A NOTE FROM NATHAN
I can’t believe this Saturday is New Year’s Eve, can you? I know, I know. You thought it wasn’t until December 31st. On the one hand, you are right. On the other hand, this Saturday is also the last day on another calendar: the Church Calendar. On November 28th, as we begin the Advent season, with our annual Hanging of the Green Service, we are simultaneously beginning a new liturgical year. For Christians, the first Sunday of Advent is a kind of New Year’s Day.
The beginning of a new year always provides an opportunity – for a fresh start, to set new goals, to leave behind the past and take steps toward the future. The start of a new Church year offers us this same opportunity, especially with regard to our spiritual life. This is a perfect time to set some spiritual goals.
Perhaps you’d like to designate, more intentionally, a time for prayer each day. Maybe you hope to set a goal of being in worship more regularly. You could read through the Bible in the coming year. You could start volunteering with a new ministry or become part of a church committee. You could simply attempt to be more mindful, each day, of how God might be present in your life. The possibilities are endless. And, if there ever was a time, it would seem to be now.
After all, the more I talk with congregants, colleagues, friends and family, the more I am aware of how these last two years have had an impact on our spiritual lives in significant ways. Some have grown more distant from God. Some are finding it difficult to return to Church. Some have struggled to find any semblance of a spiritual life, without regular spiritual practices or small groups or connection to other people of faith. Some are simply out of the habit.
The good news of Advent is that God is relentless. God comes into the world despite the challenges we face. God comes into our lives even when we are reluctant. God comes into our hearts when we least expect it. The God born to us in the Christ child is the same God who comes to us over and over and over again.
The beginning of the Church calendar year reminds us that the light of the world has come, is here, and will come again. No matter how dark our proverbial worlds might feel, God’s light is always breaking in. We are called to take the initiative to look for it and receive it.
I pray each of you have a happy Thanksgiving. And I look forward to beginning a new year, and a new day with you, Sandy Springs Christian Church. See you Sunday!
Peace,
Nathan
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IN OBSERVANCE OF THANKSGIVING, THE CHURCH OFFICE
WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY, NOV. 25 AND FRIDAY NOV. 26.
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HANGING OF THE GREEN - THIS SUNDAY!
Nov. 28, 2021
We invite you and your family and friends to attend SSCC's 50th Annual Hanging of the Green during our 10:15 am service, this Sunday, November 28th. This is a very special service with stories, scripture and singing.
Following worship, join us for an informal reception in Dunlap Hall. If your family plans to attend, you are encouraged to bring something to share - fruit, sandwiches, cookies or baked goods. Hot and cold drinks will be provided.
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SANTA IS COMING THIS SUNDAY!
After service, come downstairs to meet Santa. Children can take pictures with Santa and receive a special treat!
Help us bring in the magical spirit of the Christmas season as we celebrate together!
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POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS
Every Christmas season we offer the opportunity for you to remember and/or celebrate loved ones by donating to cover some of the cost of the Poinsettias. Each Sunday through December 12th there will be a form in the bulletin that you can fill out and return in the offering plate as it is passed. In addition, you may enter the information by clicking the button below.
Please remember to mark your checks on the memo line with "Poinsettias" and get them here by December 17th. You may also use the "Donate Now" option on our website sandyspringscc.org by CLICKING HERE.
An insert with all of the celebrated and remembered names will be included in the bulletin on Sunday, December 21st and Christmas Eve. If you choose to take your poinsettia(s) home, you may do so after service on Christmas Eve service.
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Sandy Springs Christian Church
An Advent/Christmas Sermon Series:
Landscape of Love
The Scriptures that help us prepare for the birth of Jesus are filled with places—holy
places, hard places, and the pathways in between. Together, these places present a
“Landscape of Love”—a map of the heights and depths we journey to Bethlehem and the
birth of the Christ Child. During the seasons of Advent and Christmas, we will explore
this terrain in worship by way of Isaiah and his prophecy of the Messiah. Along the way,
we will find God’s love atop a mountain, out of a stump, in the desert, at a manger, and
any place we will allow God’s light to shine.
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December 5, 2021
Out of a Stump
Isaiah 11:1-10
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
December 12, 2021
In the Desert
Isaiah 35:1-10
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
December 19, 2021
Atop a Mountain
Isaiah 2:1-5
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
December 19, 2021
Blue Christmas Service
5:30 pm - Followed by a light supper
Teddy Ivey
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December 24, 2021
In a Manger
6:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service
December 26, 2021
Christmas Sunday
Luke 2:41-52
Katie and Bryant Gibson
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UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES |
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BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE
This past year has certainly brought a great deal of grief into our lives. That grief can be particularly hard as we approach the holiday season.
If the Christmas season is bringing you sadness this year, join us for our Blue Christmas service on Sunday, December 19th at 5:30 pm in the sanctuary. A light supper will follow. If you cannot attend in person, you can tune in through our livestream on our YouTube Channel that evening. Come and feel God's love and healing during this meaningful time of worship.
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CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
On Sunday, December 19th please join us at 6:00 pm for our traditional Family Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Worship Service.
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CHRISTMAS SUNDAY SERVICE
On Sunday, December 26th, join Bryant and Katie Gibson for a simple, festive worship service for the whole family at 10:15 am.
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DO SOME HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT SSCC!
On Saturday, December 4th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Day School's Friends Foundation will hold a holiday gift market right in our very own Whitmire Pavilion. Local artisans will have a wide variety of items for sale.
There will be train rides, face painting, crafts and festive eats and treats! Even Santa will be there!
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SAVE THE DATE!
The Talent show that was previously cancelled has been rescheduled for Sunday, January 30th right after worship.
We wanted to give you as much notice as possible, so get your act together! If you have any questions, please contact Janis Hill at janishill@comcast.net.
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CHRISTMAS JOY RETURNS TO THE MULBERRY APARTMENTS!
Calling all of Santa’s Helpers!! SSCC is planning to bring Christmas joy to the children of the Mulberry Apartments in Ellijay again this year. These are the kids we first met through Camp Craddock six years ago and have enjoyed every summer and December since 2016. Chris Dalton and Nancy McDaniel are planning a party in Ellijay on December 4 and need help before and during the event. Here is how you can help:
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Are you willing to donate items for the party? We will do the shopping, and will be in the Centrum this Sunday, November 28 with gloves, books, crafts and other items needed for the party. Please help by "purchasing" items needed for the party from our Christmas Shop, (anticipated to be a variety of items from $1.00 to $10.00). We'll make sure they get to the kids.
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Are you willing to meet us in Ellijay on Saturday, December 4 to bring Christmas to the kids? We will have a few crafts and provide hot chocolate and cookies for the families.
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MUST MINISTRIES TOY DRIVE - DEADLINE EXTENDED!
MUST Ministries is holding their annual toy drive so we are asking SSCC Members and Friends as well as the Day School families to help us fill up the bins in the lobby.
All you have to do is bring new, unwrapped toys (ages 6 mo. to 18 yrs of age) through Sunday, December 5th. We will take the gifts to MUST Ministries on your behalf.
If you have questions please contact Cathy Cortright at cortright13@gmail.com or call the church office 404.256.2582.
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FROM THE CAC - ADOPT A FAMILY NEWS
We have just released CAC's Adopt A Family Christmas Program volunteer opportunities and we need your help to make it happen. Please join us as we organize and distribute hundreds of Christmas gifts for our clients. This is a very popular program and slots are in high demand. Please respond ASAP by signing up so you can be part of this wonderful experience. I have never meet anyone who did not like helping out with this!
This program is a traditional one for us and really embodies how we serve our clients. The staff and volunteers have been working hard to make it happen while facing severe COVID related logistics. Be part of this incredible effort to make the Holidays a great experience for the young ones. See the link below for current opportunities. Please feel free to sign up for more than one shift. Also, the "distribution" shifts are only for those who are familiar and who have experience with the Charity Tracker program during CAC operations.
All the work will be done at 1130 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs, Georgia, 30350. Please report to the side of the building (garage door) five minutes before your shift. If you have any questions, please reach out to SSCC's contact: Cindi McCollough at csbfish@bellsouth.net or call her at (770) 365-0365. We hope you have a great Holiday!
Stay safe,
Nolan Feintuch, CAC Volunteer Coordinator, 678-362-5583
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CAC NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
If you are available for several hours during the week at the Hightower Trail Office from now until December to assist with computer input and light office work, Christina Kennett, Youth Projects Coordinator, could use your help. You may reach her at christina.kennett@ourcac.org or call 770-552-4889
In addition, the new South Sandy Springs Food Pantry needs YOU! CAC will be offering this much needed service to clients in South Sandy Springs (across from the Prado on Roswell Road). If your servant heart would like to help assist in the new pantry - check in and check out using the CAC's computer system - YOU are needed. Individual training will be provided in November and December. Please contact nolan.feintuch@ourcac.org or 678-362-5583.
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A NOTE FROM JOHN MILLS AND BRYANT MCDANIEL
Greetings Sandy Springs Christian Church!
We hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Like 2020, this has been a crazy year as we have gradually transitioned to in person Worship, Sunday School, and other events. Our Staff has worked extremely hard to ensure that our transition has been smooth and effective. We are continually amazed by their resourcefulness and ingenuity.
So, as we reflect on all that we are thankful for and begin to consider any year-end giving, please keep our church in mind, specifically our incredible Staff. As in past years, we would like to present our Staff with a special acknowledgement of our appreciation for all that they do and all that they’ve done this year.
If you would like to contribute to this effort, please place it in the offering plate, drop it by the church, or donate online. Be sure to indicate that the funds donated should be directed “Staff Christmas.” Please submit your contributions by Tuesday, December 14th so that gifts can be distributed to the staff on Sunday, December 19th, just in time for Christmas.
Thank you!
Bryant McDaniel, Chair of Personnel
John Mills, President of the Congregation
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
Thank you to all who contributed to this year's Reconciliation Offering in October. We were able to send $1064 to the fund on SSCC's behalf.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Allen McCahren requests prayers for his half-sister, Helena Jenkins who is having surgery on Dec. 12th. Also he asks for prayers for Rocky Lane who is recovering from surgery.
Please pray for Anthony Marmo and his family on the passing of his mother, Jocelyn Simms Marmo. A graveside celebration of life was held for Joycelyn on Saturday, November 13, at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Stockbridge, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the church and notate Jocelyn's name. Any funds raised in her memory will go to SSCC's memorial fund.
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, and Robyn Hicks. 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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The class will not meet on November 21st.
For three Sundays starting 11/28 through 12/12, Casey Evans will resume leading “The Mulligan”. Then the class will recess until 2022 at which time they will discuss as a group what the first 2022 study series will be.
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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.
Join John Mills and the Pathfinders in person every Sunday morning in Common Ground at 9:00 am.
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Rusty Grant November 26
Ella Lewis November 26
Mandy Mooney November 26
Bryant Hodgson December 03
Caroline Grant December 07
Kendra Plotkin December 07
Niki Norman December 10
Larri Wolf December 10
Laura Prescott December 13
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Lorelei Lee December 15
Kyle Norman December 15
Elinor Tollman December 15
Presley Campbell December 18
Jared Mills December 18
Jonah Mills December 18
Lorelei McGahee December 21
Elizabeth Adrion December 22
Julie Sanford December 27
Janelle Hicks December 29
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