The Season of Advent is upon us. During these days leading up to Christmas, we are invited to celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again. There are many opportunities happening around SSPC to aid us in our watching and waiting. First, last Sunday, we embarked on a new sermon series that we are calling Christmas Vacation. Every Sunday in worship this Advent we are visiting the different “Gospel homes,” which each tell the Christmas story a little differently. I invite you to join us online or in-person as we embark on a vacation to visit Mark, Matthew, John, and Luke in their homes and explore together where they see the Good News beginning.
We are also so excited to share a daily Advent devotional this year that has been created by the staff, members, and friends – both past and present – of St. Simons Presbyterian. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the creation of this wonderful devotional. Paper copies are available for pickup anytime in the church office. We also have volunteers who are happy to drop a copy on your doorstep if you are not able/comfortable going out – just let us know you would like one. You can also click here to view or print your own copy at home!
I am also thrilled to share with you that the Congregational Nominating Committee, which has been hard at work since February, has completed their work of nominating a new class of Deacons, Elders, and a Trustee. The names of the women and men who have agreed to be nominated to serve as our newest church officers are listed below. We are deeply grateful and greatly encouraged by the willingness of these women and men to serve as caring leaders in our congregation! And we are grateful too to the members of the nominating committee who worked to discern and call them! A congregational meeting will be called for some time in January (more info to come) to vote on this slate of officers. Once approved they will serve three-year terms beginning in July 2021.
Finally, I want to say thank you for your ongoing generous support to the ministry and mission of St. Simons Presbyterian Church. As we enter the month of December, financial giving to the church remains strong. Based on historical trends we are hopeful that we will meet or slightly exceed budgeted giving for 2020. If you have not yet completed your pledge for this year or would like to give, please consider making a gift before December 31. Also, if you have not yet submitted your pledge of estimated giving for 2021, I hope you will consider doing so. Pledging encourages the generosity of others and helps strengthening the Gospel ministry of St. Simons Presbyterian in this community and beyond. More information about both of these opportunities can be found below or by clicking here. Thank you.
Enjoy your newsletter and your church. Let us continue being the church together. Whether online or in-person, I hope to see you Sunday if not before.
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Thank you to all those who have already submitted a pledge online, in-person, or by mail. It is not too late to submit a pledge if you have not already done so. Click the link above for more information about our upcoming year of ministry and to make your pledge online. |
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Renovation Update
December 2020
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Sunday Worship
November 29, 2020
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Advent is here! This year snuck up on us right after Thanksgiving. For a couple of years, we’ve had a week in between Thanksgiving and Advent. Advent dates vary from year to year – it simply begins four Sundays before Christmas Eve, including Christmas Eve if it is on a Sunday. The next time that we will have a week in between is in 2023 with Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday! Thanks to Suzanne Morrison for the beautiful attention and care to the worship decorations to celebrate this liturgical season.
Music has always been an important part of all worship, but Advent and Holy Week are the heights of the liturgical seasons for church musicians. There are lots of plans for the different groups singing and playing and we pray that we can continue practicing, providing music for outdoor worship, and recording for upcoming services.
This Sunday, the Chancel Choir Ensemble will sing “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” - a sixteenth century melody harmonized by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621). This a cappella anthem compares Jesus to a rose and tells of Isaiah’s foretelling and being of Jesse’s lineage.
For the introit, you will again be led in the singing of “Prepare the Way of the Lord.” On the 13th, we will sing it in a round much like we sang Dona Nobis Pacem so well a couple of weeks ago.
Our hymn is 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion. For a preview, you can visit http://www.hymnary.org to look at the words and listen to a piano rendition of the melody. The hymn tune for this is BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN, listed as BEREDEN V on the website.
Make plans to attend a Carol Sing-a-long with the Chancel Ensemble. This is a kid friendly event with songs that they know as well, so come to the back parking lot after Car-oling on Wednesday, December 16 at 6:15 pm to sing along to favorite tunes of the season. A small booklet of words will be provided or you can go to our website to find them. Bring a chair and wear a mask among other items to stay warm. Maybe your family wants to have a takeout meal while enjoying the music. Feel free to tailgate or bring snacks. You can even hear from the inside of your warm and safe car, so drive in as well.
Hope, Peace, & Gratitude,
Rhonda
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Sunday, December 6
8:30 am Live Stream Worship - Online
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Zoom
9:00 am Britt Class - Online
10:30 am Outdoor Worship - Frederica Academy
6:30 pm Youth Gathering - The Head's House
Monday, December 7
10:00 am Chancel Ensemble - Location Varies
Tuesday, December 8
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
10:00 am One-derful Morning Glories Circle- Zoom
12:00 pm Lunch Bunch Circle - Alex Binkney’s Yard
2:00 pm Circle of Esther - Location Varies
Wednesday, December 9
10:00 am Men’s Bible Study - Zoom
1:30 pm Hands & Heart Quilting Ministry - Youth Suite
7:00 pm Chancel Ringers - Social Hall
Thursday, December 10
10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - 218 Kings Way
10:00 am Grief Group - Upper Room
Friday, December 11
No Activities Scheduled for this Day
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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: Taylor & Kelsi Brooks
and Scott & Madelynne Risi
If you or someone you know could use some help with meals, don't hesitate to reach out! We're here for you.
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Christmas Joy Offering
Fifty percent of undesignated receipts to the Christmas Joy Offering are distributed to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs that provide critical financial support to retired and active church workers and their families. The other fifty percent supports education at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color and leadership development opportunities for people of color through the Racial Equity and Women's Intercultural Ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
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[912-638-2220] [ada@sspres.org] [sspres.org] |
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