Download - 2016 April Communicator
The Communicator ~ April 2016
A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church April 2016
Building God’s Kingdom Through Worship ● Service ● Fellowship ● Evangelism ● Discipleship
Sardis Presbyterian Church · 6100 Sardis Road · Charlotte, NC 28270 · 704‐366‐1854 · www.sardis.org
Blessing of the Animals...Page SARDIS YOUTH...PAGE 6SARDIS YOUTH...PAGE 6 SPONSORSHIP DRIVE...PAGE 3SPONSORSHIP DRIVE...PAGE 3
APRIL 17
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!
Sign up to help us feed 20,000 people at www.sardis.org or with your smart device now!
2 The Communicator ~ April 2016
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do. Church Life
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
Summer Fun for Kids!
Mark your calendars! This summer the Music Ministry will be offer‐
ing a Children’s Music Arts Camp here at Sardis for rising 2nd
graders‐6th grade. This opportunity will be a half‐day camp 9:00
a.m. ‐ 1:00 p.m., August 1 – 5. The children will explore singing,
arts, crafts, and Bible story times. Contact Kaitlyn or Jared if you
would like to be involved or if you have any questions. Registration
will open for this camp in May. The cost is $40 per child.
Sing in the Summer Choir
Would you like to be more involved
during worship? Beginning June 12, come
join Summer Choir anytime you are
available. We will gather Sundays at 10:00
a.m. for a rehearsal before the 11:00
worship services throughout the summer.
“Just Like You and Me”
On April 24, during the 11:00 a.m.
worship service, the Childrenʹs Choir will
lead worship with the musical, “Just Like
You and Me.” Come hear Bible stories
that teach us how God can use each and
everyone one of us in special ways for the
on‐going of His Kingdom.
Join the Young Adults Ministry at Sardis!
Calling all 20‐30 somethings, married or single, with no children!
There is a place for you at Sardis! We invite you to join Kaitlyn
Davros, Katie Harrington, and other young adults of Sardis at our
second meeting on Sunday, April 10 at 12:30 p.m. at Pizza Peel near
Cotswold. We will have a great time of Fellowship over a pizza
lunch.
Questions? Contact Kaitlyn Davros at 704.366.1854
The Communicator ~ April 2016 3
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do. Church Life 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!
Nikki & Will Vandiver April Wray Patsy Todd
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
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
time of fellowship and games. Please
Support our Youth Music here at
Sardis!
The Presbytery Needs You!
Sardis is hosting the Presbytery of Charlotte meeting on Tuesday, May
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 [email protected] to join us!
4 The Communicator ~ April 2016
Financial Highlights
Our Church Family
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do. Church Life
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 [email protected]. 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.
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.
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
The Communicator ~ April 2016 5
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. Lay Ministry
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 [email protected]. 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.”
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.
6 The Communicator ~ April 2016
Youth ministry “…set an example for the believers… 1 Timothy 4:12.”
High School Ski Retreat
The High School Ski Retreat was held on Friday,
February 26 and Saturday, February 27 at Winterplace
Ski Resort in West Virginia. This retreat was originally
scheduled for January, but Winter Storm Jonas blew
through and pushed us back a month. On Saturday, 21
youth and four adults braved the slopes all day after
having a devotion on Friday night. The devotion was
about how we spend our time vs. our priorities in our
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!
Middle School to Bright Blessings
On Sunday, March 13, the Middle School youth
traveled to Bright Blessings for a night of serving with
this organization. Bight Blessings makes sure each
child, especially in light of financial difficulty, has the
opportunity to have a birthday party. They host parties
at their facilities as well as make sure children can have
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!
High School to Plantation Estates
The High School Youth Ministry traveled to Plantation
Estates on Sunday, March 13 for a night of Bingo with
the residents. Everyone had a good time as we spent
the evening in fellowship with another generation,
laughing and enjoying each other’s company. We are
blessed that we have this opportunity to visit our
neighbors in Plantation Estates and spend an evening
playing Bingo with them!
Youth Sunday
Youth Sunday was on Sunday, March 6 and the youth
led all aspects of worship for both the 9 and 11 a.m.
worship services. Maddie DeCramer, Maddie
Muldoon, and Clay Sellers delivered wonderful
messages to the congregation about how we need to
find our place in the Body of Christ and how God will
use our gifts and abilities. Over 50 youth participated
in the two worship services, once again bringing
God’s word to life for us.
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.
The Communicator ~ April 2016 7
“Let the little children come unto me.”
7
Sardis
Weekday School
Updates
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:
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
June 14‐16: Soccer Shots July 19‐21: Musikgarten
June 21‐23: Art Camp July 26‐28: Atomz Lab
June 28‐30: Play Spanish August 2‐4: Amazing Athletes
July 5‐7: Storytelling/Dramatics
The Sardis Weekday School Room In The Inn Drive was a
success! The SWS children did a great job collecting much needed
supplies for Urban Ministry’s Room In The Inn! Thank you to all
who supported their RITI drive by donating socks, combs,
toothbrushes, and toothpaste!
Join us! There are still openings for the ‘16‐’17 school
year. All classes have a five‐day option! SWS will
begin on August 29, and will end on June 9—just like
CMS. For more information, contact Louise Lippi at
704.366.9681 or [email protected].
Thanks! PAC would like to thank all who shopped
the book fair and made it a success! The Sardis
Weekday School Consignment Sale committee thanks
all of the volunteers and shoppers! It was another
successful sale, and we appreciate the support!
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or 704.926.1585.