Rev. Harrington will lead us in worship with the sermon text coming from Mark 9:2-9 and 2 Kings 2:1-12. It's also Transfiguration Sunday and there will be a Congregational Meeting at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary.

by Colleen Holliday

One of our senior church members, Jean Jackson, is leaving Wilmington and moving to Raleigh. Jean joined SACPC in the mid-1950s. Jean and her husband Herbert  (deceased in 1999) were members of the old TRI-M Sunday School Class. They raised two daughters in the church, Rhonda Wheeler (deceased 2010) and Denise Jones.

Jean and Herbert lived next door to their best friends, HC (Slim) Wallace and his wife Edith (both deceased), and their sons, Steve and David Wallace.  Steve and his wife, Dawn Wallace, fondly call Jean, "Aunt Jean".

 Jean is moving to independent living quarters in Magnolia Glen where she will be close to her daughter Denise and son-in-law, Jim Jones, as well as her 4 great-grandchildren. There will be busy days in Raleigh and no time to get lonely.

Jean's new address is:

Jean has remained active in Presbyterian Women's Circle 6. She has been a caller in their phone tree to provide all kinds of alerts to members. She had a talent for calling as she was a "professional"  phone operator for Southern Bell for her career years.

Jean, we wish you new adventures, new favorite restaurants, and lots of company in your beautiful new condo. Get excited about the flowers along the many walkways you can enjoy. You will always have a place in our hearts at SACPC.  

As Tim McGraw said:

"We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we will take a little of each other everywhere."

You will be missed.

Are you interested in learning more about SACPC and/or becoming a member? Join us for our membership exploration class on February 18th & 25th at 10:00 am in the Dining Room. Rev. Harrington will lead this class with 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 Gary Smith

On Saturday February 3, our Shelter Care team built a ramp in Navassa to enable a disabled man to return home from the hospital. The team was led by Palmer Sineath and Stan Scott and included John Bohbrink, Jack Richardson, Kevin Crooks, Bill Aman, and Gary Smith. Please consider joining us for future builds.

by Kelli Blowers

We now have magnifying sheets available in the narthex and library for anyone who needs them.  Not only will this enlarge the print on the bulletins but also the announcements, Bibles, hymnals-everything!  We are excited to present an option to make our worship services and communications more accessible for all!  Feel free to use these magnifying sheets as needed, but please remember to return them to their designated home afterward. Magnifiers will be available starting this Sunday, February 11th! See an usher for more details.

by Lynn Warner

SACPC hosts a program through Community In Schools (CIS ) called "The Incredible Years" on Thursday evenings from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. These meetings need childcare volunteers. The program is for parents of children ages 6 - 12 and will begin on February 22nd and run through mid-May. If you are interested please contact Catheryn Thomas or Lynn Warner.

by Gary Smith

Join us for a solution-focused conversation about how people of faith can respond to the housing crisis. From homelessness to workforce housing shortages, many of our neighbors are hurting. Now is the time for the Church to step up and explore creative responses.

Join a collaboration of faith community members as we explore specific ways to leverage our personal property and our church properties to “seek the peace of our city” by increasing access to affordable housing.

• Hear from experts about resources for building housing in your backyard
• Hear stories from others in the faith community who are leveraging extra space in their home to rent affordably to others in their church community
• Hear about churches leveraging unused church property to create housing opportunities 

Click the button below to sign-up for this event. 

by Catheryn Thomas

Thanks to a generous donation in memory of Debbie Brown Rudisill from Bill Rudisill and his family, Brown Hall is undergoing a major cosmetic facelift! To better serve the needs of our congregation and community for fellowship and recreation, we are painting all the walls, resurfacing the floor and adding pickleball lines, updating the lighting, and upgrading the AV system. You will notice many changes, like the bleachers are gone, and there may be a few inconveniences in the coming months as we make these improvements. We are so grateful for the Rudisill family's generosity. If you have questions about the project, please contact Catheryn Thomas.

by Susan Dykes

Flowers represent a new season, a new birth! This Easter you have the opportunity to contribute to the cost of flowers in memory or in honor of a special person. Beautiful palms and geraniums will be used to help beautify our Sanctuary. Those interested in donating may use the white ‘Special Flowers’ envelopes located throughout the church, through our website, or contact Susan Dykes in the church office at 762-9693 ext. 207. The due date for donations is Sunday, March 17th

by Paige Williams

Do you love hearing the beautiful music, seeing the wedding party all dressed up, and feeling the love of family both new and old? Then volunteer to serve as a SACPC Wedding Coordinator! We will provide ample training and while the “Big Day” is very busy, the rest of the coordinator duties are done in a more relaxed manner.

Contact Paige Williams & Carol McGowan for additional information!

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 Rev. Katherine B. Harrington

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. We're excited to offer a few new experiences--like a Lenten Bible Study and Earth Care-focused online experience, along with some old favorites--like our taize-style Ash Wednesday service and Presbyterian Outlook daily devotionals.

