SACPC Weekly Updates for July 15 - 22, 2025

Sunday, July 20, 2025
6th Sunday after Pentecost
This Sunday
"Jesus Christ: the Paradox"
Rev. Katherine B. Harrington
Katie leads us in worship with scripture coming from Colossians 1:15-29. After worship, join us for refreshments in the Chapel and a special Meet & Greet with the Capital Campaign Team.
Previous Contemporary Worship
Previous Traditional Worship

Announcements
Joyfully Present & Prayerfully Connected
Did You Know?
by Capital Campaign Team
This is the heating and air conditioning system (HVAC) we've used for the past 70 years. It is now failing and beyond repair. In 2024, the Session approved the need for a new HVAC system, and in July 2024, we began replacing the old HVAC system with a more energy-efficient unit to service the majority of our building. This means 90% of our church will have access to the new system by early 2026.
As we journey together through the Joyfully Present & Prayerfully Connected capital campaign, 85% of the funds raised will be used for debt reduction on the new HVAC system. To learn more about this campaign, click the link below.
As we journey together through the Joyfully Present & Prayerfully Connected capital campaign, 85% of the funds raised will be used for debt reduction on the new HVAC system. To learn more about this campaign, click the link below.
POPS Programs Return SEP 10
by Sue McCaffray

POPS planners are lining up educational and inspirational programs to Prepare Our People for Service after dinner on Wednesday nights (6:30 pm - 7:30 pm). Mark your calendar for our September events:
SEP 10: Back-to-school fun with the Ukuholics Ukulele band
SEP 17: Let's Talk About Social Righteousness and Justice
SEP 24: This year's Malawi team reports on their recent visit and the state of our partnership
All are invited to join us for dinner in Brown Hall from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
SEP 10: Back-to-school fun with the Ukuholics Ukulele band
SEP 17: Let's Talk About Social Righteousness and Justice
SEP 24: This year's Malawi team reports on their recent visit and the state of our partnership
All are invited to join us for dinner in Brown Hall from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
June Financial Highlights
by Susan Dykes

Click the button below to see our Finance Committee's most current updates.
What's In Session?
June 2025 Updates
by Julian March

Rev. Parker Lucas called the meeting to order and called on Ryan Johnson, who offered a devotion based, in part, on Psalm 46, and opened the meeting with prayer.
Rene Sasser reviewed the role of SACPC’s preschool in the life of the church, which helps connect families with our church. Our faith-based preschool offers a five-day per week, four-hour program (8:30 am - 12:30 pm) for 9 months out of the year. Last year, the preschool served 48 children from 37 families, and there is capacity for the upcoming year. Each class goes to the chapel weekly, providing a regular connection between the church and the preschool. The playground is also used by families within the surrounding neighborhood. Rene shared that the preschool is important because it connects with SACPC’s mission: Inspiring one another to love Jesus by staying faithfully present in our community. Rene expressed thanks for the church’s support of the preschool.
Installation service: Associate Pastor Lucas’ installation service will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 17, 2025, in the SACPC Sanctuary.
Katie Harrington delivered a written report due to travel to Malawi as part of our Mission Trip Team. Highlights include:
Rev. Lucas adjourned the meeting with prayer. The Session has no scheduled meeting in July.
Rene Sasser reviewed the role of SACPC’s preschool in the life of the church, which helps connect families with our church. Our faith-based preschool offers a five-day per week, four-hour program (8:30 am - 12:30 pm) for 9 months out of the year. Last year, the preschool served 48 children from 37 families, and there is capacity for the upcoming year. Each class goes to the chapel weekly, providing a regular connection between the church and the preschool. The playground is also used by families within the surrounding neighborhood. Rene shared that the preschool is important because it connects with SACPC’s mission: Inspiring one another to love Jesus by staying faithfully present in our community. Rene expressed thanks for the church’s support of the preschool.
Installation service: Associate Pastor Lucas’ installation service will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 17, 2025, in the SACPC Sanctuary.
Katie Harrington delivered a written report due to travel to Malawi as part of our Mission Trip Team. Highlights include:
- Expressed thanks to staff, volunteers, youth, and children who participated in Camp Fusion, which included 66 preschool and elementary-aged children, 12 youth volunteers, and 47 adult volunteers, led by staff members Lynn Warner and Cindy Litzinger. It was a wonderful, faith-filled week that encouraged and challenged many to grow in faith.
- The HUB and Sisson House Update: We are beginning to move everything from the HUB to the lower level rooms in SACPC. The lower level rooms are being transformed with new paint, drywall and baseboards. Jen Phelps met with a youth design team to create and personalize the new youth space in the lower level. We are hosting our last scheduled guests in the Sisson House, and by the end of June, we will begin to move forward with plans for renting that space.
- Contemporary Worship Director Position: We continue to search for a candidate for this position.
- Worship Schedule: As a reminder: in July and August, we will have one 10 a.m. service in the sanctuary, which will close for renovations beginning Sept. 7.
- Capital Campaign information sessions will be held following worship on July 13 & 20.
- Please be in prayer for our partners in Malawi and our Mission Trip team: Lynn Atkinson, Jim Brumit, Catheryn Thomas, Lily Skipper, Margo Davy, Meredith Mack, John Pasquariello, Max Harrington, and I, returning July 3.
Rev. Lucas adjourned the meeting with prayer. The Session has no scheduled meeting in July.
Capital Campaign Packets Now Available!
by Capital Campaign Communications Team

Capital campaign packets were mailed last week. Please contact the church office if you have not received one, or visit our website to view the packet information online. If you have any questions about the campaign, or would like to learn more, the team is hosting two Meet & Greets directly following worship this Sunday (7/13) and next Sunday (7/20). Scroll to the Holy Happenings section of Saints Alive to learn more about the Meet & Greets.
5-Cents-A-Meal Has Real Impact
by Katie Harrington

Our group travelled to Malawi recently and had the privilege of meeting some of the children attending the CCAP school in Zomba, Malawi. Your generous donations provide critical nutrition to these students, and for some this is their only meal all day. Please consider giving to our 5-Cents-A-Meal offering this Sunday during worship, or you can make an online donation using the button below. Select "5-Cents-A-Meal Offering" as the designated fund.
Malawi Partnership Update
by Katie Harrington

Back row (left to right): John Pasquariello, James Brumit, Lynn Atkinson, Max Harrington, Katie Harrington, and Lily Skipper. Front row (left to right): Meredith Mack, Catheryn Thomas, and Margo Davy.
Our group safely returned home after two weeks of strengthening existing relationships and building new friendships with our partner church, Chuluchosema CCAP, in Malawi. We look forward to sharing our experiences with the congregation in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, here's a group photo of our team before dinner one night.
Yes, Do Recycle
by Earth Care Team

People ask: What really happens to recyclables? One answer is: It depends.
Unfortunately, the estimate is that only 32% of municipal solid waste is recycled or composted by the general public in the U.S. In New Hanover County it is about 11%.
Looking at what is recycled, it is estimated that most of the plastic we throw out ends up in the landfill or the ocean. But for those items that are recycled, some are more valuable and usable than others. For example, metal is the top recyclable money maker. Even recycled aluminum is much cheaper for businesses to use than making it from raw materials. The same goes for glass, which some localities don't accept, but New Hanover County does. Paper and cardboard are also valuable items to recycle, because there are substantial energy savings compared to using raw materials.
However, critics accuse the plastic industry of fraud for the false impression that they have created in the public mind that recycling plastic is beneficial. In truth, only 5% to 7% of plastics are recyclable. They are numbers 1 and 2. Numbers 3-7 usually end up in the landfill. Of the numbers 1 and 2 types, only one round of being recycled is viable, and that one round is energy intensive and can lead to the creation of microplastics. Plus the price of virgin plastic is much cheaper than recycled plastic. The newest tactic of the plastic and oil industry is advanced recycling. This is a "new" way of recycling plastics by burning it without using oxygen. One of the main concerns in using this process is the likely polluting of the air and ground water from the water used in the process, and the process uses lots of energy. It seems that the best way to deal with plastic is to buy as little as possible.
Finally, as a reminder, there are a few recyclable rules to remember. First is to keep plastic bags out of the blue can. Also, don't crush aluminum cans, because that can cause the sorting sensors to make errors. Also, if you question whether an item should be recycled, either call Wilmington Recycling and Trash at 910-341-7875 and ask, or throw it in the trash.
New Hanover has a recycling Materials Recovery Facility on U.S. 421 and ships recycled materials to various companies which buy them. Furthermore, the more we recycle, the more time is bought for our quickly filling landfill. If you are feeling especially civic minded, you can volunteer at the County landfill and pick up fly-away trash to keep it out of the surrounding wetlands.
There is no denying that recycling, other than plastics, is one way to help our Good Earth. So, may we "rest in fields of green grass" and be led to "pools of fresh, still water."
Unfortunately, the estimate is that only 32% of municipal solid waste is recycled or composted by the general public in the U.S. In New Hanover County it is about 11%.
Looking at what is recycled, it is estimated that most of the plastic we throw out ends up in the landfill or the ocean. But for those items that are recycled, some are more valuable and usable than others. For example, metal is the top recyclable money maker. Even recycled aluminum is much cheaper for businesses to use than making it from raw materials. The same goes for glass, which some localities don't accept, but New Hanover County does. Paper and cardboard are also valuable items to recycle, because there are substantial energy savings compared to using raw materials.
However, critics accuse the plastic industry of fraud for the false impression that they have created in the public mind that recycling plastic is beneficial. In truth, only 5% to 7% of plastics are recyclable. They are numbers 1 and 2. Numbers 3-7 usually end up in the landfill. Of the numbers 1 and 2 types, only one round of being recycled is viable, and that one round is energy intensive and can lead to the creation of microplastics. Plus the price of virgin plastic is much cheaper than recycled plastic. The newest tactic of the plastic and oil industry is advanced recycling. This is a "new" way of recycling plastics by burning it without using oxygen. One of the main concerns in using this process is the likely polluting of the air and ground water from the water used in the process, and the process uses lots of energy. It seems that the best way to deal with plastic is to buy as little as possible.
Finally, as a reminder, there are a few recyclable rules to remember. First is to keep plastic bags out of the blue can. Also, don't crush aluminum cans, because that can cause the sorting sensors to make errors. Also, if you question whether an item should be recycled, either call Wilmington Recycling and Trash at 910-341-7875 and ask, or throw it in the trash.
New Hanover has a recycling Materials Recovery Facility on U.S. 421 and ships recycled materials to various companies which buy them. Furthermore, the more we recycle, the more time is bought for our quickly filling landfill. If you are feeling especially civic minded, you can volunteer at the County landfill and pick up fly-away trash to keep it out of the surrounding wetlands.
There is no denying that recycling, other than plastics, is one way to help our Good Earth. So, may we "rest in fields of green grass" and be led to "pools of fresh, still water."
New Confirmation Class Coming Soon
by Jen Phelps

We will be holding a Confirmation class during the upcoming school year.
If you are, or have, a rising 8th or 9th Grader (or older that would like to participate) please contact Jen Phelps.
Even if you are unsure about what Confirmation is or if it is for you - let Jen know!
We will be having a Confirmation Contemplation meeting soon for any who are interested.
We will be having a Confirmation Contemplation meeting soon for any who are interested.
Attention Rising 6th Graders!
by Jen Phelps

Families of Rising 6th Graders: NOW is the time to contact Jen Phelps about getting your child involved in our youth ministry. Email Jen ASAP.
Holy Happenings @ SACPC
"How We Learn to be Brave" Summer Book Group

Summer Reading Club
"How We Learn to be Brave"
July 16 | 4:00 pm
Living Faith Rm 214
"How We Learn to be Brave"
July 16 | 4:00 pm
Living Faith Rm 214
Join us reading this book by Mariann Edgar Budde, one chapter at a time, and meeting for informal discussion on Wednesdays, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in Room 214 (Living Faith). You will need to acquire the book on your own and try to read Chapter 1 before our first meeting: July 2 - Aug. 6. If you would like to meet via Zoom please contact Sue McCaffray.
Walking in the Word July Bible Study

Walking in the Word
July 20 | 9:00 am
Rm 236
July 20 | 9:00 am
Rm 236
The Walking in the Word Sunday School class invites you to join us during the Sundays in July and August as we meet from 9:00 - 10:00 am and continue our study of Acts.
Capital Campaign Meet & Greet

Capital Campaign Meet & Greet
July 20 | 11:00 am
Sanctuary
July 20 | 11:00 am
Sanctuary
Come meet the Capital Campaign Team, learn more about our renovation projects and get answers to any questions you may have. This Meet & Greet will directly following the 10:00 am worship service. Light refreshments will be served in the Chapel.
August Coffee & Fellowship Time

Coffee & Fellowship
AUG 3, 10, & 17 | 11:00 am
Chapel
AUG 3, 10, & 17 | 11:00 am
Chapel
For August, our Fellowship Team invites everyone to join us in the Chapel after worship for sweet treats, coffee, water, and lemonade.

Music | Contact Cindy Litzinger
Exciting News! New Handbell Group Forming!

We are truly blessed by the wonderful interest in our handbell ministry. We've had folks express a desire to join our group and in order to make a space for all to continue to enjoy the job of making music together, we're forming a second bell choir!
Whether you're a seasoned ringer or new to handbells, we invite you to join us.
Here are the details:
When: Thursdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am beginning Sept. 18th
Where: Handbell Room
Questions? Cindy Litzinger
Thank you for your support as we continue to expand our music ministry together.
Whether you're a seasoned ringer or new to handbells, we invite you to join us.
Here are the details:
When: Thursdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am beginning Sept. 18th
Where: Handbell Room
Questions? Cindy Litzinger
Thank you for your support as we continue to expand our music ministry together.
We're Hiring | Contemporary Worship Director
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.

Go & Serve | Contact Gary Smith
Summer Cooks Needed for DVSS Casseroles
by Carol Query

With the summer months upon us, our friends at the Domestic Violence Shelter continue to need the casseroles we have prepared for them so far in 2025. Those enjoying the casseroles are often mothers with young children. Therefore, the casseroles need to be child-friendly, not a dish that Emeril might have prepared with lots of ingredients and spices.
If you would like to prepare a casserole, please go to the mail room near the dining room to get a 13 x 9 aluminum pan and lid from the cabinet next to the freezer. Take it home, prepare a casserole in it with directions for heating on the outside, and then on Sunday place the casserole in the freezer where I will get it and take it to DVSS.
For additional information, call or text Carol Query at 910-470-3127 or click the link below to send an email.
Current available dates:
JULY 6, 13, 20, & 27.
AUGUST 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31.
SEPTEMBER 7, 14, 21, & 28.
THANK-YOU so much for considering my invitation for your participation in a most beneficial Go and Serve project.
If you would like to prepare a casserole, please go to the mail room near the dining room to get a 13 x 9 aluminum pan and lid from the cabinet next to the freezer. Take it home, prepare a casserole in it with directions for heating on the outside, and then on Sunday place the casserole in the freezer where I will get it and take it to DVSS.
For additional information, call or text Carol Query at 910-470-3127 or click the link below to send an email.
Current available dates:
JULY 6, 13, 20, & 27.
AUGUST 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31.
SEPTEMBER 7, 14, 21, & 28.
THANK-YOU so much for considering my invitation for your participation in a most beneficial Go and Serve project.
Let's Fill the Backpacks!

In July we will once again have one of our favorite collections--providing backpacks and school supplies for children in need in our community. We are accepting backpacks for children from kindergarten through high school.
Supplies we'll collect include:
The items we collect will be divided among WRAAP, the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, and Family Promise. This is a tangible--and fun--way to stay faithfully present in our community.
Supplies we'll collect include:
- pens and markers
- pencils and colored pencils
- crayons
- 3-ring binders and notebook paper
- composition books
- folders
- construction paper
- scissors
- erasers
- glue sticks
- rulers
- index cards
- -and, of course, backpacks
The items we collect will be divided among WRAAP, the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, and Family Promise. This is a tangible--and fun--way to stay faithfully present in our community.

Children | Contact Lynn Warner
Save the Date | Family Beach Night

Family Beach Night
AUG 17 | 5:30 pm
Ft. Fisher State Park
AUG 17 | 5:30 pm
Ft. Fisher State Park
Join us at Fort Fisher State Park (Kure Beach) for a SACPC Family Beach Night! Bring a picnic dinner for your family. We will provide ice cream treats. Come fellowship and enjoy God's beautiful creation together!
Children's Events
Youth | Contact Jen Phelps
Summer Service Day

Middle and high school students are invited to come help get our new Youth space moved in and ready! Bring your friends and meet your friends at the church between 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (lunch provided!).
Sign up using the link below.
Sign up using the link below.
Youth Pickleball Night

Middle and High School students are invited to come hang out in Brown Hall for pickleball and other air conditioned shenanigans! Friends are welcome - snacks will be provided. If you have Pickleball equipment to share - please bring it with you!
End of Summer Party!

By popular demand - we are spending more time at Bill's!
We will gather Sunday night, August 10th from 6:30 - 8pm.
There will be walking tacos and water fun.
Friends are welcome!
Youth Lock-In

Our annual lock-in event for middle and high school students! This year, we will be in the main church building. Friends are welcome - just warn Jen how many you are bringing so we can plan accordingly!
Youth Events

GIVING | Contact Susan Dykes
June Financial Highlight
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.

CareLine Updates as of July 15, 2025
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
Philippians 4:4-6
We Grieve For:
Robin Harper’s dad, Bill Tate, who passed away July 2nd at Trinity Grove.
We Pray For:
Soaring As Eagles Pre-K Jumpstart program which runs at our church from June 23rd until August 1st — prayers for the children and their families, for the teachers, Kim Ceasar, staff and volunteers.
Martha Futch who is scheduled for pacemaker surgery on July 15th and ablation the next day.
Phyllis Smith who had a ruptured appendix last Thursday and is currently in the hospital.
Martha Futch who is scheduled for pacemaker surgery on July 15th and ablation the next day.
Phyllis Smith who had a ruptured appendix last Thursday and is currently in the hospital.
We Give Praise For:
The safe return of the group who traveled to the Massanetta Middle School Conference July 10-13: Ari Aramato, Brooklyn Johnson, Elle Lathan, Josie Harrington, Lyda Williams, Tory Hilliard, Rita Pasquariello and Jen Phelps.
Jackie Samgour, a friend of Sue Messina’s, who had many UTIs and kidney stones requiring stents. Her kidneys are functioning normally now.
Jackie Samgour, a friend of Sue Messina’s, who had many UTIs and kidney stones requiring stents. Her kidneys are functioning normally now.
Service Personnel:
Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG ), Smith Beacham (Poland/Germany), 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 (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.
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.
Birthday Celebrations | July 15 - 22, 2025
July 15: Susan Dykes
July 16: Don Floyd, Ed Kiefhaber, Emily Pensinger
July 17: Harrison Gould, Dennis Nicks, G.W. Rippy-Roehner, Helen Rippy-Roehner, James Stuart, Brent Williams
July 18: Nan Caison, Jo Carpenter, Greg Davis, Jim Snyder
July 20: Kevin Crooks, Chris Faulk
July 21: Virginia Nordeen
July 16: Don Floyd, Ed Kiefhaber, Emily Pensinger
July 17: Harrison Gould, Dennis Nicks, G.W. Rippy-Roehner, Helen Rippy-Roehner, James Stuart, Brent Williams
July 18: Nan Caison, Jo Carpenter, Greg Davis, Jim Snyder
July 20: Kevin Crooks, Chris Faulk
July 21: Virginia Nordeen

View our most recent Session Reports.
SACPC Contacts
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
For pastoral concerns:
Katie Harrington kharrington@sacpc.org
910-762-9693 x203
Parker Lucas plucas@sacpc.org
910-762-9693 x202
For financial questions:
Susan Dykes sdykes@sacpc.org; x207
For newsletter, website, social media, and other communication questions:
Emily Donovan (edonovan@sacpc.org)
For the front desk:
call 910-762-9693 x201
For facility use reservations, Memorial Garden & The Block information:
Catheryn Thomas cthomas@sacpc.org; x229
Session Contacts: If you have questions, concerns or recommendations feel free to contact any session member individually or email the session at session@sacpc.org.
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
For pastoral concerns:
Katie Harrington kharrington@sacpc.org
910-762-9693 x203
Parker Lucas plucas@sacpc.org
910-762-9693 x202
For financial questions:
Susan Dykes sdykes@sacpc.org; x207
For newsletter, website, social media, and other communication questions:
Emily Donovan (edonovan@sacpc.org)
For the front desk:
call 910-762-9693 x201
For facility use reservations, Memorial Garden & The Block information:
Catheryn Thomas cthomas@sacpc.org; x229
Session Contacts: If you have questions, concerns or recommendations feel free to contact any session member individually or email the session at session@sacpc.org.
Recent
SACPC Weekly Updates for July 15 - 22, 2025
July 15th, 2025
SACPC Weekly Updates for July 8 - 15, 2025
July 8th, 2025
SACPC Weekly Updates for June 24 - July 8, 2025
June 25th, 2025
SACPC Weekly Updates for June 10 - 24, 2025
June 10th, 2025
SACPC Weekly Updates for May 27 - June 3, 2025
May 27th, 2025
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