The Christmas Joy Offering will be received this Sunday. It is a special offering that has been received by Presbyterian Churches throughout our denomination since the 1930s. To learn more about this offering and ways to give scroll down to the Advent section of this newsletter.

John the Baptist was always pointing to his cousin, Jesus, looking beyond himself, bringing witness to the Light. As we are waiting for Jesus to come, how are we witnessing the light of Christ in our lives? Join us in worship this Sunday as we bear witness to the work of God within, among, and through each one of us.

Boy Scout Troop 13 is gearing up to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of its first Eagle Scout, Hazard Reeves, in 1923. To make this milestone truly special, the Troop is reaching out to St Andrews-Covenant members for support.

Troop 13, initially chartered in 1916, has a storied past as a founding member of the Cape Fear Council, 286 Eagle Scouts, a move to St. John's in 1958 from St. James, and finally to St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian, where it proudly stands chartered today. But the Troop needs your help. Our Troop Historian (Life Scout, Houston Sutton) is on a mission to compile a comprehensive Troop history, and the Troop is reaching out to you for any photos, memorabilia, or information you might have. Whether it's snapshots of Troop members, Scoutmaster names, or even photos of vintage uniforms, every piece contributes to our shared history.

Of particular interest is the period from 1948 to 1958 and the 1970s, where there are few records. If you have anything to share, please send it to Scoutmaster Kevin Hicks at khicks@alumni.wfu.edu. Your contributions will play a pivotal role in completing the Troop’s history. (NOTE: a typo in the newspaper image lists the troop number as 14, not 13)

by Shelley Hobson

Since 2011, countless children from Chuluchosema CCAP, our sister church in Malawi, have gone to school, thanks to support from SACPC.

These children, who range in age from preschool to primary and secondary school are supported and encouraged in their education by gifts from us. Supplies, book bags, shoes, uniforms, enriched porridge meals, school fees, and vocational training are gifts that are transformative in the lives of kids whose lives are limited by extreme poverty.

When you're wondering what gifts to give friends or loved ones who have everything, consider donating to support students in Malawi in honor of those special people in your life. You may give online or place a check in the offering plate.  Please note your gift is for Malawi Education.

Our goal for this year is $25,000.

Zikomo (thank you) for your consideration!

The Malawi Partnership Team

by Gary Smith

In the spring of 2022, SACPC's ramp building ministry was reestablished. We have been blessed by the expertise and guidance of Robbie Benson and Tom Lubbers who were the leaders of this ministry in its first phase--which was a blessing to numerous individuals who needed ramps to leave their homes. These gentlemen helped educate and direct Bill Aman who worked with the earlier group and is doing the sawing for our new crew and a group of new recruits. Led ably by Palmer Sineath who sets up the jobs, inspects the sites, and buys and delivers the lumber, we have built 11 ramps since May 2022!

Other SACPC members who have helped construct these ramps are Rick Wheeler, Ricky Wheeler, Stan Scott, Ed Hobson, Jack Richardson, Jeff Denlinger, Kevin Crooks, and parish associate Gary Smith. Building the ramps, like the the last one we built on Monterey Drive pictured here has been a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

We welcome other SACPC members to participate in our builds in 2024. If you are interested, contact Palmer at 910-622-4040.

by Gary Smith

The kickoff build day for a new build at 509 Morningside Dr. near Legion Field is Saturday, January 6th, 2024. We are renovating this home, so limited volunteer spots are available for that first day. From there we plan to paint on February 3rd, 2024, and install hardware on February 10th. Please see below for volunteer links to get started.  

by Earth Care Team Education

You’ve probably noticed, Christmas is on the way!

As we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth by loving others through gift-giving, this Corner of the world has a Christmas wish: it is that we will all reuse last year’s bags, gift wrap, and ribbons.

Per Living Without Plastic, little of our modern gift paper and ribbons can be recycled because they are a plastic-paper composite! Who knew?!  Plus, the ribbon gets caught in the machines at recycling centers.

Thankfully, there are interesting and better options for us to use.  One choice is to use pre-made fabric gift bags, which last for years. Or, try substituting cloth for the gift paper.  Even an old sheet or a bandana or scarf would work.  One friend put “money fries” in a McDonald's french fries box!  You may have other ideas; if so, please share those.  

Now’s the time to let your creative juices flow as we look for ways to help out our home, Planet Earth.

