Rev. Harrington will lead us in worship with the sermon text coming from Psalm 23 and Luke 14:15-24.

PALM SUNDAY: MARCH 24th
All children are welcome to join the Palm Processional on Palm Sunday! Meet Lynn in the Narthex at 8:50 am for the 9:00 am Contemporary worship and 10:50 am for the 11:00 am traditional worship. We will joyfully wave our palms and celebrate Jesus entering Jerusalem. Children are welcome to join the palm processional for both services if they wish!

The Contemporary Worship Team will lead us at 9:00 am and the Adult Handbells and a Soloist will lead music at 11:00 am. 

MAUNDY THURSDAY: MARCH 28th
7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Join our Contemporary Worship Team as we honor and remember the importance of the Last Supper during Holy Week. Communion will be served. The Prayground is available in the Chapel for those with small children who would like to worship together with extra wiggle space and age-appropriate worship aids.

GOOD FRIDAY: MARCH 29th
7 pm, Sanctuary
This will be a Tenebrae worship service with music led by our Adult Choir and soloists.

EASTER SUNDAY: MARCH 31st
9:00 am Contemporary Worship
10:00 am Fellowship on the Lawn*
11:00 am Traditional Worship
Join us on Easter Sunday as we celebrate Christ REVEALED! Communion will be served at both services. Our Contemporary Worship Team will lead us during the 9:00 am service and at 11:00 am this Traditional service will feature our adult choir, handbells, trumpets, and special soloists.

In between worship, beginning at 10:00 am, gather with us on the 15th St. Lawn for our annual Fellowship on the Lawn* event--complete with snacks and an Easter Flower Cross for you to add fresh-cut flowers from your gardens. Invite your friends, neighbors, and loved ones to celebrate Christ REVEALED at SACPC this Easter Sunday.

There will be no Sunday School. Nursery provided.

*Rain or shine event. The rain location is the Dining Rm.

by Shelley Hobson

Each meeting begins with a devotion and prayer from a Session member. This month Dax Hawkins’ message to us was encouragement to notice and appreciate when God puts us where we need to be—to do or to witness His plans as they unfold.  

Deacons Alison Sineath and Kathy Benson (Connections subcommittee) spoke to us about Dinners for 8 upcoming this Spring and encouraged Elders to sign up to be hosts or be present at the dinners, so our church family can get to know them better.

Jack Richardson updated Session on the progress of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee, an active and enthusiastic group that meets weekly.  The group is currently interviewing candidates.

Via a monthly information packet, Session reviews church finances and statistics (attendance, livestream activity, social media engagement) at each monthly meeting.   We review minutes from each Session committee:  Human Resources, Finance, Officer Training and Governance,  Strategic Planning and Training, and Congregational Engagement.  This month the Session approved at-large members for Congregational Engagement: John Bohbrink, Jane Davis, and Rick Wheeler, and an upcoming baptism for the grandson of Beth and Bob Cherry.

At each monthly meeting, Session members are asked to “rehearse” for a scenario that could occur.  We read the scenario and research procedures in the Book of Order and our Session policies document and discuss how we might handle each possible situation.    We also review a Session policy or two each month to ask ourselves if we are following the prescribed policies.  These two important exercises help us stay on our toes and speak as one voice as we are required to do once discussions and votes have taken place.

Per the Book of Order, boundary training is required for councils (Session) every 36 months. Currently, SACPC requires all staff, preschool teachers, and high-level volunteers for children and youth to complete the Ministry Safe Sexual Abuse Awareness training.  Elders were reminded of our responsibility to take the time, individually, to complete the online training.

Reverend Harrington invited the Elders to share prayer concerns and closed the meeting with prayer.

by Rev. Katherine B. Harrington

Recently, we sent an email inviting everyone to anonymously share the stresses and heartaches keeping you up at night. We invite you to continually use this link located on our website, and our mobile app, to tell us about anything that is distressing your soul, whether it be theological, ethical, or personal.

 Jesus invites us to bring our burdens to him:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Please know, our staff meets every week to pray for each other, and the needs of the congregation and community. We will be praying for your concerns, and rest for your soul. All responses submitted will be kept completely anonymous and you can use this form as often as you like so we can continually understand the concerns of our growing congregation.

