During Lent, we explore a sermon series called "Tell Me Something Good" because the gospel of Jesus Christ, at its core, is good news for all. As Christians, we know following Jesus leads to a richer, more expansive life, but it’s not necessarily comfortable. Jesus’ ministry can be described as “radical” which comes from the Latin word “radicalis,” meaning “root” or “ground.” Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots and ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be “good news” people in a world too often burdened by bad news?

This Sunday, Katie leads us in worship with scripture from John 2:1-11 where we find Jesus surprising us with a miracle, a sign of good news.

by Katie Harrington

Our spiritual walk is often a series of highs and lows, from the wilderness to the mountaintop and everything in between. At the heart of this past Sunday's message is the Transfiguration story, when the disciples fall to the ground in fear Jesus touches them with compassion and says, 'Get up and do not be afraid.' This tender moment reveals that whether we find ourselves in the wilderness or on the mountaintop, Jesus meets us with his reassuring presence. We are challenged to recognize that neither extreme lasts forever, but Christ's presence does.

This week find comfort in remembering fear and awe can coexist. Jesus doesn't promise nothing bad will happen, but rather that we never face anything alone. This is an invitation to move forward with courage, knowing God walks with us from every peak to every valley.

As we meditate on last Sunday's teachings from Matthew 17:1-9 try one or two of these practices this week:

1. Daily Awareness: Each day this week, identify whether you're experiencing more of a wilderness or mountaintop moment. Journal about where you sense Jesus' presence in that place.
2. Fear Inventory: Make a list of your current fears (about life, faith, the future, God). For each one, write or pray the words Jesus spoke: "Get up and do not be afraid."
3. Mountaintop Gratitude: Reflect on past mountaintop experiences in your faith journey. Thank God for those moments and ask how they prepared you for current challenges.
4. Wilderness Companion: If you're in a wilderness season, identify one person you can be honest with about your struggle. Reach out to them this week.

We begin our observance of Lent with a quiet, candlelight worship service for Ash Wednesday in the Taizé style. Imposition of ashes will be offered.

Additionally, self guided prayer stations sponsored by our Youth Ministry will be available in the Gathering Area from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Make time to enjoy this meaningful experience.

Please note: There will be no POPS dinner or classes on Ash Wednesday.

by Cindy Litzinger

Word. Music. Reflection. A Living Last Supper brings the night before the crucifixion to life through drama and choral selections from Handel’s Messiah. Click the button below to watch a short video explaining what to expect this weekend during Music on Market's Living Last Supper. There are two opportunities to experience this powerful event:

by Susan Dykes

Click the link below to view our most current financial highlights.

by SACPC Staff

Our theme for Lent is Tell Me Something Good which invites us to return to the roots of Jesus’ radical good news which was about liberation, mercy, love, and grace. Beginning Ash Wednesday (FEB 18), a limited number of printed copies will be available on the credenza outside Brown Hall. Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Lenten devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices. In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media.

by Lynn Warner

Get ready for CAMP FUSION 2026: Road Trip: On the Go with God. Registration is now open! This one-of-a-kind experience combines the elements of VBS, music, creative arts, and mission work! Space is limited so register early. Needs based scholarships available.

Grades K - 5th Full Day
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Completed Grades K - 5th
Registration: $120/per child
(includes camp T-Shirt, snack & lunch)

Campers will experience a fun-filled morning session full of VBS-style activities including Bible stories, crafts, snack time, and music followed by a camp provided lunch. Then, the afternoon session explores camper's musical, dramatic and artistic talents by working together to bring the magic of music, creative arts, and faith to life.

Preschool Half Day
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Ages 3 years old (potty trained) - Have not completed kindergarten
Registration: $50/per child
(includes camp T-Shirt & snack)

Preschool children will experience all the fun-filled VBS-style activities including Bible stories, crafts, snack time, and music that the older children experience during the morning session; however, the preschool camp ends at 12:00 pm and will not include lunch or the afternoon session.

If you have any questions please contact Lynn Warner.

by SACPC Staff

Our beloved and historic pews have been refurbished and arrived this week. They are carefully being reassembled.

Friendly reminder, the sanctuary is still an active construction zone. For everyone's safety, please refrain from walking through or viewing this area.

by Rene Sasser

We’re excited to share wonderful news about an opportunity to support the ministry of our preschool in a powerful way. Thanks to the generosity of a member of our church congregation, all donations made to the preschool will be matched, doubling the impact of every gift. This matching gift is being offered as a way to encourage our church family to invest in the vital work of the preschool—nurturing young children, supporting families, and laying a strong foundation rooted in faith, learning, and love. Every contribution made during this matching period will go twice as far in strengthening programs, resources, and the daily care provided to our students.

Whether you are a long-time supporter or considering a gift for the first time, now is a meaningful moment to give. Your generosity, combined with this matching gift, will make a lasting difference in the lives of our children and in the future of this important ministry.

Please include “Preschool Matching Fund” on a check, or select the Preschool Matching Gifts Fundraiser fund when giving online. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Together, we can make an even greater impact.

by Phyllis Smith

Due to overwhelming demand a new Ducks In a Row class will begin on Mondays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm starting March 16 in Kardia Rm 224. These classes meet every other Monday through May 18. Future class schedule includes March 30, April 13, April 27, May 11, and May 18.

This class was created to help prepare for end of life issues and give our loved ones all the information they will need at a difficult time. Four guest speakers will talk about Advance Directives, Financial Planning, Estate Planning, and Funeral Planning. The class size is limited to 20 people with a registration cut-off date of March 5.  

The program is a non-profit and there is no charge for the class. The notebook used costs $50.00 and a Partner Pack for couples is $10.00. You will keep all materials. The cost reflects a small increase due to skyrocketing printing and materials costs.

“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.

Are you interested in learning about becoming a member of SACPC? Then join us for the Membership Exploration class on Sunday, February 22 at 10:00 am in the Dining Room. This class will provide a general overview of St. Andrews-Covenant and our ministries, as well as what it means to be part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

If you want to become a member of SACPC (which is not required), you may choose to do so on Sunday, March 1, at 10:00 am in the Dining Room to meet with the church's Elders. Please connect with Rev. Lucas if you plan to attend!

Menu: Salad, Stuffed Shells w/ Marinara, Garlic Bread, and Dessert. Cost is $25/family, $7/adult, and $5/under 12.

Would you like to give our preacher a piece of your mind? Be a Sermon Shaper! This Lenten POPS Series meets every Wednesday, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm from February 25 - March 25. Join Katie and friends as we discuss upcoming sermon texts each week in Lent.

NOTE: WE WILL HAPPILY INCLUDE YOU VIA ZOOM! Please contact Sue McCaffray for the link.

During Lent, Rev. Lucas & Emily Donovan will offer weekly meditative nature meetups inspired by the medical practice of forest bathing. Each session is an invitation to rest, listen, and receive God’s care through the natural world—allowing our bodies, minds, and spirits to be gently restored.

We broke out the "fancy" drums for m&m and had a very special guest, our own Pat Litzinger, lead a session on percussions. 

by Jane Smith

If you're like me, you thoroughly enjoy the children's art work that regularly lines the halls outside the preschool classrooms. And if you're in the building on a weekday morning, you smile at the sounds of the little ones' voices in the building.

For February, we have the chance to love on those kids by providing them with the supplies they need as they learn. The list has been compiled by SACPC Preschool Director Rene Sasser with input from the children's teachers. Items are child friendly. If you have questions about the list, you can contact Jane Smith or Rene Sasser. (Jane Smith, ) or Rene.

Below is both a list of items that can be purchased locally along with links for those of you who might prefer to shop online.

Dot art markers
Colored dot stickers
Velcro - strips and/or dots
Thermal laminating pouches (9x11.5)
8.5x11inch sheet protectors
Small white school glue bottles (1.25 ounces or 4 ounces)
School glue sticks
Tempra paint sticks
Method foaming soap

From Lakeshore Learning:
Textured Rubbing Plates 
Playful Penguins Ice Blocks 
Mix & Match Magnetic Construction Vehicles 
Mix and Match Magnetic Rescue Vehicles 

From Bella Luna Toys:
Nesting Bridges 
Wooden Rainbow Tunnel 
Any of the wooden block sets in this collection 

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.

Our Children's Ministry will offer The One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) coupon books again this year during Lent. Items will be available on Ash Wednesday (FEB 18) and throughout the Lenten season.

