NOTE: THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, SEPT. 6th IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY. |
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A NOTE FROM BRYANT
Happy Labor Day weekend! I hope you all have a chance to relax and rest this weekend and spend some time with family and friends. This is a busy time of year for most people. School and church are back in full swing, football season starts this week and the holiday season is slowly approaching. I know in our house it seems like we are moving from one event to the next. Katie and I talk often of how we are just ships passing in the night, talking briefly of the day’s events before bedtime.
If you add on COVID worries, thoughts for those still facing tumult in Afghanistan, and the political unrest in our country, it leaves most of us feeling weary and searching for hope.
Katie and I have recently started watching Ted Lasso, and for those not familiar, it’s a show about an American college football coach that uproots his life to start coaching premier league soccer in the UK (and no, he’s never coached soccer). It’s a fish out of water story but is nevertheless endearing and charming because of the optimism of the coach and his persistent joy in all things.
This Sunday I hope you’ll make plans to join us in worship as we search for joy in a weary world that so desperately needs it. I’ll be preaching from James 1:2-8, titled “Carry On”.
Check out the rest of our newsletter for other upcoming events including our Courageous Conversations on September 11 & 12.
Grace and Peace,
Bryant
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Sept. 6, 2021
"Carry On"
James 1:2-8
Bryant Gibson
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To view the service this Sunday on our YouTube page, click here.
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Sept. 12, 2021
"Sticking Together in a World Apart"
Romans 12:1-8
Dr. Allen Hilton
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COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS WEEKEND |
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Sandy Springs Christian Church Family,
We want to take this opportunity to invite each of you to attend this year's Courageous Conversation event September 11-12, 2021. The purpose of this event is to help promote healthy and productive conversation about some of the difficult issues facing our community, nation and world today.
How do we find truth? And how do we build community? I hope to help us dive into these two central human questions together. When we build skills for talking to one another across lines of passionate political and theological disagreement, we have a better shot at discovering truth AND we learn to love one another unconditionally – the secret sauce of AGAPE that lives in every thriving community.
Saturday we will begin at 8:30 am with a continental breakfast in Dunlap Hall. We’ll learn new ways of raising the tough questions that Americans don’t ask with people who disagree with us. We will share in brunch at 11:15 am, more conversation, then finish the day at 1:00 pm.
Then Sunday, after I teach during the Sunday School hour (themes from Saturday for those who couldn’t join) and preach in worship (asking “What’s God’s stake in all this?”) we’ll take our new skills out for a spin beyond the usual “GUN CONTROL!” vs “GUN RIGHTS!” shouting match, in a Courageous Conversation at 11:30 am called “Faith and Firearms.” We will meet in Dunlap Hall and lunch will be provided.
Please join us, because we need your voice and ears for the weekend to be complete.
Peace,
Allen Hilton
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If you plan to attend any part of the Courageous Conversation event, please take a moment to sign up. You can sign up by calling or emailing the church office, writing your name on the sign-up sheet at the connect board in the centrum or by clicking on the link below. We need to plan for food and set-up, so please let us know which days you plan to attend (and contact Janis Hill if you have any dietary restrictions at Janishill@comcast.net). Please register by NOON on Tuesday, September 7th.
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Below is a short video that was played during worship on August 29th. It's Allen's personal invitation to you and explains what we will be discussing on Saturday. We look forward to seeing you. |
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CAC CANNED FOOD DRIVE!
The orange and purple food barrels in the lobby are ready to hold your food donations for the CAC. Standard sized items are preferred as large, economy sized items are hard not easy to distribute or pack.
These are the most needed items:
Spaghetti sauce, canned meats, Ensure protein drinks, cereals and oatmeal, condiments, cooking oils, regular & decaf instant coffees, rice, sugar, and salt.
Thrift Store: A Note from Debbie Olson,
"Hi Everyone. Time to schedule September! We’re entering our busy season... We’ll need extra hands on Monday, Sept 13, our re-set day so please let me know if you’ll be coming. It’s fun to be part of the transformation from summer to fall! And because of the $1 sale, clothes will NOT be on sale on Fabulous Friday in September."
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MUST MINISTRIES: MUST is always in need of food, clothing and hygiene products. Their most pressing hygiene product needs are travel-size shampoo and conditioner bottles. SSCC will have a bin in our welcome area for you to drop off. Our Outreach team will handle getting the items to MUST.
If you would like to donate and drop off items at MUST Ministries please CLICK HERE to access a flyer that outlines the most needed food items. The Marietta Donation Center address is 1280 Field Parkway, Marietta, 30066. Or, you can purchase much-needed food items from their Amazon.com wish list and they will be shipped straight to the Donation Center.
Finally, please start purchasing new toys for their upcoming Christmas Toy Drive. SSCC will be collecting toys (ages 0 to 18) during the month of November. More information will be forthcoming.
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TALENT SHOW UPDATE
Just a reminder....We’re still having a Talent Show and we still need you! The date and time is Saturday, October 16th, at 5:00. Remember that we are accepting “service” talent as well as the traditional kind. You are never too young or too old to participate! (Translation: Youth, we want you as well as our Octo- and Nonagenarians!) It’s definitely not too late to be thinking of what you could do.
So far, we have about a dozen people or groups signed up for services or performances.
Momentum is building and we are excited! Plan your contribution and then do one better: Go Ahead and tell us that you are planning to participate. At this point it’s not a firm commitment, but it will help motivate you and energize us! The firm deadline, TBA, will be in early October.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP
In August, we began having a worship leader for our service each week. The worship leader leads a call to worship, reads scripture, offers the call to giving and welcomes visitors. All the words are scripted for you, so there is nothing to prepare. We just need individuals willing to serve as worship leaders each week. Having one worship leader each week will help the staff plan worship, give uniformity to the worship experience and give individuals who enjoy leading worship the opportunity to sign up well in advance. If you'd like to sign up to be a worship leader, please click on the link below. You may sign up for a maximum of two Sundays, for now. Those who enjoy leading communion, offering pastoral prayers and preaching will continue to be recruited as they have been. If you have any questions, please reach out to the chair of Worship, Arts and Education, Stuart Michels, or Pastor Nathan.
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THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT?
Did you know you can download the Breeze app onto your phone and access SSCC Member Directory information right at your fingertips? You can download the app from the app store (for iphones and ipads) by CLICKING HERE. Please call the church office if you have any questions. |
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PATHFINDERS CLASS - UPDATE!
Whether you have questions, answers, both, or neither you can expect wide-ranging information, discussion, and support in the Path Finders’ class. Your ideas, experiences, and knowledge are all welcome. And, if you feel that you don’t have any ideas, experiences, or knowledge you’ll find more than you can imagine as part of this community. Check out our topic each week in the newsletter and plan to join us.
Join John Mills and the Pathfinders in person every Sunday morning in Common Ground at 9:00 am. We are conducting class in person only. No Zoom. This week we will be discussing the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation – the letters to the seven churches. For more information please contact John Mills.
NOTE: Pathfinders will attend Allen Hilton's 9:00 am class on 9/12 - which will be a review of Saturday's Courageous Conversations session.
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MODERN DISCIPLES - SEE NOTE BELOW
Our name, Modern Disciples, accurately reflects our mission to strive to live Christ-centered lives in this ever-changing modern world. We welcome you to visit our class no matter your age, your marital status or family make-up. If you are seeking to grow in your walk with Christ in a fun, casual setting, please consider joining us.
We meet in the Conference Room each Sunday at 9:00 AM and use video series, book discussions and service projects to grow spiritually, connect with one another and to serve others.
Last month, we started a new study called, "The Difficult Words of Jesus," based on the new book by Dr. Amy Jill Levine. You can learn more about the study by clicking the button below.
NOTE: Modern Disciples will not meet 9/5, and will attend Allen Hilton's 9:00 am class on 9/12 - which will be a review of Saturday's Courageous Conversations session.
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KID'S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
Every Sunday at 9:00 am, kids age Preschool - 2nd grade will meet in the Leslie Classroom upstairs. Kids ages 3rd through 5th grade will meet downstairs in room 120.
They follow a new "Whirl" curriculum which includes games, lessons, arts and crafts and Bible study. The kids will have fun and learn all at the same time.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Continued prayers are requested for our US troops, stranded American citizens and the people of Afghanistan, for those affected by the floods and rain in Tennessee and New York, and for those who were affected by the earthquake in Haiti and hurricane Ida.
Caroline Grant asks for prayers for her mom, Sarah Money, for her upcoming radiation treatment.
Pray for Mary Robeck's family who live in Mississippi who went through Hurricane Ida. Also pray for her coworkers, Jessica and her family, as her husband is seriously ill with Covid.
Please pray for our members and their families who serve as first responders and health care workers: Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, Dr. Vijay Rathinam, Robyn Hicks and Pete French. Also those serving in the military: Michelle Brown (Navy), daughter 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), Dalton Brown (Army) and Caleb (Marines), granddaughter, grandson and great grandson of Barb Duren. Chaplain Kevin Mooney (Navy), Linda Whitmire's grand-daughter, 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.
If you have any prayer requests or would like to reach out to Teddy Ivey, our Director of Congregational Care, please email him at Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.
JOIN SSCC!
You can join SSCC by a simple affirmation of faith! If you are attending virtually, just let us know you would like to join!
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WE ARE HAVING A TALENT SHOW!
Saturday, October 16th @ 5:00 PM
“Talent? Great idea, but I don’t sing, I can’t play an instrument...Wish I could help you but, sorry, you really don’t want me!” Yes, we do want YOU! and we are issuing a challenge in support of a great cause: the Chaplaincy program at Campbell-Stone! So, think outside the music-box, think fun, think creatively. Think “nothing ventured, nothing gained!“
Then, think not only of “performance” talents but also about “services” you could perform: dog-sitting, car-washing, cooking, photography, knitting. Chances are, all of us can contribute an infinite number of services...after all we live in a service economy—your talent may be how you make a living or something you do for fun or extra income.
This Talent Show will be a lot like Talent Shows you may have participated in or been an audience for in the past— with one exception. This show will also include an auction of services! An auction is a performance in and of itself, right?
We all know the more you put into something the more you get out of it! This is an opportunity for some lasting dividends in fun, friendship (do something with a friend or a group), and relaxation! AND you have time (two months) to figure out how YOU can make a contribution!
Thank you! We are counting on YOU! It will only be as fun and financially successful as we make it. So assignments one and two: Reserve the date and time: October 16th at 5:00 pm then think creatively “How can I contribute?” Contact Janis Hill for more information via email: janishill@comcast.net.
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Milton Hill Sept. 04
Asher Rathinam Sept. 04
Laura Wright Sept. 06
Ben Gibson Sept. 08
Trenton Brown Sept. 09
Floy Mills Sept. 09
Kenneth Strahm Sept. 09
Megan Kahrs Sept. 10
John Robeck Sept. 10
Victoria Smith Sept. 10
Kelley Rathinam Sept. 13
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Tim Dyke Sept. 15
Kate Lee Sept. 21
Katie Gibson Sept. 22
Madelyn Rathinam Sept. 25
Jenna Hicks Sept. 26
Beverly Mitchell Sept. 26
Teresa Bensch Sept. 27
Becky Chimera Sept. 29
Sid Elliott Sept. 29
Marilyn Torbert Sept. 29
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