Katie leads us in worship with scripture coming from Psalm 100. We will celebrate Back to School Blessings and Commitment Sunday. Join us for this special worship service followed by a celebration luncheon in Brown Hall.

by Randy Warner

As we think and pray about our capital campaign during August, the Prayer Team would like to offer these thoughts to possibly include in your own quiet time:

Have you ever done a Prayer Walk? Try it. You can do this prayerfully in your mind, at the church during the week with a friend, or at the church on Sunday morning. Start with a couple of deep breaths and thank God for the church; more specifically, the church building.  

• As you walk toward the building named, St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, notice how the sky, the sun, and the clouds snuggle up to the building. Remember how the look changes as the seasons change. Thank you God for creation, for the change of seasons, and for this place.  

• As you walk toward the door, let the architecture cause you to remember how the building has changed when needed. Thank you God for the presence of this church in this community. For what this place has meant for all who come, for all who came, for all who will come, and for me. It has been a blessing.  

• Slowly open the door, slowly move through the doorway, and take your time prayerfully remembering the reasons you’ve had to walk through those doors. Let all of the memories that you can move through your mind. Allow the feelings move through with the memories. Thank you God for this place and the many ways it has served the many seasons of our lives. May it continue to serve for years to come.   

• Walk in, pause in the hall, and chuckle about how big the building is and how easy it is to get lost in it—especially at first. Where in the building do you feel God’s presence most often?  As you walk to the Sanctuary, notice the smells, sounds, and sights around you. What’s your favorite space in the building? God, I am grateful for this place. It is one of the places I call, home.  

• As you sit in your pew is it where you usually sit? What is your favorite part of the Sanctuary? Remember your favorite times in that space. What makes them your favorite? Who was there? Awesome, always giving, God, thank you for this place. Show me what is mine to do within it, outside it, and for it. Amen.

From the Capital Campaign Prayer Team

by SACPC Staff & Capital Campaign Team

This Sunday we will offer Back to School Blessings and celebrate Commitment Sunday during our 10:00 am combined worship service in the Sanctuary. Come early to get a good seat!

Here's what to expect and how to participate:

Go & Serve is collecting snack donations for our local Title 1 schools. If you would like to bless this need bring your donations to church and place them on the table in the 15th St. Lobby. Items needed include: granola bars, fruit or applesauce cups, individually-packaged crackers, pudding cups, small water bottles, and/or juice pouches.

During worship, we will provide a special Back to School blessing for all students, teachers, and anyone who is a part of the education system. 

The capital campaign team invites everyone to spend time this week in prayer and gratitude while filling out the Joyfully Present & Prayerfully Connected commitment card you received in the mail last month. Seal your completed card in the envelope provided and bring it with you to church. We will turn them in as one Body of Christ during worship. If you need a new card, extras will be available in the Narthex before worship. See an usher for details.

Immediately following worship, everyone is invited to Brown Hall for a Celebration Luncheon. Come enjoy a delicious meal with your favorite church family as we celebrate all that God has done in our lives and through this congregation.

by Gary Smith

The week of August 10, Shelter Care, led by David Smith, built a ramp for an 85-year-old wheel-chair bound woman who will be living with her daughter on Park Avenue in Wilmington. Other participants in the two-day build were Bill Aman, Bill Landen, Scott Lund, Mike DeCocco, Rick Wheeler, John Bohbrink, David Massey, Jack Richardson, Jake Bron, and Gary Smith. Great job, gentlemen!

If you are interested in working with Shelter Care, contact Gary Smith at 724-992-9495.

by Jeffrey Denlinger

After accepting the invitation from Jen Phelps to chaperone, I glanced over the Charlotte Youth Mission Trip attendee list. I knew Max and Josie Harrington. I also noticed the name 'Mirabelle Donovan', and remembered her amazing art piece from Lent. I also recognized her brother, Finn, on the list, but wasn’t familiar with the other four names. My thoughts went back to Mirabelle. Our worlds were about as distant as could be, with her being quiet and artistic, and me being much older, no children, and finding it difficult to sign my name in cursive. There was solid apprehension, why me?

