A NOTE FROM TEDDY

While I do not know every bit of history regarding this congregation, I can all but guarantee it has certainly been a year like no other at Sandy Springs Christian Church. Wonderful souls who graced the pews for decades have now gone on before us. Saints that blessed us and shaped who we are no longer physically with us. For many, this will be the first Christmas where something or someone is missing, and it may feel far from joyful.

I don't mean to bring down the Joy and celebration of the season. However, I do speak of the reality we find ourselves in as a church community. Not only have we dealt with loss this year, many find themselves in a rough place this December due to changes or loss of careers, injuries forcing some into new phases of life physically, or even just straight forward, unexplainable depression. I need you to know, we see you in this season. If we have missed you or somehow not picked up on your needs this year, we are here for you when you are ready to share. And most importantly, wherever you find yourself on the emotional spectrum, we love you and God loves you too.

On Wednesday Dec 21st at 5:30 p.m., we will gather for our annual Blue Christmas service where we acknowledge that everyone will not have the same experience this year, and that is normal and okay. If things feel different or off this year, please join us. If you feel called to come and support those who need a hand to hold, please join us. We will also share a light meal together afterward, generously prepared by the Torberts. Let's come together and support one another, knowing God has our hand in His hand through it all.

Peace,

Teddy

ADVENT SERMON SERIES

Signs

A Sermon Series for the Season of Advent

We follow signs every day, whether we realize it or not: traffic signs, billboards, posted instructions. If they are clear, signs can help point the way. Unfortunately, some signs are obscured. Just read your daily horoscope, as an example. The season of Advent is full of signs. Some are obvious. Some, less so. All of them, though, lead us to “the reason for the season.” Let us journey to the Christ Child together, as we attempt, along the way, to look for and follow the signs.

Sunday, December 18, 2022

One Song

Luke 1:46-56

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

Saturday, December 24, 2022 (Christmas Eve)

A Light in the Darkness

John 1:1-14

Sunday, December 25, 2022 (Christmas Day)

The Manger Full of Hay

Luke 2:1-14

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE

If you have something for publishing in the newsletter next week, please submit it via email to: amy@sandyspringscc.org

by noon on Thursdays.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

BLUE CHRISTMAS

If the Christmas season brings you some sadness instead of joy, we will have a Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 21st at 5:30 pm lead by Rev. Teddy Ivey. A light supper will follow in Dunlap Hall. Come and feel God's love and healing.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

5:30 PM

Traditional Candlelight

Christmas Eve Service

7:30 PM

And intimate service of singing and lighting candles

in the Whitmire Pavilion

Sunday, December 25, 2022 (Christmas Day)

A Virtual Worship Experience

(There will be no In-Person Worship on Christmas Day)

The Manger Full of Hay

Luke 2:1-14

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

STAFF GIFTS

If you'd like to contribute to the staff gift fund, please do so by the end of the service THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 18th.  Make sure to notate "Staff Christmas" on envelopes and checks so funds can be directed for that purpose.  Thank you, Rusty Grant

POINSETTIAS

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. Through the end of service THIS SUNDAY, December 18, there will be a form in the bulletin that you can fill out and return in the offering plate as it is passed. Please wrap the poinsettia form around your donation and remember to mark your checks on the memo line with "Poinsettias".

An insert with all of the celebrated and remembered names will be included in the bulletins on Christmas Eve. If you choose to take your poinsettia(s) home, you may do so after service on Christmas Eve. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 404.256.2582.

OUTREACH UPDATE

SSCC STAFFING THE CAC

The CAC is in need of volunteers THIS Saturday, December 17th, to help with stocking the food pantry and sorting in the thrift store at 8607 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. Here's your chance to give just a few hours of your time to help our neighbors in need. SSCC will be volunteering the 3rd Saturday of every month at the CAC Food Pantry (no previous experience necessary): 

Click the button below to view time slots available in the sign up. 

THANK YOU! WE ARE ALL SET!

Thanks to those who contributed to our efforts to collect presents for Campbell-Stone residents. We were informed that the gifts will be distributed at their Christmas pizza party this year.

