July 2016 Communicator

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

SUNDAY, JULY 3

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION ONE WORSHIP SERVICE: 10:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary

GRILLED & FRIED CHICKEN LUNCH: 11:00 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall

BRING A COVERED DISH FOOD MUSIC GAMES RSVP at www.sardis.org

The Communicator ~ May 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.

Sardis Helps Feed Bayonnais Congregation

Along with other area churches, Sardis Presbyterian Missions Ministry contributed money to help fund a lunch for the congregation after the church service in Bayonnais, Haiti. It is a joy to be able to participate in this meal that was a blessing to many.

Fall Mission Trip to Columbia, SC

A work trip is planned for October 21‐23.

We will travel to Columbia, SC on Friday night so that we can begin work early Saturday morning to assist in the continuing repair work that is needed, following the severe flooding in the fall of 2015. We will be assigned to a work site by Home Works of America, the organization that is scheduling work teams for this recovery effort. Saturday evening will be a time of fellowship and on Sunday morning we will worship with a congregation in the flood affected

area.

After

lunch

we

will

return to Charlotte.

For this trip, Home Works of America requires that workers be at least 18 years old. Contact either Jenny Kaeppler at jftkaeppler@yahoo.com, or Rob Brownlee, at robert.brownless@gmail.com, to indicate

Sardis Soup for the Soul

your interest.

Have you been in the hospital and the day or week you returned home you receive the gift of a specially cooked meal

A Fitting Tribute

from someone? What a gift this is! This allows a person to focus

on resting and feeling better, and allows the family to focus on taking care of their loved one.“ Sardis Soup for the Soul”, is a special outreach program. It is Sardis members taking care of Sardis members.

How can you help? So glad you asked! In order to sustain this program we need volunteers to cook and deliver soup. Yes, this opportunity can be as little or as much as you like. What a won‐ derful way to lift up our fellow Sardis members and let them know we care! Questions? Contact Barbara Lansche at More

for placing American flags at the graves of our veterans over Memorial Day weekend. What a great way to remember and recognize those who fought for our country.

704.975.1941.

Thank you to Peter Wasner and the Boy Scouts

information

is

also

available

at

www.sardis.org.

2 The Communicator ~ May 2016

Church Life

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

Faith & Film Adult Study

For the four Wednesdays in July, Julius Torrence will lead the “Faith and Films” class, a time to explore issues of faith in contemporary films. The class will meet in room 211/212 from 6:30 pm ‐ 8:00 pm.

Questions? Contact Julius Torrence at jtorrencejr@carolina.rr.com.

Visioning Update

As part of the Visioning Process, the Session held two retreats at the Sardis House. During those meetings, they reviewed the Discovery Report results in detail and worked to discern the core values and focus areas for Sardis. Below are the five core values that were established:

• A Family Growing in Faith Together • Where You Never Walk Alone • Discover and Follow Your Calling • Appreciating Our Past; Embracing Our Future • Serving God by Serving Others

In addition, three areas of focus were identified that could help Sardis grow to be a healthy, vibrant community of faith:

• Engagement • Small Groups • Making Sardis a church where children want to bring their parents

The consultants are developing a report of these themes and will continue working with us as we transition to the pastor nominating process. The next steps include getting approval from the Presbytery to form a Pastor Nominating Committee, calling that committee and holding a congregational meeting to approve it. Once that PNC has been formed, the consultants will also hold a debrief meeting with them to ensure they understand the values and areas of focus. We are also planning a debrief meeting that will be open to you, the congregation. We will notify you as soon as that meeting is scheduled.

Stewardship Corner

Guy Chamberlain, Stewardship Ministry

ʺThe earth is the Lordʹs, and all that is in it, the world, and all who live in it.ʺ ‐ Psalm 24:1.

Our Stewardship begins with a clear understanding that everything we are and everything we have are gifts from God. It is for us to be good stewards of these gifts and be generous with our own time, talent, and money.

Louise and I are very grateful the for the time our fellow congregation members were able volunteer to provide supervision of our autistic son, Glenn, and the opportunity for our son, John, to develop his musical talent through the Sardis Youth Music Program. We are also grateful for the financial generosity displayed by our congregation to support the operation and maintenance of an inspiring church. And we feel it is a privilege to be able to share our own time, talent and money for that same purpose.

The Communicator ~ May 2016 3

Church Life

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

Sardis Gift Trust: McLeod Youth Fund

In 2013, the family of Betty McLeod established a fund within the Gift Trust to provide for needs of the youth program beyond the regular budget at Sardis. We all agree that an active and engaging youth program has countless benefits for our young people and for the whole church. Though still small, we hope this fund can grow to enhance youth activities at Sardis in the future. Everyone is welcome to add to the principal balance of this fund at any time. Memorials, bequests, and planned giving instruments can be designated to grow this fund. In addition, gifts of any amounts during our lifetimes are welcome.

If you feel pulled to give to this 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 Friendly Reminder from the Food Service Ministry

All groups using the church kitchens are responsible for washing and drying any items used and returning them to their proper place. Please help keep our kitchens clean and ready for use. Thank you.

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

May Financial Highlights May

May Expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$166,463.98

$183,269.57

$828,054.48

$883,791.11

Expenses

$174,500.67

$185,172.40

$884,964.60

$898,572.14

Net Total

($8,036.69)

($1,902.83)

($56,910.12)

($14,781.03)

Annual Budget: $2,241,000

Our Church Family Our Christian Sympathy: to Kay Clifford upon the death of her father, Louis Godwin; and to the family of Missie Weidman; and to Dan Norman upon the death of his father‐in‐law, Jim Halvorson.

Congratulations: to Phyllis Thompson upon the birth of her great‐grandson, Henry Beck Beyer.

