A NOTE FROM TEDDY

As I pondered what to write this week after Nathan asked me to do the newsletter article, I struggled with which direction to go. I could mention so many things. There are threats of severe weather in so many spots across the globe. There are exciting and wonderful things happening in our own community. I could talk about the current sermon series. The possibilities seemed endless.

I was torn on which topic to focus my attention.

However, I’m working on that about myself. Being torn is usually wasted energy, so I stopped and told myself to just pick one and start writing. But then I realized I just don’t have the words right now. So my decision to move on from being torn was to write nothing. I will cut this article much shorter than normal and ask that you simply stop what you are doing and pray. There is no shortage of things in which we can be in conversation with God. Rather than being torn on what to say, pick one thing on your heart and try to recognize God’s presence around you. Listen, speak, and then listen again.

Just pray, Teddy

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.

CURRENT SERMON SERIES

Branching Out

A Sermon Series on Spiritual Growth

After being encouraged for so long to abide at home, we are finally able, once again, to venture out in the world. We’ve been making up for lost time. We’ve been traveling to see people we have missed. We’ve been going on vacations we put off. Once again, we are branching out in many aspects of our lives. Are we doing the same in our spiritual lives? Are we making up for lost time with our communities of faith? Are we letting go of things that are keeping us from a deeper relationship with God and one another? Are we branching out in ministry? During the next three weeks in worship, we will explore what it looks like today for the Church to grow in God’s Spirit, venture out in faith, and stretch toward a life lived in the light.

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Abiding in the Vine

(World Communion Sunday)

John 15:1-8

Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown

OUR APOLOGIES

We were having technical difficulties with our livestreaming services last Sunday. The GOOD news is that the video from last Sunday has been uploaded to our YouTube page.

You can view the service by CLICKING HERE. You can also access both LIVE and RECORDED past services there. Please call the church office if you have questions. 

NOTABLE DATES

SAVE THE DATE!

We will have a Town Hall meeting immediately following service on October 9th. We will update you on several things happening within the life of the church. You won't want to miss it! Stick around for a few moments after worship to learn more about the ministry of SSCC!

Our October International Dining event will be at noon on Sunday, October 9 at Dim Sum Heaven, 5203 Buford Highway, Doraville GA 30340. Their extensive menu offerings are shown on their website at: dimsumheaven.com where many dishes beyond dim sum are available. Contact Milt Hill if you would like to join the group at MiltHill@comcast.net.

SAVE THE DATE!

We will have our Anniversary Sunday on October 16th. Care and Connect will host a luncheon following service that morning. More details and a sign up will be available next week, stay Tuned!

SSCC NOTABLES

SPECIAL OFFERING

The Reconciliation Ministry Special Offering is received each year in congregations on October 2nd (in conjunction with World Communion Sunday). Funds generated by this special emphasis are used throughout the year to provide grants to ministries and congregations actively developing and implementing programs that promote our Church’s Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racist identity. These programs and efforts seek to reveal, re-educate, and remove systemic and structural barriers in our communities that serve to deny the image of God and human thriving based on race.

When you give to this special offering, please mark your gift as such. Thank you in advance.

BACK TO YOUTH!

What a wonderful return to youth we had last week. We celebrated in style with “Banana Night” where we played so many fun games with bananas. It was a great night of fun and fellowship as we get ready for a great year of youth group. Check out some pictures from our event below.

CAC NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

We’re excited about partnering with Temple Sinai for our next 3rd Saturday at CAC on October 21st.

Also, if you have computer skills, office experience or just want to help, volunteers are needed in the Career Center; as client interviewers; Food Pantry volunteers and Upscale Thrift volunteers. Find more here: CLICK HERE TO READ "CONGREGATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES" From Francis Horton, CEO of CAC.

FOOD COLLECTION FOR CAC

With rising food and fuel costs many families and individuals are struggling to make ends meet. Supplies are running low on food pantry shelves. Please bring items listed below for food collection barrels in the church lobby. Standard size containers and no glass, please! Urgently needed: Pasta, Sauces, Dry Grains (Beans, Lentils and Rice), Peanut Butter, Canned Tuna and Chicken, Baby Food and Diapers sizes 0, 1, 5, 6.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES

NEW UPDATE

Join us this Sunday as we listen, discuss, and enjoy some "Fruit (and Dunkin' Donut holes) for Thought" by Art Edwards together in the conference room before church on Sundays. There will be no pre-reading necessary ahead of time. Just come to learn & share your Fruit!

CURRENT STUDY

Join John Mills and the Pathfinders class at 9:15 am as they discuss “The problem of rich people.”

PRAYER REQUESTS

Prayers of joy for the Mills family on the return home of Jared Mills whose tour of duty in the Army is done.

Please pray for Stephen Brown as he continues to recover from a recent surgery.

Continued prayers for Scott and Amy Nesbit who both have serious physical ailments.

Prayers for Allen McCahren and his twin brother, Jerry, who are both having similar health issues.

_________________________________________

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, Director of Congregational Care via email: Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.

Stephen Brown October 01

John Dalton October 01

Amy Helton October 02

Kerry Bensch October 04

John Mills October 04

Mikayla Scarborough October 06 Sarah Money October 07

Don Daugherty October 08

Sandy Matthews October 09

Bob Hicks October 14

Ellis Torbert October 14

Matt McKinney October 16

Becky Kelly October 17

Dawna Abel October 21

Lily Grace Norman October 21

Merilyn Dimmitt October 2

Vijay Rathinam October 23

Sally Tutterow October 24

Paul Kapphahn October 25

Cindy Brown October 26

Alice Saunders October 26

Christine Dalton October 27

Bert Blackburn October 3

Linda Davis-Rolen October 31