SSPC Weekly Update : November 11, 2020

November 11, 2020

Dedication Sunday is this Sunday, November 15. At both our livestream and in-person worship services, we will dedicate with prayer and thanksgiving our gifts of time, talent, and resources for the year of ministry ahead. This year’s “We Are The Church” stewardship campaign has sought to highlight the ways St. Simons Presbyterian has continues to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ for each other and for our world. Thank you to everyone who has already submitted a pledge by mail, online, or in-person. Know that you are welcome to submit your pledge at any time by clicking here or you can bring your pledge with you and drop it off in the offering plate this Sunday.

This week is also a significant one as our Sanctuary and Ashantilly Wing renovation moves closer and closer to completion. While we are still several weeks away from RH Tyson (our outstanding contractor on this project) fully completing all of their work, new pews and liturgical furniture are currently being installed in the sanctuary space. As the picture above shows, this project - which not long ago was merely a vision in our hearts and images on paper - has come a long way and is now nearly a reality! Your prayers and support are what has made this transformational project in the life of our church possible – thank you! Be on the lookout in coming days for an email update to the congregation with more photos and a more detailed outlook on all the remaining tasks and likely completion (currently estimated for early 2021).

Last but certainly not least, on this Veteran’s Day we pause and give thanks for the many men and women in our congregation who have served in the United States Armed Forces. In addition to our many veterans, we also have a number of current church members who are actively serving in the military including Alastair Campbell, Nathan White, and Stephen Scarlett Jr. We recognize and give thanks for the sacrifice and service of all of these individuals!

This week we conclude our "Blessings In An Upside Down World" sermon series. Whether online or in-person, I hope to you Sunday. Blessings to you all.

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

Upcoming Events

Advent Season

Sunday Worship

November 8, 2020

Christian Education

Musical Notes

On March 11, the choir had a great rehearsal and a birthday party for Amy Bishop. We were prepared to sing “The Kingdom” by Andre Thomas on March 15. Mark Propst was to conduct because I was leading music for the Conference for the Association of Small Congregations for the Presbyterian Church at Epworth on that Sunday. The conference went nervously forward because everyone was already there, but church was cancelled due to the pandemic. It has turned out that this anthem will work perfectly for Dedication Sunday and for “Blessed are the persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The choir enjoyed preparing this gospel piece and we hope it will inspire you as well.

For this Sunday, our hymn tune is an old one that we started this sermon series with – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. The words are new by Reverend Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, well-known writer of hymn texts to familiar tunes. She is the parish associate pastor at the First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego, New York. Here is the first verse to the hymn:

Blessed are the poor in spirit; all God's realm is surely theirs.

Those in mourning will find comfort as an answer to their prayers.

Meek ones whom this world despises will inherit everything.

God, your kingdom still surprises; may we seek the reign you bring.

We will begin the service with a familiar chorus – Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you – Allelu, alleluia. You sang Dona Nobis Pacem really well last week!

The Presby Pickers are in rehearsal and getting ready for Wednesday, November 18th. We hope you will come. Most of our regulars will be there – Rick Ray, Bud Longley, Harlan Hambright, Jacob Bosarge (awesome high school bass player), Tom Haughney, and myself. We’ve picked up a special guest singer and guitarist, Steve Bristol – a local attorney. Get ready for some bluegrass and country music from 6:15 until just before 7:00 pm. Bring a chair, your mask, a neighbor, maybe some bug spray, and come dressed for the occasion – jeans and cowboy hats recommended.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda