SPRING HILL MESSENGER - October 2021
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SPRING HILL
MESSENGER
October
2021
“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.”
-1 Corinthians 4:1
Dear Spring Hill Presbyterian Church Family,
As we move into October, our church family begins to lean into the annual stewardship season. Although
you’ve been hearing from our Stewardship Committee all year long through their monthly Moments of Gratitude,
now is the time that we take a more focused view toward our commitments to the church for the coming year.
Time & Talent forms and Pledge Cards have been mailed to every household in the church, our Songs of
Gratitude program will occur on October 3 at 9:00 AM, and October 17 will be Dedication Sunday. There is
a great deal of communication going on this month around our stewardship emphasis, but I hope that one thing
remains clear for all of us—stewardship is ultimately not about fundraising. While we seek to be particular and
direct with the dollar amounts that we pledge, the reason that we give to the church is not to pay for our wonderful
staff, fund our deeply authentic worship, support our transformative mission, or keep up our beautiful buildings.
Certainly, SHPC does need financial support to continue all these important parts of our life. And we are so
thankful for your generosity and support throughout this trying year. However, unlike other organizations that are
reaching out with fundraising appeals, the reason that we give to the church is not because of what the church
does. No, in the deepest sense, the reason we give is because of who God is. We affirm that God is abundantly
loving, that God gives us the gift of life and creates us in God’s own image, that God reached down into creation
to save, redeem, and reconcile us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of who God is
and what God has done for us, we are called to respond with radical generosity. First and foremost, Christian stew-
ardship is our faithful, prayerful, and sacrificial response to our Creator. It is a real, tangible action in our lives that
embodies our commitment to God and affirms that God is ultimately in control (and we are not). As we contem-
plate what the appropriate gift might be to our stewardship invitation, I invite you to remember the words of a wise
friend of mine who once said, “When I try to decide how much to pledge, I think about how much it would take to
cause a real sacrifice in my way of life. Then I know that I am responding to Christ’s sacrifice to me in a real way
that I will remember all year long.”
Friends, I hope that you will journey into the deep waters of wonder this year as you prayerfully consider
how God might be calling you to be “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” in your giving
and in your living.
Grace and Peace,
Prayer List
Rusty Andrews, George Barton, Norma Baymiller, Kaye Bradshaw, Chandler Bramlett, Sherry Coats, Matthew Coleman, Edith Cox,
Pat Edington, Amy Britton Foshee, Jackie Martin Haskew, Lauren Henson, John Langus, Celia Ledbetter, Kay Korb, Donna
Massa, Claude McLaughlin, Sue McLean, Marilyn Michel, Margaret Miller, Betty Minto, Bill Rawson, Cort Schlichting, William
Shreve, Gladys Sheets, Janie Sims, Pat Stoll, Gayle Underwood, Nicholas Vrakelos, Babs Warren, Helen Wells and all our military
members: Haley Harrell, Susanna Hedrick, Ashton Rubio, Stuart Rubio; The children in our Big Brother/Big Sister program: Eddie,
Krystyn, Maylasia, & Milaishia
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Dear Friends,
This fall our youth are getting “Back to the Basics” studying the essential pieces of our faith and their lives.
This past Sunday our youth talked about priorities and juggling. We are always juggling in our lives—are we doing
too much or not enough? How do we know when we need to take a step back to examine our routines? For some
families, returning to old routines has been overwhelming. What we once did does not always seem to work in this
pandemic world. In a culture that often stresses that everything that we do is important and should be done perfect-
ly, it is difficult at times to know what tasks just need to be completed and what requires Herculean effort. My fa-
vorite t-shirt as a middle schooler said, “Life is Simple: Eat, Sleep, Swim.” As much as I wish that life was that
simple today, examining what our core values are can give us vision for the work we are called to do. If you had to
distill your priorities or values down to just three, what would they be?
Jesus was often pulled in many directions. He was a busy guy traveling to teach, heal, speak with the mar-
ginalized and forgotten, calm storms, and share in meals. Yet, repeatedly in Scripture Jesus goes off alone or with
his disciples to deserted places to rest and pray. Jesus takes a step back to get some perspective on his ministry and
connect with God, himself, and his disciples. Rest allows Jesus to see what is truly important in life and work.
When asked to distill the commandments down to the greatest commandment, Jesus gives us his core values: to
love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
One of our wise youth, shared that when she feels pressured to do something, she says no. What gives her
life balance and peace, she stated was doing what she felt called to do. The outside world can be full of pressure,
and in terms of values, listening internally often yields better results than external pressures. As Samford Turner,
our former Presbytery Exec used to say, “No is as holy of an answer as yes.”
