 September 2012 Grace Spoken Here Volume 13, Issue 9 |
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Viewpoints at SSCC |
View from the eighth row...
Feed them and they will come...With this mantra, Rev. Danny's sermons are akin to a seminary short course. The congregants composure and response resembles the hallelujah chorus, with silent clapping and shouting. The centrum chatter and passing of the peace reflect a glad hand and heart all around, with genuine expressions of good will.
Rev. Danny and the Leadership team are commended for their purposeful hiring of competent staff to share in ministry with the young and restless. This broad vision offers assurance for this congregation's potential growth and service to mankind. Thank you Danny, Mary Michael, Isabella, and Ava for choosing to return to your roots.
Billie McGinley
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A Note from Danny
Rev. Danny Gulden, Senior Minister |
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Rev. Danny Gulden
Senior Minister |
Pursuing Our Dream
Two nine year olds start taking swimming lessons. One begins because he has seen the Olympic swimming on television and wants more than anything to one day participate in the Olympics as a swimmer. It becomes his dream; he can picture himself on the starting block preparing to swim in the games. The other nine year old begins swimming because his parents make him go to swim lessons. Which one of these two is more likely to make it to the Olympics? Of course, the one who is swimming for his dream, his greatest desire.
There are a lot of exciting things taking place at Sandy Springs Christian Church. Our worship attendance is increasing at a great pace. People are finding new life within our community each week, making a commitment to be a part of this church. Our youth and children's ministries are experiencing growth and touching lives. The Day School is almost at capacity for this fall. We continue to engage in meaningful mission opportunities that serve people both near and far. You get the picture! I could go on and on, but I want you to have a glimpse of how your presence and commitment to this church is making a difference. These incredible things are not happening because we are forced to make them happen. They are happening because we, like that nine year old with a dream, have a vision for who we are and what God is calling us to do. In a word, we are swimming together for God's dreams for us, for God's greatest desires for Sandy Springs Christian Church.
The month of September brings us our Anniversary weekend, which for the first time will be paired with Real People, Real Faith. Diana Butler Bass will be our speaker and she will also preach at both services on September 16, Anniversary Sunday. It promises to be a fantastic weekend in which I hope you will take part. I know we will all benefit from Diana's thoughts and our conversations together.
September 23 will be Vision Sunday for our Grace Alive! Capital Campaign. This is not merely a fundraising campaign but a spiritual journey we take together. God's call upon us is clear and I am excited to be able to be a part of this journey. We have long had a bold and grace-filled witness and now is the time to make grace come alive in new and powerful ways through our generosity. On this day, the congregation will get to see the plans for the remodeled Centrum, Narthex, and Parlor. The landscaping design for our campus will also be unveiled. I have seen a sneak peak and I can promise you that the
Centrum will take your breath away.
Thank you, SSCC, for the incredible gift of serving in ministry with you as your Senior Minister.
With lots of hope,
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Real People Real Faith Coming to SSCC September 14 & 15 | |
Diana Butler Bass is featured at Real People Real Faith lectures, September 14 and 15, 2012.
Lecture and Speaking Times: 
Friday, September 14th, 6:30 pm-9:00 pm
6:30 pm Doors open
7:00-8:00 pm Lecture
8:00-8:30 pm Q&A and break
8:30-9:00 pm Dessert reception
Saturday, September 15th, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
(includes continental breakfast)
Location: Sanctuary of Sandy Springs Christian Church
Cost: $30 per person covers Friday and Saturday lectures, the Friday night dessert reception and Saturday's continental breakfast. Please make check payable to SSCC and mail to: RPRF, Sandy Springs Christian Church, 301 Johnson Ferry Rd NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Click here to register or call Sharon at the church, 404.256.2582.
Whether you consider yourself "spiritual," "religious," or both, you will enjoy your time with Dr. Bass.
Diana Butler Bass is a blogger for The Huffington Post and a regular commentator on religion, politics, and culture for such media as USA Today, Time, Newsweek, The Washington Post, CNN, FOX, PBS, and NPR. Her previous books include A People's History of Christianity and Christianity for the Rest of Us. Bass holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University and has served on the faculty at the University of California at Santa Barbara and Rhodes College, and is a fellow at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
About Diana Butler Bass: http://www.dianabutlerbass.com/
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A Note from Katie and Bryant
Co-Directors, Youth Ministries |
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Katie & Bryant Gibson, Co-Directors, Youth Ministries |
If the last couple of weeks are any indication as to how much fun we will have in Youth Group this year, we are going to have a blast! We have had a pool party, a scavenger hunt and breakfast during Sunday School. And we have learned a couple things about our youth: they are not shy, they have lots of fun together, and they love to eat!
Our picture scavenger hunt asked the kids to complete tasks such as getting a piggyback ride from a stranger, acting out a Disney scene in public, and shaking hands with a police officer. All of the groups completed most of the hunt, and we rarely saw them hesitate to do the silly tasks! Thank you to our sponsors Emily, Stephen and Kristin for driving the kids and even jumping in to participate. Please check out a few of our funniest pictures from this event.
Now that school is back in full swing, we are anxious to start up a new year of Youth Group meetings and activities. We have so many fun events and service opportunities planned; its going to be a busy fall! If there are ever any questions, concerns, thoughts or ideas for the Youth Group, please do not hesitate to talk to Katie and Bryant. You are always welcome to email us at youth@sandyspringscc.org. We will also have office hours Tuesday mornings from 9-11 am and Wednesday afternoons 3-5 pm. Feel free to stop by and chat! Thank you for the warm welcome you have given us and our boys. We are looking forward to a great year!
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Inspiring "Come and See" India Presentation | |
On August 23, Dr.s. Anil and Teresa Henry, our Global Mission partners from India, shared a fantastic slide show highlighting their work in Mungeli. Over thirty people from Sandy Springs Christian and Chestnut Ridge Christian Churches enjoyed dinner and their presentation. We learned that in the five years since Anil first visited SSCC, there have been major improvements at the hospital and the associated English school which has grown from 300 neighborhood students to about 650! Through the tireless efforts of Anil and Terry, the people of Mungeli and the surrounding area now have access to a better education and to excellent medical care.
The slide show highlighted the addition of a cancer ward, generators necessary due to frequent power outages in India, the newly established nursing school and other high tech equipment to enhance the doctors' diagnostic and treatment efforts. Future plans include more housing for the new nursing students and a new school building that can ultimately handle 1000 students (equivalent of K-12 grade). The people of Mungeli benefit not only because the Henrys share their medical skills, but also because they have the vision, passion and persistence to bring improvements to so many facets of community life.
When Anil first visited in 2008, he encouraged us to "Come and See". For each of the past five years, SSCC has had members visit Mungeli to "Come and See" this amazing ministry. If you have interest in visiting in 2013, contact Nancy McDaniel. It promises to be a unique, life-changing experience.
Dr.s Anil & Teresa Henry and daughter, Ankita
with Chris Furqueron
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Letters and Pictures from Thami and Karti,
Family Village Farm, India | |
100% of our Third Quarter Sunday School donations to the Global Ministries Child Sponsorship will go directly D. Thamizharasi and G. Kathigeyan at the Family Village Farm in Vellore, India. Both children come from very low income families - where they would not be able to receive a formal education without our help. Your giving provides hope and opportunity for these children when they are most vulnerable. Over time, we are hoping to collect enough to provide for their education through their graduation
Additional information can be found at: www.globalministries.org/get-involved/child-sponsorship/
You can write to the children c/o: Ms. Vatsala Vijayakumar
Family Village Farm
Kasam - Katpadi, Vellore 632 007
N.A. Dist. India
click here to read letters just received from Thami and Karti, including recent pictures.
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Lake Forest Elementary School 2012-2013 | |
Thanks to Alice Villa, Nancy Trusty, Charlotte and Floyd Hale, Kathy Elliott and Ruth Brown for serving lunch to the staff at Lake Forest Elementary School. New and returning staff enjoyed lunch and desserts prepared and served by our volunteers. Nancy Trusty, Ann Walker, Sara Cunningham, Carol Armstrong, Ruth Brown, Merilyn Dimmitt, and Lynn McCahren made the desserts.
Sandy Springs Christian Church has partnered with Lake Forest Elementary School for the past three years. The school was built four years ago and has approximately 90 percent of the students coming from homes where English is a second language. This year, the school has a new principal and enrollment is over 900! Even with the changes and growth, we plan to continue the same programs which include:
- weekly tutoring (half hour/student, generally done at lunch time)
- reading in the classrooms (on-going or for one of two special events planned for October 26 and March 1)
- preparing (November 14, 15) and serving Thanksgiving dinner (November 16)
- wrapping donated Christmas gifts (after church December 16)
- helping at the fall and/or spring book fair (dates to be determined)
- preparing and serving a staff appreciation lunch in May (anticipated May 10)
If you would like to be a part of any of these activities, watch for sign-up sheets or contact Nancy McDaniel (mcdannan@gmail.com)
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A Brand New Ramadan Experience
Carolyn Dishman | |
On Sunday, August 5th, Sandy Springs Christian Church was offered a unique experience. The Islamic Center in Alpharetta invited our congregation and that of Congregation Or Hadash to participate in observing a day of their sacred Ramadan. It was a brand new experience for me and, I expect, for many of the other 20 or so people from our two churches.
During the question and answer period, we learned that Ramadan is a time for reflection, for praying for guidance from God to be a better person, to experience through the 30 days of fasting from sunrise to sunset what it is like for people who don't have enough to eat or drink to live as comfortably as we do and to reach out financially to the poor and struggling.
Then men and women separated for the rest of the evening. The Imam said a prayer of Thanksgiving and ask for guidance to do God's Will in all things. We broke our fast with water and some fruit. Then there was a longer prayer time which was all in Arabic. It was a beautiful time of meditation for me personally and then we went into tents set up with a delicious dinner. There was much conversation and laughter as is usually encountered with a group of women and we left feeling graciously, warmly and genuinely welcomed. Once again, when these groups get together, one can feel the bonding and respect among people who love the One True God and want to promote and live in peace and harmony.
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International Dining Small Group - Join US!
Milt Hill | |
Four and a half years ago - on April 1, 2008 - we began the International Dining Small Group. Its various goals and purposes include - fellowship, experiencing interesting cuisines with friends, learning about another part of the world, and discovering new restaurants for the future.
Unlike many small groups, this is an open group. Feel free to join us (or not) as your schedule and tastes permit. We have had from 2 to 23 church members and guests at our various events. If you would like to be added to our e-mail list, please contact Milt Hill. If the Chalice Chat notification is sufficient - join us when you care to. Occasionally, we need a firm commitment because of space limitation at the restaurant we visit. Usually, having a number only allows us to have an appropriate size table waiting for us.
We meet - usually on a Sunday afternoon (but not always) - once each month except December. Suggestions are always welcome regarding where we might eat in the future. The dates and times of our event vary due to restaurant hours, church schedule, and other factors. Watch the Chalice Chat to learn where and when our next International Dining event will occur.
 | | Emidio's Restaurant- August 26, 2012 |
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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
SEPTEMBER EVENTS & SPECIAL WORSHIP
September 2 - Blanket Drive begins
September 3 - Church office Closed for Labor Day
September 8 - Great Day of Service, 8:30 am
September 14-15 - Real People, Real Faith
September 16 - Anniversary Sunday, Diana Butler Bass preaching at 9:00 and 11:15
September 17 - Grief and Loss Support Group, Mondays, 12 noon; requires a brief interview in
person or by phone (Paul and Pat Kapphahn are contacts)
September 23 - Grace Alive! Vision Sunday
September 28-30 - Ga. Women's Retreat, Toccoa
September 30 - Pancake Breakfast, 8:30-11:15 am
SAVE THE DATE
October 7 - Blessing of the Animals at SSCC, 4:00-5:00 pm
November 4 - Interfaith Educational Event, 5:00 pm at SSCC
THE DAY SCHOOL
Sept. 4 - CPR Class, 12:30-3:30 pm (DH)
Sept. 4 & 5 - Orientation
Sept. 5 & 6 - Spanish Class, 9:30 am-12:30 pm (Pit)
Sept. 6 - First Day of School
Sept. 10 - First Day of AEP
ONGOING GROUPS
1st & 3rd Monday: Learner's Bridge, 12:45 - 4:00 pm (P)
4th Monday: Experienced Bridge, 12:30-4:15 pm (205)
1st Tuesday: Gamma Circle, 10:30 am (205)
1st Wednesday bi-monthly: Caring Made Visible, 12 noon (CR)
2nd Wednesday: Sigma Delta Circle, 10:30 am (P)
Sigma Delta lunch, 12 pm (CR)
Prayer Group, 12:30 pm (P)
4th Wednesday: Women's Bible Study, 10 am (CR)
1st Saturday: Outreach Ministry staffs CAC, 9:45am - 1:15 pm
4th Sunday: PAC Meeting (3:30-5:30 pm) (120) 1st through 5th grade
Wednesdays: Handbell Choir, 6:15 pm (Room 202)
Sanctuary Choir, 7:30 pm (Room 202)
Fridays: Men's Fellowship, 7 am (CR)
Saturdays: SSCC Garden Group, 8:30-10 am
Sundays: Youth Groups, 5-7 pm (DH) Middle School and High School
Early Risers, 8:15 am (Room 202)
Children's Music Program, 9:30 am
Youth Handbells - after second service
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| The Wellspring Contribution Guidelines |
Wellspring contributions are due 4 workdays before the end of each month. October articles are due September 25th. Thank you for your timely submissions!
Please limit your article to not more than 350 words. Submit your articles and pictures on ministry news and past events. Keep the congregation and others informed about our busy, vital church.
Email your contributions to Nan Woods: woodynan@bellsouth.net
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