Dear Friends,

This year's Stewardship tag is “Practicing Gratitude. It's meant to help us begin (or continue) the practice of "counting our blessings." While this sounds like something out of "Poor Richards Almanac" it’s actually out of the Bible, as the relatively recent work supporting positive psychology - "the more positive and grateful our thoughts, the more joyful and less depressed we feel."

This does not mean treating experiences of grief, sadness, and legitimate fear with the watered-down whitewash of denial. The Bible owns up to the pain and hurt in life completely. Just read the Psalms. Nor does it mean that “depression” is our fault for not being positive enough. Some folks are more inclined to depression than others and it’s not because of what they do or don’t do.

Still, the data shows we can raise our “joy bar” just by naming five specific things we are grateful for at least twice a day, preferably when waking up and going to bed. Something like, “I’m grateful I have enough to eat, for loved ones, for my dog Yates, for the book I’m reading, for the sun that comes up each day, for living in this beautiful place called the 'Golden Isles.'” It’s also important to say grace at meals. Hold hands around the table or hold God in your heart and give thanks for the food, for the plants, animals, humans, and God for providing it.

Turns out, the word “gratitude" comes from the same root as the words grace, gracious, and gratuity. So the opposite of gratitude is “disgrace" and “ingrate.” Lack of gratitude leads to a narcissistic and self-serving view of entitlement, which ultimately leads to misery. Increased gratitude leads to graciousness, gratefulness, and joy.

So, what does this have to do with our Stewardship theme? It gives us a reboot to practice gratitude for God’s gift of life and love, for our faith, and for St. Simons Presbyterian. Then, what we commit back to God and the world is a grateful response to grace rather than a transaction expecting something in return. 

On Sunday, November 20th we will come to the “table” with our commitment cards for 2023. As you prayerfully decide your commitment, remember “God loves a cheerful giver.” 

Gratefully, 

Steve

Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer

Each summer for a number of years, a group from the music ministry has attended the Montreat Worship and Music Conference in Black Mountain, North Carolina. We bring back ideas for worship and new music to share with you, and the congregation. This Sunday’s anthem is one of the anthems that we learned a couple of years ago. Come Before the Table by Karen Marrolli is a rhythmic piece with a multicultural feel – a  cappella with djembe drum and a descant that includes a 17th-century chant. The Chancel Choir has had a great time singing this one. Mark Lochstampfor will be playing the drum. This month we will be introducing a “chorus” from our hymnbook - Give Thanks - #647. The choir will sing it as an introit each week during these Stewardship weeks along with another piece of the same title. By November 20th, we hope that you will join us and will have learned this chorus. Try to grab a hymnbook and look at it beforehand.

On November 13, our Chancel Ringers under the direction of Suzanne Morrison are back playing for us and the Chancel Choir will be singing an arrangement of a familiar hymn, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. If you are interested in singing Part One of Handel’s Messiah on December 3 at 3:00 pm in our church, show up for rehearsal on Monday Evening (November 7th) at a little before 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. We will be using the Schirmer edition - music will be provided for you to borrow if you don’t have your own copy.

It’s Communion Sunday - and the time changes. I’m looking forward to both! See you there!

Love & Gratitude,  

Rhonda

Sunday, November 6

8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

9:30 am New Member Class - Parlor

10:30 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 am Membership Ministry Council - John Law

6:00 pm Youth Gathering - Youth Suite

Monday, November 7

9:00 am Manna House - 1408 G Street

6:30 pm - Messiah Practice - Sanctuary

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, November 8

7:00 am Youth Breakfast Devotion - SSI Chick-fil-a

9:30 am Staff Meeting - John Law

10:00 am PW Morning Glories - Upper Room

12:00 pm PW Lunch Bunch - Upper Room

1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

4:00 pm PW Ladies of the Night - Upper Room

5:00 pm Buildings and Grounds - John Law

Wednesday, November 9

9:00 am Pastoral Care Coordinating Team - John Law

10:00 am Men's Bible Study - Upper Room

1:30 pm Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic

4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda

4:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

5:15 pm Early Music - Rhonda's Office

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

7:00 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, November 10

10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

4:30 pm PNC Meeting - Upper Room

Friday, November 11

No Activities Planned for This Day