This Sunday, Katie will be preaching from 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 on "Saints Strengthened by Grace". We will also have a moment for mission at both services from CWS, one of our mission partners.

by John Bohbrink

Giving for the Capital Campaign has exceeded all expectations! However, giving for our operating expenses is behind. Currently, we have 158 pledges for $1,050,000. That is over $100,000 behind last year. Prayerfully consider your giving for this year. If you still need to pledge for this year, please contact Susan Dykes at church office.

by Rene Sasser

Thank you to everyone who helped make the December Dine With a Cause event at Panera successful! We appreciate your support.

We are excited to announce our next event. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 27, and join us at City Barbeque. All day, City Barbeque will donate 20% of sales to the preschool when you show them a copy of this flyer. Or, use the code GIVE when dining online or on the app. Please make sure to enter the code before checking out.  

City Barbeque is located at 3824 Carolina Beach Rd.

Your participation helps us fund programs, supplies, and experiences that make our preschool such a special place for our children. So grab your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and eat at City Barbeque on January 27. Thank you for supporting our school community — one bite at a time.

Hello Church,

Many of you have been so kind to take the time to send me your notes and cards of concern along with your prayers for healing, inspiring scriptures and even a few humorous memes. All of these are much appreciated and needed. You are a very loving and funny church family. I am very grateful, thank you.

As for my condition, I suffered a severe fracture of my left heel bone (calcaneus). Surgery put everything back together again but recovery is very slow. One of you aptly described this recovery period as “orthopedic prison”.  While there has been some progress, there has been some setbacks as well. So, I still have a long sentence to serve. Your continued prayers for healing and patience are appreciated.

Finally, I want you to know I miss being with you at church, but I have a new appreciation for our church's livestream. It is the next best thing to being there. So thanks to all those responsible for making that available.

I hope that all of you had a very merry Christmas and that you begin the new year with hearts full of the spirit that comes with Christmas and sustains and empowers us all.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

Sincerely,
Kent Anderson

by Rene Sasser

We are excited to announce the upcoming registration dates for our SACPC preschool for the 2026-2027 school year! We look forward to welcoming both returning and new families to our program.

January 7 - Registration opens for current preschool families
January 12 - Priority registration for church members
January 14 - Registration opens to the general public

Families are encouraged to register as early as possible to help with planning for the coming year.

If you or someone you know would like more information about the preschool, the registration process or would like to schedule a tour, please contact Rene Sasser at 910-762-9693, ext. 214 or rsasser@sacpc.org.

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with families in providing a nurturing, faith-filled early learning experience.

by Donna Philips

Learn to play pickleball. Lessons available on Monday or Tuesday at 3:00 in Brown Hall for men and women. Contact Donna Philips at 404 226-5976 for more information.

by Sue McCaffray

Join the Thursday Night Disciples via Zoom for a six-week study of the classic book "If You Want To Walk On Water You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat" by John Ortberg about one memorable stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. The study meets every Thursday from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm between January  22 -  February 26.

Participants read a chapter in the Participant's Guide each week (acquire your own: ISBN-13: 9780310823353), and discuss a video that we watch together. Reading Ortberg's original book of the same title is optional. Contact Dave Hoff  to sign up and get the Zoom link. It's fun! And you don't have to leave the house!

by Shelley Hobson

The Stillpoint Monday 5:00 ZOOM class will begin a new book study on January 12th.  We hope you’ll join us for our weekly devotion and book discussion with our newly-selected book: Christian Minimalism by Becca Ehrlich.

"Ehrlich’s insightful self-help guide will resonate with Christians wishing to streamline an overstuffed life."―Publishers Weekly

Logically, we all know our purpose in life is not wrapped up in accumulating possessions, wealth, power, and prestige―Jesus is very clear about that―but society tells us otherwise. Christian Minimalism attempts to cut through our assumptions and society’s lies about what life should look like and invites readers into a life that Jesus calls us to live: one lived intentionally, free of physical, spiritual, and emotional clutter.

Written by a woman who simplified her own life and practices these principles daily, this book gives readers a fresh perspective on how to live out God’s grace for us in new and exciting ways and live out our faith in a way that is deeply satisfying.

If you are interested in joining us and need the ZOOM link, contact Shelley Hobson or Lynn Kozik.

by Ed Hobson

The Malawi Partnership Committee is grateful for the support of the SACPC Congregation. As of December 31, 2025 we have received support for the important program in the amount of $19,122.40. This amount will go a long way toward supporting the education needs of the families of the Chuluchosema CCAP Church in Malawi. Although this is short of our goal of $25,000 we are very thankful and there is still time to support this mission if you haven't yet done so.

