Volume 67 (2 week newsletter) December 21, 2017

Each year around this time I am apt to quote the words of the theologian andcivil rights leader Howard Thurman, who composed a now well-known litany titledThe Work of Christmas. "When the song of the angels is stilled," he wrote, "whenthe star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when theshepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost,to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild thenations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart."

Thurman's words stand as an enduring reminder that the work of Christmas neitherbegins nor ends on December 25. Instead, the true work of Christmas is to "makemusic in the heart" throughout the year as we bear out in word and deed the joy,love, and wonder of God incarnate.

We will recommit ourselves to making music in our hearts this Sunday at ournormal worship times in the morning as well as two Christmas Eve services in theevening. Invite a friend. Bring yourself. And may God bless you and keep you thisAdvent and Christmas Season.

Peace,Alan

Deadline to RSVP is Sunday, December 24! Sign up today!

Adults of SSPC! Do you ever experience the post-Christmas blahs? This year you don't have to! On the third day ofChristmas, come to the Britt 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!

Next Wednesday, December27

6 PM | Britt Room | $15/ person

Each person should bring a wrapped gift ($10)-something you already have at home, a re-gift, etc. If you

are not able to bring one, we will have extras!

Click Here for More Details and to Register for this Event!

Upcoming Concertsin January at St. Simons Presbyterian

Davidson Col l ege Jazz BandDavidson Col l ege Jazz BandTuesday, January 9 | 7:30 pm

We need volunteers to host musicians overnight

and helpers to serve dinner. If you are interested,please contact Rhonda Hambright at

rhonda@sspres.org

Owen & Mol ey. . .& Mum!Owen & Mol ey. . .& Mum!Saturday, January 13 | 7:30 pm

We are excited to welcome back Owen & MoleySulleabhain again this year with their mum! This

unique family trio will weave their magic throughsong, poetry, and personal sharing.

Sign up for Chancel Flowers for 2018!

If you are interested in providing the Chancel flowers on a Sunday for worshipduring 2018, please sign up for a specific week on the Flower Board in the

Memorial Garden Hallway. Please be sure to email Caroline Kittle what youwould like to have printed in the bulletin a week prior to the Sunday you sign up

for! (caroline@sspres.org)

The Weeks AheadThe Weeks Ahead

Sunday, December 24Sunday, December 24 8:30 am - Chapel Service - Sanctuary 9:00 am - Coffee Hour - Social Hall 9:30 am - Sunday School - Various Locations11:00 am - Traditional Service - Sanctuary 5:30 pm - Candles & Carols Christmas Eve Service - Sanctuary10:00 pm - Communion Service - Sanctuary

Monday, December 25 *Church office c losedMonday, December 25 *Church office c losed 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room

Tuesday, December 26 *Church office c losedTuesday, December 26 *Church office c losed

Wednesday, December 27Wednesday, December 27 6:00 pm - Third Day of Christmas Party - Britt Room

Thursday, December 28Thursday, December 28 7:00 am - Men's Breakfast Bible Study - Britt Room 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room

Friday, December 29Friday, December 29 10:00 am - Book Discussion & Prayer - Jann's Office

Sunday, December 31Sunday, December 31 8:30 am - Chapel Service - Sanctuary 9:00 am - Coffee Hour - Social Hall 9:30 am - Sunday School - Various Locations11:00 am - Traditional Service - Sanctuary

Monday, January 1 *Church office c losedMonday, January 1 *Church office c losed 9:00 am - Manna House - 1408 G Street 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room

Wednesday, January 3Wednesday, January 3 6:30 pm - Chancel Ringers - Bell Room 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, January 4Thursday, January 4 7:00 am - Men's Breakfast Bible Study - Britt Room10:00 am - Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room

Friday, January 5Friday, January 5 10:00 am - Book Discussion & Prayer - Jann's Office

Church Off ice Chr is tmas HoursChurch Off ice Chr is tmas HoursMonday, December 25Monday, December 25 Tuesday, December 26Tuesday, December 26 Monday, January 1Monday, January 1

Office Closed Office Closed Office Closed

Click for More Information About Upcoming Events

Prayers and ThanksgivingsPrayers and ThanksgivingsClick here for the Weekly Prayer & MeditationClick here for the Weekly Prayer & Meditation

Thank you to our Live Nativity VolunteersThank you to our Live Nativity Volunteers

Our Live Nativity has been a St. Simons Presbyterian Church tradition for over 50 years! By thetime the animals are in place, the children dressed and the luminaries lit, a very meaningful story isretold and shared with the island community watching in silence. Many "elves" make this eventhappen! We are thankful for the children (and adults!) who fill in as last minute characters and allthe others who help in small and big ways. A special thanks to Nat and Walter who spend hourssetting up the perfect Bethlehem stage, to Julie Johnson and her crew for providing hot cocoa andcookies to the crowd, to the Dietermans who feed our actors between shows, to Mike Harry whosevoice has narrated our story for many many years, and to Luanne Lea who created and mademany new costumes for our cast of characters!

