It's Malawi Partnership Sunday! Silas & Joseph will lead worship with sermon text coming from Acts 4:1-12.

by Angela Burns

We are excited to announce that the youth choir will begin in October! Starting Oct. 2nd, rehearsals will be at 6:30 pm every other Wednesday and alternate with D-Groups so students can attend both D-Groups and Youth Choir.

All are welcome! Invite your friends. The dates of rehearsals are below.  

DATES OF REHEARSALS:
Oct: 2, 16, 30
November: 13 only
December: 4

WHERE: In CHOIR room :)
WHAT TIME: 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
SING IN WORSHIP: December 8th at 10:00 am

by Lynn Warner & Sue McCaffray

In October, we will journey into Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood as a congregation. Not only was this a beloved children's TV show airing from 1968 - 2001, but it was also a powerful evangelical message by Presbyterian minister, Rev. Fred Rogers (a.k.a. Mr. Rogers).

During Sunday school, Children, Youth, and Living Faith (adult) classes will use a special PC(USA) intergenerational curriculum looking at how Mr. Rogers "exhibited the Kingdom of Heaven to the world"--one of the Great Ends (goals) of our denomination.

The children's ministry will also use Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood to explore our own Neighborhoods - what will we have in our neighborhoods, who will be our helpers, and how will we deal with conflict in our neighborhoods. We will be looking at this through the eyes of scripture as we learn about and practice living as good neighbors in today's world.

Katie's sermons in October will draw from the curriculum series, and during POPS Programs we will screen the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" about Mr. Rogers' life and work. Mark your calendar for these exciting opportunities:

Wednesday, Oct. 9th
POPS Program: Mr. Rogers’ Documentary Screening “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
6:30 pm, Brown Hall

Wednesday, Oct. 16th
POPS Program: Let's Talk About Mr. Rogers' Ministry
6:30 pm, Kardia Rm 224

Sunday, Oct. 27th
Intergenerational Sunday School
10:00 am, Brown Hall

by Lynn Warner

Come join our annual Fall Festival for Children & Families, put on by the SACPC Children's Ministry.  There will be games, crafts, snacks, photo-ops, face painting & Trunk or Treat!  This event is free to all!  Come and have fun! Great event for children and families!! This is a rain-or-shine event, the rain location will be Brown Hall. See Mrs. Lynn for more details.

by Katie Harrington

Are you interested in learning more about SACPC and/or becoming a member? Join us for our membership exploration class on October 13th & 20th 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).

by Sue McCaffray

Our POPS program for Oct. 2 features an informative talk by Jan Fisher, of Church World Service, and our own Karen Frye, who will explain this organization does resettling refugees in our community. SACPC has worked with CWS in the past. Did you know that second Great End of the Church, according to the Book of Order is: "the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God" ?

by Earth Care Education

You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless. - Proverbs 14:31a

Being part of a jelly-making, sweet tea-drinking family made switching to organic sugar, costing a good bit more per pound, a surprisingly hard decision. However, after reading accounts of those in lower economic communities who suffer because of the burning of sugar cane to make white sugar crystals, switching made the decision an unavoidable personal moral issue, not an economic one.

There are two ways to harvest sugar cane, by burning the fields or by using mechanical harvesters, or green harvesting. Green harvesting is cutting cane without fire. Many countries have switched to green harvesting because of the effect on the health of their populations, and also for the environmental benefits.  

Conversely, the Glades in Florida, a major sugar-producing area in the US, has chosen to burn fields. Sifting through several sources of information on this issue has led this writer to conclude that the often cited words "profit over people" is the main reason that there is still burning of sugarcane fields in this area.

Some in the sugar industry do not want to make the initial investment of changing methods in harvesting sugar cane, even though the people in the areas of the fields are harmed, and the land and water they depend on are degraded by burning.

“Big sugar” is the largest employer in the Glades and pays good wages to the local workers. This fact alone causes divisions in the communities as arguments for and against burning come up.  People don’t want to lose good jobs. But those in the community who oppose burning say, “It can be better.” In fact, it can be better with new developments in mechanical harvesting and crop management. There are those who use organic methods as well, which do not include burning.

