A NOTE FROM NATHAN (aka Scooby's Dad)
After six months of written essays, artwork and power-point presentations from our children, Marion and I finally relented. Or should I say, we caved. We got a dog. I’ve included his picture in this article. His name is Scooby. He is what breeders refer to as a “Sproodle” or “Springer-Doodle.” He is part Spring Spaniel, part Poodle. As you can imagine, everyone is smitten with Scooby.
Upon sharing our news with others, I’ve been reminded that pets are a kind of love language for so many. Even if someone is not a dog-lover, they are eager to share stories about their own pet. Those that share those stories almost, without exception, do so with a smile on their face. In fact, almost every conversation I’ve had with others about Scooby has included laughter in some way shape or form.
There are so many small joys in life, especially this time of year. Walking outside in the cool evening with your pet. A warm cup of coffee outside on the porch in the morning. Tailgating with friends. Cozying up with a blanket and a good book. Laughing with friends around the firepit. Over and over again, throughout scripture, we are reminded that joy is a gift from God. We need only recognize and accept it.
Which, I realize, has been difficult for many, these last 18 months. With so much pain in the world, sometimes, we don’t give ourselves the grace to be happy. Yet, the Psalmist writes, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” God transforms our tears into laughter. God turns death into new life. God wants, for all of God’s people, to experience, in its many forms, the gift of joy.
To this end, I’m starting a new sermon series this Sunday in worship we are calling, “Divine Comedy.” We hope this to be a light-hearted, fun series, full of smiles, laughter, and a great deal of joy. On Sunday, October 17th, I plan to also begin a Community Sunday School series called, “God and Monsters.” See below for more information. Likewise, this seasonal study is aimed at a little levity and amusement. It will last three weeks and will take place in Dunlap Hall.
The month of October is my favorite for so many reasons, not the least of which being the small joys it brings. This year, Scooby is only adding to that joy. Let’s embrace the small joys of this season, Sandy Springs Christian Church, and have some good ole fashioned fun together. See you Sunday!
Peace,
Nathan
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PASTOR NATHAN PRAYS AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Each month, the City Council of Sandy Springs invites clergy from the community to pray before their City Council meetings. This month, Pastor Nathan represented SSCC by praying at the city council meeting last Tuesday evening. Below is a link to his prayer.
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Divine Comedy
A Sermon Series
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy…
Psalm 126:2
We all need a good laugh from time to time, especially these days. After all, humor has a way of cutting the tension and bringing people together. You might say laughter has the power to bind us together. Scripture certainly reinforces this idea. In fact, comic relief is found throughout the Bible. In characters who laugh, stories meant to delight and proverbs that make you giggle, comedy is depicted as a gift from the Divine. During the month of October, let’s come together in worship and, as the Psalmist says, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy!” (Psalm 47:1)
October 10, 2021
Holy Humor
Psalm 126
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
October 17, 2021
Find Your Voice
Genesis 18:1-15
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
October 24, 2021
Share Your Truth
Galatians 3:23-29
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
October 31, 2021
Timing is Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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To view the service this Sunday on our YouTube page, click here.
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THIS SUNDAY AFTER WORSHIP
Immediately following worship THIS SUNDAY, Oct. 10, we will hold our quarterly TOWN HALL meeting in the sanctuary. We will have updates from Finance, Visioning, Outreach, TDS and our Trustees regarding the HVAC system in the sanctuary. Please make arrangements to attend!
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STEWARDSHIP REMINDER
Stewardship packets were distributed last Sunday, following worship and mailed out early this week. Please remember to return your Estimate of Giving cards to the church before Sunday, October 31st, when we will bless and dedicate them during the service.
If you'd prefer fill one out electronically, click on the button below.
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WOMEN'S GROUP - SIGMA DELTA
Our Sigma Delta ladies have their monthly meeting on the second Wednesday each month.
The ladies will meet on Wednesday, October 13th in Common Ground at 10:30 am for a time of discussion and fellowship. Then they will move to the Conference Room for lunch. If you have any questions, please contact Ann Walker.
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TALENT SHOW - OCTOBER 16TH
The Talent Show planned for Sat. October 16th, is a FUNdraiser. This will be a great night of entertainment for you and your family, and also a significant source of money to support the Chaplaincy program at Campbell-Stone Apartments. The Chaplaincy program primarily pays for a chaplain trained in gerontology and pastoral counseling to be available to the residents. It attends to the spiritual needs of residents through worship, Bible study, communion, and memorial services. Because of rules concerning the separation of church and state, SSCC and other area churches are the sole support of Campbell-Stone’s Chaplaincy program.
There will be no admission fee; however, there will be a modest charge of $5 for a delicious piece of pie and a hot or cold drink—much less than you would pay at any restaurant for quality refreshments! Besides enjoying the talent presented, you will have an opportunity to bid on some great items and services donated by church members. If you’ve ever doubted the talent and abilities of our members,—surely not!— this is an opportunity to put those fears at rest!
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COMMUNITY SUNDAY SCHOOL
On Sunday, October 17th, Pastor Nathan will begin a three-week Community Wide Sunday School in Dunlap Hall. We will theologically reflect on some of the monsters that show up in the Bible and how they are related to the ones we see this time of year. Perhaps we will learn a little something about ourselves and how we treat one another along the way. Come enjoy this fun, light-hearted study with your SSCC friends. Who knows? You might even get some treats for your participation!
