Prayer for a New Year of Spiritual Formation

O Lord our God, we give thanks for the people in this community of faith who use their gifts to teach, to volunteer, to help behind the scenes, to set up tables, to help clean up. As we begin a new year of spiritual formation and learning, may we use the minds you have given us to learn more deeply, may we use our hands you have given us to carry out significant tasks for others; may we use our wills to respond in obedience to your purposes for this world. Let our worship of you this day broaden our appreciation of those who share in our life together here, and let our worship deepen our faith through the teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Adult Classes

“Genesis” September 8-November 24 | Phifer Library

Led by Michael O’Keefe, Larry Hamric, Richard Ashmore, Donna Ryan, Pat Widhalm, Beth Poe, and Neale Miller

The Bible’s first book contains many well-known stories, some familiar since childhood: creation and the garden of Eden; an ark full of animals adrift in a flood; Abraham and Isaac; the conniving Jacob; and the dreams of Joseph. Now hear these stories again in a new way, and in hearing, discover the knowledge that God created everything in goodness and love. Whether in the heights of paradise or the depths of exile, the human journey is never far from the presence of God. 

“Faith at Home: A Handbook for Cautiously Christian Parents”

September 8 - November 24 | 2nd floor conference room | Led by Tyler Wheeler

As parents, we strive to help our children develop a strong moral foundation, including a strong understanding of Christian faith. With so many contradictions from mainstream culture, however, many parents are left feeling as though religious language is a foreign language and are unsure how to incorporate faith practices into family life. Faith at Home aims to help parents learn this “second language” and introduce it to children in simple and meaningful ways. How do we introduce prayer to our children if we do not necessarily believe prayer changes outcome? How do we approach reading the Bible with our children when our own relationship with it is mixed or complicated? How do we connect what happens at church to what happens at home? 

Youth & Children

Youth Sunday School (grades 6-12) meets in the Youth Room on the 3rd floor and occasionally on Instagram @scapc_youth.

The Challenger Class (grades 4-5) meets in a special room on the 2nd floor that is set up with sofas and chairs where students can explore their faith, ask questions, and begin to verbalize what they believe. This year’s class topics include the ten commandments, a communion workshop, what it means to be a Presbyterian, and the Lord’s Prayer.

Three-year-olds through 3rd graders gather by age group for classes that focus on hands-on learning. They are divided into three groups: 3 yrs to PreK, Kindergarten-1st grade, and 2nd-3rd grade, all meeting in rooms on the 2nd floor. They engage in Bible stories through activities, interactive games, and creative crafts. Throughout the year we explore stories from the Old and New Testaments. Weekly lessons help kids navigate the stories and begin to compare what they learn to their own lives.

The Nursery for ages 0-3 is open 8:15-11:45 a.m. in the Bear Classroom which is the corner classroom on the first floor.

Children's & Youth Choir Rehearsals Begin Sunday

All children and youth are invited to join a SCAPC choir! Children’s Choir 1 (3 years-Kindergarten) rehearses from 11:45-12:15 in the Learning Center, 2nd floor, led by Peggy Crain. Children’s Choir 2 (1st-5th Grades) rehearses from 11:45-12:15 in the choir room, 3rd floor, led by Betsy Uschkrat. Ringers & Singers (6th-12th Grades) rehearse from 12:15-12:45 p.m. in the choir room, led by Peggy Crain. In rehearsals, we focus on music theory as well as performance music for services. Click here to register.

Youth & Youth Parents

Welcome to a new program year, all 6th-12th graders! Youth Sunday School will begin this Sunday, September 8 in the Youth Room (3rd floor), and Youth Group will kick off that evening at 5 p.m. All youth parents are invited to our monthly Youth Parents Group which meets on the first Youth Group of each month at 6 p.m. in the Land Building beginning this weekend. To learn more about youth programs at SCAPC, visit our youth page or Instagram @scapc_youth.

Community Day at Okra Abbey

Join us for "Community Day" this Saturday, September 7 from 9 a.m.-Noon at Okra Abbey, one of our community ministry partners! Meet at the side yard of 1800 Monroe Street. Volunteers will plant fall crops and spruce up the general grounds. A light breakfast will be served. Bring gloves and small garden tools. Contact Dan Lang at 504-376-6722 for further information.

Collecting Toiletries for Raintree

Throughout this month, Presbyterian Women are collecting toiletries and bath cloths for Raintree Children & Family Services, one of our community ministry partners. Requested are regular-size toiletries, towels, wash cloths, soap, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Donations can be left in the basket in the entryway of the State Street entrance.

Rebuilding Hope Mission Trip to Mississippi

October 10-13

Join us in the ongoing rebuilding work in the Mississippi Delta where tornados devasted the area in 2023. We’ll be leaving Thursday evening from New Orleans and drive to Leland, Mississippi (approximately 5 hours), work on Friday and Saturday, then make our way back to New Orleans on Sunday afternoon. The cost is $75 per person for lodging plus the cost of meals out on our own. Email Pastor Sarah for more information.

