 January 2011 Grace Spoken Here Volume 12, Issue 1 |
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| Dear Members and Friends, |
New beginnings. Resolutions. Plans. Rethinking what we are doing with our life.
The New Year is a wonderful gift. It is that time when we are encouraged to put the past behind us and look forward
with intention and faith.
Putting the past behind us is what we are reminded to do every time we pray the Lord's prayer. "Forgive us as we forgive others . . ." It is understanding that God doesn't hold a punitive grudge against us, and we are not to hold grievances against each other. Accepting and granting forgiveness frees us to create a future built on our best dreams rather than built as a product of the junk of the past.
Looking forward in faith is "thy will be done on earth as in heaven." The Christian life is a life lived in forward motion leaning into that expression. It is aligning our will with the divine will. It is understanding that God has a will for something special to be manifest HERE on earth, and we get to dream/pray/work that will into being.
"Forgive us as we forgive" and we are freed from the effects of the brokenness of last year.
Let "thy will be done on earth" be our firm and joy filled resolution as we welcome in the New Year!
God be with you as we give 2011 to God!
Phil Price
Senior Minister top |
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| Budget Information Sessions Scheduled |
"Mind the Gap"
We have been working hard on the 2011 budget for Sandy Springs Christian Church and the first draft is complete. Although some members still have not submitted their 2011 pledges, currently we are looking at a budget deficit of about $100,000. Church leadership has a goal of presenting a balanced budget at the Congregational meeting on January 30, and we need your help in formulating a plan to accomplish this.
We have scheduled "budget information sessions" at 9 am and 11 am on Sunday, January 9, and at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 12 in Dunlap Hall. Please come with your questions or ideas of how we can cut spending or increase income.
We know we have a problem, and we are confident that we will overcome this gap together. Thanks to all as we continue to be faithful.
Jim Armstrong
Treasurer
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| Have You Signed Up for "The Power of Self-Awareness" Class? |
The Power of Self-Awareness
Understanding Oneself Leads to Spiritual Maturity
Laina Orlando-Green, Instructor
Tuesdays, January 4 - February 22, 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Room 121
Registration $40 payable to SSCC
Sign up in the Centrum or call the church office 404.256.2582
By the end of this class series, you will have a blueprint of your belief system. This blueprint will provide you with in-depth information of who you "think" you are, as well as "knowing" who God created you to be. Spiritual Maturity is discerning the difference.
 | | Laina Orlando-Green |
Week 1 - Overview and Introduction to the 6 phases
Week 2 - Phase 1: The Wonder Years
Week 3 - Phase 2: The Programming Years
Week 4 - Phase 3: The Control Phase
Week 5 - Phase 4: The Curiosity Phase
Week 6 - Phase 5: Let the De-Programming Begin!
Week 7 - Phase 6: The Return to the Wonder-Full Years!
Week 8 - Putting It All Together!
A copy of the complete class syllavus is available on the sign-up sheet.
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| Some Things Old, Some Things New: A Summary of the Adult Education Survey at SSCC - Art Edwards and Bryant McDaniel | |
When it comes to adult education at SSCC, the survey results show an appreciation of "some things old" and openness to exploring "some things new."
Among the "old" things that people want to retain are the existing Sunday School classes (all of which received special mentions); a focus on Sunday morning as the best time to meet; and classes that emphasize the Bible, Spirituality, and Theology.
Among the "new" things that people want to experience are bringing all the adult classes together for a few Sundays every month for a special presentation; making it possible for people in the choir to fully participate in adult education on Sunday morning; and exploring current events, world religions, the arts, book studies, and ecology.
Nearly everyone agrees that the classes -- whether large or small -- need to include lots of time for discussion. In addition to the existing classes, adult education experiences that stand out in people's minds are Real People Real Faith, Lenten Classes, and the Beginnings Class.
The results show that tradition and innovation are both important for adult education at SSCC. It's actually quite rare to find a group that affirms the success of what's currently being done and at the same time is open to exploring new possibilities. Then again, it just may be that the norm at SSCC has always included equal portions of tradition and innovation.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts via the survey. The Adult Education Advisory Council is already hard at work on an approach for adult education at SSCC in 2011 that preserves the best of the past and simultaneously expands our offerings into an even richer future.
If you would like to view all seven pages of survey results, please click here: http://sandyspringscc.org/pdfs/12-15-Adult_Ed_Survey.pdf
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Bryant McDaniel (770-952-0250 or Art Edwards (404-312-3111).
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| Come See "Prophets" on January 15! | |
 Please be sure to mark your calendars to see this moving performance by Brad Sherrill live in the sanctuary at 7 pm on January 15. You don't want to miss it! There is no charge, but donations will be gladly accepted and used to support our youth on their spring mission trip.
Walter Brueggemann, the renowned Old Testament scholar and author, says "Prophets is marked by courage, imagination and a passion for truth-telling. Brad Sherrill has used shrewdness in selecting his texts, wisdom in weaving them into a compelling unity, and imagination in presenting them in contemporary ways. His performance is a faithful, evocative rendering of the prophets. Powerful."