There is inequity in this whole issue. The truth is that big sugar carries a lot of political weight, while those in the communities who are adversely affected do not. A case in point is that the State mandates that burning can only be done when the winds aren’t blowing east into the more affluent neighborhoods of Palm Beach County.

Why is this even an issue?  The burning produces fine particles that aggravate respiratory and heart diseases.  During the 8-month burning season, there is often “black rain”.  People in the Glades avoid being outside during these months because of the volatile chemicals, such as acetone and benzene, which the smoke and sticky ash carry, and which coat everything in their paths, and seep into homes. During the spring through fall burning season, growers burn thousands of fires across over 400,000 acres of Florida.  Many of the schools in the area can see and smell the smoke and fires from the cane fields nearby.

As with all issues, this one has multiple sides. Switching to green harvesting initially increases transportation and harvesting costs. Since Growers don’t want to invest in updated equipment and adopt better ways of handling trash by-products, at first green harvesting results in less cane yield. But taking the longer view shows that the soil and water are eventually made healthier and harvest increases; the use of herbicide and chemical fertilizer cost decreases; air pollution is reduced, as are greenhouse gas emissions; and most importantly, public health in surrounding communities improves.  

There is some sugar harvested that isn’t burned, and isn’t labeled Organic, but finding the source of that sugar is an almost impossible task. The old adage of not letting perfection keep one from doing good leads convincingly to organic sugar. Again another caveat is that organic sugar shouldn’t be used in hummingbird food. The sugar has iron in it that the birds can’t handle.

Change is hard for most people, especially where money is involved, but sometimes change is desperately needed, and not for trivial reasons.  In this case change would be to benefit the future of real people in real communities.

Sources:Google: Stop the Burn, Go Green; University of Florida “Burning or Mechanical  Harvesting “ 2018 report; South Florida Sun Sentinel-opinion Patrick Ferguson; Sierra, Summer 2024, “A Burning Issue”.

by Lynn Warner

Our wonderful Children’s Library has moved downstairs to the Temple Room! The floors were deep cleaned this past week and the books are now where they can be easily accessed by our children! Look for more information about our Children’s Library in the coming weeks!

by Shelley Hobson

Silas & Joseph arrived safely in Wilmington last week. The partnership between Chuluchosema, in Malawi, and SACPC began in 2011. It started as a friendship between pastors Silas Ncozana and Steve Hein and grew into a friendship between two churches on opposite sides of the world. Many lives have been changed and enriched by this partnership.

We are thrilled to have Silas & Joseph at SACPC this week and eager to continue building lasting friendships between our two churches. Below are various ways you can engage with them this week.

Men's Bible Study
Wednesday, 9/25
7:00 am
Dining Rm
The Men's Bible Study will welcome Silas and Joseph on Sept. 25th.

Sermon Shapers
Wednesday, 9/25
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Bring a bag lunch and join Katie, Silas, and Joseph for Sermon Shapers, a Bible study featuring the upcoming Sunday's scripture lessons.

POPS Program: Stories from Malawi
Wednesday, 9/25
6:30 pm
Kardia Rm 224
The two Abusas will share stories about life at Chuluchosema and how the education sponsorship dollars from our church family are making a difference for children in the village.  

Malawi Partnership Sunday
Sunday, 9/29
Sanctuary & Kardia Rm 224
Silas and Joseph will lead both worship services at 9:00 am and 11:00 am in the Sanctuary with Silas preaching. They will also take your questions about life in Malawi during a joint Sunday School gathering in Kardia Rm 224 at 10:00 am between worship services.

by Sue McCaffray

** Please Note!** If you have contacted Dave Hoff about the N.T. Wright, "Surprised by Hope" Zoom class, and have not heard back from him by now, please try again at the link below. Sadly, we had a glitch with the former link. Hope to see you on Sept. 26th. Everybody is welcome, and there is still space!

Join the small band of Thursday Night Disciples as we spend six weeks reading noted New Testament scholar N.T. Wright's book, Surprised by Hope. Wright addresses the hope of the resurrection, of heaven, of the second coming of Jesus, of salvation, of the church. Starting Sept. 26th, we'll meet by Zoom on Thursdays from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. We will each purchase a participant's guide and the book. There will be some reading to do each week. A great way to meet up with friends from the comfort of your own home. Contact Dave Hoff for details on how to sign up.

