May 8, 2025

Worship & Music

“For the Beauty of the Earth” has always been such a great hymn to sing for Mother’s Day. The flowers are blooming, the weather is a little warmer, and school is almost done. These are all beautiful things, but pollen comes in and stuffs up noses and waters eyes and generally becomes a nuisance when it comes to our cars and outdoor furniture. I’m told that studies show that the pollen season is getting longer on average by several weeks compared to 50 years ago. It’s due to warmer temperatures and shifting weather patterns which mean plants release pollen earlier and for longer periods of time. Also, the number of bees matter as well. A decline in bee population could lead to a shift in plant communities, with wind-pollinated plants potentially gaining dominance over animal-pollinated species. Bees are important, but they can sting……. So, thinking about all of this, there is much good and also bad to go along with everything. My great grandmother always said, “You just have to take the bad with the good and be glad when you can get through a day when the bad outweighs the good.” Some members of the choir have been suffering the effects of a beautiful spring with coughing, sneezing, etc tamped down with cough drops and other medications. Yet they continue to deliver inspiration and joy to our worship services each week. Next week, the Chancel Choir will sing John Rutter’s “For the Beauty of the Earth”. As an introit, we will sing our hymn version of “For the Beauty of the Earth.” My favorite verse is “For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.” On this Sunday, our graduates will be recognized at the 10:30 service. The next Sunday, May 18, our confirmands will graduate. The choir begins the service with the hymn “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” and then they sing the anthem “For I Know the Plans I Have for You.”  


An Important Worship Note: Worship begins at 10:30 when the choir stands to sing. Please refrain from your conversations and turn your attention to the front of the sanctuary. All music is carefully selected to enhance our services. These notes and words are for you and for the Glory of God. Thank you.  


Love & Gratitude, 

Rhonda 

Happenings & Updates

KIDZ & YOUTH

This Sunday!

HAPPENINGS

New Library Display


The Library has new books available on the carousel inside the Library doors. The new topic is in conjunction with Frieda Warner’s Combined Sunday school class using the book “Vintage Saints and Sinners” as the impetus for adding books about the twenty five souls highlighted in Karen Marsh’s book of the same title.


Who's a saint? Who's a sinner? Who decides? Maybe you can decide, too. The books were originally displayed in the Gathering Place last month. They’ve been added to the Library data base and can be checked out now. Next to the carousel is a display board with images of the people reviewed and a quote by each. Start with some of the earliest Saints like St Benedict and work toward modern day personalities as Mother Teresa or work your way backward. There are 38 books to choose from.

SUMMER!

Sunday Worship

May 4, 2025

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Weeks Ahead

Sunday, May 11

8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary

9:00 am Confirmation Class - Youth Suite

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Location

10:30 am Late Worship - Sanctuary


Monday, May 12

10:00 am Worship and Music - Upper Room

3:00 pm Salvation Army Cooking - Kitchen

6:00 pm Officer Training - Upper Room

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law


Tuesday, May 13

7:00 am Youth Devotions - Chick-Fil-A SSI

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

10:00 am PW Morning Glories - Upper Room

12:00 pm PW Lunch Bunch - Upper Room

4:00 pm Session Meeting - Upper Room

4:00 pm PW Ladies of the Night - John Law

8:00 pm Codependents Anon - John Law


Wednesday, May 14

9:00 am Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic

10:00 am Men's Bible Study - Upper Room

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

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary


Thursday, May 15

10:00 am Womens Bible Study - Upper Room

5:30 pm ODD Book Group - John Law


Friday, May 16

No Activities Planned for This Day

Joys & Concerns


Joys!


  • Congrats to Braydon Neill for his essay that earned the Brunswick Exchange Club Award as one of its three Students of the Year!
  • Welcome to our new Youth Director, Alyssa Lee!


Sorrows


  • Death of Millard Allen (Passed away on April 28)
  • Melissa Lee (Passed away on April 27; former member; daughter of Rev. Grady Allison)
  • Death of Ricky Powers (husband of Barbara; Passed away April 17. A memorial service will be held in the sanctuary on June 2 at 11 am)
  • Death of Kathie Pasersky (aunt of Ashley Biletzkov, Passed away April 19)
  • Jo Lee Johnson (sister of Jim Johnson)


Members


  • Eric Andreae
  • Jann Briscoe
  • Donna Chisholm 
  • Marcia Dobbin
  • Harlan Hambright
  • Jack Hartman
  • Linda Johnston
  • Mary Lewis
  • Bud Longley
  • Mary (Bunnie) Lynn
  • Frances McCrary
  • Jan Rossiter
  • Betty-Lou Schoneker
  • Page Shelton
  • Lisa Silva  


Family & Friends


  • Evan Beard
  • John Bliven
  • Vicki Hill
  • Betty Jane Hunt
  • Mari
  • Judy Meister
  • Mercedes O’Brien
  • Vic & Bette Petralia
  • Hanna Ryberg
  • Gerry Webb  
  • Those who are grieving
  • Those who are homeless


Long-Term Care


  • Mother of Chris Busby
  • Caroline Plyler
  • Scott Smith

Community Events

Communications

THROUGH TEXTS

NEWSLETTER SIGNUPS

Giving & More

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