 Anniversary Weekend: Celebrating 50 Years
Teresa Bensch, 50th Anniversary Team |  "Literally tens of thousands of people have been touched by the faith and presence of Sandy Springs Christian Church throughout the generations. We celebrate this congregation's rich history and faithful witness as we continue to focus on the future." [Dr. Richard "Dick" Hamm, 50th celebration sermon, September 19, 2010.] We grew up? Or maybe we're still growing up--trying to be the church God calls us to be. We came to celebrate the first 50 years of the life and work of Sandy Springs Christian Church -- years in a sacred space that has been home to dedications, baptisms, ordinations, marriages, worship services and celebrations of both life and death. The September 18-19 weekend celebration was a grand occasion acknowledging the life and ministry of our congregation. On Saturday night, we welcomed old and new friends at a dinner served with loving hands by our own members. We then moved to the church sanctuary for a presentation of special gifts by our members and heard their stories of what SSCC means to them, as well as special messages from a few of our former ministers. Back down in Dunlap Hall, we capped the night off with music through the decades, dancing and special performances by members and friends of SSCC.
Our combined 10 am worship service on Sunday continued our celebration as we reminisced about the lives that have been touched by the faith of Sandy Springs. We received a continued challenge by our guest minister, Rev. Dr. Richard "Dick" Hamm, to acknowledge that our congregation's best years are ahead of us. If you weren't able to be with us, you definitely want to pick up a CD of Dr. Hamm's message or download it from www.SandyspringsCC.org.
Here's to our next 50 years as we strive to continue "growing up" in Christ.
50th Anniversary Worship Service - September 19, 2010 |
Dinner and Fellowship September 18
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Special thanks to Larri Bass and her 50th Anniversary Team.
Larri's bright smile radiates the joy felt by all.  |
Rev. Travis Halford reads proclamation by Sonny Purdue, Georgia State Governor
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Special thanks to Mary Anne Posey and her team for the reception following the September 19 worship service - what a beautiful and delicious cake! |
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September 18 dancing and entertainment to nostalgic music from the 60's to 2010. What fun!  | |
| 50th Anniversary Great Day of Service |
 Minutes after joining the nation in a moment of silence honoring
Prayer and communion before beginning service projects | those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, the church was full of conversation and laughter. Over 60 people gathered in Dunlap Hall nine years after that tragic day to participate in the nation's Great Day of Service and to continue SSCC's 50 year tradition of service. After coffee and snacks, there was a blessing and communion. Then participants chose among several outreach projects.
Paint-in for Mercy Community Church | Two Foundation for Hospital Art pictures (twelve panels) were painted by young and young at heart. Grandparents with grandchildren, parents with kids and individuals enjoyed completing the brightly colored panels that will be donated to Mercy Community Church and to Lake Forest Elementary School.
Out in the parking lot, an industrious group operated power tools and muscle to complete three planter benches donated to Initiative for Affordable Housing's Ritzy Rags Weavehouse. Initial plans were to construct pieces of the benches and transport them later. This group was so enthusiastic ten participants drove to Clarkston to install them before the afternoon was over. "These outreach projects are what we are all about," said Steve Clark as he wielded his sledge hammer. Lisa Wise, director for IAHD's Weavehouse wrote, "The benches/flower boxes are AMAZING! Thank you so much. They look great, they are in the perfect spots, and we will be putting flowers in them this week. Thanks to everyone who helped plan, build and deliver." Planter bench/boxes for Initiative for Affordable Housing |
Carol Armstrong reported that she was very pleased with her group's accomplishments at Campbell-Stone Independent Living Center. Volunteers flipped mattresses, hung pictures and offered a compassionate Resident Assistance at Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs  | ear to the 20 residents signed up for assistance. Art Edwards found that "if you ask them about pictures in their apartment, you open up a conversation they are eager to have." While household tasks were completed, relationships were formed.
Grounds clean up
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"This is fun!" exclaimed Jim Bickelhaupt as he floated among projects. Many extra hands assisted the weekly volunteer yard crew, performing seasonal projects including pruning, weeding and planting mums. The tasks were completed for the 50th Anniversary Gala dinner and service.
In the kitchen, the stove and griddle were torn apart and scoured
Kitchen clean up
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clean before reassembling. Freezers were defrosted and the pantry was organized so the Torberts can provide another year of amazing meals from a spotless (100% from the Health Department this year!) kitchen.
Our youth and children spearheaded the shoe
Shoe drivehere. |
drive, collecting shoes to be refurbished for the homeless or recycled into playground equipment. Derrick and Evan Brown distributed flyers in their neighborhood and collected an estimated 300 pounds of shoes! Rags and linens were also collected to be woven into rugs, table linens and purses through the Ritzy Rags project.
Whatever your skills, your availability, or your interests, there was a project to join. Long-time and newer members joined visitors to "exercise their faith" and do a small part to transform our world.
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| The 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues!!! |
Rev. Dr. R. Glen Miles | Calling all Mexico Missionaries - present and past. Calling all Stephen Ministers. Calling all you other people!!! Join us Sunday, October 3 for "Grace Anatomy." The Rev. Dr. R. Glen Miles, former SSCC Senior Minister and current Senior Minister of Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, MO will bring the message from our pulpit. See if he comes as Dr. McSteamy or Dr. McDreamy. Receptions will be held following each service honoring Glen and Julie and commemorating Mexico Missionaries and Stephen Ministers--both key ministries of SSCC started by Glen. See you there!!!! top |
| Volunteer Opportunities | The month of October offers two unique, once-a-year opportunities to help others.
October 29 - We will be participating in the national Read Across America program at Lake Forest Elementary. The purpose of this program is to excite children about reading. Corporate and non-profit volunteers will be in the classroom reading stories to elementary school children. We have even been asked to dress as a character in a book so watch for pictures celebrating our participation!!
October 30 - Sandy Springs Christian Church will join with many other Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denominations in More Hands for God Day, held this year at God's City of Refuge on Lucile Avenue in downtown Atlanta. With many DOC hands, toiletry bags are packed, the neighborhood kids (often homeless) have a Halloween carnival, many are fed and the grounds are cleaned up. Our specific responsibility this year is to cook and serve an estimated 700 hot dogs!
If you are willing to help with either of these projects, please call the church.
November 14 - Mark your calendar for Sandwich Making after the 11 o'clock service.
December 12 - We will be hosting Santa's workshop, wrapping Toys for Tots and CAC toys for the needy. Supplies will be provided; we just need people to stay after church to wrap. Gift wrap donations are greatly appreciated!!
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| Faithfulness: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity
Rev. Phil Price, Senior Minister |  Stress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture well the state of mind of many of us in America today. We have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world's largest insurance company, and many bankruptcies and mergers. Every day seems to bring another piece of economic uncertainty.
A recent survey found that over three in four Americans are stressed about the economy and their personal finances. Half are worried about providing for their family's basic needs. Over half of respondents reported feeling angry and irritable, and reported lying awake at night worried about this. The report concludes:
"The declining state of the nation's economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide." 1/
Our nation is experiencing what many have described as the "American Nightmare." We have learned about the dangers of high consumer debt, the importance of saving, the "new normal" of lower income growth, and the uncertainty of a volatile stock market that is now a part of our economic and personal insecurity. We live in a society that tells us "you deserve it now," whether or not we can afford it or really even need it. All of us have struggled with these issues at one time or another. They are important issues that touch every part of our life, including our Christian faith, and ones that we cannot ignore.
 This is why we are conducting a church-wide study and worship emphasis called "Faithfulness: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity." During this time, we will explore what the Bible teaches us about serving, "from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth;" about inviting and welcoming others to join our church community and share in the good news of "grace spoken here;" and about financial giving, and its key role in faith development and the stewardship of our earthly blessings.
On Sunday, October 3, Glen Miles returns to SSCC to share stories of serving, through his own mission experiences in South Africa, as well as the rich history of Disciples of Christ's mission work around the world. On October 10, Erin delivers a message on the importance of being a welcoming church. And the following Sunday, I begin a four-part sermon series on faith in the midst of today's financial and economic challenges, with scripture-based lessons and stories on working through these times and the role of giving in our own faith development.
At the conclusion of this emphasis, we as a congregation will have the opportunity to make personal commitment plans for how we will manage our time, talents and treasure offerings to God through our church in the coming year. We will share and celebrate these commitment goals in Covenant worship services on October 31 and November 7. Everyone is also invited and encouraged to join in a group study of these Biblical lessons by attending any of our Sunday school classes from October 17 to November 7.
I hope you will join us in the coming weeks as we look at how we can better manage our individual "faith nurturing resources" and truly experience the fruit of the spirit through simplicity and generosity.
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1/ "Eight Out of Ten Americans Stressed Because of Economy," Madison Park, from CNN.com, Oct. 7, 2008.
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| Get Together at the McDaniels October 15 | | Please plan to join us Friday, October 15 for wine and appetizers at Nancy and Bryant McDaniel's home (4550 Blackland Drive, Marietta 30067). This is an opportunity to relax, meet some new people and visit with long time friends. All are welcome!
Donations will be optional, but any money raised will be used towards SSCC's new outreach initiative with Lake Forest Elementary.
We respectfully request that everyone make a reservation by signing up in the Centrum beginning October 3.
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| Our Baby Keeps Growing
Jim Torbert |
 Six years ago, Sandy Springs Christian Church made an adoption. We made the decision to adopt Camp Christian for the month of September. What a great decision this was to support our camp by agreeing to pay the mortgage and other bills for the month of September. We need your help to continue our commitment to this most important facet of our Church in Georgia. Did you know that our Camp served a total of 270 campers with 37 counselors and directors this past summer? SSCC has always had a large number of campers, counselors and directors going to the camp. I would like to share with you a few statements about the importance of Camp Christian to our young people. One of our members who was a Director has already agreed to be a Director again next year for the value to the campers and the value received by her. Several of our members who are returning counselors have to take vacation time from their jobs, but do so with a spirit of true happiness because of what it means to them to serve our youth. One counselor told me that she would quit her job and become a year-round counselor if such a position became available. It is not just our counselors, but our campers also. One youth told me that the nightly campfire was his favorite part of camp. Another told me of the peacefulness of being able to canoe on the lake. And can you believe this; two campers told me the best part of camp was the food! Another of our campers told me that this was the best camp she had ever attended and could not wait for next year. A lot of our members attended as youth and are now back as counselors. One such person, a six year veteran, told me that this year was the most meaningful camp that he had ever experienced. I hope this helps you understand the importance of this camp to our church and to the region. We need to continue with our adoption by paying the bills for the month of September. You will receive a full credit for your donation. Make your check out to SSCC and mark it "Camp." Then you will know that you have been a part of supporting this wonderful, meaningful camp. Thank you for your support. top |
| Ms. Ella Lewis Selected as New Organist/Pianist |
It is with great delight that the Organist/Pianist Search Committee announces that Ms. Ella Lewis will be joining the music ministry of Sandy Springs Christian Church upon Dr. N. Lee Orr's retirement. Ella's first Sunday with us will be October 31. Please join us in welcoming Ella to our church family. You will have the opportunity read more about her in the November Wellspring. top |
| Good Family Ministry: Trunk or Treat III |
Good family ministry requires boldness and bravery! Sunday night, for example,  the Peaceable Adventurer's Club (1st -4th graders) had a meeting planned by parents to study the ecology of rivers. They planned an adventurous hike at the new Sandy Springs Morgan Fall's Overlook Park, but when much-needed rain loomed on the forecast, back-up plans were made. However, bummed by the idea of missing out on this opportunity, parents phoned me Saturday... "would it be okay [timidly]... if it's not raining too hard... to go on the hike... anyway?" Are you kidding?! Of Course! Thirteen soggy, muddy, chilly, and delighted children and five dripping, filthy, satisfied parents returned from that trip to a meal with the "big kids" of youth group. They will never forget this trip. They will never forget that the adults were willing to get their cars muddy, wash sneakers and jeans, and stand out in the rain for them. THAT'S GOOD MINISTRY!  Please remember that the most meaningful thing you can do for children and families is to be involved in their lives. That opportunity is presented to the ENTIRE congregation on Sunday, October 24th, 6-8 PM when we host our favorite event, Trunk Or Treat. All church members and friends are invited. So throw some garland on your car, grab a bag of Tootsie Rolls, and come be involved in some GOOD MINISTRY! This year we are additionally hosting families from Sandy Springs Mission, local families who might not otherwise have a good opportunity to Trick or Treat. Come make it special for them! In peace and love, 
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| More About Being a Legacy Builder | When Bryant and I wrote our first wills, we were new parents and our motivation was to ensure our loved ones would be cared for should something happen to us. Since then, we have re-written them several times as we have moved in and out of community property states, our family has grown, and the tax code has changed. One thing has not changed, though. We still want to be sure our loved ones are cared for when something happens to us. That includes our friends at Sandy Springs Christian Church. Two moves ago, our attorney suggested we no longer specifically name a church in our will, rather we simply state that a percentage of our investments go to the church where we are members when we die. That way we don't have to re-write our wills every time we move. It is a pretty painless way to provide for something we have come to care about.
That was working for us until we experienced Sandy Springs Christian Church. The Legacy Builder campaign caused us to reassess the legacy we want to leave. While we are happy to still designate a percentage of our estate to the church where we are currently members, we have been active at SSCC longer than any other church in our married lives. This church has been the most vital part of our children's spiritual formation. Membership here has challenged us to think deeply, live faithfully, and connect to some of the best people we know. Leaving a percentage of what is left of our investments upon our deaths, after meeting other obligations, feels like more of an after-thought than a tribute to something that means so much to us. After reflection, we have also designated a specific amount to be given to SSCC. That way, should we ever relocate, we will still honor what this church has meant to our family. Have you considered doing the same?
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| Barb Duren is Retiring | Yes, it is hard to believe and even harder to accept that Barb is retiring from her position as Pastoral Assistant after 10 years on the staff of SSCC, effective October 15. Retiring--not leaving! We will still be seeing her smiling face and benefiting from her many talents as a volunteer! She has been a steadfast supporter and active participant through the many transitions of the church since joining in 1977. We will always value her as a church lay leader, past staff member, church member and friend. Barb, we extend our congratulations on retirement. May your future hold much happiness and contentment.
 Join us at a reception honoring Barb
following the 11 am service on November 7.
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| Connect Opportunities | ONGOING
1st & 3rd Monday: Learners Bridge, 12:45-4:00 pm (P)
4th Monday: Experienced Bridge, 12:30-4:15 pm (P)
1st Tuesday: Gamma Circle, 7 pm (P)
2nd Wednesday: Sigma Delta Circle, 10:30 am (P)
Sigma Delta lunch, 12 pm (CR)
3rd Wednesday: Women's Bible Study, 10 am (CR)
Fridays: Men's Fellowship, 7 am (CR)
Saturdays: SSCC Garden Group, 8-10 am
Sundays: Middle & High School Youth Groups, 4:30-6:30 pm (DH)
Go to the SSCC Calendar of Events webpage for
the most current information.
10/3 Rev. Dr. R. Glen Miles preaching 9 & 11am
Reception following both services
10/3 "Beginnings" with Phil, 10:15-10:50 am (213)
10/6 Caring Made Visible, 12-1:30 pm (CR)
10/10 "Beginnings" with Phil, 10:15-10:50 am (213)
10/10 Armstrong Covenant Group, 5-7 pm (CR)
10/13 Prayer Group, 12:30 pm (P)
10/15 Gather at the McDaniels, 7-9 pm (Sign up)
10/16 Handbell Workshop, 10 am-12 pm (202)
10/16 Liturgists/Storytellers Meeting, 10 am-2 pm (CR)
10/17 Reception for Lee Orr after both services
10/17 "Beginnings" with Phil, 10:15-10:50 am (213)
10/19 B. Trusty Covenant Group, 7 pm (P)
10/24 Trunk or Treat, 6-8 pm (SSCC parking lot)
10/26 Chrysalis Covenant Group, 6:30 pm (P)
10/30 Hands for God Outreach, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
10/31 Pancake Breakfast, 8:30-11:15 am (DH)
Save the Date 11/6 Daylight Savings Time ends 11/7 Reception for Barb Duren, after 11 am service 11/14 Sandwich Making after 11 am service © 11/20 Advent Wreath Workshop, 4-5 pm (120 & 121) 11/20 Chili Cookoff, 5-6:30 pm (DH) 11/21 & 11/28 Chrismon Workshop for new members, after 9 and 11 am worship services (C) 11/25 SSCC closed for Thanksgiving top |
| The Wellspring Contribution Guidelines |
Wellspring contributions are due on Thursday before the last Monday in the month. For example, November contributions should be submitted by October 21. Thank you for timely submissions!
Please limit your article to not more than 350 words. Submit your articles on ministry news and upcoming events; report on past events; send pictures! Keep the congregation and others informed about our busy, vital church.
Email your contributions to Nan Woods: woodynan@bellsouth.net
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