Katie will lead us in worship with sermon text coming from Mark 12:38-44. It is 5-Cents A Meal Sunday & Commitment Sunday--where we will dedicate our pledges for 2025. 

Bring your 2025 pledge cards with you to worship as we celebrate Commitment Sunday. We will collect pledges during the offering at both worship services. You can also use the link below to make an online pledge.

by Susan Dykes

Click the button below to view our most current financial updates.

by Sue McCaffray

Cool days and long evenings are perfect for reading! Be a good example to the young! Check out the many wonderful offerings in our church library, as well as these new books (on the new book shelf in the library or on the counter): Chasing Hope by NYT reporter Nicholas Kristof. The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers, by Shea Tuttle. Peaceful Neighbor (about Mister R.) by Michael G. Long. God and the Gay Christian, by Matthew Vines. The Fugitive Blacksmith by James W.C. Pennington, a formerly enslaved Presbyterian minister. The Prophets by Abraham J. Heschel.

by Shelley Long

You're invited to join our team!   The Malawi Partnership Team meets four to five times per year to plan SACPC's Education sponsorship campaign and consider ways to maintain and strengthen our ties to our partners at Chuluchosema CCAP.  We host guests from Malawi and plan trips for church members to travel to the Warm Heart of Africa to worship with our sisters and brothers there.  We are hoping to travel to Malawi in 2025!  If you are interested in participating in this personally and spiritually rewarding international ministry of our church, get in touch with Ed Hobson (edhobson@ec.rr.com) or one of our team members.

Zikomo! (thank you)

Ed Hobson, Lynn Atkinson, Margo Davy, Bert Exum, Angela Brownfield, Sue Messina, Chris Johnston, Dwight Lysne, Shelley Hobson, and Gary Smith

by Earth Care Education

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink -Matthew 25:33a

Pray, but while you pray, move. -African Proverb

As stewards of the earth and all God's creation it is our responsibility to ensure the earth's abundance is shared equitably with all God's children. Last week, we hosted a program on Food Justice and invited local community group, the Northside Food Cooperative, to educate us on efforts underway to address food deserts and food apartheid in downtown Wilmington.

After several earlier failed attempts, beginning in 2018, Cierra Washington, manager of Northside Food Cooperative, and a dedicated group have been working to bring a grocery store to the Northside of Wilmington, a large urban food desert.  A food desert is an urban area that doesn't have a full range grocery store with healthy and affordable food within a mile radius from residents. (10 miles for rural areas).

The African quote above becomes relevant when you meet Ms. Washington and her team as they endeavor to bring the dream of a full range grocery to an area whose residents have long been neglected in many areas. The fact that this food desert exists within the city limits is just one of the consequences of forces which have contributed to other societal issues for many in this part of town, such as poverty, lack of health care, educational opportunities, and political voice.

The goals of the Northside Food Co-op are fairly succinct. They are:
 

• Advocate for responsible development and zoning 
• Seek creative ways to connect all community members to their food system 
• Empower neighbors with opportunities and choices, not just charity.

 
The advocacy group has worked hard in soliciting input from the neighbors in Northside, and not just in the store's design, but also in how it will be staffed and the products they'd like to see made available. The dream is for it to be a store for the neighborhood and made possible by work from the neighborhood--along with help from the outside community.

Members of SACPC have been invited to learn more about this proposed store.  If interested, one may attend the Northside Food Cooperative's Annual Meeting on November 14th at 901 Fanning Street.  A free dinner is served at 6:00 pm and then the agenda will focus on the organizational structure, store design, board membership and various committees needed.  The architect will be present.  If you have expertise or simply a willing helping heart, what a fine way to help our city.

Another invitation is the Co-op's last community dinner for 2024 on Nov. 22nd from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, also at 901 Fanning Street.  This meal is also free, and offers a chance to meet and get to know some of our Church's neighbors who live in the Northside.