Fast forward to Thursday evening, our final night in Charlotte. After a cookout dinner, we attended a candlelit communion service along with the other groups attending CROSS that week. Communion was followed by a time of prayer that included unique prayer stations spread throughout the room. You/SACPC were prayed for… The evening wrapped up with time to sit down and talk about our week and affirm our teammates. My apprehension was finally gone and I realized the connections I developed with everyone on the team, especially Mirabelle.  She wrote ”your jokes were MAYBE a little funny, you made this trip very enjoyable. I liked our talks.”

So what happened in four days? I’m convinced one of the best ways to overcome differences is to work alongside someone. Each day of our mission, we left CROSS Campus for various ministry sites in and around Charlotte. We were led by a CROSS intern, Isabella, who was perfect for our group. A Florida State Senior, Isabella was serving for a second summer, and we were her last team. She worked alongside Jen, keeping the group centered in our work and led exercises to remind us where and how we saw God in our day.

Our days went like this:

MONDAY: Clothed with Care - Sorted clothes to be given away; completed an Urban Walk (and got introduced to hostile architecture); undertook a financial challenge at Harris Teeter to feed 4 for 4 days with $20 (rice and ramen)

TUESDAY: Met with folks at Hope Haven, a substance abuse recovery space and program; Experienced a Prayer Room at a local church; You/SACPC were prayed for again!

WEDNESDAY: Sorted and repacked food at the Bulb; sorted clothes and household items at Crisis Assistance

THURSDAY:  Bed’s for Kids - painting and cleaning furniture; painted shelves at Restore Used Bookstore - both activities in extreme heat.

At one point we talked about the importance of FINISHING STRONG. Our youth did just that on Thursday! SACPC should be proud of this team and its leader, Jen Phelps. Almost without exception they were kind, did not judge, and gave each job 100%. And I would be remiss not to mention they also had fun. Games were played between jobs and after meals. 10:30 p.m. ‘lights-out’ was not always obeyed. They loved game night and pizza on Wednesday. And both cars were rocking with songs and laughter as they rolled from job site to site.

The fun was balanced with faithfulness, beginning and ending each day with devotions. Isabella ensured everyone participated in the singing and dancing. (I worried about coming home injured from the dancing … try to explain that!) Silas may be quiet, but he had some of the best one-liners of the week. Brooklyn is a runner and great finisher. Elle is also a great finisher and owner of a scary stare, using it frequently to let me know my jokes were bad. Charlotte is amazingly nice, always helpful, and a great worker. No one had more energy than Max, or more kindness than Josie.  Finn asked some of the best questions, but everyone had to help him keep track of his belongings. Mirabelle definitely surprised me. She is not shy, but outspoken and aware, and her handwriting may be worse than mine.

I feel very fortunate to have been part of this team. This is one of the great benefits of our faith and our church. When the young and not-so-young work together, we are bound to see GOD.

by Earth Care Team

"God dresses grass in the field so beautifully..." [Matthew 6:30]

Native plants are critical to our local ecosystems and, by definition, are best suited to our little corner of God’s world. The U.S. Forest Service encourages native plant practices because they require less fertilizers, pesticides, and water, while also preventing erosion. Native plants also benefit wildlife by providing appropriate food and shelter.

While the Bible does not explicitly discuss native plants, restoring our properties through the use of native landscaping can become a spiritual practice that honors and glorifies God's original design for how all creation was meant to function and thrive.

As we approach the fall planting season, the Earth Care Team invites you to grab some friends and/or neighbors to participate in the 10th Annual Cape Fear Native Plant Festival!

10th Annual Cape Fear Native Plant Festival
SEP 17 - 21
Hosted by the Native Plant Alliance, Wednesday (9/17) - Friday (9/19) will feature a series of educational talks in the evening about sustainable landscaping. Saturday (9/20) is Native Plant Shopping Day, check the festival website for a list of participating vendors. Sunday (9/21) is the Native Plant Garden Tours. Tickets are required for the garden tours.

by Susan Dykes

Click the button below to see our Finance Committee's most current updates.

by Katie Harrington

On September 7, we will begin worshiping in Brown Hall and return to the following regular Sunday morning schedule:

9:00 am Contemporary worship
10:00 am Sunday School
11:00 am Traditional worship

The location change to Brown Hall is temporary and due to construction happening in the Sanctuary over the next 5 - 6 months. Although our worship location will change, all of the elements of a SACPC Sunday morning service will remain--faithful people, great music, preaching, prayers and sacraments. God will be present with us!

Additionally, because Brown Hall will become our temporary worship space Rally Day festivities will look different this year. Please know, our staff and ministry teams have been working hard to ensure a smooth transition and to prepare some fantastic fall programs.

by Matthew McDonald

Former worship leader Matthew McDonald has been working on something truly special—a Christian meditation app called Peace, designed to help believers slow down, breathe deeply, and draw closer to God through scripture-based guided meditations.

Now, Matthew is inviting the St. Andrews-Covenant family to be among the first to experience it.

The Peace app is preparing to launch its free beta testing phase, and you’re warmly invited to join the community. Whether you’ve practiced meditation before or are brand new to it, this is a beautiful opportunity to deepen your connection with God in a calm, prayerful space—anytime, anywhere.

To register, simply visit www.seekpeace.io and sign up to be part of the beta test. Your participation and feedback will help shape the future of Peace and bless countless others.

This is more than an app—it’s a movement. Let’s grow in stillness, reflection, and faith together.

Walking in the Word adult Sunday school class continues with its study of Acts during August, 9:00 am - 10:00 am every Sunday in Room 236. All are welcome!

The majority of our local public schools will start a new school year at the end of August. What better way to begin the school year than by being with your church community and receiving a special blessing to start the year off right! 

We invite all students, teachers, parents and grandparents to join us for a special Back to School Blessing on Sunday, August 24th at the 10:00 am combined worship service. It's also Commitment Sunday. We will celebrate with a lunch in Brown Hall following worship.

Join us for one joyful worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by a celebration luncheon in Brown Hall. Together, we’ll affirm our faith and shared calling to be Joyfully Present & Prayerfully Connected by turning in our 3-year commitment cards during worship and then celebrate all that God has done with a yummy meal in Brown Hall.

We are excited to continue our Football Ministry, this being our 7th season in a row supporting the New Hanover High School football team. This is an impactful men's ministry allowing us the opportunity to get to know the young men that live in our neighborhood and hopefully build relationships.  We provide the "Team Meal" on Thursdays for the entire season, starting September 4th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in Brown Hall. So, if you're looking for a ministry to get involved with, please join your fellow men. Please feel free to call me should you have any questions. Go Wildcats!

David Massey (910-617-8546)

Rally Day marks the return of our Sunday School classes to their normal schedules. We offer four different Bible studies every Sunday at 10:00 am and a Monday evening women's Zoom study at 5:00 pm.

Evans Feezor (RM 215) is a men's class using The Present Word Adult Bible Lessons. Contact Steve Miller (steve.miller@smithturf.com) for more information.

Walking in the Word (Rm 236) is a co-ed class studying the Book of Acts this fall. Contact Randy Barrow (randykbarrow@gmail.com) for more information.

Living Faith (Rm 214) is a co-ed class using lectionary lessons. Contact Sue McCaffray (smccaffray@sacpc.org) for more information.

Venture (Rm 240) is a co-ed class studying Proverbs 6 about six things the Lord hates. If you are curious, please join us! We have coffee and wonderful refreshments. Contact Kathy Benson (kathybenson@juno.com) for more information.

