Building God’s Kingdom Through Worship ● Service ● Fellowship ● Evangelism ● Discipleship
Sardis Presbyterian Church · 6100 Sardis Road · Charlotte, NC 28270 · 704.366.1854 · w ww.sardis.org
“A few years ago, I found myself in the hospital
a�er a stroke. I don’t mind telling you how scared I
was. But my Sardis family helped me through those
difficult days. I remember telling my daughters,
“Don’t ever stray from the church. That’s how you
get through these things.”
Pledge Dedication Sunday is November 10!
Bring your completed pledge card to worship.
�When I see our beautiful Sanctuary I am so grateful for
the faith and financial commitment of those who
built it. It is a privilege and a holy obligation to continue
their work, both for today and for the work of God in generations to come.�
“When I pledge, I’m not just giving to
Sardis, I’m giving to the homeless, to
children in need, to the people in Haiti.
It’s one of those things that I think Sardis has done phenomenally.”
“I was thirty-four when I began feeling God’s call to ordained ministry. That day is still fresh in my mind. One morning in 2007 Dr.
Kort asked me when I was going to seminary. At first I thought he was kidding me. But Dr. Kort was imagining where God would lead my
family and me in this journey of faith through seminary training. It has been through the ongoing encouragement, financial support, and
prayer of Sardis that my studies at Columbia Seminary were possible.”
“We’re pre&y sure Dr. Kort
has a
camera in our house. It
seems like every (me we
argue about
something at home he will
preach on that topic the
next week!” “My son had a
fantas(c experience on
the Confirma(on retreat.
He, on his own, told me
about his spiritual
experiences. Brought me
to tears. Thank you.
Thank you for ALL you do
for
my children.”
THE COMMUNICATOR November 2013 A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
In January, our 9:00 am worship service will be moved from the Sanctuary to the Fellowship Hall. The Session
approved this recommendation that came from the Director of Music Selection Commi%ee and the Worship
Commi%ee.
Why the move? There are a number of reasons:
• Last year our officers and nearly 280 Sardis members participated in open discussions to help us identify
important long range goals. One message that came out of this process loud and clear was a desire on
the part of many for a “truly contemporary” worship service. We believe this change will help us engage
current and new worshipers in God’s kingdom here at Sardis.
• The message from the long range planning study was reinforced during our search for a new Director of
Music. During the process of interviewing candidates, the members of the selection commi%ee heard
from every single final candidate the opinion that we need to move the service to a space that would
incorporate technology and the use of screens and to allow for greater flexibility in worship space.
• Most of all, we want to use all the creative arts at our disposal to create an inspiring worship experience
that is pleasing to God. There are so many technological tools available now that can enhance the visual
and musical experience of worship, but many of them, particularly the use of screens, just don’t work in
our sanctuary.
Of course, we continue to be invested in offering excellent traditional worship in our beautiful Sanctuary with
our impressive organ, which is one of the best in the nation. At Sardis we value all types of worship that inspire
us to glorify God.
There will be certain Sundays when the early service will move back to the Sanctuary: for example the Sunday
of our Youth Auction. We will also be working to see how best to transform the Fellowship Hall into an
inspiring se%ing, with the sound, video, and aesthetic features and equipment we will need for contemporary
worship. We know this will take time, money, and a certain amount of trial and error. We are fortunate that we
have the opportunity to try something new and still keep our traditional service in the Sanctuary.
9:00 a.m. Worship Moving to Fellowship Hall this January
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do..
New Music Director at Sardis
We are pleased to announce Jared Daugherty as our new Director of Music
Ministries. Jared will join the Sardis staff on November 1 and be introduced to
the congregation on Sunday, November 3rd. He recently finished his Doctor of
Musical Arts at the University of Georgia and is an active member of the
American Choral Directors Association. Jared has a passion for worship in
many styles, and enjoys helping to facilitate an uplifting experience with each
opportunity. Jared said “It is my calling and desire to facilitate and share in
worship by encouraging others to glorify God through song. . . I aim to inspire
true art by encouraging others to open their souls to experience for themselves
and create an experience for the listener that is unique, emotionally stirring,
thought-provoking, and spiritual. I believe that children and youth are the
future of the church, and teaching them to use their talents for the Glory of God
and how to lead others in their worship experience through music is important
to me.”
Jared with his wife, Katie, and
daughters, Lauren (6) and Lydia (15
mos.).
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Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
4
Complete minutes for recent meetings are at www.sardis.org, and also available along with archived minutes in the Library.
• The following transfers were approved by the Session:
John and Virginia Reid to Christ Lutheran Church, Charlo%e; Barney and Carrie Parkey to Ma%hew United Methodist
Church; Jennifer Anne Patche% to First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh.
• These motions were approved:
♦ That the Communications Commission be structured in the Advisory Board format with the staff director of
communications as chair and four to six members of the congregation as members.
♦ That the Clerk’s Ministry be allowed to establish a commi%ee to organize the celebration of Sardis’ 225th
anniversary in 2015.
