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A NOTE FROM JOSH
You may have noticed I was not in worship on Sunday or, worse yet, saw me during the Sunday School hour without a bowtie on - now before you think something is wrong let me tell you it was all intentional! In fact, I am so over-the-moon excited to share with you that SSCC had a group go downtown to spread God’s love at the Atlanta Pride Parade! Despite chilly winds and occasional stray raindrops, we had such an amazing time sharing joy and love with our neighbors.
As you have probably put together already, it was a special experience for me as Associate Pastor to join with our SSCC community and our greater ATL community to show love to our LGBTQ+ siblings! As a gay man myself, I know firsthand the importance of telling our LGBTQ+ siblings that they are loved and cherished deeply by God exactly as they are. For me, being present downtown for the Pride Parade is a way of showing with our actions that our faith includes, welcomes, values, and loves everyone. Personally, I understand being physically on the parade route embodies our mission as SSCC to “share God’s love through inclusivity, service, and spiritual growth.” It was such a wonderful afternoon living into all that we believe and represent at SSCC!
It was also amazing to witness the number of faith communities marching in the Pride Parade this year! Notably, our group was able to cheer on our fellow DOC neighbors as Johns Creek Christian Church marched by – it was a delight to see them passing out encouraging bookmarks and offering hugs to everyone in attendance!
While Atlanta Pride 2026 may be over, I know the impact we and many others had on the ATL community will last for a long time to come.
*I would be remiss if I did not mention: if you are interested in learning more about how you can support the LGBTQ+ community year-round in the Atlanta area, please feel free to send me an email, give me a call, or stop by my office! I’m also around to answer any questions you may have about the importance of being a presence at the ATL Pride Parade or, more generally, for the ATL LGBTQ+ community. Please do not hesitate to connect!
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A Moment to Ponder
Quotes, quips, and quandaries for your week.
“We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord...We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand; And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land....And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.”
~ "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love," a hymn
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IN OUR HANDS
In Our Hands is a four-week stewardship series where we will explore what it means to recognize that everything we have, our money, time, talents, relationships, and resources, is ultimately entrusted to us by God. Following Jesus through Matthew, we’ll consider how we can faithfully use what has been placed in our hands, not simply for ourselves, but for God’s work in the world.
Oct. 18, 2026 - Matthew 22:15-22 - "What Belongs to God?" - Rev. Teddy Ivey
Oct. 25, 2026 - Matthew 22:34-46 - "With All You Have" - Rev. Teddy Ivey
| THIS WEEK'S LECTIONARY READINGS | The scriptures as well as other resources for studying can be found by clicking here: Home - Revised Common Lectionary. | | |
FAMILY FEUD AND FELLOWSHIP
For those that RSVP'd, this Sunday, October 18th after church we will meet in Dunlap Hall for a rousing round of Family Feud. Our "families" will be staff members vs. SSCC youth.
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TRUNK-N-TREAT - DONATE SOME SNACKS!
It's Fall y'all! Time for one of our most popular events of the year! Let's help make this a wonderful event for our kids and the community and don't forget to invite your friends and neighbors!
On Sunday, October 25th, we will ask you to set up and decorate trunks immediately after church and the event will start at 12:15 p.m. There will be a meal offered for kids and a service project.
For the service project, we will be collecting sealed snacks for placement in the waiting room at the NICU at CHOA. We will be making snack bags with a note for the parents and families who are in the waiting room and staying at the hospital with their babies. Over the next few weeks you can donate small sealed snacks, treats, candy, etc. for these bags and we will be assembling them into goodie bags. We can show love to the families at CHOA and remind them that they are not alone. Suggested items are: Rice krispie treats, fruit snacks, granola bars, pretzels, candy, chips, slim jims, protein bars, jerky, popcorn, and fruit leather.
We are also asking for candy donations for Trunk-n-Treat, just drop the bags of candy off at church at the welcome desk.
PLEASE CLICK HERE to sign up your children for the event, to provide a trunk and treats and/or to help coordinate/help with the event. If you have any questions, please direct them to Carie Whittaker.
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VOLUNTEER AT THE CAC!
Volunteers are needed TWO SATURDAY'S this month at CAC; October 17th and October 31st. Please sign up today to help us. Time slots and descriptions can be viewed by clicking HERE using the new improved volunteer sign up schedule. Your help is greatly appreciated.
The CAC assists individuals and families experiencing financial crisis from job loss, reduced income, illness, or other catastrophic situations. CAC houses a Food Pantry, open to clients in need and the Canopy Thrift Store open to both clients and the public. SSCC and Temple Sinai work together to provide volunteers in the Food Pantry and Canopy Thrift Store on the third (and occasional fifth) Saturday of each month. For more information about CAC visit their website.
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FALL HALF WORK DAY - NEW DATE SET!
Our hope is that those who wanted but had not been able to participate last weekend will be able to help on the 24th. We plan to start at 8:30 am and go until around noon. Please confirm with either Jim Ruehman or Cathy Cortright (cortright13@gmail.com) your ability to participate, if you have not already done so. We look forward to beautifying our church property together!
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FALL COAT/BLANKET COLLECTION
Although it may still feel warm outside, colder days and nights are coming. October 18th through November 8th SSCC will collect new or gently warn coats and blankets for those in need. Adult coats will go to the Elizabeth Foundation for the homeless in Atlanta. Children's coats will go to the Coat Closet at Lake Forrest Elementary School for kids in need.
Drop coats at the table in the Centrum beginning October 18th.
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SSCC CANDIDATE NOMINATIONS
It is time we start looking at 2027 just a little bit, which means we need to think about the Officers we have leading at SSCC. Please take a moment to fill out the Nomination Recommendation Form to offer your thoughts on which members would best fill the open roles.
Fill out the paper copy of the Nomination Recommendation Form (in Centrum by the Connections board) and drop it in the green box OR fill out an electronic version at THIS LINK. If you have any questions about the Nomination process, please reach out to Rusty Grant or the church office.
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WELCOME TO THE WORLD!
This past Tuesday, Julia Jordan Khan was born weighing 9 lbs., 10 oz. Her parents are Joe and Michelle (Brown) Khan, big sister Natalie, and proud grandparents are Cindy and Pete Brown.
| | SUNDAY EDUCATION AND MONDAY PRAYER GROUP | | |
ADULT SUNDAY EDUCATION OPTIONS AT 9:00 AM
*THE COMMON GROUND - This group will not meet this Sunday. We invite you to join the Common Thread group.
*THE COMMON THREAD - This group meets in the Leslie Classroom to talk about the other texts the Revised Common Lectionary offers for the day that do not serve as our guide in Sunday worship. Grab some coffee and a friend and join us.
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ZOOM LINK! MONDAY EVENING PRAYER GROUP
Looking for a way to dive deeper into your spiritual life or prayer life? Join us Mondays at 7:00 pm every week on zoom for 15 minutes of prayer.
Zoom Meeting ID: 868 4896 1222
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83104330109
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If you would like an Elder to pray with you, please let us know.
The Elders are available for your time of prayer. Contact Tim Helton, Chair of Elders, or Rev. Teddy.
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We celebrate with Cindy Brown on the birth of her new grandbaby! Please be in prayer for the family as they adjust to their new normal over the coming weeks.
The Robecks are excited to share that Rachel is scheduled to return from her deployment with the navy this week!
Please be in prayer for Bruce Lady after a recent hospital stay.
Please be in prayer for continued healing and strength for Kathryn Hartman after a recent hospital stay. Please also pray for her sons as they care for her.
Please pray for Rachel Robeck's upcoming return home and for her team members as well.
Please pray for Alan Burgess after a recent successful heart procedure. May he gain strength quickly!
We ask for continued prayers for "Big George". Jeff Moore's niece, Heather, delivered baby George three months early.
Carrie Whitaker asks for prayers for her mom who is dealing with a new cancer diagnosis. Also
prayers are needed for her father after surgery for colon cancer.
Laura Prescott asks for prayers for Sandie Reed as she continues cancer treatment.
Prayers are requested for Bert Blackburn and for Shelton as he cares for her.
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If you have any prayer requests or joys to share, please contact Rev. Teddy Ivey
at the church office 404.256.2582.
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Becky Kelly October 17
Lily Grace Norman October 21
Dawna Abel October 21
Vijay Rathinam October 23
Merilyn Dimmitt October 23
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Sally Tutterow October 24
Paul Kapphahn October 25
Cindy Brown October 26
Chris Dalton October 27
Bert Blackburn October 31
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