This week's menu: Garden Salad, Herb Baked Chicken, Garden Peas, Wild Rice, Rolls, and Cake. Cost is $25/family of 4 or more, $7/adult, and $5/under 12.

This week's POPS Program features special guests, Silas & Joseph, the pastors from our sister church in Malawi. They will share details and stories about their ministry work in Chuluchosema. Join us for dinner in Brown Hall from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. The program starts at 6:30 pm in the Kardia Room, 224. Everybody's welcome!

SACPC's Earth Care Team invites you to join us on Saturday, September 28th for the 4th Annual Brunswick Heritage Riverside Ride. This is a 16-mile bike ride along northern Brunswick County's Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. The pace is casual and is a great outdoor family-friendly experience.

The event is free and does require registration. Click the link below to learn more.

During September, Go & Serve will collect non-perishable foods for Good Shepherd, Salvation Army, and the Rescue Mission. These items help those who struggle with food insecurity put meals on the table. Of the 230,520 people living in New Hanover County, 31,620 often lack the food they need. Of those, over 7000 are children and nearly 10,000 are seniors (Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, 2023).

In Matthew 25: 35-40 Jesus told believers that by feeding the hungry they were feeding him. Let's feed our hungry neighbors for Jesus' sake. Suggested food items include:
 

• cereal 
• pasta
• pasta sauce
• canned fruits and vegetables (including #10 cans)
• canned soup
• packaged snacks
• canned chicken or tuna
• ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise
• instant rice, potatoes, and grits 

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

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 by providing beneficial programs and spiritual events that lift up, motivate, and provide joy!

As of the end of August, giving is below budget expectations, resulting in a year-to-date shortfall of $114,090.  So that we can continue to spread the Word of God, as well as serve our congregation and the community, please prayerfully consider giving to help rebound from this deficit.

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.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:4-6

The 100th Anniversary of the Dutch Reformed Church of Scotland and the PC(USA) that  was held in Malawi.

William Fisher Hobbs, born April 22, 2021, son of Carson Rudisill Hobbs and Ryan Fisher Hobbs, was baptized on September 22nd.  He is the grandson of Bill Rudisill and the late Debbie Brown Rudisill.  William joined Jake (14), Lucy (10), and Mac (8).

The Chulochusema Church pastor and his wife were in a motorcycle accident.  The pastor was not injured but his wife is recovering from a head injury.

The villagers in Malawi who are suffering from hunger.

Safe travels for Silas and Joseph, our Malawi partners in the Chulochusema Church, who are visiting us now and will be traveling to other parts of the country.

Pat Hardee is having a knee replacement on September 24th.

Erin Thompson had a surgical repair to a detached retina.

Jaxson Smith, 11-year-old grandson of Gloria and Murray Degnan, had a temporal bone fracture after being hit by a baseball near his ear on September 13.  He has greatly improved and went back to school on September 23rd.

The family of June Philips Peel, sister-in-law of Donna Philips died Saturday, September 22nd.

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.

September 24: Ed Link, Julie Miller
September 25: Stan Scott
September 26: Maddy Ann Crooks, Alicia Keith, Susan Pleasants
September 28: Fisher Gray, Koen Harrison, Jim Murray, Melinda Stewart
September 29: Betsy Herring, Jan McGowan, Shannon Playl

View our most recent Session Reports.

Children, Youth, and those Adults in the Living Faith Sunday school class will each delve into the wit and wisdom of the late Rev. Fred Rogers (a.k.a. Mr. Rogers), who was a Presbyterian minister, during Sunday school in October. We will all join together on Oct. 27 for an intergenerational finale to this special series, based on a PC(USA) curriculum. We will consider how Mr. Rogers "exhibited the Kingdom of Heaven to the world," one of the Great Ends (goals) of our church. All are welcome for this joyful series. Katie's sermons will draw from this curriculum, as well, and we will have an opportunity to view a film about the life and work of Fred Rogers during the POPS hour on Wed. Oct. 9 as part of our "Let's Talk About It" series.