Katie leads us in worship with scripture from 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. Our Boy Scout troop will assist with worship, and we will hear a moment for mission from our Earth Care team. 

One of our Block partners, Vigilant Hope's Roastery (located at the corner of 16th and Dock) held a Birthday Raffle to celebrate 5 years in business! For each coffee order you could enter the raffle to win a variety of prizes donated by various businesses. Our own Catheryn Thomas won the raffle and was presented with many wonderful prizes! CONGRATULATION CATHERYN!!!

Many of us at the church go there on a regular basis for great coffee and to support a good cause. The Roastery is a wonderful place to hold a meeting, catch up with a friend or just stop in for a great cup of coffee or specialty drink all while supporting Vigilant Hope! One of their mottos is: "It was never about coffee."  Check it out if you haven't already!

by Katie Harrington

We are prayerfully and carefully monitoring the winter weather forecast for this weekend, keeping everyone’s safety in mind. If any changes need to be made to Sunday’s worship schedule, we will share an update on our website homepage, Facebook, and Instagram no later than 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 25. If no update is posted, we look forward to gathering together as usual.

Please note: Our livestream is always available when we are able to hold in-person worship.

by Julian March

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

New officers: December’s Session meeting included candidates for incoming officers. Elder and Deacon candidates divided into small groups with current Elders for new officer examinations. Following the examinations, Session approved the new officers. Installation and ordination of new officers will occur at both worship services on Jan. 11, 2026.

Budget update: Finance chair Rosalind Barker provided an overview of the 2026 asking budget, which will be up for a vote in early 2026. As of the meeting, SACPC has received 146 pledges toward the annual stewardship campaign. 

Annual meeting: Our annual meeting is set for Feb. 15, 2026. The meeting will be embedded in a Unity Service held at 10 a.m. 

Donor recognition policy: Session approved a new policy with guidelines on recognizing significant financial gifts toward renovation projects by honoring individuals and families for service, leadership or memorial purposes. Recognition could include naming rights for church spaces and memorial plaques. The policy includes specific guidelines for clarity and consistency, and states Session must formally approve all naming or donor recognition opportunities.

Katie Harrington report: Rev. Harrington reflected that the year of 2025 brought many decisions and changes that have impacted the life of our congregation. She shared a summary as a review and reminder of the way we have listened to where God is calling us a church into the future. Highlights included:

• New staff members, including Rev. Parker Lucas as associate pastor.
• Voting to proceed with a capital campaign for the HVAC loan and sanctuary renovation and forming a capital campaign task force. 
• Designating spaces within the Block as rental property, and moving the youth to the lower level of SACPC following needed updates to the lower level. 
• Approving a sanctuary renovation budget, which led to the start of sanctuary renovations, with worship services temporarily moving to Brown Hall. 
• Held a Session retreat, leading to a desire to update our Ends Policy, and later approving the formation of a task force to continue this work. 

Rev. Harrington adjourned the meeting with prayer

by Gary Smith

Two teams from SACPC competed at Wingspan's second annual Trivia Night fundraiser on January 15. The team consisting of Sue McCaffray, Rickman Davis, Walker Heidenreich, Jim Fox, Jane Smith, and Gary Smith captured first place, narrowly defeating seventeen other teams including a second one from SACPC that included Jen Phelps, Parker Lucas, Dax Hawkins, Kelly Hawkins, Lora Padula, and Bob Padula. SACPC supports Wingspan, a ministry at UNCW, led by campus minister Elizabeth Villegas, through our Go and Serve budget.

by Catheryn Thomas

We know everyone is just as excited as we on staff are to see the photos of the Sanctuary and adjacent spaces. We're so close to the finish line! BUT: that end of the building is still very much an active construction zone, with tools and equipment around, and open holes in the floors. So, please resist the temptation to just take a peek. Our insurance agents will appreciate your cooperation.

by John Bohbrink

Giving for the Capital Campaign has exceeded all expectations! However, giving for our operating expenses is behind. Currently, we have 158 pledges for $1,050,000. That is over $100,000 behind last year. Prayerfully consider your giving for this year. If you still need to pledge for this year, please contact Susan Dykes at church office.

by Rene Sasser

Thank you to everyone who helped make the December Dine With a Cause event at Panera successful! We appreciate your support.

We are excited to announce our next event. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 27, and join us at City Barbeque. All day, City Barbeque will donate 20% of sales to the preschool when you show them a copy of this flyer. Or, use the code GIVE when dining online or on the app. Please make sure to enter the code before checking out.  

City Barbeque is located at 3824 Carolina Beach Rd.

Your participation helps us fund programs, supplies, and experiences that make our preschool such a special place for our children. So grab your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and eat at City Barbeque on January 27. Thank you for supporting our school community — one bite at a time.

by Rene Sasser

Enrollment is now open for SACPC preschool's 2026-2027 school year! We look forward to welcoming both returning and new families to our program. Families are encouraged to register as early as possible to help with planning for the coming year.

If you or someone you know would like more information about the preschool, the registration process or would like to schedule a tour, please contact Rene Sasser at 910-762-9693, ext. 214 or rsasser@sacpc.org.

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with families in providing a nurturing, faith-filled early learning experience.

by Donna Philips

Learn to play pickleball. Lessons available on Monday or Tuesday at 3:00 in Brown Hall for men and women. Contact Donna Philips at 404 226-5976 for more information.

by Sue McCaffray

Join the Thursday Night Disciples via Zoom for a six-week study of the classic book "If You Want To Walk On Water You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat" by John Ortberg about one memorable stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. The study meets every Thursday from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm between January  22 -  February 26.

Participants read a chapter in the Participant's Guide each week (acquire your own: ISBN-13: 9780310823353), and discuss a video that we watch together. Reading Ortberg's original book of the same title is optional. Contact Dave Hoff  to sign up and get the Zoom link. It's fun! And you don't have to leave the house!

Menu: Salad, Turkey & Gravy, Broccoli, Wild Rice, Rolls and Dessert. Cost is $25/family, $7/adult, and $5/under 12.

Join us for POPS on January 21 (after dinner at 6:30 in Room 224), as Rev. Barbara Hager discusses her work with the National Council Churches. Barbara will share recent work the NCC has been doing to combat Anti-Semitism and Christian Nationalism.

Our Go & Serve team gives an update on our ministry with the Petropolis Presbyterian Church in Manaus, Brazil. Come hear about their new boat AND a possible mission trip this summer to assist with their mission to impoverished communities on the Paraguay River

Let's Talk Trash. There's a lot of confusion around what kinds of trash are recycable. The Earth Care Team is hosting a talk with Sara Dousharm the Program Coordinator for NHC Recycling and Solid Waste. Sara will lead a discussion on Recycling 101: What can we recycle and where does it go?

“A Living Last Supper” is a dramatic and poignant depiction of Jesus and his disciples on the night before his betrayal. Each disciple rises to share his thoughts upon learning that there is a traitor among them. The St. Andrews-Covenant Choir enhances this powerful narrative with music from the Lenten portion of Handel’s Messiah, creating an unforgettable Lenten experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a profound moment in history brought to life through music and drama.

In January, we will be collecting warm hats, scarves, and gloves/mittens for all ages, baby through adult. Church World Service (CWS), which supports immigrants who have arrived in our country after a rigorous background check process that can take years, often come from warm climates and are unprepared for our winters. CWS helps immigrants navigate life in America in a variety of ways. Several people from SACPC volunteer with this valuable ministry. Let's help these new neighbors feel welcome and warm.

SACPC members and friends ae invited to participate in the preparation of weekly casseroles for the clients of the Domestic Violence Shelter in January, February, and March.  Aluminum casserole pans and lids are available in the mailroom as well as are the instructions for making and delivering the casseroles to the church on Sundays.  For additional information, please contact Carol Query at 910-470-3127 or click the link below to send an email.

We will return to western North Carolina to continue rehabbing homes damaged by Helene. The trip is scheduled for May 3-9, 2026. We will be staying at First Presbyterian Church in Spruce Pine. We will be partnering with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The cost is $160 for lodging and food, and Go and Serve will reimburse half of this amount if you desire. Please direct questions to Gary Smith or Parker Lucas.  If you want to sign up for the trip, please email Gary. The trip is limited to 20 participants.

