A NOTE FROM MERILYN
On March 1st, I will have been your Director of Congregational Care for two years. Our goal for this position was to identify the pastoral care needs of this congregation, assess these needs, and coordinate them with the Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown, Chair of Elders Elizabeth Peterson, Chair of Meal Ministries Marilyn Torbert, Chair of Care and Connect Janis Hill and Chair of Caring Made Visible Barb Duren. I was able to reach this goal only with the help of these committees. Our collaboration allowed us to give the best care possible. I want to thank each of them for the support they gave me these last two years. I will be forever grateful.
The pandemic brought many new challenges and many congregants stepped up and asked what they could do to help. Many of you called me routinely to see if I needed help in making calls or sending cards. With the extra work the pandemic caused, you made it possible for us to continue to give good care to those in need. Thank you for giving of your time and talents to our church family.
I have loved this position at SSCC. I am sure I received more from all of you than I was able to give back. I am transitioning out of this position at the end of this month in order to spend more time with my family in the coming year. My last day will be February 28th. It has been a joy to serve this congregation. I want to thank Nathan for this opportunity. His constant support was truly a blessing. Thanks also to my husband Wayne. His support allowed me the opportunity to do something I loved.
Peace,
Merilyn
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Leaving the Land of the Dead
A Sermon Series for the Season of Lent
No, it’s not a movie title. It’s the way we have felt over the course of the last year, both literally and figuratively. Let’s just put it this way - it hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park. It has felt more like wandering in the wilderness. Yet, there is a renewed sense of hope in our world – the feeling that there is an end, or at least a new beginning. Could it be that we are finally leaving the land of the dead? The truth is we are always doing so in this life. That’s what Lent is for – to remind us that God is always moving us from death to resurrection.
February 21, 2021
Leaving the Land of the Dead: Renounce
Matthew 4:1-11
February 28, 2021
Leaving the Land of the Dead: Relationship
John 3:1-17
March 7, 2021
Leaving the Land of the Dead: Recognize
John 4:5-42
March 14, 2021
Leaving the Land of the Dead: Reveal
John 9:1-41
March 21, 2021
Leaving the Land of the Dead: Renew
John 11:1-45
March 28, 2021 (Palm Sunday)
Leaving the Land of the Dead: Require
Matthew 21:1-11
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To view the service this Sunday on our YouTube page, click here.
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Please note: Our HVAC contractors are presently working on the heaters for the Sanctuary, in hopes they will be operational for the service. We are using a commercial space heater prior to the service to warm up the sanctuary, however, if you choose to worship with us in person, please come prepared for either scenario. |
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for Dottie Gill as she recovers from her second ankle surgery.
Please continue to pray for Janelle Hicks and her family as they grieve the loss of Janelle's sister.
Monalea Dalrymple is in Hospice and the family would appreciate prayers for her.
Please pray for our members and their families who serve as first responders and health care workers: Dr. Tim Helton, Katie Gibson, Tracey McCluskey, Dr. Vijay Rathinam and Pete French. Also those serving in the military: Derrick Brown (Army) and Michelle Brown (Navy), children 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) and Dalton Brown (Army) granddaughter and grandson of Barb Duren and Chaplain Kevin Mooney (Navy). Linda Whitmire's granddaughter, Hayleigh Whitmire (Army). If we are missing someone, please let us know so that we can include their name in our weekly prayers.
JOIN SSCC!
You can join SSCC by a simple affirmation of faith anytime! If you want to join during this virtual time, just let us know you would like to join!
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LENTEN DEVOTIONAL VIDEOS
Once again this year, each Monday of Lent, we will be sending out a video devotional via e-blast. Each devotional will be based on the previous Sunday's scripture reading. We hope these devotionals deepen your spiritual reflection during this meaningful season.
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ALL-CHURCH COMMITTMENT TO
40 DAYS OF PRAYER
The Worship, Arts and Education Committee, along with Pastor Nathan, would like to invite you to join us in a commitment to 40 days of prayer during the season of Lent. We hope that you will carve out time, each day during the next 40 days, to pray for Sandy Springs Christian Church and our ministry in 2021. As we live into whatever the new normal might be, we hope you will pray for God’s guidance and direction for our congregation. If you are someone who prefers a guide for your time of prayer, Teddy and Nathan recommend a website called, www.pray-as-you-go.org. It offers 10-12 minute daily devotionals that make space for prayer and reflection. Thank you for praying with and for the people of Sandy Springs Christian Church as a spiritual discipline during Lent!
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ALL-CHURCH STUDY
We are having an all-church study during the season of Lent called, “Everybody, Always” based on the book by Bob Goff. The study aims to help us all love one another, even when we, and the times we are living in, might be difficult. The study will take place through several group options. See below. All studies will be offered via zoom. There will be three groups meeting each Sunday, beginning February 28th. Look for more information in an e-blast next week with more specific information about how to join each class.
Group One:
Day and Time: Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
Leader: John Mills
Group Two:
Day and Time: Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
Leaders: Breijanna Dyke, Casey Evans, Emily Harple, Teddy Ivey
Group Three:
Date and Time: Feb. 28th at 7:00 p.m., Following Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
Leader: Leslie Lady
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ASH WEDNESDAY VIRTUAL SERVICE
On February 17th, we uploaded our Ash Wednesday Service to our YouTube page for you to view at your convenience.
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SSCC'S LATEST PODCAST
We have completed the third podcast for our "SSCConversations" series. The purpose of the series is "to be a hope filled effort by and for the people of Sandy Springs Christian Church, as a way to connect to and communicate with both people in our congregation and the greater Sandy Springs/Atlanta area, with positive conversations about our community and its/our relationship to God.”
We hope to publish the podcasts every so often, which will include conversations with SSCC congregants, community members and others related to a topic we might cover. We hope this to be another means by which to stay connected or reconnect to the ministry of SSCC.
Click below for our third podcast entitled, "Vision" which was inspired by Casey's recent reading of Exodus 36:1-7, during his yearlong quest to read the whole Bible. This episode includes an open conversation with Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown, Senior Minister of SSCC, Casey Evans and Janet Howell, members of SSCC. The topics we cover this week include:
- The genesis of the SSCC Visioning Plan
- The development of the SSCC Visioning Plan
- Achieved milestones thus far on the SSCC Vision
- 2021 & beyond milestones to strive toward in the SSCC Visioning Plan
Along the way, they also discuss God speaking (or not) through a hole in one, behind the scene goofs on producing worship and Casey sings! Please email [email protected] and [email protected] about wanting to be a guest (or grouping of guests) on future episodes of "SSCConversations!”
A big "Thank You" to Ella Lewis for her intro music (The Joy Song) & outro music (Hosanna!).
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Special Note... Be a part of the FIRST "SSCChats" new short form podcast 5-10 minutes! Thank you to Janet and the Visioning Team for already having come up with this NEW short form podcast idea! Casey will spearhead this vision at this time & would love to have a short recorded "Chat" with you! Please email [email protected] if you are interested in "Chatting"! |
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WINTER MOVIE SERIES
Here’s a perfect way to reconnect with SSCC friends, while social-distancing at home! Care & Connect has launched a Winter Movie Series — featuring two new movies for February. One is for families with children and another for adults. If you’d like, you can join both!
You can search the movie titles, listed below, on the internet or through your TV service provider to see your best option for viewing. Some of the movies will be free or have a nominal cost depending on whether you subscribe to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Vudu, etc. Pick a time to view the movie(s) that best fits your schedule, then join us Sunday, February 28th, for the Zoom discussion(s).
The February movie selection for adults is "I Am." According to the trailer, this documentary is the story of a man who had it all, until something happened to make him realize he might have it all wrong! This movie should be thought provoking and inspire some good conversation. The Zoom discussion for this movie will be this Sunday, February 28 at 5:00 P.M.
The February movie selection for families is "Togo." Advertised as “the true untold story” of a man and his sled dog on an important mission, this movie is sure to be thrilling. The Zoom discussion for this movie will be Sunday, February 28 at 7:00 P.M. In spite of the time crunch with the regularly scheduled Youth meetings, participants agreed Sundays at 7 was the best time for most families.
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THANK YOU FROM DOTTIE GILL!
My heart is full and humbled by the out pouring of love for my baby boy Toto. Thank you for the gift of Camp Woof so that Toto would have a place to stay while I found him a more permanent spot while I am recovering. My Landlord Katie graciously agreed to take Toto while I recover. He will return to me when I am able to get about better. I had my second surgery Tuesday and will be recovering for two weeks and then go back to the doctor. Thank you everyone for your prayers and concern for me during this difficult time. I have the greatest church family. Thank you for everything from the bottom of my heart.
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HELP SUPPORT CAMP CHRISTIAN!
