TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023

The First Thanksgiving Proclamation

"Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks."

- George Washington, October 3, 1789

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

SCAPC will host the interfaith thanksgiving service this Thursday, November 16, at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary. What does the church have to offer to the world in such a time as this? We hope to send the message to our larger world in the midst of hostility, to use the words of Psalm 133: ‘How good and pleasant it is when kindred dwell together in unity.’ Thank you for joining in these efforts to work toward the unity, harmony, and peace that is inseparable from God’s vision of humanity and all creation. An informal reception will be held in Frampton Fellowship Hall following the service.

Sermon & Resources on Addiction

This Sunday, Pastoral Resident Ashley Brown will lead both morning services with a sermon on addiction. She has also compiled a list of local organizations, helplines, online communities, books and other resources for substance abuse prevention. Visit at scapc.org/addiction.

PW Retreat Registration Open

Sunday-Monday, January 14-15

If you haven’t already, now is the time to register for the 2024 Presbyterian Women’s Retreat at the Solomon Conference Center in Loranger, LA! Our theme this year is “Self-Care as We Care for Others”, led by Rev. Meagan Findeiss, Associate Pastor for Care and Belonging at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas. We will worship and pray together, study scripture, renew friendships, and simply recharge our batteries. To learn more about our speaker and theme, and to register, click here. Printed forms can also be found on the table outside the church office. 

Recent Recordings

PROGRAM ON UKRAINE: SCAPC member Anderson Baker gave a program at last week's Wednesday Night Out in which he shared his experiences during a recent visit to Ukraine, including his time with SCAPC mission partner Bob Gamble and his ministry, This Child Here. Click here to listen. Bob Gamble will be visiting later this month and leading a Sunday School class on November 26.

SPIRITUALITY FOR THE AGES: Last Sunday, our 2023 Lupberger Lecturer, Rev. Dr. Jennifer Lord of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary led a two-part program entitled "Standing in Our Baptismal Power: Spirituality for the Ages." Dr. Lord engaged the rite and theology of baptism to help us think about the church as a community of the baptized and what a baptismal spirituality means for the life of faith in this storm-tossed world. A baptismal spirituality anchors us in the dying and rising of Christ, the communion of saints, and the Spirit’s life-giving care. Standing in our baptismal power means we can navigate rough waters and continuously change course as we orient toward God’s abundant life. Click here for part 1 and click here for part 2.

Virtual Care Partner Support Series

Aden Program Director Kasey Bealer will be hosting a virtual Care Partner Support Series on Monday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. beginning November 20. This five-week series will run through December 18 and will provide dementia education and support for people caring for those living with dementia. For more information on topics, cost, and how to reserve your seat for the series, click here or contact Kasey at aden@scapc.org.

Building Maintenance Underway

Over the next few months, you will see scaffolding and construction materials around the entire exterior of the Sanctuary and Education Buildings as we undergo a much-needed exterior cleaning and waterproofing project to protect the gift of these wonderful buildings.

YAF Friendsgiving

The annual Young Adults & Families "Friendsgiving" Feast will be held this Saturday, November 18 from 5-7 p.m. in the Land Building. Join us for a delicious pot-luck dinner with friends! We will also be collecting fresh and canned fruit and vegetables for Okra Abbey’s community fridge. Please click here to rsvp by tomorrow.

Youth Service Projects

This weekend was our youth ministry’s monthly weekend of service. The youth spent Saturday assisting the VA on veteran’s day, setting up for their big memorial event and helping make sure our service men and women were remembered for the sacrifices they made. On Sunday, the youth worked with Congregational Care to make flower bouquets for all those in our local community who are hurting, homebound, or might use some extra love or attention. We are proud of their work and enjoyed watching them put into practice our theme of loving our neighbors! The weekend's participants were: Thomas Currie, Harrison Currie, Rhys Breaux, Arden Weiser, Savannah Weiser, Walter Kramer, Liam Carlisle, Emma Randels-LaRocca, Nina Edgecombe, Emma Edgecombe, Amy Mackenroth, Maggie Mackenroth, Lizzie Hope, and Lauren Fish!

RHINO Christmas Cards

Purchase your 2023 RHINO Christmas cards this Sunday! All proceeds benefit Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans, SCAPC's own rebuilding ministry. RHINO enables local and out-of-town volunteers to give their time, talent, and treasure in service to people in need. Since its inception in October 2005, RHINO has welcomed over 9,000 adult and youth volunteers. Cards are $20/pack of 5. SCAPC silk scarves and ties by NOLA Couture will also be available for $55/each (2 for $100). Visit the RHINO table in Frampton Fellowship Hall on Sunday.

New STAIR Director

STAIR has a new Executive Director! Jennie Merrill Boudreaux is the 5th director since STAIR's founding, here at SCAPC, in 1985. She came to STAIR from the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, where she was the Director of Education since 2014, and has been the Board Secretary of One Book One New Orleans, a literacy non-profit in New Orleans, since 2015. She looks forward to this new adventure and to meeting the members and supporters of our church! 

"WOW" A Christmas Nativity Play

It’s time to sign up for our Christmas play to be held during Wednesday Night Out on December 13! The play is open to all students age 3 through 5th grade. Both speaking and non-speaking roles are available and there will be a mandatory rehearsal on Sunday, December 11, 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Those with speaking roles will have two additional rehearsals on Sunday, December 3, 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 6, 6:15 – 7:00 p.m. Contact Michele Murphy at michele@scapc.org to register your children.

Free Webinars on Practicing Gratitude, Border Missions & More

The faculty of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary host an ongoing "Cultivating Ideas" series of free webinars. Coming up this month are programs on practicing gratitude, early missions in the borderlands, and "the Ethiopian Eunuch". For details and registration, click here.

Sunday School: Adult Classes

"Exodus: God Revealed to Moses and His Community"

Land Building Riverside Room | led this week by Donna Ryan

"When Kids Ask Hard Questions" | led this week by Emma Pegues | 2nd Floor Conference Room | This week's topic: "Naming What They See: Addressing Wealth, Poverty, and Income Inequality".

Nursery School Butterflies

The Butterfly Class is our youngest 2-year old class at SCAPC Nursery School. The year is off to a great start and the children have all adjusted to their new school routines. The Butterflies had a busy October painting spider webs, carving pumpkins, participating in all of the Halloween fun, singing songs in music class, exploring books in their classrooms, and making new friends. We are looking forward to a fabulous year!