December 6, 2018December 6, 2018

Advent is in full-swing around church. Last Wednesday marked anotherwonderful Advent Festival and Hanging of the Greens. Beautiful hand-madebanners now hang in the sanctuary. Devotional materials are available ontables around the church. Our children spent yesterday afternoon practicingfor what will surely be another special Christmas program during the SundaySchool hour this Sunday.

As you peruse this week’s newsletter, be sure to pay special attention to thedifferent opportunities for worship during these four weeks of Advent. ThisSunday the chancel choir, youth ensemble, and chamber orchestra will beleading us in The Longest Night service. This service of hope and healingoffers comfort in the midst of the grief and general heaviness that sometimesaccompanies the holiday season. On Wednesdays at 5PM in the sanctuary,we are leading brief mid-week Vespers Services consisting of scripture,song, and reflection. You are also invited to a meditative CommunionService led by Rev. Jann Briscoe in our chapel on Sunday, Dec. 16 and 23at 5PM.

Lastly, as we continue through the month of December, please continue toremember the church in your end-of-year giving as well as make your pledgetowards the 2019 mission budget. The Heart and Soul Capital Campaignalso continues to receive pledges with a current total pledged amount of $3.3million. Thank you for supporting the mission and ministry of your church!

Advent blessings. See you Sunday. Come as you are.

Peace,Alan

Advent Worship

Advent Communion:Advent Communion:Draw Near inDraw Near inWatching andWatching andWaitingWaiting

The three Advent Communionservices share a similar format and familiar elements of worship. Theseinclude the lighting of the Advent candles; the singing of a hymn; reading ofscripture and of a short piece on the day’s theme, followed by a time ofsilence; an opportunity for creative expression; the celebration of communionin a circle around the table; and the passing the peace. Seating is in a circle.Participants will have the opportunity to share in readings and other parts ofthe service. Each service will last between 30 and 45 minutes.

When: December 2nd, 16th, & 23rdTime: 5 pmWhere: Chapel

Season of Giving

ChristmasChristmasPoinsettiasPoinsettiasEvery Advent Season many of ourfolks order poinsettias in memory orin honor of loved ones and then seehow beautiful they make thesanctuary look at Christmas

time. This year the cost will be $12 each. If you would like to order apoinsettia, please click the link below to order online. You can also bringpayment to the church office or place it on the offering plate during service.

Click Here to Order!

Another Tree!Another Tree!Did you know that there's a second angeltree in the church that supports theCoastal Coalition of Children? It's locatedin the Pre-K wing and there are stillseveral angels hanging on the branches.Please, grab an angel today and help usspread some holiday cheer! Gifts for thePre-K tree are due by December 13th.

Hope HallwayHope HallwayHope Hallway, located in the backhallway behind the Sanctuary, will beopen every Sunday throughoutAdvent. Help us help others thisHoliday Season!

Upcoming Events

Caroling and SoupCaroling and SoupDeliveryDeliveryAll are invited to join us as we trolleyaround St. Simons to spreadChristmas cheer and deliver a warmtreat to members & friends of ourcongregation! We will meet on the

front steps at 4:30 and will return by 6:30 PM. We hope you can join us tohelp spread some Christmas Cheer!

Date: December 20thTime: 4:30-6:30Where: Meet on front steps, in front of sanctuary

Third Day ofThird Day ofChristmas PartyChristmas PartyAdults of SSPC! Do you everexperience the post-Christmas blahs?This year you don't have to! On thethird day of Christmas, come to theBritt Room for a fun evening of warm

fellowship, great food and a festive atmosphere. This event, put on by the "TrySomething New" team, is sure to put a smile on your face! Invite family,

friends, neighbors, or guests! All are welcome!

Thursday, December 27th | 6:00-9:00 pm | Britt Room$15.00 per person paid to church officeRSVP by December 23rd

Click Here to Sign Up!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT OUR EVENTS

The Week AheadSunday, December 9Sunday, December 98:30 am - Chapel Service - Sanctuary9:00 am - Coffee Hour & Breakfast - Social Hall9:30 am - Breakfast by Grandy's - Britt Room10:00 am - KidZ Christmas Musical - Social Hall11:00 am - Traditional Service - Sanctuary4:30 pm - Marsh's Edge Worship - Marsh's Edge5:00 pm - The Longest Night, A Winter Service of Hope & Healing

Monday, December 10 Monday, December 10 10:00 am - Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary11:45 am - PW Christmas Luncheon - Social Hall8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room

Tuesday, Tuesday, December 11December 117:00 am - Youth Breakfast Devotion - Chick-fil-A SSI9:30 am - Staff Meeting - Upper Room

