March 2-8, 2014
 
See You in Church Sunday  
Invite a Friend!                                    Worship Services 9:00 & 11:15 AM
                                                           Focus Group Sunday School 10:00 AM
                                                                                                             404.256.2582
 
       Rev. Danny Gulden, Senior Minister
    "Entrusted with Grace" 
        Romans 12:1-8     

From Danny

Rev. Danny Gulden
Senior Minister  

 

I hope this finds everyone doing well and having a good week. I have loved the chance to watch the Winter Olympics over the last few weeks. One of the most interesting facts I learned is that Iceland has never won a medal at any Winter Olympic games. Think about that for a moment, a country named Iceland has never medaled at the Winter Olympics.

 

Earlier this week, I was reminded of a quote from Steven Covey:  
"Live from your imagination, not your history."  
This Sunday, we will commission our church leaders for service this year, as well as be reminded of our callings from God. We will use grace as the foundation for our callings. Grace is one of the greatest examples of the imagination of God at work. This Sunday, we will explore what it means for the church to be entrusted with the gift of grace.

 

The season of Lent, the 40 days (not counting Sundays) leading to Easter, begins March 5 with Ash Wednesday. We have many great opportunities to experience the season, beginning with dinner, small group orientation, and worship on Ash Wednesday. Our Sunday morning series for Lent will focus on the book of Ecclesiastes and the search for the meaning of life.

 

The Mexico Mission Company opens this Sunday and will be open for the next four Sundays. This is an opportunity for the whole church to support our high school youth and sponsors with our gifts to support their "on the ground" efforts to build a home for a family in need.

 

This promises to be a great week at church. Invite someone to come with you. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

 

Grace and peace,

 

About This Sunday's Music                                     

 

On the final Sunday before Lent, we will be responding to the words of  Paul in Romans 12, a charge to live a life of abundant grace and serve others as Jesus did.  "The Secret of Christ" by Richard Shephard brings us words of intention to live such a life, and a prayer seeking guidance in sharing the "secret" of Christ "with those whom we meet on our earthly pilgrimage, following in the steps of Jesus."


 

Lenten Sermon Series                                    

 

Ecclesiastes: Searching for life under the sun

 

What is the meaning of life? Over 2500 years ago a man set out looking for the meaning of life in all the typical places--work, relationships, family, even religion. His insights became the book of Ecclesiastes, and what he discovered might surprise you. Join us during Lent as we explore what this man had to say and how relevant it is to our pursuit of meaningful living today. 

 

March 9:  "What's the Point?" - Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 - Rev. Danny Gulden

March 16:  "Chasing the Wind" - Ecclesiastes 2:1-17 - Rev. Danny Gulden

March 23 - "Just Standing in Awe" - Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, 14 - Rev. Linda S. Whitmire

March 30 - "Calculated Risk Taking" - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 - Rev. Danny Gulden

April 6 - "Holding Life Together" - Ecclesiastes 12:1-11 - Rev. Danny Gulden

March Focus Group Sunday School

10:00 AM 

 

Contemporary Class - led by Art Edwards - Leslie Classroom

 

If you're looking for a Lenten Study this year, you might find it in the Contemporary Class during March.  We'll be exploring just one verse, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father but by me.'" John 14:6

 

Twenty-two words and 24 syllables - that's all folks.

Depending on your point of view, this can be a troublesome verse.  God knows it has been used for centuries as a club to beat non-Christians into submission.  But it has also been used to set people free. I cringe at using the verse as a club, but I do believe it makes clear some of the ways that Christianity is unique among major religions and belief systems.

 

The month's classes are connected, but each one will also stand alone.  So don't stay away because you missed one.

  

March 2 -  Jesus said to him, "I Am ... no one comes. . . but by Me."

It's important to understand how in some ways Jesus' words in this verse resemble a first century tweet - at least when it comes to  length. But unlike most tweets, centuries of meaning have been compressed into 99 characters that held a greater meaning for Jesus' audience than LOL.

 

The problem for us is that we don't understand the code.  For example, we'll look at why this verse is addressed to Thomas, what "I Am" means, and whether any of this makes any difference to our daily life.

 

Our music video guests will be Phillips, Craig, and Dean,  We'll also get some special commentary from Leno, Conan, Kimmel, and Colbert and write some Jesus tweets.

 

The goal for the class this session is that each person learns at least one thing they didn't know. This will be harder for some than others.

