Rev. Harrington leads us in worship with the sermon text coming from Romans 8:28-39.We will be celebrating the gifts of our children on Children's Sabbath, as well as kicking off our stewardship campaign.

by Sue McCaffray

On October 2nd, we heard from Jan Fischer, Volunteer Coordinator, and our own Karen Frye, volunteer extraordinaire, about the work of Church World Service helping refugees get settled in Wilmington. We learned about the refugee approval process and how these folks find jobs and housing here. SACPC supports CWS, and there are ways for us to get involved individually by creating Household Supply Kits. To learn more about this opportunity click the link below.

by John Bobrink

Beginning Sunday, October 20th you will be able to pick up your stewardship packet for 2025 in between both worship services and again on October 27th. You can also pick it up at POPS on October 23rd. After the 27th, any leftover packets will be mailed.

by Shelley Hobson

If you’re at least 70 ½ years old and have an IRA, a Qualified Charitable Distribution might provide a tax-saving way to give to SACPC.  

Here’s an update: For tax year 2024, if you are age 70½ by December 31, 2024, you are eligible to contribute up to $105,000 from your IRA Savings account to a 501{c}3 organization such as St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church prior to the end of the calendar year. This is particularly beneficial for taxpayers not filing tax returns with itemized deductions. This is no longer tied to your Required Minimum Distribution.

A Qualified Charitable Distribution represents one of the few ways a taxpayer can withdraw funds from an IRA without incurring income tax liability. An additional benefit of using this feature of the tax code is it may reduce the percentage of your Social Security income subject to income tax. For 2025, this amount is expected to increase due to the indexing for inflation per the tax code. The limit for 2025 is not yet published.

For more information please consult with your tax advisor. For assistance with a QCD contact your IRA Custodian.

by Lynn Warner

We would welcome donations of candy or individual snack bags to be given out as part of our Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat to be held on Sunday, October 20th from 3-5 p.m here at the church! Contact Lynn Warner or drop donations off at the church office. Thank you in advance for your help!

by David Massey

For the last six years our church has formed multiple basketball teams for the high school boys that live in our neighborhood, playing games in the Halo Hoops Basketball league. We are hoping to continue this ministry, and even expand it, yet we need additional adult men to assist.  We hold practice one day a week after school starting in mid December and the games are on Saturdays during the months of January and February.  If interested in participating in this impactful ministry please contact David Massey for additional information.  

by Lynn Warner

Would you be interested in having your car, SUV, or van be part of our Fall Festival as a Trunk or Treat Vehicle? We have five sets of decorations for five vehicles and we would be willing to help provide candy or prizes for you to give out at your vehicle. The Fall Festival is on Sunday, Oct. 20th from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm on the 15th St. Lawn. Contact Lynn Warners for details.

by René Sasser

The preschool has had a wonderful start to the year! Children are settling into the year and learning new things every day. Chapel has started and we appreciate Lynn Warner sharing her gifts with us each week. One way you can support the preschool is by linking your Harris Teeter VIC card to our school - St. Andrews-Covenant Preschool or use our code 6685. For every account that links to our school and either has an existing HT Plus membership or signs up for a trial membership, Harris Teeter will donate $10 to our school. If you have questions about this, contact René.

Thank you for supporting our preschool. It is such a beautiful ministry of the church.

by Youth Ministry Team

Our Banned Book club will be reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. This book is recommended for ages 11 and up and won a National Book Award. Amy Stuart (who has won our hearts) will again be leading our discussion. For more details, contact Amy.

by Lynn Warner

Many thanks to Betty Feezor for the wonderful new books for our Children's Library! Just a reminder that the Children's Library is now downstairs in the Temple Room. There are many wonderful books for children and youth available! Come and check it out. There is a sign on the shelf indicating NEW BOOKS! You are welcome to borrow books by signing them out on the clipboard on the small green table. Read and enjoy and return the books when you have finished. HAPPY READING!

by Sue McCaffray

On a beautiful late September weekend twenty-two SACPC pilgrims gathered at Trinity Conference Center on Emerald Isle for a Spiritual Life retreat led by Pastor Rachel Doll. We dug into powerful stories by Jesus in Mark 4 and 5 to focus on the many ways that God is present with us in every circumstance.

