Volume 48 (2 week newsletter) July 13, 2017

Here in the dog days of summer things seem to get quieter and quieteraround church with each passing week. Most of our ministry teams - alongwith the Session and Diaconate - are taking a break from meeting thismonth. Our wonderful choir too is taking a rest from worship leadership for afew Sundays. Bob and Mary Ann Brearley are also enjoying a well-deservedrest while on vacation this week and next. All these things together are agood reminder that churches are like people - from time to time we all needto slow down, rest, and recharge our batteries.

So what is happening at church you might be wondering? As you will see inthe newsletter below, there are still plenty of good and worthwhile activitieshappening at SSPC over the next few weeks. In particular, we continue toenjoy Barbara Brown Taylor's book An Altar in the World as our guide inworship and Sunday School, which is happening each Sunday at 9A in theSocial Hall. Additionally, we have been enjoying the "Family Fun Nights" onWednesday evenings in the Social Hall - remember that these are for all agesand there is always plenty of food to go around!

Finally, even as these hot days drive us from one air conditioned activity toanother, I invite you to join in me in doing that one thing that we can eachdo anytime and anywhere: pray. Pray for the mission team in Honduras thisweek. Pray for your church. Pray for those who are sick and grieving. Pray forthose who are feeling lost and those who have found their way. Pray for thepoor and for the world. Soren Kierkegaard once wrote that "prayer does notchange God but it changes the one who prays." Regardless of where youare this summer or what you are doing (or not doing), I pray that when wesee each other again we will all be changed in some new way!

Peace,

Alan

Please pray for our

Honduras Mission TripHonduras Mission Tripto Montaña de Luz

On Wednesday, July 12, our group of 10 faithful servants arrived safely in themountains of Honduras to begin work as the hands and feet of Christ atMontaña de Luz. Please join us in praying for these individuals as they

encounter God and carry the message of Christ through their service. Theywill be returning on Wednesday, July 19.

Susan AshburnSusan Ashburn

Ami Bi shopAmi Bi shopCaroline BryanCaroline Bryan

Alan DyerAlan DyerTrip GoeldnerTrip Goeldner

Warren JansenWarren JansenMeg JohnsonMeg Johnson

Nat ScottNat ScottEli za WarnerEli za Warner

Jackson WarnerJackson Warner

Montaña de Luz Mission Statement:Montaña de Luz is a faith based organization creating a loving home for children inHonduras who are affected by HIV/AIDS. We give our children comprehensive care,including education, medical care, and emotional and spiritual support. As ourchildren grow toward adulthood, we strive to prepare them for life beyond Montañade Luz.More information about this organization can be found here.

WednesdayWednesdaynights nights in in July areJuly are

reserved for reserved for

FUN.FUN.During the month of July on

Wednesday nights we will enjoyfood, fun, and fellowship togetheras a church family. Each week the

church will provide the maincourse for the meal while participants are encouraged to bring a side dish

or dessert. With all the fun we have planned, you will not want to miss anight! EVERYONE is invited and welcome to attend!

July 19July 19 - Tacos & Human BingoThe more people we have the more fun we have!The more people we have the more fun we have!

July 26July 26 - Salad & Art Night

Social Hal l | 6 PMSocial Hal l | 6 PMQuestions? Contact Nat Scott, (nat@sspres.org).

Friday, July 21 | 7 PM | Coast Guard Station

All youth are invited to join us for another beach night! We have lovedgathering together to enjoy the summer nights on our beautiful coastline so

we are doing it again! Summers are a time to create memories that will last alifetime so be sure not to miss this time of fun and fellowship!

CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGSunday, July 23 | Following 10 AM worship

The Session has called for a brief congregational meeting for the purpose ofelecting this year's nominating committee next Sunday, July 23 following the10AM service. The names of those who have agreed to serve are FlemingMartin, Leslie McCracken, Stacy Wills, Richard Hathaway, Karen Summers,Daryl Rabert, and Judy Benjamin.

