THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

We hope you'll join us for worship at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. It's Scout Sunday! We will also celebrate the baptisms of Skye, Eamon, Sacha and Taika, children of Kristina and Jim Palmer. All are welcome!



First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:9-14

Second Reading: Mark 9:30-37

Sermon: "Value"

Preacher: Dr. Matt Brown

Listening devices are available during worship. Please stop by the Connection Center or contact Kay Dano for more information.

We encourage you to wear your name tag to worship. If you do not have a name tag or have misplaced yours, please contact Nancy Metzler, director of hospitality and connection.

Furry and Feathery Friends Welcome at Blessing of the Animals

This Sunday, September 22, 3:15 p.m., In front of the Palmer Building - Furry and feathery friends are invited to join us for this special blessing! Please make sure your pet is leashed, crated or in a cage and is comfortable in social situations. You are welcome to bring a photo of your pet to be blessed. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite neighbors, friends and other pet lovers to SMPC! (Please, no reptiles.) | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Join the 2024 CROP Hunger Walk Team or Donate Now!

Sunday, October 6, Meet at 1:45 p.m., Walk at 2:00 p.m., SMPC - We hope you will join us on our walk to end hunger! | Contact: Leisa Lackey or Lindsey Odom

Join the Conversation this Fall in a C.A.R.E. Group!

Beginning Sunday, October 6, 5:00-6:00 p.m. in Chapel 206 or Monday, October 7, 12:00-1:00 p.m. via Zoom - C.A.R.E. (Conversations Around Race Equity) is starting back up this fall and is open to all who would like to join in the conversation. We will be using the book Anti-Racism As Daily Practice by Jennifer Harvey to spark our conversation as we seek to broaden our understanding and learn how to work toward a more just world. | Register for Sundays | Register for Mondays | Contact: Whitney Bayer

Registration Now Open for Parents' Morning Out

Saturday, October 12, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Meet in the Narthex - All children ages 3 years old through 5th grade are welcome to join us for Parents’ Morning Out! We will play games, do crafts, watch a Bible story movie, and have a fun snack! The cost is $10/child to cover the materials. | Contact: Rebecca Guzman

Learn More About SMPC and the Presbyterian Church at 'Believing & Belonging'

Sunday, October 13, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., McQueen Room - For all who are considering membership and/or would like to know more about being Presbyterian and SMPC, join us for Believing and Belonging! Led by Rebecca Guzman and Nancy Metzler, we will explore the history and beliefs of the Presbyterian church and how God uses our gifts to create community. Lunch will be served and childcare will be available. Contact: Nancy Metzler

Side Note: Rebecca Guzman's blog, What Does It Mean to be Presbyterian offers more insights into the Presbyterian faith and is a great resource!

BBQ on the Grounds Registration Now Open!

Sunday, October 20, 11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m., The Grounds at SMPC - Join us after worship for a BBQ lunch on the grounds catered by The Q Shack. We’ll enjoy barbecued chicken and pork with a choice of sauces along with mac and cheese, salad, buns, hushpuppies, tea and lemonade. Adults: $13; Children ages 4 - 10: $7; Children under 4: Free. Contact: Kathy Graham

Food for Thought Book Group, Today, September 19, 12:30 p.m., McQueen Room - We are reading The Piano Maker by Kurt Palka. All book lovers welcome! | Contact: Kathy Paquette

Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, September 20, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the first and third Fridays of every month. They are reading the book He Leadeth Me: An Extraordinary Testament of Faith by Daniel L. Flaherty. All are welcome. | Contact: Curt Ireland

How to Study the Bible, September 22, 9:00-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - This is the third class in a four-session study led by Melissa White and Rebecca Guzman. All are welcome! | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman

Handiworkers Group, Tuesday, September 24, 10:00 a.m., Palmer Building Room 104 - All levels of knitters, needlepointers, quilters, cross-stitchers and crocheters are invited. We meet weekly to work on projects. | Contact: Judy Jameson

Men's Evening Study, Tuesday, September 24, 7:30 p.m., Chapel 206

This group meets on the the second and fourth Tuesdays every month and welcomes new participants! Contact: Jon Myers.

