THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2023 | |
We hope you will join us for the first Sunday of Advent at 10:10 a.m. for worship in the sanctuary or via livestream.
All are welcome!
First Reading: Daniel 7:13-14
Second Reading: Mark 13:24-37
Sermon: “When the stars begin to fall"
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.
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2024 Operating Fund Campaign: "Everything Good" | |
Update on our 2024 Operating Fund Campaign, Everything Good: We are currently at 93.9% of our campaign goal - we are so close! Thank you to the 258 families who have already made a financial commitment for 2024. If you have not had a chance to make a pledge, you can make one online below or contact Mary Katheryne Zagora. | |
Advent begins Sunday, December 3! More information on worship services and events are on our Advent site. Advent editions of South Meck Press were mailed on November 16. If you did not receive one, click here for the digital version. If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive future copies of South Meck Press, please contact Nancy Metzler. | |
COMING SOON: SMPC ADVENT DEVOTIONALS | |
Sign up to receive Advent Devotionals, written by SMPC members and staff, and illustrated by the children and youth of SMPC. Delivered to your email inbox every morning during Advent! | |
SEEN AROUND CHURCH & SPECIAL EVENTS | |
Seen Around Church
Expert pancake flipper honored, Christmas decorations are up, Angel Tree donations are already coming in and more! See what's been happening around SMPC this week.
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Register by Today, November 30 for Women's Holiday Tea
Saturday, December 2, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall - Join us for this "sweet" SMPC tradition! Please register by today, November 30 on Realm and bring your favorite mug or tea cup! Childcare is available.
Contact: Nancy Metzler
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An Unlikely Advent: New Adult Bible Study Starts This Sunday
Beginning this Sunday, December 3 at 9:00 a.m. or this Monday, December 4, 10:00 a.m, McQueen Room or Zoom - During this Advent season, we invite you to explore themes of hope, love, joy, and peace by sharing the lesser-known characters in the story of Jesus’s birth. This class will meet in a hybrid format (both virtual and in-person). This class meets for three weeks on Sundays OR Mondays - you can attend either day.
Contact: Rebecca Guzman
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Advent Wreath Workshop Open to All
Sunday, December 3, 9:00 a.m., Mecklenburg Hall - Everyone is invited to make Advent wreaths. No registration required. | Contact: Rebecca Guzman
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Alternative Gift Market is This Sunday, December 3
Sunday, December 3, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Narthex or Online - Agencies will be at the church to share more information on how your donation can help those in need. Shop in person on Sunday, December 3 or online anytime between now and December 25.
Contact: Donna Brown
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You Are Invited! A Festival of Carols is Sunday, December 10
Sunday, December 10, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Sanctuary and Livestream - Join us for a special worship service led by members of the SMPC Music Ministry along with chamber orchestra and children’s nativity. Bring a friend!
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Angel Tree Tags Available Online and In Person
We hope you will join us in this SMPC tradition of helping families in need during the holidays. Angel Tree tags are available on the tree in the narthex or online. Donations are due to the church by Thursday, December 14.
Contact: Kristin Colson
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Donations Needed for Center of Hope Breakfast
On the third Saturday of each month, SMPC preps, cooks and serves breakfast for guests at the Center of Hope. There are still spots open to volunteer or donate food items for breakfast on Saturday, December 16. Food donations are due to the church by Thursday, December 14. Monetary donations are always welcome.
Contact: Bob Williamson
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SMPC/Salvation Army Kettle Bell Ringing, Saturday, December 2, Belk, SouthPark Mall, Times Vary - We will ring Saturdays December 2, 9 and 16. This is a great volunteer opportunity for families and friends. | Sign Up | Contact: Terry Gaines | |
Handiworkers Group, Tuesday, December 5, 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 | |
Lunch Bunch, Tuesday, December 5, 11:30 a.m., Ruby Sunshine, 12330 Johnston Rd - Lunch Bunch is meeting for brunch! All are welcome. | RSVP to Ruth Ann Engle | |
Conversations with Dr. Matt Brown, Wednesday, December 6, 9:30 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - We will discuss the scripture for the coming week’s sermon. | Contact Matt Brown for the Zoom ID# | |
A Caregiver's Journey, Tuesday, December 12, 1:00-2:30 p.m., McQueen Room - Finding meaning and purpose as you care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Facilitated by Kathy Garner (SMPC Faith Ambassador through the Alzheimer’s Association). | Contact: Whitney Bayer | |
Men's Evening Study Group, Tuesday, December 12, 7:30 p.m., Chapel 206 - The group meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month. Men of all ages are invited to join us. | Contact: Jon Myers | |
Shelter Ministry, Thursday, December 14, 9:00 a.m., Mecklenburg Hall - This ministry meets to fill empty medicine bottles with body wash for Roof Above. Empty Rx vials are always needed. | Contact: Carol Morgan | |
Men’s Breakfast Group, Thursday, December 14, 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. All are welcome. | Contact: Bob Tyler | |
Bread Donation and Delivery - Volunteers are needed every Friday morning to deliver bread donated by Panera to the Dilworth Soup Kitchen. | Sign up | |
Bag Lunches for Roof Above - Roof Above provides 300 lunch bags each day to help feed those in need. SMPC is committed to providing 100 bag lunches a month. Volunteers are needed. | Sign up | |
Center of Hope Desserts - Sign up to provide a sweet treat for the women and children that temporarily call Center of Hope home. | 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 | |
Loaves and Fishes, Fridays, 1:00-2:00 p.m. or 2:00-4:00 p.m., 2027 Emerywood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 - Loaves and Fishes 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, December 3, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Narthex, Children in Kindergarten-5th Grade - We will be practicing songs for the upcoming Festival of Carols. If your child would like participate in Festival of Carols, please plan for them to attend BAM! December 3. As always, we will end with a pizza dinner and free play time. | Register by Friday, December 1 | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | |
Ugly Christmas Sweater Bowling, Sunday, December 17, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Spare Time, 9600 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Pineville, NC, 4th and 5th Graders - Fourth and fifth graders are invited to join us for fellowship time, bowling, arcade games and pizza! This is a drop-off event, and the cost includes bowling, shoes, a $10 arcade card, pizza and a drink. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater! | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | |
BYG (Big Youth Group), Sunday, December 3, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - We will join together for an Advent devotion and decorate gingerbread houses and Christmas cookies. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | |
Youth Caroling, Sunday, December 17, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Legacy Heights, 11230 Ballantyne Trace Ct, Middle and High Schoolers - Join us for Christmas caroling with our neighbors at Legacy Heights. Drop off and pickup is at Legacy Heights. Please bring a dozen Christmas cookies (nut-free) to share. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | |
Flowers for Worship - You may provide your own arrangement, have a florist supply your arrangement, or make a donation to the Sanctuary Building Fund, and the Worship Committee will provide the flowers.| Sign Up | Contact: Karen Malmut, 704-591-9496 | |
Gifts to the Operating Fund support the day to day ministries, programs, and operations of the church. Gifts to the Strength to Strength Fund support our sanctuary mortgage. Gifts to the School Lunches for Haiti Fund support students at the OFCB school in Bayonnais, Haiti. For other gift designations, select the Other Fund, and note the gift's intent in the box provided. | Contact: Mary Katheryne Zagora | |
LIVE STREAMING WORSHIP
SUNDAYS, 10:10 A.M.
WWW.SMPCHOME.ORG
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