MLK Prayer; Help Needed?; New Summer Programs; Scholarships; Volunteering & More

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025

A Prayer by Martin Luther King

Thou Eternal God, out of whose absolute power and infinite intelligence the whole universe has come into being, we humbly confess that we have not loved thee with our hearts, souls and minds, and we have not loved our neighbors as Christ loved us. We have all too often lived by our own selfish impulses rather than by the life of sacrificial love as revealed by Christ. We often give in order to receive. We love our friends and hate our enemies. We go the first mile but dare not travel the second. We forgive but dare not forget. And so as we look within ourselves, we are confronted with the appalling fact that the history of our lives is the history of an eternal revolt against you. But thou, O God, have mercy upon us. Forgive us for what we could have been but failed to be. Give us the intelligence to know your will. Give us the courage to do your will. Give us the devotion to love your will. In the name and spirit of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Help Needed?

If any congregation members have any needs as a result of the winter weather conditions, please let the pastoral care staff know by sending a description of the need and phone number via email to: prayers@scapc.org. The pastors will do their best to see how to help.

Borderlands Experience Trip Presentation

Join us this Sunday, January 26 at 5 p.m. in the Land Building for dinner and an engaging presentation on the Borderlands Trip recently undertaken by members of the congregation. We’ll discuss the things we saw and experienced in and around McAllen, Texas at the U.S./Mexico border, what we learned, and the implications for us as a faith community. Please RSVP to Pastor Sarah at sarah@scapc.org by January 24.

New Summer Programs!

SUMMIT 46

Current 3rd – 5th graders are invited to attend Summit 46 at MoRanch in Hunt, Texas Tuesday, June 17 – Friday, June 20. Participants will gather together in the Hill Country for an unforgettable Mo-Ranch experience that’s filled with new friends, spiritual enrichment, worship, study and recreation. Activities and recreation will include everything from taking a challenge on the Mo ropes course, dancing, games, energizers, vespers and popsicle parties, to sports, evening movies, swimming in the beautiful Guadalupe, singing God’s praises and more!

Cost: $475/student (5 students)

$550/student (over 6 students for 15-passenger van)

$200 deposit is due with registration. The balance is due May 5. Payment includes all supplies, lodging, transportation and meals. If you need financial assistance, please contact, Michele Murphy. This retreat is open to all students regardless of church membership.

Summit 46: Info & Registration

GRANDPARENT (GRANDFRIEND) CAMP

SCAPC announces its inaugural 3-day Grandparent Camp for children aged 5 years old - 4th Grade! This camp is open to any SCAPC grandparents (grandfriends) and their grandchildren or SCAPC kids and their grandparents (grandfriends). Our theme will be "The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss". We will come together for worship, story, art, recreation, and more! Grandparent Camp will help strengthen family relationships while growing children's faith.

Camp will take place Wednesday, May 28 – Friday, May 30 from 9:00–11:30 a.m. The cost is $20/child. Each Grandparent(friend) may partner with a maximum of 2 children, additional children will need a separate grandparent(friend). If you need assistance securing a partner, you may indicate that on the registration form. For more information, contact Michele Murphy at michele@scapc.org.

Please be advised that Grandparent Camp will be offered in place of Vacation Bible School. SCAPC will not host a VBS this summer.

Grandparent Camp Info & Registration

Reddoch Scholarship Available for College Juniors and Seniors

The Joseph W. Reddoch Educational Fund, part of SCAPC’s Visionary Fund, is accepting applications from junior- and senior-level college or university students for scholarships for the 2025 academic year. To obtain an application form, visit scapc.org/scholarship or contact Lynn Hoffman in the church office by emailing lynn@scapc.org. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 14, 2025. Joseph W. Reddoch donated the initial scholarship funds in 1993 to benefit a junior or senior student attending college or university. The Reddoch Educational Fund continues to assist deserving college students, who are members of SCAPC, through on-going contributions to the fund.

Congregational Care Pantry Drive

Help us stock our freezer with meals for those in our congregation needing some extra care! Pick up an empty container this Sunday morning, January 26, in Frampton Fellowship Hall. Fill the container with your favorite casserole or soup during the week, then return your filled container to the church freezer on a weekday or the following Sunday, February 2. Please clearly label your container with its contents and date. We will have recipes available if you need them.