Rachel provided many materials for hands on prayer, small group sharing, and large group shenanigans. You should have seen us play human Foosball with nerf balls and pool noodles! We also took time apart to soak up the beautiful ocean and woodland scenery, and to enjoy each other's company under the stars each evening.

Rachel led our final worship service with a joyful celebration of the Lord's Supper. We came home encouraged by the Holy Spirit and the sweet bond of church fellowship, assured that God is always present in whatever mess we may be experiencing.

by Kathy Denlinger

A team of adults from SACPC will be traveling to the Wallace/Watha, NC area from October 27th - 30th to spend four days helping local families with home repairs, much of damage remnant from Hurricanes Florence and Mathew. As we pray and look for ways to support Hurricane Helena victims, please consider joining our Fall Mission Trip team. Click the button below for more details and to register.

by Carol Query

38 years ago the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc. (DVSS) was founded to empower victims and their families to break the cycle of domestic violence. Several members of St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church (SACPC) were among those “founding mothers” whose work with DVSS continued throughout their lives.

One program initiated years ago by a SACPC member was the delivery of a weekly casserole to the shelter where the clients were housed. Until COVID, this program flourished with other churches and civic organizations following the lead of SACPC. However, with the arrival of COVID, the NHC Health Department forbade “home prepared” food to be delivered to the clients. Thus, SACPC casseroles being delivered abruptly stopped.

When the school supplies collected from the SACPC members were delivered to the Open Gate in August 2024, I initiated the conversation about a casserole prepared by a SACPC member being delivered on a weekly basis. As I expected, my suggestion was welcomed with overwhelming enthusiasm.

Hence, the “Resumption of Casseroles for the Domestic Violence Shelter Clients” has resumed after details about delivery date and location were resolved. To date, several casseroles have been delivered on a weekly basis.

For those of you interested in preparing a casserole, the program will operate as it did in the past:

1. The “cook” will pick up a 13 x 9 aluminum pan AND lid from the cabinet next to the freezer in the mail room near the dining room and gathering area. 
2. Prepare a casserole at home – one that is “child-friendly” since most of the clients have children. The casserole should be completely cooked so the clients only need to defrost it and reheat it. 
3. On the lid of the casserole should be printed or typed on a label (A) the name of the casserole, (B) the date it was prepared, and (C) specific directions on reheating the casserole. 
4. PLEASE take the prepared casserole to the church on the Sunday of the week you chose OR on Monday or Tuesday, if doing so is more convenient to your personal schedule. 
5. The casserole should be placed on one of the two lower shelves of the freezer in the mail room. 
6. I will deliver a prepared casserole to the Open Gate every Wednesday of the weeks noted below. 

Available dates are: October 20th, November 3rd, November 17th, December 1st, December 8th, December 15th, and January 6th, 2025.  

Once you have made your decision of the date(s) you will prepare a casserole(s), you may email me the date(s) or call me at 910-470-3127.  If I do not answer, you may leave me a message.

Since the program will continue through 2025, if there is a Sunday in January or February when you could drop off a casserole, please let me know, and I will put your name on my calendar.

Thanks so much for participating in one of the most important outreach endeavors of SACPC – that of feeding our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Carol Query
DVSS Casserole Chairman
SACPC Go and Serve Committee

by Shelley Hobson

Ryan Johnson opened the meeting with a message and prayer about managing stress, anxiety with the help of prayer.

Each month the Session participates in Ends Education, which is a review and analysis of our ends or goals. Beth Davis presented a recap of our early September retreat during which Elders were surveyed about distribution of responsibilities between the Session and staff of the church. Before we analyze the results, we decided to survey the staff, as well. Session and staff results will go to the Strategic Planning Committee for further study and recommendations.

Session approved scheduling a 10/13/2024 Congregational Meeting to elect Officers, Class of 2027 at 10:50 a.m., prior to 11:00 worship service.

Beth Cherry and Lynn Atkinson will serve as delegates to the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina Meeting on 10/4/24.

