TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

LENT DEVOTIONAL

-by Khyah Van Es on Psalm 95

Artwork by Katie Brendler

When I think on the splendor of your love

My being is filled with insurmountable joy

I become consumed with gratitude

even as I grovel in the anguish of what feels like insurmountable grief

You’ll send me a shooting star

Or a butterfly

A cloud that looks like a turtle

Or even a companion in the form of an animal or person to lift my spirits and to show me that life is filled with simple joys

Filled to bursting...

[for complete devotional, click here]

SCAPC HOSTS PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This weekend, SCAPC will host the annual gathering of The Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest. On Friday, the society is holding a dinner at 6 p.m. in the Land Building followed by a presentation on the history of SCAPC by Senior Pastor Emeritus, Don Frampton. There is no cost to attend, though reservations should be made via email to Pierce Young at [email protected] by tomorrow.

On Saturday morning, David Watson, pastor at Metairie Ridge Presbyterian Church and husband of our own Sarah Chancellor-Watson, will make a presentation as a New Orleans police chaplain and as a pastor in greater New Orleans. Paul Hoffman will make a presentation on the history of University Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, and Elaine Walter will make a presentation on Berean Presbyterian Church in New Orleans. Coffee and refreshments will be served at 8:30 a.m. and the presentations will begin at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m., respectively. To learn more about the society, click here.

MEALS NEEDED FOR PANTRY MINISTRY THIS WEEK

Help us stock our freezer with meals for those in our congregation needing some extra care! Pick up an empty container today through Friday in the entry hall by the Chapel. Fill the container with your favorite casserole or soup during the week, then return your filled container to the church freezer today through Friday or this Sunday, March 26. Please clearly label your container with its contents and date.

SEEKING FLOWER VOLUNTEERS

Congregational Care is looking for volunteers to help on Monday mornings from 9-11 a.m. for its "Flower Outreach Program". No experience is necessary! Enjoy a pleasurable and easy morning assembling flowers that will bring joy to those in our congregation who are in need. Signing up is quick and easy too. Click here to sign up for Monday mornings in March, April, and May. You can reach out to Gail Kaliszeski at [email protected] with any questions.

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 [email protected] or Pierce Young at [email protected]. It’s a great group and we would love to welcome some new faces!

On Saturday April 1, SCAPC members are encouraged to come together for our annual Spring Day of Service, where we will spread out 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 [email protected]. 

YAF CRAWFISH BOIL

The YAF (Young Adults & Families) Crawfish Boil will be held this 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 ([email protected]) by Monday March 27.

SCAPC CHANCEL CHOIR & ORCHESTRA

During the 10:30 a.m. service on Palm Sunday, April 2, the SCAPC Chancel Choir and Orchestra will perform Maurice Duruflé's Requiem with Steven Blackmon conducting. This beautiful French Impressionist work finds its roots in 8th century Gregorian chant. Duruflé said that, "It reflects, in the immutable form of the Christian prayer, the agony of man faced with the mystery of his ultimate end. It is often dramatic, or filled with resignation, or hope or terror, just as the words of the Scripture themselves."

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 [email protected].

DINNER WITH OUR UKRAINE MISSION PARTNER

Please join us for a Pot Luck Dinner with our Ukraine mission partner Bob Gamble on Monday, April 3, at 6:15 p.m. in the Land Building. We will be visiting with Bob and hearing an update on the work of his organization This Child Here in the midst of the continued war in Ukraine. Please bring a salad, appetizer, main dish, side dish, or dessert. 

BAKING BREAD AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

The 40/50 group and the McMillan Society are teaming up to present a dinner and webinar on Tuesday, April 4 from 5:00– 8:00 p.m. Teri McDowell Ott, Presbyterian Outlook Editor, and Kendall Vanderslice, a professional baker and practical theologian, will lead us in how to bake bread. During the demonstration, Teri and Kendall will speak about the spirituality of baking – specialty baking bread – and will be available for live questions. Dinner will be at 5:00 p.m. in the Land Building and the presentation will follow in Frampton Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. All baking supplies will be provided but you will be asked to bring a few kitchen items with you. The cost is $15/person and can be paid by check or Venmo to Michele @michele-murphy-12. Please note that this is an adult-only event and childcare will not be provided.

CHURCH OFFICE VOLUNTEERS

The church staff is seeking volunteers to manage the phones and door buzzer in the church office during staff events, meetings, lunches, etc. If you are interested in helping, please contact Lynn Hoffman at [email protected] or 504-897-0101 x115.

ADULT CLASSES

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

Feb. 12-Mar. 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 an educated, ethical, and faithful society. For the recording of the March 19 class, 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. 

Special Class: "HE DESCENDED INTO HELL: JESUS WENT THERE AND WHY IT MATTERS"

April 2 only | led by Chris Currie | Frampton Fellowship Hall

Nearly every week we profess that ‘he descended into Hell’ in the Apostles’ Creed. Why is it important that Jesus went to Hell? How does it help us make sense of Jesus’ death and resurrection during Holy Week and beyond?

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.

LADY'S WATCH FOUND

A watch was left in the lady's restroom at the church. We are keeping it in the church office, so please swing by if it is yours!

KINSHIP CENTER CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP

The Kinship Center, one of SCAPC's Community Ministry Partners, is beginning a caregivers support group as part of their wellness program. Caregivers Practicing Resilience (CPR) is a 6-week program, facilitated by a social worker, for caregivers to learn techniques to mitigate stress, cultivate resilience, and connect with other caregivers. Eligibility is open to individuals who are caring for a loved one with short or long-term limitations due to illness, injury, or disability. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants who will meet every Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Kinship Senior Center, April 6 through May 11. Learn more and register at kinshipnola.org/wellness.

TREE PLANTING WITH SOUL

On Saturday, SCAPC volunteers teamed up with Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL) for a morning of service planting trees in the Lower 9th Ward. SCAPC volunteers included Mike and Boyd Pugh, Sarah Edgecombe, Tyler Wheeler, Sarah Chancellor-Watson, Nancy Davis, Charlotte Urban, and Jennie Wimbish, along with Jennie's students from The Net Charter High School and children from the neighborhood.

SCAPC MEMBERS' CUBA TRIP

Shown here is the congregation of our sister church, El Fuerte Presbyterian in Cardenas Cuba, joined by a team of SCAPC volunteers who delivered supplies and performed maintenance on the water filtration system there earlier this month. Team members included Courtney Bell, Cindy and Ed Bush, Darlene Guillot, Laura St. Clair, and Ann Van Horn.

YOUTH SUNDAY

This past Sunday, over 40 of our 6th-12th graders led both worship services with prayers they had composed, sermons, readings, hymns they had specially chosen, communion assistance, a children's message, and all other aspects of worship. Their theme was "Encountering God with Fresh Eyes." Pictured below are the youth who led the 8:30 (top) and 10:30 (bottom) services.

YOUTH FAMILY CRAWFISH BOIL

SCAPC youth and their families enjoyed a (chilly!) crawfish boil following services Sunday morning. Pictured here from left are D. Irwin Mackenroth, Becka Curry, Dan Curry, Sophia Curry, Youth Leader Michael Ceraso, and Catherine Lemoine.