It is a week after Easter, the disciples must be wondering what to do next.  So not knowing they return to Galilee and go fishing.  It is hard to change and often the familiar seems like a safe place to be.  But Easter ought to change us, we cannot stay the same knowing we follow a risen Lord.  What is Jesus calling us to leave behind and what is He calling us to be and to do?

by Sue McCaffray

The Spiritual Life Team is offering a 2-night, 3-day Fall Retreat from September 20 - 22, 2024 at the beautiful Trinity Center in Pine Knoll Shores. The theme for the weekend is titled: "God is in the Mess: Having Honest Conversations with God." The weekend will be led by Rev. Rachel Doll of Winter Park Presbyterian Church. Rachel is a noted Biblical storyteller, and her focus will be on Mark 4 & 5.

Registration is now open and will close on June 1, 2024. Space is limited. Contact Linda Smith for more information.

by Kathy Benson

We are pleased to introduce Sue Ellen Holleman as a recent addition to our SACPC family. Sue Ellen joined on February 25, 2024 by letter of transfer from Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Chapel Hill, NC. She is both an ordained elder (1982) and a Stephen Minister.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, she traveled eastward and settled in Martinsville, New Jersey. After leaving Martinsville, she relocated to Pittsboro, NC before winding her way to Wilmington.

Sue Ellen is already active with Presbyterian Women's Circle 8. She is a retired teacher and school counselor who has also enjoyed the adventure of travel and making new friends over the years. Please say hello to Sue Ellen when you see her in worship. We are very glad she has made SACPC her new church home!

by Sara Bryant

Some of the SACPC organ pipes recently returned from a trip to Virginia. The wooden Triangular Flute pipes had accumulated lead oxide deposits which were leaking into the pipe valves, which would have caused trouble. Our long-time organ curator, Mark Thompson, took them to his workshop for repair. Mark removed the deposits, cleaned the pipes, and applied several coats of shellac to prevent the lead oxide problem from happening again. Mark reinstalled and voiced the pipes in March. I was happy to have this work done, but I did not realize that the pipes would sound so much better! They sound clearer and more beautiful than they did before. Mark also installed an upgraded surge protector for the control system.

Our wonderful Casavant pipe organ was installed in 1958 and has been an important part of church and community music ever since. I first heard it in 1973 when organist Frank Honey, one of my professors at UNC-Wilmington, asked me to turn pages for him at his recital. Countless recitals and services have been played since then.

Pipe organs are custom-built instruments/machines, and they require maintenance just as other machines do. Through the years, the SACPC congregation has taken good care of their beautiful organ—regular tuning and repairs, adding a new control system in 1990, and a major renovation in 2006 which broadened the tonal character and provided a richer sound.

I am so honored to be your organist, and to have the opportunity to be a small part of your musical history. I will do everything I can to take care of your wonderful Casavant instrument. I am grateful that the congregation is so supportive of their organ!

by Kathy Benson

Sign up to host or attend a Dinner for 8 beginning March 24, 2024 in the vestibule outside the sanctuary. So far, there are five Host dinner locations open. Seating is limited. We encourage members wanting to host to reserve any date in April or May. Learn how at the sign-up table.

Fri., April 19 @  6:00 pm Atkinson Home: 8 Guest Spots
Sat., April 27 @  6:00 pm Wilson Home: 6 Guest Spots
Sat., May 04  @  6:30 pm Benson Home: 6 Guest Spots
Fri., May 10  @  6:00 pm Woods Home:  6 Guest Spots
Sat., May 18  @  6:30 pm Co-Hosts: Hobson/Frye Homes: 6 Guests

by Sue McCaffray

OK, grown-ups, let's finish this school year strong: Drop in on any of these Sunday morning classes as you are able between now and the end of May:
 
Connette-Covenant, Room 226
A Study of the Westminster Confession
 
Evans-Feezor, for men, Room 215
Examining our Faith
 
Living Faith, Room 214
Lectionary topics on meeting the risen Christ in the early church

Venture, Room 240
Various scripture-based lessons (with home-baked goodies)

Walking in the Word, Room 236
Continues the study of Luke

by Louise Gorham

Dear Church Family,

My back surgery six weeks ago was successful! I am improving and using a walker after graduating from a wheelchair and hope I will be able to use only a cane before too long.

