November 4, 2021
For the first time in a long time the social filled up last night for a good ol’ fashion Wednesday night dinner! What a joy it was to look out and see so many faces enjoying Christian fellowship around a shared meal. From the delicious dinner itself to kids running around to the messy floors waiting to be cleaned up afterwards, it was a joy from start to finish! A special thank you to Nat Scott, Walter Lynn, and the small army of volunteers who helped to make everything run smoothly.*

The gradual resumption of our Wednesday night meals is a sign too that we are about to enter a busy season at the church. In addition to welcoming another wonderful group of new members this Sunday we are also going to be beginning a special focus on stewardship for the next three weeks. Be on the lookout for materials arriving in your mailbox later this week or early next. You can also find information about this year’s stewardship season on the church Web site at sspres.org/giving.

Additionally, Thanksgiving and Advent are right around the corner. We are excited to finally be planning for the return of our annual Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. More information to come but in the meantime I hope you will mark your calendars to attend. Plans are also underway for a number of worship, music, and fellowship opportunities to take place throughout the upcoming season of Advent. Stay tuned!

Blessings to you all. See you at church this Sunday. Casual is fine.

Peace, 
Rev. Alan Dyer
Pastor

*If you missed last night but are wanting to attend a meal, know that there are two more opportunities coming up this month – one next Wednesday and then the Advent Festival happening November 17.
Happenings & Events
Sunday Worship
November 3, 2021
Musical Notes
This Sunday, we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. We not only celebrate the Eucharist itself, but the method of communion. Any act of normalcy these days makes us feel better and have hope. Having communion by intinction and passing the offering plate don’t seem like big things until you miss them for a period of time.   
For the music for Sunday, the Chancel Ringers led by Suzanne Morrison will offer two pieces – A Joyful Rondo and Prayer for Healing. The Chancel Choir led by Mark Propst will sing Pepper Choplin’s Lay Up Your Treasures in Heaven, as we begin Stewardship Month.   
Hymns for Sunday: 22 God of the Sparrow; 804 Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!   
 
The Community Messiah Chorus began rehearsals on Monday evening this week. A group of 64 singers were in the loft making a glorious sound – and that’s without rehearsal. Michael Jennings is leading this group and couldn’t be happier with the turnout and the acoustics in the room. I give thanks that our beautiful sanctuary and chancel area will have enough room for singers and instrumentalists.   
 
Please pray for the music ministry. I will certainly be sending prayers their way as we travel across the sea. Again, thank you for all of your expressions of love during this difficult time for our family.   
 
Love & Gratitude,  
Rhonda 
The Week Ahead
Sunday, November 7
8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary
9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations
10:30 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
5:00 pm Youth Gathering - Youth Suite

Monday, November 8
10:00 am Chancel Ensemble - Location Varies
6:30 pm PW Ladies of the Night - Upper Room
6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law
7:00 pm Messiah Rehearsal - Sanctuary

Tuesday, November 9
7:00 am Youth Breakfast Devotion - Chick-fil-A
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
10:00 am PW Morning Glories - Upper Room
12:00 pm PW Lunch Bunch - Upper Room

Wednesday, November 10
10:00 am Men's Bible Study - Upper Room
4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda
6:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner - Social Hall
6:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Sanctuary
7:30 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, November 11
10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room
1:00 pm Hospice Grief Group - John Law

Friday, November 12
No Activities Planned for This Day
Weekly Gatherings
All Are Welcome!
Joys and Concerns
Grateful Hearts
A weekly thank you for all the people and ministries of St. Simons Presbyterian Church. Lovingly created by
Rev. Kate Buckley.
Sunday School
October 3 - November 21
Baseball as a Road to God
Seeing Beyond the Game
by John Sexton
9:15am / Library

Take me out to the ball game! Take me out to the crowd! Whether you love belting the verses of this song or looking forward to the World Series in late October or just love being a sports fan in general, John Sexton’s Baseball as a Road to God may be just the ticket for you. 

For more than a decade, Sexton used baseball to illustrate the elements of a spiritual life in a wildly popular course as president of New York University. His book beautifully weaves the magic of baseball – its community of fans, its sacred places, its legends, its breathtaking moments of drama, its blessings and curses, its faith and doubt, its saints and sinners, its miracles – with the spiritual dimensions of life.

In the course of nine innings, fans experience a range of emotions from expectation and elation to frustration and despair. Sexton elegantly demonstrates that baseball is more than a game or even a national pastime… baseball can be a road to a deeper and more meaningful life.
Always A Guest
Speaking of Faith Far from Home
By Barbara Brown Taylor
9:15am / Upper Room

BBT’s collection of 30 sermons as a guest preacher … from graduation ceremonies to Sunday pulpits …will show you why she is one of the most beloved and renowned preachers of our time. On themes from anxiety to beauty, resurrection to doubt, wisdom and telling the truth, Taylor proclaims the gospel as she meets us in our messy humanity. 

Full of observations on the Spirit and the state of the world along with her gentle wit, BBT will inspire you as she explores faith in all its beauty and complexity. As the reader, you will be a BBT guest at this gospel feast! 
The Letter of Paul to the Philippians for Everyone Bible Study 
By NT Wright
9:15am / John Law Room

We have lived through a year and a half of pandemic uncertainty. What an example of how things don't always go the way we intend. It's easy to feel discouraged because what we hope for is badly thwarted, or because people make life difficult. Paul, writing to the Philippians from prison, certainly knew what it was like to have plans interrupted. But he maintains robust confidence in God's overruling power, even when everything seems to be going wrong. In Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, we will learn from Paul the art of seeing God's purposes working out through problems and difficulties and will deepen our own confidence in God's power.
This Past Week
Giving Opportunities
Connect With Us
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