On Sunday, Katie will be preaching the last Sunday in our Lord's Prayer series "Pray This Way: Deliver Us". The Scripture readings will be Psalm 4 and Matthew 22:39-46. Our elementary M&M children will also be ringing chimes at both services. 

by Parker Lucas

Looking for time to connect with your fellow church folks, of all ages, outside of the walls of SACPC? Please drop in and join us at Flying Machine Brewing (3130 Randall Parkway) from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 16th.

by Sue McCaffray

Due to scheduling conflicts Dr. Rev. Gary Smith's discussion on the importance of the Reformation previously scheduled for Wednesday, October 22 has been postponed. Instead, Matthew McDonald will lead a guided meditation on the Lord's Prayer. 

by Shelley Hobson

Beginning Monday, October 20th, the Stillpoint class will begin a weekly study of The Book of Forgiving.  Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Chair of The Elders, and Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, along with his daughter, the Reverend Mpho Tutu, offer a manual on the art of forgiveness—helping us to realize that we are all capable of healing and transformation.

Tutu's role as the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission taught him much about forgiveness. If you asked anyone what they thought was going to happen to South Africa after apartheid, almost universally it was predicted that the country would be devastated by a comprehensive bloodbath. Yet, instead of revenge and retribution, this new nation chose to tread the difficult path of confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

The Book of Forgiving is both a touchstone and a tool, offering Tutu's wise advice and showing the way to experience forgiveness. Ultimately, forgiving is the only means we have to heal ourselves and our aching world.

Stillpoint is a group of women who meet Mondays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm via Zoom.  If you are interested in joining us, please contact Shelley Hobson or Lynn Kozik for the Zoom link.

by Shelley Hobson

September 28th was a momentous day at our partner church in Malawi.  Beloved Abusa Silas Ncozana officially retired, and Abusa Joseph Maganga stepped into his very big shoes!  Part of the ceremony was the reading of a letter of celebration and support from SACPC's Malawi Partnership team:

Commendation on Service of Very Reverend Professor Silas Ncozana 

September 28, 2025

On this very solemn and important occasion as Silas transitions out of the leadership position as moderator and senior pastor of the Chuluchosema CCAP church we, your Partners at Saint Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, wish to celebrate and thank him for his outstanding contributions to the lives of so many people in Malawi and all over the world whom he has touched throughout his life of service.

Silas has served in many roles during his career as a minister of the Word, but we would like to focus on his work in establishing partnerships with congregations in the United States and in Scotland. These partnerships have resulted in many people coming to Malawi and developing relationships with the people of Chuluchosema as well as other parts of the country. We are especially thankful for his efforts and collaboration with the pastors and people of Saint Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, North Carolina, USA.

Silas is a man of great integrity who has immense love for his fellow human beings. He has been blessed with a great ability to communicate the love of God for all people. His vision is amazing. He sees vacant land and imagines a house of worship, a school, and a clinic and then has the perseverance to implement that vision. Very few people have that ability. His success can be attributed to many things, but partnerships have been very important to that success. We are thankful that he found us and that we found him so that we could join him in fulfilling his vision.

Silas has decided it is time to step down from his duties at Chuluchosema. But before he did, he searched for the right person who shares his integrity, vision, and love of his fellow human. It was not an easy problem to solve. Many excellent people could have been chosen. In the end he chose Rev. Joseph Maganga. Joseph has shown through his life work that, like Silas, he has vision, integrity and love for his fellow Malawians.

Many believe great things have been accomplished at Chuluchosema during Silas’s time here; we believe that there is much greatness ahead under Joseph’s leadership and we fully embrace and support his ministry. We ask God to bless Silas and his family as he leaves full-time ministry for other projects and also to be with Joseph and the Chuluchosema CCAP, a beautiful church in the Warm Heart of Africa as a new chapter begins in its life.

Godspeed,

Rev. Katie Harrington, Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Gary Smith, Parish Associate
Ed Hobson, Chairman, Malawi Partnership Committee

by Julian March

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

September’s Session meeting was abbreviated as it was held during the annual retreat. 

December/January worship update: Session approved the following worship updates: 

• December 24, 2025: Services with Communion will be held at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• December 28, 2025: One service will be held at 10 a.m. 
• January 4, 2026: One service will be held at 10 a.m. 

Installation Service: Associate Pastor Lucas’ installation service has been rescheduled and will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2025.

Called Session Meeting: A meeting is called for Oct. 19, 2025, to receive new members. 

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

Katie Harrington reported:

• Capital Campaign update: SACPC has received $3.1 million in total pledges toward “Joyfully Present, Prayerfully Connected,” and $500,000 in gifts have been received to date. 
• Staff updates: The contemporary worship leader position remains vacant but candidates are under review. Collin Berry has joined the staff to support facilities and security. 

Rev. Harrington adjourned the business portion of the meeting to focus on the retreat discussions and later concluded the meeting with prayer. 

by Gary Smith

Shelter Care members built a storage shed for the church playground. Because of the tight space into which it was to be placed, the shed had to be built off-site and moved by trailer to the playground. As you can see, it took a large group of men to move the shed from the trailer to its site at the playground. David Smith designed the shed and oversaw the project and the move. Thanks to him and all the men who participated.

The menu for this week is: Chicken Penne Alfredo, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, Italian Chocolate Cake. Cost: $25/family $7/adult $5/under 12.

Laura Bullock of Vigilant Hope will lead a discussion on the problems and recommended solutions to Wilmington's affordable housing crisis.

Join fellow members of SACPC as we work together to support the military veterans living at the Good Shepherd’s Sgt. Eugene Ashey Center.  We’ll be tackling various facility maintenance jobs (i.e. grounds beatification and kitchen cleaning). The center provides short-term, transitional bridge housing to veterans who are in the process of securing permanent housing. If interested, please sign up using the QR Code provided below.  For questions contact Pat Litzinger.

Join Matthew McDonald, former Contemporary Worship Leader at SACPC and Founder of the Peace App, for a special 30-minute guided meditation on the Lord’s Prayer. Many in our church family are currently beta testing the Peace App, and this meditation will offer a preview of how scripture, stillness, and prayer can draw us closer to God.

Rooted in the words Jesus taught us to pray, this time of rest and reflection will provide a space to slow down, breathe deeply, and experience the depth and meaning of the Lord’s Prayer in a fresh and powerful way.

All are welcome to participate—come as you are, bring your heart, and rest in God’s presence. Matthew encourages Yoga mats, blankets, pillows, eye covers, journals, water, tissues, and anything else you need to ensure complete comfort.

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 from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm at the beautiful Southport Presbyterian Church, led by our old friend Rev. Ann Jahnes. The cost will be $20, including lunch.

Registration is open now and closes October 15. Your payment will secure your spot. Hope to see you there! Click the button to register now.

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!

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.

In October, we will be collecting items for our Mercy Pouch Ministry. The bulletin board near the gathering area has tickets for the needed items.  Please take one or more tickets, as you can, and help purchase these items. Last year approximately 1,100 Mercy Pouches were distributed to our neighbors in need.  Thank you for your participation in this Ministry.

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.

We will gather with other youth groups in support of the work of The Harrelson Center. Meet up at The W.O.O. (Wrightsville United Methodist Church's location at 5810 Oleander Drive) for fellowship, food (dinner provided) fun and friends!

Middle and high school students gather for fellowship, Bible study and our small group ministry every other Wednesday night. Fall dates: 10/8, 10/22, 11/5, and 11/19.

**Note our new location back in the church beginning this fall.**

Lower Level opens at 6:30 pm. Programming begins at 7:00 pm. See Jen Phelps for more details.

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

The Conley family in the death of Lil on 10-13-2025.  Please remember Marty, Sarah, Jamie and Craig in your prayers.

The wedding of Clayton Freeman and Bryan Dickson on 10-11-2025.  Clayton’s parents are Margaret and Jerry Freeman.

The acceptance of new deacons and elders as incoming officers.

A new staff member, Camille Hartley, as contemporary worship leader.

Polly Sheats who has entered rehabilitation for strengthening.

Kent Anderson who fell from a high ladder and has a badly fractured heel bone.  Surgery will occur once the swelling has subsided.

David Donovan and his father, John Donovan, who is receiving hospice care at home.

The confirmation class retreat this weekend with Jen and mentors.

Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG ), Smith Beacham (Poland/Germany), Jack Looney (USS Carl Vinson, San Diego, CA), Samuel Makepeace (Fort Benning , 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.

October 14: Jim Brumit, Shayla Durst, Debbie Szwarc
October 15: Charles Almond, Marjorie Lanier, Linda Lee, Myra Rippy
October 16: Margaret Crawford, Player Murray
October 17: Susan Kraus
October 18: Davis Cherry
October 19: Ann Danchak, Sue Strickler
October 20: George Chadwick IV, Joy Kronenfeld, Al Todd, Wayne Wright
October 21: Cathy Garner, Luke Lanier

View our most recent Session Reports.