Former summer intern, John Henderson, will lead us in worship with sermon text coming from John 18:33-37 and Revelation 1:4b-8. 

by Gary Smith

From October 27th to 30th, 21 members of SACPC engaged in a local mission trip. We stayed in cabins at Camp Kirkwood and worked with leaders from WARM to rehab a house near the camp. We replaced the floors, built steps in the back of the house and a small deck and steps in the front, and cleaned up the yard. We rejoice that we were able to accomplish so much in three days. We also had a rich time of Bible study and fellowship in the evenings. Special thanks to Kathy and Jeff Denlinger for organizing and directing the trip.

by Susan Dykes

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

by Shelley Hobson

Since 2011 when our partnership with Chuluchosema CCAP began, our church family has faithfully helped hundreds of children in Malawi go to school.  Again this year we are asking for your support to help brighten the futures of these kids who live in extreme poverty.  

Your contributions support the church preschool and buy a daily meal of enriched porridge.  Primary school students receive uniforms, shoes, book bags and school supplies.  You help secondary school students with their school fees.  Young people receive vocational training—tailoring, woodworking and brick laying—in the Saturday Feeding Program at Chuluchosema. On their recent visit to Wilmington, Abusas Silas Ncozana and Joseph Maganga showed you how meaningful these gifts are in the lives of “our” students.

Please consider making your donation a meaningful holiday gift in honor of family members and friends. You may send a check to the church office with Malawi Education noted on the memo line.  Online giving is also available through the church website or our app. Choose Malawi Education on the pulldown menu.  Gift cards for wrapping or tucking in a stocking are available.

$75 pays for a uniform, shoes, a book bag and supplies for a primary school student or the preschool program which includes a hot meal every school day.

$100 buys books and classroom supplies for the primary and secondary schools.

$200-$1025 covers average fees for secondary school plus supplies and some boarding expenses when school is too far from home for the student to walk.  It also pays for vocational training for young people in sewing, woodworking and/or bricklaying plus a meal.

Zikomo (thank you) for supporting this important mission that changes children's futures!

The Malawi Partnership Team

Walker Davis Gould, son of Harrison and Stephanie Gould, received Christian Baptism on November 10, 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.  

Mary Charlotte Mitchell, daughter of Graham and Taylor Mitchell, received Christian Baptism on November 17, 2024 at SACPC during the 9:00 am service.

In baptism, we promise to guide and nurture these children by work, and deed, love, and prayer, encouraging them to know and love Jesus Christ and to be His faithful disciple.  

by Jen Phelps

Our college students are invited to join with other college students at Montreat for worship, keynotes, workshops, and critical conversation groups (and all-important recreation). Gather with your extended college-age church family for some Sabbath renewal.

We will travel together from SACPC on Thursday, January 2nd leaving around 10:00 am and returning the afternoon of Sunday, January 5th.

Cost:
Early registration: 11/19 - 12/1 = $200 use code EARLYBIRD
Late Registration: after 12/1 = $250

Registration closes 12/17/2024.

by Kathy Benson

On October 20, 2024, we welcomed Kurt and Joy Kronenfeld to our SACPC family as new members. Both are native Tarheels; Kurt is from Greensboro and Joy is from Wilson. Though I can't tell you when or how they met, they were married right here at St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in 1985! They settled in Greensboro, NC for many years and served as members of Starmount Presbyterian Church. It was there that Kurt was ordained as a Deacon and an Elder and Joy as an Elder. They have come to us by letter of transfer from Starmount Presbyterian.

While in Greensboro, Kurt and Joy were quite involved in the life of their church. Kurt worked with the youth, various men's groups, and with Family Promise. Joy was the Chair of Presbyterian Women, sang in the choir, and was the Chair of the Nominating Committee. I sense this is an abbreviated list of their participation. "I like to be involved in things," said Kurt.

For fun Kurt enjoys boating. Joy says she loves being a Mimi to their two grandsons and loves dinner groups. When they decided to relocate to Wilmington, they began their search for their church home which eventually brought them back to the place they made their wedding vows. "It only took one visit to know that this was the place for us," said Joy. They are so pleased to reconnect with familiar SACPC members including the Cherry, Chadwick, and Wallace families, having shared interests and past connections in the insurance industry.

Please welcome Kurt and Joy when you see them. They are certainly excited to be back at SACPC, to get to know us, and to continue in service to Christ with us. We are excited as well!

by Cindy Litzinger

Join us on Dec 8th at 10:00 am for a special morning of worship through music. This is our Advent unity worship experience where we come together and enjoy one combined worship service. This hour will be dedicated to the power of music in helping us reflect, connect, and prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus Christ. Our talented musicians and choirs have been diligently preparing a program that will help us celebrate the richness of our faith and the joyous anticipation of this sacred season.

PLEASE NOTE:  Sunday School will be at 9:00 am on Dec. 8th.

By Susan Dykes

Poinsettias add to the beauty of the Chapel and Sanctuary during the Advent season. You have the opportunity to purchase these beautiful flowering plants in memory or honor of a special person. Use the white envelopes in the pew racks prepared for this use or click the button below to order online.

Poinsettias are $12 each. Orders are due by Sunday, December 15th.

By Sue McCaffray

Our Adult Faith Formation Team purchased a digital copy of the Presbyterian Outlook 2024 Daily Advent Devotional called “Patterns of divine possibility: An Advent search for God’s diverse ordering”. Click the button below to download a digital copy.

by Cindy Litzinger

Join us on Christmas Eve! We will offer the following Candlelight services in the Sanctuary:

3:00 pm Contemporary w/ Christmas Pageant
5:00 pm Traditional w/ Communion
7:00 pm Traditional w/ Communion

Nursery will be provided at all worship services.

by Katie Harrington

This Advent, we are going to meet some of God's messengers: Malachi, Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds. None of their lives were perfect. The message God gave them to share was surprising and startling; yet, they chose to respond. How will we respond to the message God is speaking to us? All our Advent programs and resources are now available on our website at www.sacpc.org/advent.

by Catheryn Thomas

Last week was a busy one around the church property. First, our part of 15th Street was repaved. We have new, smooth blacktop to drive and park on, and the crosswalk striping will be redone soon. Second, we had a very large crane on site to put all the new AC units on the roof rack. An huge next step in the HVAC project - and a super exciting day for the preschoolers!

by Earth Care Team

Many thanks to all those who have contributed rice for the Thanksgiving boxes for Northside residents. This collection continues to show such an outpouring of support and love.

Two other ways to support these neighbors were mentioned at the October 30th POPS meeting. One was to purchase a co-op membership for a resident. The $100 fee is a one-time fee and allows the holder to have a voice on Co-op policies, as well as benefits, such as reduced product prices in the grocery store, much like a VIC card from Harris Teeter. Several people could even go together to fund a membership.

The other suggested way to offer support is to sponsor the food for a Community dinner in 2025. One person, a group, or several friends could do this. Last year a group of lasagna cooks took their tastiest prepared recipes for one of the dinners. Some similar offerings would help the work of the Co-op while allowing possible interpersonal relationships to develop.

To learn of more creative ways to work with the Co-op, remember the year-end weekly dinner on Nov. 22nd, at 901 Fanning Street.  

This excerpt from a 1980 Daily Guidepost article gives food for thought:

"It was during the reign of the Merry Monarch, Charles II, when Sir Christopher Wren was London's favorite architect. A country gentleman, visiting the city, paused to watch a group of men working on a large cleared area. He asked one of the men what he was doing. 'I'm laying bricks, mate,' the man said sourly, 'for a couple of farthings. ‘I oughter be getting more.'  The gentleman strolled on and asked another man the same question. This one raised a cheery face and said, ' I'm helping Sir Christopher Wren build a cathedral.' Work hard and think big; see visions and dream dreams."

Working hard and dreaming big is what Northside Co-op is doing and SACPC is helping too! Thank you for your part.

Menu: Mexican Fiesta Night! Cost is $25/family, $7/adult, and $5/under 12.

Enjoy delicious dinner, fellowship, and opportunities to make crafts for our homebound members, crafts to take home, and an Advent wreath to use in your home for the Advent season. There will be crafts and activities for all ages!

We will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 4th from 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm in the Choir Rm preparing to participate with other choirs on Dec. 8th at 10:00 am. All are welcome! It's not too late to join. See Angela Burns for details.

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 October, giving is below budget expectations, resulting in a year-to-date shortfall of $79,673.  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

Mary Charlotte Mitchell, 6 month old daughter of Graham and Taylor Mitchell, was baptized on Sunday, November 17th.  Taylor Romlus Mitchell grew up in this church with grandparents, Bill and Charlotte Walton.

Mary Louise Jenkins (8 month old daughter of Jay and Renee Jenkins) and Jeffrey Rowe Jenkins (2 year 7 month old son), were baptized Sunday, Nov 17, 2024.  Their grandmother is Ellen James.

McCalla Catherine James, 2 year 5 month old daughter of Janell James, was baptized Sunday, November 17, 2024.  Her grandmother is Ellen James.

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

David Danchak, son of Ann, will soon be discharged from the hospital following triple bypass surgery, and require constant attendance for a while.

Thyra Zaumto’s brother, Daniel Griffin, passed away last week. Please keep the family in your prayers.

The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee needs our continued prayers as they work to find God’s person for this position.

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-deployed to Poland 11-24), 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 19: Bryant Sasser
November 20: Vickie Lapp, Linda Robinson
November 21: Matt Hinson, Rachel Thomas
November 22: Sarah Bell, Bill Landen, Katie Swain
November 23: Alice Diab, Ken Fisher, Isaac Lanier, Kerryn Lowry
November 24: Suzanne Craft, Shannon Parks
November 25: David Lanier, Laurie Link
November 26: Cleve Nordeen

View our most recent Session Reports.