SSPC Weekly Update : January 13, 2021

January 13, 2021

I was grateful last week for the opportunity to sit down once again with church member Dr. Tom Hodge to videotape another conversation about all things COVID-19. As you may recall from our first video interview this past summer, Tom is an immunovirologist who spent his career in academia as well as 20+ years at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta studying viruses such as Ebola, SARS, Zika, and others. Despite technically being retired, he has been actively involved in research and consulting with pharmaceutical companies since working on the development of vaccines and therapies for the coronavirus since last March.

In our most recent conversation – video below – Tom walks us through the different types of vaccines that are now coming on-line and also discusses several of the key therapies being implemented to treat those who are sick. Additionally, he walks us through what he thinks are the most important steps we should all be taking to protect ourselves and others (clue: wear a mask and get a vaccine!). Feel free to share with anyone you think might benefit from listening and learning. And once again a big thank you to Tom Hodge for taking time to sit down and share his insights!

Switching gears, there are several wonderful worship and education opportunities coming up. If you have not already done so be sure to mark your calendar for our annual Kirkin O’ The Tartan Worship Service which will happen on Sunday, January 31. We will have pipers and plaid at both our online and in-person worship services that day, however, some aspects of this much anticipated annual tradition will have to be slightly different this year due to COVID precautions. For example, rather than doing a procession of our tartans which would require lots of touching and movement from lots of people, we will instead simply have all of the tartans in-place at the front of the worship space throughout the service. Additionally, we have made the decision with Golden Isles Presbyterian to take a year off doing the service jointly with the full hope and intent of resuming our Kirkin’ partnership again next year.

Last but not least, there are several wonderful Christian Education opportunities detailed in the newsletter below. I want to draw special attention to the Savannah Presbytery’s School of the Laity (SOL) which has fully online classes coming up in March, June, and October this year. If you are someone who is interested in deepening your theological, Biblical, and spiritual acumen, you should consider signing up for this incredible educational ministry of our presbytery!

Stay safe, wear love, remember your baptism, and hope to see you soon.

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

A COVID19 Coversation

With Dr. Tom Hodge

Upcoming Events

Sunday Worship

January 10, 2021

Musical Notes

Being in Christian ministry means that you are in a vocation and that means that it isn’t just a job you go to. It is who you are and what you do with most all of your time. Fitting in family, friends, and other things like vacation often take a back seat to the needs of the flock. Jesus used the shepherd reference often because it was what people understood. The Bishop family has always understood this commitment. Art as pastor and Amy as organist through the years have been supported by their family and friends. At SSPC, we have only seen the end of Art’s ministry through teaching Sunday School, but I’m told that he was very active with the youth of the churches he served in both the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church. We will certainly miss his kind nature and welcoming smile. Many remarked that they were surprised by Amy’s presence at church on Sunday, but that’s who she is and what she does – it’s a vocation and commitment. She will, however, take time to be with family this coming weekend as they gather to remember and celebrate the life of Rev. Art Bishop. Plans are taking shape to hold a service at Lovely Lane Chapel – either inside or outside depending on weather. There will be a notice in the local paper or an email from the church about the details.

Next Sunday’s music will feature African American spirituals and music. The prelude will be Come Sunday – a piece by Duke Ellington written in 1966. Here are words to the piece for your reflection.

Come Sunday, oh, come Sunday, that’s the day.

Lord, dear Lord above, God Almighty, God of love,

please look down and see my people through.

I believe that God put sun and moon up in the sky.

I don’t mind the gray skies, cause they’re just clouds passing by.

Heaven is a goodness time, a brighter light on high.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,

and have a brighter by and by.

I believe God is now, was then, and always will be.

With God’s blessing we can make it through eternity.

-Duke Ellington

Mark Propst will help lead music on this Sunday playing for me to sing a medley of spirituals – Steal Away to Heaven which includes Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, and Steal Away arranged by Mark Hayes.

We will sing There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in This Place for the Introit and the hymn will be Somebody’s Knockin’ at Your Door, Hymn 728.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda