Dear friends,

November 26th has been set aside for our annual "stewardship" ritual of bringing our 2024 pledge cards to the communion table during worship. I'm always moved by your grateful and generous faces as you come forward. As well as the sacredness of laying our pledges on the same table where we celebrate the sacrament by remembering Christ's ultimate gift to us.

While this ritual has history, for some of you who may be new to the church or new to faith, it might be helpful to explain what a "pledge card" is and does and why it matters.

Calling it a "pledge" does not mean it is set in stone and cannot be adjusted throughout the year, depending on your circumstances. It is more like a commitment that we try and keep. Sometimes, folks need to reduce their original pledge, and sometimes, folks actually increase them. 

The ritual itself serves to help us take our "stewardship" of time, talent, and treasure more seriously as we plan for the coming year. And it offers an opportunity to grow our "spiritual" commitment. 

Practically, our collective "pledges" enable SSPC to plan and budget for our upcoming expenses to maintain the church's staff and structure and to make our corporate pledges to all the outreach and mission opportunities we support.

Between now and then, you will receive a booklet that helps explain the mission and money part and a packet with a letter and pledge card from our "stewardship committee."

You will notice that our theme this year is "Giving with Love, Inside Out." This means that what we are on the inside becomes Holy by what we do on the outside. Therefore, we ask that you prayerfully consider your response to God's love for us in Jesus Christ. And that you take seriously the verse in 2 Corinthians 9:7, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Summed up, our faith starts with God, then flows through our hearts, but it only becomes real when our hands and feet carry it into the world through acts of generosity and service.

If you have any questions about all this please feel free to call me or Jeannine Torbert, our Financial Administrator, at 912-638-2220. 

For those of us that are baby boomers, it’s really quite amazing that Phones, Bluetooth, Wifi, etc. provide internet connection even while barreling down the road at 70 mph. Harlan and I are headed north to a family wedding. The wedding is Thursday and we struck out early this morning for an eight hour or more drive. It’s our first trip in a long time together and he’s driving! As the altitude of the road undulates through the piedmont, the trees are multi-colored and it’s a beautiful sunny day. Thank you to Amy Bishop, Suzanne Morrison, Mark Lochstampfor, Iris Ellis, and Ann Nermoe for filling in for me on a busy Wednesday.

Island Concert Association brochures will be gracing your mailboxes and tables around the church in the next couple of weeks. The February Festival is coming soon, so show your gratitude for these great performers by joining our organization that was established in 1984. More about this will be posted in each newsletter.

The Chancel Ringers will be featured this Sunday playing pieces by John Behnke (Expression of Joy) and Adams & Austin (God’s Peace). These were some of the pieces played at Montreat this past year and other years before. Our new bells that will complete the fifth octave are on the way. Anyone wishing to contribute toward this purchase may do so. Mark your donation - Music Fund – Bells. The choir will be led by Mark Lochstampfor singing “Down to the River to Pray.”

This past Monday evening, the Messiah Chorus gathered for the first rehearsal in our sanctuary. The signs outside directing the singers into the church simply say, “Messiah.” Rev. Paul Reed at Frederica Baptist Church is the director this year. He spoke to us about the importance of the words and finding meaning in the birth of Jesus for each of us inspiring those who listen to understand how great this joy is for the world. The 70 or more singers bowed their heads for a final prayer and helped stack all the extra chairs, happy to see their “Messiah” friends once again. Contributions may be made to SSPC and marked “Friends of the Messiah” to defer expenses or you may give at the performance. Two more rehearsals remain – November 13 & 27 at 6:30 pm. The presentation is on Saturday, December 2 at 3:00 pm. Please contact me at rhonda@sspres.org if you are interested in singing with us.

The Chancel Choir is working on a piece for Stewardship Sunday – “Bringin’ in the Sheaves.” This arrangement is a favorite of David Stewart’s from the days that he was in a choir at-in Athens, Ohio. With the 1970’s syncopated rhythm, it is a challenge to sing. Get ready to go retro…is that 50 years ago?

For long time traditional events in our community, music that stands the test of time, and for experienced, gifted individuals volunteering their time, a church that is active and generous, and the one that has given all of these gifts, we give thanks and praise to God. Have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday. 

Love and much gratitude, 

Rhonda . 

Sunday, November 12

8:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

9:30 am New Member Class - Britt Room

10:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

12:30 pm Porch Fest - The Spencer’s Porch

1:00 pm Hunger Action Packing - Gathering Space

Monday, November 13

9:00 am Hunger Action Packing - Gathering Space

12:00 pm Worship and Music - Upper Room

6:30 pm Messiah Practice - Sanctuary

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, November 14

7:00 am Youth Breakfast Devotion - Chick-Fil-A

9:00 am Staff Meeting - John Law

10:00 am PW Morning Glories - Upper Room

11:00 pm Lunch and Learn - Safe Harbor

12:00 pm PW Lunch Bunch - Upper Room

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

Wednesday, November 15

10:00 am Grief Support Group -John Law

10:00 am Mens Bible Study -Upper Room

11:00 am Early Music Ensemble - Rhonda’s Office

1:00 pm Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic

3:00 pm Sonshine for the Soul - John Law

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

4:00 pm KIDZ Crew - Veranda

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner -Social Hall

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, November 16

10:00 am Pastoral Care Coordinating Team - John Law

10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

5:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

Friday, November 17

No Activities Planned for this Date