SACPC Weekly Updates for July 16, 2023

"Life in the Spirit: Freedom & Peace"
^{Rev. Katherine B. Harrington}
As followers of Jesus, we are in the Spirit because the Spirit of God dwells in us (Romans 8:9). But what does that really mean for our lives? For the next three weeks, we will be digging into Romans 8 to discover what life in the Spirit looks like. Paul's theology in Romans is often so complicated and challenging that we never fully understand it, so let us spend some time sitting with it and allowing Paul's words to speak to our souls. This week, in Romans 8:1-11, we will discover the freedom and peace we receive when we find our dwelling place in the Spirit.

Shelter Care Ramp Build Update June 8 Our Shelter Care team built a ramp for Patricia Pearson, who lost her leg due to an illness. Her daughter, Leslie Irving, a policewoman for the City of Wilmington, is her primary caregiver. This ramp now enables Patricia to leave her home much more easily. She and her daughter are very pleased and grateful to have this new addition to their home. Here's a special note Patricia shared with our team: "Jesus shows His love for us through people like you. Thank you so much for assisting me in my time of need."

New Members Lund Family  Welcome Scott & Nancy Lund, who joined SACPC on May 14, 2023 by letter of transfer from Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ in Shelby, Michigan. Scott retired from Shelby Public Schools and Nancy from West Shore Cardiology in Muskegon, MI. Nancy and Scott serve as volunteers at The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College. They enjoy outdoor activities like boating and are pleased to be actively involved in the lives of their young grandsons. Please say "Hi!" to Scott & Nancy when you see them in worship! We are excited they found their way to Wilmington and our church family!

New Members March Family Welcome Julian & Rachel March and their children, who joined our membership on May 14, 2023. Julian is with Media Relations at Novant Health and Rachel is a therapist at Honeybee Psychotherapy. They have a son, Jonah, and a daughter, Eliza. Julian and Rachel join by transfer of membership from Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Wilmington, NC where they were active in leadership and missions. Please introduce yourself and extend a warm welcome to this wonderful family!  We are glad they have made SACPC their new church home.

Baptism Celebration Bryan Family Cameron David Bryan, son of Samuel and Anna Carr Ivey Bryan, received Christian Baptism on July 2, 2023, at SACPC during the 10:00 am service.  In baptism we promise to guide and nurture these children by word and deed, love, and prayer, encouraging them to know and love Jesus Christ and to be His faithful disciple.  

July Sunday School Updates Beginning July 9, 10:00 am Children and Youth classes (K-12th grade) will take a summer sabbath in July to let our families and leaders enjoy a break. For adults, starting July 9th, there will be two classes offered: Walking in the Word (Rm 236): Class members lead discussions based on Lectionary readings for the week. Connette-Covenant (Rm 226): Led by Dumay Gorham. All adults are welcome to attend as they are able. Regular classes resume for all ages on Rally Day, September 10th.

Attention Rising 6th Graders! Immediate Need Rising 6th-grade students will be joining our youth group this fall - but our Youth Director, Jen Phelps, needs to know you are out there (and start connecting with parents) NOW! Please contact Jen with information about rising 6th graders and their families ASAP: jphelps@sacpc.org or 910-790-9103.

Congregational Nominating Committee Nominations Due July 31 Hello from the Nominating Committee! We are asking for your prayerful help in finding candidates for elder and deacon for the class of 2026. Who would be good and faithful SACPC leaders (deacons and elders)? Take a few minutes of quiet time to recall members doing God's work in a small group, leading worship, or volunteering here or in our community. Nominations for the class of 2026 need to be submitted by July 31st. To nominate, click the button below for the online form or fill out one of the paper forms in the pews or at the 15th Street entrance. Please place the paper forms in the collection plates or in the ballot box in the 15th Street entrance. Blessings, The Congregational Nominating Committee: John Bohbrink, Mary Butner, Hugh Caison, George Chadwick, Bob Cherry III, Karen Crooks

July Kindermusik Playdates July 22 Elizabeth Gray will be offering Kindermusik Playdates all summer long! Register now for the July 22nd Playdate at 10:00 am. As we sing, dance, and make music, we will focus on embracing our individuality while learning from one another. You get the same Kindermusik fun and learning in the classroom . . . and the same high-quality music to enjoy at home, but in a stand-alone class so you can try it out!

Middle School Trip to Massanetta Springs! July 13 - 16 Please pray for our group of middle school students traveling to Massanetta Springs for the Middle School Conference July 13 -16th:  Charlotte Smith, Eliza Johnson, Eliza Rigby, Elle Lathan, Finnlay Donovan, Gracelynn Casha, Hayden Lawson, Max Harrington, Mirabelle Donovan and Tory Hilliard (and their brave chaperones - Matt Hilliard and Jen Phelps)

Congregational Meeting July 23 The Session has called a congregational meeting at 10:30 on July 23 for the purpose of electing an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee.

Youth Local Mission July 30 - Aug 3 We still have a few spots left for middle and high school students to participate in our Local Mission Trip.  We are staying at Wrightsville Beach and serving several agencies in our community (and having some fun while we are at it).

Breakfast Sunday July 31 July has a 5th Sunday - so we will be gathering for fellowship and breakfast in Brown Hall at 10:00 am between worship services. Our youth group will be beginning their local mission work in our very own kitchen with our very own Jim Williams preparing and serving breakfast for our church family. Breakfast is free - but cash donations will be collected that morning to offset the cost of the food and go towards our mission work that week.

Rally Day September 10 Save the date! Join us for Sunday School and worship as we launch our fall programs on Sunday, September 10th.

July Donation Drive Begins July 1 In July we will have one of our favorite collections--providing backpacks and school supplies for children in need in our community. We can use backpacks for children from kindergarten through high school. 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, and index cards. This is a tangible--and fun--way to stay faithfully present in our community.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  
Romans 12:  9-13 (NIV)

WE CELEBRATE:
The birth of Peter Anthony Be on July 2, 2023, to Jillian Be.  Pete is the grandson of Miranda Dungan.  

WE GRIEVE:
The brother of Sweetie Francis, Robert Lee (“Tommy”) Thompson, died on July 3rd at the Hilo Medical Center in Hilo, Hawaii.

WE PRAY:
Sarah Reid Henderson, daughter of Brad and Deb Reid, had surgery at Wake Med in Raleigh on July 5th.  

Please pray for our group of middle school students traveling to Massanetta Springs for the Middle School Conference July 13 -16th:  Charlotte Smith, Eliza Johnson, Eliza Rigby, Elle Lathan, Finnlay Donovan, Gracelynn Casha, Hayden Lawson, Max Harrington, Mirabelle Donovan, and Tory Hilliard and their chaperones - Matt Hilliard and Jen Phelps.

SERVICE PERSONNEL: Steve Hovdesven (Joint Chiefs of Staff Intern, Arlington, VA), Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG 55, Norfolk, VA), Smith Beacham (Fort Richardson, Anchorage, AK), Jack Looney (USS Carl Vinson, San Diego, CA) , Samuel Makepeace (Fort Polk, Louisiana), Brennan Litzinger (Fort Benning, Georgia), 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 Ann Benson or call 910.762.9693 x202 to leave a message.

July 11:  Sam Anderson, Karen Bush, Ella Nordeen
July 14:  Margaret Freeman, Cal Lewis, Scott Murray
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, Michael Holder, David Rojas-Lozada, Jim Snyder

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
Ann Benson abenson@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 calendar 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.