This Sunday, Katie will be preaching from John 14:1-14 and we will be celebrating the sacrament of communion at both services.

This past Sunday Katie took a familiar image and had us contemplate it in an unfamiliar way. Jesus is often referred to as the Good Shepherd, but in John 10:1-10 we consider Jesus as the gate itself. We're reminded that life brings seasons of rest and protection within the sheepfold, as well as, adventures and risks when we explore the green pastures beyond. The gate swings both ways, allowing us to come in for safety when we're wounded or weary, and go out for growth and service when we're ready.

As we meditate on John 10:1-10 try one of these practices this week:

1. Sheepfold time: Carve out time where you rest with scripture and journal about whatever you need healing or protection from this week.
2. Green pasture time: Say "yes" to an opportunity to serve that feels slightly uncomfortable or start something new God has been calling you towards.
3. Listen for Jesus' voice every morning this week: Spend 5-10 minutes in silence asking, "Jesus, what do you want to say to me today?"

by Lynn Warner

Come and have a fun and meaningful week with awesome children! Our theme this year is "ROAD TRIP - ON THE GO WITH GOD." We'll be traveling to various locations learning about all the ways that God is always with us and we need your help!

Volunteers are needed to shepherd children, help with crafts, food, recreation, storytelling, music and afternoon activities as well.

Preschool meets from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and the elementary age children meet from 9:00 am -3:00 p m each day the week of June 22-26.

Volunteers are needed to help only in the mornings, only in the afternoons or all day! You will be blessed as you are a blessing to those with whom you share your faith!

Please contact Lynn Warner at 614-746-5797 or click the button below to email Lynn if you have questions or are ready to jump in! I promise we will have fun!

by Rene Sasser

We are excited to announce that a preschool family has offered to have a spring afternoon at the brewery for St. Andrews-Covenant Preschool. Their daughter is in our 2 year old class, and her dad Mike is the founder of Flytrap Brewing.

On Saturday, May 2, please join us from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the tap-room at 319 Walnut Street. Wheelz Pizza will also have a food truck on site. Come grab a drink and spend some time with friends. They have even generously agreed to donate a percentage of sales to the preschool that day. So, spread the word - family, friends, neighbors, potential students - all are welcome!

by Carol Query

SACPC members and friends are invited to participate in the preparation of casseroles for the clients of the Domestic Violence Shelter during the months of April, May, and June. Aluminum casserole pans and tops are available in the mailroom under the white cabinet beside the freezer. Instructions for making the casseroles at home and then delivering them back to the church on Sundays can be found in the DVSS notebook.  For additional information, please contact Carol Query at 910-470-3127 or at caroldq63@gmail.com.

by Sue McCaffray

Whether you are a Sunday school regular or Sunday school drop-in, please join us for 4 Sundays in June, 10-11 in the Living Faith classroom for a combined class for adults and youth taught by our staff members. We will use a book by Amy-Jill Levine to look at some of Jesus's most beloved parables with fresh eyes. It's fun! Hope to see you there.

by Kent Anderson

Nominations for next year's church officers are NOW OPEN. Nominations can be made online or via a Nomination form found on the back of our pews, as well as various locations in the church. Forms can be placed in the offering plates or turned into the church office. Please submit nominations by May 26.

Join us at the New and Prospective Members Meet & Greet!

*Get connected with other members
*Ask questions
*Finger foods

RSVP with Rev. Parker Lucas.

One of our block neighbors, Let It Grow (in the Sisson house), has planned a native plant sale for the afternoon of Sunday, April 26th in the block parking lot.  Vendors will be native plant nurseries, local herbalists, arborists and other plant related items.  Let It Grow plans to donate half of their vendor fees to our church’s Earth Care Team.  

On the same day, the yoga studio is holding an artisan market. Please plan to come out for this event in support of our block renters and your church’s Earth Care Team.

Grab some friends and head to Chipotle on Wednesday, May 6 from 5-9. A percentage of sales from our diners that night will be donated to the preschool. If you order online please use code: KG72RK6. Contact René Sasser for more information.

May’s Bible study will be led by Beth Cherry. The theme is "The Road to Emmaus."  Jesus did not abandon his followers; we are not alone, for the Spirit of God is with us.  Main Scripture passage is Luke 24:13-35. Same lesson each day.

