SSPC Happenings - July 28 2021

July 28, 2021

Bi-Weekly Summer Newsletter

With summer vacations beginning to wind down and a new school year fast approaching, the turn toward August is always a timely opportunity to look ahead. Around the church there are three upcoming items that I am particularly looking forward to and want to be sure are on your radars.

First, our associate pastor for youth and mission, Rev. Annie Franklin Arvin, will officially return to the office this coming Monday, August 2. Annie was on family leave through the middle of this month following the early than expected arrival of her and Thomas’s second child, Elsie Jane, back in mid-April. She has taken vacation time for the second half of July to accommodate for childcare, which was scheduled in advance to start at the beginning of August based on Elsie’s original due date. Please join me in welcoming Annie back next week!

Second, we have a great team of church members who have begun work on putting together plans to celebrate our 75th church anniversary. There are many more details to come but we are excited to start this year-long celebration on Sunday, September 26 with a special worship and celebration. Be sure to mark your calendars! As part of marking this milestone in the history of our church, we are also going to be working over the coming months on collecting an oral history from the dozen or so church members who have been at the heart of SSPC from our very first days as a community of faith on St. Simons. This upcoming anniversary is a joyful opportunity for giving thanks to God for bringing us this far while simultaneously looking ahead with expectant hearts for all the things God still has in store for us in the years to come. Hope you will join us!

And third, don’t forget that Bluegrass Sunday is right around the corner on August 8. Rhonda Hambright and members of our music ministry have been hard at work preparing for this toe-tapping annual tradition of St. Simons Presbyterian. Remember that the bluegrass music will only be at the 10:30A worship service. It is always a good time – do not miss it!

Finally, I want you to know that we are following yesterday's news about the updated CDC recommendations regarding masking at large indoor functions in areas where there is substantial or high transmission. I am in communication with the session today about if/what prudent steps we can take as a church to continue being safe. Be on the lookout for an email sometime later this week with more information.

Hope to see you this Sunday. Invite a friend. Casual is fine.

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

BRIDGE Update

This past weekend the youth of SSPRES were jumping feet first into the salt waters of God’s creation. We threw our cast nets, drug seine nets, and listened to the scientific names of so many fish. Fish that Adam was entrusted with naming! Saturday, our group was early in the river kayaking and learning about birds in their marsh homes. God made birds on the fifth day of creation! Together, we all marveled at the large sharks that we reeled in with the assistance of our boat captain. Creation is everywhere, even in our own backyards, and both the youth and I challenge you to go into your own backyard and marvel in it!

May the God who dances in creation,

Who embraces us with human love,

Who shakes our lives like thunder,

Bless us and drive us out with power

To fill the world with her justice,

Amen.

Madelynne Risi

Director of BRIDGE

Summer Events

Sparrows Nest Donations

We will also be collecting donations for Sparrow Nest during our Blessing of the Backpacks drive-thru. Please consider bringing on elf the following items: SpaghettiOs/Ravioli, Canned Chicken/Tuna, Vienna Sausage, Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Canned Soup, Chili or Pork & Beans, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Pasta Noodles, Spaghetti Sauce, Mac and Cheese, Rice or Instant Potatoes, Diapers size 3-6, Pudding or Fruit Cups, Toothpaste, Soap, Deodorant, or Dish Soap

KidZ Crew & Youth

Sunday Worship

July 25, 2021

Musical Notes

When I came to this church, I was very impressed with its heart for mission. The global and community giving is phenomenal. The financial support is incredible, but it is great when we can recycle or reuse items that we have enjoyed for years and need to replace. Our old hymnals and choir robes are such items. When Jim Bishop bought robes for the choir in back in 1996, he had no idea that these robes would end up being robes for seminary graduates in Africa. Long-time friend and music colleague Jack Sartain of Lawrenceville Road Methodist Church referred me to Dr. Neil Nickelsen in the Atlanta area. He is a retired pediatrician that has been involved with helping United Methodist Bishop Guy Mande of North Katanga/Tanzania Episcopal Area, Democratic Republic of the Congo serve his people. His connections are far and wide, also working with MEDSHARE in Atlanta to provide used and donated medical equipment overseas. Dr. Neil recently sent two shipping containers of medical supplies to the Bishop to distribute. He is coming to visit his contacts at MAP International this week and will pick up our choir robes this Friday! I told him about the late Beth and Ray Knighton who had founded MAP and were longtime members of our church. Beth actually wore one of those robes! Again, these robes will be worn by seminary graduates who will then have a robe to preach in and it is thrilling to all of them that have received robes in the past. Anyone wishing to support the robe ministry or learn more about the connected university may contact their non-profit organization – Friends of Katanga Methodist University. www.friendsofkmu.org

Our new robes will be seen for the first time in worship on August 22, when the choir returns from a short break. Meanwhile…….

On Communion Sunday, Dr. Emri Comer will be playing organ for Amy Bishop, who is taking a well-deserved break. Ann Nermoe and Bud Longley will be offering an introit by Thomas Porter, May Your Faithful Love, for the prayer - Hear My Words by Steven Paulus, and In Remembrance by Buryl Red as an anthem. They will also appear with our bluegrass band on August 8th at the 10:30 service playing guitar and dobro along with Rick Ray on banjo, Crystal Murphy on fiddle, Harlan Hambright on mandolin, Steve Bristol on guitar, and Jacob Bosarge on bass. We will play some old favorites and a new song from singer/songwriter Carley Arrowood – Jesus Come Down from Heaven. Invite your friends to church on these hot summer days! We are dressing down for the occasion, so feel free to do the same.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda