It's Confirmation Sunday! We will have one unity worship service at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary where we welcome 12 new young members to our church. Our Confirmands will lead this Unity service with our Youth Director, Jen Phelps, sharing some frightening--yet hopeful, wisdom about keeping young people around.

by Kathleen Denlinger

SACPC continues to be an amazing partner with the Good Shepherd Center. In March, we collected 150 pounds of groceries to help stock the pantry. Our members serve dinner twice a month, always taking time to share a smile and a warm 'hello' with the guests.

There will be ONE UNITY SERVICE at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary this Sunday as we welcome 12 new Confirmands who are joining our church. The Sunday School hour will temporarily move to 9:00 am. 

by Gail Richardson

Maud Kelley with Hoof Farms in Bolivia, NC brought two goats, one duck, one rooster, and one very very soft bunny to the front lawn. The rooster crowed, the duck quacked and the children squealed with delight! Petting the animals while Maud held them was thrilling for the small and big kids. Several parents joined the fun, too.  Most of the children loved petting the animals however there were a few of the kids who suspiciously looked at them.

Did you know that male ducks whisper "quack quack" while the female duck quacks loudly?
Did you know that goats have rectangular-shaped pupils?

We had a fun morning of laughing and learning. We hope the farm animal visit will become a new tradition at the preschool.

by Gwen Behen

Physical hunger is a burden many in this world face. One way that we in this congregation can offset the burden of hunger in our church family and local community is through the Unseen Guest Program, which SACPC initiated many years ago. Participating by cooking or financially supporting this service offers us the opportunity to actively follow the teaching of Christ to feed the hungry. Doing that also sometimes alleviates more than physical hunger as folks realize that others are concerned about them.

Today, this program is organized through cook teams of men and women who are assigned a month to cook. Each person assigned that month fills 10-12 trays that are provided. Each cook team cooks 2 to 3 times a year.

This ministry serves some elderly folks in the community, single moms with kids, and children in WRAAP--an after-school program that SACPC supports. We also share meals with individuals in our congregation who are ill, or simply no longer have the energy or motivation to cook.

As some of the current cooks retire from this service, having others step up to fill those food trays is so important to the folks who are served. I ask that you prayerfully consider serving on a cook team.  Even if you can cook only one time a year, that fills a need in the program. Simply call the church office and leave your name and number with the front office staff, or click the button below to send me an email and I will soon contact you. A new rotation is about to be made, and empty slots are waiting to be filled.

Thank you for considering this ministry.

by Kathy Benson

Don't miss these wonderful opportunities to get to know your church family better! Check your calendar and choose a DINNERS FOR 8 location. This is a great way to enjoy a shared meal and fellowship with other SACPC worshipers in a casual and relaxed environment! Your host will contact you with details on the food to bring and directions to the location.

There are only 2 dinner opportunities left for May:

Saturday, May 4 @6 PM (sign up by 4/28) **One seat available.***
Friday, May 10 @6 PM (sign up by 5/5)

The Sign-up Table is found at the 15th Street Entrance.

by Sue McCaffray

All adults are invited to gather for a combined Sunday school class in the Kardia Room on Sundays in June. Your friendly staff members will offer a short course on the book of Ephesians. Children having completed Pre-K through Youth are invited to join Jen, Lynn, and friends in the Chillaxation Station on the Ground Floor at 10 am for the first four Sundays in June, where all will learn and grow our faith together in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. So join your church family whether Sunday school is part of your routine or something new and different. All are welcome!

Austyn Gray Rouse, daughter of Jordan Vance and Alice Bullock Rouse received Christian Baptism on April 14, 2024, at SACPC during the 9:00 am service. In baptism, we promise to guide and nurture these children by word and deed, love, and prayer, encouraging them to know and love Jesus Christ and to be His faithful disciples.  

Thank you to all who have already donated. So, far SACPC has raised $9,200 to help the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina erase medical debt for hospital patients in our East Community counties. 

This campaign ends on April 30, 2024.

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

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 Emily Donovan

SACPC was recently certified as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Presbyterian Hunger Program through February 2025. The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that commit to taking seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden.

SACPC formed an Earth Care Team last May and spent seven months conducting an environmental audit to gain this certification. This status speaks to the serious commitment that our Earth Care Team has made to care for God’s earth. To become an Earth Care Congregation, our Session affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into our worship, education, facilities, and outreach.

SACPC is the only PC(USA) church in Wilmington to acquire this distinction, the second church in our presbytery, and one of 31 PC(USA) congregations in North Carolina. Our Earth Care Team meets the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 pm and welcomes all who are interested in encouraging a faith-based response to sustainable living. Click the button below to email our Earth Care Team and join the fun!

by Preschool Director Search Committee

Our Preschool Director, Gail Richardson, is retiring from her current position as she feels God is redirecting her talents. Gail has been a steadfast leader, guiding our program through Covid, fundraising for a beautiful new playground, and ensuring our Preschool is fiscally sound. Please give Gail a hug and thanks for her dedication and love for our children!

While Gail has planned for the upcoming year, we still need to try and fill her shoes. The search committee has posted the Preschool Director job opening and is currently accepting applications. We are asking our congregation to consider who you might know who would be a good fit to lead our preschool in the next season. The position is listed on Indeed and we are hoping to have it filled by the end of May.

Questions and resumes may be sent to SACPCPreschool@gmail.com or you may speak with one of us.