The Weeks AheadThe Weeks Ahead

Sunday, July 16Sunday, July 16 8:30 am - Morning PrayerMorning Prayer - Sanctuary 9:00 am - Breakfast/ Joint Sunday School - Social Hall10:00 am - WorshipWorship - Sanctuary 3:30 pm - Magnolia Manor Worship - Magnolia Manor

Monday, July 17Monday, July 17 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room

Tuesday, July 18Tuesday, July 18 2:00 pm - Marsh's Edge Coffee & Conversations - Marsh's Edge

Wednesday, July 19 /// Honduras Mission Trip ReturnsWednesday, July 19 /// Honduras Mission Trip Returns 6:00 pm - Family Fun Human Bingo Night - Social Hall

Thursday, July 20Thursday, July 20 7:15 am - Men's Breakfast Bible Study - Britt Room10:00 am - Instrumental Ensemble - Social Hall 4:00 pm - Free Flow Yoga - Youth Suite 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room

Friday, July 21Friday, July 2110:00 am - Book Discussion & Prayer - Jann's Office 7:00 pm - Youth Fellowship Beach Night - Coast Guard Station

Sunday, July 23 /// CROSS Youth Mission Trip DepartsSunday, July 23 /// CROSS Youth Mission Trip Departs 8:30 am - Morning Prayer - Sanctuary 9:00 am - Breakfast/ Joint Sunday School - Social Hall10:00 am - Worship - Sanctuary11:00 am - Congregational Meeting - Sanctuary

Monday, July 24 /// BRIDGE Week BeginsMonday, July 24 /// BRIDGE Week Begins 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room

Wednesday, July 26Wednesday, July 26 6:00 pm - Family Fun Art Night- Social Hall

Thursday, July 27Thursday, July 27 7:15 am - Men's Breakfast Bible Study - Britt Room10:00 am - Instrumental Ensemble - Social Hall 4:00 pm - Free Flow Yoga - Youth Suite 8:00 pm - Al-Anon Meeting - John Law Room 8:00 pm - AA Meeting - Britt Room

Friday, July 28Friday, July 2810:00 am - Book Discussion & Prayer - Jann's Office

Click for More Information About Upcoming Events

Prayers and ThanksgivingsPrayers and ThanksgivingsClick here for the Weekly Prayer & MeditationClick here for the Weekly Prayer & Meditation | | July 16July 16 // July 23July 23

Manna House Volunteers :Manna House Volunteers :

Thank you to all of the volunteers who joined together to cook and serve those inneed in our community this month! We were especially blessed to have a largenumber of watermelons generously donated to us by the Winn-Dixie at Lanier Plazain Brunswick. The manager, Ahmed, gave us enough watermelons to serve over150 people!

This month our volunteers were: Laura O'Callahan, Chris Pippart, Nora Sue & JerrySpencer, Jennifer Matheson, Martha Martin, Sally Miles, Elyn Butler, MarthaCollette, Spence Hartman, Jack Hartman, Kathy Cathey, Joanna & Al Adams, BainHead, Kate Head, Ava Von Kutzleben, Deborah Von Kutzleben, Brady Head, MorganPleg, Dana Aspinwall, Mike Aspinwall, Charlotte & Bill Lueckel, Rodger Schoneker,Joe Wills, Lynda Bisher, Dan Pentecost, & Bob Brearley.

Fun with puppets! Jesus Calms the Storm Frozen Tableau

Elevator ride! Let's put on a puppet show!

Making new friends! Washing feet before worship.

Lunchtime! Art time...painting rocks!

Riding a roller coaster! Wacky Fashion Show!

Wacky Fashion Show! Wacky Fashion Show!

Check the website soon for more photos!