Zikomo Kwambiri! (Thank you very much)

by Catheryn Thomas

The painting in the Sanctuary, Narthex, Chapel, Parlor, and 15th Street entrance is complete. The new flooring has been installed in all those same areas (except the parlor, which has its beautiful original wood). The staining of the platform and powdercoating of the floor vents should happen in the upcoming days. And the AV installations will happen over the next weeks (new screens and other equipment). More to come!

January’s Women’s Bible study will be led by Peggy Hayes. The theme is "The Gift of the Woman Who Was Poor." Joy in Christ is more than happiness; it can change challenging circumstances into faith-filled, even joyous times. Main scripture passage is from Mark 12:41-44.

Menu: Garden Salad, Chicken & Pastry, Garden Peas, and Banana Pudding. Cost is $25/family, $7/adult, and $5/under 12.

What can we do when someone close to us seems to be spiraling into a dangerous mental health crisis? Recent events as close as Southport remind us that it can be good to intervene before a tragedy strikes. But how?

Join us in Room 224 at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, January 14, for an informative session on mental health and law enforcement approaches, offered by two of our own: Rachel Marsh, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Malcolm Phelps, who retired from the WPD as Director of the Real Time Crime Center.

Join us for POPS on January 21 (after dinner at 6:30 in Room 224), as Rev. Barbara Hager discusses her work with the National Council Churches. Barbara will share recent work the NCC has been doing to combat Anti-Semitism and Christian Nationalism.

Our Go & Serve team gives an update on our ministry with the Petropolis Presbyterian Church in Manaus, Brazil. Come hear about their new boat AND a possible mission trip this summer to assist with their mission to impoverished communities on the Paraguay River

Let's Talk Trash. There's a lot of confusion around what kinds of trash are recycable. The Earth Care Team is hosting a talk with Sara Dousharm the Program Coordinator for NHC Recycling and Solid Waste. Sara will lead a discussion on Recycling 101: What can we recycle and where does it go?

“A Living Last Supper” is a dramatic and poignant depiction of Jesus and his disciples on the night before his betrayal. Each disciple rises to share his thoughts upon learning that there is a traitor among them. The St. Andrews-Covenant Choir enhances this powerful narrative with music from the Lenten portion of Handel’s Messiah, creating an unforgettable Lenten experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a profound moment in history brought to life through music and drama.

In January, we will be collecting warm hats, scarves, and gloves/mittens for all ages, baby through adult. Church World Service (CWS), which supports immigrants who have arrived in our country after a rigorous background check process that can take years, often come from warm climates and are unprepared for our winters. CWS helps immigrants navigate life in America in a variety of ways. Several people from SACPC volunteer with this valuable ministry. Let's help these new neighbors feel welcome and warm.

SACPC members and friends ae invited to participate in the preparation of weekly casseroles for the clients of the Domestic Violence Shelter in January, February, and March.  Aluminum casserole pans and lids are available in the mailroom as well as are the instructions for making and delivering the casseroles to the church on Sundays.  For additional information, please contact Carol Query at 910-470-3127 or click the link below to send an email.

We will return to western North Carolina to continue rehabbing homes damaged by Helene. The trip is scheduled for May 3-9, 2026. We will be staying at First Presbyterian Church in Spruce Pine. We will be partnering with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The cost is $160 for lodging and food, and Go and Serve will reimburse half of this amount if you desire. Please direct questions to Gary Smith or Parker Lucas.  If you want to sign up for the trip, please email Gary. The trip is limited to 20 participants.

We are excited to announce the CAMP FUSION  dates for 2026 are June 22-26 for children ages 3 - through having completed 5th grade. The preschoolers will be here from 9:00 am - noon and snack will be included. Elementary aged children who have completed Kindergarten - through 5th grade will attend from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Both snack and lunch will be included for elementary aged children.

More information about programming will be coming your way soon and we will begin registration in early February!  Mark you calendars now and tell your friends!

Beginning on Sunday, February 1 and continuing through the month our 3rd - 5th Grade Sunday School class will embark on a study of Prayer! The class is entitled "Hey, God, Let's Talk."

As Christians prayer is an important part of our relationship with God and becoming comfortable with the concept of Prayer is an important part of our Christian Education and spiritual growth.

Families with children in this age group will receive additional information about this opportunity this week.