This God-given opportunity to more fully live out Jesus' command to love our neighbors simply by showing up, comes with the added benefit of delicious food.  A fine gift for us indeed.

William Fisher Hobbs, son of Carson Rudisill and Ryan Fisher Hobbs received Christian Baptism on September 22, 2024 at SACPC during the 11:00 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 disciple.  

Menu: Salad, Variety of Soups & Sandwiches, and Cookies. Cost is $25/family, $7/adult, and $5/under 12.

Worship is at the center of who we are and what we do as followers of Jesus, especially in times of uncertainty. In fact, 'the maintenance of divine worship" is one of the great ends of the church. Join us as Katie leads a special worship service of prayer and song on the day after the election. Let's come together as a congregation to seek wisdom, peace, and unity for our nation. Come early and join us for POPS Meal at 5:30 pm in Brown Hall.

November's Let Justice Roll Down Bible study will be led by Lynn Atkinson. The theme is Food Justice. The Bible portrays the earth as yielding food in abundance, and today’s agricultural scientists say it could provide food for all.  We can learn to produce food with justice and peace and feed a starving world. We will explore scripture from Genesis 1:22, 3:19; Exodus 16:13-18, 19-21; Joshua 5:12; Psalm 65:11-14, 78:23-29, 105:40-41; Hosea 4:1b-3; Micah 6:12-15; Matthew 13:8; Mark 4:8; Luke 8:8.

All are invited to attend. The same lesson will be given on November 12th, 13th, or 14th at 10:00 am in Dining Room. See Katherine Brandi for details.

This event is sponsored by our Women's Ministry Team and open to the public, encourage your friends and neighbors to attend. Doors open at 1:30 pm with the program beginning promptly at 2:00 pm. Breaks and snacks included.

Guest Speakers:
Kevin Kramer, Certified Financial Planner - “Scams and Ways to Protect Your Money”
Holly Pilson, Director, Cape Fear Agency on Aging
Representative from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office - “Fraud and Scam Prevention“

The event will include an expert panel discussion followed by audience Q&A. Contact the church office for more details.

Our Music on Market series continues with a free concert by the NC Brass Band on Saturday, November 16th at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary. Get into the festive spirit with this brass quintet concert featuring an enchanting repertoire of beloved holiday music. Experience brilliant musicianship, the powerful blend of brass instruments, and unforgettable melodies to fill your hearts with the holiday spirit.  This is sure to be a Quintessential Holiday Concert Experience!

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.

We will be hanging Angel Tree gift tags on the Christmas tree in the 15th Street lobby some time the first week of November. This is our annual opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for children who might not have anything under their tree on Christmas morning otherwise.

Gift tags will include a child's Christmas wishes. Simply choose a tag and purchase some or all of the gifts listed. Place them under the tree by the date listed on the bulletin board. Go and Serve will deliver them to the Salvation Army who will distribute them to the families. Thank you for making a child's Christmas brighter. If you have questions, contact Ann Danchak.

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 September, giving is below budget expectations, resulting in a year-to-date shortfall of $148,105. 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

Helen Southerland, stepmother of Pate Southerland, who died November 4th in DeLand,  FL.

Glenn Sasser, father of Carey Sasser and father-in-law of Rene, who has recently been discharged from the hospital.

Jack Woods, who has stage 1 lung cancer and will have surgery on Nov. 20th.

Barbara Hart, who has been placed in hospice care in Norfolk, VA.

Brennan Litzinger, son of Cindy and Pat Litzinger, whose Army unit will be deployed to Poland this week.

David Danchak, son of Ann, who will have open heart surgery on November 14th.

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

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)

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.

November 6: Morgan Holder, Craig Stewart
November 7: Robbie Benson, Norwood Crawford, Jeff Flynn, Warren McMurry
November 9: Bob Fankboner
November 10: Ford Butner
November 11: Carol Jennings
November 12: Eliza Johnson, Lisa Turner

View our most recent Session Reports.