Volume 71 January 25, 2018

Transcription

1 Volume 71 January 25, 2018 We are excited about the annual Kir kin' O ' the Tar tan ser vices this co ming Sunday. Eleven members of the First Coast Highlanders will pack their drums and pipes and travel in the early morning darkness from south Jacksonville to enliven our Scottish festival of worship. Members and friends will process with family tartans, and we will thank God for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our praise. The bagpipes, drums, and tartans will happen at both the 8:30 and 11:00 am services so please plan to enjoy all things Scottish on our next Lord's Day! Also, we are so glad to welcome our snowbird friends as they are arriving from all points north and bringing the warmth of their faith to strengthen our gatherings in the wintertime. Our worship services, our Wednesday night suppers, our concerts, and our lives are enriched by their presence. I do not think that they can possibly know how important they are to our church or how much we look forward to their arrival each year. Please go out of your way to welcome these friends who are such an encouragement to our ministry. Many of their photos and names are displayed on the bulletin board in the hallway near the social hall. We hope to add new pictures to our collection! O ur Sno wbir d Luncheo n is planned fo r Sunday, Febr uar y 18. One last note. At each Session meeting the elders read the correspondence that has come to our church since our last meeting. Leslie McCracken arranges these notes and letters in a handsome notebook. Most of the letters we receive are thank-you notes for the generosity of our congregation in its many benevolent gifts beyond ourselves. The notes inspire us. Here is an example from Jill Duffield, editor of the Presbyterian Outlook, a much-respected source of information for our denomination. Upon receiving our gift of $20,000, she writes in her own hand: "Truly, there are no words to express my deep thanks for the transformative gift from St. Simons Presbyterian. We are on the cusp of major new initiatives as we seek to reach the current and next generation of Presbyterian leaders. This gift will propel us forward in ways we had not previously hoped." Our correspondence notebook is filled with many such letters because we are making a difference in our community, nation, and world for Jesus Christ. I am proud and thankful to be your pastor, and Alan shares these same feelings. Thank you. Love, Bob

2 *The Com e & Se e Sunda y Sc hool c la s s w ill b e m e e ting in the Cha p e l this Sunda y!

3 Christine Roy Yoder received her B.A. from Swarthmore College and her M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. A teaching elder in the PC(USA), she serves as Interim Dean of the Faculty, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. She is the author of Wisdom as a Woman of Substance: A Socioeconomic Reading of Proverbs 1-9 and 31:10-31 in 2018 Conference Theme: The Tree of Life Wisdom in Ancient Israel & the Book of Proverbs The wisdom literature of ancient Israel (Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes) invites us into an age-old and enduring conversation about what is good and wise in life. Through the particular lens of the book of Proverbs, this study explores how the ancient Israelite sages wrestled with such questions, the formation of moral character, and what it means to "fear the Lord." Keynote Speaker: Dr. Christine Roy Yoder

4 addition to many articles and chapters in books. Early Registration has passed. The final registration deadline is January 31st. Please make your check out to SSPC for $34 & the church will cover the rest! Click Here for More Details & Registration Come and experience the labyrinth with Rev. Dr. Kathryn McLean on Thur s da y, Fe b r ua r y 1s t in the Soc ia l Ha ll/ Britt Room 3:30-5:30 PM & 6 :0 0-8 :0 0 PM A combination of learning about the labyrinth with an opportunity for questions, walking one of two labyrinths (World Peace labyrinth & the Classical labyrinth), & reflecting on your experience will be offered in two time slots. Please join us for this soul-refreshing walking meditation. Questions? Contact Jann Briscoe at jannbriscoe@gmail.com Tuesday, February 6 Sophie Shao, Cellist Milena Strezeva, Pianist Tuesday, February 13

5 Suchan Kim, Baritone Laetitia Ruccolo, Pianist Tuesday, February 20 Seraph Brass Quintet Tuesday, February 27 Chelsea Chen, Organist The Week Ahead Sunday, January 28 - Kirkin' o' the Tartans (both services identical) 8:30 am - Chapel Service - Sanctuary 9:00 am - Coffee Hour - Social Hall 9:30 am - Sunday School - Various Locations 11:00 am - Traditional Service - Sanctuary