Join us again across Georgia for our 2021 Camp Christian Virtual 5K. It’s as easy as tying your shoes!
Decisions are being made for the 2021 summer camp season, and while the Directors are doing that, we can still have some fun outdoors., Lace up your shoes, put on an old Camp t-shirt (if you have one), and walk or run a 5k in your hometown sometime between April 9-11, 2021. Grab your running buddies, your camp buddies, and your church buddies and get out there! After you run, you can record your time and post it to the events page. Take some pictures and sing some songs, and let’s raise some money for Camp Christian!
Register before midnight on April 1 at to guarantee a t-shirt. Cost is $35. T-shirts will be mailed after the race weekend.
For over 50 years, Camp Christian has brought thousands of kids to Christ. It’s an oasis in Middle Georgia where children can get away from their busy lives at home, relax, and grow closer to Christ. Camp is more than a place or just another church program – it is a community we can all belong to and find God’s peace and love. So join us April 9-11 in running to raise money for Camp Christian!
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A BIG THANK YOU!
Barbra Duren, on behalf of the Campbell-Stone North residents, sends a big thank you to SSCC's youth, members and friends, TDS students and all who created home made Valentines for them. The residents expressed their appreciation especially to the young folks for making an effort to make this Valentines Day a special one for them.
Also thanks to Cindi McCollough, our new Outreach Chair who organized the effort and delivered the valentines, chocolates and flowers to Campbell-Stone.
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WEEK OF COMPASSION 2/21 & 2/28
When you give to Week of Compassion, you deploy resources to people in need all around the world. Through sustainable development projects, our partners help provide life-giving water and other critical resources that help communities reinvent and reimagine what is possible. When water comes to a village, people are safer, healthier, and more free to pursue learning and growth, and share more than just water. Let love flow opportunities.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Just a reminder that the Church office will be staffed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am - 1:00 pm.
We are also retrieving phone messages remotely each day as well. So feel free to call the church if you need anything or email [email protected] if you wish. |
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DOING MINISTRY DIFFERENTLY |
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HELPING THE CAC
The CAC is in need of volunteers for the following shifts:
- Retail Store: M, W, F 9:30-11:45 and 11:45-2:00
- Donations/Pricing: M – F 9:30-11:30 and 11:30-1:30
Or you can work both shifts in a day. Eventually, they would like to be open M, W and F from 9:30-3:00, expanding the shifts to 9:30-12:30 and 12:30-3:30.
If you have any questions, please contact Cindi McCollough via email -[email protected] or cell 770-365-0365.
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FOOD INSECURITY: If you or someone you know in our church community are facing food insecurity because of a decrease or loss in income, please privately contact Jenna Hicks so that we can provide assistance to keep your pantry full. Email [email protected] or call 404-441-1668.
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MUST MINISTIRES: If you would like to donate and drop off items please CLICK HERE to access a flyer that outlines the most needed items. Monetary donations are very much needed and can be done so online via their website, or send a check in the mail to MUST Ministries, P.O. Box 1717, Marietta, GA 30061.If you have questions please contact Cathy Cortright at [email protected].
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SUBMITTING PRAYER AND CONGREGATIONAL CARE REQUESTS
Due to the fact that we are holding "virtual" church service, and are not able to submit prayer requests, feel free to reach out to Merilyn Dimmit, Congregational Care, via [email protected] or call her at 770-448-8784 and leave a message. Please indicate if your prayer request is confidential (for Clergy/Elders only or for congregational sharing in our newsletter).
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CONNECT WITH OTHERS
SSCC has subscribed to zoom for anyone who might need it to virtually meet using a video conference method. Only one group can use our account at a time. If you would like your group to use zoom to virtually meet, please contact Amy Frost via email ([email protected]) to schedule your group on the calendar. We can help you learn how to send an invite to your group.
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Joshua Moore 2/2
Nancy Trusty 2/2
Scott Dalton 2/4
Dirk Huttenbach 2/6
Dan Ross 2/7
Peter Brown 2/9
Anne Bradford 2/10
Judy Edwards 2/11
Fran Michels 2/11
Dianna Gill 2/13
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J.R. Torbert 2/14
Jennifer Armstrong 2/15
Jim Torbert 2/16
Travis Harple 2/19
Kathleen Reese 2/20
Wayne Dimmitt 2/21
Pat Kapphahn 2/22
Tom Bratten 2/23
Chuck Rolen 2/23
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