It is Pentecost Sunday! Rev. Harrington will lead us in worship using text from Acts 2:1-13 and Ezekiel 37:1-14. We encourage everyone to wear red to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of The Church.

by Cindy Litzinger

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Pentecost during both worship services. We will emphasize the Holy Spirit’s descent on the disciples of Jesus through word and music.  Our Contemporary Worship Team, Adult Choir, various soloists, and children will be leading us in worship as we celebrate the birth of the church.

Children of all ages are invited to help wave “flame and wind sticks” during the opening song of each of our morning worship services. Meet Lynn Warner in the narthex at 8:45 am or 10:45 am to participate.

by Jen Phelps

Hey Church!

We are so fortunate that college kids are returning home for the summer and maybe filling our pews and back at church.

HOWEVER - I have recently learned that sometimes our kids avoid church because they want to avoid awkward and uncomfortable conversations. Well-intentioned questions can be hard for our young people.

For example:
How is school going? (Maybe it is going terribly, maybe they are failing classes)
When do you graduate?  (Maybe they aren’t sure or are “behind schedule”)

Because we want SACPC to be a place where people come to be loved, we're providing some suggested questions you might consider asking to make our college students feel welcome, supported, and above all, deeply valued.

by Jen Phelps

TAKE A BREAK @ The Hub!!! The school year is coming to an end and exams are happening - so come to The HUB to disconnect for a bit, rest your brain, and hang out with your people.

Drop in anytime from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. We will have some board games and art supplies; as well as, some pizza and assorted foods to dip into our Ranch fountain.

This event is for middle and high school students. Friends are welcome - we hope you will stop by! 

by Sue McCaffray

Take a break from your Sunday morning routine and join us beginning June 2nd at 10:00 am in the Kardia Room (224) for a brisk run through the meaty book of Ephesians: salvation by God's grace, unity in Christ, husbands and wives, children and parents, and other hot topics await! Join us whenever you can; no prior experience is necessary!

by Emily Donovan

The City of Wilmington is seeking input from area residents, businesses, and members of worship communities located in the greater downtown area regarding future planning efforts. The city will host an open house at the Harrelson Center (20 N. 4th St.) on Thursday, May 16th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to discuss its newly launched Greater Downtown Plan.

The SACPC congregation is invited to stop by and chat with staff about plans to develop equitable strategies and actionable steps for addressing growth and resident concerns about the greater downtown area.

For those unable to attend the Open House, the city has an online survey you can take.

by John Bobrink

We are asking for the congregation to submit names for elders and deacons for the class of 2027. Please use the online link below to submit your nominations. Please submit names before August 1st.

There will also be nomination forms in the narthex, gathering areas, and 15th Street entrance. Please place them in the offering plate or the STAFF mailbox in the mail room.

by Gail Richardson

On Monday, the preschoolers baked pound cakes, cut up strawberries, and whipped the cream in preparation for the mother's day party. On Wednesday, May 8th all the preschoolers honored their  beautiful, loving, devoted, kind, supportive moms by singing the song LOVE. They also presented lovely gifts that they  had made with their teachers. The moms twinkled the children with their star wands, then the kids sang a special blessing and lastly they served their moms the pound cake. The moms felt very loved!!

Water, water everywhere, especially water on Mr. Randy's hair! We love when Randy subs because he is so fun and engaging! And we especially loved having him here for water day! The children loved the pools and the sprinkler! Perfect weather and perfectly wonderful water day because of all the smiles and giggles!

by Shelley Hobson

Elder Jim Snyder opened the meeting with prayer and a message from 1 Thessalonians.

You might hear about the “ends,” or guiding principles of our church and the Great Ends of the Church, which guide the vision and missions of the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.). Elders regularly receive education about our “ends” and how we are fulfilling them. Catheryn Thomas discussed how we are using our church facilities to work toward realizing our vision.  Beyond member and staff use, community groups that use SACPC’s facilities include Al Anon, AA, Cub Scouts, Communities in Schools, Lion Heart Basketball, Music on Market, Younglife, Girl Scout Daisy Troop, Men’s Basketball, Laney Football Dinners, Halo Hoops Basketball, Good Shepherd Center, Women’s Leadership, Robotics teams, New Hanover High School, Laney Spring Chorus Concert, Scout Courts of Honor, Scout Pine Box Derby. “The Block,” or property on our campus owned by SACPC, is occupied by the Carousel Center, Bridge Church Offices, Port City Power Yoga, Azalea Dog Training, White Front Diner, Vigilant Hope and Roastery, Neverstop Select Services, the Hub.  Sisson House hosts mission groups, and Church World Services temporary housing for international refugees.  
 
Session subcommittees (Strategic Planning, Congregational Engagement, Governance and Training, Human Resources, and Finance) submit their meeting minutes for approval at Session meetings.  Membership reports, financial reports, attendance statistics, requests for weddings, baptisms, worship changes, and delegates to Presbytery meetings are all part of these monthly meetings. Called meetings at other times allow the Session to approve and welcome new members, including this year’s Confirmation class.  

At each meeting, Elders “rehearse” possible scenarios, giving us a chance to review church policies and the Book of Order as they apply to different situations.  We also regularly evaluate sections of our Governance policy, modifying them when Elders believe changes are needed.

Reverend Harrington provides a Head of Staff update to keep Session members informed.  Highlights this month included an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee progress report (interviews in process), a May 26 celebration honoring Gail Richardson on her upcoming retirement, Preschool Director Search Team progress report (interviewing candidates), Earth Care Worship Service was well received, last summer intern John Henderson is joining the Peace Corps in Guinea, West Africa and will visit SACPC later this year.

by Jen Phelps

During June, children and youth are invited to join Lynn and Jen in the Chillaxation Station in the basement from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. There will be fun activities, fellowship, snacks and God only knows what else! Friends are welcome.

by Lynn Warner

Thank you to all who have already volunteered to help with Camp Fusion this summer! The dates are June 10th - 14th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm for preschoolers and from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm for those having completed Kindergarten - 6th Grade.

We are still in need of volunteers in these areas:
 

• Preparing and serving lunch (menus and food will be provided)
• Volunteers with our Preschool Children
• Additional help with crafts
• Recreation - planning & implementing
• Helpers to assist in the afternoon with drama and music

by Wilbur D. Jones Jr.

Eighty years ago, on June 1, 1944, in the midst of World War II and five days before the D-Day Normandy invasion, the congregations of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and the Church of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, merged into the current SACPC.

In February 1944, both congregations formed a joint merger committee seeking Presbytery merger approval. It would combine about 1,600 members, assets and liabilities, sessions, diaconates, and trustees - and use the Covenant facilities. On May 7th, following the Presbytery's action, both congregations voted to merge.

The pastors, Reverends John Knox Bowling of St. Andrews, and J. Harry Whitmore of Covenant, agreed to resign and facilitate the merger. Whitmore concluded his 17 years at Covenant on May 31st.

For many years, until recently, SACPC recognized its Charter Members - those members on the merger date. To my knowledge, the only surviving Charter Members are Robbie Benson and Wilbur Jones, both present members, and Patty Southerland Seitter, who later transferred her membership.

St. Andrews, at 4th and Hanover Streets, is now the Brooklyn Arts Center. My parents married there in 1920.

NOTE: To learn more about the history of our congregation and church buildings visit the "Our Story" section of our website. We've updated it with more photos and details. Click here: https://www.sacpc.org/our-story

by Jane Smith

Did you know that May is National Foster Care Month?  Currently over 300 children are being fostered in New Hanover County—in kinship care and licensed foster homes. As is the case across the country, New Hanover County always needs new foster parents to help care for these children. If you've ever wondered if fostering might be for you, consider attending the upcoming NHC Health and Human Services information session being offered on May 22nd.

Current foster parents and community partners will be offering two panel discussions beginning at 5:00 pm and 6:15 pm. If you have questions beforehand, contact Jane Smith. 

by Catheryn Thomas

Calling all girls aged 3 - 6 years old! Girl Scouts NC Coastal Pines has formed a new Daisy Troop and they hope you will join. Debbie Todd, Senior Membership Director for New Hanover County, is starting the meetings now, so the girls who are rising Kindergarten and 1st Grade will be ready to roll in the fall. The meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, here at SACPC in Room 239 upstairs. For questions about the troop and Girl Scouts in general, contact Debbie Todd and reference Troop 190.

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!

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.

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).

We will celebrate our High School seniors as they lead us in both worship services on June 2nd. Join us to celebrate these students!

Current middle and high school students are invited to join us for some fun at the Jungle Rapids water park on Wednesday, June 12th from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm! The price is $25/person. If you are a helper with VBS the cost is $15/person.

Currently, we are only registering members of our youth group (unless they helped out with VBS). We may open spots for friends later if space allows...see Jen Phelps for details.

Eden Village is helping house Wilmington's homeless population in innovative and sorely needed ways. From their tiny homes to their new God Pods, they are providing safe, affordable housing for our neighbors in need. Please consider donating any of the following items: Dish soap, disinfectant wipes or sprays, sponges, trash bags, toilet bowl cleaner, or hand sanitizer. A donation table is available in our 15th St. lobby. Simply drop off your items during church office hours or on Sunday mornings. Thank you.

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.

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

Countries and people whose lives are being disrupted and destroyed due to wars.

Our sister church in Manaus, Brazil, where there has been so much flooding and damage due to weather.

Stephanie Holder’s stepfather, Bob Cochran, had a stroke and is in Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC.

Vickie Van Note is a patient at NH in the rehab unit.

The father of Ryan Johnson, Gary Johnson, who lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has a labral tear in his hip, causing pain and difficulty walking.  Please pray for a treatment solution as he meets with orthopedic specialists.

Randy Barrow is having a surgical repair of a knee cap on May 15th.

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), Patrick Falvey (Landstuhl Military Medical Center, Germany)

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.

May 14: Jack Woods
May 15: Genie Gretz, Caroline Stuart
May 16: Sarah Anderson, Jenny Braswell, Stephanie Holder
May 17: Caroline Herring, Silas Lockamy
May 18: Laura Gainey, Sarah Pierson
May 19: Charlotte Cherry, Erin Thompson
May 20: Mary Kay Campbell, Bob Cherry III, Scott Flynn
May 21: Emma Dineen, Gray Keith

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.