 

Modern Family led by Rev. Danny Gulden - Common Ground

 

This group will be taking a look at how we parent beyond our capacity. How do we create a wider community for our children so that they know of God's unconditional love for all people. Topics explored will be:
  • Inviting others to invest in our children's lives
  • Creating a culture of unconditional love
  • Building a sense of calling through everyday moments
Bible Study - "The Book of Judges" led by Jeff Morgan - Danny's Office

The book of Judges forms a bridge between the stories of bondage in Egypt and the stories of the monarchy of Israel. The book is set during a time of intense political turmoil. There is constant war from without and even war from within (the civil war against the tribe of Benjamin)! Its pages are filled with stories of national heroes (such as Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, and Samson). It contains stories of love, lust, and revenge (Samson and Delilah). While the book as a whole teaches an important theological lesson, some passages are theologically troubling (the sacrifice of Jephthah's daughter and the rape/murder of the concubine). Join us as we read and discuss these intriguing, puzzling, inspiring, troubling, and entertaining stories from the book of Judges. 

 

"A Tapestry of Love" led by Daphne Reiley - Conference Room
We will explore the ways in which our connections -- spiritual and emotional -- to God and each other enhance our experience in giving care. "Caregiving" in the class will be defined broadly to include anyone who feels they are responsible for the physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual well being of another person.  If we're honest with ourselves, aren't we all, then, caregivers?  Come and discover a closer, more sustaining relationship with God through prayer, worship, communion, and community.  Copies of the book will be available for purchase during the first class ($10). A Tapestry of Love is also available via Kindle."  

 

Lectionary - led by Larry Steinmetz - Volunteer Office
A study of the weekly texts from the Revised Common Lectionary
 
Believers Sharing - led by Barb Duren - Campbell-Stone Dining Room, 
9:20 AM
Bible study using The Present Word
  
All Church Calendar, March 2-8
All entries in red are invitable events
 
Sunday, March 2
Mexico Mission Company open
Focus Sunday School, 10-11:00 AM
Officer, Elder & Deacon Installation, both services
J.A.M. Kids Club, 12:30-2:00 PM (DH)
Youth Group, 4-7 PM (DH)
Mexico Parent Meeting
Monday, March 3
Read Across America at Lake Forest, 8 AM-4 PM  
Wednesday, March 5
Lenten Dinner, 6:00-6:45 PM (DH) - Please sign up at Connect credenza
Lenten Classes Instruction, 6:45-7:30 PM (DH)
Lenten Service, 7:30-8:30 pm (S)
Thursday, March 6
Medicare Counseling with Joyce Edwards, 10 AM- 2 PM, by appt. (PC)
Friday, March 7
Caregiver Counseling with Daphne Reiley, 10 AM - 1 PM, by appt (PC)
Saturday, March 8
Wandering to Nourish Atlanta, 5 PM (DH, 120, 121)
 
THE DAY SCHOOL -  Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-3:30 PM 
Coming Up Next Week, March 9-15
All entries in red are invitable events

Sunday, March 9
Mexico Mission Company open (C)
Focus Group Sunday School, 10-11 AM
Beginnings Class, 10:10- 11:00 AM  (Danny's office)
Interfaith Hunger Walk, 1:15 PM for group picture. Walk at 2:00 PM. 
WEAR YOUR BLUE INTERFAITH HUNGER WALK T-SHIRT TO CHURCH!
Thursday, March 13
Financial Counseling with Jim Armstrong, 10 AM-2 PM, by appt. (PC)
Friday, March 15 
Caregiver Counseling with Daphne Reiley, 10 AM-1 PM), by appt. (PC)
 
 THE
DAY SCHOOL - 
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-3:30 PM

   Sunday, March 9

 

  

2014 Hunger Walk to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank
 
WHY:
  • To raise awareness of the fact that one in 5 people in the Atlanta community are food insecure
  • To be part of our interfaith team, make friends, renew friendships, exercise while walking downtown
  • To raise funds to fight hunger locally. Your SSCC Outreach Committee will make a contribution on behalf of the congregation, but you are encouraged to also consider making a tax-deductible donation. (Checks payable to SSCC with a notation in the memo line: Hunger Walk OR Check payable to Atlanta Community Food Bank)

WHEN: Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 1:15 PM (for a group photo). Walk at 2:00 PM.

WHERE: Turner Field; meet at the Jewish Federation tent at 1:15 OR ride the bus from SSCC to the event and back ($10 round trip; seats are limited)

HOW:  Sign up at the Connect Board. 

WEAR:  Your blue interfaith Hunger Walk T-Shirt (same as the last two years). Sunday, March 1 is the last day to order a shirt. $10 each
All are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to wear one.

QUESTIONS: Nancy McDaniel 770-952-0250

Mexico Mission Company Opens Sunday, March 2

Come stop by and visit with our youth between services to hear more about our Mexico Mission Trip.  Our theme this year is "It Only Takes A Spark." O youth would love to share with you a little more about what it means to be a Mexico missionary for SSCC. 

 

We will have a slideshow, refreshments and trinkets for you to show your support for our youth!  We will also have a poster 
representation of the house that we are building and the amount that we need to accomplish that goal. With your support and donations, we will build our house here so that we can build a house for an awesome family in Mexico!
ThirdAgers - Mark Your Calendars!
 
It's time for us to gather once again with friends old and new!
 
 
Sunday, March 16Georgia Ensemble Theatre's production of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" followed by an early dinner at The Brickery Restaurant in Sandy Springs 
Theatre:  $20 per ticket.  Please pay for your tickets by March 9.
Dinner:  menu prices
Deadline for sign-up:  Friday, March 14 - We have a limited number. The earlier everyone signs up, the better chance we have of getting additional tickets.

Sign up today:  Locate the ThirdAgers sign up sheets on the Connect credenza or call the church at 404-256-2582.  

Questions: Shelton Blackburn - [email protected] or 770-977-2970

 

A few days before the event, additional details will be sent to those who sign up.  I look forward to seeing your name on the sign-up sheets.  Don't delay.
Shelton Blackburn

Prayer Requests

 

Sharon Hanna - Pathology report indicated cancer, and she will go back to her doctor for a chemo treatment plan. Sharon asks that you pray for comfort for Kellie, her daughter.

 

Lolly Ross - broke her arm on February 23.  Prayers for successful healing.

 

Lynn Crowder - for son Jamie J.

 

Cindy Driemeyer - for Warren M.

 

Sarah McClelland - sharing good news that Margaret G. is home.  Thank you for your prayers.

Condolences

 

Our sympathy and prayers go out to the family on the death of Mike Crowe on February 24.  A Memorial Service will be held at SSCC on March 22; details to follow.

 

"Beginnings" Course 

March 9, 16 & 23

 

"Beginnings" is a 3-week series during the Sunday School hour for visitors and new members who are interested in learning more about Sandy Springs Christian Church and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

 

Classes begin on March 9 and continue March 16 and March 23 from 10:10 to 11:00 AM.  The course is led by Rev. Danny Gulden and meets in Danny's office.  To sign up for this session of "Beginnings," please call the church office at 404-256-2582 or email Sharon Hanna at [email protected]

March Outreach 

 

Adult Day Services of Cobb/Douglas Counties

 

This organization is part of the Mental Health, Development & Substance Abuse Treatment Agency of Cobb and Douglas counties.which serves 14,000 people each year.  The Adult Mental Health Day Centers serve 300 clients each year, most of whom have no money for essentials.

 

Collecting:  toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, hair conditioner, and other personal care items. Place your donations in the Mission Cabinet in the Centrum.

Lent Brings New
Opportunities for SSCC



Lent, that contemplative season leading to Easter, begins Wednesday, March 5th with a simple meal and worship. In seasons past, we have then continued throughout the weeks of Lent to meet weekly for worship and study. This year, after our initial Ash Wednesday worship service at the church, we invite you instead to participate in small conversation groups, meeting each of five weeks, when and where your group decides. There will be some focus on specific bible thoughts and prayer concerns as we get to know more deeply our conversation partners.
 
This will be a meaningful way to journey together toward the power of Holy Week, including Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday stations of the cross, and the glory of Easter morning.  
 
Click here to register on-line or 
click here to pull up a registration form to print. Paper registration forms are at the Connect Credenza in the church.

Birthdays 

March 1-15

Happy birthday to all! 

   

03/01    Bryant Gibson

03/02    Art Edwards

03/04    Kaitlin Kahrs 

03/06    Anne Butz

03/06    Elaine Donnelly

03/06    Steve Clark

03/09    Leslie Raymer

03/11    Bunny Steinmetz

03/12    Shelton Blackburn

Care Note

 

"Letting Go and Looking Forward"

by Daphne Reiley 

 

click here to read this Care Note

Copies are available at the Connect Credenza. 

Quick Links

 
www.SandySpringsCC.org  - Sandy Springs Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
www.gadisciples.org -The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia

www.disciples.org - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada

 
 
Sharon Hanna, Ministry Administrator 
Sandy Springs Christian Church (DOC)
404.256.2582 or email S[email protected]