A NOTE FROM TERESA
I never expected it to be easy and certainly did not think that it would take me six-years to finish my Master's of Divinity degree. Perhaps I underestimated the work and overestimated the time I had for school. I thought I had it all figured out and is typical of a path like the one I am on – things change. I thought that my passion for my calling and what I think God wants me to do, would be enough.
I am in the middle of a competency. It is where you take two areas of study and combine them. I am combining Leading the church in worship with interpreting scripture. I have designed the worship service for this Sunday with a little help from my fellow staff members and will be preaching using the appearance story from Luke. I wrote a credo on what I think preaching is to the church and how scripture guides our interpretation. I am glad that we believe in interpreting scripture for ourselves and through prayer and study. I get to share my interpretation of Luke’s story in chapter 24.
I am getting closer to graduation and ordination with every class and paper I write. If I can keep up with the pace I have laid out – I should be able to graduate next summer (2022) and fulfill my application to be ordained. You have been such a guiding spirit throughout this journey, SSCC. You have allowed me to practice on you and learn from every experience I have in the church. You have provided me with a safe place to practice what I am learning and allow God to help mold me into the minister that God wants me to be. I feel like I have a fan club of supporters and I am ever so grateful. Please know that I appreciate each of you and the love and guidance you have provided.
Teresa
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The story this week parallels the story that Teddy told last week. Teddy’s version was from John and our version for this week comes from Luke. The scripture tells us about the evening of Easter when the disciples are hiding in fear. Jesus appears to the disciples and provides comfort and guidance as they go about the work that Jesus has instructed them to do. They do not recognize him in the beginning and grow to believe that he is the risen savior. Join us Sunday as we explore how to accept Christ and the gift that we have been given.
To view the service this Sunday on our YouTube page, click here.
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I Am
A Sermon Series for Eastertide
I am ____. How would you fill in the blank these days? Tired? Overwhelmed? Hope-filled? Optimistic? Jesus fills it in several different ways throughout the gospel of John. "Light." "Bread of Life." "The way, the truth, and the life." On the one hand, on any given day, we might fill in the blank differently. On the other hand, every day, we fill in the blank the same. After all, if Jesus is _____, then we are always _____. Let’s fill in the blanks together during worship as we explore an Easter sermon series we are calling, “I am.”
April 25, 2021
Gate
John 10:1-10
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 2, 2021
Shepherd
John 10:1-18
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 9, 2021
Vine
John 15:1-8
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 16, 2021
Bread
John 6:35-51
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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UPCOMING SERMON SERIES ON HYMNS
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HYMN?
Obviously, one of the things we have missed most the last year has been singing our songs of faith together in worship. Finally, we are singing hymns again in person! In order to celebrate this gift of practicing our faith, Nathan is going to preach a sermon series this summer on the gift of song. He and the staff would like to incorporate many of your favorite hymns and the stories behind them in worship during that season. Please take a moment to click on the button below and share your favorite hymns. If you are willing, please also share stories or reasons for which you enjoy them. Look to the newsletter for more information about this upcoming series!
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PRAYER REQUESTS AND THANKS
Prayers for Karla Worley in the passing of her mom last evening. Karla was glad she could be with her before she passed and thanks everyone for their ongoing prayers.
Donna Lassiter says, "Thanks for all the prayers and calls."
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.
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 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 SSCC FAMILY!
We are happy to announce that Lauren and Josh Jones welcomed their son, Nolan Everett into the world on April 10th at 6:23 pm. He weighed in at 10 lbs. and 1 oz. and is 21 and 1/2 inches long.
Proud SSCC Grandparents are Milt and Janis Hill.
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TOWN HALL MEETING NOTICE
Per our constitution and By-Laws, Sandy Springs Christian Church is to have "regular" Town Hall gatherings to discuss upcoming ministry opportunities, new or revised policies, and other items of interest. To this end, Leadership is planning a Town Hall meeting on Sunday, April 25th which will be held in the sanctuary immediately following service. In addition, we will provide a way for you to participate via ZOOM (a link will be provided next week's newsletter as well as a separate eblast/email.
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STAY IN TOUCH WITH SSCC MEMBERS
This past Monday, SSCC Members should have received an email invitation to sign up for our new Church Member software called Breeze. Please remember to sign up, log in and verify your profile information in the system. It's a great new way to keep up with your SSCC Family!
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EARTH DAY 2021
As many of you are aware, SSCC is designated as a green chalice church in the DOC denomination which means we have been recognized as a congregation for being good stewards of God’s creation.
Some of the things we do as part of this effort are:
- Using ceramic coffee mugs
- Replacing traditional bulbs with LEDs
- Collecting aluminum can tabs for RMHC
- Collecting (real) corks to be recycled
- Turning off lights and monitors when not in use
- Putting printers and copiers in power save mode when not in use
- Recycling clean plastic and paper grocery bags for CAC
- Recycling clean "to go" containers for reuse by our meal team and kitchen team
- Programming church/school thermostats to save electricity during off times
- "Rehoming" our Easter lilies to local gardeners
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Amy Frost at the church office for more information.
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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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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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David McGahee April 17
Terry Frost April 20
Evan Bensch April 21
Carol Armstrong April 25
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Ryan Driemeyer April 25
Michaela Mason April 27
Donovan Frost April 29
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