February 2022

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday Service is Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00 pm. Join us as we begin the Lenten season with our annual service of imposition of ashes in the Meeting House. In this time of introspective worship, we mark our mortality by encouraging self-examination. There is no better way to begin this season of repentance leading up to the passion and great joy of Holy Week!

Lenten Film Discussions

Lenten Film Discussions will be held Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm, beginning March 9 and concluding April 6. Join us on Zoom for discussion of the classic movie “Places in the Heart,” for which Lead Actress Sally Field and Writer/Director Robert Benton won Oscars. Together, we will discuss the many Lenten themes woven together so skillfully in this beautiful and powerful film memoire of Robert Benton’s childhood in Depression era rural Texas, including perhaps the single most powerful depiction of Christian love, forgiveness and reconciliation on film. See the Friday announcements for more details on how to participate. 

Zoom information to join the Lenten Film Discussions-

Date/Time: Mar 9, 2022 7:00 PM       Every week on Wed, 5 occurrence(s)

March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89805519745

Meeting ID: 898 0551 9745

Make a Joyful Noise at Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir meets on Wednesday nights for rehearsals in the choir room from 7:15-8:00 p.m. – the choir welcomes new members to join! Simply come to rehearsal on Wednesday night to join! The choir performs about 35 Sundays a year at the 9:00 am Traditional service. The next focus services will be Good Friday and Easter. Contact Kyle Weary for more information.

Upcoming Events in Christian Education

The Christian Education Committee supports the worship life of our congregation by helping Silver Spring members and friends address our inherent hunger to know and love God with our minds as well as our hearts.

Here are some upcoming events from your Christian Education Committee:

• Sunday School for children pre-K to 12th grade has resumed! The Christian Education Committee has chosen the “Seasons of the Spirit” curriculum and are currently using it every Sunday. We meet in the gym, promptly at 10:00 am, following the first service. Children and parents are invited as we sing, pray, read scripture, tell stories and work on projects. 
• Nursery care is back! Teachers are available every Sunday during both services to watch infants and toddlers in our Preschool area. Nursery care is for children 0 – 3 years old.
• The Committee is planning a Lenten project for Sunday School attendees during the Lenten season - a Lenten Garden- that will be delivered to those members of SSPC who cannot attend services on a regular basis. Bring your children to Sunday School and stay and help them put together their projects. 
• Adult Bible study and Sunday School will begin on Sunday March 6 in Room 204. We will begin a five-part Lenten Study by religious author Max Lucado, titled, “He Chose the Nails.” For those who attended our Advent study by the same author, you will thoroughly enjoy this Lenten study. This course is for young adults, young adults with families, members of our Bible Study groups, Adult Conversation group, and Adulting classes. We bring together the best of each, studying the scripture, making it relevant to our lives today and enjoying the narrative by an award-winning author. Study guides will be provided for all who can attend.
• The Committee has room for two more members. If you would like to become a member and assist with building our curriculum and events for our Sunday School classes, please contact co-chairs Scott Pepperman or Laura Shoop.

Young Liturgists in Training!

Does your child enjoy reading? Would you like her or him to experience what it’s like to read scripture in worship in a low-pressure environment? Now’s the opportunity!

Rev. Wahlig will work with whoever is interested. Just send an email to don@silverspring.org or catch him after worship and he’ll schedule a time to work with your child following either worship service, then together pick the best date for you. 

CORE is beginning a new video series called, “The Basic.” This series does a wonderful job of taking us back to our roots as Christians to renew the foundation of our faith.

CORE looks forward to an Earth Day service project on April 23. Bryan is soliciting ideas for a project and welcomes input!

CORE’s annual lock-in event is Friday, May 20, 8:00 pm, to May 21, 8:00 am. This is an epic all-nighter filled with games, snacks, and fun with friends, new and old. Of course, the traditional Walmart Scavenger Hunt and Sheetz run will be included!

For questions or ideas related to youth ministry please contact Bryan Corbin.

Mission Opportunities!

Do you want a hands-on opportunity to make a difference in your community or beyond? There are all sorts of openings with the Mission Committee to do things for others that really do "make a difference." If you like to work with your hands and learn new skills, spend an hour or two collecting needed items, or brainstorm to come up with ideas and make decisions that help others, contact Rev. Wahlig, Jim Smith, or Lydia Fehr to get involved with the hands-on Mission of the Church. All comers are needed and welcome to participate with the ROAR team, Handy Helpers, engage in various drives, or even become a member of the Mission Committee. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Even though it is not our "gig," we need young blood at work day too. Spring Work Day at the church is Saturday, April 9, 8:00 am - noon.

The Silver Spring Retreat Center - What's going on over there?

Baby showers, birthday parties, Mission Retreats, Youth Groups, Quilting clubs, Women’s Spiritual Retreats, Writers Retreats, weddings …. the list goes on and on! THAT’S what’s happening at the Silver Spring Retreat Center, located right next door to SSPC at 404 Silver Spring Road. Guests come from the local community as well as groups from all over the East Coast to enjoy the beautiful facilities. Sixty-three different groups booked the Retreat Center in 2021, and reservations for 2022 are robust as folks are wanting to gather in person once again.

Since 2014, the doors have been open at the Silver Spring Retreat Center at the Waugh Wilson House, as a mission of SSPC to offer affordable accommodations to visiting Mission Groups and churches who work in our community and to spiritually refresh. The Retreat Center was completely renovated by our SSPC team of workers from the ground up and now features overnight accommodations, gathering/social space and beautiful grounds. Head to www.silverspring.org/silverspringretreatcenter to see details and photos.

A group of volunteers manage the Retreat Center, headed by Karen Karkuff. We manage the reservations, paperwork, payments, check-ins and check-outs, and cleaning and maintenance of the facilities year-round. We would love to give you a preview tour, talk to you about reservations for that special occasion you might have coming up, or help you to connect as a volunteer in this mission of hospitality to our community. Contact Karen Karkuff to learn more or call/text her at 717-802-2067.