Middle and high school students gather for fellowship, Bible study and our small group ministry every other Wednesday night. "Doors open" at 6:30pm - Programming begins at 7:00 pm.

Middle and high school girls are invited to gather for fellowship, friends, fun and fondue!

Middle and high school guys are invited to Brown Hall to fellowship, games and the March Madness selection show on the big screen.  Friends are welcome and the ranch fountain will be flowing!

The 28th annual TreeFest will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 at Independence Mall inside the JCPenney corridor.

Households may choose up to five (5) free trees or grasses from the available selection (a $5 donation per household is suggested). All species are native to North Carolina and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year, tree species include Longleaf Pine, Bald Cypress, Chickasaw Plum, Buttonbush, Red Maple (Piedmont), River Birch, Flowering Dogwood, Southern Wax Myrtle, Sugarberry, Eastern Redbud, Crabapple, and Coastal White Oak. Silky Dogwood (shrub), Little Bluestem, and Big Bluestem grasses will also be available.

Please note that all species are subject to availability, and some may not be available at the giveaway. Trees are bare-root and should be planted as soon as possible. More than 5,000 individual plants will be available during the giveaway, with an equal amount distributed each day. To serve as many in our community as possible, we ask patrons to limit household allotments to five plants.

In an effort to reduce single-use plastics, the TreeFest committee asks visitors to bring their own non-leaking bag or bucket to take home their bare root seedlings when possible.   Experts will be available at TreeFest to help with plant selection and provide information for their care.

Trees offer many benefits to our community, including flood protection, improving water and air quality, creating shade and oxygen, and providing food and nesting sites for birds and wildlife.

To be certified by PC(USA) as an Earth Care Congregation, we are committed to fulfilling this Earth Care Pledge:

• Our worship and discipleship will celebrate God’s grace and glory in creation. 
• Our education will encourage and support each other in keeping and healing the creation.
• Our facilities will be managed, maintained, and upgraded to respect and cherish all creation.
• Our outreach will encourage community involvement and public policy to protect and restore the earth.

Here are a few highlights from our efforts to fulfill the Earth Care pledge through Worship and Education in all aspects of our church life during 2025. We are making progress in many areas:

Worship

• Including praise for God’s creation in our worship services—both preaching and music.
• Holding special services, such as the Longest Night service which honors creation on the longest night of the year when we are waiting for the light.

Education

• Providing education for all ages about how to care for our planet and the effects of climate change on our community.
• POPS programs featuring speakers who address the importance of native plants in landscaping, the status and causes of flooding in our area, the necessity of preserving our valuable wetlands, weather patterns that are now part of our lives, recycling and composting, how to celebrate holidays in earth-friendly ways.    
• Women’s Ministry featured PC(USA)’s “Let Justice Roll Down” curriculum on environmental justice in 2024-25.  
• The Earth Care team provides information on sustainable practices our congregation can employ at home and links to local issues with options for contacting elected officials to advocate for earth care in our community, state and country.  

Be on the lookout for “Earth Care Corner” information and tips in Saints Alive and an upcoming “Trash Talk” POPS program in early February.

There’s MORE. Watch for more information next week! What Earth Care practices have you instituted at home?  Help us find out by completing this survey (link here).

If caring for the Earth is one of your passions, the Earth Care Team invites you to join us for our monthly ZOOM meetings! Contact Gwen Behen or Shelley Hobson for more information.

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.

Click here to access the complete CareLine.

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

Henry Sandlin who passed away 1-3-26.

Dr. Bill Rippy who passed away 1-4-26 at age 103.

Charles Wells passed away on 11/30. Carolyn Wells and family will have a reception to honor the life of Charles on Sunday, January 18, 3-5pm, in the church Dining Room.

Bob Martenis who passed away on 1-11-26.

David Nall who we just learned passed away in the spring.

Emily Vassar who broke her elbow 12-22 and had surgery 12-30.

DJ Black who had a recent hospitalization.

Ron Faulk who has back surgery planned for January 14th. 

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.

January 13: Kent Anderson, Charlene Boyd, Jane Shelton, Randy Warner
January 14: Catherine Beaman
January 15: Ryder McEwen, Mike McGowan
January 16: Pat Litzinger
January 18: Sara Bryant, Sandra Floyd, Missy Lawrence, Dennis Smith, Logan Stewart, Vickie Van Note
January 19: Lisa Hill, Rita Pasquariello
January 20: Harriss Haskett, Anna Pilson

View our most recent Session Reports.