TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2023

LENT DEVOTIONAL

‘So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.’ - Genesis 12:4

-Devotional by Chris Currie

Artwork by Kate Knight, age 15

Faith is a verb. It is not something we possess, but something that possesses us, a rising tide that lifts us and takes us out to places and into people’s lives we had not really counted on going. These Old Testament passages, which are the lectionary passages assigned to the Sundays in Lent, are all about pilgrimage, about going, about movement from the world we know to the world that has yet to encounter us

We often confuse faith with holding on at all costs to our folkways or our customs or our sacred traditions, but while faith is not dismissive of the past, it is much more interested in helping us confront the opportunities to be Christ’s disciples in the present moment that confronts us, whatever they may be, and giving us hope and energy and excitement about the future. Perhaps you have heard it said that people who do not care about the future do not plant trees. Planting trees is a hope-filled activity because it is very unlikely that we will ever get the satisfaction of climbing them or swinging from their branches or sitting under their shade. Abram exhibits faith, a trust in God’s promises, but he also exhibits hope, a hope that the world God is leading him toward will bear fruit, not only for him, but for all those descendants who follow him. Such faith and hope would not have come to fruition if he had stayed at home, stayed static, and just tried to preserve the past. 

O Lord our God, help us to look where you are calling us to ‘go’ today, and when we lay our heads down tonight give us hope for tomorrow; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For more Lent devotionals by SCAPC members and artists, click here.

YOUTH SUNDAY IS THIS SUNDAY!

Youth Sunday is celebrated annually at SCAPC as an opportunity for our 6th-12th graders to lead the congregation through all aspects of our liturgy. Over 40 youth have joined together this year to create the worship components for the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services – from the prayers to the sermons to the hymn selections. The theme is "Encountering God with Fresh Eyes." We believe that youth are not just the “future of the church”, they are the church here and now, with God-given gifts, creative instincts, and thoughtful theological insights that we ought to honor and learn from. We encourage you to welcome their leadership on Sunday with an attentive heart and open mind.

A CALL FOR USHERS!

Serving as an usher for 10:30 a.m. worship services is one of the most important (and fun!) ways to volunteer for the church. The role can involve anything from passing the offering plates, recording attendance, assisting congregants with special needs, and most importantly, greeting everyone as they gather for worship. Each usher team serves for one month twice a year. For example, Team C ushers in March and September. We are currently looking for ushers to serve on Team C (March and September) and Team E (May and November). We would also love to have a few more folks serve as floaters, which could mean substituting for someone who is out or helping with larger worship services at various times of the year (Christmas Eve, Easter and orchestra performances). If you are interested in ushering, please contact Geoff Snodgrass at gpsnodgrass@gmail.com or Pierce Young at pierce@scapc.org. It’s a great group and we would love to welcome some new faces!

ADEN PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE

The Aden Program, SCAPC's elder care ministry, will hold an Open House on Tuesday, March 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Land Building. The Aden Program offers social engagement and activities for the young at heart, embracing those with memory impairment, as well as providing respite and peace of mind for the loved one caring for them daily. To learn more, visit our Aden webpage or contact Director Heidi Young Batson at aden@scapc.org.

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, March 19, in Frampton Fellowship Hall following either worship service. 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, March 26. Please clearly label your container with its contents and date. We will have recipes available if you need them.

Saturday April 1, SCAPC members are encouraged to come together for our annual Spring Day of Service, where we will go into the community and work alongside our Community Ministry Partners/agencies for the morning. There are opportunities for all ages, and a variety of projects for different skill sets and interests. We will meet at the Land Building at 8:30 a.m. for prayer and breakfast, then proceed to work sites. Work will conclude by noon. Interested in signing up? Check out the table in Frampton Fellowship Hall on Sunday or email Avery Beuerman at beuermana@gmail.com. 

VISIT EDEN HOUSE EMERGENCY CENTER

Eden Centers for Hope and Healing, one of SCAPC's Community Ministry Partners, is opening a brand new facility with a mission of relieving stress on our police force by helping victims in emergent situations. The Eden House Emergency Center partnered with Louisiana Children's Medical Center to open this facility, which has received statewide recognition and was visited by the First Lady of Louisiana. The Eden Centers staff have arranged two times for SCAPC members to visit the facility: this Thursday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. and this Friday, March 17 at 9 a.m. If interested, please email Paige Morrison at pesmorrison@gmail.com with your contact information and she will send you the address. The Eden Centers seek to eradicate the trafficking and selling of human beings through ​youth prevention; education and legislative advocacy; and recovery and reentry services for victims, including long-term shelter. Click here to visit their website.

