Dear friends, 

As we enter into the fall season of school and church, there are several reminders you will find helpful.

The first is that this Sunday, 9/10, we return to TWO worship services at 8:30 and 10:30. Sunday School is at 9:30.

Please read this newsletter carefully to discover all the options available to connect. And keep your eyes out for the RISE edition, which gives details for the coming year. 

On September 23, we will gather for our Fall "Day of Service." The following day, we will celebrate the 77th anniversary of SSPC with a potluck luncheon together after late worship. We can use all the hands we can find for both. To help with the luncheon, please call Nat Scott (912-230-6340.) For Day of Service registration, use the link below or visit www.sspres.org/dos.

Now is an excellent time to update you on our staffing changes and resources as we proceed in this interim period.

When Annie left, she left a vacuum with the youth group, pastoral care, preaching and worship, mission and outreach, and other assorted functions. To replace and fill-in during this time, we called Eliza Ours to take over youth group leadership, Laurie Buckley for pastoral care, and Madelynne Risi to cover mission and outreach. For preaching and worship, as I announced Sunday, Kate Buckley will preach every 4-5 weeks as Annie did, and Laurie will continue assisting in worship. While this seems like many people, we remain within our existing budget established in January when Annie was still here while covering all our needs with these very good people.

Walter Lynn's leaving as our building and grounds manager inspired member David Keen to bring our building and grounds needs up to a good place. Much has been done lately that you will see, as well as much that you may not see, but all greatly needed.

One blessing during this interim period between Pastors is the time and opportunity given to rearrange staffing and reorganize how we function a little.

It's so like God to surprise us in this liminal space (in between time of "where we have been" and "where we're going") with the unexpected gifts that help pave the way for what lies ahead. I'm deeply grateful to serve and support this good church during our in-between time together. 

Gratefully, 

Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer

Interim Senior Pastor

Even with his busy travel schedule with AT&T and the Navy, my Dad still found time to sing in the Chancel Choir of the church that he and Mom were attending. I remember one fall weekend I made a quick trip up to visit and we went on some errands. The hardware store and the post office were two places he frequented. He popped a CD into the dash of his big red truck and off we went, listening to the bass part of the Christmas music that his choir was working on. Knowing that people are short on time, publishers have been providing tracks for choral singers to practice with on the go for some years now. Our Chancel Choir uses these to learn their Christmas music. If there aren’t tracks, I make them myself for those that need them. Preparing anthems each week plus a cantata takes time and learning the notes on your own helps a great deal. It helps those that sing mostly by ear and aren’t very strong readers. Some just like to go down the road and sing along. So if you are thinking that you would like to sing some Christmas music and come to rehearsals on Wednesdays after dinner, then come and join us. You’ll get a tracks to practice with! That way you won’t feel left behind when the person next to you reads the music without much effort. We have some very good music readers in the choir that really help everyone else “get their notes.” If you are one of those people– that’s fine - but if you just rely on your good musical ear, we would still love to have you join us.  Singing in a choir is good for your health. It’s one of those workouts that you don’t mind at all because of the good feeling you get afterwards. Give me a call and I’ll get you what you need to succeed in the choir!

This coming Sunday, the choir will sing a staple of the repertoire, Martin Shaw’s “With a Voice of Singing.” The following Sunday brings another big anthem – Jane Marshall’s “My Eternal King.” The choir is happy to be back in their regular seats!

Also, this Sunday starts up KidZ Ensemble and Fellowship. I’ll meet 3-5th graders on the veranda at 4:00 pm to go up to the Music Attic and experience another level of music making and learning about music in the church. At 5:00, they will go to Ms. Frieda in the gym or children’s wing.  Youth Ensemble continues at 5:00 in the Music Attic where we are still discovering our gifts to share.

See Frieda’s or Eliza’s newsletter for more information about Sunday afternoons. 

Love & Gratitude, 

Rhonda

Sunday, September 10

8:30 am Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 pm Kidz Ensemble - Music Attic

5:00 pm KidZ Fellowship (3rd - 5th Grade) - Veranda

5:00 pm Youth Ensemble - Music Attic

6:00 pm Youth Gathering - Britt Room

Monday, September 11

12:00 pm Worship and Music - Upper Room

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, September 12

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

9:00 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

10:00 am PW Morning Glories - Upper Room

12:00 pm PW Lunch Bunch - Upper Room

4:00 pm PW Ladies of the Night - Upper Room

7:00 pm Women's Bible Study - Youth Suite

Wednesday, September 13

10:00 am Mens Bible Study - Upper Room

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

1:30 pm Pastoral Care Coordinating Team - John Law

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary 

4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, September 14

10:00am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

5:30 pm ODD Book Group - John Law

5:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

Friday, September 15

3:30 pm KidZ Book Club (3rd-5th) - Frosty's