"Prophets"
January 15, 7:00 pm
SSCC Sanctuary
No admission fee,
but donations gladly accepted toward the youth spring mission trip
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Invitation to Covenant Group Celebration and Informational Luncheon - Betty Halford | |
Invite your friends and neighbors and join us for good food, entertainment (Phil promises to play the piano!), fellowship and new curricula. Covenant groups are reforming and growing in 2011!!
Join us to celebrate with current Covenant Group members and discover what is new and exciting for 2011 Groups. Samples of the new curricula will be on display as well as individuals to talk about the new groups. Various times and varied curricula will be offered.
Date: Sunday, January 23, 2011
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Place: Dunlap Hall
Why join a Covenant Group? Rev. Phil Price describes Covenant Groups as "foundational to our church and provide a basis from which everything else flows." "Nurturing," "spiritually energizing," "a very nice surprise," "God is transforming our hearts through each other" - these are just a few of the comments from current Covenant Group members who have bonded in unique ways over the past 15 months. Why not experience this for yourself?
Reminders will be in the Chalice Chats and sign-up will be in the Centrum. We look forward to seeing you at this exciting celebration.
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| Save the Date: February 19 Candlelight Cafe | |
 Youth Ministry is at this very moment working hard to finalize plans for this year's Youth Mission Company Candlelight Café on February 19. This is the major fundraiser for the Youth Mission Trip each year. So mark your calendars, make plans to be there and invite others to participate with you. Look for more information in future Chalice Chats and the February Wellspring. Thank you for supporting the Youth Ministry of Sandy Springs Christian Church!
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| 380 Gifts Wrapped at Santa's Workshop |
"You can feel the spirit of Christmas in the room!" one elf commented. On Sunday, December 12th, members and friends of Sandy Springs Christian Church joyfully wrapped 380 donated gifts for students at Lake Forest Elementary school. The wrapping began at 8:30 am and, remarkably, was finished by 11:30. Eleven o'clockers were disappointed that most of the work had been efficiently completed by early volunteers. A wonderful sense of community and generosity prevailed as everyone joined together to help make Christmas merry for our friends at the school. In the past, the teachers had all the wrapping duty which was difficult at such a busy academic and personal time of year. Our volunteer efforts were a gift to them as well!
Early on Monday morning, one of the coldest days of the year, four "sleighs" FULL of toys made their way to the school so Santa could make an early delivery at the after-school party. Thanks to everyone who donated gift wrap and their time! Special thanks to Santa's sleigh drivers Greg Peterson, Jay Donnelly, and Bryant McDaniel.
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Greetings from Karthikeyan and Thamizharsi
SSCC/Global Ministries Child Sponsorship Program | |
We recently received the following letters from both of the children that we adopted at the Family Village Farm in Vellore, India. As you can see, they obviously appreciate our support!
And remember, we plan to continue our support for both children in 2011. You can write D. Thamizharsi (girl) and G. Karthikeyan (boy) at the following address:
C/O Ms. Vatsala Vijayakumar
Family Village Farm
Kasam - Katpadi, Vellore 632 007
N.A. Dist. India
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Exciting Announcement from SSCC Outreach | |
Save the Dates: June 26 - July 2, 2011!
SSCC will travel to Nashville, TN to work with Disciples Hands-On Mission, doing rehab work required after the devastating floods of 2010. At this juncture, this mission trip is open to families. It is likely we will stay in a neighborhood church and travel to the site each day, then return for prepared meals. The cost of the trip will be approximately $200 per person plus travel--and some sweat equity--but the rewards will be great.
Carmel Christian Church plans to do the same work at the same time. Plan now so we can show Danny's new church what he taught us about mission work and the Good Morning Song! We will share details as plans are firmed up, but please consider this opportunity when making your summer plans!
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| SSCC Youth Donate Hygiene Boxes to Mercy Community Church - Leslie Kahra | |
For their Christmas party, the SSCC youth held a contest of decorating shoe boxes that held various hygiene items that were to be donated to the homeless. Working with Craig McDonald and Mercy Community Church, we had a list of items that would be useful to the homeless people that they serve. About 30 boxes were donated by the youth. The boxes had some very original designs.
On Thursday, December 23, a group of 5 adults and 6 youth delivered the boxes to Mercy. One of the youth brought 35 socks that had been filled and donated as part of the Christmas party at their school. While we were there, we participated in serving lunch and organizing their donations closet so we could add the donations that we brought. Our donations completely filled their supplies. We even had to put the extras into larger boxes to be used later. They are in good shape for the next few months.
It was a great way to share God's love during this special time of year. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and look forward to returning to help at a future date.
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An Invitation to the Friday Morning Men's Group - Mike Crowe | |
We invite you to join the
FRIDAY MORNING MEN'S GROUP (FMMG)
for food and fellowship
7:00-8:30 AM
We gather each week to develop a closer relationship with God through sharing of concerns, celebrations, and insights. We meet from 7:00 to 8:30 AM in the conference room next to the elevator. Coffee is served and we take turns bringing breakfast.
We are just beginning Russell Shorto's "Gospel Truth" (copies available - cost $6).
From the book's cover:
"In Gospel Truth, Russell Shorto draws the first composite of Jesus the man. With the skill of a seasoned journalist and the passion of an amateur sleuth, he moves from scholarly conclaves in California to archaeological digs in Israel, tracking down the story of the astounding consensus emerging from a varied group of experts.
Most important, he tells of the impact the scientific perspective is having now that even scholars working under a conservative Catholic imprimatur agree that much of what we know of Jesus is myth. Many people believe that to move closer to historical and scientific truth is to undermine spiritual truth. But Shorto reports on a profound change in thinking that is under way among the scholars, clergy, and ordinary Christians who believe that the new findings about the life and times of Jesus do not negate Christian faith but in fact give it new life and a secure foundation in the modern world."
From the author's Introduction to the book:
"But while the bulk of this book is devoted to a close-up look at this fascinating, interdisciplinary search for Jesus of Nazareth, I hope that as one proceeds through it another perspective will begin to take shape. It has to do with the realization that scientific truth --- test-tube truth, literal truth --- occupies only one slender band of the spectrum of human reality. There is such a thing as truth that is beyond verbal expression. Spirituality is concerned with that kind of truth. The vital question in all of this is whether there is a connection between these two types of truth, these two ways of knowing. If the phrase "Gospel Truth" still has meaning today, how closely does it have to be tied to the literal, historical level? That is a question we each have to answer."
Hopefully, this book and the Friday Morning Men's Group will provide a more meaningful Christian experience for all of us.
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| Women's Ministries Christmas Event: "Joyous" | |
Saturday morning, December 4 at Sandy Springs Christian Church was a place of happy chatter as more than 85 women gathered for the annual Women's Ministries Christmas Communion Worship Service and Brunch.
The morning began with a communion worship service. Guest speaker Ms. Sandra Barnhill, National President, Foreverfamily, gave a message on "A Child in Our Midst." A love offering of $887 was collected for Foreverfamily thanks to the generosity of the women present. Mary Shehan (with guitar) and Valarie Boss sang a duet that touched everyone.
We gathered in Dunlap Hall after the worship service for brunch prepared by Jim and Marilyn Torbert and their crew and served by the men of Sandy Springs Christian Church. After brunch we enjoyed Christmas carols sung by KnightSong. It goes without saying that everyone went home filled with fellowship, good food and giddy with the spirit of Christmas.
Thank you to everyone who worked to make this annual event a great success. Women's Ministries would like to extend an invitation to all women of the church and their guests to attend next year!
 | | Thank you to our very attentive servers: Jay Donnelly, Michael Squires, Denny Sanford, Wayne Dimmitt, Dale Williamson, Philip Rowell, Phil Price and Milt Hill. Not shown: Ray Woods |
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| In the Life of SSCC
Go to www.SandySpringsCC.org to view our monthly calendar
"Invitable events" are highlighted in red | |
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)
Friday: Men's Fellowship, 7 am (CR)
Saturday: SSCC Garden Group, 8-10 am
Sunday: Youth Groups, 4:30-6:30 pm (DH)
1st & 3rd Sundays: High School
2nd & 4th Sundays: 5th Graders & Middle School
1/3 SSCC closed for New Year holiday
1/4 7-9 pm The Power of Self-Awareness
Tuesdays, thru 2/22 (8 weeks) (121)
1/5 4-5:30 pm Invite/Attract Meeting (CR)
1/7-9 Youth-a-Palooza, St. Simons, GA
1/8 9:45 am-1:15 pm Outreach to staff CAC
1/9 9 & 11 am Budget Information Session (S)
1/9 5-7 pm Hebrew Prophets Class (121)
1/10 5-7 pm Elders Meeting (P)
1/10 7-9 pm Trustees Meeting (CR)
1/11 7 pm Liturgists/Storytellers (CR)
1/12 12:30 pm Prayer Group (P)
1/12 7 pm Budget Information Session (DH)
1/15 12-10:30 pm "Prophets" set up and tear down (S)
1/15 7:00 pm "Prophets" Performance (S)
1/17 SSCC Closed for MLK Day
1/20 7-8:30 pm The Gathering (DH)
1/23 12:15 pm Covenant Group Celebration and
Informational Luncheon (DH)
1/23 3:30-5:30 pm PAC Meeting (120)
1/24 5:30 pm Leadership Team (CR)
1/28-29 Elder Retreat @ Simpsonwood
1/30 12:00 pm Congregational Meeting (DH)
1/30 6:15 pm Trinity House
Save the Date
2/6 12 pm ThirdAgers Theatre Event
2/19 7-9 pm Candlelight Café (DH)
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| The Wellspring Contribution Guidelines |
Wellspring contributions are normally due on Thursday before the last Monday in the month. There is an exception for the February Wellspring. Contributions are needed by January 20. Thank you for your 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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