SSPC Weekly Update : September 16, 2020

September 16, 2020

Last Sunday marked the beginning of our new worship schedule and with it a significant step forward as we continue navigating life together in these pandemic times. Moving forward, we plan to continue having both online and in-person worship opportunities every Sunday. All the details about both online and in-person worship are provided below as well as on the church Web site.

It was especially wonderful to gather with so many of you for our first outdoor in-person worship under the tent at Frederica Academy. Although it was a typical humid southeast Georgia September Sunday morning (with a threat of rain to boot), it was still a truly joy-filled hour together as we gathered to pray, sing, and worship God in-person for the first time in nearly six-months. We are so grateful to Frederica Academy for making that space available for our use each week and, if you feel comfortable doing so, hope you will consider joining us for worship there in the coming weeks. Please remember that we are still looking for volunteers to assist with setting up and resetting that space every week!

We also want to make sure everyone marks their calendars for our upcoming 74^th Church Anniversary Weekend.Although this year’s church anniversary will be a little different on account of the coronavirus (e.g., no Friday night meal or Sunday luncheon), we are still planning several learning and service opportunities that we hope you will join us for. We are especially excited to have Rev. Dr. Brian Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA, as our keynote speaker and preacher this year. On Friday evening, he will be leading a Zoom keynote on the topic of “Protestantism, The Reformed Faith, Slavery, and Race.” He will then teach a Zoom Sunday School class and preach for our livestream service on Sunday morning. You can find more details about the weekend by clicking here.

The Officer Nominating Committee continues to be hard at work discerning nominees to serve as elders, deacons, and trustee. You can click the link in the newsletter below to learn more about the different officer roles and to submit name(s) of individuals you believe the nominating committee should consider in their discernment process.

Finally, as we announced on Sunday, we are so excited to be able to offer “blessing cards” to go along with our sermon series on the beatitudes. These twenty-eight cards were created by our very own Kate Buckley and are intended to be sent to those in our lives who we think may need each particular blessing. These cards will continue to be available at the in-person worship on Sundays and/or for pickup from the church office. You can now also order them online and have them shipped directly to you. There is a suggested $15 donation to help cover the cost of printing.

Enjoy your newsletter. See you Sunday. Casual is fine.

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

Church Anniversary

CLICK HERE FOR ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND DETAILS!

KidZ & Youth

Get Involved

Meal Delivery

One way to offer our Christian love and care is by providing a warm meal to our family and friends in Christ during their time of need.

Members of our congregation who could use a meal this week include:

Anne Brown (click here to bring Anne a meal)

Harry & Dale Moffett (click here to bring the Moffett's a meal)

If you or someone you know could use some help with meals, don't hesitate to reach out! We're here for you.

Contact Molly Macaulay for assistance: mmmpr@bellsouth.net

Officer Nominations

Sunday Worship

September 13, 2020

Christian Education

Musical Notes

It was so great to hear your voices through your masks on Sunday! We all have missed singing so much, especially the choir. Thank you for your many kind words about the music this week. Thank you to our ladies from the choir and accompanist Amy Bishop – Ann Nermoe, Jane Drake, Rixie Hendry, Kelly Johnson, and Brenda Haughney. As always, we are attempting to point to the Word spoken.

This coming week’s subject is – blessed are the poor in spirit. I immediately thought of an old American folk song. Poor, Wayfaring Stranger has been sung by many country stars and has been featured in movies. Some of our men from the Chancel Choir will be singing with guitar, mandolin, and fiddle accompaniment. We’ll be singing a hymn with a familiar tune (LAND OF REST), but words that are very meaningful. 796 We Come to You for Healing, Lord is the hymn for both services. It is in the section of the hymnal OUR RESPONSE TO GOD, Hoping for Christ’s Return, Lament and Longing for Healing. If you would like to have a hymnal at home, please let me know. It can be delivered to you sanitized and in a plastic bag. Now is a great time to study our hymnal - GLORY TO GOD. There are many indexes that I use all of the time that cross reference scripture and subject and liturgical year. Stay tuned for information about STUDYING THE PSALMS.

PSALM LIFE

Verses 33 and 34 of Psalm 104 – I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.

This Psalm is referenced in 19 hymns in our hymnal.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda