Pastor Gary will lead us in worship with the sermon text coming from Ephesians 4:1-3. We'll discuss the importance of humility, patience, and pursuing peace. It's also Communion Sunday.

This year, the season of Lent begins on February 14th with our taize-style Ash Wednesday service titled "Who Do You Say That I Am?" Our theme for Lent is called "Table Talk" where we will spend five weeks exploring the importance and challenges of gathering at the Lord's Table, and how we encounter Jesus and all God's people at this shared table.

New this year, I will offer a special Wednesday evening Lenten Bible Study at 6:30 pm in Kardia Rm 224. We will gather for a lively conversation about the coming Sunday's sermon text and explore where the Holy Spirit is guiding us. This Bible study will begin on February 21st.

Our Christian Formation team has purchased digital access to the Presbyterian Outlook's Lenten daily devotional. It's available for download via our website in regular and large print format. Click the "Learn More" button below to access it.

As always, visit our mobile app and/or website to access all our Lenten offerings.

by Sue McCaffray

On January 24th, a large crowd gathered to hear our own Dr. Ben Rigby share strategies for holding constructive conversations with others when we disagree. It was clear that people from ages 13 to 83 were eager to learn how to do a better job communicating with our families, in our church, and our wider community. Click the link below to download a brief summary of the tools Ben provided. Let's challenge ourselves to use these around our church! For a fuller version of the guidelines contact Sue McCaffray.

by Rev. Harrington

There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, February 11th at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary to present the annual report and the budget, vote on changes in terms of call of the pastor, elect the Congregational Nominating Committee, a new deacon, and hold the annual meeting of the corporation.

by Cindy Litzinger

We are thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity with a new SACPC summer camp. Get ready for CAMP FUSION - a one-of-a-kind experience that combines the elements of VBS, music, drama, and a musical production! At Camp Fusion, your children will embark on a journey of faith, creativity, and expression.

Campers will have the chance to deepen their understanding of the Bible through engaging lessons and activities. Through these teachings, they will develop a strong foundation of faith that will guide them throughout their lives. But that's not all!

Our campers will also have the opportunity to explore their musical and dramatic talents. They will work together, rehearse diligently, and bring the magic of music, drama and faith to life on stage. The musical will not only be a celebration of their artistic abilities but also a testament to the values and lessons they have learned during their time at Camp Fusion.

SACPC is offering two camp options based on the age of campers.

Camp Fusion Preschool will be a half-day version of the full Camp Fusion experience. Children will experience age-appropriate and fun-filled activities, Bible stories, crafts, and music. 

Camp Fusion will be a full-day experience combining VBS, music, drama, and musical production in a unique opportunity for campers to grow spiritually, explore their artistic abilities, and make lasting memories with new friends.

by Jen Phelps

Our high school and college students are starting something new! Get the book - read the book - join us via  Zoom on Sunday, February 18th at 8:00 pm to discuss the book. See Jen Phelps for more details.

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.

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

This week's menu: Mexican night with enchiladas, quesadillas, rice, beans, and toppings bar with chips. Cost is $25/family of 4 or more, $7/adult, and $5/under 12. 

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.

We begin our journey to the cross with a Taize-style worship service in the Sanctuary. Communion will be served along with an opportunity to receive ashes. Our Children and Youth ministries will provide prayer stations in the Chapel from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm.

Our Youth and Children's Ministries are joining forces to set up prayer stations in the Chapel from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm on Ash Wednesday.  The stations will then move to the Temple Rm 29 in the basement to become part of a newly created Spirituality Center.  Additional activities will be added throughout the season to deepen your Lenten journey. These activities are designed for all ages 3 - 103. We invite everyone to enjoy them throughout the Lenten season!

Every Wednesday in Lent, join Rev. Katherine B. Harrington for a lively discussion of the sermon text selected for the coming week's sermon. We'll explore where God is leading us through these Scripture passages and possibly help shape the weekly sermon messages--unless the Holy Spirit has other ideas! Dinner is offered in Brown Hall at 5:30 pm.

A Safe Place Donation Drive: February 1 is National Freedom Day, which marks the culmination of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January. The State Department estimates that 27.6 million people are currently the victims of human trafficking worldwide. As many as half of them are minors; 80% are female. Twenty years ago, when the United States passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, most Americans did not know that, in our modern era, people were still being held in slavery. In the subsequent decades, fortunately, most have become aware of this tragedy.

In New Hanover County, we are blessed with several ministries that are providing services to local victims. One of those is A Safe Place, which Go and Serve supports annually through our budget. A Safe Place opened a shelter for victims in 2012 and has expanded its services to include counseling, case management, and an outreach center, primarily to young women and teen girls exiting, or trying to exit, the sex trade.

For February, we will be collecting items for this vital ministry including the following:
 

• Women’s underwear sizes M-XL
• Women’s solid color tees, sizes M-XL
• Socks
• Journals
• Laundry Detergent
• Cleaning supplies
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper

To learn more about A Safe Place, click the button below to visit their website.

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.

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!

Confirmation classes will meet on Wednesday, January 31st from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm in the youth classrooms located in the basement. See Jen Phelps for more details.

ATTN Confirmands, Parents & Mentors: Please download the SACPC mobile app and join the "Youth: Confirmation Class" group chat. This is where Jen will post all things related to Confirmation and you can ask questions.

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

The sister of AC Tyler, Betty Bradshaw, 72 years old of Florence, SC, is receiving hospice care.

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 30: Rebecca Lynn Burney
February 1: Elizabeth Bland, Eric Pierson
February 2: Hanna Barkley
February 3: Will Davy
February 4: Isaac Bron
February 5: Angela Burns, Matthew Pierson, Ryan Pierson, Ellen Wortman
February 6: Zac Phelps