Katie leads us in worship with the sermon text from 2 Samuel 6:1-19. It's also 5-Cents-A-Meal Sunday. During the first song or hymn bring your offerings to the front and place them in the baskets next to the communion table.

by Jeffrey Denlinger

Who = Walter Futch
What = Leland Pioneer
Where = Leland, NC
Why = Many SACPC members travel to SACPC from Leland.
How = Times have changed

Did you ever notice the road signs from Wilmington into Brunswick County don’t mention Leland? As you approach the Isabel Holmes Bridge, signs direct you to Whiteville. From the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge or I40, you’re directed towards Myrtle Beach or Brunswick County beaches. Is something wrong with Leland? Maybe I’m sensitive because Kathy, and I chose Leland as our retirement home. We also choose SACPC as our church home. Actually, there are over 200 SACPC members with Leland addresses.

So my next question – Why do so many of us ‘cross the bridge’ and drive past a parade of other downtown churches to worship at SACPC?

For some insight on this relationship, I made my way to a Leland neighbor and pioneer on this side of the river, as well as a longstanding member of SACPC, Walter Futch. Let me correctly introduce him as The Honorable Walter Futch, as he was the Mayor of Leland from 2005 to 2011. When Walter graduated from dental school in 1978, he took a chance on establishing his practice on Village Road in the heart of Leland. The decision paid big dividends as Walter soon had a line of Brunswick County folks at his office door. As a hunter and fisherman, Walter also enjoyed the open space and honest, hardworking folks that he met. They liked him too, enough to vote him in as Mayor.

Walter explained that ‘back in the day’, Leland had a tarnished reputation, partly due to a transient workforce needed to build some new Brunswick County manufacturing facilities. (Some Wilmington businesses would actually not accept a check with a Leland address.) That, plus the horrible traffic across a narrow bridge helped forge Leland’s lowly status.

Times have changed! As Mayor, Walter witnessed the beginning of the Brunswick County growth explosion. Retirees were attracted to the new planned communities for their bright, coastal homes and amenities, as well as beautiful beaches close by. And they loved the proximity to Wilmington, with a new bridge making for an easy commute.

So let’s get back to my question. SACPC is in the heart of Wilmington, and many of us see it as the ‘heart of Wilmington’. SACPC has great history, culture, and significant ties to all that is Wilmington! So many members have contributed to Wilmington’s legacy in so many ways and reflect what is special about our town. Kathy and I love living in Compass Pointe, Leland, and we love the ‘tie’ to Wilmington we sense when we walk through the Market Street doors! We treasure our church family and are blessed by the relationships we continue to develop with each of you.

For now, who can help with the road signs!

by Cindy Litzinger

We are excited to announce that we will be having a church-wide unity service on SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2024.  We will have one, combined service at 10:00 am in the sanctuary that morning. This service is designed to bring our congregation together as one body, sharing our faith and strengthening our bond as a church family. We hope to see you there!

by Kathy Benson

Naomy hails from the beautiful Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the unincorporated island territory of the United States, also known as "La Isla del Encanto" located in The Caribbean. Several of our members have visited there and can attest to its beauty and the warm hospitality of the people.

Naomy is gifted to be able to speak Spanish and English and knows her way around technology. She worked as a software engineer for a decade. She is able to stay home these days and pursue her interest in cooking.

As empty-nesters, she and her husband Rick find enjoyment in traveling. When their Wilmington neighbor, our own Wilbur Jones, invited them to attend worship at SACPC, Naomy and Rick were welcomed warmly by our members. As a matter of fact, Naomy was nurtured in the Presbyterian Church in Puerto Rico during her formative years.

We are very pleased that Naomy stepped forward this year and joined SACPC by reaffirmation of faith on February 25, 2024. Look for Naomy in worship or adult Sunday School and introduce yourself. She might even help you practice your conversational Spanish! Bienvenida, Naomy!

When you first meet Fatima, you will quickly note her beautiful Brazilian accent. That's because she originally hails from the East Coast of Brazil in Gravata where the official language is Portuguese. Husband Paul hails from the East Coast of Florida in Daytona. Now they call the Coastal Plains of NC home.

Paul is a soloist and retired teacher of music (Davidson County Schools) with an interest in photography.  Fatima also sings and plays an instrument. For a while, Paul and Fatima sang in our adult choir. I guess we could say they make beautiful music together!

Fatima is also a local business owner specializing in interior/exterior painting, etc. You can find more about her business, The Master's Painter LLC, on Facebook. We were happy to welcome Fatima and Paul to our official church roll on February 25, 2024 as they both joined by reaffirmation of faith.

