Ministry Groups

Pat Baker, Director of Older Adult and Caregiver Ministries, is in the office at SAPC on Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and other times as needed. She welcomes walk-ins, but advises calling ahead in case she is out doing visitation. If you would like to talk about resources, programs for older adults or challenges you may be facing in later life or as a family caregiver; she is here for you. 770-938-2833 ext. 111, pat@sapctucker.org.

Pat also plans field trips and educational seminars.  Last year  we had a dementia seminar and a class on fall prevention.  We also have fun field trips to places like Callanwolde, plays and outings to museums.

The 39ers

The 39ers are part of the older adult ministry of St. Andrews.  They meet the first Monday of the month at local restaurants.  Information is shared in the weekly email and on Facebook.

The group started many years ago to provide food and fellowship for older adults in the congregation.  For many years they gathered at the church and fixed a potluck meal and had a program that was entertaining or informative.  This evolved into a catered meal and now into a restaurant fellowship once a month.

Contact the church office for more details

The Presbyterian Women (PW) have been part of St. Andrews since its beginnings.

They meets on the third Tuesday of the month, September through May, in the meeting room at 10:00 a.m. for Bible study and fellowship.

The PW also packs Goodie Boxes in February for Valentine’s Day delivery to those in college and the military.

The Presbyterian Women also make the new Chrismons for our Chrismon tree each Advent.  On Christmas Eve, a Chrismon  ornament is presented to each person who attends one of our Christmas Eve services.

For more information, email the church office, office@sapctucker.org.

Collection for NETWorks

The Presbyterian Women are continuing to collect personal hygiene items for NETWorks Cooperative Ministries. Needed items include adult diapers, poise pads, maxi pads, and tampons. Please bring items to the collection box in the Narthex, or to PW meetings.

The “En-CORE” ministry team consists of a group of church volunteers dedicated to loving and serving the St. Andrews School (SAS).  Through a variety of special events and ongoing service projects we nurture a sense of shared community between the church and the school.

En-CORE volunteers serve SAS regularly in a variety of ways: Reading weekly at Friday Storytime, conducting Music Class twice a month, and serving annually as hostesses for the School’s Thanksgiving luncheon.  We also hold an annual Halloween parade reception inviting church members to share school parents delight in the children’s costumed procession, and afterwards to meet and greet parents over refreshments.  

En-CORE spearheaded two notable special events:  a 2023 “Valentine’s Love Offering“ Wish List drive, directing church members’ generosity towards meeting the School’s classroom needs.  We fulfilled every one of the SAS teachers’ requests.  During the fall of 2024 the En-CORE ministry team produced a joint school-church children’s presentation of a Christmas Eve pageant, “The Nativity.”  Three months of Music class and pageant rehearsals prepared twenty-eight children (from both the school and the church) for the dramatic, musical presentation of the iconic manger scene during St. Andrews’ Christmas Eve family service.  

En-CORE envisions providing additional services in the future, like tutoring after school students, extra-curricular instruction in gardening and cooking, or helping with seasonal playground maintenance, as examples. We are limited only by our number of volunteers.

Through its En-CORE ministry St. Andrews church is forging deeper relationship with the school community, fulfilling our mission “to love God by being good neighbors,” our closest neighbors being right on our campus at SAS.

If you’d like to join St. Andrews’ En-couragement Core, En-CORE, please email our  Coordinator of Congregational Vitality, LaVerne Byas-Smith, at laverne@sapctucker.org.

Sunday School Classes

Fidelis Class Sundays at 8:45 in the Library, or join on Zoom.  The class uses The Present Word series of books

Sunday Morning Together is meeting on Sunday at 8:45 in the Meeting Room.  This class selects pertinent books to study and read together for discussions.

Special study groups. Occasionally we study a current book together or have an in depth Bible study which meets on Sunday afternoon.

Youth and Children Sunday School classes meet at 9:00 a.m. in the youth room in two separate areas.

Lunch & Learn meets Wednesdays from 12:30 to 1:30 on Zoom to study and discuss the scriptures for the upcoming worship service.

Caring for Creation

The caring for creation team led the effort to become certified as the first PCUSA Earth Care Congregation in Georgia in 2010 and continues to provide leadership in this area.  The group has helped with campus improvements to the HVAC systems and lighting upgrades, implemented an extensive recycling program, sponsored educational events, among other activities.

