September 8, 2022

Newsletter

Dear Friends,

While many of you voiced a preference for the one service we had this summer, for now, we will go back to the normal two as it was before. This means the 8:30 Worship (light) and the 10:30 Worship (regular). If enough sentiment rises to discuss going back to one we will certainly undertake a thorough process to discover your thoughts.

As many people doing “interim” ministry have advised, there are two roles an interim must provide as a minimum: 1) help provide stability and a sense of safety so that, during this time, the ship will continue to sail; 2) serve as a change-agent by looking to see if some things need rearranging.

While the first offers a sense of security, the second tends to push the envelope a little in order to better prepare the congregation for the “new” Pastor who may want to rearrange a few things after a year or so

With that in mind, the Worship and Music committee and staff have decided to “rearrange” the Order of Worship to better match the traditional Presbyterian liturgy known as “Service of Worship”, found in our Book of Common Worship. While everything in worship combines both form and function, the symbolic significance of “form" should probably outweigh the practical needs of “function.” For instance, we are moving (for a while at least) the offering, prayers of the people, and announcements to come AFTER the sermon. Liturgically, these are considered part of our “Response” to the Word Proclaimed. Placed after the sermon offers a more traditional and theological form of liturgy. Liturgy means, by the way, “the work of the people.” While some of you may not like it at first, please try it on and wear it for a few weeks to see if it might fit. (Remember, now is the time to try things out as long as they are not too threatening to the function of this wonderful community of SSPC.

Regardless, come one come all for getting back to “normal”... whatever that means reeling from and in the pandemic, as well as Alan’s departure. If you start to get antsy, just remember the people in Israel who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years with no sense of direction, no rules at first, and no idea where their food would come from. What happened? God not only provided what was needed, but the people were also formed (after some serious whining) into a congregation of faithful sojourners. In other words, no matter how much we don’t like change. We are always on our way to somewhere new. Thank God!

Gratefully, 

As of Friday, September 2, we have achieved 97.4% of our survey goal! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to complete our church survey. This is a very important step in the transition process and we couldn't do it without YOU!

There is still time to participate. The survey will remain open through this Friday, September 9, and can be accessed online using the link below. Printed copies are also available in the church office, M-F from 9-4 pm.

On Sunday, September 18th, everyone is invited to join David York, a certified Holy Cow! consultant, for a review and explanation of the church's survey. We will gather together in the social hall at 9:30 am, in lieu of Sunday School. Childcare will be available as well.

Please feel free to call the church office with questions at 912-638-2220.

Peace,

Ada Owens

Director of Communications

76th Church Anniversary

We are excited to celebrate our 76th church anniversary with the congregation of our mother church, First Presbyterian Brunswick!

The weekend will begin with our Fall Day of Service on Saturday, September 24th. More information and registration can be found using the link below.

On Sunday, September 25th, we will welcome the congregation of First Presbyterian Brunswick to our 10:30 am worship service, followed by a potluck luncheon together in the social hall. The church will provide chicken, please bring a side dish of your choice! No registration necessary.

September 24: Day of Service

September 25: Anniversary Worship

Potluck Luncheon: Following the 10:30am Worship Service.

Please bring a side!

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Sunday’s new worship service order has been in the works for a while.  That is, those that plan the worship services have talked about trying this for years.   The Service for the Lord’s Day symbolizes the Word being the center of worship.   It’s actually an older form of worship order than the ones used at SSPC in previous Sundays over the years.   Here’s the thing about change – it forces us to pay attention – we can’t just go through the motions. Let’s try something new!

Here’s my take on the order that we will experience on Sunday at the 10:30 service. The prelude will begin a few minutes before the start time. We will be asked to prepare our hearts and minds for worship. That means during the prelude you can quietly study the bulletin, find your place in the hymnal and bible, and meditate so that you can have the full experience of worship. Helping your children to do this is part of teaching reverence.

We gather, we sing, we confess, we perform sacraments, we read and sing the Word, the sermon is offered, and then we respond with gratitude by giving our gifts, praying for the people, celebrating communion, singing our dedication, and sending ourselves into the world to love and serve.    

The only big difference in this service compared to the one we’ve always done is that we will have time to reflect and respond after the spoken word, making it a richer experience for all.   The worship service is a group participation event, not a spectator activity.   It is perhaps the only place that we sing together with the exception of sports events.   Nothing is more fun than standing up at the 7th inning stretch of a ballgame and singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, but I digress.   Singing in church for most is a visceral experience.   It raises the hairs on your neck and challenges your breathing.   Speaking prayers and belief statements and confessing together affirms our belief in a Christian community and that we are all ministers of the Word.   Sanctuary is where we can experience the workings of the Holy Spirit more than any other place because we are together in corporate worship. 

If you haven’t been back to church in a while, venture back.   Just your presence and energy make a huge difference in how we are able to have this experience of true worship.   The chancel choir will offer On Eagle’s Wings by Michael Joncas.   You are more than welcome to sing the chorus with us each time it comes around.    By request, I will be singing “Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child”. This spiritual was written sometime in the 1870s and was a product of the American experience during  slavery.   On September 18, we will sing a lively a cappella song - Lay Up Your Treasures in Heaven by Pepper Choplin.   Thank you to Mark Propst and Tom Haughney for their beautiful duet last Sunday.  We are fortunate to have such talented   singers in the choir. 

See you on Sunday! 

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda 

Sunday, September 11

8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Combined Sunday School - Upper Room

10:30 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

4:30 pm Marsh's Edge Worship - Marsh's Edge

5:00 pm Youth Ensemble - Music Attic

6:00 pm Youth Gathering - Youth Suite

Monday, September 12

9:00 am MAP Packing - 4700 Glynco Pkwy, Brunswick

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, September 13

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

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

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

Wednesday, September 14

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

5:15 pm Early Music - Rhonda's Office

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

7:30 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, September 15

10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

4:30 pm PNC Meeting - Upper Room

Friday, September 16

No Activities Planned for this Day