A NOTE FROM NATHAN

Last Sunday, January 15, 2023, marked my five-year anniversary at Sandy Springs Christian Church. When we arrived here in December of 2017, Clara was in kindergarten and Harrison was in third grade. This week, Clara is on her fifth-grade class trip to Jekyll Island and in two weeks, Harrison will be going on his eighth-grade band trip to Disney. In the fall, they will move up to Middle School and High School respectively. It’s hard to believe.

 

The truth is a great deal of our time together has been ridden with hardship. We have joked that what SSCC has been through the last few years is Biblical in proportion, like when God brought the plagues upon Egypt. While we may not have endured as many as the Egyptians, we have certainly been through a flood, an HVAC catastrophe, and a pandemic.

 

Yet, despite it all, we have come out the other side stronger than ever. Challenges can either bring people closer together or push people further apart. Thankfully, in our case, moving through these challenges has seemingly strengthened SSCC, including the relationship between pastor and congregation. Consider, in the last five years, all that we have accomplished together.

 

We put together a Visioning Plan that clarified our Vision and Mission, while also addressing the three main goals SSCC had when I arrived: claiming an Open and Affirming identity, strengthening our relationship with The Day School, and improving our overall communications, both internally and externally. During our time together, we have achieved the goals of our Visioning Plan in all these areas.

 

We have officially claimed our identity as an Open and Affirming congregation. We assembled the TDS Task Force which worked on our overall relationship, developing a new governance which helps facilitate that relationship. We have dramatically improved our overall communications with the onset of our livestream, a brand-new website, a transition to a new church software program in Breeze, and an increase in communication through newsletters, e-blasts, and other communications.

 

Over the last five years, we have welcomed more than 70 new members and baptized more than 20 young people. Worship attendance and overall engagement, with the addition of our livestream, has almost doubled. Giving has increased in 2018 from approximately $424K to $552K in 2022. For 2023, we will propose a budget that will have increased roughly $200k over the last five years. Additionally, TDS is in the strongest financial position it has ever been.

 

Along the way, we have worked with Allen Hilton on becoming a House United Church, while living into our Vision of being a church that values ALL people, despite our differences. Our Middle/High-School aged Youth group has tripled in size. We welcomed the people of Peachtree Corners Christian Church, upon the closing of their ministry at their previous location. We are carrying on their legacy through the life of SSCC. Their generous gift to our legacy fund, which doubled our endowment, will broaden our ability to do outreach in our community. Speaking of outreach, in the last five years, we have given more than a quarter million dollars to outreach initiatives.

 

All this only scratches the service of that which we have done together. It has only been possible because of God’s grace and the generous way in which you have shared your time, talent, and treasure with the ministry of SSCC. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

 

This year begins a new chapter, one which will include sabbatical, a capital campaign, and the calling of a full-time Associate Minister. I’m incredibly excited about this year, and the years to come, as we continue to live into the Vision and Mission to which God has called us. While there will always be challenges, I pray that they are minimal compared to what we have faced thus far. Instead of being reactive, I look forward to being able to be proactive about doing God’s work “from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.” I can’t wait to see what the next five years will bring!

 

I am grateful and humbled to be your pastor. Happy five-year anniversary!

 

Peace,

Nathan

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE LIVESTREAM 10:15 SUNDAY AM OR TO VIEW PAST SERVICES

NEW SERMON SERIES

Follow

A Sermon Series for the

Season of Epiphany

 

Follow -- easier said than done. Play the game, “Simon Says,” and you discover even obeying commands can be difficult. We have the best intentions. We want to be faithful. We hope, when called upon, we will, as the disciples did, “drop everything and follow him.” Unfortunately, life gets in the way. The world gets in the way. We get in the way. The result is wandering, more than following. Thus, we are beginning the near year with a series which reflects on those practices that ground us in our faith. Prayer, worship, and service help us keep focused on God and remind us that following Jesus means doing all things in love.

 

Sunday, January 22, 2023 - Prayer - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

 

Sunday, January 29, 2023 - Worship - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

 

Sunday, February 5, 2023 - Service - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

 

Sunday, February 12, 2023 - Love - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown


SSCC NOTABLES

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

SSCC's family grew by three last Sunday.


Jonathan and Madison Riviere are elated to finally join SSCC! After 3 years in New York City, they now call Canton home as newlyweds where Madison works in tech support and Jonathan works in tech sales.


Jonathan has been an active counselor and camp director with the Florida Disciples Outdoor Ministry Committee for over a decade now, and Madison was an active Sunday school teacher within the Lutheran faith. They met at a Barbershop Quartet Singing Convention and spend their free time playing Guitar Hero and eating chicken nuggets. Please tell them hello!

In addition, Hugh Stout joined SSCC on January 15th.


Hugh tells us he moved to Atlanta in 1979 and was baptized in 1991 in Christ Fellowship Church in Norcross.


He found SSCC by way of the CAC, and later after befriending Barb Duren, Donna Lassiter and Dawna Abel at Campbell-Stone North Apartments. He also attended Barb's Sunday School class there.

REMEMBERING LES BARIGHT

A Private Burial will be held for Les Baright on Friday, January 27th at 11:00 AM, in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell, Georgia. Rev. Teddy Ivey will be the presiding minister from SSCC. Please keep Joann and her family in your prayers.

FLOWER SIGN UPS ARE READY FOR 2023!

Are you looking for a way to commemorate/celebrate something or someone? If so, we hope you will sponsor one arrangement for $57.50 or two for $115.00 for the sanctuary. Your name and reason why you sponsored will be acknowledged both in the bulletin and in Nathan’s announcements. Best of all, you will get to take the flowers home with you at the end of the service!


You can use the sign-up button below to select the Sundays you wish to sponsor and fill in your name, who/what the flowers are for. Then write a check to SSCC any time prior to your date or send the amount through ZELLE to "accounting@sandysppringscc.org". If you have any questions, or want to reserve a date over the phone, just call the church office at 404.256.2582.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR FLOWERS

WORSHIP LEADERS NEEDED

Would you like to participate in our Sunday service? We are in need of Worship Leaders for the new year.


We can provide you with everything you need (call to worship, scripture, call to giving and a welcome to visitors). Please click on the link below to sign up, or call the church office if you have questions. Thank you for your willingness to serve!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!
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A THANK YOU NOTE FROM THE RAMBO COMMITTEE IN INDIA

"Dear Nathan, Please express to everyone at SSCC and especially the Outreach Team our great appreciation of your continued support of nursing scholarships for the students at Christian Hospital Mungeli (India). All of them come from poor rural tribes; this education will change their families for generations! Blessings, Landa Simmons, for the Rambo Committee."


WEDNESDAY BRIDGE

SSCC now hosts a bridge group which meets on Wednesdays from 1 PM - 4 PM. Because we need a number of foursomes, we are requesting reservations. Please contact Milt Hill at 770-241-6435 or at milthill@comcast.net so that we will know how many bridge tables are needed.

SAVE THE DATE

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY

SSCC will be volunteering at the CAC this Saturday, January 21st. Volunteers are needed to help in the Food Pantry and Thrift Store located 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. No previous experience necessary. Click on the Outreach picture above to sign up.

INTERNATIONAL DINING

Monday, January 23, 7:00 PM at Emidio's in Sandy Springs. Contact MiltHill@comcast.net or click on the International Dining picture on the right for more details.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING NOTICE

Sunday, January 29th, we will have our annual congregational meeting to vote on the 2023 leadership slate and approve the annual budget. This will also be a time to thank our leadership for an amazing year of ministry. If you are a member of SSCC, please stay after worship, in the sanctuary, for this brief but important meeting.

Click here to view the Leadership Ballot for 2023
Click here to view SSCC's proposed budget

LEADERSHIP RETREAT - SAVE THE DATE

The SSCC annual leadership retreat will take place on Saturday, February 18th from approximately 9 am to 4 pm at the church. Save the date Once again, thank you to those of you in your respective leadership roles.

SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

THE GATHERING HOUR 9AM ON SUNDAY

We bring you: "The Gathering Hour". This hour offers two adult options and a children's option for spending time in fellowship. Come Join us this Sunday, January 8th, 2023.

John Mills will conduct a Walk Through the Bible study from Genesis to Revelation in a year or so. You can join for the entire series or drop in when you see a book you'd like to cover. Newsletter articles will provide you with details each week. This class will meet in the Common Ground Room.

Pat and Paul Kapphahn will teach our January session of Rooted In, titled "Secrets to a Joyous Life." The most powerful weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. We are learning how to let go of old fear-based thoughts and habits that are no longer effective, to intentionally create space for joy and purpose. We are focusing on life’s simple pleasures and moments, leading to a peaceful heart, open mind and relaxed attitude.

The children will continue to Gather with their leaders in Room 120.



PRAYER REQUESTS

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Mary Robeck would like continued prayers for her niece's husband, Buddy Harvey, as he undergoes chemotherapy.


Benay Gunby requests prayers for victims of recent tornadoes in Georgia.


Lynn McCahren asks for prayers for her brother, Doug Blount, whose cancer has returned and he will begin radiation soon.


Prayers for Stephen Brown as he prepares for an upcoming procedure in a few weeks.


Please pray for Larri Wolf’s mother as she slowly recovers from a recent procedure. Prayers also for Larri and her family as they care for her.


Prayers for Mary Anne Posey's health to improve. Please feel free to give her a call at 404.580.4128 or send an encouraging card to her attention at Roselane Health Center, 613 Roselane St. NW, Room #211, Marietta 30060.

Click here for a list of First Responders and Military Personnel to keep in your 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.

Ferris Leslie January 20

David Wolf January 21

Clara Brown January 24

Elizabeth Peterson January 24

Sara Torbert January 24

Florene Fowler January 25

Cordelia Rowell January 25

Joan Bramblett January 27

Brad Norman January 27

Francie Filacchione January 29

Thomas Grant January 29

August Lee January 30