Rev. Katherine B. Harrington
God is always finding unlikely people and walking with them, empowering them to work for God's people in difficult times. Deborah, a judge and woman prophet, is one of those people whose story surprises us, and challenges us. This Sunday, we'll explore her story in Judges 4. See you in worship!

by Kathleen Denlinger

SACPC members faithfully and joyfully help prepare and serve dinner for our neighbors at Good Shepherd! 

by Catheryn Thomas

Everyone needs time away from work - especially pastors! Katie will be on vacation from November 20th - 26th, spending the Thanksgiving holidays with her family. Let's all give her that much-needed downtime and refrain from sending emails, texts, and phone calls.

Ann Benson and Gary Smith will be available for pastoral care. And what about Sunday the 26th? Our own Zac Phelps will be back in the pulpit!

by Kathy Benson

Please welcome Stan & Rita Scott to our membership! They joined by letter of transfer from Pine Valley Methodist Church on August 28, 2023, and have already connected in several areas of ministry... from Go & Serve (helping at Good Shepard) to volunteering in our church office. They participate with Earth Care and have a heart for our youth ministry, as well.

When not at home, Stan and Rita hit the road. They enjoy traveling stateside and internationally, including trips to visit with grandchildren in other states. Rita retired from the USAF and a second career teaching middle school students. Stan retired from a career as an Engineer with The Department of Defense - Air Force. Stan and Rita hail from Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively but now call Leland home.

They find joy in Christian service wherever they are needed. We are glad you have chosen to be part of our congregation in mission and ministry! Please extend a warm welcome to The Scott Family!

Both Pat and Cindy joined on October 15, 2023, by letter of transfer from Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church of Wilmington, NC. You probably recognize Patrick ("Pat") and Cindy as members of our music ministry at SACPC. They've been active for years in our congregation; Pat as a drummer and Cindy as a keyboardist and vocalist with The Contemporary Worship Team. Moreover, the entire Litzinger family (including son Brennan and daughter Chelsea) led us in online worship from their in-home music studio during the COVID lockdown! What dedication they have demonstrated!

Cindy currently serves as our Director of Music. She oversees the Music Ministry. She directs children's vocal choirs, instrumental groups, various musical productions as well as our adult handbell choir.

In addition to his varied musical endeavors, Pat is employed by LINQ as the Senior Director of Learning & Development. We are so pleased that they share their gifts and talents with our congregation!

by Jen Phelps

Join Jen in the Dining Room while the kids are at The HUB to talk about teen mental health (the big ask after our mental health night at The HUB in October) and anything else about our Youth Ministry.  November 15th from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

by Gary Smith

Our next ramp build is on Saturday, November 18th on Monterey Drive. If you are available to help, please call Palmer Sineath at 910-622-4040.

by Gary Smith

NOTE:  There is a delay in the start of Habitat's first Unity Build house which was scheduled for the wall raising on Saturday, December 2nd. The homeowner is experiencing family health concerns and needs additional time to prepare for homeownership. We appreciate your understanding during this time, please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
 
We are still on schedule to start our other build on Morningside Drive on Saturday, January 6th, 2024. We will send out the volunteer link for that build as soon as it is available.  

Advent is a time of anticipatory waiting for the incarnation--for God to burst into our lives. So while we are waiting, there is work and preparation God is calling us to do. Each Sunday in worship, through Scripture and song, we will explore themes of what we do while we are waiting for Jesus to come. 

by Susan Dykes

Poinsettias add to the beauty of the Chapel and Sanctuary during the Advent season. You have the opportunity to purchase these beautiful flowering plants in memory or honor of a special person. Use the white envelopes in the pew racks prepared for this use or click the button below to order online. Poinsettias are $12 each. Orders are due by Sunday, December 10th.

Click the button below to view a digital copy of the Presbyterian Outlook 2023 Daily Advent Devotional called "Apocalyptic Advent: Embracing Hope in the Second Coming of Christ", or click here to request a PDF version via email.

Rehearsals are underway.  Children in grades K - 5th are encouraged to attend. For more details and info on how to participate contact Cindy at CLitzinger@sacpc.org.

Dinner is from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. The menu this Wednesday is breakfast casserole, cheese grits, pancakes, and biscuits w/ jelly. Cost is $25/family, $7/adult, $5/under 12.

Join us for an exciting night with nationally known, award-winning author and military historian, Wilbur Jones. Wilbur is a Wilmington native and will speak about his experiences as a child here on the home front, including what life was like and what citizens endured during World War II. Wilbur is a lifelong SACPC member, and his wartime experiences led him to the idea of making Wilmington America’s first WWII Heritage City, which he finally achieved in 2020. Join us in the Chapel on November 15th after dinner from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. This program will conclude our POPS events for the Fall.

All of our middle and high school youth are invited to make a joyful noise together! We will be incorporating singing into our Wednesday night gatherings in preparation to help lead worship on Sunday, December 3rd during both the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services. Rehearsals will be at 6:45 pm in The HUB on November 15th. On November 29th, we will meet for dinner at 6:30 pm in Brown Hall and then head to the sanctuary for rehearsal. See Jen Phelps for more details.

Calling ALL women!! Are you tired, burned out, weary, lonely, young, old, single, married, worried, happy, and all the in-betweens? We see you. We hear you. Come gather. Bring your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this special event just for you. Join Jen Phelps, Danielle LeBlanc, and Matthew McDonald for an informal gathering. Learn some ways to relax and let go of stress. Childcare provided. This will be a day of togetherness you didn't know you needed--until you did.

Doors open at 2:30 pm. Come and enjoy refreshments and grab a good seat. The program starts promptly at 3 p.m.

Join us for an informal discussion with author, Jed Smith (in town to visit his sister, Shelley Hobson), as he shares excerpts from "Under the Oak with Agnes" his debut novel. Jed will answer questions posed by Katie and participants.  The book is available locally at Pomegranate Books and on Amazon (in paperback and Kindle formats). There are surprises in this book, so reading it ahead of time is recommended! Click here to read Kirkus Reviews about this book.

The Go and Serve Team is highlighting the Salvation Army during November. SACPC has the opportunity to provide a wonderful Christmas to children in need by participating in the Angel Tree project. Our Angel Tree is up and decorated in the donation area at the 15th Street entrance. The tree contains "Angel ornaments" with a child's name, age, sizes, and Christmas gift wishes.

A sheet with instructions is in an envelope on the bulletin board next to the tree. Please take one or more ornaments, shop to fulfill the child's wishes, and return the unwrapped gifts along with the Angel ornament to the donation bin near the Angel Tree by December 3rd. (If you wish, more than one person can go together to fulfill a child's wishes.)

We will deliver all of the gifts to the Salvation Army the week of December 3rd. If you prefer, you may deliver your gifts to the Salvation Army Toy Center at 715 Greenfield Street. SACPC is so grateful to be able to participate in this project and bring a joyful Christmas to children who otherwise may not have one. 

The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace. 
Psalm 29:11

Everette Wallace Weldon was born to Sam and Lexie Weldon on November 11th. Betsy and Russell Herring are first-time grandparents.

Harrison and Stephanie Gould had their 2nd child "Walker Davis Gould" on 11/2/23.  Baby Walker Davis joins 20-month-old brother Harrison Coleman Gould.

The father of Jeff Krebbs, Jim Krebbs, died November 11th.  The family plans a service at a later date in Texas.  

Patrick Shafner, the 51-year-old son of Barbara Curtis, died in an automobile accident on November 5, 2023.  A memorial service is planned in Winston-Salem.

Jim Mallett’s memorial service was held on November 11th at SACPC.

Margaret Blanton has Covid and is a resident at the Peak Nursing Home.

Stephanie Williams’ stepfather Thomas Diehl is at Duke Hospital receiving transfusions and treatment for low blood platelets related to Multiple System Atrophy.

Shannon Playl’s cousin-in-law, Shad Norris, received a liver transplant on November 8th in Chapel Hill.  He is doing well.

Parker Curtis was discharged from NH after being hospitalized for injuries sustained in an auto accident.  He is recovering at home.

Mary Tyler had a knee replacement at Cape Fear Memorial Hospital on October 31st.  She is now a resident at Azalea Rehab.

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.

November 14: Tony Njapa
November 15: Miranda Malisher
November 16: Kyle Mock
November 18: Hazel Gideon, Marilyn Kimbro, Jeff Turpin
November 19: Bryant Sasser
November 20: Vickie Lapp, Linda Robinson
November 21: Matt Hinson, Rachel Thomas, David Wortman