The Earth is the Lord’s…Psalms 24:1

by Sue McCaffray

Yes, there will be life after the Christmas season! Pencil in Wednesday, January 10th as our first POPS dinner, followed by Bingo night for all. On January 17th,  Katie will offer "Confirmation for All," in one 60-minute session. And on January 24th, we will hear "A Psychologist's Ground Rules for Communicating in Hard Conversations," with our own Ben Rigby. All programs run 6:30 pm-7:30 pm after dinner.

by Jen Phelps

Middle and High School youth are invited to The HUB to celebrate Jesus' birth with a birthday party!  Dinner provided - friends are welcome - fun included!

by Lynn Warner

We have some new activities for our youngest children in the PRAYGROUND located in the back of the Chapel. There are new books, coloring and craft activities, as well as, a Nativity Flannel Board to arrange and a Nativity playset to enjoy. All of these are offered to guide our youngest as you worship with them during the Advent/Christmas season!

by Emily Vasser

Please join Soaring As Eagles in our 5th year of Saturday Academy!  If you enjoy working with elementary students, have a love for reading and/or math, and you’re 15 or older, we need YOU!

Saturday Academy is a tutoring program designed to help 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders from Title 1 schools with reading and math in preparation for the EOGs.  We will meet two Saturday mornings a month, January through May, at Rachel Freeman School of Engineering, 2601 Princess Place Drive.

Not only will the students gain 1-to-1 tutoring, but also receive a hot breakfast and learn stress management techniques. The most important part of the experience for our students is knowing that one more person cares about their success … you’re the heart of the program!

Below is the Sign Up Genius link for more information and to sign up.  You can sign up for one session or more, whatever is convenient for you.  

If you have any questions, call Emily Vassar at (910) 274-4788.  Thank you for your interest … and thank you to all the SACPC tutors who’ve helped in past years!  We appreciate you!!!

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. 

The Longest Night of the Year is almost upon us--and sometimes it feels like the weight of the world is wrapping us in a different kind of darkness.  Join us for a special candlelight service prepared in collaboration with our Worship and Earth Care Teams. This service is designed to acknowledge our journeys through the darkness and celebrate the coming Light. Through meditation and reflection, we will honor personal grief, collective grief, and anxiety often felt during this time of year and together celebrate the promise of brighter days ahead. Afterwards, enjoy light refreshments in the Narthex.

by Jen Phelps

It's not too late to join our Reverse Advent!

Reverse Advent is the practice of GIVING daily while we are waiting. Calendars are available in the Narthex and at the 15th Street entrance - or you can download a copy by clicking the button below. Return your basket, bag, or box filled with the donations to the church on Christmas Eve!

The Christmas Joy Offering will be received twice this Advent season. Once on Sunday, December 17th during both worship services, and again at all Christmas Eve services. This is a special offering that has been received by Presbyterian Churches throughout our denomination since the 1930s.

The offering helps fund the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides current and retired church workers with the help they need to get through life’s unexpected challenges. The offering also supports Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. These schools include Menaul School (Albuquerque, NM), Presbyterian Pan American School (Kingsville, TX), and Stillman College (Tuscaloosa, AL).

Ways you can give this Advent season:
In the church: Use the special envelopes provided and place them in the offering plates.
Online: pcusa.org/give/christmasjoy.
Via phone: text CHRISTMASJOY to 91999.

Thank you!

Our youth will present a Living Nativity again this year on the 15th St. lawn - join us on this special night following or between our Christmas Eve worship services. See Jen Phelps for more details.

High School students have an opportunity to travel together to Wintergreen Ski Resort.
Never been skiing - we will teach you! Don't want to ski? - we have an option to go and just hang out!

Cost:
Skiing - $595/person
Not Skiing - $350/person

We will be leaving BEFORE DISMISSAL on Thursday, February 1st, and will require an early checkout that day.

Registration opens Wednesday, December 13th at 8:00 PM via our mobile app!

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

Bert Hales’ mother-in-law, Rose Giambalvo, died on Dec. 2nd.  Her funeral mass was held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church on Dec. 11th.

Bobbie Ferrara, Beth Chadwick’s mother, died on Dec. 9th.  Mrs. Ferrara’s service will be held on December 13th in Selma, NC, at Edgerton Memorial UMC.

Dr. Tom Craven is being treated at NH.

Barbara Hart is in NH following the repair of hip fractures.  She expects to transfer to rehab.

Shannon Playl’s cousin-in-law, Shad Norris, recently received a liver transplant, has had a setback, and is being treated for respiratory failure at UNC-CH.

Carlton Kimbro has COVID and is not doing well.

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.

December 12: Betty Aman, Charleigh Gray Bagley, Jeff Krebbs
December 13: Jeff Sulick
December 14: Wesley Knape, Claude Page
December 15: Gayle Bell, Lynn Browning, Sonya Johnston, Larkin Mayes, Tyler Stacks
December 16: Jennings Lathan, Olivia Pasin
December 17: Andrew Hurd, Judy McGuire, Deb Randall, Ben Rigby, Daniell Tincher
December 18: Billy Smith
December 19: Lisa Bohbrink, Lyla Canady