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SSCC's 13th ANNUAL TRUNK-N-TREAT (Includes a Service Project)
Get your trunks ready!
We will have our 13th annual Trunk n Treat event directly after worship on Sunday, Halloween Day, October 31st from 11:15 am to 1:00 pm. Have your kids wear their Halloween costumes to church that morning!
After worship, we will have a service project in Dunlap Hall for kids and adults to participate, as well as snacks, drinks and some time for fellowship. During this time, we invite those of you who will be decorating and setting up your trunks to do so.
The children will head to the parking lot after the service project to Trunk n Treat!
We need trunkers though! If you would like to volunteer to provide a trunk, you can email Bryant at youth@sandyspringscc.org, or sign up at the church anytime.
We hope you'll make plans to join us for a wonderful day of service, fun and fellowship!
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CAC CANNED FOOD DRIVE & VOLUNTEER OPPS!
The orange and purple food barrels in SSCC's lobby are here to collect your food donations for the CAC. Standard sized items are preferred as large, economy sized items are hard not easy to distribute or pack. Expired items cannot be distributed.
These are the most needed items:
dry beans and canned meats, boxed and canned meals, canned fruit and vegetables, coffee, small bottles of cooking oil and detergents, meat entrees like chili or stew, pasta, peanut butter and jelly, ramen noodles, soup and rice.
NEW! The CAC is also in need of two volunteers to work at the Dunwoody Food Pantry (near the Georgetown Shopping Center in Dunwoody) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. The Dunwoody Food Pantry is a smaller location with lower volume than the main Food Pantry at 8607 Roswell Road. So, this opportunity would be much more low key. If interested please contact Nolan at volunteer@ourcac.org or nolanfeintuch@ourcac.org or CLICK HERE to view volunteer opportunities .
CAC CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: The CAC has exciting plans in the works! Be on the lookout for more information regarding some fun & quick mini projects as well as upcoming holiday projects. CLICK HERE for more information.
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MUST MINISTRIES TOY DRIVE
MUST Ministries is holding their annual toy drive. They are seeking new, unwrapped toys (ages 6 mo. to 18 yrs of age) to distribute for Christmas. We will be collecting UNWRAPPED toys starting November 1st through November 21st.
All you have to do is bring the new, unwrapped toys to church and place them in the bins. We will take the gifts to MUST Ministries on your behalf.
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In addition, MUST is always in need of food, clothing and hygiene products. Their most pressing hygiene product needs are travel-size shampoo and conditioner bottles. We have a bin in our Lobby near the Outreach board for you to drop off items.
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RECONCILIATION MINISTRY SPECIAL OFFERING
We believe that the Christian Church (Disciple of Christ) is uniquely equipped to encourage racial equity and justice in the communities where we worship and serve. We will be taking up a special offering on October 10th and 17th. Your gifts to Reconciliation Ministry promote our mission of creating a just and loving society.
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PLEASE LOG IN AND UPDATE YOUR PROFILE!
If you have any questions regarding Breeze from signing up to using any features, please don't hesitate to call Amy at the church office, 404.256.2582.
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SSCC YOUTH
You can click on the button below to view our schedule for the Fall. If you'd like to make dinner for the youth group, we'd love to have you! Reach out to Bryant at youth@sandyspringscc.org for more details and to sign up!
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NEWSLETTER "NEWS"
SSCC's "This Week" newsletter will go out via email on Friday mornings. With all of the planning and preparation for Sunday that the staff and volunteers do on Thursdays, this will just give them some extra time that day.
If you have anything that needs to be put in the newsletter, or if you need to update an article, you will now have until noon on Thursdays to submit it. If you have any questions, or have something to submit, please email amy@sandyspringscc.org.
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP IN WORSHIP?
The worship leader leads a call to worship, reads scripture, offers the call to giving and welcomes visitors each week. All the words are provided for you, so there is nothing to prepare, unless you want to add a personal touch of your own. 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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PRAYER REQUESTS
Carolyn Dishman asks for prayers for her son-in-law, Steve Devinney, who will have spinal surgery today.
Teresa Edens requests prayers for her mother, Joanne Campbell, following a fall in which she broke her jaw.
Prayers are requested 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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PATHFINDERS CLASS
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 discussing the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation – the letters to the seven churches.
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MODERN DISCIPLES
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.
We look forward to you joining us whether or not you've actually read the book yourself!
You can learn more about the study by clicking the button below.
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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 the "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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Sarah Money October 07
Don Daugherty October 08
Sandy Matthews October 09
Bob Hicks October 14
Ellis Torbert October 14
Matt McKinney October 16
Becky Kelly October 17
Dawna Abel October 21
Lilian (Lily) Grace Norman October 21
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Merilyn Dimmitt October 23
Vijay Rathinam October 23
Sally Tutterow October 24
Paul Kapphahn October 25
Cindy Brown October 26
Alice Saunders October 26
Chris Dalton October 27
Bert Blackburn October 31
Linda Davis-Rolen October 31
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