Katie leads us in worship as we continue to study the Lord's Prayer. We focus on what Jesus meant by: "On Earth as it is in Heaven" with scripture coming from Micah 6:6-8 and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.

by Katie Harrington

When we kicked off our Joyfully Present and Prayerfully Connected capital campaign in August, our goal was to raise funds to reduce the debt from our HVAC loan and pay for a renovation of our sanctuary.

The capital campaign team led by co-chairs Russell Herring and Kathy Denlinger, along with George Chadwick, Beth Cherry, Emily Donovan, Susan Dykes, Kelly Hawkins, Parker Lucas, Julian March, David Massey, Linda McMurry, Jen Phelps, and Lynn Warner set out to not only raise these funds, but also to invigorate this congregation in who we are and what God is calling us to do. It has been a time of prayer, connection, faith and generosity. I do believe we have become even more Joyfully Present and Prayerfully Connected with God and one another during this time!

When introducing the campaign in the brochure, Russell and Kathy shared that this lofty capital campaign goal of securing enough pledges to be free of debt or close to it upon completion of the campaign would be a miracle. And every miracle starts with a problem. Our problem was raising the funds. Including 10-year interest on our loan, the goal to completely eliminate debt for our loan and renovation was $3,692,000.

Our capital campaign consultant told us we could realistically reach a campaign goal of $1.5 million dollars. Our Session and capital campaign team believed a better goal would be $2 million.

Well, we believe in God’s ability to turn our problem into a miracle, and through our collective generosity, we have received commitments that total: $3,128,374

Wow!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Because of you, we will save an estimated $750,000 in interest payments on our loan.
These gifts for this three-year campaign range from big gifts to small ones, and each one makes a powerful difference in funding these projects, which are already under way.

Thanks be to God!

It is now time to turn all these commitments into gifts. If you haven't done so already, please begin fulfilling your 3-year commitments using one of the methods below:

Give Online: Make a one time donation or set up recurring donations through our website or mobile app.
Give in Person: You can make your gift through cash, check, or through our mobile app. Please clearly label your gifts as "Joyfully Present" fund.
Mail a Check: You can make your offering by mailing a check (note in the memo: "Joyfully Present") to our front office if you won't be there in person.

If you have questions or would like to explore other ways of giving, please contact Susan Dykes, our Financial Administrator.

by Sue McCaffray

There are four new books on the New Book shelf in our library. If you haven't been there in a while it's time for a visit - the library is open everyday, even on Sunday mornings. We have Bishop Michael Curry's Love is the Way: Holding onto Hope in Troubling Times; Brene Brown's Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way we Live, Love, Parent, and Lead; Brian McLaren's Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices; and A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Shelley Hobson

Two more months to go in this year's hurricane season. SACPC's Earth Care Team is sharing this preparedness checklist from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for you to print and use to help you be ready:

Disaster Checklist for the Family

_____ Become aware of household hazards and secure dangerous substances.
_____ Consult local Fire & Rescue as to the proper placement of fire extinguishers and CO monitors.
 _____ Train for CPR/AED and First Aid. Renew certification as mandated.
_____ Purchase or prepare a First Aid Kit, keeping special needs in mind. Inspect every six months.
_____ Develop an exit plan from the house and familiarize everyone with it.
_____ Establish rally points outside of the house. (At least 2.)
_____ Post emergency numbers in a conspicuous location. Include out of town contacts. _____ Keep medical records (including prescription information) in a convenient, marked place for First Responders.
_____ Prepare an Evacuation Kit (See handout.)
_____ Initiate or participate in a Neighborhood Watch program.
_____ Know of local shelters in the area and how to get to them.
_____ Maintain at least 72 hours’ worth of non-perishable food and water.
_____ Purchase an all-hazards radio and test monthly. Replace batteries every six months or as needed.
_____ Keep multiple copies of birth certificates, social security records, insurance policies. Scan electronically and save in multiple, secure locations. Keep one copy in Evacuation Kit. _____ Keep at least $200 per person in a secure location. (i.e. Evacuation Kit, etc.)
_____ Purchase power failure lights for home. Can be used as flashlights in an emergency. _____ Maintain auxiliary lighting in home and car. Replace batteries every six months. _____ If you purchase a generator, be sure to operate it only outside and test monthly. _____ Encourage all of the above to the local congregation and assist in the development of a Disaster Response Ministry.

by Parker Lucas

I am currently sitting in my office at the church, wanting to thank the SACPC community for the respect and care shown to my wife and me during this time of healing. We have appreciated the prayers, cards, and thoughtful messages; they have shown us how much we are cared for by this community.

I might be moving slower the first few weeks back, but I am glad to be back at church and in worship with y'all. So thank you again for your support and care.

