Yesterday morning roughly two dozen local clergy gathered on the front steps of the Glynn County Courthouse to lead our community in prayer as the trial surrounding Ahmaud Arbery’s death continues. As I think those church members who were present will attest, the vigil was a powerful witness to our community’s shared commitment to peace, unity, and justice in the face of a tragedy that could so easily divide us. To that end, we are also planning a time of sharing to happen here at the church following worship on Sunday, Nov. 28 in the Social Hall. The purpose of this event will simply be for your pastors and a few invited speakers to provide a window into the community-wide response to this tragedy by sharing information about the different activities/efforts that have and/or are happening as well as to answer any of your questions. Stay tuned for more details…
Happening in the more immediate future is Dedication Sunday this Sunday, November 21. At both worship services, we will dedicate with prayer and thanksgiving our gifts of time, talent, and resources for the year of ministry ahead. This year’s “75 Years of Generosity” stewardship campaign has sought to highlight the ways St. Simons Presbyterian has continues to be a generous and faithful witness to the love of Jesus Christ here in Glynn County and beyond. Thank youto everyone who has already submitted a pledge by mail, online, or in-person. Know that you are welcome to submit your pledge at any time by clicking here or you can bring your pledge with you and drop it off in the offering plate this Sunday.
We are also excited for the return of the Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast which is making its highly anticipated return next week on Thanksgiving Day, November 25. Started in 1972, this wonderful tradition is led by men of the church who rise early each Thanksgiving morning to cook a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, grits, bacon, and other fixings that is free for all to enjoy. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-9:30AM. Bring yourself, your family, your neighbors, and anyone else you run into along the way – all are welcome!
Lastly, don't forget that our Angel Tree ministry is now officially underway. This annual effort seeks to help share the light of the Christ child to children in our community who may not otherwise receive many gifts under their tree each Christmas Day. There are still angels left that you are welcome to come by the church to take off the tree and shop for. You can also participate by making a financial donation and allowing others to shop for you. A big thank you to the amazing group of volunteers who help to organize and lead this effort each year!
Blessings to you all. Hope to see you at church this Sunday. Casual is fine.
Peace,
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Sunday Worship
November 14, 2021
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Grazie. Preghiera. Molto bene. Prego. Allora. Buona sera. Buon giorno. Andiamo. Come va? Mi dispiace. Scusi. Quanta costa? Non lo so. These are all words or phrases that are very important to know while in Italy. The first word “Grazie” means thank you. It is no mistake that it resembles the word “Grace” in many languages. I cannot even count the times I said it or it was said to me these past two weeks. Also, because this is a land of many Catholics, there are Madonna and Child statues and paintings everywhere, especially on the buildings at street corners. It hit me as I lit candles in every church we visited for all those friends that have died while we have been gone.
We always think of the joy of Mary at Christmas time, but not the ultimate sorrow of losing her son through pain and death for the three days before resurrection. Those heartbreaking feelings are now in my life like so many others that I know. I have sung the “Ave Maria” many times. It is an intercessory prayer that is prayed to Mary, hence we as Presbyterians don’t count it as part of our prayer life. I invite you to study at least the first phrase, however. Ave Maria, gratia plena. Hail Mary, full of grace. May we all be full of grace like Mary, like Joseph, like the disciples, and of course, like Jesus. It starts with love, then gratitude, then humbling yourself.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I count my blessings, this church family among them.
The numerous cards, calls, messages, and texts to me and my family have been the grace I’ve needed to continue on day by day, step by step.
Sunday’s anthem for the Chancel Choir is “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” by Dale Wood. The chancel ensemble will be playing Karg-Elert’s Nun Danket Alle Gott for three trumpets and organ, and Come and Give Thanks, a medley of Thanksgiving hymns. The Ensemble is dedicating their playing today in loving memory of Maddie Shafer, who played baritone with us for a few years. Hymns are: 367 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come and 694 Great God of Every Blessing (new words to the tune The Church’s One Foundation).
Join us as we give thanks and pledge our support to a growing, thankful church.
Love & much gratitude,
Rhonda
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Sunday, November 21
8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary
9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations
10:30 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
Monday, November 22
10:00 am Chancel Ensemble - Location Varies
6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law
Tuesday, November 23
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
Wednesday, November 24
No Activities Planned for This Day
Thursday, November 25
OFFICE CLOSED
7:30 am Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast - Social Hall
Friday, November 26
OFFICE CLOSED
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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 / Upper 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 / John Law 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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❆❅❄︎❆❅❄︎COMING SOON❆❅❄︎❆❅❄︎
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[912-638-2220] [ada@sspres.org] [sspres.org] |
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