4 The Communicator ~ May 2016

Lay Ministry

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

May Food Drive Totals

The Loaves & Fishes May food drive was a whopping success! The total weight of donations was 323 pounds! This was because of YOU and your generous donations. Thanks to all who participated!

A BOOK OF MY OWN

Thanks again, Sardis, for making it possible for each of the 675 students at Rama Road Elementary to take home five books for summer reading! Your generous contributions will help them avoid the “summer slump” in reading ability. The children enjoyed choosing their own books,

MSG Fills Community Link Welcome Baskets

The Tuesday night womenʹs MSG had a great time filling 4+ Welcome Baskets for Community Link! Want to be a part of the June challenge to fill 50 baskets?

as shown in these

Visit this website for more information!

pictures.

http://communitylinknc.org/baskets/

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Need an easy service project to participate in at Sardis? Why not donate blood? The American Red Cross is always in need, particularly during the summer season when more Americans are traveling.

Last month, you donated over 48 pounds of spaghetti sauce to our hungry neighbors at Loaves & Fishes. You may bring your extra plastic jars of sauce or

Mark your calendar for Sunday, July 24 (8 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m.) and

boxes of pasta to the

stop by the Education Hall to donate a pint, enjoy some sweet

narthex or gathering

treats and fellowship with other Sardis donors afterwards. Your

place this Sunday and

single donation helps save three lives!

every Sunday.

The Communicator ~ May 2016 5

Youth ministry

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

Graduate Sunday

On Sunday, June 5, we honored our high school graduates with a breakfast, and during the 11:00 a.m. worship service with the “Blanket Ceremony.” During this special ceremony, both parents and graduates share how important each are to the other and how they have shaped each other’s lives. The congregation also gave a blessing to the graduates. If you have a high school graduate who was not able to attend the worship service and would like to receive a blanket from the church, please contact Adrian Martin at 704.366.1854.

High School

Middle School Mystery Day

Spontaneous Combustion

All middle school students are invited to participate in

a day of mystery and adventure on Saturday, August

All high school students are encouraged to join us each

6. Participants will be given a list of items to bring and

Sunday night this summer for our new Spontaneous

meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. with no idea what the

Combustion program. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the

day ahead holds. It will be a wonderful way to spend

church and then decide what we will do. It will be

some time with our awesome middle school friends!

spontaneous! Some nights we will stay at the church

playing games, and other nights we will head out for

To sign up, please contact Adrian Martin at

our adventures!

704.366.1854 or adrian.martin@sardis.org.

For more information about these events, please contact David Abercrombie at 336.354.3098.

Upcoming Dates

July 8

HS Knights Baseball Game

July 18‐20

MS Charlotte Mission Adventure

July 24‐30

HS Montreat Youth Conference

August 6

MS Mystery Adventure Day

For a complete listing of all of the summer activities, please download our summer calendar from either the weekly e‐letter or our website.

August 16‐18 MS & HS Cooking Camp

6 The Communicator ~ May 2016

“Let the little children come unto me.”

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Elementary Sunday School will be returning to the rotation model after a one year hiatus and we need YOU to serve as a shepherd or teacher. Every 3‐4 weeks the children will study a new topic, using a variety of methods (art, music, science, cooking). For example, if you wanted to teach during the first rotation (creation) in the art room, you would teach the story using the same lesson plan three times. All plans and materials are furnished. If you can commit to a 3‐4 week block of time sometime during the year or have questions, please call Katie Harrington.

Summer Sunday School Reminder Summer Sunday School for kids will meet in

Middle and High School Summer Sunday School

Room 205‐206 at 10:00 a.m. We will be

will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Room. We will

exploring the parables of Jesus using the

be examining stories from the Bible beginning at

Holy Moly curriculum, which includes

creation and going through the formation of the

videos and exciting activities.

church using Echo the Story.

Can You Help in the Nursery?

VBS Volunteers Needed

The nursery needs volunteers at

VBS is July 11‐15 and we still need volunteers in Art and

the 11:00 a.m. service for the rest

Recreation. Crafts and games will be planned for you, and

of the summer. Please contact

you will not need to lead the games/crafts by yourself.

Heather Eddy to volunteer for a

You may volunteer for one day, or for all five! Please

Sunday.

contact Heather Eddy to volunteer. Thank you for your consideration!

Acolyting to Resume August 28

Acolyting for grades rising 2nd through rising 5th will resume on August 28. Please contact Heather Eddy to sign up and be trained.

Sardis Weekday School Summer Camps

Registration for our SWS Summer Camps is still open! We are so excited for all of the programs being offered this summer. 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. Each session is $85 per student. For more information about available camps, please contact Louise Lippi at 704.366.9681 or louise.lippi@sardis.org.

The Communicator ~ May 2016 77

The Communicator Published monthly by

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Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Road

Charlotte, NC

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www.sardis.org

SSUNDAY, M AJULYS H3

SAVE THE DATE:

INDEPENDENCE DAYSummer Celebration Sardis Music & Arts Hoopla A summer camp for nd rising 2 ONE WORSHIPthrough th SERVICE: 10:00 A.M. Sanctuary rising 6 in the graders!

Middle and High School Youth Cook up some fun with Chef Ron from the Community Culinary School of Charlotte!

GRILLED & FRIED CHICKEN LUNCH:

11:00 A.M. in the Hall Monday, August 1 –Fellowship Friday, August 5

BRING A COVERED DISH

Registration is now open: FOODwww.sardis.org MUSIC GAMES

Tuesday, August 16 - Thursday, August 18 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Sardis Kitchen

Registration is now open: www.sardis.org

Or pick up a registration form in the Narthex, Or pick up a registration form in the church office.

Gathering Place, or church office.

8 The Communicator ~ May 2016