♦ That the Sardis Church Mouse Program align with and fall under the direction of the Youth Ministry.
♦ That the slate of Ministry members be approved as presented by the Clerk’s Ministry.
♦ That the Weekday School offer a 25% tuition discount on one 2-day tuition for a child in a family with out-of-the
ordinary costs for the months of November – April, 2014.
♦ That there be a single worship service on March 2 at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary.
♦ That Sunday School begin at 9:00 am on March 2 to accommodate the 10:00 worship service followed by the Youth
Auction.
♦ That Sardis partner with Desert Ministries in providing space for an area seminar for “caregivers” (ministers,
chaplains, Stephen Ministers, etc.) in honor of Dr. Richard Cromie.
♦ That the Ministry Information Form presented by Mary B. Saclarides, chair of the Youth Pastor Search Commi%ee,
be approved. The MIF contains the expectations and requirements of the call.
♦ The Session also heard a follow-up presentation from Otis Crowder and John Taylor regarding a church entrance
project to accommodate larger vehicles (i.e. church buses) under the overhang. The Session approved continued
action on this project.
♦ The Session also approved Jessica O%o, Jared Daugherty, Mary Beth Blackley, Jeff Weston and two members from
the Worship Commi%ee as a commi%ee to arrange for necessary changes to the fellowship hall regarding sound,
acoustics, and video for the 9:00 service to begin there in January.
Session Highlights, October 2013
Diaconate Highlights, October 2013
• Community Service coordinated the CROP walk and the Blood Drive; the Charlo%e Family Housing event was
held over the weekend of October 27-30.
• All of the photos have been taken for the directory and the hope is that the directory will be available by
Christmas.
• The Communication Ministry is hoping everyone will check in on Facebook whenever they are at Church.
• Fellowship is organizing the PumpkinPalooza for October 26th and is se%ing up a Christmas trip to the Billy
Graham Library in December.
• The Property Commission is reviewing an energy survey that illustrates an 8% savings with new HVAC
equipment in the Education Building.
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Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
Friendship Connection
Friendship Connection, a fellowship
group for retirees, will meet at 11:00
am on November 19 in the Sardis
House for a program by Margot
Leydic-Boyd on “A Few of the
World’s Fascinating Places.” Margot
has traveled to 60 countries and has
September September
expected
This year
so far
This year so
far expected
Pledges, gifts,
and other
budget revenue
$158,956.55 $135,857.50 $1,362,619.06 $1,377,377.50
Expenses $156,113.67 $175,480.03 $1,515,393.84 $1,552,545.27
Net Total $2,842.88 ($39,622.53) ($152,774.78) ($175,167.77)
Annual budget: $2,062,250
Thanks to your generous support,
our financial position continues to
strengthen. Sardis received more
revenue in September than expected.
Expenses continue to be responsibly
managed by our ministry leaders,
and remain under budget. You can
make a gift at www.sardis.org under
the “give” tab or in the MySardis
area of the web page.
Financial Report for month ending September 2013
New Landscaping at Sardis Cemetery Providence Day School recently approached Sardis with a plan to beautify the buffer
area on Sardis property between the cemetery and the shared driveway. The school
proposed pu%ing in landscaping and irrigation at PDS’ expense. Since this shared entry
is one of the main access points for their campus, they have an interest in keeping it
looking great, which of course also benefits Sardis. The work was recently completed,
and was a $25,000 investment for PDS. Sardis Presbyterian has full ownership of the
landscaping, and can change or remove it at any time without giving notice to PDS. We
appreciate this improvement to our property, and the neighborly relationship we have
with PDS!
studied extensively in the
humanities. Margo defines
‘fascinating places’ as areas of the
world which have diverse
landscapes, populations and
religions, as well as interesting (and
sometimes tumultuous) histories.
Lunch will follow the presentation at
noon, at a cost of
$8. Reservations
are required by
noon on Friday,
November 15 and
can be made by
calling 704-926-
1590 or at www.sardis.org.
An Opportunity to Support McClintock Middle School: McClintock is having a 5K fundraiser
on December 7 at 9:00 a.m.. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for students. Visit h%p://sco%rotfitness5k.com to
sign up.
Our Christian Sympathy: to the family of Mary Megas; to Helen Harmon upon the death
of her husband, Phil Harmon; to Kathy Ramirez upon the death of her mother, Pauline
Swofford; to Les Ingles upon the death of his brother-in-law, Bill Beighley; to John Carriker and the Carriker family upon
death of Bernie Carriker; to Lee Shore upon the death of his mother, Sue Shore; to Dot Cosper upon the death of her
brother, Clyde Fowler; to Paul Green upon the death of his mother, Pauline Carter; and to Suzanne Weston upon the
death of her father, Charles Ripley.
Congratulations: to parents Clay Williams and Lonna Hays and grandparents Chris and Robert Williams in the birth of
Henry James Williams; to parents Bob and April Frazer and grandparents Robert and Elizabeth Frazer in the birth of
Robert Jeb Frazer; to parents Amie and Brian Davidson in the birth of Virginia Emery Davidson; to parents Chris and
Erin Tilley and grandparents Richard and Jane Tilley in the birth of Nora Catherone Tilley.
