Rev. Katherine B. Harrington
In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus challenges us with a story of a vineyard owner who pays all of his workers the same amount for their labor, no matter the number of hours they worked in a day. This story confronts us with our own notions of what is fair. What seems "fair" for us might not be fair for everyone. What is fair in the kingdom of God? And what roles do generosity and grace play in God's community here on earth? Join us in worship on Sunday to be challenged and encouraged by God's Word!

by Lynn Atkinson

We have a new ministry at SACPC!  It's called the EARTH CARE TEAM!

Earlier this year, Reverend Katie Harrington mentioned caring for God’s creation in several of her sermons.  On Earth Day, the youth Sunday School class discussed caring for the earth and how they could help.  The news had been filled with the impact of Climate Change on the environment. Those of us who have been to Malawi and Brazil have seen the effects of deforestation on the areas.  What can we do to care for God’s creation was the question.  Several people were led to hold an inquiry meeting to see if others were interested in exploring this topic. The response to the meeting was great! Thus, the Earth Care Team was formed.  

This team is led by Ben Rigby and Kelly Hawkins.  At this time, we have held 3 regular monthly meetings and have about 10 committed members. We meet regularly on the first Tuesday of the month in the Dining Rm. We hosted a well-attended table at the Fall Ministry Fair and ordered special SACPC Earth Care Team t-shirts to wear in the community while we serve--we have extras for anyone who wants one. In September, we offered our first Earth Care Meet-Up where we joined Keep New Hanover Beautiful and Cape Fear River Watch for their 2nd Saturday Trash Pick Up. The goal of these trash pick-ups is to help keep large debris from entering the surrounding watershed and disrupting wildlife and/or contaminating the local ecosystem. 

One thing we agreed on is that Restoring God’s creations begins with each of us. There is a spiritual aspect to restoration and caring that we want to emphasize along with the actions we can take. It turns out there is a long history of caring for God’s creation in our denomination.  In 1990, the 202nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) adopted the policy report “Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice”. The policy calls for Presbyterians to focus on caring for creation as a central concern, to be incorporated into the life and mission of the church at every level.

In 1995, a grassroots national organization was founded called Presbyterian for Restoring Creation. They felt that not enough progress had been made in implementing the policy.  The goal was to support people of faith working towards environmental wholeness with social justice.  The organization is now known as Presbyterians for Earth Care.  This organization has participated in every PC(USA) general assembly and strives to advocate for issues of concern, to celebrate success, and to strengthen the church-based eco-justice community.  They host conferences, training, education, networking, and spiritual renewal on the national and regional levels.

In 2010, PC(USA) Environmental Ministries started the Earth Care Congregations Program.  The goal of the program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way through integrating earth care into all of church life. Our Earth Care Team reviewed this certification program and decided it was the best path to start this ministry.  

The certification program offers a list of ways to check what we are already doing in restoration and caring.  We have started completing the paperwork to apply for status as an Earth Care Congregation. Activities and projects in the areas of worship, education, facilities, and outreach are required to become a certified Earth Care Congregation. A four-part pledge must be affirmed by Session and signed by the Clerk of Session.  Once our application is processed and approved a renewal must be presented annually along with new activities and projects to keep progressing our status as an Earth Care Congregation.  

We have determined that we are already doing many activities and should be able to meet the points goal to gain our Earth Care Congregation certification.  Applications are submitted in the early part of the new year.  What drew us to this program is that is a part of our denomination, has a proven track record of helping congregations begin the restoration and caring process, and offers continuing opportunities for service and education.  Most importantly the program stresses the importance of incorporating spirituality and prayer into caring for God’s creation.  At this time only one church in our presbytery is an Earth Care Congregation.  That congregation is Black River Presbyterian church.  

Education is key to this new ministry and we will offer opportunities for you to learn how you can help. The caring and restoration of God’s creation can and should be a spiritual experience.  We hope to be able to help everyone engage in spiritual practices as we do the work of restoration. We will offer classes, newsletter articles, utilize pre-service slides, links to interesting and helpful articles and services, and other creative ways to bring awareness to restoring God's creation.  

We will work with organizations and groups outside of our church as well. Service opportunities will be available.  Earth Care (sometimes known as Creation Care) will be incorporated into worship, Christian Education, POPS, prayer, and every aspect of the church. Best practices will be implemented in the facilities and grounds.  

As we start this journey we ask for your prayers, participation, willingness to learn, suggestions, and openness to the spiritual practice of restoring and caring for all of God's Creation.

by Emily Donovan

Starting Sunday, worshipers who prefer to give electronically will have the opportunity to fully participate during the offertory at both worship services. We now have laminated giving/prayer cards located at every pew. During the offertory, as ushers pass the collection plates we invite all who give electronically, and also those seeking prayer requests, to place a card in the collection plate. QR codes are available on the giving or prayer side of the cards for anyone wanting to submit a prayer request via our website or give online.

by Lisa Bohbrink

The Building and Grounds Team is pulling together a group of green thumbs to prioritize and dream about the appearance of our campus grounds. All current volunteers will be invited to join the discussion.

Are you a landscape professional? We would love to include you in our planning. 

by Gail Richardson

SACPC Preschool just completed its first full week of school. And what a wonderful week of being back together as a preschool family!

There was a lot of laughing, talking, creating, playing, singing, praying, and loving going on inside and outside the preschool.

All classes are enjoying reading "Brown Bear Brown Bear" by Eric Carle. Each class created the animals from the story. The children are fascinated to see the "story wall" outside Gail's office. We hope to have many story walls this year and we hope the members of the church enjoy them as well.

Our children were curious about the Swallowtail caterpillars munching on our parsley plants. Watching God's creation through young eyes is such a blessing.

by Jen Phelps

Disciple Groups for grades 6th - 12th start THIS Wednesday and will meet every other Wednesday. The HUB will open at 6:30 pm with the program starting at 7:00 pm. Contact Jen Phelps for details.

by Jen Phelps

Attention parents of middle and high school youth! Let's get together and talk about what is to come - Jen will meet you in the Kardia classroom (Rm 214) at 7:45 pm (after Katie's book study).

by Sue McCaffray

 Join us! Rev. Harrington will lead a book study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's readable classic, "Life Together." Reading is not required but advised. This 5-week study begins Wednesday, September 20th. Books are available for purchase in the front office for $12.00/ea. We ask that you make a check payable to SACPC or provide the exact change. Contact Sue McCaffray for more details.

by Rev. Katherine B. Harrington

Are you interested in learning more about SACPC and/or becoming a member? Join us for our membership exploration class on October 8th and 15th at 10:00 am in the Dining Room. Led by Rev. Harrington, this class will be a general overview of St. Andrews-Covenant and our ministries, as well as what it means to be part of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

by Kathy Benson

This is an enjoyable opportunity to get to know others as you share a meal & conversation in the home of a member serving as host. The host provides the main dish and beverage. Guests provide side dishes. What a great way to connect with other members of the congregation!

Registration begins Sunday, September 24th. Look for sign-up sheets listing hosts and dates of Dinner locations. Would you like information on hosting a dinner in October? Contact Kathy for more details. Organized by Connections Team.

Our next ramp build will be on Saturday, September 30th at 101 Apple Road in Castle Hayne. We normally work from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Please text Palmer Sineath at 910-622-4040 if you can help.

by Jack Richardson

The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee is requesting congregational assistance with the search for our next Associate Pastor.  First, pray for this process and second complete a short, quick survey. We have so much to be thankful for as we head into a new school year at SACPC.  Let's begin this season with hopeful hearts as we join together to see what God has planned for our Church.

by Robin Harper

If you would like to help make our sanctuary more beautiful, please consider donating a floral arrangement in honor or memory of someone special! You can call the church office (910-762-9693) or Flower Guild Chairs Robin Harper ( 910-231-8419) or Jackie Lewis (910-540-6410).

Dinner is from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. The menu this Wednesday is chicken enchiladas, Mexican black beans, Spanish rice, chips/salsa, and sopiapillas. Cost is $25/family, $7/adult, $5/under 12.

The first concert of the 2023-2024 season will be presented by the Wilmington Chamber Orchestra featuring Maxwell Snyder, a 16 piece jazz ensemble including strings, brass, percussion, woodwinds, and harp.  Come enjoy big band jazz from the giants of the time. See more on the Music on Market website, or on our Facebook page.  Concert will be held September 23rd at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary.

There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, September 24th at 10:50 am for the purpose of electing new officers.

Our youth group has challenged the Wrightsville United Methodist youth group to a kickball game!  Come to play or come to cheer for your SACPC Superheros - all are welcome to a night out at the park to cheer for our youth.

Spiritual Retreat: Draw Near
OCT 14 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Church of the Servant Episcopal Church
4925 Oriole Drive Wilmington, NC 

We will learn about and have the opportunity to walk the beautiful indoor labyrinth AND our own Matthew McDonald will lead us through a guided immersive meditation.

The registration fee of $15 includes lunch from Panera. Click the button below to register by October 1, 2023. This event is sponsored by the SACPC Spiritual Life Team. Contact Linda Smith for more information.

Calling ALL women!! Are you tired, burned out, weary, lonely, young, old, single, married, worried, happy, and all the inbetweens? We see you. We hear you. Come gather. Bring your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this special event just for you. Childcare provided. More details coming soon, but first--mark your calendars for Saturday, November 18th from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm in Brown Hall. This will be a day of togetherness you didn't know you needed--until you did.

Get ready for a fun, fall event for families with children from birth - 5th grade! We'll have games, pumpkin decorating, face painting, hot dogs, and more!! Mark your calendars! More information coming soon!

For the month of September, we'll be collecting non-perishable foods for Good Shepherd, Salvation Army, and the Rescue Mission. Suggested food items include cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, canned fruits and vegetables (including #10 cans), canned soup, packaged snacks, and canned chicken or tuna. Please drop your donations in the bin in the 15th Street lobby.

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)

The birth of Jesse Andrew Joyner born September 6, 2023, to Andrew and Montarie Joyner who live in Rockingham, NC.  Jesse’s great-grandmother is Margaret Blanton.  Grandparents are Gilbert and Susan Joyner.  

For everyone who has Covid-19.  
For the safety of all students as they return to school.

Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG), Smith Beacham (Fort Richardson, Anchorage, AK), Jack Looney (USS Carl Vinson, San Diego, CA) , Samuel Makepeace (Fort Polk, Louisiana), Brennan Litzinger (Fort Bliss, Texas), 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.

September 13: George Appleton, Mack Lawson
September 14: Dylan Stacks
September 15: Tom Garner, Hildwin Gwathmey, Addie Meeks, Bob Padula, Will Whitley
September 16: Lynn Atkinson, Thomas Wallace
September 17: Bobby Bell, Carol Bottoms, Jim Knowles, Jane Raney, Bill Williams, Emelia Williams
September 18: Jeff Hunt, Joe Messina, Lynda Page, Ginny Simmons
September 19: Nannette Gabler, Jenny McBrayer, Bill Paris, Ann Thacker
September 20: Hunter Galloway, Ashley Lewis, Charles Smith
September 22: Jimmy Carter, Daniel Keir, Henry Sandlin
September 23: Jen Davis, Andrew Hurd, Beverly Maurer
September 24: Ed Link, Joey Liotta, Julie Miller, Dottie Walters
September 25: Colin Hartzell
September 26: Maddy Ann Crooks, Alicia Keith, Susan Pleasants