Stillpoint via Zoom on Mondays at 5:00 pm is women's book study seeking spiritual growth through contemplative study and reflection. Contact Lynn Kozik at clmkozik@gmail.com or Shelley Hobson at shelleyhobson@me.com for more information.

Come on down to the Lower Level on Sunday, September 7 to see all the fabulous new changes that have been made this summer! Our youth have officially relocated from The HUB to their new home in the Lower Level and our children's ministry areas have been updated as well. Come tour the spaces, get a new backpack tag, and see where your Sunday School classes will be!

Our new study, Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ, written by the Rev. Dr. Rhashell D. Hunter begins the week of September 8th.  ALL women are invited to join our New Testament scripture study on any day the circles meet; the second Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of each month, September through May at 10:00 a.m. Questions, contact Katherine Brandi.

Join us for a musical journey with the Appalachian State University Steely Pan Steel Band! This dynamic ensemble delivers an exhilarating mix of calypso, classical masterpieces, classic rock and roll and even some heartwarming Appalachian mountain music. These talented musicians will have you dancing in your seat and singing along. Don’t miss out on this unique celebration of sound!

Join our spirited Zoom group of Thursday Night Disciples as we ponder Philip Yancey's classic book. We meet on Thursdays, October. 2 - Nov. 6, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.  Each week we read a couple chapters from the participant's guide and view a video together as we discuss. Reading Yancey's original book is optional. Contact Dave Hoff to sign up and for more information. We'd love to have you!

Each one of us is created in the image of God. This means that there is a divine spark of the Holy Spirit within every one of us. The purpose of this retreat is to open our hearts to that spark, letting it shine and glow. Mark your calendars for our one-day fall Spiritual Life retreat on Saturday, October 25, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, at the beautiful Southport Presbyterian Church, led by our old friend Rev. Ann Jahnes.

Registration will be required, and details will follow shortly. Men and women of all ages welcome. See Sue McCaffray for details.

Experience an afternoon of musical brilliance with the Gentlemen’s Quartet (GQ), as they present a modern, elegant take on timeless classics and popular hits, from Beethoven to John Legend. Their unique arrangements fuse multiple genres together in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity and humor. With impressive musical credits that include Broadway, The West End, and performances with artists such as Vanessa WIlliams, Dee Snyder, Tony Bennett, The Manhattan Transfer, Audra McDonald, James Taylor, etc., these versatile musicians promise an unforgettable afternoon of entertainment. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind concert!

Our choir brings together individuals who love to worship through music.  We rehearse weekly and sing during the 11:00 am traditional worship service and for special worship events (i.e. Christmas Eve, Easter, etc.).  Whether you're a seasoned vocalist or a beginner, all are welcome! Come and share your voice and make a joyful noise with us. Practice begins Wednesday, September 3 in the Choir Rm. See Angela Burns for details.

M&M is a joint ministry between Music and Christian Education. Children experience music by singing, playing pitch and rhythm games, ringing handbells, and playing Orff instruments; while also developing a strong foundation for faith formation. They support our worship services with their musical talents on a scheduled basis. Contact Cindy Litzinger for more details.

We are truly blessed by the wonderful interest in our handbell ministry. We've had folks express a desire to join our group and in order to make a space for all to continue to enjoy the job of making music together, we're forming a second bell choir!

Whether you're a seasoned ringer or new to handbells, we invite you to join us.  

Here are the details:
 
When: Thursdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am beginning Sept. 18
Where: Handbell Room
Questions?  Cindy Litzinger

Thank you for your support as we continue to expand our music ministry together.

This month children in our county are either getting ready to return to school or, in the case of our year-round schools, are already in the classroom. For some of those children, the beginning of school means a return to regular meals, community, and much more stability than they’ve had during the summer.

