Last Friday evening, around forty young adult members and friends of St. Simons Presbyterian gathered outside for a good ol’ fashion backyard social at the home of Jeff and Mary Margaret Shiver. There was no agenda to the gathering – it was simply an opportunity for folks at a similar life stage to come together over good food and fellowship. The food and fellowship was so good in fact that no one even thought to take a picture!
But as I looked around that evening I was warmed by two realizations. First, we are a growing church. For as many familiar faces as were present there were also brand new ones! People (of all ages) are finding SSPC to be a congregation that is friendly, mission oriented, engaged in our community, welcoming to all, and passionate about growing in our callings as disciples of Jesus Christ.
And second, I was made to be mindful once again of the goodness of God. This pandemic has not been easy for anyone, and to be honest, there have been times over the past 1.5+ years where I couldn’t help but wonder if and what the Church of Jesus Christ would look like on the other side. While I am mindful that it is far too early to know if we are (or will ever really be) on the “other side,” simply being together with a group of people whose main connection is as brothers and sisters in Christ served to remind me that God is faithful. Indeed, whether we are walking through a valley or standing on the mountaintop – God is good.A big thank you to the Shiver Family for helping make that gathering possible!
As you peruse this week’s newsletter be on the lookout for other signs of both God’s goodness in the various activities and ministry happenings coming up at SSPC. Know that every opportunity is open to every person!
See you at church. Invite a friend. Casual is fine.
Peace,
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Rev. Alan Dyer
Pastor
PS: Be sure to check the warning below about a recent Phishing Email/Text scam with requests for gift cards or other gifts purporting to be from me!
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Sunday Worship
October 3, 2021
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Yes - it’s October! Since some of the major outlets are putting up Christmas trees and other décor for sale, the choir is starting to practice for Christmas this week. No, not really. Every choir around starts practicing for Christmas right about now – some as early as August! There may be those of you that want to just participate with the choir during Advent season or just sing in the cantata on December 19th. Please call me and let me know of your interest and I can set you up with a book and a place in the choir. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7pm.
This week, the Chancel Choir will follow the theme of Mission by singing Natalie Sleeth’s Go Into the World. It’s a catchy tune with three contrasting parts that all come together at the end. We will repeat South African service music from World Communion Sunday - because it was fun to sing! Hymns are 726 Will You Come and Follow Me (a newer hymn that we need to know as well as Here I Am, Lord) and 761 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service.
Some of the highlights of the music ministry for October:
Afterglow - 6:30 on October 17th and 24th for Youth in the Music Attic (follows Youth that starts at 5 pm)
There is a worship service led by our staff at Marsh’s Edge on October 19th at 4:30 pm.
Children’s Sunday is on October 24th and features our children’s choir under the direction of Iris Ellis.
The 75th Birthday Concert Series begins with an Organ Recital on October 24th at 3:00 pm.
Organist Amy Bishop will share with us some pieces that are more appropriate for the concert hall and that show off this mostly new instrument.
We are hosting the Presbytery meeting this month - Worship will be pre-recorded in our sanctuary with music from our church. The online meeting is scheduled for October 26th.
The Fall Festival is on October 27th from 5-7 pm. The Bristol Family (Bill, Sunny, and Steve) will be joined by Bud Longley and Harlan Hambright playing and singing folk and novelty songs during the festival.
On October 31st, we will combine Reformation Sunday and All Saints’ Day Recognition with powerful music and the tolling of the bell for our saints.
Save these dates and I’ll see you there!
Love & Gratitude,
Rhonda
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SSPC Members and Friends:
We have received a number of reports today about suspicious emails claiming to be from Rev. Alan Dyer. The sender uses a fake email address and typically attempts to solicit the purchase of gift cards or other products. We have also recently received reports of similar emails being sent from fake email addresses purporting to be from church members soliciting help from other church members. ALL SUCH MESSAGES ARE A SCAM.
Please remember that no pastor or church staff member will ever solicit personal information or direct donations of gift cards or money via email or text. Do not respond to any messages asking you to contact, donate or purchase gift cards for Rev. Dyer or any other staff member.
The best thing to do if a message seems suspicious or out-of-character for the sender is to call/text/contact them directly to confirm that the message is actually from them before taking any action.
Sadly, this is not the first time and likely will not be the last that this has happened. It is a nationwide problem that is happening to many other churches and in many other communities as well. Further information and tips can be found below. Please feel free to call the church office with any questions. We are happy to help however we can.
Peace,
SSPC Staff
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Sunday, October 10
8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary
9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations
10:30 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
Monday, October 11
10:00 am Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary
6:30 pm PW Ladies of the Night - Upper Room
Tuesday, October 12
7:00 am Youth Breakfast Devotion - Chick-fil-A
9:30 am Staff Meeting - John Law
10:00 am PW Circle Morning Glories - Upper Room
12:00 pm PW Circle Lunch Bunch - Upper Room
12:30 pm Worship & Music Meeting - John Law
Wednesday, October 13
10:00 am Men's Bible Study - Upper Room
4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda
6:00 pm Chancel Ringers - Sanctuary
7:00 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
Thursday, October 14
10:00 am Grief Group - John Law
10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room
1:00 pm Hospice Grief Group - John Law
3:45 pm Richland Rum Tour & Silver Bluff Dinner - 1406 Newcastle St
Friday, October 15
No Activities Planned for This Day
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A weekly thank you for all the people and ministries of St. Simons Presbyterian Church. Lovingly created by
Rev. Kate Buckley.
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Sunday School
October 3 - November 21
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Baseball as a Road to God
Seeing Beyond the Game
by John Sexton
9:15am / Library
Take me out to the ball game! Take me out to the crowd! Whether you love belting the verses of this song or looking forward to the World Series in late October or just love being a sports fan in general, John Sexton’s Baseball as a Road to God may be just the ticket for you.
For more than a decade, Sexton used baseball to illustrate the elements of a spiritual life in a wildly popular course as president of New York University. His book beautifully weaves the magic of baseball – its community of fans, its sacred places, its legends, its breathtaking moments of drama, its blessings and curses, its faith and doubt, its saints and sinners, its miracles – with the spiritual dimensions of life.
In the course of nine innings, fans experience a range of emotions from expectation and elation to frustration and despair. Sexton elegantly demonstrates that baseball is more than a game or even a national pastime… baseball can be a road to a deeper and more meaningful life.
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Always A Guest
Speaking of Faith Far from Home
By Barbara Brown Taylor
9:15am / John Law Room
BBT’s collection of 30 sermons as a guest preacher … from graduation ceremonies to Sunday pulpits …will show you why she is one of the most beloved and renowned preachers of our time. On themes from anxiety to beauty, resurrection to doubt, wisdom and telling the truth, Taylor proclaims the gospel as she meets us in our messy humanity.
Full of observations on the Spirit and the state of the world along with her gentle wit, BBT will inspire you as she explores faith in all its beauty and complexity. As the reader, you will be a BBT guest at this gospel feast!
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The Letter of Paul to the Philippians for Everyone Bible Study
By NT Wright
9:15am / Upper Room
We have lived through a year and a half of pandemic uncertainty. What an example of how things don't always go the way we intend. It's easy to feel discouraged because what we hope for is badly thwarted, or because people make life difficult. Paul, writing to the Philippians from prison, certainly knew what it was like to have plans interrupted. But he maintains robust confidence in God's overruling power, even when everything seems to be going wrong. In Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, we will learn from Paul the art of seeing God's purposes working out through problems and difficulties and will deepen our own confidence in God's power.
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[912-638-2220] [ada@sspres.org] [sspres.org] |
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