The Finance Committee presented the 2025 asking budget for discussion and approval by the Session. Finance Committee chair Hugh Caison and Treasurer Ed Hobson explained assumptions for the budget (including a decrease in non-pledge giving for 2024), which the Finance Committee recommends be set at $1,725,000. The asking budget was approved and is subject to change, depending on the success of the upcoming stewardship campaign.

The Session will have a called meeting on 10/20/24 to receive new members.

Reverend Harrington reported that the Brown Hall dedication was a fitting celebration.

Tom Malisher is the new Sexton.

Jeff Krebbs is the acting Facilities Manager, and interviews are being held for this position as Jeff will be leaving to take a new job at the end of this year.

Ann Benson is retiring at the end of September. Elders are encouraged to keep Reverend Harrington apprised of congregational care and spiritual needs as SACPC discerns a new way forward regarding congregational care.

Jen Phelps begins her six week sabbatical on 9/30/24.

Jack Richardson provided an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee update as the committee continues its work. He asked that we continue to pray that the candidate of God’s choosing will be led to our church.

This is “Malawi Week” with Abusas Silas Ncozana and Joseph Maganga visiting and participating in the life of our church.  Joseph joined the meeting at the end to offer a closing prayer.

by Katie Harrington

If you would like to contribute to recent hurricane relief efforts, you may do so through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA):

As always, 100% of your PDA donations will go to disaster relief efforts. PDA is ready to provide rapid response and immediate relief to all impacted areas. In the coming days, weeks, and months, there will be many opportunities to respond to recovery efforts. SACPC will be seeking ways to respond as a church, as well.

Menu: Garden Salad, Pork Loin with Cornbread Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, and Sweet Potatoes. Cost is $25/family, $7/adult, and $5/under 12.

This week, our POPS class will feature a conversation about "Won't You Be My Neighbor," the 90-minute 2018 documentary that we screened at church last week. If you would like to view the film on your own it is available on Netflix, Prime, and Apple TV (NOTE: this is NOT the feature film with Tom Hanks). Everyone is welcome to join us in the Kardia Room at 6:30 pm to consider Rev. Rogers' way of "exhibiting the Kingdom of Heaven to the world."

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

Youth choir rehearsals are from 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm in the Choir Rm every other Wednesday, alternating with D-Groups so students can attend both D-Groups and Youth Choir. Rehearsal dates are: 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 12/4. We will sing in worship on Dec. 8th at 10:00 am. All are welcome! Invite your friends. See Angela Burns for details.

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.

In October, we will collect for our neighbors, Vigilant Hope, which provides vital services to those in our city who, sadly, have no place to call home. Let's help them out with the following: 

• Umbrellas
• AAA batteries
• Men's undershirts (L and XL)
• Men's and women's warm socks
• Stocking caps

Please drop your donations in the bin in the 15th Street lobby near the Narthex. Contact Jane Smith for details.

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

Jane and Jerry Shelton have been married for 60 years!  October 23rd and 25th are their anniversary dates as they were first married in Germany and then had an American ceremony.

Class of 2027: We are grateful for the acceptance to service of deacons and elders for the class of 2027 as well as two for the class of 2025.

Margaret Raney and Alex Snow were married at Mount Lebanon Chapel in Airlie Gardens on October 12th.  Margaret is the daughter of Bill and Jane Raney.

We grieve for the family of Lois Sabin, Dawn Wallace's mother, who died on October 6, 2024.

We pray for all those who have been affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton with loss of life, livelihoods, and property.

We pray for the group of volunteers for the upcoming mission trip in working with WARM from October 27-30  and for the families which they will interact with.

Bob Estep as he continues to recover from back surgery at home, and Evelyn Estep who experienced health challenges this weekend as well.

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 Katie Harrington or call the church office at 910.762.9693 to leave a message.

October 15: Charles Almond, Marjorie Lanier, Linda Lee, Myra Rippy
October 16: Margaret Crawford, Player Murray
October 17: Susan Kraus
October 18: Davis Cherry
October 19: Ann Danchak, Sue Strickler
October 20: George Chadwick IV, Al Todd, Wayne Wright
October 21: Cathy Garner, Luke Lanier
October 22: Sam Query

View our most recent Session Reports.