A NOTE FROM NATHAN
If you are like me, November 3rd cannot get here quickly enough. On any given day, we receive a dozen or more political mailings in our mailboxes. We are inundated with advertisements on our televisions. We are overwhelmed with media stories about the election. Not to mention the number of signs we drive by both going to and coming from the commitments we have throughout our week.

We are worn down. We are tired. We are ready to stop hearing and talking about politics. Well, at least in worship on Sunday, your wish will be granted, as we conclude our series, “God’s Politics.”.

Although, I am hopeful that this series (and November 3rd for that matter) isn’t an ending, but rather a beginning. My prayer is that, if nothing else, you’ve discovered that this series really isn’t about politics, as much as it is living our faith in EVERYTHING we do. I hear people often say, “I don’t like talking about politics and religion,” or “Politics and religion don’t mix.” The truth is, however, there is no way to separate the two.

Cameron Trimble made this point recently in a blog post. She writes, “Our theology - what we believe and say about God - shapes our politics. Look at the jihadists as an example. If you believe that God is an angry, vengeful God, then likely you will behave in angry and vengeful ways. If you believe God has a predetermined history and everything is “meant to be,” then you might feel justified staying silent in the face of violence, oppression, and injustice. If you believe God is active in our lives and a loving force for good in the world, then you likely behave in active, engaged ways that channel God's love into the world. Because we live in community, we shape our laws and social codes through the lens of what we believe about God and each other. Talking about religion and politics matters.”

It's true, what we believe informs the way we live – the policies we support, the candidates we endorse, the causes for which we advocate. As people of faith, what we believe about God should guide the way we live.

I pray this series has been helpful insofar as inspiring you to wrestle with your own involvement in this world – what you say, what you practice, how you live. After all, it is directly tied to what we believe. And how we practice our politics is no exception.

Peace,
Nathan
SERMON SERIES
God’s Politics
A Sermon Series

It’s a touchy subject, especially in an election year. In fact, it might be the most divisive topic of the day: politics. Which, of course, makes it an issue of faith – something the Church should address or, at the very least, talk about. After all, people have questions. Was Jesus political? Should I, as a person of faith, be political, partisan, both? If Church and State are to be separate, can political issues also be matters of faith? Let’s come together, during worship, and spiritually prepare ourselves for an election season through the last message in the series we are calling God’s Politics.

October 25, 2020
Fear Not
Isaiah 43:1-7
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
MORNING WATCH SERVICE
SIMPLE SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE IN THE WHITMIRE PAVILION
Join us for our last in person Sunday morning service in the Whitmire Pavilion at 8:30 am, in advance of our livestream at 10:15 AM. We are following all the guidelines set up for the Whitmire Pavilion policy to keep everyone safe. Worship will only include prayer, a scripture reading, a message, an offering and communion. Communion will take place with pre-packaged individual, disposable communion cups and wafers, already placed in the seats.

In order to attend the service you must sign up in advance, as we are limiting attendance to 30 people, following the Whitmire Pavilion Guidelines recently set. Please click the button below to reserve your seat.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Lynn and Allen McCahren request prayers for good friends Bobby and Kim Moore. Kim is on an organ donor wait list. If you would like to send a card, please mail it to 52 Camelia Court, Freeport, FL 32439.

Please pray for Anne Bradford who is having a new pacemaker put in on Friday. 

Lolly Ross needs our prayers as she recovers from a fall. She is in the Canton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 321 Hospital Road, Canton, Georgia 30114.

Ginny Hamilton is recovering from pneumonia in the High Shoals Rehab Center, 3450 New High Shoals Road, Bishop, Georgia 30621.

Please pray for our members and their families who serve as first responders and health care workers: Dr. Tim Helton, Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, 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). If we are missing someone, please let us know so that we can include their name in our weekly prayers.

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!
SERVICE IN THE SANCTUARY
GREAT NEWS!
The Welcome Back Team has discerned that we will hold limited in-person worship in the sanctuary beginning next Sunday, November 1st. The team wrote and Leadership approved guidelines for this step and they are available here for you to review by clicking the button below.

First, let me say that if the risk of COVID transmission increases in the state, we may choose once again to rely solely on livestreaming. Our team is now working on the logistics of in-person worship to comply with the guidelines. Those will be communicated to you when they are completed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either me (bwlady@bellsouth.net) or Nathan.

Sincerely, Leslie Lady
NOVEMBER SCHEDULE
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
On Sunday, November 1st we will celebrate All Saints Sunday. This is our annual recognition of those members of our congregation who have died in the past year. We want to remember the deceased and the many ways in which they touched our lives.