6 5:00 pm - Youth Ensemble - Music Attic 6:00 pm - Youth Fellowship - Youth Suite M onday, January 29 10:00 am - Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary 12:00 pm - Men's Noonday Bible Study - Britt Room 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room T uesday, January 30 7:00 am - Youth Breakfast Devotion - SSI Chick-fil-a Wednesday, January 31 4:00 pm - KidZ Programs & Choir - Playground Veranda 5:00 pm - Confirmation Class - Chapel 6:00 pm - WOW Supper - Social Hall // RSVP Here 6:30 pm - Chancel Ringers - Bell Room 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir - Sanctuary Thursday, February 1 7:15 am - Men's Breakfast Bible Study - Britt Room 10:00 am - Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room 3:30 pm - Walking a Labyrinth (Session 1) - Social Hall 6:00 pm - Walking a Labyrinth (Session 2) - Social Hall 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room Friday, February 2 10:00 am - Book Discussion & Prayer - Jann's Office U p c o min g D a te s : Fri-Sun, Feb 9-11 Theologian in Residence Weekend with Dr. Erskine Clarke Sun, February 11 "Love One Another" Luncheon Wed, February 14 Lent Event Sun, February 18 Snowbird Luncheon Click for More Information About Upcoming Events

7 Prayers and Thanksgivings Click here for the Weekly Prayer & Meditation Happy Birthday W ilma! On January 28, Wilma Knight will celebrate her 90th birthday! We share in her celebration with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who will be here from Connecticut, California, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Georgia to celebrate with her and her husband Skip. Christian Sympathy We extend Christian sympathy and prayers to Erin Dyer and her family upon the death of her grandmother, Peggy Wilhelm, who entered into rest on January 22 in Virginia. We also extend Christian sympathy to Tuffy Adams upon the death of his twin brother, Butch, who entered into rest earlier this week.

8

9 Cl ick here to see more photos! Worship This Sunday Scripture: Psalm 16 Philippians 4:10-13 Hymn: Special Music: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past Amazing Grace First Coast Highlanders Financial performance as of December 31, 2017 Offerings Received YTD $1,190, Expenditures Paid YTD $1,118, We thank those who contributed to St. Simons Presbyterian Church for the 2017 year Year-End Contribution Statements will be mailed Friday, January 26, We have received 183 pledges totaling $862,702 toward the 2018 budget of $1,146,000. You can still drop your pledge by the office or pledge online at Thank you for your giving to support the ministries at St. Simons Presbyterian Church. Your continued giving and faithfulness is greatly appreciated!

10 C L I C K H E R E T O G I V E O N L I N E Giving online is easy! Just follow the link above to tithe and donate online. If you have any questions, please contact the church office at (912) Musical Notes This coming Sunday is the last Sunday in January. Really? Time is flying by! Don't miss this Sunday. The Kirkin' of the Tartan happens at both services with a processional of the acolyte, pipers and drummers of the First Coast Highlanders, The beadle (meaning a church officer) carrying the Holy Bible, the Christian flag, the United States Flag, our pastors, the Flag of St. Andrews, the Royal Flag of Scotland, the Tartans of the Clans and our Chancel Choir. This celebration of Scottish heritage in worship has been going on since World War II in our country, having been revived by Rev. Peter Marshall, the Scottish born pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City and chaplain of the U. S. Senate. You may want to read A Man Called Peter (life story) or watch the movie of the same name to learn more about Peter Marshall. It matters not about your heritage, there are Presbyterians all over the world - carrying a tartan represents family - your own family, your church family, and your worldwide Christian family. Art Tenney, head of the First Coast Highlanders, tells me that he is expecting about 13 pipers and drummers to return once again to St. Simons. The Chancel Choir will be ending up the procession - Highland Cathedral - and singing two anthems this Sunday - A Scottish Blessing by David Blackwell and Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace by John Rutter. Hymns for Sunday: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past; and 649 Amazing Grace. All music groups are now back in session. Wednesdays: 4:00-6:00 - Children's Choirs and Activities - Choirs for 3rd-5th Grade; K-2nd Grade; and Preschool. Youth Ensemble begins on Sunday, January 28 at 5:00 pm followed by supper and Youth Fellowship. The Chancel Ensemble (instrumentalists) meets on Mondays at 10:00 am. Chancel Ringers meet on Wednesdays at 6:30. Chancel Choir at 7:00 pm rounds out the schedule that provides opportunities for all age groups. Consider musical volunteering. It's fun and rewarding and it is service to your church. Love & Gratitude, Rhonda