May 18, 2024

Friends in Christ,

Greetings. This coming Sunday we will celebrate the new liturgical season of Pentecost and the presence of the Holy Spirit among us. It was Emil Brunner the Reformed theologian of the 20th Century who said that when we say “Holy Spirit” we mean that mode of God’s being by which He is present within us and operates in our spirit and heart.

There are several additional items to keep in mind as we head into Sunday, First, members of the 2024 Confirmation/Catechism Class will be introduced to the congregation at the 10:30 worship service. The Affirmation of Faith following the sermon was written by our Confirmands and it was interesting to watch and listen to them as they developed this theological formula.

Second, volunteers will be available in the Narthex to take individual and family snapshots after both worship services. Our new pictorial directory will be on our church website and you will be able to access the directory with a password.

Third, our Senior High Youth are providing Sausage Biscuits in the Gathering Room Sunday morning as a fundraiser to help them make their annual journey to the Montreat Youth Conference, NC in July. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

You will find  in the bulletin inserts for Sunday several announcements regarding children and youth camps and conferences for the summer. We have scheduled a Camp-in-a-Van Vacation Bible School with the staff from the Bethelwoods Camp & Conference Center in York, SC, which we have done before. VBS will be on our church campus July 29 thru August 2, 9 am to 2 pm and is open to children K thru 5th grade. Registration deadline is May 30. POC: Kay Keeler at 843.812.4207 or kaykeeler52@gmail.com.

Sea Island, in relationship with the local chapter of Habitat For Humanity, is one of the church sponsors for the construction of a new home for the Kerri Lewis Family. We are invited to the House Dedication on Wednesday, May 22, 3:00 pm, 3006 Walnut Street, Beaufort. Come and see what local congregations can do when we work together.

Sea Island is hosting two Baccalaureate Services this month. Seniors and their respective families from Beaufort Academy will gather in our Sanctuary on Thursday, May 23, at 4:00 pm. Seniors and their respective families from Beaufort High School will gather in our Sanctuary on Wednesday, May 29, 6:00 pm. “I know the plans I have for you,” the Lord said, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

In closing, may we as a community of faith continue to pray for family, friends, and neighbors; for our community, church, and world; and the peace, healing, and hope for all. In Christ. Amen. +