Our records indicate that we do not have any Saints names to read during the service this year. However, because we have been so disconnected during this time, we want to make sure that we do not omit someone’s name who should be mentioned. Please leave a message at the church or email Amy Frost at amy@sandyspringscc.org.
sscc sanctuary 1964
60TH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY
On Sunday, November 8th Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown will help us celebrate Sandy Springs Christian Church's 60th Anniversary. You will want to be part of and tune into worship on this special day, as we hope to have several faces and voices from years past, present in worship. Come be part of celebrating this special milestone!
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION WEEKEND
November 14 and 15, 2020
As you know, part of our visioning plan calls us to have a courageous conversation event, annually, over the next three years, to help us, as church, model for the world how to have conversation about difficult topics and remain one community. Dr. Allen Hilton, author of "A House United," will be leading us in the virtual endeavor. Look to your newsletter for more information.
THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
On Sunday, November 22, 2020 Bryant Gibson will lead worship as we observe our annual Thanksgiving Sunday. Let us come together and give thanks for the many blessings of this last year, despite the challenges we have faced!
HIGHLIGHTS
FALL BACK REMINDER
Sunday, November 1st we "Fall Back" an hour. Please remember to set your clocks back!
DOING MINISTRY DIFFERENTLY
UPDATE! FROM OUTREACH
CAC: For information regarding volunteering at the CAC, please CLICK HERE to access the Sign Up Genius link for available time slots. They are also looking for pantry, cash and boutique donations. If you would like to read the CAC's most recent newsletter, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE ON FOOD PANTRY & CAC BOTIQUE located at 8607 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs GA 30350. The Food Pantry has moved to an outdoor market format and the CAC Boutique will be open inside with limited hours. Homebound seniors may receive pre-packaged food delivered by CAC volunteers. Volunteers are needed; if you are interested, please contact Debbie Olson at the CAC or contact Cindi McCollough via email at csbfish@bellsouth.net.

CAC Outdoor Mini-Market Food Pantry
Food Donation/Delivery Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Or contact CACpantry@ourcac.org to arrange a time.

CAC Upscale Thrift
Shopping Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 am-1:30 pm
(Retail store shopping hours open to clients and the public.)

Donation Hours for Clothing & Home Goods are Monday – Friday, 9:30 am-1:30 pm

Safety, of course, continues to be a number one priority. Greeters will take each customer’s temperature and ensure each customer sanitizes their hands and is wearing a mask before shopping. Plexiglass is up at the register and dressing rooms. Restrooms are unavailable right now. If you would like to help but aren’t comfortable being in the store with customers, know there are items in the back to sort and price every day of the week. Plenty of spots if you’d like one.

If you would like to read the CAC's newsletter, please click here.

FOOD INSECURITY: If you or someone you know in our church community are facing food insecurity because of a decrease or loss in income, please privately contact Jenna Hicks so that we can provide assistance to keep your pantry full. Email jennakhicks@gmail.com or call 404-441-1668. 

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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SUBMITTING PRAYER AND CONGREGATIONAL CARE REQUESTS
Due to the fact that we are holding "virtual" church service, and are not able to submit prayer requests, feel free to reach out to Merilyn Dimmit, Congregational Care, via Merilyn@sandyspringscc.org or call her at 770-448-8784 and leave a message. Please indicate if your prayer request is confidential (for Clergy/Elders only or for congregational sharing in our newsletter).
CONNECT WITH OTHERS
SSCC has subscribed to zoom for anyone who might need it to virtually meet using a video conference method. Only one group can use our account at a time. If you would like your group to use zoom to virtually meet, please contact Amy Frost via email (amy@sandyspringscc.org) to schedule your group on the calendar. We can help you learn how to send an invite to your group.
Stephen Brown 10/1
John Dalton 10/1
Amy Helton 10/2
Kerry Bensch 10/4
John Mills 10/4
Mikayla Scarborough 10/6
Pat Emerson 10/7
Don Daugherty 10/8
Ginny Hamilton 10/8
Sandy Matthews 10/9
Amos Bolay 10/13
Bob Hicks 10/14
Ellis Torbert 10/14
Bryce Bowers 10/16
Matt McKinney 10/16
Becky Kelly 10/17
Dawna Abel 10/21
Merilyn Dimmitt 10/23
Vijay Rathinam 10/23
Mary Shehan 10/23
Sally Tutterow 10/24
Paul Kapphahn 10/25
Cindy Brown 10/26
Alice Saunders 10/26
Chris Dalton 10/27
Shavette Turner 10/28
Bert Blackburn 10/31
Linda Davis-Rolen 10/31