Katie leads us in worship with scripture coming from John 14:23-29. Join us during the 9:00 am service to help us send off Matthew McDonald on his last Sunday as our Contemporary Worship Director. Also, we will celebrate a baptism at the 11:00 am service.

by MK Campbell

Burnsville, NC, is Still Deep In Recovery

September 27, 2024 is a date you may not remember. For the people in Western North Carolina, it will always be one of those defining moments in their lives. It’s the day the flood waters rose, rivers coursed down the mountain, boulders tumbled, and entire hollers were lost.

Nineteen volunteers from SACPC made the trek to Burnsville, NC, the week of May 4th and our lives were impacted in profound ways. Each night, survivors from the community shared their harrowing stories. Here are a few of the things they shared:

“75,000 homes were damaged significantly.” Yes, you read that right, 75,000 homes.

“When you hear they found bodies, it’s not bodies. It’s body parts.”

“Bodies were impaled by trees.”

“A two-story house floated over a 35’ bridge.”

“The water in the river was flowing 75 miles an hour. The smaller creeks were must faster.”

“Boulders were rolling down the hills. Huge boulders, 8’ in diameter.”

“The mud was up to here (pointing to hip).” 

We had two crews working on two homes. One home was hit by a landslide and moved 8’ off its foundation, while being turned a quarter. Our work entailed digging footings, pouring concrete, and measuring, cutting and securing bands, joists, decking and subfloor. The house went from nothing out front to having a deck and extension.

The other crew put new siding on a house that still doesn’t have water or power. Seven months later and these individuals are living with daily reminders that they lost everything: cars, homes, businesses, friends.  

Their resilience is unbelievable. Their tenacity and grit are unmatched. Their faith in God is unstoppable. You and I can’t imagine what they have faced and will continue to face, but I know that God was there in all the big and little moments as we wielded hammers, shovels, and saws. I hope if you get a chance to volunteer you will take advantage of it. It will forever change you.

by Sue McCaffray

Love to read books that make you think about your faith journey? We're starting a Summer Reading Club! Mark your calendars for Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 pm starting July 2nd. This will be a five week book study--stay tuned for details about the book. More information to follow! Questions? Ask Sue McCaffray.

by Gary Smith

A Faith and Housing Crisis Forum will be held at the First Baptist Activity Center near Independence Mall from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Thursday May 29th. Please join us to learn more about Wilmington's affordable housing crisis and what we do to alleviate it.

All the major organizations working to provide more affordable housing in our area will be present. A panel discussion and breakout sessions will discuss accessible dwelling units, using church property to provide more housing, and various volunteering opportunities.

Direct any questions to Gary Smith.

by Cindy Litzinger

St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church is looking to hire a Contemporary Music Director to join our team. This position offers the unique opportunity to lead an already established group of dedicated volunteers and skilled paid musicians who share a common goal of enhancing our worship experience through music. If you're passionate about music and ministry, we'd love to hear from you! For more information, please our full job description.

by Lynn Warner

Camp Fusion is rapidly approaching and we are in need of several additional volunteers to help as shepherds with children, and to assist in lunch preparation. Please contact Lynn Warner for additional information! We guarantee you will have a great time!

By Lynn Warner

We only have a few spots left for children age three through those having completed 5th grade at our Summer Camp Fusion program! Camp Fusion is coming up June 16-20th and we don't want you to miss out! Tell your friends and neighbors! The theme this year is "CAMP FUSION - PUTTING OUR TRUST IN GOD"

by Earth Care Education

"I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine."    
Psalm 50:11

It’s well past the time since we’ve known that our bee populations are suffering and declining at alarming rates.  We should also know that without these pollinators our food supplies will decline as well, since they pollinate about 85% of our food crops.

Thankfully, we are a people of hope and action.  With that in mind, consider adding one or more of the following actions to your life and be a part of the solution in helping our vital pollinators.

The first action is so easy: buy local honey. The honey making beekeepers are experts in maintaining healthy bee populations. Plus, buying their honey enriches our local area and economy. A good place to find this local honey is at farmers’ markets.

Secondly, if you have the space, planting a bee friendly tree is a good option.  Eastern redbuds, red maples, black cherry, and serviceberry trees are some that are native to eastern NC.

Most of us usually think of flowers for sustaining the bees.  You don’t necessarily have to have a yard either, as many varieties work well in pots on balconies or in window boxes.  According to the Xerces Society, some bee friendly flowers that are native in our area are asters, Black-eyed Susans, blazing star, sweet goldenrod, huckleberry shrub (an evergreen), Joe Pye weed, penstemon, purple coneflowers, and woodland sunflowers.

Sadly, one of the biggest threats to bees are neonics or neonicotinords.  These are a class of synthetic insecticides and herbicides that are widely used to treat seeds as well as plants. Bees cannot survive them.  If you must use such chemicals, try to limit their use when plants are in bloom and bees are foraging.  A healthier way for bees, and people, is to use compost or organic fertilizer.

Finally, adding a bee bath and/or bee house to your yard does help the bees.  If you choose a bee bath, using a mosquito dunk in the water would be a good way to keep the pesky mosquitos away.

Trying one or more of these suggestions will help our bee populations, and you may have your own suggestions to share with others. Thanks for reading and acting.

by Sue McCaffray

One of St. Andrews-Covenant's most enduring groups, the Connette-Covenant Sunday school class, has come to the completion of its mission. As we remember and thank the faithful members of this outstanding group, you can read a bit of their history below. Thanks be to God for blessing us with these people for over sixty years!

by Sue McCaffray

As we come to the end of our regular school year we want to pause to thank the cloud of witnesses who have taught our children, youth, and adults in the past year. If you have learned anything about our faith this year, you probably owe one of these people a thank you!

Amy Allen
Kent Anderson
Sam Anderson
Lynn Atkinson
Becky Barefoot
Randy Barrow
Gwen Behen
Kathy Benson
Stanton Bissette
Katherine and Ray Brandi
Karen Burton
Jo Carpenter
Beth Cherry
Kathryn Ciarrocca
Lil Conley
Emily Donovan
George Franck
Dumay Gorham
Stephanie Gould
Barbara Hager
Katie Harrington
Peggy Hayes
Matt Hilliard
Dave Hoff
Abigail Holder
Kara Johnson
Megan and Ryan Johnson
Chris Johnston
Bill Landen
Marjorie Lanier
Lucy Lockamy
Dwight Lysne
Rachel March
Larkin Mayes
Sue McCaffray
Robin Mortenson
Steve Miller
Lora Padula
Rita Pasquariello
Jen Phelps
Olivia Phelps
Holly and Eric Pilson
Jane and Gary Smith
Linda Smith
Amy Stuart
James Stuart
Erin and Kyle Thompson
Emily Vassar
Lynn Warner

by Emily Vassar

Soaring as Eagles Pre-K Jumpstart will be at SACPC again this summer! This free program helps children aged 3 to 5 years old prepare to attend Title 1 schools in the Fall. The program will run for 6 weeks from June 23rd through August 1st, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to noon.

Volunteers are needed for morning and mid-morning shifts to assist with check-in, serving breakfast, assisting on the playground, pick-up and in other “as needed” ways.  Please consider volunteering your time to make these students and their families feel loved and welcomed at SACPC.

To learn more and sign up, see the link below.  We’re deeply grateful for your prayers, generosity and support!

by Lynn Warner

Help us feed our campers! We've made a list of food items needed. Please review the available slots and sign up. Drop off all donations at the church office during regular business hours. Items due by June 15th. Thank you!

by Shelley Hobson

On Sunday morning at both services, we were blessed with some special visitors.  Patricia Matias and her mom, Marie from Manaus, Brazil and the Petropolus Church were in town for a week visiting with Steve and Kay Hein and Lynn and Gene Atkinson. Visiting the Hobson home from Malawi were Abusa (Pastor) Joseph Maganga, his wife Rose and friend Peter Mtokale.  The group met with members of our Malawi Mission team to share the itinerary and teach them some handy Chichewa phrases. Everyone got a chance to be full-fledged tourists in Wilmington. It was a blessing to have them all in worship!

Join in the fun if you’re 25-60 years old at the next Young at Heart social. Friday, May 23rd, 6:30 p.m. at THE RIFT, 2144 Wrightsville Ave It’s a fun, new venue with plenty of outdoor space. Need more details, reach out to MK Campbell at 434-964-6438.

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.

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!!

Come join your fellow church members for fun and fellowship at our 5th Sunday Breakfast, June 29th between services from 10:00 am - 11:00 am in Brown Hall. A fantastic breakfast will be prepared by our own Jackie Norton along with our resident pancake chefs. A love basket will be available for donations.

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.

We will gather at Jungle Rapids for some water park fun. Open to all middle and high school students. Everyone must pre-register via the mobile app. Cost is $25 per student or $10 for Camp Fusion volunteers. Friends are welcome!

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.  His funeral will be on May 25th at 2:00 pm.

The birth of Beau Jordan Miller to Mara and Corey.  Mara is the daughter of Sue and Beau McCaffry.

The upcoming baptism of Olivia Katherine Joyner, child of Frederick Matthew and Tracey Joyner, granddaughter of Susan and Gilbert Joyner, and great granddaughter of the late Margaret Blanton.  Baptism will be May 25th at 11:00 service.

Gabe Colmenares, son of Tony, who quickly recovered from an appendectomy.

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

Vickie Lapp, who fell and broke her wrist and both ankles. She had surgery at Novant NHRMC on Friday, May 9th and is in Davis rehab. Please offer prayers for pain control.

Emma Dineen who has been recovering from a fall with a fracture of the femur.  She recently entered long term care at Riverbend in Davis.  Please offer prayers for strength  and energy to rehabilitate.

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 20: MK Campbell, Bob Cherry III, Scott Flynn
May 21: Emma Dineen
May 22: Timothy Mihle, Hank Montgomery, Cole Mortenson, Jeneane Tadlock, Rick Wells
May 23: Abigale Hawkins, Jonah March, John McCorkle, Keira McWilliams, Stephanie Williams
May 24: Ruth Thompson
May 25: Jim Fox, Abraham Huss
May 26: Jerry Shelton
May 27: Bill Bennett

View our most recent Session Reports.