Get ready for an electrifying night with the Benny Hill Jazz Quartet as part of our concert series! With over 30 years of experience, Benny has captivated audiences, drawing inspiration from legendary artists like John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, while infusing his performances with a distinct and vibrant style. Benny’s improvisations on the alto saxophone are not only reminiscent of the jazz greats but also reflect his unique artistry. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the captivating sounds of the Benny Hill Jazz Quartet!

Our high school seniors will be leading worship at both services on Sunday, May 31st.  Please join us to celebrate them.

Join your church family for our Fifth Sunday Breakfast on May 31 in Brown Hall between worship services. It's been a long time! We will recognize all of our teachers and enjoy our time together.

On April 19, the Wilmington Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) held a Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza event in the SACPC choir loft and dining room. The AGO sponsors Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza for piano students who are eight to eighteen years old. The purpose is to give the students a chance to see what a pipe organ is like.

We hosted eight students and their parents, which is great. Some of the children attend a church with no organ, so it was nice that they could see the beautiful SACPC Casavant organ. We had six AGO members present. The organists explained and demonstrated the organ, and explained how playing the organ is different from playing the piano.

Students are always encouraged to play the organ at PPP events. Sara Bryant, SACPC organist, sat on the bench with them to set up sounds they wanted. They all had different approaches. One boy announced that he would play “Liebestraum" with the melody played with his feet, and he impressively got through the first phrase. One girl wanted trumpet on one manual, chimes on another, and flutes on the third. She made up an abstract piece that was quite amazing. Another boy had worked out how to play the beginning of the Bach Halloween piece, the prelude in D minor, and he had a good time playing that very loudly. All eight students played the organ, and several had to be asked to leave the bench by their parents to give someone else a turn.

After everyone had played, a pizza lunch was served in the dining room.

It is wonderful that SACPC was willing to host Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza! 

We will be raising money in April to help our partners in Brazil—the staff and members of the Petropolis Presbyterian Church—build a boat to use in their ministry to communities along the Paraguay River. This partnership is 25 years old, and over the years, we have sent a half dozen teams to Brazil to work with them in this vital ministry.

The Petropolis Church received a large grant to help build the boat, but still needs about $30,000 to complete the vessel. After it is finished, they will no longer need to rent one to use in this important outreach. Pastor Nonato Santos recently visited with us to talk with us about this critical piece of their ministry.  He is also visiting friends in Florida and Texas to solicit funds.

Donations can be made online or by placing a check designated for the Brazil partnership in the offerings on Sundays in April.

We still have openings for four more people to go on our mission trip to western North Carolina from May 3-9. We would love for you to join us. Please contact Gary Smith or Parker Lucas for more details or to sign up.

Our May collection of items for local ministries will be for our neighbor, The Carousel Center. The Center provides a "one-stop shop" of services for children who have suffered abuse. Everything from intakes, interviews with law enforcement, medical examinations, and counseling is available under one roof, thus limiting the trauma retelling their story causes. We'll be collecting the following items to provide snacks for the children:

Single serving pre-packaged snacks (no peanut ingredients please): 

• popcorn
• chips
• pretzels
• animal crackers
• granola bars
• dried fruit packs
• Juicy-Juice boxes

Microwaveable single serve lunches such as:

• mac-n-cheese
• chicken noodle soup
• oodles of noodles

Thank you for helping to feed these precious children.

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)

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)

If you have any questions please contact Lynn Warner.

Last D-Group before summer!

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.

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.

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 passing of a longtime member, Daniel Jasper "Jackie or DJ" Black, who passed away on April 25 at his home. Please pray for his wife, Mary Ellen, and the rest of their family as they grieve his loss.  

Louise Gorham, who is currently in the hospital with pneumonia.

Meryl Franck, who is having surgery on Monday, May 4th.
 
Safe travels for the mission team traveling to Newland: Gary Smith, Parker Lucas, Bill Landen, Jack Richardson, Kurt Kronenfeld, John Pasquariello, Ken Fisher, John Bohbrink, David Smith, Jake Bron, Doug Lucas, Carl Hinds, Don Harris, and Mike DeCocco

Billy Purdom (Navy War College, Newport, Rhode Island ), Brennan Litzinger (Fort Bliss, Texas), Bradley Garrett (Coast Guard, Elizabeth City), Smith Beacham (Army at Fort Stewart, GA)

April 28: Catheryn Thomas, Anna Williams
April 29: Louise Gorham, Michael Kraus, Ana Player Murray, Collin Parks
April 30: Palmer Sineath
May 1: Margo Davy, Carolyn Wilson
May 3: Berkley McEwen, Cathy McLaughlin
May 4: Tex Peterson

View our most recent Session Reports.