We are excited to announce the CAMP FUSION  dates for 2026 are June 22-26 for children ages 3 - through having completed 5th grade. The preschoolers will be here from 9:00 am - noon and snack will be included. Elementary aged children who have completed Kindergarten - through 5th grade will attend from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Both snack and lunch will be included for elementary aged children.

More information about programming will be coming your way soon and we will begin registration in early February!  Mark you calendars now and tell your friends!

Beginning on Sunday, February 1 and continuing through the month our 3rd - 5th Grade Sunday School class will embark on a study of Prayer! The class is entitled "Hey, God, Let's Talk."

As Christians prayer is an important part of our relationship with God and becoming comfortable with the concept of Prayer is an important part of our Christian Education and spiritual growth.

Families with children in this age group will receive additional information about this opportunity this week.

Middle and high school students gather for fellowship, Bible study and our small group ministry every other Wednesday night. "Doors open" at 6:30pm - Programming begins at 7:00 pm.

Middle and high school girls are invited to gather for fellowship, friends, fun and fondue!

Middle and high school guys are invited to Brown Hall to fellowship, games and the March Madness selection show on the big screen.  Friends are welcome and the ranch fountain will be flowing!

To be certified by PC(USA) as an Earth Care Congregation, we are committed to fulfilling this Earth Care Pledge:

• Our worship and discipleship will celebrate God’s grace and glory in creation. 
• Our education will encourage and support each other in keeping and healing the creation.
• Our facilities will be managed, maintained, and upgraded to respect and cherish all creation.
• Our outreach will encourage community involvement and public policy to protect and restore the earth.

Here is a continuation (from last week) of ways SACPC is fulfilling the Earth Care Pledge:

Facilities:

• We manage and maintain our buildings and campus in earth friendly ways that include upgrading our antiquated HVAC system to a more energy-efficient one with zoned climate control options. Our electric bill has already gone down! 
• We purchase recycled paper and recycle used paper/bulletins, plastic, glass and aluminum items. 
• Exterior doors have been replaced or repaired to minimize leakage.
• Energy efficient light bulbs and motion sensitive lights have been installed.
• We have begun using native plants in our landscaping with the help of a $700 grant from the Cape Fear Garden Club.
• Our fellowship team strives to provide reusable plates and cups with the help of volunteer dishwashers who help us minimize single use plastic. 
• Weekly Saints Alive newsletters are now sent electronically, and the contemporary worship service is paperless, guiding participation on the screens or with bulletins available on the church app. 

Outreach:

• Our church hosted a community forum discussing water quality related to PFAS on World Water Day. There was a great turnout by members, the community, elected officials, and the press.  
• When our youth moved from the HUB to the new gathering place in the church building, furniture and other items were donated to community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Family Promise, Eden Village, and the Boy Scouts. 
• Additionally, church members are encouraged to share leftover food with our Unseen Guests ministry. 

What Earth Care practices have you instituted at home? Help us find out by completing the following quick, short survey:

If caring for the Earth is one of your passions, the Earth Care Team invites you to join us for our monthly ZOOM meetings! Contact Gwen Behen or Shelley Hobson for more information.

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.

Click here to access the complete CareLine.

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

Russell and Betsy Herring have two new grandchildren, both born on January 18. Georgia Elizabeth Weldon, born to parents Lexi and Sam Weldon (big brother Everett) and Joseph Rhodes Caravaglio born to parents Caroline Herring and Drew Caravaglio. We rejoice with these families!

Bob Martenis who passed away on 1-11-26.

DJ Black who had a recent hospitalization and is home recovering

Ron Faulk who had back surgery planned for January 14. 

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.

January 20: Harriss Haskett, Anna Pilson
January 21: Kara Johnson, Gilbert Joyner
January 22: Tarry Brisindi, Phil Perry, Gail Richardson, Zera Stewart
January 23: Ted Davis, Julian March, Krisiann Moskal, David Smith
January 24: Dena Bingham, Benjamin Davis, Marian Fisher
January 25: James Murray, Romi Wheeler
January 26: Joan Gray, Betsy Knowles, Brad Moore
January 27: Patti Whitley

View our most recent Session Reports.