If you desire more direct pastoral care or prayer, please also use our CareLine--those responses go directly to our Pastoral Care team and, upon request, are published weekly via Saints Alive.

by Gail Richardson

March 4th-8th was Dr. Seuss Spirit Week and boy was it fun and spirited by children and staff alike.  On Monday it was "One Fish, Two Fish" wear something blue. On Tuesday, it was "The Cat and the Hat" wear something red. On Wednesday, it was Wacky Wednesday" wear wacky clothes. On Thursday, it was "Green Eggs and Ham" wear something green. And on Friday it was "Sleep Book" wear pajamas.  

It was a fun week focusing on certain colors and certain words. We enjoyed walking backwards to the chapel since it was a wacky backward day. Check out their artwork along the hallway.

by Catheryn Thomas

The Brown Hall renovations have begun! Some of the new sound equipment is in place. The new lights have been installed and they illuminate the room - and the ceiling - very nicely. Once the new control panel is installed, we will be able to dim even individual lights separately. But, as with any renovation project, there is also some mess. There are boxes and equipment around the room while work is being done; and the mezzanine (Brown Hall entrance) is loaded with boxes containing the new sound panels, which won’t be installed until the end of the project.

A big thank you to our preschool and our outside groups who are graciously dealing with some of the inconveniences while we make these wonderful improvements. If you have any questions about the project, please contact Catheryn Thomas.

by Cindy Litzinger

We've had a tremendous response to our first few weeks of registration for our new summer offering, Camp Fusion.  Which is wonderful!  It is sure to be a wonderful week for all campers. However, we do have limited space available and are currently almost 2/3 full.  If you are considering Camp Fusion this summer for your Preschool - 8th Grader, don't delay in signing up to secure your spot.

Eliza Grace March, daughter of Julian and Rachel March, received Christian Baptism on February 25, 2024 at SACPC during the 9:00am service.  

In baptism, we promise to guide and nurture these children by word and deed, love, and proyer, encouranging them to know and love Jesus Christ and to be His faithful disciple.  

by Sue McCaffray

"God is in the Mess: Having Honest Conversations with God." Led by Rev. Rachel Doll of Winter Park Presbyterian Church. Rachel is a noted Biblical storyteller, and her focus will be Mark 4 & 5. Join us Sept. 20-22 at beautiful Trinity Center, Pine Knoll Shores. Open to both men and women. Price per person, $250, includes 2 nights, double occupancy, and 6 meals. Space is limited. Registration details to follow in early April from our Spiritual Life Team. Contact Linda Smith for more information.

by Sue McCaffray

Our team is planning two thought-provoking POPS programs for after Easter. On April 10th join us for a sampler of what Paul has to say about unity and honesty in Ephesians and other letters. On April 17th the finale of our POPS dinners for spring comes with an eye-opening skit by our not-ready-for-prime-time SACPC players: Kent Anderson, Shelley Hobson, and Judy Hartz. Dr. Ben Rigby will lead us afterward as we react to their presentation. You do not want to miss this! Come join the conversation.

by Earth Care Corner Education

The original maker of plastic Easter eggs, Blayer Industries, was once the only American manufacturer of plastic eggs. In the early 2000s, it was making 250 million eggs a year.  It has since gone bankrupt because it couldn’t compete with cheaper Chinese plastic eggs.

With the passing of that company into history, it’s a good time to also say farewell to the use of plastic eggs and grass in Easter baskets. As we become more aware of the detrimental effects of plastics on our environment and our personal health, it is good to know that there are several finer earth-friendly options for a colorful Easter basket.

Hard-boiled dyed eggs are great for egg hunts, and most kids love dying them. For re-fillable eggs, there are wooden ones, felt, wool, and paper mache’ varieties.  Nestle the eggs in non-plastic grass to complete the festive look.  There are several choices for this too, such as crinkle paper, wood fibers, wool, and natural raffia from palm trees.  If you are really ambitious, ryegrass germinates and grows quickly, and would add a delicate fresh smell and feel to your basket.  

For dining room table center baskets, you could use fresh salad greens.

Creating an earth-friendly Easter basket is a natural child-centered way to honor God’s good creation, and to show your children that caring for the earth involves all ages, and using our creativity is just plain fun.

