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September 2017
Sardis Academy: Evicted Session Two
September Sardis Academy: Wednesday 9/13, Wednesday 9/27 In 2016, Matthew Desmond penned an award-winning book entitled Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Desmond explores the affordable housing crisis in Milwaukee, but the book could just as easily describe cities like Charlotte and Raleigh. Faith groups across Charlotte have participated in a book study to increase awareness of the role a lack of affordable housing plays in equality and justice in our city. Sardis wants to join the conversation. During September, we’ll hold two Academy sessions (Wednesday 9/13 and Wednesday 9/27) to discuss Desmond’s book. The church has seven copies available for use. You may claim one from the Church vestibule community bookshelf, and return once you are finished. The book is also available on Amazon. On 9/13, we’ll have dinner (5:45 pm) and an introductory discussion. On 9/27, Matthew Desmond is actually speaking in Charlotte. We’ll gather for a snack supper at Sardis at 5:30. At 6:00 PM we will carpool to Christ Lutheran Church (4519 Providence Road) to see a live-stream of Desmond’s presentation. We’re also planning a follow-up discussion about the book for our Second Sunday program on Sunday, 10/8. We hope to see you there!
Find out more »October 2017
Blessing of the Animals
Sardis Baptist Church will host a Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 7 at 10:00 am. The service is an opportunity to give thanks for all of God’s creation, especially our animal friends. Pets have a special place in our lives because they model unconditional love and affection. And for many people, they provide companionship that is unavailable elsewhere. The service will offer a chance for each family’s pet to receive an individual blessing, as well as a time of remembrance for departed pets. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals – our Teddy Bears need blessings, too! Sardis will collect donations (cash or pet supplies) to be given to the Charlotte SPCA. For information about this organization, and needed items, click here. In an effort to expand the reach of the animal blessing, participants are also encouraged to bring a picture of current and former pets. Sardis will use these pictures to create a wall of blessings that will be displayed in the church for several months after the service. This will be a way for us to ask continued prayers of health and thanksgiving for our animal friends. If you are unable to attend, but wish to take part in the virtual blessing, please email your picture to info@sardisbaptistcharlotte.org or tag us on Instagram or Facebook (SardisBaptistCharlotte) using #SardisAnimalBlessing. The gathering will take place next to the Sardis Picnic Pavilion on 5811 Sardis Road. Snacks (for humans) will be provided, but please do not bring food for your pets! We will have water bowls available for our furry friends. For the safety of people and pets in attendance, all animals must be in pet cages or on leashes. Come celebrate God’s wonderful creation with us!
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Servant Sunday
On Sunday, October 8, 2017, Sardis Baptist Church will host its first-ever Servant Sunday. In our 29 years as a church, we’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of great ministry partners in Charlotte and beyond. Several times a month, we receive letters of thanksgiving from partners with whom we have either volunteered or given financial contributions. But how often do we thank our partners? We wanted to change that. On Servant Sunday, Sardis will recognize five local ministry partners: Crisis Assistance Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Urban Ministry Center, Loaves and Fishes, and Baptist Retirement Homes of North Carolina. Each of these partners share three characteristics: 1) The organization has been a recipient of Sardis’ annual ministry plan contributions for at least ten years 2) Sardis members have engaged with the organization in a mission project or special offering within the last twelve months 3) The organization offers support to people in and around Charlotte. During eleven o’clock worship, representatives from each organization will be on hand to share a brief ministry update, as well as offer ways that Sardis members can become more involved. In addition, the worship service will be designed to offer prayers of support and thanksgiving for our ministry partners, and to embolden our community to be tangible evidence of God’s love for all people. Following worship, Sardis will host a short ceremony in our Labyrinth and Sacred Gardens where we will dedicate paver stones to commemorate the good work of each of these partners. All are welcome to attend this celebration of God’s co-laborers in Charlotte.
Find out more »Sardis Academy 10/11/2017: Mindfulness
On Wednesday, 10/11, Sardis will welcome Dr. Karen Holst of Monarch, who will offer an introduction to the practice of mindfulness. There will be a fellowship meal (Taco salad!) at 5:45 p.m. Karen will lead our group discussion from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Details below: We are often overstretched and overburdened in balancing the many demands of our lives. Contemplating the next task on our never ending to-do list, anticipating scenarios in our minds that have yet to occur, and revisiting past events may result in us living on “auto-pilot.” This unhealthy pattern of living can easily impact our emotional and physical health. This session will provide an introduction to mindfulness and explain how the practice of mindfulness can reshape brain pathways resulting in increased overall well-being and improved quality of life. Science has shown that the practice of mindfulness can effectively reduce stress in our lives and improve over-all well-being by reducing negative emotional states and improving the symptoms of physical manifestations like diabetes or high blood pressure. Session Objectives: Mindfulness, what is it? Learn how your brain and body respond to stress. Learn specific strategies to reduce your stress response. Learn about meditation, what it is and is not, and participate in guided meditations. Learn the process of reshaping brain neuropathways to increase overall health and well-being. Learn how to apply mindfulness to daily life. Karen Holst EdD, MSW, LCSW Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds an EdD in Human Services Administration. She has served as the Director of a day treatment program for adolescents for 13 years before joining Monarch as the Clinical Operations Manager for the Mecklenburg office. Karen has participated in numerous mindfulness trainings, including the 7-day Mind/Body Medicine Training and the 9-Day Intensive Residential Practicum in MBSR through the Center for Mindfulness.…
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Charlotte CROP Walk
Sardis will walk in the 39th Annual CROP Walk on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 9:00 am at Independence Park in Charlotte. To join the Sardis team, or to donate to CROP Walk, click here. This year, we’ve set a fundraising goal of $3,000, and a participation goal of 30 walkers. Please consider walking or donating. We also want to remind you that there are other ways to support this great cause. Join us for the Sardis CROP Challenge.
