2016 April Communicator

A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church April 2016 Building God’s Kingdom Through Worship ● Service ● Fellowship ● Evangelism ● Discipleship

Join Sardis on April 17 for an incredible day filled with serving others and fellowship.

Are you called to care? Get in on this opportunity to serve others for a few hours.

This year, we will be focusing on stopping hunger!

Sunday School at 9 A.M. One Worship at 10 A.M. Lunch at 11 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall (Donations Accepted)

Stop Hunger Now Project (Immediately Following Lunch) This is an event for ALL ages!

FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS!

APRIL 17

Sign up to help us feed 20,000 people at www.sardis.org or with your smart device now!

Blessing of theDRIVE...PAGE Animals...Page SPONSORSHIP 3

SARDIS YOUTH...PAGE 6

The Communicator ~ April 2016 Sardis Presbyterian Church · 6100 Sardis Road · Charlotte, NC 28270 · 704‐366‐1854 · www.sardis.org

Church Life

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

April 19 Friendship Connection

Join this fellowship group for retirees on Tuesday, April 19 for guest speaker, Harry Tatum. Harry is a member of Sardis and has turned his love of flying into a volunteer ministry. We will meet for lunch and fellowship at 11:00 a.m. in the Sardis House. Come and learn more about “Angel Flights”, “Young Eagle Flights”, and the rescue dog ministry Harry has founded.

Reservations need to be made by noon on Friday, April 15. To make your reservation, register online at www.sardis.org or call 704.926.1590. Questions? Contact Alice Johnson at alice.johnson@sardis.org or 704.366.1854.

Women of Sardis Spring Dinner—May 3

Make your plans for our annual Women of Sardis Spring Dinner. The dinner will be on Tuesday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m. Our guest speaker this year is our own Stacey Vanderwel, RD, LDN (Registered Dietitian)! The cost will be $10.00 per person. You may register and pay online at www.sardis.org or register by calling 704.926.1590.

Reservations need to be made by noon on Thursday, April 28. Questions? Contact Rev. Alice Johnson at 704.366.1854 or alice.johnson@sardis.org.

Summer Fun for Kids!

Sing in the Summer Choir

Mark your calendars! This summer the Music Ministry will be offer‐

Would you like to be more involved

ing a Children’s Music Arts Camp here at Sardis for rising 2nd

during worship? Beginning June 12, come

graders‐6th grade. This opportunity will be a half‐day camp 9:00

join Summer Choir anytime you are

a.m. ‐ 1:00 p.m., August 1 – 5. The children will explore singing,

available. We will gather Sundays at 10:00

arts, crafts, and Bible story times. Contact Kaitlyn or Jared if you

a.m. for a rehearsal before the 11:00

would like to be involved or if you have any questions. Registration

worship services throughout the summer.

will open for this camp in May. The cost is $40 per child.

Join the Young Adults Ministry at Sardis!

“Just Like You and Me”

Calling all 20‐30 somethings, married or single, with no children!

On April 24, during the 11:00 a.m.

There is a place for you at Sardis! We invite you to join Kaitlyn

worship service, the Childrenʹs Choir will

Davros, Katie Harrington, and other young adults of Sardis at our

lead worship with the musical, “Just Like

second meeting on Sunday, April 10 at 12:30 p.m. at Pizza Peel near

You and Me.” Come hear Bible stories

Cotswold. We will have a great time of Fellowship over a pizza

that teach us how God can use each and

lunch.

everyone one of us in special ways for the

on‐going of His Kingdom.

Questions? Contact Kaitlyn Davros at 704.366.1854 or kaitlyn.davros@sardis.org.

2 The Communicator ~ April 2016

Church Life

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

Haiti Sponsorship Drive and Guest Pastor

In a community where almost everybody is a subsistence farmer or where many of the fathers have left to work in Brazil or Venezuela, how do you start in trying to help? We in Charlotte worry about the lack of upward mobility, despite the efforts of our government to boost people into the middle class, but in Bayonnais, Haiti this is an almost universal problem, and there is no government support.

If you get up early in Bayonnais, go and look out across the mountains, you will see tiny streams of yellow and blue as kids in uniform walk an hour or two down to the OFCB Ministries school. These children know that their only hope for even a minimally improved life is through education and they are hungry for it.

A number of Sardis families already support a child in the OFCB school through monthly donations to World of God. We will have an opportunity to swell that number on Sunday, April 10 when Pastor Actionnel Fleurisma and Headmaster Kenold Decimus will be with us. The focus for that week will be on the preschool and kindergarten kids, over 300 of whom do not yet have sponsors. Nobody at Sardis doubts the importance of an early childhood development program; in Haiti, the benefit is magnified. There will be multiple displays and opportunities to learn and participate, so please take time to consider the chance to help. It is so satisfying to hear how excited these children are about learning when they write to their sponsors. On April 10, sign up to make a difference.

Welcome to our New Members!

Treble Trot 5K Fun Run and Kid’s Dash

The run will kick off at 9:00 a.m. at the Francis Property on Saturday, May 7.

This event will raise money to support the Music Ministry’s Youth Music at Sardis. Registration for the Fun Run and Kid’s Dash will begin April 11. The Patsy Todd

Nikki & Will Vandiver

April Wray

cost will be $25 for the Fun Run and $7 for the Kid’s Dash and will include a t‐shirt. The event will conclude with a

The Presbytery Needs You!

time of fellowship and games. Please

Support our Youth Music here at

Sardis is hosting the Presbytery of Charlotte meeting on Tuesday, May

Sardis!

17, and we need your help! Come and show our presbytery the hospitality and generosity we have here at Sardis. There are opportunities to serve during registration, parking, greeting, serving lunch. You can come for part of the day or the whole day. Contact Max and Cindy McLeod at cindermakesthree@aol.com to join us!

The Communicator ~ April 2016 3

Church Life

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

Sardis Gift Trust: Worship and Music Endowment

At the request of the Gift Trust Commission, the Sardis Session has established a new Worship and Music Endowment. Currently a small fund, as it grows it will provide earnings to support our Worship and Music programs beyond needs provided in the annual budget. We all love worship and music at Sardis and want to support it. Memorials, bequests, and planned giving instruments can be designated to grow this fund. In addition, gifts during our lifetimes are welcome as a way to provide for the future of worship and music at Sardis.

If you feel pulled to give to this new endowment, feel free to contact Ed Shoaf, Chair of the Gift Trust, Jennifer Childers, Director of Administration, or email gifttrust@sardis.org. We thank you for considering this fund as a way to leave a legacy to Sardis.

A Note from Sardisʹ Visioning Task Force

We would like to thank the congregation for your enthusiasm and willingness to share thoughts, concerns and dreams for the future of our church. The congregational survey closed with 50% participation—fantastic, according to our consulting group! Focus groups were comprised of a sample of several different groups within Sardis: adult Sunday School classes, MSGs, parents of young families, new members, staff, choir and High School youth. We are looking forward to a Session retreat this month, where we will review the results of the visioning report and further define the vision for the future of Sardis. A more detailed update is available to view in the latest news on the church website, and we look forwarded to providing additional updates along the way.

Remember, the Church office will be closed from noon‐1 p.m. daily for lunch.

Financial Highlights

February

February Expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$130,518.58

$144,333.99

$363,043.43

$386,653.56

Expenses

$167,864.06

$168,225.89

$329,162.88

$337,426.67

Net Total

($37,345.48)

($23,891.90)

$33,880.55

$49,226.89

Annual Budget: $2,241,000

Our Church Family Our Christian Sympathy: to Kathy Cathey upon the death of her father, Frank Bonner; to Walt Donham upon the death of his wife, Trudy Donham; to Kathy Cross upon the death of her mother, Pat Wells; to Bob Ewing upon the death of his mother, Margaret Ewing; to Rev. Dr. J. Thomas Kort upon the death of his mother, Pauline Kort; to the family of Sidney Crowder; to Tom Carmichael upon the death of his sister, Mary Faulkner; to John Carriker, Jr. upon the death of his sister, Betty Clark, and the death of his brother, Donald Carriker; and to the family of Edith Cooke.

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Lay Ministry

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

Why do I pledge to Sardis?

Chuck McKay

Members here at Sardis give for countless reasons: their family has been here for three or more generations, their children went through confirmation class here, as well as many other great reasons. Brenda and I are a “first generation” family at Sardis and are now empty nesters, but in the nine years of being members here we have been enriched by a wonderful congregation of fellow believers. Above everything else though, is our involvement in the mission to Bayonnais, Haiti through Sardis . This has given special meaning and purpose to our lives that will never stop. We would have never discovered this calling if it had not been for some special faithful members of Sardis and the support of the Session through the Mission Interpretation Ministry for this great cause.

Members of Sardis continue to generously give special gifts to sponsor students at the school as well as support the clinic at Bayonnais, but underlying this has been continued and critical financial support through “Missions” that could not happen without regular giving by Sardis members. By making an annual pledge to Sardis, I know that the Mission Interpretation Ministry can, with confidence, make an annual budget so they can continue to give to the OFCB Ministries in Haiti as well as many other worthwhile missions that we at Sardis support.

Haiti Mission Project for Children

On April 10, we will have a special service centered around our ministry in Haiti. During the worship service we will be lifting up those who are sponsoring children in that country. As part of the worship service, we are looking for children to carry in large pictures of the sponsored children at the beginning of worship.

If your child would like to participate in this procession, please let Renda Brinson know by calling 704.366.1854 or emailing renda.brinson@sardis.org. We would love to have every child in our congregation be part of this special worship service. We need lots of children, so please sign them up today!

Crisis Assistance Ministry Clothing Drive

It is time to clean out those closets again and donate the clothing you no longer wear to Crisis Assistance Ministry. Sardisʹ Spring Clothing Drive is underway. Just bring your clothes and drop them in the collection bins in the hallway by the Library the Education Hall by April 3. You will be helping those less fortunate to have warm weather clothes to wear as we move into the spring and summer.

