A NOTE FROM NATHAN
When you think of the word “saint,” I wonder who comes to mind. Perhaps it’s those canonized by the Church, whose portraits now hang as iconography in cathedrals and museums. Or maybe it's those whose tremendous, positive impact on the world is more recent – like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa or, even from our own denomination, Dr. Fred Craddock. Or is it those in your personal life, who have made a significant contribution to how you see the world and live in it as a person of faith today – a parent, a grandparent, a church mentor, a friend?
Whomever comes to mind, I suspect you see them as saintly because of the way in which they demonstrate love, compassion and generosity to others. After all, those are the qualities we typically attribute to the saints -- to be a saint is to reflect the teachings of Jesus.
And yet, at least in the Protestant faith, we observe a Sunday called, “All Saints;” not “Some Saints.” While the Catholic faith continues to reserve that title for a few, we make the claim that because ALL people are made in the image of God, we are ALL saints of one kind or another. Although, as one colleague suggests, perhaps there are some saints that just have yet to earn their halos. I suspect you get her point.
Phyllis Kersten writes, “…like the family member who always manages to rub us the wrong way, the high-maintenance friend who often seems to need more than we can give, the people—ourselves included—who sometimes find it difficult to believe that God can possibly love those whose lifestyle or belief system differs from our own. It also means that when we find out years after their death, that some of those we’ve placed on high pedestals—such as Mother Teresa—have clay feet, it doesn’t make them seem less saintly but only more human.”
Which makes our observance of “All Saints” not just a recognition of those members of our congregation who have passed away in the last year (although this is important), but even more, a profound theological claim about the wideness of God’s grace, the love God has for all people and our subsequent call to see and treat one another, halo or not, as All Saints.
So, next time that family member takes a political position you find preposterous or that friend calls needing money once again which you don’t have or that fellow congregant just keeps insinuating that what you believe is wrong, remember the claim that we will make once again this coming Sunday – that we are ALL Saints. That's right, each and every one of us -- the immigrant who crosses the border and the one who patrols that same border, the juror in the box and the defendant on the stand, the Trump supporter and the Biden supporter, the pacifist and the men and women who make up our military. Despite our flaws, despite our imperfections, despite our humanity, we all have value, we all have a voice, we are ALL created in the image of God.
I look forward to sharing in this special service with you on Sunday. Come one, come ALL – halos not required.
Peace,
Nathan
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ALL SAINTS SUNDAY - 11/14
This Sunday, November 14th, we will observe 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 will read the following members'/Saints' names during the service this year: Kathy Elliott, Ginny Hamilton, Sharon Hanna, Marlene Rhine and Monalea Dalyrmple. However, 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.
November 14, 2021
Phantom Guests
Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
To view the service this Sunday on our YouTube page, click here.
NOTE: You may be aware that we are still having work done on the Sanctuary heaters, but the work is not complete just yet. We will heat the sanctuary as much as possible before worship, but with low overnight temperatures on Saturday night, expect the sanctuary to be cool for worship.
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RECOGNIZING VETERANS
As you know, yesterday, November 11th was Veterans Day.
This Sunday, Susan Wallace will play a special musical piece to recognize all SSCC Members and Visitors who are Veterans. We thank you for your service and sacrifice!
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UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES |
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November 21, 2021 (Thanksgiving Sunday)
No Worries?
Matthew 6:24-34
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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Hanging of the Green - November 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 on Sunday, November 28th. This is a very special service with stories, scripture and singing.
Then join us for an informal reception in Dunlap Hall immediately following the service. 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.
Santa will be joining us in the Whitmire Pavilion. So bring the whole family!
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Sandy Springs Christian Church
An Advent/Christmas Sermon Series:
The 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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TIME FOR OUR CHILI COOK-OFF!
The deadline to sign up is TODAY, November 12th. You may do so by clicking the button below, signing up on the sheets in the lobby, or by calling the church office (404.256.2582).
You're invited to an all-church Chili Cook-off this Sunday, November 14th in Dunlap Hall following service. That’s just around the corner, so put it on your calendar today, and prepare for a fun afternoon with the perfect food to warm everyone up!
Care and Connect will provide all the “extras” to make your chili tasting experience the best! And, anyone old enough to eat chili and have an opinion is invited to help judge! There will be prizes on top of Bragging Rights! When you sign up, please indicate if you will bring a crockpot of your best chili, or if you will just be taste testing.
NOTE: For those of you bringing chili, please bring a printed, or hand written recipe to put near your dish. That way folks can see what is in it (for allergy reasons) AND they can take a picture of it so they can try their hand at recreating it. Please make sure your name is NOT on the recipe for purposes of judging.
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CHRISMONS FOR THE SANCTUARY TREE
On November 14th and November 21st (during Sunday School and right after church), there will be Chrismon-making (tree ornaments for the Sanctuary tree) in the centrum.
If you joined the church this year, it is a SSCC tradition to give you the opportunity to make a Chrismon and hang it on our tree during our Hanging of the Green Service on November 28th as a symbol of your becoming part of the family of this church. Also, other members are invited to upgrade or replace their Chrismon as part of celebrating the wonderful Christmas season.
Stuart Michels, Chair of Worship, Arts, and Education
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J.A.M. - CALLING ALL KIDS!
All children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to join us on November 21 right after worship as we make time to give thanks during our November JAM. We'll explore some bible stories about giving thanks, have art projects and some time to be thankful for each other!
Lunch will be provided and pick up is at 1:30. Hope to see you there!
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SANTA IS COMING!
On November 28th, after our Hanging of the Green service, we will have a special visitor joining us on the pavilion. Make plans to come take pictures and let your children meet Santa and receive a special treat! We'll also have refreshments and treats for adults too!
Help us bring in the magical spirit of the Christmas season as we celebrate together!
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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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MUST MINISTRIES TOY DRIVE
MUST Ministries is holding their annual toy drive. They are seeking new, unwrapped toys (ages 6 mo. to 18 yrs of age) to distribute for Christmas. We will be collecting UNWRAPPED toys through Sunday, November 21st.
All you have to do is bring the new, unwrapped toys to church and place them in the bins in the lobby. We will take the gifts to MUST Ministries on your behalf.
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In addition, MUST is always in need of food, clothing and hygiene products. Their most pressing hygiene product needs are travel-size shampoo and conditioner bottles. We have a bin in our Lobby near the Outreach board for you to drop off items.
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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:
- Do you have a sewing machine that you can use to straight stitch felt stockings? We plan to sew 35 stockings. Felt will be provided. We are looking for volunteers to cut the felt according to a pattern provided (for uniformity) and straight stitch them together.
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Are you willing to donate items for the party? We will shop but will be in the Centrum on Sunday, November 21 and November 28 with gloves and other items needed for the party. Your help purchasing from our Christmas Shop, then donating the items for the party (anticipated to be a variety of items from $1.00 to $10.00) would be helpful.
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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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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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ADOPT A FAMILY NEWS
Through the CAC's Holiday Adopt a Family Program Outreach is sponsoring 15 children and providing holiday gifts from the Outreach budget. SSCC Members and friends may also choose to adopt a family on their own. If you would like to do so, please visit the CAC website to learn how to make a family's holidays a little brighter! Adopt-a-Family for Holiday Gifts with CAC! | Community Assistance Center
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NOMINATIONS HAVE BEGUN
The Nominating Committee for the 2022 SSCC slate of leadership positions has been assembled and wants to hear from you!
Nominating Committee Members: Cindy Brown, Cathy Cortright, Jay Donnelly, Dottie Gill, Milt Hill, Pat Kapphahn, Cindi McCullough, Floy Mills, Owen Janeway, and Marilyn Torbert.
If you feel called to lead at SSCC or have a candidate recommendation for the committee you’d like to share, please reach out to Nancy McDaniel, Committee Chair at (mcdannan@gmail.com), or reach out to any of the committee members. You may also fill out a nominating form and place it in the box on the Welcome Desk in the Church Lobby.
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WELCOME NEW MEMBER
Join us in welcoming Dennis Bramblett to the SSCC Family. He is originally from Rome Georgia and went to college at Georgia Tech. Dennis retired after 29 years on Wall Street as senior V.P. at Morgan Stanley, asset management, and is also a retired real estate developer. He enjoys playing golf, watching all spectator sports, and walking.
"After passing SSCC at least 10,000 times in my life, it took a gentle push from my wife, Joan, and the combination of the very welcoming congregation and the very caring and encouraging Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown for me to make the easy decision to ask for membership."
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TRUNK-N-TREAT WAS A SUCCESS!
We had a wonderful time celebrating Halloween with our Trunk n Treat event. We had so many wonderful church members that decorated a trunk and the kids had an awesome time with our service project (thank you Cindi McCullough), Halloween Bingo, and Trunk and Treating.
Thank you to all who participated! Check out some pictures below.
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SPECIAL THANKSGIVING OFFERING
The Thanksgiving Offering supports Disciples colleges, universities and theological institutions. Disciples have a long history of post-secondary and theological education. This offering provides a direct connection to 15 colleges and universities, 7 seminaries and theological programs. Gifts from this offering will be taken up on November 14th and 21st to continue the Disciples tradition of developing leaders for our communities and the Church.
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A NOTE FROM JOHN MILLS AND BRYANT MCDANIEL
Greetings Sandy Springs Christian Church!
We trust all of you had 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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PLEASE LOG IN AND UPDATE YOUR PROFILE!
If you have any questions regarding Breeze from signing up to using any features, please don't hesitate to call Amy at the church office, 404.256.2582.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Janet Howell asks for prayers for her nephew, Jason Whitelock and his two daughters Layla and Lana. Jason’s wife and mother of their children, Amy, was killed Thursday afternoon by a man fleeing from police in Miami, Florida. Amy was 43 years old.
Please pray for the family of Daniel Simpson who passed away last week. His wife is a friend of Teddy Ivey.
Nancy Trusty's sister-in-law, Joan Trusty Moore, has started treatment for Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Please remember her and those that care for her as they head down this difficult path.
Carolyn Dishman's son-in-law, Steve DeVinney, has begun stem cell treatment for his blood cancer. Please pray as he enters this important and difficult phase.
In addition, Carolyn is asking for prayers following a surgery.
Amy Frost requests prayers for her mom, Bettie Wallace, in Florida who is suffering from shingles. Please pray for her to get some relief from the pain.
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, Robyn Hicks and Pete French. 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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This Sunday, November 14th, Teddy Ivey will cover the final two sessions of “The Difficult Words of Jesus”. 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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KID'S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
Every Sunday at 9:00 am, kids age Preschool - 2nd grade will meet in the Leslie Classroom upstairs. Kids ages 3rd through 5th grade will meet downstairs in room 120.
They follow the "Whirl" curriculum which includes games, lessons, arts and crafts and Bible study. The kids will have fun and learn all at the same time.
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Robyn Hicks November 12
Joanne Burgess November 16
Dan McBride November 18
Mary Robeck November 18
Clint Campbell November 19
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Leslie Lady November 19
Stuart Michels November 23
Allen McCahren November 24
Rusty Grant November 26
Ella Lewis November 26
Mandy Mooney November 26
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