Welcome to The Communicator, your weekly guide to the life at Sardis.

Joining us this Sunday is Rev. Dr. Stephen Cheyney, the Niner United University Minister at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Steve leads Niner United in its mission and oversees the spiritual life of the university. In addition, he is also on the Honors College Faculty at UNC Charlotte. Steve holds a B.S. from Western Carolina, a master’s degree from Duke, and a doctorate from Emory University.

An information meeting to learn more about our adult mission trip will be held this Sunday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. in the Adult Library.

March 2 -9, 2024, a combined group from Sardis and Trinity Presbyterian Churches will be traveling to assist with disaster relief work due to damage by tornados in Kentucky. Our group of adults (ages 18 years+) will be doing home repair (not new construction work) through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance with host, Calvert City Presbyterian Church. 1-2 spots will be available to those who wish to meal prep instead of participating in home repair. Registration is open. The cost will be $125 per person.

David Bolls is leading a study of How the Early Church Came to Be what it was and believe what it did in its first 500 years or so. Explore early Christian theology derived from the Old Testament with a different theological theme or topic each week. The same class will be taught with two options to attend:

• Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
• Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

Both in Room 210 and on Zoom. CLICK HERE to join the Zoom (same link for both class times). Meeting ID: 891 3300 6097 Passcode: sardis

Missed week1? Watch it here

We can't wait to see you all for our “late-over” movie night on January 19 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Sardis House! We are going to have so much fun having dinner, playing games, watching a movie and loading down on way too much popcorn! A perfect night! Drop off your Kindergarten - 6th grader for all the sleepover fun without the sleeping! Questions? Contact Amanda Hooks.

Our Room In The Inn (RITI) will run through March 2024. Room In The Inn is a Charlotte-wide ministry through Roof Above where churches and volunteers help provide shelter, food, and friendship for our neighbors experiencing homelessness in the winter months. Sardis is partnering with three other congregations to host our neighbors in the Sardis House three nights a week January-March and on Thursdays in December. We need folks to provide a meal on the nights Sardis hosts as well as make lunch bags and make the beds ahead of time. This is a great way to serve together with RITI and involve young children, youth, or multiple generations of your family. Sign up here!

Heart Math is still looking for volunteer tutors for 100 students. Volunteers work with a student for one hour per week. Heart Math Tutoring provides an easy-to-follow curriculum with interactive activities and games, and a Program Coordinator onsite to support students and tutors. If you'd like to learn more, you are invited to attend a volunteer information session on Wednesday, January 17 at 12:00-12:30 p.m. on Zoom. Click here to RSVP. You may sign up to volunteer here or reach out to Heart Math with any questions.

If you would like to join our talented usher pool to serve as an usher when you’re available, please sign up here or contact Terry Dawson or Coddy Coddington. It is a great way to get involved and meet fellow members and friends.

Nursery Volunteers are needed! While we have SitterTree covering care in our nursery, it is still very important and needed to have Sardis members volunteer to assist them in the nursery while offering a familiar face and helping provide visitors with a warm welcome and helpful information. We hope you'll look at your calendar and visit our SignUpGenius to sign-up for any dates and times you can give to be a welcoming face in the nursery. Questions or need assistance signing up? Contact Amanda Hooks (704.787.5353).

Sardis volunteers delivered two carloads of much-needed diapers and toiletries for families at the Salvation Army's Center of Hope. About 52+ Sardis families participated in our Reverse Advent Calendar collecting toiletries, learning about, and praying for the Center of Hope families. The donations were greatly appreciated!

The 2023 Alternative Gift Market was a successful Sardis mission opportunity during the Advent season. A total of 52 donors made donations totaling $5,330, enlightening the mission and message of the seven agencies chosen by Mission Ministry:

• Bayonnais School Fund
• Families Forward Charlotte
• Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity
• Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays
• Mother Esther Rescue School, in Kenya
• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
• Rama Road Backpack Ministry

Women of Sardis - you are invited to come spend the weekend of February 23 - 25 in fellowship, reflection, laughter, and study in beautiful Montreat, NC. Our studies will be led by Rev. Caroline East, chaplain at Sharon Towers, as we focus on Regrouping - Building Community. The cost is $195 for a double room (or $295 for a single room, limited availability). Click here to register. Don’t let transportation deter you from coming as we are happy to coordinate a ride for you. If cost is an issue, please let us know and we can help make it happen (Gloria Hall and Alice Glefke).

Our Sympathy: to the family of Norma Hester; and to the family of Betty Thompson.

Congratulations: to Jeanne and Mike Hammons upon the birth of their great-grandson, Shepherd James Leonard.

Your church family wants to pray for you. If you have a procedure or are in the hospital, please let the church office know so we can, as a church family, be praying for your healing.

Children and families are invited to join us on Sunday, February 11 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. for mission day with Room In the Inn at the Sardis House! Please click here to RSVP for your family and sign up to provide lunch supplies!

Beginning on Wednesday, February 14, we will meet each Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. in Room 211 through March 27 to study "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan. We will explore a man's progress through life in search of salvation and the trials and temptations he experiences on his journey. Please click here to RSVP to the class. The book will be provided. Questions? Contact Paul Green.

Calling all families, friends, small groups, and individuals! Help us communicate to the Lord and community our excitement of His coming and the celebration of Easter by ringing the church bell each day during Lent. Click here to sign up for a date and time that works for you! Questions? Contact Paul Green (704.634.3587).

Worship and Music Conference is for all ages (grades 3 - adults). From June 16 - June 22 we will spend a week in the mountains at Montreat! For a week children and youth are immersed in music, scripture, worship, games, and community. Adults (even non musicians) have many opportunities to engage in Bible studies, worship conversations, art, and sessions that dive into faith outside of Sunday mornings. There are music sessions as well! We will spend the week engaging in intentional community, worshipping and sharing meals each day as well as evening activities designed to bring us together. Spots are open for all ages! Reach out to Kaitlyn Davros if you’re interested in more information, including costs, or seeing how your whole family (even under grade 3) can participate. 

We invite you to continue to uphold our ministry with your gifts as you are able. Sardis depends on your weekly donations to keep exploring faith and changing lives through the work of our ministries. Use the giving option:

• Give Online: From your computer or smartphone give online ››
• Text: Sardis + Amount to 73256
• Mail: 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270