TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2023

A Prayer for the Anniversary of Katrina

As we remember and pray for all those affected by Hurricane Katrina 17 years ago today, we also extend our prayers of safety to those in the path of Hurricane Idalia this week. The following prayer was composed by Sarah Chancellor-Watson on August 29, 2021.

Holy and Mighty God,

you who spun the planets into motion

and who moved over the waters of chaos at creation,

we remember today how the waters of Hurricane Katrina overwhelmed our city [17] years ago.

We remember and we lift up to you not only the thousands of lives lost during the hurricane and in the days and weeks that followed,

but also the countless more lives who were displaced and scattered,

those who were injured and traumatized

and still bear the scars left by the storm.

Bind up these wounds and bring your healing touch as we grieve –

the dead, the lost, and the vestiges of our cultures and heritage that exist now only in memory and story.

[for full prayer, click here.]

Bring Cereal Boxes for Food Bank

Since 2004, Jefferson Presbyterian Church has hosted a food bank that serves the elderly and others in need in the community. Their most requested food is cereal, and they are now reaching out to sister churches to help provide this valued item. We are asking that everyone bring a box of cereal with them to church on at least one of the next three Sundays (September, 3, 10, and 17). Donations can be brought to the Phifer Library. Thank you, all!

Sunday School Line-Up

Sunday School kicks off on September 10! All classes meet at 9:30 a.m. Here's the September adult class lineup:

SEPT. 10 - "More than Curse Words: The Gospel in the English Language"

One-day class led by Chris Currie | Frampton Fellowship Hall

SEPT. 17 - "Opportunities and Challenges in Theological Education Today"

One-day class led by the Rev. Dr. José Irizarry, President of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

STARTING SEPT. 17 - "Study of the Early Church: Exodus, Matthew, & Galatians" | Land Building Riverside Room

STARTING SEPT. 24 - "When Kids Ask Hard Questions" | 2nd Floor Conference Room

Find details on classes for all ages on our Sunday School page.

Ways Your Children Can Get Involved this Fall!

CHILDREN'S & YOUTH CHOIRS

3 years– 12th grade

We have three different choirs that are split by age groups that both practice on Sundays. For questions about choir, contact Peggy Crain at mezzomommy@aol.com.

Children’s Choir 1

(3 years-Kindergarten)

Sunday rehearsals:

11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Learning Center, 2nd floor 

Children’s Choir 2

(1st-5th Grades)

Sunday rehearsals:

11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Choir Room, 3rd floor 

Youth Ringers & Singers

(6th-12th Grades)

Sunday rehearsals:

4:15-5:00 p.m.

Choir Room, 3rd floor

Click here to register for children's & youth choirs.

ACOLYTES

2nd – 5th grade

Sign up to acolyte during the 10:30am service. Duties include lighting chancel candles, bringing communion elements forward, assisting ushers with collecting the offering and collecting friendship pad.

JUNIOR BAPTISM BUDDIES

Challenger Class – 4th and 5th grade

This year commitment includes meeting the family the day of the baptism, assisting in the service by asking questions to the children of the church and praying for and writing to the family periodically during the year. (cards provided)

COMMUNION SERVERS

Challenger Class – 4th and 5th grade

For communion, assist the session members in the front of the sanctuary by collecting the cups as communion is served.

For more information or to sign up to acolyte, be a junior baptism buddy, or communion server, contact Michele Murphy at michele@scapc.org.

Men's Retreat

All men are invited to attend the SCAPC Men's Retreat on Friday-Saturday, October 6-7, in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The theme will be "The Gospel According to Ted Lasso" (though you don't need to have watched the show to enjoy the discussion!) The registration fee of $100 includes meals and accommodations, and the deadline is September 15. There is an optional golf game on Friday afternoon. Retreat details and registration can be found at scapc.org/mens-retreat.

Save the Date: PW Simple Elegance

All ladies are invited to Presbyterian Women’s "Simple Elegance"---an evening of fellowship, dinner, and entertaining ideas---on Tuesday, October 10 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the home of Monique and Bob McCleskey. Guests are welcome! Details to follow.

The Session is the governing body of the church and is made up of elders: men and women elected by the congregation to serve three-year terms. Elders lead the work of various ministry committees, assist in worship, and contribute to the overall governance of the church. Program staff serve on the Session as well.

Meeting Highlights: August 28, 2023

CONFIRMANDS: This month, the Session heard and accepted the faith journeys of 16 youth confirmands who will be confirmed during the 10:30 service on September 10.

PLEDGES: Session members submitted their pledges for the 2024 Stewardship Campaign.

STRATEGIC PLANNING: The Strategic Planning Committee conducted a listening session for elders to discuss the following questions: What would you like to see the church doing in five years, including music programs, Christian education, spiritual formation, mission, outreach, congregational care and other areas. If you wished for the church to become more diverse, how would you define “diversity”, and what would success look like in 5 years regarding diversity? What can we do to make anyone who walks into SCAPC feel they belong? What motivates you to pledge to SCAPC and what would inspire you to increase your giving? How do we emphasize the importance of pledging, regardless of dollar amount, to non-pledgers?

Membership News

Please join in welcoming back Taylor Miller, longtime Chancel Choir soloist, who rejoined SCAPC on Sunday. Taylor and his wife Heather have three children: Addison, Hudson, and Presley.

40/50's Pickleball Social

On Friday, a happy bunch of 40/50's gathered at The Exchange NOLA for a night of pickleball games and socializing. Pictured here back row from left are Tripp and Beth Edwards, Lyn Hallaron, Anne Lloyd, Phillip McCann, Jo and Ron Quinton, Patrick Egan, Robert Edgecombe, Lynn Hoffman, Kelly McWhirter; front row from left are Ashley Brown, Kevin and Michele Murphy, Gill Egan, and Sarah Edgecombe.

Youth Pool Party

On Sunday, a crowd of over 60 youth and parents kicked off their Youth Group year with a pool party at the Talbots' home. Learn more about SCAPC's youth program for 6th-12th graders on our youth page.