February 23, 2024

Friends,

Greetings. Here are several upcoming events in the life of the church, in addition to the announcements below.

Richard Norris and Mark McCain are attending and participating in a Friday Night and Saturday Workshop at the Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC with representatives from each of the 5 South Carolina presbyteries. The purpose of the gathering is to share important information about the mission and work of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and to share strategies on how the various leaders and committees of each presbytery can support and facilitate the mission and work of our member churches.

While Richard and Mark find themselves in Columbia, Hugh Gouldthorpe will represent our Session Council and Sea Island at the Winter Stated Meeting of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery when it convenes Saturday morning on the campus of the Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island. May the Lord continue to bless the ministry of our presbytery and her nearly 50 member churches.

An Inquirer’s Class for folks considering church membership and those who would enjoy a “refreshers course” is scheduled for Sunday, February 25, 11:45, in Room 208. Will Donovan, Elder and Steve Keeler, Pastor will be leading the group in an overview of our history, major beliefs, polity (how we are organized and do our work and mission), and how Sea Island fits into the overall scheme within the global Body of Christ.

Children of the Church along with our Mid Hi Youth will meet on campus Sunday afternoon, 5:00 to 6:30, for a community meal, Bible study, music, art, dance & drama, and recreation. Our Senior High Youth are returning from a weekend retreat at the Bethelwoods Conference Center, York, SC where our young people joined with other youth from around the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery.

The Lenten Study around “The Hope of Easter” had a great start last Wednesday with a delicious supper provided by the Kirk Night Kitchen Crew (it really was good!) followed by small groups meeting in the Christian education wing. We gather again this Wednesday, February 28, with supper in the Fellowship Hall (because of inflation, the cost for supper is $10 per adult, $5 per child under 12 with a cap of $30 per family) and then small groups meeting after supper ending at 7:00 pm. The Kirk Choir rehearses immediately after in the Choir Room.

The Facilities and Grounds Committee is planning a workday on March 9 and all who have time to help are welcome and very much appreciated. A congregation email will be coming your way in the near future outlining the specific projects where volunteers can utilize their skills and talents. POC: Asher Howell, Elder, 843.810.3447, asher@newkirkenc.com.

Finally, the church office has received word that former member Connie (Warren) Grover, Florence, SC and former resident of Dataw Island, entered the Church Triumphant last week. As we thank God for the life of Connie and honor memories of the past, the Psalmist puts life and the future into perspective, “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”

In closing, as we continue to make our way through the 40 days of Lent, may we keep our ears and hearts open to what Christ says to each of us as he challenges us to pick up our cross and follow him. Sunday morning in our worship services we will hear more about the cross of which Jesus spoke and what picking up our cross means for us who live in the 21st century. Peace and Grace. +

Announcements

Pastoral Care

Lucy Evans (Helena Square); Marion Weihrouch (Sprenger Health Care); Maribeth Mizell (Assisted Living, Ridgeland)

Prayers of Intercession

Ralph Beaver, Jo Beaver, Colleen Bible, Peggy Burttram, Aubrey Cochran, Bruce Crook, Kevin Cuppia, Bradi Dinkins, Chick Dykeman, Margaret Gibson, Jennylin Green (sister of Shirley Yoakum), Loie Hanscom, Brian Haupt, Edna Horne, Paddy Keitt, Steve Kessel, Mary Jo Kjeldsen, Buddy McElveen, Janell McClure, Mike O’Connor, Liz Partridge, Pete Pratt, Jim Schlagel, Mary Spruill, Shirley Stevens, Melanie Tanner, Heather Titmus, Michael Ware, and Gail Watson.

Witness to the Resurrection

Ron (Linda) Bridges, a friend of our congregation, entered the Church Triumphant on February 16, 2024. A Memorial Service in loving memory of Ron will be conducted at 11 o’clock tomorrow in the Sanctuary followed by a 12 Noon Committal Service at the National Cemetery. “Blessed are they who live and die in the Lord for they will find rest from their labors and their works shall follow them.” (The Book of Revelation)

Bob (Barbara) DeBartolo, Palm Coast, FL a former member of Sea Island, entered the Church Triumphant on January 13, 2024. A Memorial Service in
loving memory of “Bob” will be conducted 12 Noon, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the All Faiths Chapel, Fripp Island, SC. And Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (The Gospel of John)

Sandi Patty, a fellow pilgrim of faith, who traveled with our church group last year when we sojourned to Scotland, entered the Church Triumphant on February 20, 2024. “O Lord, you have saved my soul from death and my feet from falling that I may walk before you in the land of the living. (The Psalms)

A Word of Gratitude for our many Volunteers

From our Sunday morning greeters and ushers, to our small group leaders, youth and children advisors, the Kirk Night kitchen crew, committee members, the after school tutors, in addition to those who tackle so many of the projects on and around our church campus, Sea Island would not be Sea Island without you. +