Unfortunately, there are just going to be things that we have to do—even when we don’t want to. There are
clothes to wash, dishes to clean, deadlines to meet. How do we do what we must without burning ourselves out or
only living life jumping from crisis to crisis? Recently I saw a Facebook post that lifted-up the value of doing
things imperfectly. Doing what you can, when you can. Just because you don’t have time to do an hour-long
workout does not mean you should not go outside for a five minute walk. Just because you don’t have time to floss
and brush your teeth for ten minutes does not mean two minutes does not help. I think about this concept a lot in
terms of juggling. I wonder if the priest and Levite passed by the injured man on the road to Jericho because they
felt like if they could not attend to him perfectly, it was not worth stopping at all. At times, it can feel like we don’t
have time to bake a casserole for a sick friend or have a conversation with a lonely neighbor. Yet, as Mother There-
sa said, “none of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Your offering does not have
to be perfect or all encompassing for God to love it; “there are cracks in everything and that is how light gets in.”
When things begin feeling stressful or overwhelming, it is helpful to remember to slow down, stop, remember what
roots and grounds me, and trust that God can use the imperfect, broken pieces to create something new.
Grace and Peace,
Save the Date! Trunk or Treat, Thursday, Oct. 21 5:30-6:30 pm Do you love Halloween?
Passing out candy, dressing up, and seeing kids in costume? Then join us for our 6th Annual
Trunk or Treat. We are in need of people to host a trunk—which means passing out candy and
decorating your car trunk. Masks will most likely be required, since there will be a crowd. We al-
so need lots of candy. Interested? See the sign-up sheet near Anna’s office!
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Adult Sunday School Classes for October
Bible Discovery Class -Meets in the Conference Room
Theme: The Spiritual Practice of Community
Oct. 10 – The Church as One Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)
Oct. 17 – The Church as a Discerning Body (Matthew 16:13-19)
Oct. 24 – The Need for Spiritual Renewal (Revelation 3:1-6, 14-20)
Oct. 31 – Covenant Renewal (Deuteronomy 29:10-29)
Current Issues – Meets in Fellowship Hall
Theme: Creation Care and Chapter 1 of Book Study
Oct. 10 – Creation Care III, Sustainable Energy (Daniel Tait, COO Energy Ala-
bama)
Oct. 17 – Creation Care IV, Environmental Justice (Rev. Michael Malcom, The
People’s Justice Council and Alabama Interfaith Power and Light)
Oct. 24 – Creation Care V, SHPC in Action for God’s Creation? (Judy Stout)
Oct., 31 – What’s So Amazing About Grace? – Book and DVD, Chapter 1 (Dale Hair)
Alphabet Generations (X, Y, and Millennials Too) Coffee and Conversations
(During Sunday School)
10/3- Songs of Gratitude- Church wide
10/10- Booktalks/ Podtalks- During this time we will share our hits and misses with books and podcasts. Please
bring your suggestions as we talk about what books and podcasts have excited us over the past year, guilty pleas-
ures and all! Led by Amy Patterson.
10/16- Worship 101 with families
10/24- Your Kids' Friends- We will discuss how to support and protect our own children and families as we nav-
igate their relationships and family boundaries. Led by Stephanie Jacobs
10/31- Open- maybe a Halloween special
Alphabet Generations (X, Y, and Millennials Too) Bible Study
PURPOSE: To gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, support one another, and have time for Fellowship.
WHERE: Outside the Sanctuary (bring a chair); Rain Plan: Upstairs in the Bullard Building in the Middle
School Youth Room (back, right room)
WHEN: Oct. 3 Called to Go: Paul’s First Missionary Journey
Oct. 24: Called to Suffer: Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
WHAT: This Fall join us as we study “The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul,” which our children will be
learning about in BLAST.
JOIN US: We hope that anyone in their 20s, 30s, and 40s will join us for this time for Bible Study, conversa-
tion, and fellowship!
Celebrate Wonder with the Youth Singers
All young people in grades 6-12 are invited to join in singing with the Youth Singers, beginning now! Led by
Randy Sheets, we will rehearse on selected Sundays at 4:00 in preparation for performing in worship. To
join, contact Randy Sheets at the church by phone or at rsheets@shpc.us or simply show up for rehearsal
on Oct. 3.
Rehearsal Schedule (Sundays at 4:00 outside the choir room): Oct. 3, Oct 10 (following the Blessing of the
Animals Vesper Service), Oct. 24, Nov. 7, Nov. 28, Dec. 5. Singing in morning worship: Nov. 7, Dec. 12.
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Statement as of August 31, 2021
We Rejoice with Lewis and
Barkley Shreve on the birth of
their granddaughter, Ruther-
Total Annual Budgeted Rev- $ 825,987 ford Elizabeth Cain (Ruthie) on
September 13, 2021, in Atlanta
Year-to-date Received $ 512,642 Ga. The parents are Cory and
Other Receipts $ 27,460 Mary Alice Cain.
Total Receipts $ 540,102 Tuesday, October 12, Montreat Women’s Connec-
tion Interest Meeting at 7:00 pm: Montreat’s
Benevolences $ 34,790 Women’s Connection will be Aug. 12-14, 2022,
Salaries and Services $ 316,899 and we are hoping to have a group go! Inter-
Programs $ 18,675 ested in this fun and faith building oppor-
tunity? Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7:00
Office Expenses $ 13,437 pm on Barkley Shreve’s back porch to hear
General and Plant Services $ 129,743 about it a little more (118 Myrtlewood Lane).
Other $ 22,358
Total Expenses $ 535,902
Excess Receipts over Religious Arts - Creches
(under )Expenses $ 4,200
Once again, our Religious Arts Committee is sponsoring a
display of nativity scenes in the library during the Advent
season. If you have one that you would like to share with
Memorials the congregation, please contact Elisa Baldwin
(ebaldwin@southalabama.edu or 251-342-1507) to sched-
Dick Coats Laura Kuhn ule drop-off and pick-up dates in November and Decem-
ber.
Nancy Sims
Art in the Library
Artwork by Margaret Miller is currently on display in the
Ruth Fitzgearld
church library until the end of October. Margaret retired
Bonney Irwin from the University of South Alabama where she was a
Dalen Livingston professor specializing in botany. She joined SHPC Paint-
Lloyd & Karen Kelsoe ing Pals several years ago and has been a regular partici-
pant. She enjoys painting plants, animals, and anything
outdoors.
Painting Pals meets every Tuesday morning (9:30 -11:00
am) upstairs in the Bullard Building. All are welcome. For
more information, contact Bonney Irwin
The sympathy and prayers of the congrega- (bonneyi@bellsouth.net or 251-680-2060).
tion go to Bobby and Sue McNeely on the
death of their grandson-in-law, Ronald Harri-
son in Selma AL on August 29, 2021, to ACCORDING TO THE CDC GUIDELINES
Babs Eleazer on the death of her sister, Patri- MASKS ARE NOW REQUIRED IN ALL
cia Wingard Boyer, on September 7 in Char- BUILDINGS AT SHPC ,
lotte NC, to the family of Laura Kuhn upon UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
her death on September 9, 2021 and to For more information please visit our website,
Frank Dagley on the death of his sister, Betty www.shpc.us or call the church office,
Rae Dagley, on September 26 in Sumpter, 251-342-1550.
SC.
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Songs of Gratitude
We invite you to attend a very special cele-
bration, “Songs of Gratitude” on Sunday,
October 3 at 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary. As we launch into our fall
stewardship season, we will be joining together as a church family
for a time of grateful reflection full of mission and music. We will
hear representatives from our local mission partners as they re-
flect on the ways that our sacrificial giving as a church family is
making real transformational change in the lives of some of the
most vulnerable in our local community and state. We will also be
joining together in song as well as delighting in some very special
music led by musicians in our congregation. Join us as we cele-
brate and reflect on the many things in which we have to be grate-
ful.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS’
VESPERS SERVICE: SUNDAY,
OCTOBER 10 at 5:00 PM.
We will have a very special outdoor vespers service including
a "Blessing of the Animals." Pets are invited so long as their
owners remember to bring a leash (or oth-
er means of containment). Don't forget a
chair or blanket for sitting outside. Every-
one is invited to attend, whether you bring
a pet with our not.
5
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Youth Ministry Opportunities
Youth Group will meet from 11:30-1:00 pm. (meet at 11:30 to grab lunch in the Fellowship Hall then
go outside) on Oct. 17 and Oct. 31. Our youth will get Back to the Basics talking about priorities and juggling.
Sign-Up for Remind: We want you to stay connected with Youth Ministry at SHPC! To subscribe to our Re-
mind and receive weekly text messages, send a text to: 81010 and text this message: @springhill.