Thank you to Janis Hill for transporting the gifts over to Campbell-Stone!

SSCC NOTABLES

MRS. CLAUS VISITS TDS!

The Day School kids had a special visitor last Wednesday. Mrs. Claus came by to check in with the kids and to let them know that Santa would be visiting very soon. She assured them all that no one was on the "Naughty" List and that Santa and his elves were hard at work trying to finish up everything on their lists.

The kids also practiced their Christmas carols and even went caroling to the church office. What a treat!

NEW WEDNESDAY BRIDGE GROUP

A new (additional) bridge group will begin in January. We will meet at 1 PM and will play cards until around 4 PM on Wednesdays. All are welcome. Our play will be guided by the William S. Root book - ABCs of Bridge. The author published this title 24 years ago and has followed up with three additional books - all with 4-1/2 stars on Amazon. We will collect $1 from each player in attendance, which will provide for card purchase and other needed supplies. If you would like to play or have further questions please contact Milt Hill (milthill@comcast.net).

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFERING

This Sunday will be the last date for the Special Offering. The Christmas Offering supports regional ministries. In 31 regions across the United States and Canada, ministers are nurtured and congregations are provided opportunities for work and worship. Often recognized for the ministries of camps and conferences, regions also play a critical role in the preparation and authorization of ministerial ordination. Both are key to church leadership and development. Regions partner with congregations to support the work required to call a new minister.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

THE CHRISTMAS STORIES

We have combined two stories – a Luke version and a Matthew version into one simple story leaving behind what Jesus meant to each writer. Let’s read and discover together the stories that Luke and Matthew wanted us to hear. Each is a Christmas gift!!!

We will meet in the Leslie Classroom for the last session on December 18^th at noon. Get some lunch and bring it with you. 'Tis the Season for Christmas STORIES! ~ Leslie Lady

PATHFINDERS

John Mills will facilitate a discussion of the origins and meaning of Advent.

MODERN DISCIPLES CLASS

We will NOT have class this Sunday, 12/18. 

We have opened up slots for Worship Leader sign ups for the NEW YEAR starting January 8th and beyond. If you would like to participate in Sunday's service, please sign up.

Worship Leaders typically do the Call to Worship, Scripture Reading, Call to Giving and the Welcome to Visitors. We have a guide we can send you that outlines exactly how to do the respective parts, and we can send you everything you need in advance of the service. Please call the church office if you have questions. We appreciate your willingness to serve.

PRAYER REQUESTS AND THANKS

Sandie Reed would like to sincerely thank everyone for the cards, calls and especially the prayers. They do work and she is happy to be cancer free!

Prayers for Jo Ann Baright at the passing of her husband, Les, last week.

Lynn McCahren requests prayers for Allen McCahren and Dan Ross.

Prayers for Yovi, a visitor to SSCC.

Please pray for Zeyneb Sayilgan. She is the Muslim scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore. Her three-year-old daughter, Meryem, was killed, while she and her seven-year-old daughter, Alif, were seriously injured when they were struck by a truck in Howard County near Baltimore.

Prayers please for two of Tim Helton's closest friends from high school, Buddy G. and Don W.; one is dealing with cancer of the bile duct and the other with recurrent prostate cancer. One final request - "If you are healthy, be grateful."

The family and friends of 8-year-old Adaline Cowley ask that you pray for her. Her cancer is now in remission, following chemo treatments.

Janet Lochery requests prayers for her friends Jennifer and Sterling in Colorado. They recently had a young child, Emerald, who along with the mother needs prayers for strength and healing.

Prayers for Mary Anne Posey's health to improve.

_________________________________________

Prayers are requested for our members and their families who serve as first responders or health care workers: Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, Dr. Vijay Rathinam, and Robyn Hicks. Also those serving in the military: Tyler Brown (Army), son of Tami and Stephen Brown. 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), and Linda Whitmire's grand-daughter, Hayleigh Whitmire (Army). 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 joys to share, please contact Rev. Teddy Ivey, Minister of Congregational Care via email: Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.

Lorelei McGahee December 21

Elizabeth Adrion December 22

Julie Sanford December 27

Janelle Hicks December 29