See you in Brown Hall soon!

by Susan Dykes

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

by Sue McCaffray

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 from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm at the beautiful Southport Presbyterian Church, led by our old friend Rev. Ann Jahnes. The cost will be $20, including lunch.

Registration is open now and closes October 15. Your payment will secure your spot. Hope to see you there! Click the button to register now.

The menu for this week is: Garden Salad, Chicken Pot Pie, Green Beans, and Dessert. Cost: $25/family $7/adult $5/under 12. 

Localized flooding is on the rise. Join the Earth Care Team for an important conversation with our very own Tony McEwen and City of Wilmington Chief Resilience Officer, Craig Harris, about what communities can do to be more resilient and proactive to flood risks; as well as ways we can work together to help promote and support flood resilience strategies locally and at the state level.

POPS Meal at 5:30 pm in Brown Hall.

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!

by Katherine Brandi

October's Presbyterian Women's Bible study will be led by Beth Cherry. The theme is Mary “of a Certain Village”. Mary's story teaches us that spending time listening to and learning from Jesus is the better part. We will explore scripture from Luke 10:38–42.

All are invited to attend. The same lesson will be given on October 8, 9 and 14 at 10:00 am in Dining Room. See Katherine Brandi 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!

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.

During September, Go & Serve will be collecting non-perishable foods for our neighbors who struggle to feed themselves. Everything will be distributed among Good Shepherd, Salvation Army, and the Rescue Mission, all of which work to help those in need. Suggested food items include those listed below.

• Cereal, both hot and cold
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Instant rice and potatoes
• Canned soup
• Canned chicken and tuna
• Packaged snacks
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Sugar or flour
• #10 cans of fruits, vegetables, or beans

Please bring your donations to the table in the Gathering Area where we will be collecting while we worship in Brown Hall. Thank you for loving our neighbors this way.

by Carol Query

With fall almost upon us, it is time for each of us to consider preparing a 13x9 casserole of comfort food to give to the clients of the Domestic Violence Shelter.  Aluminum pans and lids are available in the mailroom cabinet beside the big white freezer.  Once you take the container, you make a casserole in it, bake it, freeze it, and return it to the church freezer on a given Sunday so that it can be delivered to the Open Gate mid-week.

Each week, two casseroles are delivered to the Open Gate which in turn are delivered to the actual shelter. Here between 25 -30 predominately women and children are housed and fed to protect them from their abusers. The clients are most appreciative and often send verbal messages through the DVSS employees.

There is a calendar of available dates to deliver prepared casseroles in a notebook in the mailroom next to the small dining room. For further information, contact Carol Query by email or call 910-470-3127.

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.

We will gather with other youth groups in support of the work of The Harrelson Center. Meet up at The W.O.O. (Wrightsville United Methodist Church's location at 5810 Oleander Drive) for fellowship, food (dinner provided) fun and friends!

Middle and high school students gather for fellowship, Bible study and our small group ministry every other Wednesday night. Fall dates: 9/24, 10/8, 10/22, 11/5, and 11/19.

**Note our new location back in the church beginning this fall.**

Lower Level opens at 6:30 pm. Programming begins at 7:00 pm. See Jen Phelps for more details.

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

Bob Gray’s mother, MaryAnn Gray in Greenville, NC, passed away on 9-19 at the age of 95. Arrangements are currently being planned but likely the funeral will be in Greenville later this week.

The marriage of Pate Southerland and Mary Farmer on September 20th.

Mark Smith, brother of Gary Smith, is celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary.

The decommissioning of Silas and the commissioning of Joseph in Malawi.

A new staff member for security, Collin Berry

Lil Conley remains at Duke. Cards can be sent to Lil Conley, 3223 Old Chapel Hill Road, Unit B, Durham, NC 27707  Please use this link to her CaringBridge site.

Please pray for Rev. Jerrod Lowry, the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of our presbytery as he undergoes treatment for colon cancer. Pray for Rev. Laura Lupton, our Acting General Presbyter and Stated Clerk as she takes on additional tasks for the presbytery while Jerrod is on medical leave.

Jane Smith who has returned home and continues physical therapy.

Shelly and Ed Hobson’s grandson, Cooper, who is having heart surgery today at UNC children’s hospital. His parents are Anna Zimmerman and Jack Hobson.  

Randy Warner’s mother, Betty Baxter, who is receiving chemotherapy for cancer.

Mark Smith, Gary’s brother, has surgery planned for October 2nd.

Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG ), Smith Beacham (Poland/Germany), Jack Looney (USS Carl Vinson, San Diego, CA), Samuel Makepeace (Fort Benning , 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.

September 23: Andrew Hurd, Beverly Maurer
September 24: Ed Link, Julie Miller
September 26: Maddy Ann Crooks, Alicia Keith, Susan Pleasants

View our most recent Session Reports.