They also support fair trade through the Presbyterian Coffee Project, which gives members of the congregation the opportunity to purchase various coffee, tea, and chocolate products during quarterly order periods in February, May, August, and November

Church at Prayer

Church at Prayer meets every Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the Library to pray together for the joys and concerns of the church and community. All are welcome to join.

Deacons

Our SAPC deacons are our touchstones with all of our members, making it possible for the church to know the wants and needs of our congregation.   As defined by the Book of Order, “It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need to the sick, to the friendless, and to any may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. SAPC elects 8 deacons to serve terms of two years. During this time, the Diaconate meets monthly on the second Sunday of each month at 11:30 a.m.

Fix-It Crew

We have some faithful members who know how to repair or build most anything – or will find out how.  Always in need of volunteers, this group works diligently to keep our church, our school, and our campus in good shape.  They recently completed the shed in back of the education building that houses all our maintenance supplies, lawnmowers, etc.  The group frequently meets for breakfast on work days for planning and fellowship.

Funeral Guild

The Funeral Guild is a group of trained volunteers who are familiar with the facilities.  Their service is a gift to the church. They work with the ministers to see that all necessary preparations are made prior to the service of your loved ones.  Guild members will assist with flower, guest book, providing ushers, distributing programs, and assisting the families in any ways needed

re:loom

An initiative of Affordable Housing, this organization employs homeless and low-income individuals and trains them in weaving and sales, providing opportunities for economic success.  The weavers recycle materials into hand-woven rugs, placemats and bags. SAPC re:loom group supports this initiative by collecting and meeting to prepare materials for the weavers.  They meet one Monday evening per month in the office.

Usher Teams

Our usher teams, comprised of volunteers, are responsible for opening the education building and sanctuary for services, greeting attendees, distributing bulletins, and collecting the offerings.  At the close of the service, they are responsible for taking all supplies and offerings to the administration building, and ensuring that all doors and buildings have been relocked.  Ushers also assist with other tasks during the worship services as needed.

Wedding Guild

The St. Andrews Wedding Guild, a group of trained volunteers, will work with the pastor and the wedding couple to provide assistance in planning and implementing the details of the usage of SAPC church facilities.  Activities include directing the rehearsal, assisting in setup (flowers, candles, etc.) in compliance of SAPC policies, and providing support and assistance as needed by the wedding party on the day of the ceremony.

Care Committee

The Care Committee organizes receptions after memorial services. They bring food, set up and clean up after the receptions.

The work and responsibilities of the Session are distributed among five Ministries, and each of these Ministries provides several opportunities for volunteers to help in this work.

Education Ministry

Responsible for providing/overseeing Christian educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults, and for overseeing the operation of the St. Andrews School.  Volunteer openings include Sunday School teachers, nursery volunteers, and providing meals for Sunday evening youth groups.  In addition, this ministry provides the annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Summer Carnival, both areas with lots of room for volunteers to help and have fun.

Engagement Ministry

Responsible for creating and sponsoring events and programs that support families in the congregation and the community, and to enfold members and other participants into a loving and caring Christian environment. Volunteer opportunities include;  welcoming members with lunch invitations, composing brief bios about new members to share in the Lamplighter, serving as SAPC ambassadors at community events, and working to provide food for special functions, and assisting in set up and clean up for a myriad of activities.

Management Ministry

Oversees the proper administration of the Church’s business, especially as it applies to leadership development, financial management, stewardship and church staff.  Comprised of four standing committees (Financial Management, Generosity, Personnel, and Building and Property), each of which offers multiple opportunities for volunteer assistance, both in the office and in taking care of our facilities.  Financial expertise?  Love of Gardening?  Office skills?  Ability to be “on-call” for one-time tasks or to answer phones?  All are needed and welcome.

Mission Ministry

Responsible for finding ways to educate, guide, and challenge the congregation to unite our time, talents and money in Christian service regarding local, national, and international needs and issues. The Ministry is also responsible for St. Andrews financial support of benevolences to other organizations.  Volunteers are needed to support the ministry through serving at the Clifton Sanctuaries Ministry, planning and supporting the development of local mission activities, and participating in one-time mission opportunities.  You may also have the opportunity to serve as chaperones and/or participants for youth and intergenerational mission trips.

Worship Ministry

Responsible for providing worship support for worship of the congregation, including proclamation of the Word through word and music and the administration of the Sacraments. This includes all special services, such as weddings, funerals, guest pastors, ordinations and installations. The Worship Ministry is responsible for the following:  ushers, lay readers, communion, Wedding Guild, and the Funeral Guild.