Katie leads us in worship with scripture coming from Acts 9:36-43. We will welcome our mission partners from Brazil and Malawi, who will be assisting in worship.

It's also 5-Cents-A-Meal Sunday, during the first song or hymn bring your offerings to the front and place them in the baskets next to the communion table.

by Kathy Denlinger

The first 'Over the Bridge' meet-up was a huge success, with over 30 members (and future members) enjoying a beautiful evening together at the Leland Brewing Co.!

by Sue McCaffray

If you haven't been to Sunday school since you were a kid, or if you come every Sunday but would like a short change of pace, please join us in the Connette-Covenant classroom (226) for 4 weeks in June. We will look at 4 classic gospel stories of ordinary people who were part of an extraordinary movement. Our staff will lead this class.

June 1: Parker Lucas
June 8: Katie Harrington
June 15: Jen Phelps
June 22: Sue McCaffray

Youth are also welcome. Lynn will hold Fun Days for kids during the SS hour in June, so drop them off and join us upstairs. Don't be a Sunday school drop-out: drop in!!

by Julian March

Rev. Harrington called the meeting to order and called on Dax Hawkins, who offered a devotion and opened the meeting with prayer.

Nancy Trout reviewed the role of the Congregational Engagement Committee, also known as CEC. This committee is responsible for completing the annual report, ensuring church membership rolls are current, providing outreach to new members, coordinating with the Diaconate and the Diaconate Connections Team, and providing written “What’s in Session” updates for Saints Alive. Stewardship is a subcommittee of the CEC.

Worship update: Youth Seniors will lead both worship services on June 1, 2025.

Presbytery update: Virginia Hager and Rev. Parker Lucas will represent SACPC at the Presbytery’s May 2025 East Community Gathering to be held at Wallace Presbyterian Church.

Consideration of two properties within The Block: Session discussed recommendations from a group that formed at the request of the Buildings and Grounds Team to evaluate the future use of the Sisson House and The HUB Youth Center. Session ultimately approved two motions, which are explained in detail in a congregational message that was distributed May 1. That message is included in full as an addendum to this report.

Katie Harrington reported:

• Thank you to the fellowship team and all who contributed to Holy Week, including Communion servers, musicians and organizers of the fellowship on the lawn event. 
• On May 11, 2025, our Brazil and Malawi mission partners will be onsite and will join us for worship. 
• Our Capital Campaign Task Force has had an initial meeting. Members are Russell Herring and Kathy Denlinger (co-chairs), George Chadwick, David Massey, Kelly Hawkins, Beth Cherry, Linda McMurry, Julian March, Emily Donovan, Susan Dykes, Jen Phelps, Lynn Warner, Parker Lucas and Katie Harrington.  

Rev. Harrington asked for any joys and concerns and adjourned the meeting with prayer.

Addendum: Congregational Message, May 1, 2025

by Sheila Woods

Mike joined SACPC on March 16, 2025. He moved to Wilmington about a year ago and was invited by John & Lisa Bohbrink while looking for a new faith community. Mike transferred his church membership from St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Raleigh. Fun facts: Mike loves pickleball, has been married for 44 years, and has 7 grandchildren. Please welcome Mike when you see him!

We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Emily Hill, who joined us on March 16, 2025, by letter of transfer from Galax Presbyterian Church in Galax, VA. Emily's presence amongst us is a valued addition to our community, and we are excited to get to know her better.

Emily’s home is on Bald Head Island but she will be in Wilmington for the best part of the summer. Emily feels deeply that any church she joins, she should commit to regular attendance, which is a testament to her dedication and faith, especially considering the commute from Bald Head!

Emily loves reading, music, traveling and cooking. We encourage everyone to take a moment to introduce yourselves to Emily when you see her. We are grateful to have her with us!

To the congregation of St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church,

Grace and peace to you, dear friends.

With a full heart and deep gratitude, I write to share that I will be stepping down from my position as the Contemporary Worship Leader at St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church. This has not been an easy decision, as this church family has shaped my faith and ministry in profound ways. You have walked with me, prayed with me, and shared in the beautiful work of worship and community that has been such a gift for my family and I to be a part of.

Over these past years, I have been continually inspired by your love for God, your commitment to one another, and your desire to grow in faith. Whether through Sunday services, conversations over pops meals, or shared moments of music and ministry, I have witnessed the Spirit of God move in powerful, tender, and transformative ways.

Serving alongside the staff, elders, volunteers, and each of you has truly been one of the great honors of my life. Together, we have lifted songs of praise, sat in seasons of sorrow, and celebrated the goodness of our Savior with joy. I carry those memories with me—and always will—as sacred reminders of God’s faithfulness.

As I now step into a new chapter, I do so with prayerful hope and a continued passion for helping others draw near to Christ through the powerful discipline of meditation (stay tuned for more!) While my role here is coming to a close, the love I have for this congregation and the gratitude I hold will remain.

Thank you for trusting me, encouraging me, and allowing me to serve among you. Thank you for every kind word, every prayer, and every note of encouragement. Your faith has strengthened mine.

My final Sunday will be May 25th, and I hope to see as many of you as possible between now and then. Please know that my family and I intend to remain a regular fixture at SACPC, that we will be praying for the Spirit to lead you, and giving thanks for this church that has meant so much to us.

Peace be with you,
Matthew McDonald

by Shelley Hobson

Zikomo kwambiri! Thank you very much!  Our education campaign has collected $21,025 for the 2025-26 school year.  We thank donors to the campaign and also our friends at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk who contributed over $3,000 toward our total.  If you feel led to give to this ministry, you may send a check or give online and designate the gift to Malawi education.

We are excited to welcome Abusa Joseph Maganga from our sister church Chuluchosema CCAP, his wife Rose, and Peter Mtokale, a colleague of Joseph's from Blantyre.  They are currently visiting Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg and will come to Wilmington for a visit May 6-11 before going back to Malawi.  Our friends will join us for worship on May 11th.  If you are interested in visiting with Joseph, Rose and Peter while they are in Wilmington, contact Ed Hobson.

by René Sasser

Registration for preschool is going well. Some classes are full and others are filling up quickly. We do have some spots available and would love to have your child, grandchild, or friend join us. We offer 2, 3 and 5 day options. Please email René for more information or to schedule a tour. We would love to meet you and share more information about our school!

When life offers, sometimes unexpectedly, a chance to make a pivotal decision, how do we summon the faith and courage to act (or not)?  Author Mariann Budde writes about how to respond with clarity and grace to summons to go, the decision to stay or to start and to accept that which we did not choose in her book "How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith."  Reverend Budde is the bishop and spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and the Washington National Cathedral.

Stillpoint is a group of women who meet via Zoom each Monday from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm.  We invite you to join us as we begin this book discussion next Monday, May 5th.  To receive the link or if you have questions, contact Shelley Hobson or Lynn Kozik.

May's Let Justice Roll Down Bible study will be led by Beth Cherry. The theme is Sustaining Creation's Health for All. Scripture and modern science help us see nature’s wisdom more clearly and lead us to seek just ways to care for the earth and one another. We will explore scripture from Genesis 1:29-30; Psalm 104; Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-4; Matthew 13:31-32.

All are invited to attend. The same lesson will be given on May 8th, 13th and 14th at 10:00 am in Dining Room. See Katherine Brandi for details.

Students and teachers in all adult Sunday school and mid-week classes are invited to celebrate our "school year" and thank our teachers on Sunday, May 25th during the Sunday school hour (10:00 am - 11:00 am) in the Dining Room. We will also recognize the service of the Connette-Covenant class as its mission comes to a close. Light refreshments and a time to socialize. Join us!

Our high school seniors will be leading worship at both services on Sunday, June 1st. Please join us to celebrate them.

Our K-5th grade  M&M  students (Music and More) celebrated the end of our "year" with an evening of fun filled with board games and plenty of snacks. We're excited to welcome everyone back in September, so stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Music on Market ended its 2024-25 Season with a fantastic concert by the Raleigh Ringers.  With a full house and exceptional entertainment, it was a memorable experience.  Keep an eye out for announcements regarding our 2025-26 season, coming this August!

We are collecting various items in May for Family Promise, a ministry we have supported for many years. Locally, Family Promise "supports families experiencing housing instability, including domestic violence survivors, to achieve sustainable independence." With the help of local churches, they provide temporary housing, meals, and fellowship. SACPC provides dinners and mealtime fellowship four weeks a year. It's always a privilege to share that time with these families.

This month we'll also be providing the following items:

• Dishwashing liquid
• Toothpaste
• Kleenex
• Hand soap
• Clorox wipes
• All purpose spray cleaner
• Toilet/Bath spray cleaner
• Ziploc bags (all sizes)

Jan McGowan can direct any questions you might have, including how to volunteer with Family Promise.

Don't hesitate, don't wait! Sign up your children, encourage your friends and neighbors, sign your grandchildren up for a fantastic week of fun, learning, singing, crafting and growing in God's love! Camp Fusion is June 16-20th. Preschool children come from 9:00 am - Noon and elementary children from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm - lunch and snacks provided! We are working hard to get ready for a fantastic week!

Eleven of our middle and high school students gathered on Monday, April 14th to use one day of Spring Break for serving our church and our Community.

We spent time cleaning up at The HUB, then made lunch for our staff and casseroles for the Domestic Violence Shelter. After lunch we traveled to The Diaper Bank to spend time learning about their mission and packaging diapers and orders. Then - some grocery shopping and to Eden Village to prepare and serve their Community Dinner.  We also had the opportunity to visit their newer sites.

It was a long day, but a great way to use our time together. Shoutout Lora Padula, Lynn Atkinson, John Pasquariello, Beth Cherry, Bill Landen and Kathryn Ciarrocca for spending time with us!

Friendly Reminder: We believe money should never be a reason why a youth is unable to attend our trips. We also don't want families to feel like they have to choose financially between attending a youth trip or doing a different activity. We have partial scholarships available to offset the cost of any youth trip. Please contact Jen for more information.

Montreat Youth Conference
June 8 - 14, 2025
Cost: $700/student

This trip is open to current 9th - 12th graders. Spots are limited and will be open to members of our Youth Group initially; and then open to friends, if space allows.

Massanetta Middle School Conference
July 10 - 13, 2025
Cost: $400/student

This trip is open to current 6th - 8th graders. Spots are limited and will be open to members of our Youth Group initially; and then open to friends, if space allows.

CROSS Mission Trip
July 27 - August 1, 2025
Cost: $400/student

This trip is open to current 6th - 12th graders. We will travel to Charlotte, NC to participate in the CROSS Mission Program. This has been a favorite of students in years past and this summer's trip should live up to the hype! Spots are limited and will be open to members of our Youth Group initially; and then open to friends, if space allows.

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

Tom Pappendick who passed away last week.

Phyllis Smith, recovering from a fall that caused a broken pelvis.

David Smith, husband of Maria Smith who is a preschool teacher at SACPC. David had an MRI on May 5th.  Please pray for good results.  

The mission team working in Western North Carolina: Gary Smith, Jack Richardson, Jim Snyder, David Smith, David Massey, Jake Bron, Scott Lund, Kurt Kronenfeld, Bill Landen, Mike DeCocco, John Bohbrink, Franc Payne, Ken Fisher, Meredith Hayes, Nancy Lund, Gayle Bell, Mary Kay Campbell, Shari Miller, and Margo Davy.

Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG ), Smith Beacham (Fort Richardson, Anchorage, AK), Jack Looney (USS Carl Vinson, San Diego, CA) , Samuel Makepeace (Fort Moore, Georgia), Brennan Litzinger (Fort Bliss, Texas-deployed to Poland 11-24), Mikayla Reifert (Kadena, Japan), 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.

May 3: Ashley Garrett, Tom Glatt, Berkley McEwen, Cathy McLaughlin
May 4: Tex Peterson
May 6: Clay Harris, David Lensch, Deborah Swart
May 7: Lilli Johnson
May 8: Page Tootoo
May 9: Pam O’Connor
May 11: Maggie Butner, Donna Philips, Herb Strickler
May 12: Stephanie Gray Hackney
May 13: Gerry Owens

View our most recent Session Reports.