YAF CRAWFISH BOIL

The YAF (Young Adults & Families) Crawfish Boil will be held on Saturday April 1 (no foolin!) on the Land Building front lawn. We hope you can join us for crawfish and lawn games from 12:00-2:00 p.m.! Please RSVP to Tyler (tyler@scapc.org) by Monday March 27.

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS FOR PW EASTER EGG HUNT

Presbyterian Women are seeking donations for their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 2 at the home of Louellen and Darryl Berger across the street from the church. Volunteers are needed to drop off fillers for plastic Easter eggs by Wednesday, March 29 or to drop off pre-stuffed eggs by Friday, March 31.

You can donate treats (such as stickers, non-chocolate candy, rings, rubber ducks, bracelets, whistles, bubbles, and rubber balls) to fill plastic eggs, refreshments for the day of the hunt, or help with set-up and clean-up. Sign up at this link. Questions? Contact Annie Wilson at annie.wilson10@yahoo.com.

ADULT CLASSES

"JOHN KNOX & HOW THE SCOTS INVENTED THE MODERN WORLD"

February 12-March 26 | led by John Dunlap & Chris Currie | Land Building Lakeside Room

Due to the contributions of John Knox and the reform movement that gave birth to the protestant church in Scotland, an environment was created that nurtured a literate society, education for all, faith that asks questions and seeks understanding, free thought and inquiry, a larger commitment to the ethical vision of society, and a say in the affairs of government. For the recording of the March 12 class, click here. For the March 12 PowerPoint "David Hume and the Philosophy of Human Nature", click here.

"GOD, IMPROV, & THE ART OF LIVING"

January 8 - April 30 | Book by MaryAnn McKibben Dana | 2nd floor conference room

This book blends personal stories, pop culture and scripture into a smart, funny down-to-earth guide to the art of living. 

FOR DETAILS ON CLASSES FOR ALL AGES, VISIT OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL PAGE.

For the recording of Thursday's Theological Reading Group led by Chris Currie,

click here.

SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY WOMEN: NEW STUDY

On March 15, The Spiritually Hungry Women group will begin an eight-week study of the book Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor. The group meets each Wednesday from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in the Land Building and via Zoom. All ladies welcome! For more information, contact Beth Poe at bethpoe@tulane.edu.

REGISTER FOR VBS!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL registration is open at www.scapc.org/vbs. The dates are Tuesday, May 30-Friday, June 2 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. This program is open to all children 4 years old (by June 1, 2023) through current 5th grade. Students currently 6th grade and older may register as youth volunteers. The cost is $40/first camper, $20/siblings and $10/youth.

Our theme is “Hero Hotline: Called Together to Serve God” which calls children to follow Jesus, help others, work together, listen to God, and show grace. Parent/Grandparent participation is strongly encouraged. For more information, contact Michele Murphy, Director of Christian Education, at 897-0101 x116 or michele@scapc.org.

PW PSL SPRING GATHERING

Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of South Louisiana will hold their Spring Gathering on Saturday, April 15 at University Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge. All women including church members and guests are welcome to join us for a brief business meeting, workshops, and worship led by Retiring Rev. Patti Snyder. Please bring canned goods for Okra Abbey Grace & Greens and/or gently used kitchen and household items for Presbyterian Children Homes family relocation assistance. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the closing lunch will take place at 12:15. The cost is $15. Registration forms and instructions can be found on the table outside of the church office.

NEW MEMBERS

Join us in welcoming John and Molly Nix who joined the church on Sunday, March 5 along with their sons Christopher and Riggs!

PALM BRANCH PREP

On Sunday, members gathered to craft palm branches that will be waved by children during their Palm Sunday procession on April 2 at the 10:30 service!

OUR SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to Andrew Tatum and his family on the death of his father who died this past weekend.

We also extend our sympathy to our sexton Donald Jefferson and his family on the death of his daughter Danielle, who died earlier today.