SSPC Happenings - September 9, 2021

September 9, 2021

September is a big month in the life of St. Simons Presbyterian.

First, beginning this Sunday, the worship formats for our early and late services will return to what they were prior to the start of the pandemic. While the worship times (8:30 and 10:30A) will stay the same moving forward, the early service will move back to being a slightly more abbreviated and casual format while the late service will have an order of worship that places the offertory more in the center of our worship time and adds back a second hymn. While very subtle in nature, these changes are nonetheless significant as they reflect one more small step in our gradual return to rhythms of life and worship that were so familiar pre-COVID.

Second, mark your calendars for our 75th Church Birthday happening at the end of this month on Sunday, September 26. This is a huge milestone in the life and faith of our congregation as we celebrate the work and ministry of St. Simons Presbyterian in Glynn County and beyond for three-quarters of a century. The 75th Anniversary Planning Committee has been meeting throughout the summer to put together some grand plans to mark the occasion. While COVID is forcing us to temporarily postpone some of those initial plans, we are still excited to kick things off later this month with a special worship and (weather permitting) some outdoor fellowship on September 25. Stay tuned for more details!

I am also happy to share that our Communications Ministry Team is using this exciting occasion to work on refreshing our church logo and branding to reflect where God might be leading us for our next 75-years of faith and ministry. That team, which is being led by Ada Owens (Director of Communications), would love to have your input as part of the creative process. You can participate by clicking link provided below which will take you to a brief survey.

Finally, we are all mindful that this weekend marks twenty years since the September 11 attacks. As we approach this somber anniversary may we all continue to hold in prayer those who lost loved ones in the attacks as well as the countless others who continue to grapple with the mental, spiritual, and physical effects of that day. We pray too for all the nations that together we may seek to follow more closely in the example of the Prince of Peace.

God of compassion,

you watch our ways,

and weave out of terrible happenings

wonders of goodness and grace.

Surround those who have been shaken by tragedy

with a sense of your present love,

and hold them in faith.

May all of those who are lost in grief

find you and be comforted;

through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives

and rules this world with you. Amen.

See you at church. Invite a friend. Casual is fine.

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

Happenings & Events

Youth & Children

CLICK HERE FOR YOUTH CALENDAR ~August - December 2021~

Church Officer Nominations

One responsibility of membership in the church is the election of lay members to serve as church officers who are ordained to fulfill particular functions within the congregation. The existence of these offices in no way diminishes the importance of the commitment of all members to the total ministry of the church.

You can learn more about each of the church officer roles (deacons, elders, and trustees) by clicking the link below as well as submit a name(s) of individuals you believe the Nominating Committee should consider. Please note that nominating an individual does not mean that they will automatically become a church officer. Rather, the Nominating Committee will include all submitted names in their discernment process as they go about selecting the final slate of nominees who will be presented for congregational approval.

Click Here for More Information

Sunday Worship

September 5, 2021

Musical Notes

The other day as I approached the roundabout next to Southern Soul, a small white egret slowly loped into traffic. Cars slowed to a stop as everyone watched this act of bravery. It was a couple of minutes of calm in a usually busy intersection. Perhaps we are all learning to slow down a bit and experience the wonder of it all. In any case, it was a nice thing to see. It reminded me that there are times in life that it is very important to take stock, review situations, and just breathe. Kelly Johnson, a member of the choir, has been doing just that for many people. She has worked all her life helping others of all ages in their decisions about healthcare. Now, she is the Volunteer Coordinator for Heartland Hospice and is instrumental in starting Sonshine for the Soul, a new ministry of our church for those in communities in long term care or in hospice care supplying monthly care packages. This Sunday, she will share her message in song by singing There is a Balm in Gilead, a 19th century African American Spiritual arranged by Mark Hayes. We will open the service by singing Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this Place by Lanny Wolfe. Hymns (yes, two) for this Sunday are: 363 Rejoice, the Lord is King! And 697 Take My Life.

Members of the Chancel Choir, Chancel Ringers, and the Chancel Ensemble groups are studying their music virtually right now but hope to safely gather for practice next week to prepare for the Church Birthday Service on September 26th. Watch for more details about this day in the following weeks. Celebrating 75 years of Faith and Ministry is a great milestone in the life of our church.

Those of you that knew our former music director Grant Brown will be saddened to hear that his husband, Greg Pye died this past week. If you wish to send condolences, here is his address: 402 Floyd Street, Valdosta, GA 31601.

A line from Sunday’s anthem: “Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain, but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again…….” Hoping that we all feel the reviving power of the Holy Spirit as we go through these trying times.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda