Youth Sunday; Special Author Visit; Cuba Ministry; Volunteering & More

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025

A Prayer on Super Bowl Sunday

by Ashley Brown

God, we pray...for us to be reminded that you are revealed in every part of life. Even on Super Bowls.

Help us to see the godliness at work, perhaps seeing when touchdowns happen, that’s when the body of Christ works in unison towards common goals, like when our church provided over 500 cans of food this week through our own Souper Bowl of Caring; when Presbyterian Women gathered together for their retreat; when the Flower Ministry sorts flowers to leave on the doorsteps of our members' homes who may need a little cheering. What can our touchdowns be? How can we work together as a team? As a team, let us pray...

[for full prayer, click here].

Youth Sunday Is This Week!

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. Our theme this year is "Lost and Found." Our youth have created all of the worship components from the prayers to the sermons to the hymn selections. We at SCAPC 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 are called to honor and learn from. We encourage you to welcome their leadership at the 8:30 and 10:30 services this Sunday with an attentive heart and open mind.

"Lost and Found" by 12th Grader Kate Knight

Youth Service Projects for Cuba & Children's Hospital

SCAPC had some wonderful service projects done by our youth on Saturday. In the morning, a group of ten 6th-12th graders in our youth ministry came together to prepare bracelets supporting our friends in Cuba and their Living Waters ministry. Later in the afternoon, a second project was spearheaded by Country Day Sophomore Caroline Schmidt, who brought together a sizable group of her high school classmates to write letters for kids fighting cancer at Children’s Hospital. We are so proud of her for spearheading this endeavor, and of all the joy that was brought to children and families through these two service projects by our SCAPC youth!

Cuba Team Departed Today

Today, our Cuba team embarked on their trip to visit our sister congregations in Cardenas: Juan G. Hall Presbyterian Church (who are celebrating their 125th anniversary) and El Fuerte Presbyterian Church. While there they will service the water filtration systems our members installed through Living Waters for the World many years ago. Team members are Karen and Keith Donaldson, Charles Hadley, Lorrie Powel, Laura St. Clair, and April Weiser. Pictured here is a Living Waters team member in training!

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will take place this Sunday, February 16, immediately following the 10:30 service in the Sanctuary. On the agenda will be the distribution of the Annual Report, a report of the Stewardship Campaign, presentation of the 2025 church budget, election of the congregational nominating committee, and approval of changes in the pastors' terms’ of call. All members are encouraged to attend.

"Living Christ, Living Buddha"

Bill Troutt and Ashley Brown are hosting an interfaith conversation on Thursday, March 6 at 9 a.m. at on the book Living Christ, Living Buddha written by Thich Nhat Hanh. We will meet at PJ's Coffee, 5432 Magazine Street. A friend of Martin Luther King, Thomas Merton and many influential world leaders, Buddhist Zen Master and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Thich Nhat Hanh explores the life and teachings of Buddha and Christ in a warm and welcoming dialogue. You don’t have to have read the book to come and join in on the conversation...all are welcome!

Special Author Visit!

On Tuesday, March 18, the Yak, Snack and Read book club will discuss Ashes to Ashes, the first book in the Ludington-van der Berg mystery series by M.M. Lindvall. Authors Michael Lindvall and Madeline Lindvall Radman will join us by Zoom! We will meet at 6 p.m. in the Land Building and all are welcome. Michael and Madeline will be our Lupberger Lecture Series guests on Sunday, March 30. To learn more, visit our Lupberger Lecture page.

Habitat ReStore Volunteers Needed

This month, Habitat for Humanity's "Habitat ReStore" will accept donations from over 1100 exhibitors at the 2025 Orgill Spring Dealer Market at the Morial Convention Center. Volunteers are needed to box, shrink-wrap, load, and price donated display items. The shifts are Saturday, February 22 from 2-8 p.m. and Sunday, February 23 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. or 2-8 p.m. For details and registration, visit our Volunteer page. Habitat is one of our RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) community partners.

Adult Sunday School Classes

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

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

February 16 - May 18 | Land Building Riverside Room

In its tone, structure, and portrayal of Jesus, the Gospel of John differs greatly from the other three gospels. It lacks the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord’s Prayer, and any parables. John’s story of Jesus is theologically complex, interweaving themes of light and darkness. He presents Jesus as originating “from heaven,” making him more divine than he appears in the other gospels. Underscoring the conflict between those who accepted Jesus as Messiah and those who did not, this gospel has raised intense dilemmas regarding Christianity’s view of Judaism. This Sunday's introduction will be led by Michael O’Keefe.

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 (USA). Our topic this Sunday will be "Holy Doubt" led by Tyler Wheeler.

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 will compare some common Christian clichés with the wisdom found in scripture. The clichés include "Everything happens for a reason"; "God helps those who help themselves"; and others.

New Member

Please join us in welcoming Caroline McArthur who became a SCAPC member on Sunday!

Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to Megan Mazzanti and her family on the passing of her sister, Debra Pfeifer, who died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This Week's Prayer List

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