SCAPC Members Featured with Program of Hope

SCAPC Community Ministry Committee members made a cameo dining at Cafe Reconcile in the latest episode of Samantha Brown's "Places to Love" on PBS! Pictured clockwise from left are Kathy Randall, Karen Donaldson, Jane Rasi, Ann Van Horn, and Sarah Chancellor-Watson. Also in attendance from SCAPC were Richard Ashmore and Darlene Guillot. View the segment on our Community Ministry page!

Rebuilding Hope Mission Trip to North Carolina

SCAPC is planning a mission trip to Western North Carolina March 6-10, staying and working in the Black Mountain/Montreat area. Children and youth ages 10+ are welcome along with a parent, and work will include activities that accommodate a range of abilities. Each person will need to arrange their own travel to Black Mountain, North Carolina, arriving by the Thursday evening of both weekends, and leaving Monday morning. For those who are flying, van transportation will be provided for the group once there. Cost is $350 and includes lodging, travel during the weekend, and breakfast and lunch on Friday-Sunday. Meals during travel days and dinners out at restaurants (supporting the local economy) will be on your own. Please fill out the form at scapc.org/rebuild and submit a deposit of $50 via check or paypal to secure your spot by Sunday, February 2.

The Congregational Life Committee is seeking volunteers to provide refreshments for the congregation after the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services on Sundays. Refreshments can be small bites, homemade or store-bought cookies, finger sandwiches, muffins, granola bars, etc. for which the church can reimburse up to $50. We ask that refreshments be delivered, plated and ready to go, to Frampton Fellowship Hall by 9:00 a.m. on Sundays. Sign up on our Volunteer webpage.

Youth Group Reflection

On Sunday, continuing their theme of “The Richer Life,” our youth discussed the importance of generosity. Having “excess” may be pleasurable, but sharing our resources and opportunities so ALL have enough, is God’s call for us!

The kids reflected on that lesson in youth group by being served an “inequality meal.” In this meal, the vast majority of youth were served meager portions while 1% of the youth were given an inordinate amount of food and attention- simulating global disparity issues. The exercise ended with the “wealthy group” sharing their immense portion with the others, finding that there really was enough to go around. We believe this exercise helped our youth really “feel” the unfairness of our unequal world. In addition, it started a conversation about how we can be mindful with our privileges (of all kinds) to make sure nobody is left behind - whether in our families, on our clubs or teams, or in our community.

Adult Sunday School Classes

9:30 a.m. | Details on Sunday School page

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN AMERICA

January 5-February 9

Led by Richard Ashmore | Land Building, Riverside Room (recorded)

For four centuries, the United States has grappled with how best to relate church and state. This class focuses on the concept/ideal/principle/experiment called “Freedom of Religion.” Visit the class webpage for recordings and presentation materials.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO A SITCOM WRITER

January 12-February 23 | Phifer Library

This class playfully explores the concepts, relationships, and parables of the four Gospels, enlightening us in the process.

THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE INSTITUTION: A CREATIVE WORKSHOP OF FAITH AND BELONGING

January 12-April 6 | Led by Ashley Brown and Tyler Wheeler

2nd Floor Conference Room

In this interactive class, we invite you to explore your personal faith beliefs while understanding how they align with the broader Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). Our topic this Sunday will be "The Body of Christ."

New Class on 'Half Truths'

Half Truths: 'God Helps Those Who Help Themselves'... and other things the Bible doesn’t say

Sundays, February 2 – 23 | Phifer Library

They are simple phrases. They sound Christian--like something you might find in the Bible. We've all heard these words. Maybe we've said them. They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways. We will search for the whole truth by comparing common Christian clichés with the wisdom found in Scripture. The clichés include: Everything happens for a reason. God helps those who help themselves. God won't give you more than you can handle. God said it, I believe it, that settles it. Love the sinner, hate the sin.

Worship Workshop for First Graders

Starting Sunday, February 2, first graders will remain in the worship service with their families after the children’s message to continue their Faith Journey with Jesus Christ. We will complete our Worship Workshop for first graders and their parents this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The first graders will receive a personalized Bible and will begin their study of the Word of God. Topics they have explored include “Why do we worship?”, “Where do we worship?” “How do we hear and thank God?”

Supper Clubs

Betsy and Pat Widhalm hosted a fun evening for their supper club last week! Pictured clockwise from left are Anne Lloyd, Matthew Smith, Patrick Egan, Betsy and Pat, Gillian Egan, Emma Pegues, Stephanie and Chris Currie.

New Arrival

Congratulations go out to parents Hailey and William Barnes and grandparents Laurie and Walter Becker on the birth of John Walter Barnes who was born on January 11.

This Week's Prayer List

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