Conversations with Dr. Matt Brown, Wednesday, September 25, 9:30 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - We will discuss the scripture for the coming week’s sermon. All are welcome! | Contact Matt Brown for the Zoom ID#

Men’s Breakfast Group, Thursday, September 26, 9:30 a.m., Big View Diner, 6637 Lancaster Hwy - This group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays each month to enjoy breakfast and conversation. | Contact: Bob Tyler

Making Space Mom's Group Fall Kickoff, Thursday, September 26, 7:30 p.m., The Office Craft Bar & Kitchen, Stonecrest - Moms of all ages are invited to join us for fellowship as we gear up for fall! This group is a combination of study, social, and service. If you are looking to get connected, this is an excellent way to do so! New and returning faces are welcome! Register on Realm by Wednesday, September 25 (for restaurant headcount). Contact: Allison Reeves

Save the Date and RSVP! SMPC Lunch Bunch's October Gathering, Tuesday, October 22, 11:15 a.m., Tap and Vine Restaurant, 8426 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 - SMPC Lunch Bunch is an informal group that meets four times a year for lunch and fellowship. All are welcome - invite a friend! | RSVP by October 19 to Ruth Ann Engle

American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, November 2, 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Commons - Please bring your American Red Cross Donor Card or photo I.D. | Sign up | Volunteer at the Drive | Contact: Bill Ramsey

Bread Donation and Delivery - Volunteers are needed every Friday morning to deliver bread donated by Panera to the Dilworth Soup Kitchen. | Sign up

Bagged Lunches for Roof Above - Roof Above provides 300 bagged lunches each day to help feed those in need. SMPC is committed to providing 100 bag lunches a month. Our next collection is Saturday, October 12 at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Palmer Building. | Sign up 

Center of Hope Breakfast - On the third Saturday of each month, SMPC preps, cooks and serves breakfast for guests at the Center of Hope. Our next volunteer opportunity is this Saturday, September 21. Food donations for this month's breakfast are due today, September 19. Monetary donations are always welcome. | Watch the 3-minute video | Sign Up | Contact: Bob Williamson

Center of Hope Desserts - On the second Sunday of every month we provide sweet treats for the women and children that temporarily call Center of Hope home. Our next dessert collection is Sunday, October 13. | Sign up | Contact: Terry Gaines

Friends Empowering Haiti (formerly Friends of OFCB) is raising money to purchase food for the school in Bayonnais, Haiti. The school provides lunch each day for the 2,500 students who are enrolled in the four campuses, and it is often the only food the students receive that day. | More Info | Donate | Contact: Judy Nichols

Nourish Up (formerly known as Loaves and Fishes), Fridays, 1:00-2:00 p.m. or 2:00-4:00 p.m., 2027 Emerywood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 - Nourish Up is looking for some strong bodies to help them do the lifting and delivering of boxes of food from their Food Pantry to cars every Friday from 1-2 p.m. They are also looking for help with client services every Friday from 2-4 p.m. The minimum age to volunteer is 14, and closed toed shoes are required. | Contact: Jane Royther

BAM! Bible and Music, Sunday, September 22, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.,Children in Kindergarten-5th Grade - During BAM!, children sing, creatively engage with Bible stories, and explore various instruments in peer age groups. They occasionally sing, play instruments, or display their creations during Sunday worship. We end with a pizza dinner and free play time. BAM! is a great way for children to form friendships with other kids at church. | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman

Adults Needed in Children's Worship, During 10:10 a.m. Worship, Sundays - Help as we welcome visitors and assist our youngest members! Just sign up and plan to meet us at the back of the sanctuary as we exit. You do not need to prepare anything. We love adults of all ages. Younger youth are always welcome to attend and help, but we need an extra adult to sign up and be present. | Sign Up | Contact: Kathy Graham

BYG (Big Youth Group), Sunday, September 22, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - BYG provides an opportunity for youth to grow in faith and love through Bible study, small group time, good food, fun games, and amazing company. During this BYG, we will also have S’mores and play kickball! | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom

SMPC Youth Mini Golf, Sunday, September 29, 5:00-6:30 p.m., High Seas, 10001 Charlotte Hwy, Fort Mill, SC 29707 - Come join us for a night of mini golf at High Seas Miniature Golf! Drop off and pick up will be at High Seas. Transportation to and from will be provided by each family. | Cost is $12.00 per person. Please bring extra cash to enjoy a snow cone after golf. |

Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Support SMPC Preschool by Linking Harris Teeter VIC Card - Relink for this school year! Simply visit the Harris Teeter Together in Education website and follow the instructions. The preschool's number is 4902. If you've linked your card in the past, please re-link for this school year! Contact: Tammy Winchip

There are several spaces open for 3s and 4s at the SMPC Preschool! Go to the SMPC Preschool website for more information on how to register. | Contact: Tammy Winchip

Worshiping together in person is a joy - and requires many helping hands! A number of volunteer opportunities are available on Sunday mornings and we need you. | Contact: Nancy Metzler

Acolyte (1st-5th graders)

Usher Team

Welcome Team (all ages)

Coffee Grounds Host

Lemonade Host (all ages)

Muffin Ministry

If you haven't set up your Realm account, please click here to get started. Additionally, please download the mobile app, Realm Connect. | Realm Connect in the App Store | Realm Connect on Google Play | Contact Mary Katheryne Zagora.

LIVE STREAMING WORSHIP

SUNDAYS, 10:10 A.M.

WWW.SMPCHOME.ORG