Find out more »December 2017
Advent 2017
Advent at Sardis, 2017 Advent is here! This year at Sardis, we’re offering lots of ways to prepare for the Christchild’s arrival. We hope you can be part of the preparation. Here’s a link to December Signposts with additional information about all things Sardis in December. Below is a synopsis of Advent activities. Worship Theme: This year’s Advent will have a little bit of everything: history, music, unique perspectives, bells, new sounds and sights, even a little Rock n’ Roll! We’ll think about a few of the places of Christmas in the Bible, and we’ll explore what hope, peace, joy, and love looked liked back then, and what they look like now. It’s our sincere hope that these services will offer you a chance to reflect on how God’s spirit is being birthed anew in each of our lives, and collectively at Sardis, in Charlotte, and among all the communities we’re a part of. Hanging of the Greens, Sunday 12/3, 9:30 a.m. — Join us for breakfast treats and coffee. After we’re full, we’ll decorate the Chrismon Tree and make ready the Meetinghouse for Advent. Hansel and Gretel, Monday 12/4, 6:30 p.m. — The Little Opera Company of Charlotte will present its annual family-friendly performance of Hansel and Gretel. The show lasts approximately 45 minutes, and is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Tickets available at the door: $10 Adults; Children free. Sing S’More Songs, Saturday 12/9, 5:00 p.m. — Join us for Sardis’ annual Christmas Party. We’ll enjoy a pot-luck soup supper together in the Meetinghouse. Bring a crockpot full of your favorite recipe, as well as your appetite, and sample a smorasbord of soups. After supper, we’ll enjoy a Christmas concert from Queen City Groove. After the concert, we’ll adjourn to the picnic shelter where…
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Advent Calendars
2017 Advent Calendars are here. Download your copy here, or pick up a hard copy at the church. We will also post daily devotions to Facebook. Advent Calendar 2017
Find out more »August 2018
Camp Sardis
Join us for the third installment of Camp Sardis, our abridged version of Vacation Bible School. Adults and children of all ages are invited to a 90-minute exploration of the story of Ezekiel and the Valley of the Dry Bones. There will be story-telling, a science experiment, crafts and activities, singing, and snacks (duh!). So bring your child-like exuberance, and help us hear the old, old story in a new way. Dress comfortably. Be ready to sing. Expect Tang!
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Communion Brunch
Join us Sunday, August 12th for our annual Communion Brunch. At Sardis, we believe the sharing of Communion is the most tangible act of hospitality. Ours is a table where everyone is welcome: Protestant, Catholic, Baptist, Recovering Baptist; Confident, Doubting, Happy, Sad, Young, Old, Somewhere in between…No matter! You are welcome at God’s table. And you are welcome each and every time we gather. Once a year, we make the meal the entire focus of our Sunday worship. We gather a little early (10:30 a.m.), and we share a potluck brunch. As we eat, we sing our favorite songs, and we share stories of how our week has gone: what we’re thankful for, and what we’re anxious about. We’ll reflect briefly on the weekly text, and then we’ll share in the Lord’s Supper. And like that first Lord’s Supper, we’ll leave this place singing. Please join us for this special time of worship and fellowship.
Find out more »September 2018
2018 Sardis CROP Challenge
Sardis doesn’t just want walkers and donations for the 2018 CROP Walk! We want our community to immerse itself in issues related to hunger. So we’re inviting you to participate in the 2018 Sardis CROP Challenge. Here’s how it works: Everyone at Sardis (and friends, too!) are invited to see if they can earn 100 challenge points. Points can be earned in the following ways: ● 25 points – Walk in CROP Walk. Register Here. ● Receive 1 point for every dollar donated up to $25 ● Receive 25 points for every hour of volunteer work donated to CROP ministry partners – Crisis Assistance Ministries, Loaves and Fishes, or Second Harvest Food Bank ● 15 Points – Register a friend to walk in CROP Walk ● 15 points for every article read about issues related to hunger (recommendations) ● 10 points for every prayer given to empower our community to help eliminate hunger ● 10 points for every conversation you have with someone else to engage them in a discussion of the hunger crisis ● 10 points for every scripture passage you read related to issues of hunger (recommendations) ● 5 points for every act of encouragement you offer to a walk participant (word of thanks, note, text, etc.) ● 5 points for every social media engagement (post, share, like, comment, picture, etc.) to encourage participation in this year’s CROP Walk and Challenge ● 5 points per canned good donated to the Sardis Baptist Food Drive Scorecards are available in the church vestibule for you to track your points (or print your own). Points will be allocated on the honor system. Sardis will maintain a spreadsheet to keep tabs on the church’s progress. Please report your points to the church office on a weekly basis. In the Meetinghouse, we will…
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