A Thank You From Rama Road Elementary’s Mrs. Long

“As a teacher, I have always viewed my job as a ministry. While I love my job, I am often in need of help. For the past four years YOU, the members of Sardis, have helped me in my ministry. Thank you for your support. You have made it possible for me and my fellow teachers to accomplish so much more. You are fulfilling God’s command to serve.”

The Communicator ~ April 2016 5

Youth ministry

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

High School Ski Retreat

High School to Plantation Estates

The High School Ski Retreat was held on Friday,

The High School Youth Ministry traveled to Plantation

February 26 and Saturday, February 27 at Winterplace

Estates on Sunday, March 13 for a night of Bingo with

Ski Resort in West Virginia. This retreat was originally

the residents. Everyone had a good time as we spent

scheduled for January, but Winter Storm Jonas blew

the evening in fellowship with another generation,

through and pushed us back a month. On Saturday, 21

laughing and enjoying each other’s company. We are

youth and four adults braved the slopes all day after

blessed that we have this opportunity to visit our

having a devotion on Friday night. The devotion was

neighbors in Plantation Estates and spend an evening

about how we spend our time vs. our priorities in our

playing Bingo with them!

lives and how we need to get the two more in line with each other. With no injuries, we are excited to begin planning for the 2017 Ski Retreat!

Youth Sunday

Youth Sunday was on Sunday, March 6 and the youth

Middle School to Bright Blessings

led all aspects of worship for both the 9 and 11 a.m.

worship

services.

Maddie

DeCramer,

Maddie

On Sunday, March 13, the Middle School youth

Muldoon, and Clay Sellers delivered wonderful

traveled to Bright Blessings for a night of serving with

messages to the congregation about how we need to

this organization. Bight Blessings makes sure each

find our place in the Body of Christ and how God will

child, especially in light of financial difficulty, has the

use our gifts and abilities. Over 50 youth participated

opportunity to have a birthday party. They host parties

in the two worship services, once again bringing

at their facilities as well as make sure children can have

God’s word to life for us.

something in the classroom. The middle school youth assisted with wrapping birthday gifts and organizing party supplies. They also stuffed handmade pillows.

They were glad they could support this local ministry!

Upcoming Dates

April 3

Middle School Body Image Workshop

April 3

High School Gender Dinners

April 8‐10

Middle School Beach Retreat

April 24

High School Senior Roast

In addition to these special dates, we will continue to offer our regular Sunday Night Fellowship and mid‐ week programs that offer us a time to study the Bible and how it impacts us today.

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“Let the little children come unto me.”

Focus on Faith and Sexuality Class

Registration for Focus on Faith and Sexuality is now open. This class is for 5th and 6th grade students and will be held on April 22‐23. This is a Parent/Youth event with have separate and joint sessions. We will examine human sexuality based on our understanding of God. This workshop is not limited to members of our congregation, so invite your friends. Contact Renda Brinson at renda.brinson@sardis.org or 704.926.1585 for registration information.

Vacation Bible School!

We are beginning our plans for our annual week of summer fun. It will be the week of July 11‐15 with the children leading in worship on Sunday, July 17. If there is an area in which you’d like to volunteer, please let Renda Brinson know, and we’ll sign you up.

This year we hope to not turn away a single child from our church or community due to a shortage of volunteers.

Help us to reach this goal! Volunteer today! Contact Renda at renda.brinson@sardis.org or 704.926.1585.

The Sardis Weekday School Room In The Inn Drive was a

Sardis

success! The SWS children did a great job collecting much needed

Weekday School

supplies for Urban Ministry’s Room In The Inn! Thank you to all

Updates

who supported their RITI drive by donating socks, combs, toothbrushes, and toothpaste!

Registration for our SWS Summer Camps are now open for current students! We are so excited for all of the programs being offered this summer. Dates and themes are as follows:

June 14‐16: June 21‐23: June 28‐30: July 5‐7:

Soccer Shots Art Camp Play Spanish Storytelling/Dramatics

July 19‐21: July 26‐28: August 2‐4:

Musikgarten Atomz Lab Amazing Athletes

The camps run Tuesday‐Thursday, 9:30 a.m.‐ 1:00 p.m. There is a non‐refundable registration fee of $35 per child for the summer due by March 24. Each session is $85 per student, and balances must be paid in full by May 2.

Registration opens for the public on April 11. For more information, please contact Louise Lippi at 704.366.9681 or louise.lippi@sardis.org.

Thanks! PAC would like to thank all who shopped

Join us! There are still openings for the ‘16‐’17 school

the book fair and made it a success! The Sardis

year. All classes have a five‐day option! SWS will

Weekday School Consignment Sale committee thanks

begin on August 29, and will end on June 9—just like

all of the volunteers and shoppers! It was another

CMS. For more information, contact Louise Lippi at

successful sale, and we appreciate the support!

704.366.9681 or louise.lippi@sardis.org.

The Communicator ~ April 2016 77

The Communicator Published monthly by

Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270 www.sardis.org

Non‐Profit Org.

8 The Communicator ~ April 2016

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