THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026 | | |
We hope you'll join us for Palm Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. All are welcome! Children are invited to gather in the parlor at 10:00 a.m. to participate in our Palm Sunday processional!
Reading 1: Zechariah 9:9-10
Reading 2: Matthew 21:1-11
Sermon: “Why Palm Sunday Matters”
Pastor: Dr. Sandy Hull
We encourage you to wear your name tag to worship. If you do not have a name tag or have misplaced yours, please contact Adrienne Jaquith, Office and Database Manager. Listening devices are available during worship. Please stop by the Connection Center for more information.
| | We pray for Sally Luby and her family as Sally’s husband, John Luby, entered the Church triumphant on Monday, March 16. A Celebration of Life will be held in the sanctuary on Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m. The family will be receiving family and friends in the parlor from 1:00-2:00 p.m. You can read John's obituary here. | | IMPORTANT: SMPC STAFF SABBATICAL ANNOUNCEMENT | | Please read an important announcement from Transitional Pastor Dr. Sandy Hull regarding Director of Music and Organist Zach Bowyer's upcoming sabbatical. | | A brief Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, April 12, after the 10:10 a.m. worship service for the purpose of electing two at-large members of the Nominating Committee; Michael Choren and Susan Hicks are the nominees for these positions. | | | | |
Seen Around Church
Lots of news from SMPC as we head into Holy Week! We hope you enjoy this edition of Seen Around Church!
| | | | |
Holy Week Self-Guided Prayer Stations
Monday, March 30-Thursday, April 2, anytime between 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (church office hours), Sanctuary -Journey through Holy Week with self-guided prayer stations. Please note: the sanctuary doors will be locked. Please enter through the church office. | Contact: Rebecca Guzman or Lindsey Odom
| | | | |
Maundy Thursday Dinner and Communion - Register by Sunday, March 29
Thursday, April 2, 5:30-6:40 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall - Join us as we worship together, sharing dinner and communion just as Jesus shared with his disciples on the night of his arrest. New this year: a more substantial meal! Dinner will be catered by Brown Bag and will include macaroni and cheese, salad, ham, bread and fruit. Free to attend. | Register by Sunday, March 29 | Contact: Melissa White
| | | | |
This Saturday! Let's Get SMPC Ready for Easter
Saturday, March 28, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., SMPC Campus - Many hands make light work! Come help us make SMPC's campus beautiful as we welcome all for Easter Sunday worship! Please bring a hat and gloves. | Contact: Andy Burke
| | | | |
'Writing Your Legacy' is Back!
Mondays beginning April 13, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - A workshop led by SMPC member Melinda Ferguson. Over five weeks, participants will receive guidance in writing about family memories, history, and more. This workshop is open to everyone and is appropriate for new and returning group members. | Register | Contact: Melissa White
| | | | |
Help End Hunger by Serving at St. Giles Food Pantry
Nourish Up’s St. Giles Food Pantry, Wednesdays, 12:30-2:00 p.m. or Fridays, 1:00-4:00 p.m., 2027 Emerywood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 – Lift and deliver boxes of food from Nourish Up’s (formerly Loaves and Fishes) St. Giles Food Pantry to cars or help with client services. The minimum age to volunteer is 14, and closed-toed shoes are required. | Contact: Jane Royther
| | VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL & MISSION POSSIBLE | | |
We Can't Wait To See You At VBS and Mission Possible!
Monday, July 20-Thursday, July 23, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - VBS is a FUN week of exploring the Bible through play, art, science and music! Mission Possible is our program for 5th and 6th graders that involves a week of fun and service.
Register for Vacation Bible School: Ages 3 (Potty-Trained)-Rising 4th Graders
*We need Youth VBS volunteers! Youth: Please complete this form to let us know your availability and VBS volunteer interests this summer!*
Register for Mission Possible: Rising 5th & 6th Graders
Contact: Rebecca Guzman
| | Men's Breakfast Group, Today, March 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 | | Adult Study: 'Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study' - Sunday, March 29, 9:00-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - This is the last session in this study! | Register on Realm. | Contact: Melissa White | | DivorceCare, Monday March 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Chapel 206 - DivorceCare is a weekly seminar and support group that will help you heal from hurt. It’s a warm, caring environment led by SMPC members Janet and Jeff Goetz. This group will meet for 12 sessions. Childcare available upon request. | Register | Contact: Janet Goetz | | Handiworkers' Group, Tuesday, March 31, 10:00 a.m., Palmer Building, Room 104 - All levels of knitters, needlepointers, quilters, cross-stitchers and crocheters are invited. This group meets weekly to work on projects. | Contact: Judy Jameson | | Pastor’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study, Wednesday, April 1, 9:30 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - Transitional Pastor Dr. Sandy Hull leads this study that meets weekly. They are discussing the book of Ephesians. All are welcome! If you would like to join by Zoom, please contact Adrienne Jaquith | | Intro to Mahjong, Wednesday, April 1, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall - Led by church member Carol Morgan and open to all those who want to learn or are just starting to learn mahjong. | Contact: Carol Morgan | | Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, April 3, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the first and third Fridays of every month for study and fellowship. All are welcome. | Contact: Curt Ireland | | Shelter Ministry, Thursday, April 9, 9:30 a.m., Mecklenburg Hall - This group meets on the second Thursday of every month to fill empty medicine bottles with body wash for Roof Above. They are always in need of body wash and Rx vials (please, no shampoo or conditioner!) | Contact: Carol Morgan | | Third Thirty, Sunday, April 12, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Ages 60-90 - In this session, the group will explore the issues related to healing loss and will hear from audiologist and church member Allison King. You'll be able to attend this session even if you haven't attended previous sessions. A light lunch will be served. | Register | Contact: Melissa White | | A Caregiver's Journey, Tuesday, April 14, 1:00-2:30 p.m. McQueen Room - Finding meaning and purpose as you care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. | Contact: Kathy Garner | | |
Men’s Evening Study Group, Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 p.m., Chapel 206 -
The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. New faces are always welcome! | Contact: Jon Myers
| | Food for Thought Group, Thursday, April 16, 12:30 p.m., McQueen Room - This group is reading Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray. All are welcome! | Contact: Kathy Paquette | | Hops and Vine Around Town, Saturday, April 18, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Open Tap, 5010 Carmel Center Drive - Fun and Fellowship! All are welcome! | Contact: Frank Graham | | American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, May 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 | | Bag Lunches for Roof Above - Roof Above provides 300 bag lunches each day to help feed those in need. SMPC is committed to providing 100 bag lunches each month. Our next collection is this Saturday, March 28 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Mecklenburg Hall. | Sign up | Contact: Julie Durham | | 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, April 12. | Sign up | Contact: Terry Gaines | | Nourish Up’s St. Giles Food Pantry, Wednesdays, 12:30-2:00 p.m. or Fridays, 1:00-4:00 p.m., 2027 Emerywood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 – Lift and deliver boxes of food from Nourish Up’s St. Giles Food Pantry to cars or help with client services. The minimum age to volunteer is 14, and closed-toed shoes are required. | Contact: Jane Royther | | SMPC Ushers - Usher responsibilities include arriving 30 minutes prior to worship, handing out bulletins before worship, collecting the offering, guiding church members up to communion and cleaning up after worship. Ushers typically work one time a month or every other month. This is a great way for all generations to serve. | Contact: Nancy Parrish | | BAM! Bible and Music, Sunday, April 19, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Meet in Narthex, Children in Kindergarten-5th Grade - During BAM!, children sing, creatively engage with Bible stories, and explore various instruments in peer age groups. Pizza is served. | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | | |
Vacation Bible School and Mission Possible, Monday, July 20-Thursday, July 23, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - VBS Participants: Join us for a FUN week of exploring the Bible through play, art, science and music! Mission Possible is our program for 5th and 6th graders that involves a week of fun and services.
Register for Vacation Bible School: Ages 3 (Potty-Trained)-Rising 4th Graders
*A Note for Youth Volunteers: Please fill out this form to let us know your availability and volunteer interests this summer!*
Register for Mission Possible: Rising 5th & 6th Graders
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 help, but we need additional adults to sign up each week. | Sign Up | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | | Youth Volunteers in Children's Worship - To ensure everyone has a chance to serve, please sign up in advance. Limit: 4 youth volunteers per week (unless there’s a special project). | Sign Up | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | | Youth Spiritual Practices Evening, Sunday, March 29, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Sanctuary, Middle and High Schoolers - During this Lenten season, our youth are invited into a meaningful evening of prayer, reflection, and hands-on spiritual practices in the sanctuary. These interactive prayer stations are designed to help students slow down, listen for God, and engage their faith in tangible ways. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | April BYG (Big Youth Group), Sunday, April 19, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - We’re excited to host Spotlight on Sandy: Ask the Pastor Night. This will provide SMPC Youth a special chance and opportunity to get to know our transitional pastor, hear some of his stories, and ask any questions they’d like. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | | | |
Come Make a Joyful Noise! Join SMPC's Music Ministry
SMPC offers dynamic music programming for all ages focused on praising God through joyous song, musical instruments and engaging fellowship. We are always striving for musical excellence, but we have a ton of fun along the way! | Contact: Zach Bowyer
| | | | |
SMPC Preschool Registration Update
New preschool families must schedule a tour before registering. Tours are going on now and will continue until classes fill. Please contact Tammy Winchip to schedule.
| |
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
| | Gifts to the Operating Fund support the day to day ministries, programs, and operations of the church. 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 | | | | |
