SSPC Happenings - December 9, 2021

December 9, 2021

Generosity is in the DNA of St. Simons Presbyterian. In our worship, our mission, our study, and our fellowship, we are a community of faith that has strived to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ for one another and for the world around us for over three quarters of a century now. To that end, our Stewardship Team spent the month of November inviting all of us to consider how we can grow the generosity of our church in the year to come by making pledges of time, talent, and resources. I am pleased to share with you that the response to those efforts has been tremendous!

To date, 149 individuals and families have responded to our 2022 stewardship campaign pledging a total of $1,092,300. This means that over 91% of our $1.2 million mission budget for the coming year is currently pledged. For comparison, in recent years we have typically only had approximately 75% of the budget pledged with the difference being made up in unpledged gifts and giving in the offering plate. With such a high percentage of the 2022 budget pledged, we are now able to plan and do ministry in the coming year with a great deal of confidence.

So a BIG thank you to everyone who has submitted your pledge of estimated giving for 2022. No matter the amount you are able to pledge, your commitment not only helps to strengthen the Gospel ministry of St. Simons Presbyterian in this community and beyond but also helps to encourage the generosity of others. If you have not yet participated and would like to do so, please know that it is not too late! You can find more information and submit a pledge by clicking here.

Lastly, Advent rolls on this week and next. As you will see below there are a number of meaningful opportunities for worship and fellowship coming up. I want to especially highlight our annual Live Nativity which is right around the corner happening next Friday and Saturday (December 17 & 18). If you have a young person in your home who would like to participate and/or would like to be an adult volunteer helping to make sure everything runs smoothly, please let Annie know via email or by clicking the link below!

Blessings to you all. Hope to see you at church this Sunday. Casual is fine.

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

Advent Calendar

Happenings & Events

Click Here for Coastal Coalition Angel Tree Instructions

Christmas Eve

Sunday Worship

December 5, 2021

Sunday School

Musical Notes

JOY. It’s the third Sunday of Advent. Our Children’s Choir and Chancel Ringers will bring us music this Sunday. Iris Ellis is the director and Amy Bishop is the pianist for the children. Suzanne Morrison is the director of handbells. I can’t think of better groups to offer their gifts than the children and the bells on the Sunday of Joy. Working together, we bring you the music for the season. There is more to come! On the fourth Sunday of Advent, our Chancel Choir and Chamber Orchestra will bring A Festival of Lessons and Carols. I am inviting readers to participate. If you would like to serve your church in this way, please give me a call.

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Messiah Chorus this year: choir members Wimberly Thomas, Lisa McNeal, Mary Jo Townsend, Frank Lea, Richard Hathaway and Harlan Hambright, Timpani, and Amy Bishop, Organist. The sanctuary was full and also full of emotion as the last time we sang it was in 2019. There were others that helped with hospitality and ushering: Mark Propst, Jan Maloof, Laurie Bentley, Kelly Johnson, Tom Haughney, and Anna Henry. Special thanks to our Pastor Alan Dyer, staff members Nat Scott, Kendall McDonald, and Walter Lynn for sound and furniture moving. It was a wonderful day for our church and the telling of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Many of our members are involved in community Christmas concerts and programs – GIAHA – December 12 Ritz Theatre – A Christmas Carol at 3:00 pm; Golden Isles Youth Orchestra – December 12 at 4:00 pm at Glynn Academy Auditorium; The Island Players – December 19 at 5:00 pm at the Casino Theatre. Try to go and support them this year!

Hope, Peace, Joy, and Gratitude,

Rhonda