A Special ThanksA Special Thanks

Thank you to Betty Smith and her team of helpers Martha Martin, Mary Tipton, Anne MarieStirewalt, for the placement and care of the beautiful poinsettias donated by the congregation!

Christmas atChristmas atSSPC!SSPC!

Live Nativity

Christmas Caroling on the Trolley

Cl ick Here to See MoreCl ick Here to See MorePhotoPhotoss

Worship This Sunday Morning 4th Sunday of Advent

Scripture: Psalm 8 9:1- 4Psalm 8 9:1- 4 Luke 1 :26- 38Luke 1 :26- 38

Hymn: 143 - Ange ls , f rom the Realms o f G lo ry143 - Ange ls , f rom the Realms o f G lo ry113 - Ange ls We H ave H eard on H igh113 - Ange ls We H ave H eard on H igh

Preacher: Rev. Alan D yerRev. Alan D yer

F inancial performance as of November 30,F inancial performance as of November 30,20172017

Offerings Received YTD $1,052,959.72 Expenditures Paid YTD $1,009,519.01

We thank those who have contributed to St. Simons Presbyterian Church this year.Year-end donations must be received by the church or postmarked noYear-end donations must be received by the church or postmarked nolater than December 31 to be included in 2017 giving statements.later than December 31 to be included in 2017 giving statements.

We have received 152 pledges totaling $708,462 toward the 2018 budget of$1,146,000. You can drop your pledge by the office or pledge onlineat www.sspres.org/stewardship. Thank you for your giving to support the ministries at St. Simons Presbyterian Church.Your continued giving and faithfulness is greatly appreciated!

C L I C K H E R E T O G I V E O N L I N EC 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. Ifyou have any questions, please contact the church office at (912) 638-2220.

2018 Offer ing Envelopes2018 Offer ing EnvelopesThe offering envelopes are here for 2018! If you are signed up to

receive them, they can be found in the Back Hallway and arelisted by name in alphabetical order.

Musical NotesMusical Notes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, without himnothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of allmankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. - John1:1-5

Thank you to all of the musicians who made it possible for the congregation tomeditate on the Word through music last Sunday. Their dedication and commitmentare a wonderful gift to SSPC. I'm inspired in my work by their commitment despitemajor traumas in their lives. They work on their music outside of choir rehearsal,despite busy schedules and serving elsewhere in the church. There's a little pillow thatsits on the pew outside the sanctuary that has the words "Hug a Presbyterian." Youcan add "Choir member" to that phrase and act on it! Our Chancel Ringers with Suzanne Morrison as Director will ring at the 11:00 am servicein the choir loft. These musicians depend on each other note by note to createbeautiful music. They will be playing familiar Christmas carols by various composers inthe parts of the service where the Chancel Choir usually sings. If you have neverattended a rehearsal of either of these groups, you are welcome to attend and seewhat we do. You may find yourself having such a good time that you decide to join

up! January 4th is the first rehearsal of the year. Contact Suzanne Morrison or me ifyou are interested so we can prepare a place and a folder for you.

The Carols and Candles service at 5:30 pm doesn't change much, which createstradition that everyone comes to love. Prior to the service, Amy Bishop and I will beplaying organ/piano duets for your meditation and preparation for worship. TheChancel Choir will be singing with instrumentalists on the hymns. Soloists Ann Nermoe,Tom Haughney, and myself will sing new and old selections. At the end of this service,it is always a special time to sing more carols by candlelight out in our drivewaygathered as a church. The weather should be excellent. Alan Dyer will giveinstructions about our new plan for the end of the service so that exiting will be easier.Be sure to read your bulletin for more information. Over the past year or so, somemembers of the staff have met regularly for worship planning that usuallyencompasses décor of the sanctuary, themes in the liturgy, and choices of music andscripture. We hope that you are seeing the fruit of this work in our worship services. Itbecomes a Bible study at times with interesting discussion and creative thinking.

The 10:00 pm Communion service will be preceded by Music for Meditation byStephenie Powell, Violin; Brooke Zell, Viola; Nola Cox, Bassoon, and Rhonda Hambright,Harpsichord. We will play from 9:40 until the start of this quiet service if you would liketo come early and prepare for worship and communion.

On December 31, Emri Comer will play the organ while Amy is out for some well-deserved vacation. We will observe Epiphany on this Sunday. Tom Haughney, BudLongley, and Frank Lea will be our "three" kings singing, We Three Kings of Orient Are.

I have to keep remembering that this is just the beginning of the liturgical year(December 3) and not the end! Blessings to all for a Christmas filled with wonder andjoy and for a New Year of praise and thanksgiving.

Love, Peace, Joy, Hope, and Gratitude,Rhonda