A NOTE FROM NATHAN
My kids don’t want to be in the car more than 15 minutes. That’s the limit. Any longer and they are complaining.
Me: "Get in the car, kids."
Harrison and Clara (In Unison): “It’s going to take forever to get there!”
Me: "No it won’t. Just get in the car, please.”
Harrison: “I don’t want to be in the car that long!”
Me: "It’s not that long."
Clara: “Can’t we go somewhere closer?”
Me: "Fine."
Whether it’s to eat, shop or walk in the park, we tend to stick to the familiarity of those places nearby. We don’t venture very far outside of our bubble these days. It’s just easier to stay close to home.
A couple of weeks ago, however, we went up to the Avalon. I know, I know. It’s maybe 20 minutes from where we live, rather than 15. To my kids, though, we may as well have been driving back to Indiana. While I certainly don't think it's a hard drive, along the way, I did begin to question our decision. Traffic was heavier than usual. Parking was a nightmare. The wait at the restaurant was over an hour long. It was not until we started to walk around that we discovered the reason for all of the inconvenience.
The annual ice-skating rink had just opened. A Christmas Bazaar was taking place, with booths from vendors all over Atlanta. You could shop for Christmas, sip hot chocolate with fake snow raining down from the heavens, all while listening to Mariah Carey’s, “All I want for Christmas." It was quite the winter wonderland – an unexpected delight, after a longer, more difficult journey than we had planned.
I find that true about most journeys. The most meaningful tend to be those during which we face the most adversity. In fact, the most memorable are usually the ones that don’t go exactly as planned. These journeys are also, more often than not, the ones by which we are changed.
As we begin the journey of Advent, it’s easy to follow the familiar roads. It’s comfortable to stay on the paths nearby. It’s just less problematic to stick to what we know. Yet, the journey to Bethlehem was anything but stress-free. It took Mary and Joseph, the Wisemen, and everyone else involved in the story, to places they never expected to go. As a result, they experienced the Christ Child.
I don’t know what you are planning this year. I’m trying to look to some of those unexpected places. I hope to venture some paths I don’t really want to tread. I’m trying to journey a little further from my comfort zone to make room for the Christ Child in my life again.
Don’t get me wrong, the Avalon was certainly not Bethlehem. The hot chocolate we drank was definitely not divine. The truth is, the inconveniences we experienced along the way were just that, inconveniences. Although, the conversation with Harrison and Clara that night was a little different:
Me: “So, did you have fun?”
Harrison and Clara (In Unison): “Yes!”
Me: “Would you do it again?”
Harrison: “Duh, dad.”
Me: “But it was more than 15 minutes away.”
Clara: “Yeah, but it was worth it.”
Peace,
Nathan
|
|
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE
If you would like to submit an article for publishing in our newsletter, please submit the article to amy@sandyspringscc.org by no later than Thursday morning, as the newsletter will be scheduled to go out early morning on Fridays. We will let you know if the submission date will be changed to work around holidays or special dates. |
|
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.
|
|
December 5, 2021
Out of a Stump
Isaiah 11:1-10
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
To view the service this Sunday at 10:15 am on our YouTube page, click here. _______________________________________________________
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
|
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES |
|
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.
|
|
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
On Sunday, December 24th (corrected date from last week's newsletter) please join us at 6:00 pm for our traditional Family Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Worship Service.
|
|
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.
|
|
DO SOME HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT SSCC!
Tomorrow, 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 (Dunlap Hall - alternate location). 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!
|
|
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 to get your act together! If you have any questions, please contact Janis Hill at janishill@comcast.net.
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!
Congratulations to Rusty Grant and Casey Evans on completing their Ironman races this fall!! Rusty completed his race in Florida in early November and Casey completed his just a few weeks later in Arizona. We are all so proud of your hard work and dedication towards completing your fitness goals!
|
|
HANGING OF THE GREEN
We would like to send our thanks to those who made last Sunday's Hanging of the Green a huge success!
Stuart Michels, Leslie Lady and the WAE committee decorated the sanctuary so beautifully. Ella Lewis and Susan Wallace organized all of the wonderful music. Also we would like to recognize those who had parts in the service for the outstanding job they did.
In addition, a big thank you to Janis Hill, Chair of Care and Connect and her team of helpers for organizing the reception in Dunlap Hall. Thank you to those who brought items to share and for the families who came downstairs to meet with Santa Allen! A good time was had by all!
|
|
BREAKFAST BUNCH
This fun group of gentlemen got together yesterday morning for some fine conversation and fellowship.
|
|
CHRISTMAS JOY RETURNS TO THE MULBERRY APARTMENTS!
Calling all of Santa’s Helpers!
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.
|
|
MUST MINISTRIES TOY DRIVE - DEADLINE IS THIS SUNDAY!
SSCC Members and Friends as well as the Day School families have done a great job filling up the bins in the lobby.
This Sunday, December 5th is the LAST chance bring new, unwrapped toys (ages 6 mo. to 18 yrs of age). 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.
|
|
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
|
|
CAC NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
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.
|
|
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
|
|
PRAYER REQUESTS
Fran Michels would like a few extra prayers for Walt.
Prayers for Carmen Santiago's daughter, Demarise Nelson, who is have
Dottie Gill requests prayers for her brother, Irwin, who is in the hospital with complications of diabetes.
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!
|
|
Through 12/12, Casey Evans will lead “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.
________________________________________
|
|
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.
|
|
Bryant Hodgson December 03
Caroline Grant December 07
Kendra Plotkin December 07
Niki Norman December 10
Larri Wolf December 10
Laura Prescott December 13
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
