March 16-22, 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
 Lenten series:  Life Under the Sun (2 of 5)
     "Chasing the Wind" 
          Ecclesiastes 2:1-17     

From Danny

Rev. Danny Gulden
Senior Minister  

  

I have a book on my shelf called The All Better Book.  In this book, elementary school aged children prescribe solutions to some of the world's greatest problems.  Here is one of the trickiest problems that they tackle:  With over one billion people in the world, someone should be able to figure out a system where no one is lonely.  What do you suggest?

 

This is from 8 year old Kalani . . .

"People should find lonely people and ask their name and address. Then ask people who aren't lonely their name and address. When you have an even number of each, assign lonely and not lonely people together in the newspaper."

 

 From 9 year old Max . . .

"Make food that speaks to you when you eat. For instance it would say "How are you doing and what happened to you today?'"

 

 The most touching response in the book comes from 8 year old Brian . . .

"Sing a song, stomp your feet, read a book. Sometimes I think no one loves me, so I do one of these things."

 

People long for connection because connection fulfills our deepest human needs and fuels our relationship to the holy. We need something bigger than ourselves to complete our lives. Over 2500 years ago, a man named Qoheleth searched for the meaning of life. He wriote of acquiring everything under the sun that he could think of, yet his pursuit of meaning was fruitless. He says that he was chasing the wind. This week, as our Lenten journey continues, we will think about what it means to chase the wind. We will be challenged to think about what feeds our souls the same way that food and water feeds our bodies.

 

Our new ministry structure went into place on March 1. We believe this will empower us to connect, serve, and inspire in meaningful ways for years to come while enabling people to effectively use their gifts and passions. We have three ministry forums: Discipleship, Care and Connection, and Outreach. I will serve as the primary staff resource for the Outreach forum as well as worship and Rev. Linda Whitmire will serve as the primary staff resource for Discipleship and Care and Connection. Katie and Bryant Gibson will be the staff resources for Children and Youth, which fall under Discipleship. Sharon Hanna will administratively support all of the Ministry Forums. I am looking forward to seeing the fruit this will bear as we grow and live into the future. I give thanks for all of our lay leadership who have answered God's call to serve as we live into this new way of ministry.

 

Finally, I want to say thank you to all who are participating in a Lenten small group. Our group met this past Tuesday, and it was truly a meaningful and wonderful experience. I hope you find yours to be as well.

 

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. It promises to be a great Sunday to invite someone to come with you to SSCC.

 

Peace to your path,

 

About This Sunday's Music                                     

 

As we continue our Lenten journey with Ecclesiastes, our music reminds us of the grace which envelops us every day, even within our darkest moments.  One of the most powerful musical statements of the need for the hope which keeps us going is "City Called Heaven" by Josephine Poelinitz:  "I am a pilgrim of sorrow. Trying to make it, make heaven my home."  Kristin Wolf is the soloist with the Sanctuary Choir at 11:15.

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 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

 

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

 

March 16 - The Truth  

Jesus explained "Truth" to Pontius Pilot, but Mr. Pilot didn't get it. It's hard to blame him for being confused.

 

Finding "truth" is hard.  Finding "Truth" seems impossible --especially for people like us who live in a Misinformation Age.

 

Finding T(t)ruth is tough work; so we'll get some help from Carrie Newcomer--who thinks it's like eating peaches by the roadside, Dag Hammarskjold--who found Truth in a life of self surrender, and Robert Glenn's video on gratitude.

 

The goal for this session is that everyone leaves with a little more T(t)ruth than they had the day before.


Modern Family led by Mary Michael Gulden - Common Ground

This week, we will have two guests with us, two of our high school youth. They will come to talk with parents about how their family and faith has made an impact on their lives. They will share the important lessons they have learned and what parents might need to be worried about as their children grow up. This promises to be an enlightening time of sharing.


