Dear friends, 

St. Simons Presbyterian Church continues to flourish whether I'm around or not. I was gone for my daughter's wedding the first weekend of October, followed by an 8-day pilgrimage to Bald Head Island, NC for my annual fishing trip. I returned to find a staff in full swing doing their usual good work and the members stepping up as always being the hands and feet of Christ. 

This was on display the Sunday I missed with the excellent worship led by Kate, the Hoe Down earlier this month, the wonderfully moving children's worship service this past Sunday, followed by the Fall Festival yesterday (pics included), and that's not the least of it. 

A mission trip is underway, chartered by Brenda Haughney, and an upcoming BRIDGE-sponsored trip to the Okefenokee is right around the corner. The youth group is thriving, and many of them were a massive part of making the Fall Festival such fun. Stewardship season is underway, and our worship and music plans through Christmas have been planned and organized. And that's still not all of what's happening. 

All this reflects a strong congregation who does a HUGE part of the work. Hence, it is an honor to continue serving in my interim position and hopefully give the Pastor Search Committee the time for God to find your next pastor.

Gratefully, 

Steve

As I am writing this, the Peak Mountain Bluegrass group is due to arrive for a sound check for Fall Festival. This is the group that played with us a couple of months ago on Bluegrass Sunday. I invited them to come and play anything they wanted to play. I know it will be fun to hear them again.  

This Sunday’s music celebrates Reformation Sunday. Martin Luther, a prominent leader in the Reformation movement, wrote the following which is hanging in my office:

I am not ashamed to confess publicly that next to Theology there is no art which is the equal of Music. For she alone, after Theology, can do what otherwise only Theology can accomplish, namely, quiet and cheer the soul of man, which is clear evidence that the devil, the originator of depressing worries and troubled thoughts, flees from Music as he flees from Theology. 

-Martin Luther

The Chancel Ensemble and Organ will be playing along with the choir in a celebratory version of “The Church’s One Foundation” by Dan Forrest, a composer who is going to be the director at the Sacred Arts Conference at St. Simons UMC in January 2024. This offertory will give a chance for the congregation to sing. Just watch for the cue from me. Chancel Ensemble will also play an arrangement of How Firm a Foundation for the Anthem. Amy Bishop plans a Prelude based on A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

All Saints’ Day is on November 1, but we will observe that day on November 5th. The choir will present an anthem with French Horn soloist, Mike Morgan. In Remembrance was written by Jeffery L. Ames. Each saint’s name will be read out loud with a bell peal for each. The children are making a banner with their names on white ribbon for families to take home.

A word of thanks from me for all the help that was given for Children’s Sunday. I really enjoyed working with Ms. Frieda and the children this year and will continue to be blessed by their sweet voices, energy, and love. A big thank you to youth musicians Ethan Tsai, Liam and Graham Holland, and Robin Hoy for helping us with instruments of praise!

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda

Sunday, October 29

8:30 am Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Worship - Sanctuary

5:00 pm Youth Ensemble - Music Attic

6:00 pm Youth Group - Youth Suite

Monday, October 30

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, October 31

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

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

Wednesday, November 1

10:00 am Grief Support Group - Parlor

10:00 am Mens Bible Study - Upper Room

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 

4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, November 2

10:00 am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

5:30 pm ODD Book Group - John Law

5:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

Friday, November 3

2:00 pm Memorial Service for Kathy Chapman - Sanctuary

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

With thanksgiving for life and trust in Christ's resurrection, we share with you the sad news of the death of Robert (Bob) Stanford on Tuesday, October 24th.

We ask you to join us in prayer, as we seek God's peace and comfort to encompass Bob's family and his many friends near and far who are grieving his passing.

A service for Bob is currently being arranged and will be announced to the congregation in the coming days.