February 19, 2020
Last night, as part of their February session meeting, the elders took a tour of the construction zone encompassing our sanctuary and Ashantilly Wing spaces. We are grateful to our contractor, RH Tyson, who made special arrangements to have the site clean and safe for us to walk through. It was an “eye opening” experience for the elders to see the transformation underway behind the construction fence that we have all become so acquainted with. New walls have replaced old ones, transepts are wider and higher than before, spaces that were once outside now have a roof over them. 

Unfortunately, at this stage in the construction, it is not possible or safe for us to take the whole congregation on a tour of the active site. That said, please know that the building committee is working with the contractor to identify a Sunday morning (hopefully in late-spring or early summer) when we can have the space available for everyone to see. Those details will be communicated as they are available. In the meantime, be sure to check out the back hallway this Sunday where large photos of the construction zone will be on display. You can also read current and past “Renovation Updates” that document the progress of the project by clicking here

We are now about 4.5 months into a planned twelve-month project. The building committee and those working with them are meeting on a near weekly basis. Our architectural and construction teams report that at present we are still on schedule. The total cost for the project currently stands at $4.5 million. To-date the capital campaign has raised approximately $4 million in pledged and unpledged gifts. That means we still have about $500,000 to go. If you have questions or interest in helping us “cross the finish line” and reach our goal, please contact me ( alan@sspres.org ) or Jack Hartman ( blackjackssi@yahoo.com ), chair of the “Heart and Soul Capital Campaign”. Thank you to all of those who have and will support this important effort to strengthen the future mission and ministry of our church. Your prayers, input, and financial support are making a difference. 

At the end of our time in the construction zone last night, after exploring by foot and asking lots of questions, we gathered as a group in the middle of the open sanctuary space to join hands and pray. We prayed for the safety of those working on the site each day, for the continuing ministry of our church in this time of renovation, and for all of the ministry that will unfold in decades to come as a result of this project. Please join me and the session in praying daily for God’s guidance and blessing upon this ongoing journey that we are all on together.

This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday . See you at church. Invite a friend. Casual is fine. 

Peace,
Alan

Breakfast at Halyards
Upcoming Events
Lenten Season
Worship This Sunday
Musical Notes

Transfiguration is the last Sunday in the liturgical year before Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. You will hear the last Alleluias of the season sung this Sunday. The Chancel Choir will be singing Haydn’s The Heavens Are Telling from The Creation.  What’s going to be special about this is that the artists performing on Tuesday evening will be singing the solo parts and the accompanist will be playing for this anthem. Our own Tom Haughney will join these singers as part of the trio.  

Tuesday evening, February 25 th , will bring opera to the stage of the Social Hall. Laetitia Ruccolo is the Artistic Director of Bare Opera Company in New York City. Her stable of singers perform in all different kinds of venues for many events and galas. “Bare” Opera is aptly named for its lack of sets or costuming. There may be a bit of staging, but opera scenes are done concert style for the most part. Audiences are invited to sing the chorus parts on occasion. This makes for a very intimate setting compared to grand opera on the stage. Suchan Kim, Baritone; Liana Guberman, Soprano; and I will come together to present duets, a trio, and solo arias from well known operas. Don’t miss the last concert of the February Festival 2020. Thank you to all of our supporters that make it possible for concerts of this caliber to happen and for our President Suzanne Morrison and very active board members for their hard work. If you are interested in a group that meets a couple of times, but mainly works in February, please contact us. There are many parts to Island Concert Association and maybe you are just the one to work with us to bring classical music to the island.  

Hymns for Sunday: 65 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah; 192 Shine, Jesus, Shine

Love & Gratitude, 
Rhonda 
Hymns for Sunday:
8:30 am Service Hymns:
  • Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining - 192
11:00 am Service Hymns:
  • Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah - 65
  • Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining - 192
The Weeks Ahead
Sunday, February 23rd
8:30 am  Chapel Service - Social Hall
9:00 am  Coffee Hour & Breakfast - Britt Room
9:30 am  Sunday School - Various Locations
11:00 am  Traditional Service - Social Hall
12:15 pm  Global Missions Meeting - Upper Room
5:00 pm Youth Ensemble - Music Attic
6:00 pm Youth Group - Youth Suite

Monday, February 24th
10:00 am Chancel Ensemble - Music Attic
4:30 pm  EPIC Book Club - Palm Coast
8:00pm  AA Meeting - Britt Room

Tuesday, February 25th
7:00 am  Chick-fil-A Youth Breakfast - Chick-fil-a
9:30 am  Staff Meeting - Upper Room
9:30 am  Yoga - Youth Suite
7:00 pm  Island Concert - Social Hall

Wednesday, February 26th
8:00 am Drive Thru Ashes - Grass Lot on Delegal
10:00 am  Bridge Club - Chapel
10:00 am  Men’s Bible Study - John Law
4:00 pm   KidZ Crew - Veranda
6:00 pm Youth Group - Youth Suite
5:00 pm   Lent Event Crafts - Youth Suite
6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall
6:45 pm   Ash Wednesday Service - Social Hall
7:00 pm   Chancel Choir - Music Attic

Thursday, February 27th
7:15 am Men’s Bible Study - Britt Room
10:00 am Ladies Bible Study (??????) - Upper Room
3:00 pm Ladies Video Bible Study - Chapel
4:00 pm  Yoga Class - Youth Suite
5:30 pm  ODD Book Study - John Law
8:00 pm  AA Meeting - Britt Room
8:00 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room

Friday, February 28th
No Activities Scheduled for this Day
Wed Supper Helpers
Christian Education
KidZ & Youth
Giving Opportunities

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