God often speaks to us through the mess of our lives, when things aren't going well. But God also calls us to share the message of the good news because of and in spite of who we are and where we are. On this First Sunday of Advent. Katie leads worship with sermon text coming from Malachi 3:1-4. 

by Catheryn Thomas

The office will be closed Wednesday, November 27th, with some staff working remotely. The office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 28th, and Friday, November 29th, for staff to enjoy time with their families. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

by Earth Care Team Education

“Modern gift-wrapping paper and ribbons cannot be recycled. They are a layered composition of paper with plastic in the form of glitter, gloss, and metallic coating.”

“For holiday gifting, reuse last year’s bags, gift wrap and ribbons. If you must buy new, consider premade fabric gift bags that can be used for decades. To close the bag use jute twine and add branches, twigs or dried flowers.

Another option is the traditional art of Japanese gift wrapping with cloth, known as furoshiki. It is elegant, easy and environmentally friendly. Choose a square piece of strong cloth three times longer at the diagonal than the gift .  You can use a bandanna or scarf.  Place the item you want to wrap on the cloth at a diagonal. Lift and lay the top and bottom corners over the gift. Then lift the remaining two corners and tie a double knot.”  

From Living Without Plastic By Brigette Allen and Christine Wong

Be prepared to be pleased!  Have a joyful Christmas !

by John Bohbrink

Please get your pledges in before the end of the year. You can use the pledge card in the pew, use the QR code on the blue giving cards, send your pledge straight to the church office, or click the below link.

by René Sasser

Our preschool has much to be thankful for this fall!

A huge thank you to Gary Smith, John Bohbrink, Jan McGowan and BIlly Aman who stained the playground equipment for us as well as replaced some damaged equipment. We appreciate you helping us maintain the playground for many years to come. We know it was a true labor of love. We are grateful.

The family of Ann MacDonald made a donation in her memory for the preschool to purchase new chairs for the 2 year old classroom. The teachers and children have so enjoyed the new, smaller chairs. Being able to have their feet on the floor is a huge improvement and very helpful for developing core stability. We are grateful.

Bob Padula and Jim Lassiter removed the old changing tables in the nursery rooms and knocked down a wall for us. The work had to be done quickly before the new floors were installed late summer. Bob and Jim didn't know having their wives as teachers meant they were recruited as well. We are grateful.

Robin Mortenson organized our Fall FUNdraising Family Night. Children came in costume, jumped on bounce houses, played games and paraded around Brown Hall. Parents enjoyed time with other parents. Teachers and students created pumpkins for a raffle. We all enjoyed dinner together, and we raised money for the preschool. We are grateful.  

We also are so very thankful for the staff of SACPC and their daily support. Katie, Catheryn, Susan, Lynn, Jeff, Tom, Cindy, Libby, Catherine, Gayle, Jim, Emily and everyone else on staff. Thank you for supporting our teachers, families and especially the children. We are grateful.

Jeffrey Rowe Jenkins and Mary Louise Jenkins, son and daughter of Jay and Renee Jenkins, and McCalla Catherine James, daughter of Janell Catherine James, received Christian Baptism on November 17, 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.

by Cindy Litzinger

The SACPC adult handbell group recently traveled to Raleigh to attend a day long handbell festival.  It was a wonderful experience to come together with 300 fellow musicians, showcase our hard work and connect with others who share our love of handbells.  The day was inspiring to our group and we made some incredible memories!

by Cindy Litzinger

Music on Market is excited to share that it's recent concert featuring the NC Brass Band Quintet was a success!  We had a wonderful turnout and the performance was top notch.  Thank you to everyone who came out to support us. If you missed it, don't worry -  we have another concert coming up soon.  

Mark your calendars and join us January 25, 2025 to hear The Onyx Club Boys - a gypsy jazz quartet that you won't want to miss!

by Earth Care Team

The Earth Care Team and Presbyterian Women want to thank all of those who contributed rice to help pack the Harvest Boxes for Northside Food Co-op.  We requested 100 packages of rice and received 120 packages, plus three cans of tuna!  Well done Church Family!  Such a fine way to support our Northside neighbors.

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

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 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.

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.

December's Let Justice Roll Down Bible study will be led by Emily Donovan. Water is so essential, and its presence and absence so impactful, that both Scripture and contemporary events reflect its multidimensional effects on human life. We will explore scripture from Genesis.

All are invited to attend. The same lesson will be given on December 10th and 11th at 10:00 am in Dining Room. See Katherine Brandi for details.

PLEASE NOTE: Circle 8 will enjoy this same lesson led by Emily Donovan on December 12th at 10:00am at a private residential location. Contact Circle 8 moderator for more details.

As the nights get longer, join us for a special service of "Seeking the Sacred" in our lives. We'll acknowledge the darkness and honor the light surrounding us as we pause to meditate, reflect, and renew our spirits during this Advent season.

Our Youth will present a Living Nativity on the 15th St. Lawn on Christmas Eve from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

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.

All Angel Tree unwrapped gift items are due THIS Sunday, December 1st. Place your items under the tree located in the 15th St. Lobby area. Go and Serve will deliver all donations 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 Grayson Streisel, 15 month old daughter of Robert Thomas Streisel and Anna Wayne Striesel, was baptized on November 24, 2024. Grandparents are Greg and Marianne Wayne. Aunts and Uncles are Gregory and Melissa Wayne and Thomas and Stanton Bissette.

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

David Danchak, son of Ann Danchak, has been discharged from the hospital following triple bypass surgery, and requires constant attendance for a few weeks.

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

Johnnye Hilliard, mother of Matt Hilliard, who is receiving hospice care.

Barbara Hart is receiving hospice care. Prayers for her and her family.

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 26: Cleve Nordeen
November 28: Sheila Moore
November 30: Pate Southerland, Jim Swart, Rick Wheeler
December 1: Nancy Braswell, Cora Lee Lockamy, Bonnie Thiele
December 3: Lil Conley, Bob Martenis

View our most recent Session Reports.