Please look for them in worship, enjoy harmonizing alongside them and give them a very warm SAC welcome! Say, "Bem-vindo!"

by Kelli Blowers

Worshipers who prefer to give electronically have the opportunity to fully participate during the offertory at both worship services. We now have updated laminated giving/prayer cards located at every pew.

During the offertory, as ushers pass the collection plates we invite all who give electronically, and also those seeking prayer requests, to place a card in the collection plate. QR codes are available on the prayer or giving side of the cards for anyone wanting to submit a prayer request via our website or give online.

by Catheryn Thomas

We are looking for a Facilities Manager. The position is full-time, but hours are negotiable. If you or someone you know might be interested, please see the attached job description and contact Catheryn Thomas for more information.

by David Massey

Elizabeth (Libby) Adams duPont was born on June 26th. She is the granddaughter of David and Meg Massey. Libby's parents are Emma and Bennett duPont, the family resides in Charleston, SC. 

by Jen Phelps

Rising 6th-grade students will be joining our youth group this fall - but our Youth Director, Jen Phelps, needs to know you are out there (and start connecting with parents) NOW! Please, contact Jen with information about your rising 6th graders ASAP!

by Jen Phelps

As summer winds down - join us at Bill Landen's house for walking tacos and lots of water fun.  Friends are welcome, dress prepared to get wet!

by Sue McCaffray

All children, youth, and several adult Sunday School classes will take a break in July and August. For adults looking for a place to land between 10:00 am and 11:00 am on Sundays please consider visiting the Venture class (Room 240, led by Kathy Benson) or Walking in the Word (Room 236, led by Randy Barrow), which continues its study of the book of Daniel. All classes resume in September. Happy summer!

by Jen Phelps

Our next Banned Book Club book is Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You; A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning (AGES 12 & UP). We will meet in person this time at The HUB for discussion and desserts.  Amy Stuart will be leading our discussion. We are welcoming any that want to be included, but we are reading the young adult version recommended for ages 12 and up. Parents are encouraged to read the book along with their students!

The Walking in the Word Sunday school class invites you to join us at 10:00 am in Rm 236 all summer as we study the book of Daniel. Our class is discussion-oriented, and we welcome your participation.

A new putt-putt adventure awaits! Open to all middle and high school students. We are trying out a new location in Brunswick County - so meet at The HUB by 6:30 pm to carpool together (or, if you are already on that side of the bridge, meet us at The Golf Barn at 7:00 pm). We will return to The HUB for pick up at 9:00 pm.

JOIN US for a Family Pool Party! This event is for Children & Youth ministry families. Come when you can, leave when you must. Snacks will be provided (not dinner).

Parents/Guardians-- don't drop off - DROP IN! We want parents to hang out and enjoy fellowship and connection with other SACPC families (and swimming, if you would like). Why should the kids get to have all of the fun this summer???

In July we will have one of our favorite collections--providing backpacks and school supplies for children in need in our community. We are accepting backpacks for children from kindergarten through high school.

Supplies we'll collect include:
 

• pens and markers
• pencils and colored pencils
• crayons
• 3-ring binders and notebook paper
• composition books
• folders
• construction paper
• scissors
• erasers
• glue sticks
• rulers
• index cards 

The items we collect will be divided among WRAAP, the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, and Family Promise. This is a tangible--and fun--way to stay faithfully present in our community.

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

Robin Harper’s mother, Jean Wilkerson Tate, died recently.  The service is planned for Hawfields Presbyterian Church.  Arrangements are not finalized as yet.

The Charlotte choir traveling to Greece for a concert is being affected by Covid.  Margaret Tyler is a member of this choir.  We pray for their health and safety.

 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.

July 2: Sarah Louise Gwathmey, Hannah Laham, David Massey
July 3: A.C. Tyler
July 4: Evelyn Estep, Melynda Snyder
July 5: Jim Smith
July 6: Adair Flynn, Lilly Harrison
July 7: Katherine Brandi, Beverly Hinson, Margaret Lewis, Meg Massey
July 8: Doug Dean, Matt Hilliard, Connor Padula, Ella Pfeiffer
July 9: Finn Curtis, Rick English, Karen Frye, Ginny Hager, Wilbur Jones, Phyllis Smith
July 10: Max Harrington, Wyatt Whitley
July 11: Sam Anderson, Ella Nordeen
July 13: Sally Buell
July 14: Margaret Freeman, Cal Lewis, Scott Murray
July 15: Susan Dykes
July 16: Don Floyd, Ed Kiefhaber, Emily Pensinger

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.