Our Church Family
New plantings, mulch and irrigation system installed by Providence Day School near the Sardis cemetery.
Margot Leydic-Boyd and husband Hayden
“Let the li-le children come unto me.”
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Connect at Sardis will
resume in January. Join us
each Wednesday in the Sardis
House, 6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.,
for programs for all ages.
Participants may bring a bag dinner, beverages will be
provided. There will be no catered meal.
Winter 2014: Two Tracts
Tract 1: Faith and culture Series:
4 weeks with Heather Eddy
2 weeks with Renda Brinson
Tract 2: Marriage Enrichment
Spring 2014: Lenten Bible Study
Second Semester Begins January 8 Register at www.sardis.org
The LOGOS Program is a midweek faith and fellowship program for
ministry with children and their families in the local church. It is a
structured “retreat every week,” in the middle of the week, that provides
all the dynamics of a good camp/conference program, but is experienced
in the context of the life of the congregation. It guarantees the growth of
the intergenerational relationships that bond the entire congregation into
an authentic community of faith. It quickly becomes the cornerstone of a
church’s effective and contagious youth and family ministry.
Consider Writing an Advent Devotional
This year the theme is: Making Room for Jesus: In Advent and Always. Respond to the
verse: “She gave birth to her first born son…and laid him in a manger, because there
was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) Considering one of these prompts:
1. When I read “there was no place for them in the inn” I feel_____
because__________. or,
2. The way I/my family make room for Jesus is__________________________. or,
3. It is good news to me/to humankind that Jesus was born in a stable
because________.
Send submissions to the church office by November 4 or to Jane Fobel at
This small group ministry allows members to
grow in faith and deepen the bonds of
fellowship. Check www.sardis.org for a
complete list of Mustard Seed Groups,
meeting dates and times. Our newest groups
include:
A Men’s Group, meeting during lunch at
Ma%hews Presbyterian Church, led by Randy
Long ([email protected]) .
LOGOS (Ladies On the Go), a group designed
to introduce women to small group
participation in a busy world. Coming
November 13: “What a Day, Iʹve had it! Heʹs
been there done that!” based on Luke 9:34-55.
The October Blood Drive was a huge success. Thank you Sardis! We raised our goal to 35 units and had 39
units donated. That is the highest donation in years. The Red Cross responded by saying, “Sardis always comes
through for the Red Cross!” Thanks again, and we look forward to seeing you at our next drive on January 26.
FILL A STOCKING
AND YOU’LL FILL A CHILD’S HEART
Can you imagine not being able to provide any toys for
your li%le ones on Christmas day? Can you imagine
being a child and not receiving anything on Christmas?
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program provides filled
stockings for children and families in need. Stockings
will be available in the Gathering Place beginning
November 10 and should be returned to the marked
collection bins in the hallway across from the library by
December 8. Please consider picking up one or more
stockings and filling them with simple items to brighten
a child’s Christmas. Our goal is to fill 250 stockings. Use
this opportunity to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas
and teach your own children/grandchildren the value of
giving. Contact Susan Hudson at 704-366-4825 or
Beginning December 1, Sardis will host
up to thirteen of our homeless neighbors
at the church each week. We still have a
need for additional volunteers. If
interested, please contact Les Ingles at
704-654-1888 or [email protected].
More than five thousand walkers, including approximately 70 adults
and youth from Sardis Presbyterian, participated in the 35th annual
Charlo%e CROP Hunger Walk in downtown Charlo%e October 13 to
raise money and awareness about hunger in the city and around the
world. The Sardis Team has raised approximately $13,000 but hopes
to increase that amount to get closer to last year’s record of $19,000.
Contributions for the 2013 CROP Walk are still being accepted.
Contact Al Wall ([email protected]) or Jane Tilley
([email protected]) to make cash/check contributions or
donate online to the Sardis Team: www.charlo%ecropwalk.org. Way to go Walkers and Sponsors!
2013 Loaves & Fishes Food Drive
Loaves & Fishes provides a weekʹs
worth of nutritious groceries to
individuals and families in short-
term crisis. The foundation works
with a diverse group of public and
private organizations to ensure
optimal service to clients and avoid
duplication of services.
In 2012, Loaves & Fishes provided groceries to 126,803
people. On November 3, 2013, Sardis begins collecting
non-perishable food for its third annual food drive to
benefit Loaves & Fishes. Bags labeled with priority
needs will be available for pick-up in the Narthex,
Gathering Place, and Education Building. Filled bags
of non-perishable food can then be returned to the
collection bins near the library in the Education
Building.
Stewardship Sunday, November 3, is a day we show
our commitment to support Sardis missions. Please do
your part by giving to those who are struggling to
provide food for their families.
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.
Community Service Reminders SPAGHETTI SAUCE SUNDAY - November 3
(53.6 pounds collected in October!)
TEN CENTS A MEAL: November 3
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Food Drive
Nov. 3-17