Wednesday, Wednesday, December 12December 1212:00 pm - Men's Noonday Bible Study - John Law5:00 pm - Advent Vespers - Sanctuary7:00 pm - Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, Thursday, December 13December 137:00 am - Men's Bible Study - Britt Room9:00 am - Pre-K Christmas Program - Social Hall11:00 am - Ladies Bible Study - Marsh's Edge1:00 pm - Grief Counseling - Chapel4:00 pm - Yoga Class - Youth Suite8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room

Friday, December 14Friday, December 149:00 am - Pre-K Christmas Program - Social Hall10:00 am - Book Study and Prayer - Jann's Office

Upcoming Dates:Upcoming Dates:

Pictorial Directory Reminder:Pictorial Directory Reminder: The deadline to turn in yoursubmitted photos is December 31st. These can be either digital or print.Please turn in to Ada at the front office or email ada@sspres.org. The costfor submitting photos is $10. Please turn in your money to Jeannine at thefront office. If a professional photographer took the photo, LifeTouch requiresa release form. Please contact Ada to receive this form.

Youth Opportunities

Savannah PresbyterySavannah PresbyteryWinter Camp ConnectWinter Camp Connect20192019

Winter Camp Connect is an opportunity toreunite with last Summer's camp friends or

sample what a week long Summer program is like. At camp, we will build &strengthen friendships with one another, enjoy God's creation, and learnabout our faith as we grow closer to Christ.

Youth Camp Connect is for for current 7th - 12th graders. You will stay in theFamily Life Center (bunk beds).

Family Camp Connect is for parents to camp along with their children ages6th grade and younger. Parents will stay with their children in dorm cabins(bunk beds).

Deadline to Sign up is THIS FRIDAY

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Joys & Concerns

AdventFestival:A big thank you toeveryone that helpedmake our AdventFestival such a joyousevent! We estimate

that at least 100 people attended this year, including a few new faces. Wegive thanks for a glorious start to the season of Advent.

YouthProgressiveDinner:The annual Youth ProgressiveDinner was a success! A specialthanks to our hosts and friends thathelped put the event together andopened up your homes to a bunchof teenagers. Thank you forsupporting the youth ministry of ourchurch. We couldn't do it without you!

Giving Opportunities

Click Here to Give OnlineGiv ing online is easy! Just follow the link above to

tithe and donate online. I f you have anyquestions, please contact the church office at

(912) 638-2220.

Worship This SundayScripture: Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-6

8:30 am Service Hymn:O Lord, How Shall I Meet You - 104

11:00 am Service Hymns:Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus - 82O Lord, How Shall I Meet You - 104

Preacher: Rev. Alan Dyer

MUSICAL NOTESMUSICAL NOTES

The Chancel Ringers will be our choir for the 11:00 am service. SuzanneMorrison has selected a Bell Peal, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, ItCame Upon the Midnight Clear, and an Advent Trilogy. Members HalMorrison, Kathy Lindsay, Lynda Kennedy, Judy Foster, Judy Stipp, SusanBaltzell, myself, Charlotte Zell, Anne Marie Stirewalt, Nan Fuller, and SherylVaughters make up this hard working team that practices on Wednesdaynights at 6:30 pm.Hymns selected for Sunday:82 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?

Hearts can be heavy for some as the holidays approach. Perhaps there arestressors in your life that just a comforting word or song could help you havethe strength to withstand the pressures of life. The Longest Night: A WinterService of Hope and Healing is a work by Joseph Martin incorporatingwords of comfort and music of the season. This service is not only for you, thecongregation, but also for the choir itself. The Chancel Choir and YouthEnsemble members have been working on singing the solo parts andreading scripture. A chamber orchestra has been gathered to play together.Oboe, English Horn, French Horn, Piano, Vibraphone(Keyboard), Violin, and Cello will combine to provide a lush accompanimentto the music in the service. Our pastors, Alan and Annie, will lead us inworship through narration and prayers. Suzanne Morrison is designing andexecuting all the visuals. Make this service of calm and comfort a part of yourworship schedule this season.

Wednesdays and Sundays at 5:00 through Advent are times that you areinvited to church to learn about the prophets and have communion,respectively. This month-long celebration of Jesus’ birth begins our Christianyear. Again, Draw Near in worship and praise.

Love, Hope, Peace, & Gratitude,Rhonda

P.S. Hospice of the Golden Isles presents Lights of Love on December 6 th

at 5:00 pm mon the site in Brunswick. This is a very special service ofreadings and music.

[912-638-2220] [ada@sspres.org] [sspres.org]

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