Katie leads us in worship with scripture coming from Deuteronomy 30:15-20. It's Rally Day and Communion Sunday! We return to our regular worship schedule with both services now in Brown Hall.

by Cindy Litzinger

Mark your calendars! Contemporary Worship is returning on Sunday, September 7 at 9:00 am. Gather with us for a joyful morning—Contemporary at 9:00 am, Traditional at 11:00 am. Two services, one church family!

by Christian Education Ministries

Rally Day marks the return of our Sunday School classes to their normal schedules. We offer four different adult Bible studies every Sunday at 10:00 am and a Monday evening women's Zoom study at 5:00 pm.

Evans Feezor (RM 215) is a men's class using The Present Word Adult Bible Lessons. Contact Steve Miller (steve.miller@smithturf.com) for more information.

Walking in the Word (Rm 236) is a co-ed class studying the Book of Acts this fall. Contact Randy Barrow (randykbarrow@gmail.com) for more information.

Living Faith (Rm 214) is a co-ed class using lectionary lessons. Contact Sue McCaffray (smccaffray@sacpc.org) for more information.

Venture (Rm 240) is a co-ed class studying Proverbs 6 about six things the Lord hates. If you are curious, please join us! We have coffee and wonderful refreshments. Contact Kathy Benson (kathybenson@juno.com) for more information.

Stillpoint via Zoom on Mondays at 5:00 pm is women's book study seeking spiritual growth through contemplative study and reflection. Contact Lynn Kozik at clmkozik@gmail.com or Shelley Hobson at shelleyhobson@me.com for more information.

Come on down to the Lower Level on Sunday, September 7 at 10:00 am to see all the fabulous new changes that have been made this summer! Our youth have officially relocated from The HUB to their new home in the Lower Level and our children's ministry areas have been updated as well. Come tour the spaces, get a new backpack tag, and see where your Sunday School classes will be!

by Julian March

Rev. Harrington called the meeting to order and called on Rosalind Barker, who offered a devotion based on prayer and opened the meeting with prayer.  

Ends Discussion: You might hear about the “ends,” or guiding principles of our church and the Great Ends of the Church, which guide the vision and missions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Elders regularly receive education about our “ends” to ensure alignment with its long-term strategic plans. Dr. Tom Dalton attended on behalf of Eden Village, one of SACPC’s missional efforts, as we endeavor to be “faithfully present in our community.” Eden Village is a tiny home community designed to provide permanent homes for chronically homeless individuals. The SACPC youth visit Eden Village monthly, and SACPC also has a home team to serve as dedicated support systems to residents. Dalton discussed how homelessness is a housing problem, and greater supply is needed, and the community is planning to add units. He also said homelessness is a fundamental loss of family and community. Dalton shared the importance of volunteers in supporting Eden Village and its residents, including by building relationships. The community has tours at 2 p.m. on Mondays.

October Presbytery Meeting: Elders Virginia Hager and Nancy Trout will serve as commissioners representing SACPC.

Called Congregational Meeting: Scheduled at 10:50 a.m. on Oct. 12, 2025, to elect new church officers.

Session Retreat: Annual retreat will be held September 26-27, 2025, and will include the September Session meeting.

Katie Harrington reported:

• Capital Campaign update: Katie shared her amazement with the overwhelming generosity of the congregation and shared gratitude for the impact stories and expressed thanks to the capital campaign team. The totals raised will be shared with the congregation on Sept. 7. The First Fruit offering will be Sept. 21, formally launching the three-year commitment cycle. 
• HVAC project: All areas of the church have come online with the new system except for the sanctuary. 
• The new external door to enhance safety in the preschool area is installed.
• We will move to Brown Hall for worship as of Sept. 7, and the staff has completed two dry runs to prepare for worship. 
• The Lower Level looks amazing and has been painted, and youth and children’s spaces have been updated. 
• We are still searching for the director of contemporary worship, please pray for that position. 

Rev. Harrington adjourned the meeting with prayer.

by Lynn Warner

We are currently in need of additional nursery help on Sunday mornings. This is a paid opportunity. If you are a college student or someone who is in need of some extra money please reach out to Amy Allen, our nursery coordinator for further information. The hours are 8:30 am - 12:30 pm on Sunday mornings. We look forward to adding some additional workers for our amazing children on Sunday mornings!

by Cindy Litzinger

Several of you have asked about the search for our new contemporary music director, and I wanted to share an update. We’ve been working diligently—posting, searching, and interviewing—and will continue the process until we find the right person.

In the meantime, we’re excited to announce that contemporary worship will resume at its regular time of 9:00 AM on Sunday, September 7. You’ll see many of your favorite familiar faces leading music, and perhaps even a new one or two!

Please help us spread the word about this opportunity, and most importantly, keep this search in your prayers as we continue to discern God’s leading. 

by Vickie Lapp

Dear Friends!

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but kindness cheers it up. 
-Proverbs 12:25

I have been so blessed during the last 4 months by YOU!  Within minutes our lives were changed, when I fell back in May. God’s love has been seen and felt through this wellness journey; in the many ways you have reached out to us during our time of need.

The visits and the calls made things feel normal and took my mind off the reality of my situation. The meals and gift cards eliminated the stress for Robb's need to prepare food when he was already shortening his work week to take care of me.

Thank you for the prayers, cards, flowers, visits, calls, errands, the ramp, transportation, delicious food and love you provided us. Your kindness is appreciated and will never be forgotten. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Much love, Vickie Lapp

by Carol Query

With fall almost upon us, it is time for each of us to consider preparing a 13x9 casserole of comfort food to give to the clients of the Domestic Violence Shelter.  Aluminum pans and lids are available in the mailroom cabinet beside the big white freezer.  Once you take the container, you make a casserole in it, bake it, freeze it, and return it to the church freezer on a given Sunday so that it can be delivered to the Open Gate mid-week.

Each week, two casseroles are delivered to the Open Gate which in turn are delivered to the actual shelter. Here between 25 -30 predominately women and children are housed and fed to protect them from their abusers. The clients are most appreciative and often send verbal messages through the DVSS employees.

There is a calendar of available dates to deliver prepared casseroles in a notebook in the mailroom next to the small dining room. For further information, contact Carol Query by email or call 910-470-3127.

by Donna Philips

Beginning September 8 and 9… Mondays and Tuesdays from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm or 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm in Brown Hall. Please note, we will be limited to only one court during the renovations. All are welcome. Contact Donna Philips at 404 226-5976 to register.

by Catheryn Thomas

We are looking for a new Facilities Assistant who will join our building team, helping with security and set-ups and other tasks around the church campus. Please see the attached job description, and share it with anyone you think might be interested. Questions can be addressed to Tony Colmenares, Facilities Manager.

by Catheryn Thomas

SACPC has a long relationship with boy scouts and cub scouts in Wilmington, with both Troop 13 and Pack 13 meeting in our church for decades. They are always looking for new members. If you have a boy in your family interested in scouts, please contact the following scout leaders: Ken Fitzgivens, Cub Scout leader Kevin Hicks, Boy Scout leader

by Earth Care Team

"God dresses grass in the field so beautifully..." [Matthew 6:30]

Sometimes its hard, or overwhelming, to know which plants are truly native to our area. The Earth Care Team recommends downloading the free Pl@ntNet app to your smartphone. Pl@ntNet is a citizen science project which uses crowdsourcing and artificial intelligence (AI) databases to help identify plants based on pictures submitted from all over the world. Per the app's website "[I]t is one of the world’s largest biodiversity observatories, with several million contributors in over 200 countries."

The Earth Care Team also invites you to enjoy this year's Cape Fear Native Plant Festival:

10th Annual Cape Fear Native Plant Festival
SEP 17 - 21
Hosted by the Native Plant Alliance, Wednesday (9/17) - Friday (9/19) will feature a series of educational talks in the evening about sustainable landscaping. Saturday (9/20) is Native Plant Shopping Day, check the festival website for a list of participating vendors. Sunday (9/21) is the Native Plant Garden Tours. Tickets are required for the garden tours.

We are excited to continue our Football Ministry, this being our 7th season in a row supporting the New Hanover High School football team. This is an impactful men's ministry allowing us the opportunity to get to know the young men that live in our neighborhood and hopefully build relationships.  We provide the "Team Meal" on Thursdays for the entire season, starting September 4th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in Brown Hall. So, if you're looking for a ministry to get involved with, please join your fellow men. Please feel free to call me should you have any questions. Go Wildcats!

David Massey (910-617-8546)

September's Presbyterian Women;s Bible study will be led by Lynn Atkinson. The theme is Mary Magdalene, the Tower. Our faith is strengthened by learning more about Mary Magdalene, a towering witness to the resurrection. We will explore scripture from John 20:11-18, John 11:17-27.

All are invited to attend. The same lesson will be given on September 9, 10, and 11 at 10:00 am in Dining Room. See Katherine Brandi for details.

M&M is a joint ministry between Music and Christian Education. Children experience music by singing, playing pitch and rhythm games, ringing handbells, and playing Orff instruments; while also developing a strong foundation for faith formation. They support our worship services with their musical talents on a scheduled basis. Contact Cindy Litzinger for more details.

The menu for Wednesday, SEP 10 is Garden Salad, Spaghetti with Bolognese Sauce, Garlic Bread, and Dessert. Cost: $25/family $7/adult $5/under 12. 

Join us for a fun night as we kick-off our fall POPS program with the Port City Ukuholics. This ukuele band is based in Wilmington and plays classic rock, dance, folk, pop, country and Hawaiian music. Our very own Shelley Hobson is a member of the band. This night should put a smile on your face.

POPS Meal begins at 5:30 pm in Brown Hall.

Join us for this important and timely discussion on social righteousness and justice with Rev. Jerrod Lowery and Dr. Rev. Gary Smith. Come early and enjoy a POPS Meal at 5:30 pm in Brown Hall.

Localized flooding is on the rise. Join the Earth Care Team for an important conversation with our very own Tony McEwen and City of Wilmington Chief Resilience Officer, Craig Harris, about what communities can do to be more resilient and proactive to flood risks; as well as ways we can work together to help promote and support flood resilience strategies locally and at the state level.

POPS Meal at 5:30 pm in Brown Hall.

Join us for a musical journey with the Appalachian State University Steely Pan Steel Band! This dynamic ensemble delivers an exhilarating mix of calypso, classical masterpieces, classic rock and roll and even some heartwarming Appalachian mountain music. These talented musicians will have you dancing in your seat and singing along. Don’t miss out on this unique celebration of sound!

Join our spirited Zoom group of Thursday Night Disciples as we ponder Philip Yancey's classic book. We meet on Thursdays, October. 2 - Nov. 6, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.  Each week we read a couple chapters from the participant's guide and view a video together as we discuss. Reading Yancey's original book is optional. Contact Dave Hoff to sign up and for more information. We'd love to have you!

Each one of us is created in the image of God. This means that there is a divine spark of the Holy Spirit within every one of us. The purpose of this retreat is to open our hearts to that spark, letting it shine and glow. Mark your calendars for our one-day fall Spiritual Life retreat on Saturday, October 25, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, at the beautiful Southport Presbyterian Church, led by our old friend Rev. Ann Jahnes.

Registration will be required, and details will follow shortly. Men and women of all ages welcome. See Sue McCaffray for details.

Experience an afternoon of musical brilliance with the Gentlemen’s Quartet (GQ), as they present a modern, elegant take on timeless classics and popular hits, from Beethoven to John Legend. Their unique arrangements fuse multiple genres together in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity and humor. With impressive musical credits that include Broadway, The West End, and performances with artists such as Vanessa WIlliams, Dee Snyder, Tony Bennett, The Manhattan Transfer, Audra McDonald, James Taylor, etc., these versatile musicians promise an unforgettable afternoon of entertainment. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind concert!

Our choir brings together individuals who love to worship through music.  We rehearse weekly and sing during the 11:00 am traditional worship service and for special worship events (i.e. Christmas Eve, Easter, etc.).  Whether you're a seasoned vocalist or a beginner, all are welcome! Come and share your voice and make a joyful noise with us. Practice begins Wednesday, September 3 in the Choir Rm. See Angela Burns for details.

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. 18
Where: Handbell Room
Questions?  Cindy Litzinger

Thank you for your support as we continue to expand our music ministry together.

During September, Go & Serve will be collecting non-perishable foods for our neighbors who struggle to feed themselves. Everything will be distributed among Good Shepherd, Salvation Army, and the Rescue Mission, all of which work to help those in need. Suggested food items include those listed below.

• Cereal, both hot and cold
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Instant rice and potatoes
• Canned soup
• Canned chicken and tuna
• Packaged snacks
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Sugar or flour
• #10 cans of fruits, vegetables, or beans

Please bring your donations to the table in the Gathering Area where we will be collecting while we worship in Brown Hall. Thank you for loving our neighbors this way.

All 3rd & 4th graders are invited to join us at the 9:00 am worship service to receive The Adventure Bible which is designed for new readers aged 8-12 to help them navigate the powerful stories of the Bible!

The Bible presentation will be followed up with a six week interactive Sunday School class called Dive Deep designed to help children discover what an amazing gift the Word of God can be in their lives!

This is a 6-week interactive class designed to explore the Who, What, Where, When's and How's of worship! Beginning September 14, Children in Grades K - 2 will be involved in a special study called WONDERS OF WORSHIP where we will explore what worship is all about and why it is central to our lives as Christians. This class is designed to prepare children to understand why we worship and what it all means as an important Spiritual Rite of Passage.

This is a 6-week interactive class designed to help new readers discover what an amazing gift the Word of God can be in their lives! This class guides 3rd - 5th grade students on how to use The Adventure Bible each child will receive during the 9:00 am worship service on Sunday, September 14.

Reach out to Lynn Warner if you have a child interested in receiving a new Bible and participating in this fun and formative study.

Middle and high school students gather for fellowship, Bible study and our small group ministry every other Wednesday night. **Note our new location back in the church beginning this fall.**

Programming begins at 7:00 pm. See Jen Phelps for more details.

Middle and high school students are invited for a night out at the new Surf's Up Mini Golf in Carolina Beach. Friends are welcome, but advance registration is required - and let us know if you want to ride with us to and from the church or meet us there.

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

Nannette Gabler’s family in the death of her 17 year old granddaughter on August 27th

Betts Appleton’s family.  Betts’s service is Saturday at Oleander Gardens at 11:00 am.

Lil Conley who is hospitalized at Duke. Please use this link to her CaringBridge site.

Jeanne Owens’s daughter, Mitzi Lesher-Thomas, who has been fighting a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumor for 4 years. She is now under hospice care and is very weak and very tired. She lives in Clemmons, NC. Continue prayers for her peace and comfort.

Parker Lucas who needs continued prayers for healing as he remains out of work. Cards are appreciated but please refrain from calls or visits at this time.   

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), 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.

September 2: Mary Ellen Black, Austin Durst, Jack Richardson
September 3: Jane Davis, Angie Garrett
September 4: Sybil Bottom, Tom Hyatt, Kristen Lee, Charles Wells
September 5: Morgan Moskal
September 6: Jim Barker
September 8: Jay Burney, Marshall Lawrence, T Worrell
September 9: Colleen Holliday, Trudy Keever, Lindley White

View our most recent Session Reports.