Dear friends,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday as well as the culmination of our “Practicing Gratitude” stewardship commitment to God, there is no more appropriate time than now to express my own gratitude for you. 

In keeping with the exercise I try to do twice daily, specifically writing down 5 things I am grateful for: 



1. Being called to SSPC to help you through this transition from Alan to you next pastor. 
2. Your sincere integrity and passion to serve God and “do the right thing.” 
3. The deep compassion and the ways you care for each other, from muffins to prayer, from blankets, to visits... 
4. Your gracefulness and gratefulness to the staff and the work we do. 
5. For the incredible staff here who loves SSPC as much as you and who work hard to serve in each our own ways. And, who have fun with each other as we do it. 
6. (Yes, this list deserves 6 at least.) The beauty of this place called St. Simons from the sunrises and sunsets, to the live oaks and water oaks, from the ebbing and flowing of the sea and river, to the many birds, creatures, and even traffic islands. 

Again, thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful church and the Spirit of gratitude and generosity that pervades here. 

Gratefully, 

Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer

Dear Friends,

Many thanks for your very warm welcome as I start my new position as Parish Associate for pastoral care. I hope to get to know each and every one of you, but of course, that will take time! To help you know how and when best to reach me… I’m on a part-time schedule, usually working Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

It’s probably best to call first, as I’m in and out of the office. You can reach me at the church (638-2220) at extension 120 – or email me at laurie@sspres.org – or join our Grief Support Group on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday mornings of each month. If you miss me and leave a message, I promise to get back to you! 

I am grateful for our partnership in the gospel of our Lord Jesus. We each have a part to play as we “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, and live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:15-16).

Let us embrace our life together as God’s gift, with all its joys and sorrows, hope and disappointments, pleasures and pains. I look forward to the happy surprises that God has in store for us.

Peace,

Laurie Bentley

It’s that time of year when we express thanks for the things and the people in this life that bring us joy, comfort, and peace of mind. Even in the midst of great sorrow and loss of any kind, we can always find a way to be thankful. A ministry of our church, the Island Concert Association, provides free concerts that are open to the public. One way to express your thanks is to help us bring free concerts to the public in our sanctuary and online. We do this by asking for your membership at different levels of giving. Then, invite your friends and neighbors to join this fun February concert event – all concerts are on Tuesdays in February and begin at 7:00 pm at St. Simons Presbyterian Church in the sanctuary and are programmed with no intermission (there may be a small break for some) and last 60 to 70 minutes followed by a light reception to meet the artists.  

Please show your gratitude and join us this year to bring these fabulous artists to the Golden Isles! Some of our members are already on our mailing list. If you didn’t receive a brochure, look where the print material is in the church within the next week.  

Handel’s Messiah will be presented on December 3rd at 3:00 pm in our sanctuary again this year. The chorus has “swelled” to nearly 70 singers! The powerful sound is amazing and the spirit is contagious. Please come and bring your friends to this event. Contributions are welcome to support the expenses of this endeavor.  

Our choir and ensembles are having joyful practices each week preparing for the Advent season. This coming Sunday, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday and the coming of Thanksgiving with a Horn of Plenty in the Chancel Area designed by Suzanne Morrison and the great hymns of the church. For the Introit, we ask that you sing along to the hymn “Give Thanks” 647 as we emphasize our stewardship theme, Practicing Gratitude. The Chancel Choir and Chancel Ensemble join forces to sing Harry Simeone’s arrangement of “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” The Chancel Ensemble and organist Amy Bishop will play Karg-Elert’s powerful “Nun Danket Alle Gott” (Now Thank We All Our God) for the prelude at 10:30 am. For the offertory, they will offer “Come and Give Thanks” a medley of Thanksgiving tunes. We Gather Together and From All that Dwell Below the Skies as congregational hymns round out this grateful offering of music for this Sunday.  

Speaking of grateful, I want to express a heartfelt thank you for all the musicians who pour heart and soul into every note they sing or play to inspire our congregation. I am also grateful for Mark Propst, who will lead the choir in “Prepare the Way of the Lord” by Joseph Martin, who is also the composer of our upcoming cantata on December 18th. The choir behaves for Mark, or so they say. I will be out of town the weekend after Thanksgiving for my mother’s inurnment in Belmont, North Carolina. My family is grateful for your prayers and support during this difficult time of illness and loss. We can always find a “Glimmer of Light” that we can allow to shine brighter in a time of darkness. I hope that you won’t miss any of the offerings of our church this year. Advent worship will act as that light that will show us the way to the manger. 

Love & Gratitude, 

Rhonda

Sunday, November 20

8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

5:00 pm KidZ Fellowship - Veranda

Monday, November 21

12:00 pm Worship & Music Meeting - Upper Room

4:00 pm Congregational Life Meeting - John Law

5:30 pm Diaconate Meeting - Upper Room

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, November 22

9:30 am Staff Meeting - John Law

1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

Wednesday, November 23

No Events Scheduled for This Day

Thursday, November 24

No Events Scheduled for This Day

Friday, November 25

No Events Scheduled for This Day

Sunday, November 27

8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

6:00 pm Youth Gathering - Youth Suite

Monday, November 28

6:30 pm - Messiah Practice - Sanctuary

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, November 29

7:00 am Youth Breakfast Devotion - SSI Chick-fil-a

9:30 am Staff Meeting - John Law

1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

Wednesday, November 30

10:00 am Men's Bible Study - Upper Room

4:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

5:15 pm Early Music - Rhonda's Office

6:00 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

6:30 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, December 1

10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

4:30 pm PNC Meeting - Upper Room

Friday, December 2

No Events Scheduled for This Day