December 29, 2023

Friends,

Greetings. The Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service last Sunday was heart-warming and inspiring as we shared together in the order of worship, were blessed by our children ringing their Christmas Bells and our Kirk Choir offering the anthem of “Light of the World,” filled with the love of Christ as we broke bread and shared the cup, witnessed and participated as a  family of faith in the sacrament of three baptisms, lit and lifted candles against the darkness as we sang,  “Silent Night! Holy Night!,” and then wished each other a Merry Christmas!

As we prepare for the weekend, the liturgical calendar begins to accelerate. This Sunday, December 31, we will come together for one worship service at 10:30 am as we celebrate the 1st Sunday of Christmas. Six days later on Saturday the church calendar marks the Epiphany of the Lord. This day brings to our attention the coming of the gift-bearing Magi to see the Christ-Child, which is quite significant because it marks the Gentile recognition of the “anointed one,” the Messiah.

On Sunday, January 7, we will return to two worship services at 8:30 and 10:30 am as the Scripture readings and worship services within the global body of Christ will be developed around the “Baptism of the Lord.” In the time frame of twelve days, we will have celebrated the birth of Christ, the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, and then suddenly his baptism. Each of these milestones impacts who we are in Christ and how we worship on Sunday mornings.

Looking to the month of January 2024, the annual Women’s Retreat is scheduled for January 12-14 with “Growing in the Spirit” serving as the theme for the weekend. Cost for the retreat is $100. Scholarships are available in amounts of $25, $50, $75, and $100. The plan is to gather on Fripp Island (address will be provided next week) around 5:00 pm on Friday, January 12, with the retreat coming to an end on Sunday, January 14, around 11:00 am. POC Kay Keeler at 843-812-4206 or Jodie Linn at (843) 476-1176.  Sign up sheets are available in the Narthex and in the Office Reception Area. If you are one of our women of the church, we look forward to having YOU!

For your information, initial planning is already underway for the annual Men’s Retreat, the summer camps for children at the Bethelwoods Conference Center in York, SC, the Montreat (NC) Worship & Music Conference, and the Montreat (NC) Youth Conference. Discussion continues for a possible trip to the Abbey of Iona, Scotland some time this coming summer for young people who have successfully completed Confirmation/Catechism. The purpose of this proposed trip is for spiritual enrichment and the development of our young people to assume roles of leadership and responsibility in the life of the church in their years ahead. +

In closing, may we embrace the New Year of 2024 with a full measure of faith and hope, and may the peace of Christ reign in every corner of the world. Amen. +