If you drive by the church in the coming days or weeks, you may notice something… different. That something is the sudden absence of a construction fence! After beginning the renovation of our sanctuary and Ashantilly Wing over fourteen months ago the Kings Way facing façade of our beautiful campus is no longer hidden behind a chain link barrier. While we are still about 1.5 months away from full completion as we await the installation of our new organ in mid-January, this development marks an exciting moment for St. Simons Presbyterian as we start to imagine the ways God has and will continue to use our campus to form and send disciples of Jesus Christ out into our community and the world beyond.
On that note, I want to say a special thank you to some of the many people who have helped bring this vision into reality. In particular, I want to recognize and thank once again the members of our Building Committee who are pictured above: Tom Baltzell (chair), Matt Hodgdon, and Karen Schmidt. This group along with Dee Davis, Rhonda Hambright, and myself have worked countless hours for nearly two years now to guide our church through the myriad decisions related to the construction project itself. Simply put, the spaces we are now able to see and enjoy would not be anywhere near as beautiful or functional as they are without the steadfast commitment of this dedicated team. We are also so very grateful to church members Jerry Spencer and Karen Summers who have devoted many, many hours creating a detailed plan for the design and installation of the beautiful outdoor landscaping which is currently ongoing around the renovated spaces.
Working alongside the Building Committee have been the members of our Renovation Transition Team. This group moved us out of the existing spaces prior to the start of the renovation, prepared us for a season of worshipping in the social hall, and are now leading the process of moving us back into the newly renovated spaces. The members of the transition team are Leslie McCracken (chair), Anne Aspinwall, Annie Franklin Arvin, Ben Bryson, Leslie Carlton, David Stewart, Rhonda Hambright, Suzanne Morrison, Tom Haughney, and Jean Sucher. Thank you all!
Last but certainly not least, thank YOU. This project would not be possible without the faith, prayers, and generous support of all of the members and friends of our church. Although the ongoing pandemic prevents us from being able to make plans with absolute certainty, we are hopeful that there will be a Sunday this spring when we are able to celebrate as a church family and formally dedicate our beautiful new spaces to the glory of God! Stay tuned for more details.
I hope you to see you this Friday and/or Saturday for our annual Live Nativity happening on the Delegal Street Lawn adjacent the playground. Dress warm and bring a mask! Enjoy your newsletter – please be sure to note the meaningful opportunities for worship this Sunday and next week on Christmas Eve. May God continue to bless and keep you in these Advent days.
Peace,
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Sunday Worship
December 13, 2020
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This coming Sunday we light the candle of Love. Love anchors all of the Sundays of Advent combined because I don’t think you can have Hope, Peace, or Joy if you don’t have Love. The music ministry of St. Simons Presbyterian will show you the love that we have for our God, our gifts and talents, and for each other as we combine all the groups for the outdoor service at Frederica Academy. The Chancel Ringers begin the service with Angels From the Realms of Glory – Come and Worship, Come and Worship……. Our children will play chimes and sing I Saw Three Ships for the Prelude. We will sing Angels We Have Heard on High for our hymn of the day. The Chancel Ensemble will accompany us, trumpets et al. Of course, we will sing our song and light the advent wreath, all except for the Christ Candle, which will be lit on Christmas Eve. The Chancel Choir Ensemble will present Adoramus, a driving piece glorifying God by new composer Matthew Gawronski. We will end with Good Christian Friends, Rejoice which sends us out into the world. I feel grateful that we are able to do anything at all. We are taking precautions in everything we do and so far, so good. There will be an online Christmas Eve service with recorded choir and ensemble and ringers and singers featuring your favorite carols and an outdoor service at 4:30 pm, featuring you, the congregation lighting your candles and singing carols. The music ministry also will have an online video gift for you featuring the adult choirs and soloists that will be available from Christmas Eve throughout the season. Check the website for details on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas Season doesn’t end until January 6, Epiphany – so more Christmas music is planned for the next two Sundays! Join us on December 27 as alumni members of the Golden Isles Youth Orchestra spread out at Frederica Academy and provide the music for the 10:30 am service. On January 3, don’t be surprised to see three kings singing about the gifts that they brought to the Christ child as we celebrate Epiphany.
Most of all, I’m grateful to be serving God and St. Simons Presbyterian Church through music during this season and in the midst of this pandemic. My family and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Here is a verse that spoke so strongly to me from It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long;
beneath the heavenly hymn have rolled two thousand years of wrong;
and we at war on earth hear not the tidings that they bring;
O, hush the noise and cease the strife to hear the angels sing!
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and much Gratitude,
Rhonda
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Sunday, December 20
8:30 am Live Stream Worship - Online
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Zoom
9:00 am Britt Class - Online
10:30 am Outdoor Worship - Frederica Academy
6:00 pm The Longest Night - sspres.org
Monday, December 21
5:30 pm Diaconate Meeting - Zoom
Tuesday, December 22
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
12:00 pm Staff Christmas Party - The Hambright’s
Wednesday, December 23
No Activities Scheduled for This Day
Thursday, December 24
Christmas Eve - Office Closed
4:00 pm Online Christmas Eve Worship - sspres.org
4:30 pm Christmas Eve Worship - SSPRES Front Lawn
Friday, December 25
Merry Christmas! - Office Closed
Sunday, December 27
8:30 am Live Stream Worship - Online
9:00 am Combined Advent Sunday School - Zoom
9:00 am Britt Class - Online
10:30 am Outdoor Worship - Frederica Academy
Monday, December 28
No activities Scheduled for This Day
Tuesday, December 29
No activities Scheduled for This Day
Wednesday, December 30
No activities Scheduled for This Day
Thursday, December 31
Church Office Closed
Friday, January 1
Church Office Closed - Happy New Year!
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Meal Delivery
One way to offer our Christian love and care is by providing a warm meal to our family and friends in Christ during their time of need.
Members of our congregation who could use a meal this week include: Taylor & Kelsi Brooks
If you or someone you know could use some help with meals, don't hesitate to reach out! We're here for you.
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Christmas Joy Offering
Fifty percent of undesignated receipts to the Christmas Joy Offering are distributed to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs that provide critical financial support to retired and active church workers and their families. The other fifty percent supports education at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color and leadership development opportunities for people of color through the Racial Equity and Women's Intercultural Ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
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[912-638-2220] [ada@sspres.org] [sspres.org] |
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