Youth Sunday School is for youth grades 6-12 and is at 9:00 am. They meet for the first 15
minutes with Allison and Sarah Katherine to study Scripture, then help lead service projects with our children. In
October, they will be packing bags for Backpack for Kids, cleaning up the Memorial Garden, creating cards and
placemats, and helping the kids prepare for Children’s Sunday.
Confirmation kicked off on Sept. 12 with seven 7 th
and 8th graders. This October they will be study-
ing our Confessions, Jesus, Presbyterian polity, worship, and Presbyterian history. Be sure to ask them what they
are learning!
October 3, Montreat Youth Conference Interest Meeting: Join us for
a Montreat interest meeting for both the middle and high school Montreat trips in the Fellowship Hall on Octo-
ber 3 following worship . Middle School Montreat is for youth who are currently in 5-8th grades and will be July
20-24. Montreat High School is for youth who are currently in 8th-12th grades and will be June 4-11.
October 15: 7-11 Middle School Event: Middle Schoolers are invited to join us for
a fun event from 7-11 pm Friday, Oct. 15 with Government Street Presbyterian middle schoolers. Activities will
depend on the levels of COVID in our community, BUT, it will be fun no matter what! Sign-up here: https://
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS1G_Oq-5fOJy_eTEqkvXovFBGzS2A-hCg8ftKaHiPD2Ldjw/
viewform?usp=sf_link
November 6: 7-11 High School Event: High Schoolers are invited to join us for a
fun event from 7-11 pm Saturday, Nov. 6. Activities will depend on the levels of COVID in our community
BUT, will be fun! Sign-up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/
e/1FAIpQLScwPzIdn3mlZTrYcpSQlWarQvIJOBm5EftkoiZNgKLxqnIrJg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Children’s Ministry Opportunities
October 17 at 9:00 am Worship 101 for Kids (and their Parents): Join us for Worship
101 for Kids that is geared not just for second grade and older, but has a emphasis on non-readers as well. We
hope to give your children skills so that they understand and grow in their love of worship. This class is not just
for children but the parents too! We will gather outside Oct. 17 at 9:00 am, but will move inside the Sanctuary as
well (so bring a mask). Let us know you are coming by emailing Anna at anna@shpc.us
KidsLead is for children 3K to 5th grade at 9:00 am outside the Sanctuary. During this hour,
our kids will learn a guiding Scripture then engage in Mission Projects. In October, they will
be packing bags for Backpack for Kids, cleaning up the Memorial Garden, creating cards and placemats, and pre-
paring for Children’s Sunday.
BLAST and Youth Group will meet from 11:30-1:00 pm Oct. 17 & 31 with lunch provided. Meet after church
in the Fellowship Hall to grab lunch then eat outside in front of the Sanctuary. We will begin learning about Paul’s
call story through music, story, craft, and games!
Save the Date: Nov. 14, Children’s Sunday: Calling all children ages 3-5th grade! We
want your help leading worship, Nov. 14. If you are able and willing to read Scripture, lead a prayer, and share
your gifts email Anna at anna@shpc.us. We will be working on the parts of worship during KidsLead Sunday
mornings at 9:00 on Oct. 31, Nov. 7, and have a dress rehearsal Nov. 14.
7October 2021
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2
**Pledge cards and Time and Talent forms have
AA
been distributed, please fill one out and turn in
to the office.
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Sunday School-
Songs of Gratitude MSC MSC PWCT AA AA
Worship-
Communion Outreach Painting Pals Word of the
Children & Youth
choirs Committee Week
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Sunday School Office MSC PW Circles AA Youth Retreat AA
Worship Closed Middle School
Vespers Painting Pals Word of the Yeoman
Youth Choir Columbus Workday
Day Week
17 Sunday School 18 19 20 21 22 23
Worship
Dedication MSC MSC Word of the TRUNK OR MBA-Fall Festival AA
Sunday Session Week TREAT
BLAST & Diaconate 5:30– 6:30
Youth Group
Painting Pals AA
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Sunday School Office closed
Worship MSC Staff Planning Word of the AA AA
Children & Youth Retreat Week
Choirs Spiritual Writing
Painting Pals Group
31
Sunday School’s are at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School Worship is at 10:30
Worship Children's and Youth Choir is at 4:00 p.m.
BLAST & Blast & Youth group is at 11:30
Youth Group
MSC– Mobile’s Singing Children
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