Once school starts, many of these children will be provided with free breakfasts and lunches, but snacks that they can either eat during or after school are also important. Some of you may not be aware that teachers often purchase such snacks themselves. Please prayerfully consider helping fill these students' bellies this month. Donations needed:

• granola bars 
• fruit or applesauce cups
• individually-packaged crackers
• pudding cups
• small water bottles or juice pouches

Donations may be delivered to the table in the 15th Street lobby. Thank you!

All 3rd & 4th graders are invited to join us at the 9:00 am worship service to receive The Adventure Bible which is designed for new readers aged 8-12 to help them navigate the powerful stories of the Bible!

The Bible presentation will be followed up with a six week interactive Sunday School class called Dive Deep designed to help children discover what an amazing gift the Word of God can be in their lives!

This is a 6-week interactive class designed to explore the Who, What, Where, When's and How's of worship! Beginning September 14, Children in Grades K - 2 will be involved in a special study called WONDERS OF WORSHIP where we will explore what worship is all about and why it is central to our lives as Christians. This class is designed to prepare children to understand why we worship and what it all means as an important Spiritual Rite of Passage.

This is a 6-week interactive class designed to help new readers discover what an amazing gift the Word of God can be in their lives! This class guides 3rd - 5th grade students on how to use The Adventure Bible each child will receive during the 9:00 am worship service on Sunday, September 14.

Reach out to Lynn Warner if you have a child interested in receiving a new Bible and participating in this fun and formative study.

Our annual lock-in event for middle and high school students! This year, we will be in the main church building. Friends are welcome - just warn Jen how many you are bringing so we can plan accordingly!

Middle and high school students gather for fellowship, Bible study and our small group ministry every other Wednesday night. **Note our new location back in the church beginning this fall.**

Programming begins at 7:00 pm. See Jen Phelps for more details.

Middle and high school students are invited for a night out at the new Surf's Up Mini Golf in Carolina Beach. Friends are welcome, but advance registration is required - and let us know if you want to ride with us to and from the church or meet us there.

Thank you for contributing to the work and love of Jesus through St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church. Your gifts enable us to stay Faithfully Present in Our Community by providing beneficial programs and spiritual events that lift up, motivate, and provide joy!

Financial updates will be provided each month.  If you have any questions, please contact Susan Dykes, Financial Administrator, 910-762-9693x207, sdykes@sacpc.org; or our Church Treasurer, Ed Hobson, treasurer@sacpc.org.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:4-6

Peggy Hayes' family, as her sister, Eillen Stanverwick, died peacefully on August 16.

Teachers and students who will soon be returning to school.

The family of Marilyn Kimbro who passed away July 6th. There will be a reception at her home August 23rd at 10:00 am.

Hank Montgomery as he recovers from a leg injury.  

Rev. Parker Lucas as he recovers at home from an emergency surgical procedure. He is doing well and welcomes cards, but asks for no calls, texts or visits right now.

Venessa Colmenares who is recovering from a surgical procedure on August 8th.  

Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG ), Smith Beacham (Poland/Germany), Jack Looney (USS Carl Vinson, San Diego, CA) , Samuel Makepeace (Fort Moore, Georgia), Brennan Litzinger (Fort Bliss, Texas), Mikayla Reifert (Tinker AForce base in Oklahoma), Bradley Garrett (Coast Guard, Elizabeth City)

Prayer requests: Click here to tell us about your need.

Hospitalizations: Please click here to email Katie Harrington or call the church office at 910.762.9693 to leave a message.

August 19: Randy Barrow
August 21: Mark Ciarrocca, Jo Downing, Elizabeth Dunlop
August 22: Andy Harrison
August 23: George Bridger, Millie Flory, Cory Reifert
August 24: R.E. Corbett, Lucy Lockamy
August 26: Joe Brisindi, Erin Hester, Eddie Stuart, Olivia Tincher, Lynn Warner

View our most recent Session Reports.