TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

PRAYER FOR GOOD HUMOR

Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.

Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.

Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good

and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,

but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.

Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs, and laments,

nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”

Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.

Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy,

and to be able to share it with others.

-Thomas More (1478-1535)

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

SCAPC's annual congregational meeting will take place this Sunday, February 5, following the 10:30 service in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the meeting is to present the 2023 Nominating Committee, receive and distribute the 2023 budget, vote on proposed changes to the pastors' terms of call, and distribute the 2022 Annual Report. All SCAPC members are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be included on the 10:30 worship livestream, however members must be present if they wish to vote.

VBS: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS OF ALL AGES

2023 VBS registration is open! 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.

Registrations are now open on our VBS page. For more information, contact Michele Murphy, Director of Christian Education, 897-0101 x116 or michele@scapc.org. 

This is a volunteer-run program. Parent participation is strongly encouraged. New this year: We also encourage you to ask grandparents, friends, neighbors, etc. who might not be registering children to sign up to volunteer. Children thrive when exposed to multi generations! There is a place on the registration form to include other volunteers. 

FLOWER MINISTRY

Looking for an opportunity to spread some joy and TLC to our congregation? The Flower Ministry team could use your help! Join us on Mondays from 9-11 a.m. in the church kitchen to arrange and deliver small vases of flowers to members who are in special need of an uplifting gesture. No experience is needed. To volunteer for Mondays in February and/or March, please email Melissa McDonald at mcdonaldnola@gmail.com.

Sunday School for all ages resumes this week!

ADULT CLASSES

"AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY"

January 8 - February 5 | led by Richard Ashmore | Learning Center (2nd floor)

This class explores African American spirituality from its roots in many diverse Western African societies to its many manifestations in America today, learning how enslaved Africans adopted and adapted Christianity. For the class page with music links, 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.

WEBPAGE FOR "AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY" CLASS

Are you interested in the history of African American spirituality but unable to attend Richard Ashmore's Sunday School class (see class description above)? We have developed a webpage that includes class recordings, slides, and links to the spirituals and gospel songs which accompany each topic. Explore at scapc.org/class.

JOHN KNOX & HOW THE SCOTS INVENTED THE MODERN WORLD

UPCOMING SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS:

Mention of Scotland and the Scots usually conjures up images of kilts, bagpipes, Scotch whiskey, and golf. However, due to the contributions of John Knox and the reform movement that gave birth to protestant church in Scotland, an environment was created that nurtured a literate society, education for all, a 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.

We take all this for granted now, but we owe much of it to changes in post-Reformation Scotland. We may not all be Scottish, but this legacy of the Scots is now part of who we are and what we value. This class will be led by John Dunlap and Chris Currie and will meet in the Land Building Lakeside Room beginning February 12.

CHILDREN/YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSALS

CHILDREN'S CHOIR 2 (1st-5th graders) will rehearse this Sunday from 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in the choir room on the 3rd floor. Ringers & Singers (6th-12th graders) will meet at 4:15 p.m. in the choir room on the 3rd floor for a "Meet & Greet".

YOUTH NEWS

KNOWING OTHERS' WORTH: This semester, the Youth Group is talking about "Knowing Others’ Worth" and treating others the way God treats us – with grace, open-mindedness, compassion, and accountability. At the last Youth Group, the theme was INCLUSION. The youth reflected on how God calls them to invite others into their lives and their hearts, despite their flaws and quirks, just as God invites us into his family despite our baggage and imperfections.

To that end, the youth were put in teams. In those teams, middle and high schoolers were tasked with the challenge of using ALL the elements from their tableful of assorted knick-knacks and supplies to create a cart. Whichever cart went the furthest on the ramp would win! Through this exercise, the youth realized that including all people in God’s family is not always easy. But because there were many objects that looked like impediments to a good cart that became quite useful, we hoped the youth also learned that sometimes we judge people without realizing the true worth, value, and gifts they hold within if they are given the chance!

CALL FOR YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TO N.O. WOMEN & CHILDREN'S SHELTER: This Saturday will be the first Saturday of February, and our youth will indeed be having another Service Saturday opportunity! We will head to New Orleans Homeless Shelter where we will help sort clothes for women and children from 10-noon. Please notify Chris Hazlaris by Friday morning if you plan on attending, and he will pass on the final details. This is a big need from one of our dearest community ministry partners, so we hope you will consider joining us. 

SESSION RETREAT

Over the weekend, the Session held their annual retreat. They were treated to talks on "Providing Solid Leadership for This Time" by Bob McKillop, recently retired basketball coach of Davidson College and 2022-2023 Leader in Residence. He is shown here with Youth Director Chris Hazlaris and youth elders Ava Zander and Lock Gottsche. Paul Morse, husband of elder Denis Morse, contributed the photo.

NO PINTS TONIGHT

Please note that Young Adults and Families (YAF) will not meet for PINTS tomorrow night since they will have Trivia Night at Oak Street Brewery beginning at 6:45 p.m.

PARADE PARTY: TIME TO REGISTER!

The 40/50 group is hosting an Iris/Tucks Watch Party on Saturday, February 18 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Neely and Steven Griffith’s home, 2808 St Charles Avenue. Registration is required and the cost is $20/adult (19 and older). There is no cost for children. Bring your bead bags and get ready to catch sunglasses and toilet paper while enjoying refreshments at the Griffith’s front row seat to the parades. Please register all houseguests attending. Click here to register on our 40/50 page!

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Our sympathy is extended to the family and friends of René Curry who passed away on Wednesday, January 25. A memorial service will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary with visitation beforehand at 1 p.m. in the Bloomfield Room.