You have prayed for us, fed us, called, sent cards, visited, and left messages. There is no doubt in my mind and heart that your thoughtfulness has helped me get well!

I am thankful for your love and concern more than I can say.

Louse Gorham

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

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

Join us for a sampler of what Paul has to say about unity and honesty in Ephesians and other letters. You do not want to miss this! Come join the conversation.

Music on Market will present the final concert for the 2023-2024 season on April 13th with an educational lecture beginning at 7:00 PM and the concert at 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary featuring the Scott Silbert Jazz Quintet performing jazz from Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman.  This concert is free to the public. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Come enjoy an enlightening evening of outstanding music.  

Our banned book club is now open to all! Our next book is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood - read the book and then join us on Zoom as English teacher extraordinaire Amy Stuart leads our discussion. Sunday, April 21st at 7pm on Zoom.

This is a free, guided 6-mile paddle along the scenic and beautiful Black River. It is a very easy paddle by canoe or kayak and great for families with children who like to explore the outdoors. We'll enjoy many beautiful cypress trees on this stretch of the river and the water is very clean because there is no industry located nearby.

Plan to gather at the parking lot by New Hanover High School's tennis courts next to Brown Hall at 7:00 am sharp. We will leave at 7:30 am and travel approximately 30 miles to our put-in on the Black River. We should arrive back in Wilmington by 3:30 pm.

If you do not have your own kayak or canoe we can borrow some from Camp Kirkwood, or you can rent some from Hook, Line & Paddle. Registration is required and must be completed no later than 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 25th. You can register online or call the church office at 910.762.9693.

Any questions, or if you need a boat, call Pate Southerland at 910 262 4122.

This month we’ll be helping victims of child abuse that our neighbor, The Carousel Center, serves with love and compassion. They need individual packages of granola bars, peanut butter crackers, Smart Food popcorn, microwavable single-serve lunches of mac-n-cheese, chicken noodle soup, oodles of noodles, little water bottles, juicy juice boxes, and hygiene items of shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes & toothpaste.

Please join us as we pray for the time when such services are no longer needed!

The full-day camp is full!  Space is still available for the half-day preschool camp.

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

Alec Hansjoerg Stern, born May 31, 2022, son of Elizabeth Cherry Stern and Ian Hansjoerg Stern, was baptized March 24.  Baby Alec is the brother of Elizabeth Beatty Stern, 5 years old. He is the grandson of Beth and Bob Cherry and Jackie Norton.

Joseph Kean Walters, born April 4, 2023, son of Georgia Cherry Walters and Thomas Richard Walters, was baptized March 24.  He joins big sister Lena Walters, 3 years of age.  Grandparents are Beth and Bob Cherry.

Susan Dykes' aunt, Melva Pridgen, died on March 19th.  A graveside service was held on March 21st.  

Dr. Robert Crawford Bankhead (Bob or Doc) died on February 9, 2024. Dr. Bankhead was Executive Presbyter of Wilmington Presbytery and served several churches and in other capacities in his career.  His memorial service is planned for April 14, 2024 at the Sion Presbyterian Church in Winnsboro, SC.

Lynn Warner’s mother, Nancy Doughtery, is having a procedure on April 2nd in Greenville, SC.

Ginny Silliman fell at Bradley Creek Rehab, fractured a hip, and was admitted to NH for hip repair.  She is expected to be in the hospital for a few days.

Lynn Warner’s mother, Nancy Doughtery, is having a procedure on April 2nd in Greenville, SC. 

Ginny Silliman fell at Bradley Creek Rehab, fractured a hip, was admitted to NH for hip repair.  She is expected to be in the hospital for a few days.

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.

April 2: Sarah Grace Hill, Robbie Wheeler
April 3: Greg Butner, Caitlin Glatt, Dumay Gorham, Nancy Lund, Lanielle Murrell, Carolyn Pappendick
April 4: Ellen Bridgers, Markay Carter
April 5: Bert Exum, Simon Gray, Dave Mayes, Natalya Mewborn
April 8: Steve Wilson
April 9: Dawn Lysne, Mary Beth Moore

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.