The Coupon Book suggests a different idea each day for families to consider as we realize how blessed we are and how we can help others. There is a suggested amount of money to put in your fish box each day as you follow the instructions for the day.

Fish boxes will be returned on Palm Sunday (MAR 29) during both services of worship!

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 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!

PLEASE NOTE: You may make a non-refundable 50% deposit on this trip to reserve your spot. Full balance must be paid no later than May 1st!! We will be taking a group of high school students to the Montreat Youth Conference June 14th-20th. Spots are limited and will be open to members of our Youth Group initially, and then open to friends, if space allows. Trip cost is: $600/person.

We will be taking a group to the Middle School Conference at Massanetta Springs. This trip is for CURRENT 6th - 8th grade students. Registration will initially be opened to members of our youth group, and then open to friends, as space allows. Trip cost: $400/person.

by Gwen Behen

If you’re like most of us, the answer to that is sketchy at best. This video is very clear, and it comes from Joe Suleyman, in charge of  the Recycling Facility at the Landfill.  Watching this will be time well spent if you are concerned about cleaning up the earth and helping our landfill last a little longer.

by By Emma Marshall

In January, a group of young adults (ages 18-35) from across the country gathered on Zoom. One member shared on-the-ground updates from her experience attending COP30 as part of PC(USA)’s denominational staff; another taught the group how to construct a meaningful land acknowledgement or Indigenous People’s Month statement for one’s congregation. The conversation was rich and exciting, even Spirit-filled.

The group was CANOPY, the Creation Action Network of Presbyterian Young Adults. Since September, this group of 40-odd young people has gathered in virtual space to connect, teach and learn, and take action in solidarity with God’s creation. All leaders in their own right in congregations, on campuses, in workplaces, across the country, and within the denomination, CANOPY members long for many things: connection with other faithful young people, tools to promote creation justice in their communities, accountability for churches and the denomination, opportunities to act and serve, and the development of friendships and mutuality.

These many longings have brought CANOPY together, and several months into the work, our advocacy and activism are beginning to take shape. Specific issues in creation justice have come to the fore. One concerns the rights of Indigenous people and movements for Indigenous justice, including #LandBack; recent progress in the Presbytery of San Gabriel has made this issue especially salient. The other concerns the impact of global conflict on climate - from Gaza to Venezuela to the Congo, where land and resource stewardship are implicated in violent conflict, and the conflict itself degrades land and resources. Several CANOPY members are also working with the PEC Advocacy Committee on overtures for GA227, stepping up to participate in decision-making and discernment in the faith community they claim as their own.

CANOPY’s work continues to develop and evolve as our bonds and connections as a group strengthen, deepen, and multiply. Watch this space—we can’t wait to tell you where we’ll go next.

Emma Marshall has been Presbyterians for Earth Care's Young Adult Organizer since June 2025. She completed an MDiv at Princeton Seminary in May 2025 and is in her final semester of an MSW degree at Rutgers University; she is also a candidate certified ready to receive a call in the PC(USA). She spends lots of time with her dog, Daphne, roaming the hiking trails and antique shops of central New Jersey.

The Presbyterian Hunger Program strives to walk with people in moving toward sustainable choices that restore and protect all of God’s children and Creation. In Lent, we slow down, take time, and examine our internal spiritual lives and the way we live out our Christian faith in the world around us. Our hope is that this Lenten calendar will be the beginning of actions intended to create more mindful behaviors throughout the year.

Please contact Shelley Hobson or Gwen Behen if you wish to join the Earth Care Team

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.

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

Hospitalizations: Please here to email Rev. Harrington and Rev. Lucas or call the church office at 910.762.9693 to leave a message.

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

The birth of Scarlett Rose on Feb 14th, granddaughter of Linda and Warren McMurry.  Parents are Chris McMurry and Savannah Rose.

Ron Faulk, who remains  in rehab following complications from his surgery.
 
Randy Warner’s mother, Betty Baxter, as she recovers from surgery on 2-09 for a broken hip.

We pray for all the participants in The Last Supper presentation.

We pray for the sanctuary renovation team as they near the end of the process.

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)

February 18: John Bohbrink, Penn Compton, Doug Curtis, Sandra Gelegonya
February 19: Gloria Degnan, Sarah Moore, Linda Rankin
February 20: Rickman Davis, Emily Hill, Jennifer Waldrop

View our most recent Session Reports.