Worship This Sunday (July 16)

Scripture: Genes is 18 :1-15Genes is 18 :1-15 || Matthew 25: 34-37Matthew 25: 34-37

Hymns: 757 - Today We All Are Called757 - Today We All Are Called

767 - Together We Serve767 - Together We Serve

Preacher: Rev. Jann BriscoeRev. Jann Briscoe

Worship Next Sunday (July 23)

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12Exodus 3:1-12 || Acts 9 :1-9 , 17-19Acts 9 :1-9 , 17-19

Hymns: 2 - Come, Thou Almighty King2 - Come, Thou Almighty King

724 - O Jesus , I Have Promised724 - O Jesus , I Have Promised

Preacher: Rev. Alan DyerRev. Alan Dyer

Summer Sermon Series: Summer Sermon Series: "An Altar In The World"

Throughout the summer, our pastors are leading asummer sermon series called, ""An Altar In TheAn Altar In TheWorldWorld."." Barbara Brown Taylor's book by the sametitle - An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith -is our guide as we explore how and where God isat work far beyond the four walls of the church. Thisbook will also guide our jointsummer Sunday School classes. If you would like toread the book along with us please feel free tobuy a copy online (click here)or pick up one of thecopies that are available to purchase in thechurch office.

Thi s Sunday:Thi s Sunday: Community - "The Practice of Encountering Others"Next Sunday:Next Sunday: Vocation - "The Practice of Living with Purpose"

Musical NotesMusical Notes

When we open our hymnals and sing together, we are creating a specialkind of community. Where else do you sing together as a group? Perhapsyou join in singing the National Anthem (please do) or God Bless Americaat baseball games or public events (It's really okay to do that! - I might havebeen the only singer at my son Ben's graduation from Marine Corps bootcamp!) Singing around the piano or making any music together createscommunity. We do it at our house frequently and I know others who do it aswell, but it is a rare thing in today's world.

Eric Whitacre, composer and conductor, has formed virtual choirs on theweb - his first, 185 singers from 12 different countries went viral as choralsingers everywhere were inspired by his composition, Lux Aurumque. Next,he conducted 2052 singers from 58 countries singing Sleep. Water Night wasnext with 4000 singers from 73 countries. His 4th "community" choir was a liveperformance of Cloudburst based on a poem by Octavio Paz with live

choirs on site joined by the virtual choir of 30 singers from 30 countries usingSkype. He has since composed and produced many other pieces throughtechnology. The following clip is his philosophy of choral singing.

Eric Whitacre - Choir: The Core of Who We Are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FpM3DQEjTw

He says nothing builds communities like choral singing. Breathing together,making a unified sound, becoming selfless, and producing something thatis beautiful is the goal of the choir community. You learn compassion,empathy, discipline, languages, history, focus - the things essential for yourwhole life. Just ask any of the choir members that you know. Or, better yet,join us when we begin rehearsals in late August.

Esther Maloof has been our Church Music Intern since August 2015. Thepowerful soprano voice of Esther that you have heard in our Chancel Choirand as soloist will be leaving us to attend graduate school at Georgia StateUniversity. Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church (on the Emory campus)has already hired her as a paid singer. She will be involved with the AtlantaOpera Company, as well. We will miss her kind, humorous spirit in theChancel Choir. She will be singing How Beautiful are the Feet from Messiah.Esther, Bud Longley, Tom Haughney, and I will also sing in a quartet. Hymnsfor this Sunday: 757 Today We All Are Called; (NEW) 767 Together We Serve.

The next topic in An Altar in the World is The Practice of Living with Purpose:Vocation. On July 23, I will sing words from Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8, adapted andcomposed by Mark Hayes. This piece, A Time for Everything, is a new takeon an old, familiar song - To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn) sung by The Byrds. Iknow people who have had many different vocations in life. This verse tellsus that there are seasons in life when our purpose changes. The Scripturecontinues after the words to the song: 9 9 What do workers gain from theirtoil? 10 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 11 He hasmade everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the humanheart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.12 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to dogood while they live. 13 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and findsatisfaction in all their toil-this is the gift of God.Hymns for July 23: 2 Come, Thou Almighty King; 724 O Jesus, I HavePromised

Blessings, Love, & Gratitude,

Rhonda