"The Earth is the Lord’s and all creatures in it, the world and all who dwell in it."
Psalm 24:1  

Information from www.presbyterianmission.org

by Gary Smith

The East steering committee for the Coastal Carolina Presbytery's East Community has partnered with RIP Medical Debt, a medical relief organization, to relieve the medical debt (as assessed on January 1, 2024) from hospitals in our East Community counties.  

The goal is to raise $20,000 to eliminate $2,000,000 in medical debt.  RIP has already purchased the debt, at greatly reduced rates, from the hospitals in our East Community counties.

The campaign runs until April 30, 2024. 

Please send contributions for this project to SACPC and list RIP Medical Debt Relief in the Memo line. Ways to give:

Give Online: Use the button below to make an online donation.
Give In Person: We take offerings at every worship service via cash or check.
Mail A Check: You can mail your donations to our front office Please mail them to:

St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church
1416 Market St.
Wilmington, NC 28401

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. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated, the suggested donation is $12. 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 Lynn Warner

The Spirituality Center is located in the Temple Room downstairs and is open to all throughout the Lenten season. Various prayer-centered activities are available and more have been added. You are welcome to come and experience it on Sundays or anytime during the week.

Click the button below to access our available Lenten resources.

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

This week's menu: Irish Flag Salad, Corn Beef and Potatoes, Cabbage, Irish Soda Bread, Boston Cream Cake, and Mint Brownies. Cost is $25/family of 4 or more, $7/adult, and $5/under 12. 

This Wednesday, we'll gather "around the table" to talk about Psalm 23 and Luke 14:15-24. Rev. Harrington will lead this discussion.

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

This women's small group book study meets every Monday via Zoom. Each week the group discusses a new chapter from the book "Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times" by Bishop Michael Curry. New members are welcome to join at any time. Contact Shelley Hobson or Lynn Kozik for more details or to receive the Zoom link.

During March, Go & Serve will be collecting non-perishable foods for Good Shepherd, Salvation Army, and the Rescue Mission. Suggested food items include:

• cereal
• pasta
• pasta sauce
• canned fruits and vegetables (including #10 cans)
• canned soup
• packaged snacks
• canned chicken or tuna

Please drop your donations in the bin in the 15th Street lobby near the Narthex.

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.

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.

Save the Date (especially because we are adjusting our worship time!) Confirmation Sunday will be April 28th and we will be welcoming our Confirmands at ONE UNITY SERVICE AT 10am that day. We hope you will join us as these young people join our church.

Attention all 6th - 12th graders! Our next Be The Light Event will be at The Harrelson Center on April 14th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm - MARK YOUR CALENDARS! In the meantime.... we are collecting sunscreen and bug spray to add to hydration bags that will be distributed by Catholic Charities to migrant farm workers this summer. Bring your donations to The HUB or the church anytime we gather.

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

Becky Barefoot’s 20-year-old granddaughter, Anna Blake, is being evaluated for health issues.  

Amelia Dixon is in ICU at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Texas due to 12-day nose bleeds.

Nathan Strickler has had a return of cancer.  Treatment options are being discerned.

Ginny Silliman who was hospitalized after falls has been transferred to Bradley Creek.

Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG ), Smith Beacham (Fort Richardson, Anchorage, AK), Jack Looney (USS Carl Vinson, San Diego, CA), Samuel Makepeace (Fort Moore, Georgia), 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.

March 12: Leo Curtis
March 13: Lou Greer, Robin Harper, Noah Huss, Tony McEwen, Will Swain, Jim Williams
March 14: Stanton Bissette, Steve Kash
March 15: Pat Hardee, Bess Hilliard, Jensen Wallace
March 17: Sandra Hiatt, Mike Lee, Leon Skinner, Chelsea Stacks
March 18: Carolyn Smith, June Stafford
March 19: Nancy Mihle, Joe Moskal

Thank you for contributing to the work and love of Jesus through St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church. Your gifts enable us to stay Faithfully Present in Our Community.

Financial updates will be provided each month.  If you have any questions, please contact Susan Dykes, Financial Administrator, 910-762-9693x207, sdykes@sacpc.org; or our Church Treasurer, Ed Hobson, treasurer@sacpc.org.

View our most recent Session Reports.