SSPC Weekly Update : October 7, 2020

October 7, 2020

Welcome to October! The return of cool(er) temperatures signals the gradual return of activities around the church. In accordance with public health best practices and the advice of medical professionals in our congregation, we have been and are continuing to look for ways to safely gather as a family of faith. From worship to fellowship to learning, this week’s newsletter details a number of those opportunities. Know that you are welcome and invited to participate in any and all according to your own comfort level.

On that note, there are two worship services happening later this month – both on Sunday, October 25 – to be sure you mark on your calendar. That morning at our outdoor service, the children of St. Simons Presbyterian will lead us in worship as part of Children’s Sunday. Their theme this year is “Who Is My Neighbor?” The liturgy and worship leadership will build upon our ongoing beatitudes sermon series. And then that evening, you are invited to the online ordination service of our Parish Associate for Visitation and Congregational Care, Kate Buckley. This service was originally slated to happen in March but has been delayed ever since due to COVID. We hope you will join us via livestream for this joyous occasion as Kate is ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The arrival of fall also means that our annual stewardship season to support the mission budget of the church is right around the corner. Once again, our churchwide stewardship efforts are being organized and led by a stewardship committee consisting of eight active members of our congregation: Nancy and John Matthews, Mary Margaret and Jeff Shiver, Brenda and Buddy Jones, and Denise and Sean Hidalgo. This year’s theme is We Are The Church. In the midst of so much disorientation in 2020, how have you – how have we – been the church beyond the walls and space of Sunday morning worship? Be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we invite you to begin considering how and where your continuing generosity can help build the ongoing and vital ministry of Jesus Christ happening in and through SSPC in the year to come.

Whether online or in-person, hope to see you this Sunday.

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

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October 4, 2020

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Musical Notes

When I started to search for music for the Beatitudes, I thought of the old song by Mac Davis, who passed away the other day. “Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way….” I also found “The Meek Shall Inherit” from The Little Shop of Horrors, a musical about a giant venus flytrap plant. It’s amazing what music is out there (other than the usual sacred) that references biblical text.

A small group from the Chancel Choir will sing What Shall I Bring to the Lord?/What Does the Lord Require of You? The first anthem is by Robert Lau, the text based on Micah 6:6-8. These anthems have been put together to include the round that is in our hymnal – What Does the Lord Require of You? on page 70, which is verse 8 in the scripture noted above. Written based on the scripture by Jim Strathdee in 1986, it’s a simple question and answer.

What Does the Lord Require of You? To seek justice, and love kindness,

and walk humbly with your God.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Next week, we will return to music from “Lightshine.” The hymn for this Sunday is 629 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda