Rev. Harrington will lead us in worship with scripture readings coming from Mark 1:14 - 20 and Jonah 3. We will also enjoy a Moment for Mission from our community partner, Eden Village. 

This past Sunday, January 14th the Children and Youth joined forces for a Mission Sunday! They packed almost 100 Mercy Pouches and made 50 Birthday Cards for the Prison Ministry! They were so enthusiastic about helping!!

by Sue McCaffray

SACPC is made up of many different people who are not in agreement about everything, but who do love the Lord and who seek to love their neighbors inside and outside the church.

But in times of division, how do we love our neighbor?

How do we talk with our neighbor?

How can we be peacemakers in our church, in our families, in our world?

What does it mean to follow the words of Ephesians 4:25:

and also of Eph. 4:29:

How might it be possible for us to discuss sensitive subjects and still “depart in peace,” as the sign in our sanctuary says?

Please join us for a presentation by our own Dr. Ben Rigby, Staff Psychologist at the Community Counseling Center, as he offers us guidelines for important conversations on difficult subjects, on Wednesday, January 24th, after our POPS meal, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, in the Kardia Rm 224.

by Jen Phelps

Before your summer calendar fills up - here are the dates for the trips planned for our current middle and high school students:

JUN 9 - 15: Montreat Youth Conference (current high school students)
JUL 11 - 14: Massanetta Springs Middle School Conference (current middle school students)
JUL 21 - 25: Local Mission Trip (current middle and high school students combined)

Registrations for these trips will open in February. Come get more information at the Summer Opportunities Fair on Sunday 1/28 during the Sunday School Hour!

by Earth Care Education

In this new year, you may be thinking that it’s time for a new mattress.  If so, one thing to consider--especially if you’re prone to allergies, is purchasing a mattress made with naturally flame-retardant materials. These materials eliminate the need for the highly toxic flame retardants generally used, which can cause respiratory and skin problems.  

Some nontoxic flame retardant materials, which can be used instead of the usual polyurethane foam, are natural rubber latex, wool, cotton, and coconut fiber.  With these, there is no need for chemical flame retardants.

There are many natural mattress options on the market. Try shopping for mattresses with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. Per Consumer Reports these mattresses "consist of a cover or other fabric components that are made of 95 percent organic material. The label also ensures that no chemical flame retardants or polyurethane were used in the manufacturing process."

So, as a friend said to us, pleasant dreams under a full moon and star-filled sky, stretched out on a bed of shredded tropical coconut husks.☺️

by Cindy Litzinger

There are now a limited number of large-print hymnals available for those members who may find this helpful as they worship. Simply grab one in the Narthex (by the ushers' table) on the way to worship and return it when you are done. See an usher for assistance.

Volunteer to participate in one of Habitat's Unity Church Builds. Volunteer slots are available through the Habitat website, click the button below to sign up as a volunteer. One Unity build began on January 6th, and the kick-off for the one at Legacy Landing is scheduled for Saturday, February 17th.

by Cindy Litzinger

Unlock the magic of music and discover the joy of rhythm, melody, and movement in a fun-filled musical adventure for you and your little ones. Classes begin the week of January 29, 2024.

There are two class options to choose from:

Mondays at 10:00 am - Mixed Ages - 8 weeks
Thursdays at 10:30 am- Mixed Ages - 4 weeks

Don't miss out - reserve your spot today and let the laughter and learning begin! For more information, contact Cindy Litzinger.

by Jane Smith

Please join us in Brown Hall on February 10th from 10:00 am – 2:15 pm to learn about dementia and how to best care for loved ones with a memory impairment.  North Carolina’s well-known dementia expert, Melanie Bunn, RN, MS, GNP, will lead a discussion on the different levels of dementia and behaviors caregivers may expect. She will share helpful suggestions and tips on things like communication, redirection, and how to work through anger and resistance to care. Melanie will also help us understand what we need to do, ourselves, to avoid difficult situations our care receivers might not understand. We will also have numerous service providers and vendors onsite who will explain how they can be of assistance.

Several of us from SACPC attended a similar conference in the fall and found it to be very worthwhile.

Please RSVP online using the link below. There is a $5 registration fee, which includes lunch and snacks. Registration ends on February 2nd.

We also have limited space for a group respite setting for loved ones with dementia, if needed. Please check the appropriate box when you RSVP and someone will reach out to you about the possibility.

This workshop is sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging, Lower Cape Fear Life Care, Life Care Memory Partners, and the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina.

by Jane Smith

As announced elsewhere in this edition of Saints Alive, we are hosting an educational workshop focused on dementia and how to best care for those suffering from it. We need the following volunteers:
 
Directional assistance (both outdoors and inside): 9:15 am - 10:15 am (3-4 people)
 
Registration table: 9:15 am - 10:15 am (1-2 volunteers)
 
Lunch service: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm (2-3 volunteers)
 
Support for the respite area: 9:30 am - 2:30 pm (up to 4 volunteers) Sponsoring agencies are providing interactive care for up to 10 people in the dining room. Examples of ways volunteers may be asked to help include sitting with an attendee, playing games, or helping serve lunch. All activities will be led by professionals.

If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, please click the link below to email Jane Smith. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of serving in this way.

by Shelley Hobson

Our Malawi education fundraiser for the 2024-25 school year has reached $16,000 so far—well on our way toward this year’s $25,000 goal. Zikomo for donations made and those still to come! (Pictured is the distribution of shoes, uniforms, and book bags to this year’s primary school recipients).

Just before Christmas, gifts from the Malawi Partners Foundation and SACPC bought over 33,000 pounds of maize to feed 1,500 families in the village. There is a severe food shortage due to last year’s cyclone and the resulting destruction of much of the harvest.

Finally, in a loaves and fishes story of sorts, Abusa Silas Ncozana organized a Christmas party at Chuluchosema for an expected 1,200 children from the village and surrounding area. When 4,000 kids showed up, Silas emptied his and Margaret’s bank account to be sure there would be enough food and treats. As always, Silas believed God would provide. Hearing about this selfless gift, several of Silas’ American friends refilled his bank account. God is good…all the time!

All children K-5th grade are invited to attend our m&m program.  For more information, contact Cindy Litzinger.

This week's menu: Shepherd's Pie, Salad, Green Beans, Rolls, and Dessert. Cost is $25/family of 4 or more, $7/adult, and $5/under 12. 

Join us after dinner on Wed., Jan. 17th, as Katie leads us on a brisk walk through, "Confirmation for Everybody."  This will be a 60-minute lively discussion about what it means to be a member of St. Andrews-Covenant and a part of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. denomination. This lively discussion will help us keep up with our young people who begin their confirmation journey that night. Everybody is welcome.

Confirmation classes will begin this Wednesday, January 17th. Parents and Confirmands are asked to jointly attend Katie's "Confirmation For All" conversation at 6:30 pm in the Kardia Rm 224. Afterwards, Confirmads will move to their classrooms for continued programming until 8:30 pm.

If you are interested in joining Confirmation (for current eighth graders and older) contact Jen Phelps ASAP.

Looking for Summer Activities for your Children and Youth? Come to the Summer Activities Fair in Brown Hall on Sunday, January 28th from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. The following groups have already signed on to be there for information and sign-up opportunities:

- Camp Kirkwood
- YMCA
- UNCW - Upward Bound Math & Science
- Hanover Stables
- SACPC - VBS & Music Camp - June 10-14
- SACPC Youth Opportunities
- Junior Lifeguard Camp Information

These groups and more will be represented! See Lynn Warner for more details.

Each year our middle and high school girls celebrate Galentines - and this year we are inviting all ladies of all ages to join us! We will gather in Brown Hall on Wednesday, February 7th from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (after POPS) for fun and fellowship and chocolate fountains.  Please bring items for dipping to share!

Activities are planned and we will be collecting period products for the Diaper Bank of NC to be distributed to our schools. Please consider donating ultrathin pads (not traditional maxi pads), tampons, and individually wrapped liners before the event, or bring them that evening.

See Jen Phelps for more details.

Mercy Pouch Donations: January is the month we will be collecting Mercy Pouch supplies.  Last year, again, we distributed over 1,000 pouches. Thank you!!!  The bulletin board in the 15th St. Lobby near the Narthex has tickets for the items needed.  Please take one ticket or as many as you can and help purchase the items. Thank you again for your contributions and for distributing these pouches to our neighbors in need.  

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

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.

January 16: Pat Litzinger
January 18: Sara Bryant, Sandra Floyd, William Gwathmey, Missy Lawrence, Dennis Smith, Logan Stewart, Vickie Van Note
January 19: Lisa Hill, Jacky Njapa, Rita Pasquariello
January 20: Harriss Haskett, Anna Pilson
January 21: Gilbert Joyner
January 22: Phil Perry, Gail Richardson, Zera Stewart
January 23: Ted Davis, Julian March, Krisiann Moskal, Steve Potter, David Smith