july 2016 communicator

The Communicator ~ May 2016

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION SUNDAY, JULY 3

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

A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church July 2016

Sardis Presbyterian Church · 6100 Sardis Road · Charlotte, NC 28270 · 704‐366‐1854 · www.sardis.org

Building God’s Kingdom Through Worship ● Service ● Fellowship ● Evangelism ● Discipleship

2 The Communicator ~ May 2016

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

[email protected], or Rob Brownlee,

at [email protected], to indicate

your interest.

A Fitting Tribute

Thank you to Peter Wasner and the Boy Scouts

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.

Sardis Soup for the Soul

Have you been in the hospital and the day or week you

returned home you receive the gift of a specially cooked meal

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

704.975.1941. More information is also available at

www.sardis.org.

The Communicator ~ May 2016 3

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

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 [email protected].

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.


May Financial Highlights

Our Church Family

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

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

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 [email protected]. We thank you for considering this fund as a way to leave

a legacy to Sardis.

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

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.

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.


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

as shown in these

pictures.

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?

Visit this website for more information!

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.

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

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

treats and fellowship with other Sardis donors afterwards. Your

single donation helps save three lives!

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

boxes of pasta to the

narthex or gathering

place this Sunday and

every Sunday.


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

Spontaneous Combustion

All high school students are encouraged to join us each

Sunday night this summer for our new Spontaneous

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

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

spontaneous! Some nights we will stay at the church

playing games, and other nights we will head out for

our adventures!

For more information about these events, please contact

David Abercrombie at 336.354.3098.

Middle School Mystery Day

All middle school students are invited to participate in

a day of mystery and adventure on Saturday, August

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

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

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

some time with our awesome middle school friends!

To sign up, please contact Adrian Martin at

704.366.1854 or [email protected].

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

August 16‐18 MS & HS Cooking Camp

For a complete listing of all of the summer activities,

please download our summer calendar from either the

weekly e‐letter or our website.


“Let the little children come unto me.”

7

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.

Can You Help in the Nursery?

The nursery needs volunteers at

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

of the summer. Please contact

Heather Eddy to volunteer for a

Sunday.

VBS Volunteers Needed

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

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

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

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

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.

Summer Sunday School Reminder

Summer Sunday School for kids will meet in

Room 205‐206 at 10:00 a.m. We will be

exploring the parables of Jesus using the

Holy Moly curriculum, which includes

videos and exciting activities.

Middle and High School Summer Sunday School

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

be examining stories from the Bible beginning at

creation and going through the formation of the

church using Echo the Story.

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 [email protected].


The Communicator

Published monthly by

Sardis Presbyterian Church

6100 Sardis Road

Charlotte, NC 28270

www.sardis.org

Non‐Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Charlotte, NC

Permit #1059

INDEPENDENCE DAY Celebration SUNDAY, JULY 3 SAVE THE DATE:

BRING A COVERED DISH FOOD MUSIC GAMES

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

GRILLED & FRIED CHICKEN LUNCH:

11:00 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall

S M A S H Sardis Music & Arts Summer Hoopla

A summer camp for rising 2nd through rising 6th graders!

Monday, August 1 – Friday, August 5

Registration is now open: www.sardis.org

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

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

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 church office.

july 2016 communicator

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