Clothing Drive

During the month of September, the Community Ministry Committee is collecting clothing for the Program of Hope homeless ministry, one of our community ministry partners. Requested are clean and wearable-condition items of men's and women's clothing and shoes (no children's clothing, please). There is a blue bin in Frampton Fellowship Hall where items can be deposited.

CBD Study Group Resumes Tomorrow

The CBD Study Group meets on Wednesdays at 8 a.m. at Bittersweet Confections, 725 Magazine Street. “CBD” stands for Central Business District where the group meets, and also for Christian Book Discussion, which is what the group engages in. The group will be studying George Marsden: An Infinite Fountain of Light by Jonathan Edwards for Twenty-First Century. The book is available on amazon.com. All are welcome! Contact Larry Hamric with any questions.

PW Circles Begin Next Week

Presbyterian Women Circles offer an environment in which faith is nurtured and growth takes place through worship, studying the Bible, fellowship, and outreach. The 2024-2025 PW Horizons Bible Study is Let Justice Roll Down: God's Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation by Patricia K. Tull.

Circles meet on the second week of each month (except where otherwise noted), and all women are welcome!

MONDAY LUNCH CIRCLE:

September 9 | 11:30 a.m. | Land Building | Lunch served

LAMBETH HOUSE CIRCLE:

September 9 | 4:00 p.m. | Lambeth House

TUESDAY EVENING CIRCLE:                                         

September 10 | 5:45 p.m. | Land Building | Refreshments and wine served

Learn more about all of Presbyterian Women’s programs on our PW webpage. 

Presbyterian Women's Book Club

The Presbyterian Women's Book Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Land Building, and all are welcome to join! Contact Elizabeth Artigues at artigues4@gmail.com with any questions. Here is our fall line-up:

• September 19 - Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro
• October 17 - Delicious: A Novel by Ruth Reichl
• November 21 - All the Broken Places by John Boyne

"Theology Thursday" Returns

The Theology Thursday Study Group, led by Senior Pastor Chris Currie, will resume their meetings on Thursday, September 12, 12:15-1:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room. Our first study will be on The Sisters of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Discovered the Hidden Gospels by Janet Soskice.

Named as one of the best books of the year in 2009, The Sisters of Sinai is an adventure story about two Presbyterian sisters from Scotland who made one of the most important Biblical discoveries in the Victorian era. Soskice tells this story within the context of biblical scholarship and other challenging ideas and discoveries of that era which provides a lot of material for rich discussions.

Books are available for order through local bookstores or Amazon. The first assignment for the group is the Prologue through Chapter Two (from title page to page 21). Any questions can be directed to miriam@scapc.org.

WNO Is Back Next Week!

Wednesday Night Out kicks off on September 11! Each WNO begins with a pastor-led study on Revelation for Normal People: A Guide to the Strangest and Most Dangerous Book in the Bible by Robyn Whitaker at 5:15 p.m. in the Phifer Library, then dinner at 6:00 in Frampton Fellowship Hall. The cost for dinner is $10/adult, $5/child, and $25/family. On the menu this week are chicken and sausage jambalaya, corn on the cob, green beans, fresh fruit, salad, French bread, and “down home” cobbler with ice cream. Make your reservation by Monday, September 9 at 5 p.m. at scapc.org/wno or on the SCAPC app. It’s SCHOOL SPIRIT NIGHT, including our "Who's That Mascot?" game so be sure to wear your team colors! 

Young Adults & Families (YAF) Events

PINTS RETURNS: Presbyterians Imbibing in Necessary Theological Study (PINTS) will resume Wednesday, September 11 and continue weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:45–8:00 p.m. on the Land Building Porch after Wednesday Night Out dinner. Join us for some casual discussion about faith over a drink with friends! Childcare is provided in the Bear Room – please RSVP to tyler@scapc.org by Tuesday each week if you plan to use the nursery.

SAINTS WATCH: WHO DAT?! Wear your black and gold on Sunday September 15 and join us at Dat Dog (Freret St.) to cheer on the Saints as they take on the Cowboys. We'll gather around noon following the 10:30 worship service just in time for the 12:00 kick off. Please RSVP in the SCAPC app or to tyler@scapc.org by Friday, September 13.

PINTS OPEN: Tennis anyone? Join us for the second annual PINTS Classic on Saturday September 21 starting at 4:00. All skill levels (including true beginner!) and cheerleaders are welcome for this fun and laid-back event. We will meet at City Park Tennis Center at 4 p.m. then head over to Blue Oak BBQ for celebratory drinks and dinner. Beer and cold drinks will be provided at the Tennis Center. A suggested donation of $10 (Venmo to @thwheeler) is appreciated for court fees. Please RSVP in the SCAPC app or to tyler@scapc.org by Wednesday September 18.

Welcome, New Members!

Please join us in welcoming the following new members who joined SCAPC on Sunday, August 25! (Mary Carroll was listed incorrectly in last week's issue.)