Peace,
Preschool Director Search Committee
Lauren Allen, Clare Powers, Randy Warner, Paige Williams, Rev. Katherine Harrington

by Gary Smith

We are excited to be back on the build site with Ericka to finish up the construction of her home. We currently have hardware (April 20th) on the volunteer calendar. You can log in to your Volgistics account to access the calendar or use the links below to create an account.

Since we have moved on to finishing work, volunteers ages 14+ are welcome to join in the fun!)

Build Location: 1620 Dorsey Lane  
Note: Dorsey Lane is a new road and may not show up on your GPS. Use the following address instead: 3204 Reminisce Road (Castle Hayne). This is the address for a large blue house on the left side of the street. Dorsey Lane is just past this house! Also, there is a Dorsey Lane in Navassa, so be sure your map is leading you to Castle Hayne!

by Gary Smith

The Shelter Care team, led by Palmer Sineath, completed another ramp Saturday in Rocky Point. Other SACPC participants were Rick Wheeler, Bill Aman, David Massey, Jack Richardson, John Bohbrink, and Gary Smith. The homeowner wrote, "To all God's helpers from St. Andrews, My husband and I are so grateful for all you have done to give him mobility to get into and out of our home. Thank you so much."

by Lynn Warner

The Children's Ministry Team would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Palmer Sineath for putting together all the rolling shelves for our new Children's Library! This summer the Children's Library will move to the Temple Room downstairs. This will make all the wonderful books we have much more available to our children and our Sunday School Teachers.

More exciting news about the Children's Library will be forthcoming. THANK YOU, Palmer!

To My Church Family,

I can't thank you enough for all those who have prayed for me during this difficult time. The visits, cards, flowers, phone calls, and food have all helped to cheer me.

I am doing better each day and hope to return to church soon! Thank you for your continued prayers.

May God bless those who pray and care for others.

Love you all!

Dawn Wallace

by Kathy Benson

Join us in welcoming Sallie Rochelle who joined our SACPC family by reaffirmation of faith on February 25, 2024. Sallie is an active member of Venture Sunday School Class. She originally hails from Cleveland, Ohio and is now retired from General Electric.

Sallie is quite an outdoor enthusiast! She enjoys horseback riding, boating, and gardening. She enjoys cooking as well. We are so glad friends invited Sallie to attend our church gatherings and that she has chosen to join the membership roll.

Please look for Sallie in worship and personally welcome her to the SACPC family!

by Lynn Warner

This summer we are offering Camp Fusion - Mission Possible! This will be a combined Vacation Bible School/Music Camp. We have amazing programs planned and invite you to join the fun by being a Camp Volunteer.

Our camp will have morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session will be a "typical" VBS schedule. Preschoolers will participate from 9:00 am - noon and Grades K - 6th will stay from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Morning Volunteers needed for:
Crafts
Shepherds for Preschool, K/1; 2nd/3rd/4th
Storytellers
Recreation

Afternoon Volunteers needed for:
Drama
Music
Set design

Email Lynn Warner if you are interested in blessing this need.

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.

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.

Join us for a 6-week Zoom book study every Thursday from May 2nd - June 6th at 6:30 pm. We will explore Old Testament scholar Walter Breuggemann's series, "Embracing the Prophets in Contemporary Culture: Confronting Today's 'Pharaohs'." This class is led by Dave Hoff and Sue McCaffray. There is some reading each week to prepare for class, and a short video that we watch together. Email Dave Hoff for more information and to get the zoom link.

Are you interested in learning more about SACPC and/or becoming a member? Join us for our membership exploration class on May 12th & 19th 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).

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!

All 6th - 12th grades are invited to attend. We will gather at Wrightsville Beach Park for a cookout and our KICKBALL CHALLENGE with SACPC Elders and Deacons!

Friends are welcome - registration for youth is not required, but there is a sign-up to contribute to the cookout food if you would like.

History buffs and Bible readers alike will find Harry Friedman's engaging book, "The Murderous History of Bible Translation" entertaining and educational at the same time. Did you know that people have been translating scripture for more than 2,000 years? Learn about people like William Tyndale, who gave his life to produce an English-language Bible, and be inspired by their passion for the Word of God.

A very special new book was donated by the Stillpoint Class in honor of Katherine Brandi's mother, Mary Eberts: "The Cup of Our Life", by Joyce Rupp. Rupp offers reflections on how to have a more intimate and disciplined life of prayer, and Mary loved it.  

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

Elizabeth Bland died on April 22. No arrangements are available as yet.  

Mary Tyler died this morning, April 23.  No arrangements are available as yet.

Kara Ann Johnson and her daughter, Eliza Ann Johnson, were both baptized on April 21, 2024.

Sue Messina’s friend, Janet Welch, who has Parkinson’s recently fell and required stitches in her head.

Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG ), Smith Beacham (Fort Richardson, Anchorage, AK), Patrick Falvey (Landstuhl Military Medical Center, Germany), 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 23: Margo Hurd
April 24: Zina Burney, Martha Futch, Marilyn Mitchell, Kate Smith
April 25: Brian Lanier, Anita Lowry
April 26: Natalie English, Bill Rudisill
April 27: Elizabeth Galloway, Sarah Parks
April 28: Catheryn Thomas, Anna Williams
April 29: Louise Gorham, Michael Kraus, Ana Player Murray, Collin Parks
April 30: Palmer Sineath

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.