We hope these opportunities will help deepen your commitment to Christ and love for one another during this season of Lent. As always, visit our mobile app and/or website to access all our Lenten offerings in one handy spot.

by Sue McCaffray

We begin our journey to the cross with "Who Do You Say that I Am?" a Taize-style worship service brought to you by our SACPC Spiritual Life Team. Communion will be served along with an opportunity to receive ashes. 

by Lynn Warner

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!

by Sue McCaffray

Every Wednesday in Lent, Katie will lead 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!

This is a five-week Bible Study from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm in Kardia Rm 224. There is no required reading--just show up and enjoy the conversation. The study starts Feb. 21st and runs every Wednesday until Mar. 20th.

Dinner is offered in Brown Hall at 5:30 pm.

The beginning of a new year means celebrating a new class of Elders. We welcomed the class of 2026:  John Frye, Steve Miller, Chris Johnston, Rosalind Barker, Jim Benson, and Dave Hoff.

Each meeting begins with a devotion and prayer from a Session member and ends with prayer concerns and a closing prayer from our Pastor/Head of Staff. To keep our eyes focused on our “Ends” or SACPC’s long-term ministry goals and to explore new opportunities, we regularly invite speakers from Wilmington area organizations to educate and inspire the Elders.

Our speaker this month was Meade Van Pelt, Executive Director of the Harrelson Center, which our church supports financially and with volunteers.  Ms. Van Pelt provided a history and overview of services offered at the Harrelson Center.  She encouraged members of Session and our church family to visit for a tour and to read the monthly newsletter for ministry and volunteer opportunities.  Click here to view a video from the Harrelson Center website

The Session reviews church statistics (attendance, livestream activity, social media engagement, financial reports) at each monthly meeting.  This month we reviewed the 2024 Asking Budget submitted by the church staff and to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the congregation on February 11th at 10:30 a.m.  The Session approved this budget, which also includes updated terms of call for Reverend Harrington.  

Part of the Session’s job, per the Book of Order, is to review the church rolls and keep them up to date with active members. We are in the process of identifying inactive members and encouraging them to return. Additional business called for a meeting of the Board of Directors of St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, Inc. to elect officers for 2024. The following team of officers was approved:
 
President - Hugh Caison
Vice President – Jason Swain
Treasurer – Ed Hobson
Assistant Treasurer – Edwin Link
Secretary – Lynn Atkinson

The name of two Session committees were changed to reflect their jobs more accurately:  Planning Committee was renamed Strategic Planning and Training.  The Training and Governance Committee is now Officer Education and Governance.

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

This week's menu: chicken and dumplings, broccoli, garden salad, and dessert. 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.

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. 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. See Jane Smith for details.

Music on Market welcomes the TAM(T³) Trio for a concert that will span the ages from classical through folk, jazz, and modern pop.  TAM(T³) includes Sharon Miller on piano, along with Kate Tibbetts on cello, and Christine Anderson on violin. Come enjoy an evening of great music and entertainment. 

by Angela Burns

Throughout Lent, the Adult choir during our 11:00 am Traditional worship service will present movements from Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living.  A Requiem, at its core, is a prayer for rest- traditionally, for the deceased. The five movements of Dan Forrest's Requiem for the Living, however, form a narrative just as much for the living, and their own struggle with pain and sorrow, as for the dead.

The choir will begin with the Kyrie and end weeks later with Lux Aeterna (connection with God that is everlasting). You will hear turmoil, sorrow, pleas for rest, mercy, and deliverance while experiencing a glimpse of “heaven and earth, full of Thy glory.” Finally, the last piece you will hear will portray light, peace, and rest for both the deceased and the living.  

Translations will be provided as all selections will be sung in Latin.  We hope you find a spiritual connection with this transcendent music. Peace & Grace, Angela Burns

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.

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. 

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, died last week. Mrs. Bradshaw’s service is planned for February 10th, at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in SC.  A service of remembrance is scheduled for June in Columbia, SC, at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Louise Gorham is scheduled for surgery on February 7th at NH.
 
Dawn Wallace is being seen at Duke on February 5th for treatment of three fractured vertebrae.

Sheila Moore is being treated for Covid at home in Whiteville.

Marilyn Kimbro had her first cataract surgery on February 5th and is resting at home.

Tom Lubbers is a patient at NH for observation and expects to be transferred to Davis Rehab this week.

Palmer Sineath’s 74-year-old sister, Sherrill McInnis, is a patient at NH for observation.

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.

February 6: Zac Phelps
February 7: Paige Williams
February 8: Elle Lathan
February 9: George Chadwick, Marge Gordon, Terri Lensch, Steve Miller, Jodie Smith
February 10: Mary Tyler
February 12: Bill Aman
February 13: Betty Feezor, Coleman Gould, Cate Swain