leslie Classroom.

We would like to thank you for agreeing to take on your respective leadership roles.

INSTALLATION SUNDAY

This Sunday, February 13th, we will be officially installing our leadership for 2022 during worship. This is a time to pray for our shared ministry, to affirm those who have been called to serve and to acknowledge the transition of leadership that takes place from one year to the next.

If you are part of the Leadership Council, Eldership, Trustees, Diaconate and Sunday School teachers, we hope you can make it to worship either in person or virtually for your official installation. It's going to be an exciting year of ministry. Let's come out and support those who will lead us along the way!

We hope you will be able to participate. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Leslie Lady at bwlady@bellsouth.net.

SSCC NOTEABLES

CELEBRATING PEACHTREE CORNERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

This past Sunday we celebrated the legacy of Peachtree Corners Christian Church. We learned of their history and heritage as told by Jenny Miller.

In addition, we welcomed six new members from PCCC to SSCC. They are: Jenny Miller, Cathy Miller, Bruce Brandt, Gayle Caswick, Arlene Floch, and Klaus Floch. We hope to share more about each of them through the newsletter over the course of the next few weeks!

NEW MEMBERS

Last Sunday we were excited that Mark, Debbie and Lyle Olson decided to officially make SSCC their new church home.

Mark and Debbie, originally from Ohio, came to Atlanta after Mark retired from the Navy 10 years ago. Their children, Hal and Jill, are both college students. Mark and Deb found their way to SSCC through Deb’s work at Community Assistance Center.

Lyle moved to Georgia almost a year ago after spending many years on the west coast. Living at Campbell Stone, there was an immediate connection with the bridge-playing congregants of SSCC.  

OUTREACH UPDATE

Do you have a servant heart? Have a suggestion for an outreach program or project? Would you like to help our community through SSCC Outreach? Contact Cindi McCollough - csbfish@bellsouth.net, 770-365-0365 text or call. 

Our next Third Saturday at CAC is Saturday, February 19th. CLICK HERE to sign up for Saturday or other volunteer opportunities at CAC. Your neighbors and SSCC need YOU! Please share a few hours of your time with us at the CAC.

Food baskets and barrels are waiting in the church lobby for food donations and toiletries. Current food needs:

 Beans (dry), Canned Fruit, Vegetables, Tomatoes and Meat,

Canned Pastas, Cereal/Oatmeal, Dry or Evaporated Milk, Jelly, Jell-O or Pasta, Peanut Butter, Pudding Mix, Macaroni & Cheese, Meal Helpers

Meat Entrees (chili, stew, chicken & dumplings), Potatoes (dry/can), Rice, Soup

Snacks (crackers, cookies), Spaghetti Sauce

Toiletries:

Diapers (medium, large, xl), Deodorant, Disposable Razors, Feminine Products

Shampoo, Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Toilet Paper

SIZES: Standard sized containers are best, oversized or family size containers are difficult to pack and carry for many of our clients using public transportation.

EXPIRATION DATE: For safety reasons, canned and dry goods past the three-month expiration date cannot be distributed.

BROWN BAGS: Consider requesting paper bags when shopping and then donate them to CAC. It is a great way to recycle!

BAPTISM AND BELONGING CLASS

Lent is typically a time of preparation for baptism. In the Disciples tradition, we usually baptize children during the time of 3rd-6th grade. If your child is interested in exploring an Easter Baptism, we hope you'll consider joining us for our Baptism and Belonging class led by Rev. Nathan. Dates for our class will become available as we find a time that works best for the children involved.

This is really just a chance for your child to learn more about baptism. By coming to the class, by no means does that mean your child has to be baptized this year. We really want your child to feel comfortable and understand what it means before making such an important decision. Parents are also welcome to join us for the class. After the class, we can talk more about whether you all are ready for baptism on Easter Sunday. You can email Bryant & Katie at youth@sandyspringscc.org for more information or to secure a spot for your child.

Also, in the Disciples of Christ Church, if you haven't been baptized, you are always welcome. If you have questions about baptism. Please contact Rev. Nathan at nathan@sandyspringscc.org or call the church office.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES

PLEASE JOIN US!

Hello Modern Disciples! This Sunday please attend our class that will gather in the Conference Room at our normal time... 9:00-ish for socializing & refreshments then class begins around 9:15-ish. 

This week, we will be focusing on the third chapter of Adam Hamilton book study called "The Walk". This third chapter focuses on "Serve: Here I Am, Lord, Send Me". No reading necessary to attend class... purely optional! There will be a video to watch to help you with Cliff-notes of the chapter. We'd love to see, pray, worship, study and serve with you on Sunday morning for socializing, learning, discussion, & refreshments before Sunday worship!

All the best, Casey Evans

SIX-WEEK STUDY

Please join the Pathfinders Class at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning in the Common Ground Room. We are currently in a six-week study of Galatians, facilitated by John Mills, using the book, Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians (2020) by Beth Moore and Melissa Moore.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Prayers for safety and wisdom for Brandi Evans as she is serving as a juror on a complicated criminal case.

Nancy Trusty requests prayers for Donna Lassiter, Dawna Abel, Donna Bruyere and Nancy McWhorter.

Prayers for a friend struggling with an eating disorder.

Jenna, Betsy and Tanner Hicks request prayers for Troy Tatum

Please pray for and send hugs to John, Reverend Carol Mallon’s husband and life partner, as he navigates life without Carol. Carol passed away the evening of 2 Feb. Also, lift up the Rehabilitation Team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Carol served as the Chaplain for that team and the children they cared for for many years. Carol was also a long time member of SSCC.

Prayers for Mary Robeck for continued healing as she goes through PT and is recovering from her surgery.

Please pray for the Michels family.

Prayers for Richard (Dick) Allen who is hospitalized and hopes to come home this weekend.

Please keep Lolly Ross in your prayers over the coming weeks. Pray for Dan as well as he helps care for her in this time of need.

Prayers are requested for Bryant Hodgson who had a knee replacement and is back in the hospital to recuperate. Cards would also be appreciated to boost this kind man’s spirits. 

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.