Dear Friends,

For many of my family and friends, Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday. Mainly because the expectations are low but also because it offers time to give thanks and show gratitude for so much in our lives that is good. That said, I also know not everyone's lives are going well, and these holidays can be lonely for those who may not have family or friends to celebrate with. If so, please join us at the Pancake Breakfast from 7:30-9:30 tomorrow to gather and eat with many members and visitors while being served by the men/boys in the church.

This Sunday, worship will be full of great music and singing as we celebrate the last Sunday of our liturgical year called "Christ the King." This Sunday is also the time we have set aside to bring our commitment cards to the front. You should have received a packet by mail or email to give you all you need to understand what to do and why.

Following Christ the King, we begin our full and fast-paced run through Advent to Christmas with many opportunities to worship and participate. Please find the calendar for this attached to the newsletter.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the number of people around here who have gotten the flu, so get a flu shot and wear your masks if needed. We should be used to this by now!

Hopefully, I will see you tomorrow eating breakfast at the church; if not, then on Sunday.

Gratefully,

Steve

STEWARDSHIP, 2024

We ask that you prayerfully contemplate your 2024 pledge leading up to Commitment Sunday this weekend on November 26. 

This year is the year that there is a week and a half between Thanksgiving and the start of Advent, so Advent is all in the month of December. Start out your Advent season by attending the Golden Isles Community Chorus’ presentation of Handel’s Messiah. A group of more than 70 singers from all over the region and several instrumentalists will appear at 3:00 pm at St. Simons Presbyterian Church on December 2nd. The performance will be live-streamed as well on sspres.org. Contributions to defray expenses of the event are welcomed at the performance. Checks should be written to St. Simons Presbyterian Church. Participants from SSPC: Rev. Laurie Bentley, Amy Bishop, Jane Drake, Richard Hathaway, Rhonda and Harlan Hambright, Nancy Matthews, Lisa McNeal, Wimberly and EloiseThomas Anne Marie Stirewalt, and Mary Jo Townsend.

Before Advent starts, we are recognizing Christ the King Sunday, or the Reign of Christ on November 26th. This service, taken from a service at Riverside Presbyterian in Jacksonville, Florida, features hymns from the liturgical year. We will start at Advent and sing one or two verses from each hymn going all the way to Christ the King Sunday. Some of your very favorite hymns will be included. Steve will speak about each hymn and season for his sermon. It’s a different take of the liturgical year, more like a review of our Christian year.

The Chancel Ringers and Chancel Choir have been working hard on presentations for December 10 and December 17, respectively. We are worse than the retail stores – I started rehearsals in early October on this music. Upcoming newsletters will fill you in on the details!

December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, brings services of Communion and at 10:30 the choir will sing “Bethlehem Procession” by Pepper Choplin.

Want to help decorate the church for the upcoming season? Come to the Advent Festival. There will be crafts, of course, but we need mostly adults to help Deck the Halls!

Here’s an old rhyme from memory that my Dad taught me when I was a child:  

              Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, 

               Please to put a penny in the old man’s hat. 

           If you don’t have a penny then a ha’ penny will do, 

            If you don’t have a ha’ penny then God Bless You! 

Love & Gratitude,  

Rhonda

Sunday, November 26

COMMITMENT SUNDAY

8:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

Monday, November 27

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

6:30 pm Messiah Practice - Sanctuary

Tuesday, November 28

7:00 am Youth Breakfast Devotion - Chick-Fil- A

9:00 am Staff Meeting - John Law

Wednesday, November 29

11:00 am Early Music Ensemble - Rhonda’s Office

1:00 pm Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

5:00 pm Advent Festival -Social Hall

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper- Sanctuary

6:45 pm Chancel Choir -Sanctuary

Thursday, November 30

4:00 pm Building and Grounds- John Law

5:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

Friday, December 1

No Activities Planned for this Date

Saturday, December 2

3:00 pm Messiah Concert - Sanctuary