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 - Pastoral Care Office
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 16-22
All entries in red are invitable events
  
Sunday, March 16  
Mexico Mission Company open
Focus Sunday School, 10-11:00 AM
Beginnings Class, 10:10-11:00 AM (CR)
ThirdAger Event -  Georgia Ensemble Theatre - "The Great Gatsby" -  2:00 PM.        
Click here for new important details from Shelton Blackburn.
Youth Group, 4-7 PM (DH)
Thursday, March 20
Medicare Counseling with Joyce Edwards, 10 AM- 2 PM, by appt. (PC)

THE DAY SCHOOL -  Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-3:30 PM  
Saturday, March 22 
Silent Auction and Gala at Sibley Forest Clubhouse, 7-9 PM
Coming Up Next Week, March 23-29
All entries in red are invitable events

Sunday, March 23
Mexico Mission Company open (C)
Focus Group Sunday School, 10-11 AM
Beginnings Class, 10:10-11:00 AM (CR)
International Dining (celebrating 6 years and 66 dining experiences!), BBQ 92                     Restaurant, 300 Village Center Drive, Woodstock, arriving before noon &                     continuing through second service.   www.vivabbq92.com -
        Milt Hill - cell 770/241-6435; home 770//926-0131
Youth Group, 4-7 PM (DH)
Wednesday, March 26
Women's Bible Study, meet at church to carpool 10 AM (Fernbank Science Museum)
We're Going to Jerusalem!
As we continue to ponder what kind of God is our God, we will 'visit' the city where God is known to three differing faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The 'visit' is through the IMAX film "Jerusalem" at Fernbank Museum. Our Fourth Wednesday Bible Study gals will meet promptly at 10 am, March 26th, to carpool together. The cost is $15.34 for the film. If you plan to come, please be sure Linda Whitmire has your name as she is getting IMAX tickets for us. Afterward, we will have lunch together and chat about our impressions.  


Thursday, March 27
Financial Counseling with Jim Armstrong, 10 AM-2 PM, by appt. (PC)
Friday, March 29
Youth and Sponsors depart for Mexico

 

 THE
DAY SCHOOL - 
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-3:30 PM

Baptism and Belonging Class


The season of Lent is traditionally a time of preparation for baptism culminating with baptism on Easter. If you have a child who is around the ages of 9-13 and is interested in being baptized this Easter, we will be offering a one session Baptism and Belonging class. Please let Katie Gibson or Bryant Gibson know ([email protected]) or let Rev. Danny Gulden know, [email protected] if you are interesting in being in this class and being baptized on Easter. We will schedule the session once we know the availability of all participants. 
 
Adult Baptism
As many are finding faith or a church home at SSCC, we also want to make available an Adult Baptism session. If you are an adult and interested in baptism, please email Rev. Danny Gulden, [email protected], or Rev. Linda Whitmire, [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: sheets and towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, hair conditioner, and other personal care items. Place your donations in the Mission Cabinet in the Centrum.

Birthdays 

March 16-29

Happy birthday to all! 

   

Belated birthday wishes to:

02/29     Myra Watkins

03/10     Lindy Watkins

 

03/19    Ann Walker

03/20    Denny Sanford

03/20    Henrietta Moricz (visitor)

03/21    Ray Woods

03/21    Nathan Chimera

03/22    Danny Gulden

03/22    Ryan Kahrs

03/23    Dale Williamson

03/24    Maria Hicks

03/25    Georges Wheeler

03/25    Kathy Elliott

03/26    Denise Shipman

03/26    Marlene Rhine

03/26    Vera Volin

03/26    Emily Leek

03/28    Richard Walker

03/29    John Gilmore

Disciples Women Spring Conference

 

March 22 - 9:30 am, Union Christian Church, Watkinsville, Ga

 

April 12 - 9:30 am, St. Andrews Christian Church, Macon, Ga

 

Click here to register online.
 Service of Celebration and Remembrance of 
Mike Crowe
 

 Saturday, March 22

2:00 PM

Sandy Springs Christian Church

 

Gifts in memory may be made to the church. A reception in the Centrum will follow the service.  

Prayer Requests

 

Elisha Fields (visitor) - for Susan C., Randy B., and Robin B. 

 

Bryant Hodgson - for Laura & Dimitry K. and daughter Bella

 

Elizabeth Peterson - for Evelyn Allen

 

Sheri Mason - for Dodgen Orchestra & chaperones traveling to & from Disney World this week. 

 

Lynn Crowder - continuing prayers for son Jamie J.

 

Rebecca Daugherty - for Kasie C. and her 3 year old daughter.

Care Note

 

Medicare Notes

by Joyce Edwards 

 

click here to read this Care Note

Copies are available at the Connect Credenza. 

Walton Band Metal and Paint Recycling 

 

Saturday, March 15

9:00 am - 3:00 pm D lot

 

for more information, click here

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]