The Communicator | July 2020

The Communicator ~ July 2020

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Guest Preachers in July

Sunday, July 12 ‐ Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill

Sunday, July 5 – Theological Education Sunday Celebrate Sardis having three members in seminary this year!

Preaching Sara Martin (Union in Charlotte)

Liturgist Jonathan Lee (Yale)

Stewardship

Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill is the Associate General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Charlotte. Dr. Ridgill is new to the Presbytery this year and is already making an impact equipping congregations for ministry with her work and words. She is also Captain Ridgill in the Air Force Reserve.

Liturgist Sarah Dianne Jones (starting Union in Charlotte this fall)

Margot Smith

Several weeks ago this prayer by Thomas Merton was a prayer that we prayed during our worship service at Sardis. It has stayed with me long after that day and as we continue to see so many things in our world change it continues to give me comfort and hope.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Through all our perils I know that Jesus is with us. Our church family continues to help me focus on God’s plan in our lives and even though we cannot be together physically, I feel each of you are here with me spiritually.

Whether it has been sharing communion at the Lord’s table in our homes, or listening for Christ’s direction in our lives. We are called to love one another. In our community of faith we are accomplishing so much through the family that is Sardis. We are on the right road when we follow Christ in all that we do and when we continue to have hope in our future. I thank each member of Sardis for your support of one another and especially our church.

Let us continue to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community. I pray for and love each of you, my church family.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 2 The Communicator ~ July 2020

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Church Life

Sardis Staff Spotlight—Sue Chowning & Steven Pappas

I have been a member of Sardis for 40 years, the last five serving as Parish Aide.

When I started this job, I was visiting members who were not physically able to get to church for a variety of reasons. I brought them worship bulletins, These Days devotion books, and anything thing else that helped them stay connected. Now with the streaming of our services, some are able to “attend” worship but a relationship has been established so I keep visiting! However, many do not have the technology so I keep visiting!

I feel gratitude for the many wonderful people that I have met and come to love through my job. I also help plan monthly Friendship Connection meetings, oversee extended communion, and work with Congregational Life and Care with worship flower delivery.

I was born and raised in Baltimore, and graduated from UNCG. I have two sons, two daughters‐in‐law, four grandchildren and two grand dogs and one grand cat. Most of my free time involves a ballfield or a school. I love to read, garden on my tiny patio, and watch college basketball and football.

Steven Pappas is our contemporary worship leader here at Sardis. He has been with us for two years and can usually be found running around on a Sunday morning making sure all his musicians are ready for worship!

Along with leading the band, selecting music, rehearsals, working with youth bands, and striving to be an ambassador for the 9 a.m. service, Steven has tried to use his time in quarantine to get to know the church he serves even more. He is holding a weekly worship music study on Wednesday nights (which he hopes to continue in person eventually), and is releasing weekly devotions on our social media!

He graduated from Appalachian State University (Go Mountaineers!) and worked in various forms of ministry, before settling in the Charlotte area. Steven lives in Indian Trail with his wife (Katie), their 10 month old daughter (Riley), and their 100+lb Great Pyrenees (Ghost). When he isnʹt leading worship, you will usually find him in his office trying to read his ever‐growing collection of books, entertaining his little girl, or at a taphouse/coffeehouse with friends (pre‐quarantine of course!). Most people donʹt know, but Steven has collected comic books since he was 10 years old, which is longer ago than you might think. He also has sung on a stage in front of 12,000 people, been attacked by a hyena, lost a fight with a small monkey over a protein bar in rural Kenya, and produces a comedy show for over 20,000 people each week. Ask him about all of those things sometime. He will tell you all about them! He is grateful to serve SPC and looks forward to growing with the congregation in time to come!

The Communicator ~ July 2020 3

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Save the Date for the 2021 Women’s Retreat

The Sardis Presbyterian Church real and virtual offices will be closed on Fri‐ day, July 3 for the Independence Day holiday.

February 19‐21, 2021 William Black Lodge, Montreat, NC

Rev. Veronica Cannon Moderator of Charlotte Presbytery and Interim Pastor of First Waxhaw Presbyterian Church

Welcome, New Sardis Members!

Kathy & John Godwin

Cathy & Jim Parrish

Sally Phillips

Session Highlights can be found at www.sardis.org under the News & Events tab.

May Financial Highlights Thank you for contributing to Christ’s work through Sardis Presbyterian Church

May

May expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gi s, and other revenue

$119,871.14

$156,616.66

$976,087.84

$871,733.30

Expenses

$126,898.54

$147,914.70

$715,239.12

$791,970.68

Net Total

($7,027.40)

$8,701.96

$260,848.72

$79,762.62

Annual Budget: $2,026,250

Our Church Family Our Sympathy: to the family of Tom Kendall; to Buster Cox upon the death of his mother, Laura Inez Simmons Cox; to Nancy Morgan upon the death of her father, Wilton Shelby Brown; and to the family of Jeanne Runge.

Congratulations: to Christy and Otis Crowder upon the birth of their granddaughter, Molly Rose McDonagh.

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Missions Ministry

The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.

Salvation Army Center of Hope

We would like to extend a big “Thank You” to all the volunteers who donated food to the Salvation Army Center of Hope. For almost 20 years, our three teams have brought lasagnas, fruit, and wonderful desserts to share with our neighbors. Some volunteers have been with us the entire time.

This ministry includes three teams, over 65 volunteers, and team leaders Lora Zalaquett and Kathy Templeman. One the first Sunday of every month, we prepare a meal and feed over 150 women, children, veterans and their families.

We look forward to continuing this ministry in Phase 3 of the reopening.

We would like to take this opportunity to solicit some additional volunteers. The need is great and the numbers at the Center of Hope continue to increase. It’s as simple as dropping off a lasagna, dessert, or bag of fruit at Sardis. Just four times a year.

Please contact Kathy Templeman for more information if you are interested at 704.302.3829 or email at ktempleman@carolina.rr.com.

Thanks, Sardis!

Please Give

Thank you again, Sardis! On June 10

The American Red Cross has an urgent need

and 11, 308 bagged lunches were made

for blood and platelet donations! Please visit

by members, collected at Sardis, and

www.redcrossblood.org or call 1.800.RED.CROSS

taken to Roof Above to be distributed

to make an appointment to donate blood in your

to our homeless neighbors.

community.

Sardis Church Mouse: Ministering to Our College Students

The Church Mouse Project is designed to help college students continue to feel part of the Sardis family while they are away living on college campuses. Collegians interested in having a ʺmouseʺ apply, and members of the congregation volunteer to be ʺmice.ʺ The mice then anony‐mouse‐ly send cards and inexpensive items to their collegian several times during the year.

To become a church mouse, please contact Georgia Pressly at 704.364.9299 or presslyga@aol.com.

The Communicator ~ July 2020 5

Youth ministry

“…set an example for the believers…” 1 Timothy 4:12.

Summer Youth Ministry Opportunities

The Youth Ministry is as committed as ever to staying connected with youth and adult leaders. Through many weekly meetings, we connect and check in with each other. Here is our schedule of events:



Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Youth Zoom Check‐In



Sundays at various times Middle School Sunday Night Fellowship (location and platform varies)



Sundays at 6:00 p.m. High School Sunday Night Fellowship in person (location varies)



Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. Youth Choir Check‐In via Zoom

Join us in our many ways to stay connected! If you would like to join our Zoom meetings, please contact Adrian Martin at adrian.martin@sardis.org to receive the meeting IDs and passwords.

High School Extended Gathering

Middle School

Vacation Bible School

All high school students (rising 9th grade through graduated seniors) are invited to an extended gathering on July 31‐August 2. We will meet at a farm outside of town for a bonfire, discussions, activities, and Montreat‐ based keynote and worship. Come and join us!

All middle school students (rising 6th grade through graduated 8th grade) are encouraged to join Adrian for some Vacation Bible School fun the

week of July 6‐10. Normally, middle school

The cost is only $15/person for the weekend and covers

students make up a large majority of the

the cost of food. You may register by going to this link:

volunteers, so we are providing this opportunity to

https://secure.accessacs.com/access/eventlogin.aspx?

still be involved in VBS this year, even though we

id=b8+W02rGJ+DfKJgRICeTUg==&site=90029&ReturnUrl=

will be doing a virtual VBS for students. If you are

events2Fwz_people.aspx&ChurchID=1065&EventID=1899

interested, please contact Adrian Martin at

38&sn=90029.

adrian.martin@sardis.org for more information.

The Youth Ministry is excited to be able to share this opportunity with our high school students. We know it will not replace the usual Montreat and summer experiences, but we hope it will be an important event for you.

In‐Person Meetings

The Youth Ministry will hold some in‐person meetings this summer, but these will be limited to a small number of people at a time, to adhere to the Governor’s orders. Be on the lookout for these opportunities to be together with your church friends and adult leaders. Please contact Adrian Martin at adrian.martin@sardis.org for information on where and when to meet up.

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“Let the little children come unto me.”

Sardis 2020 Virtual Vacation Bible School!

This yearʹs VBS is an all new experience for Sardis and we are so excited!

Please be sure to register by July 1 so that your supply bag will be ready for you to pick up the weekend before VBS kicks off.

We will be offering prerecorded videos of all aspects of VBS, as well as offering a live segment at 9:30 each morning. This will be time when children can engage with one another and volunteers who will help guide them through the story of the day!

Contact Sarah Dianne Jones for more information!

Summer Schedule

During the summer, we will shift our programming to best meet the needs of our

Sardis Weekday School Updates

families!

Congratulations to our 2020 SWS Graduates!

Our lower elementary children are invited to join for a time of fellowship on Tuesday

Transitional Kindergarten – Ms. Brandi & Ms. Kerry Thomas Aaron

Charlotte Easton

Hanna Harrison

Ella Evvy

Gwen Anneliese

Isaac Teddy Jonah Eve Shraddha Eli William Lily Elizabeth Anne

children are invited to come together for fellowship on Thursday mornings at 9 a.m.!

All elementary schoolers are invited to participate in Elementary Story Exploration

4s class –Ms. Laura & Ms. Cindy

Eli Logan Mia

mornings at 9 a.m.! Our upper elementary

on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m.!

Susannah Roselyn

The

Zoom

links

for

all

of

these

opportunities are in the weekly email Sarah Dianne sends out. Contact Sarah Dianne or Nikki Bolton if you donʹt receive those emails!

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8 The Communicator ~ July 2020