THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026

We hope you'll join us for worship at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. We will wrap up our Coming Home series! Don’t forget to bring your completed houses to church so we can put them all together and celebrate what we have learned this summer. All are welcome!



First Reading: Isaiah 43:14-21

Second Reading: Mark 6:30-44

Sermon: “God’s Picnic”

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 the family of SMPC member Barbara (Bobbi) Royster as they celebrate her life with a Memorial Service on Saturday, August 29, 2:00 p.m., in the sanctuary. Bobbi entered the Church Triumphant on July 13, 2026. The service will also be livestreamed here.

We are doing a little end-of-summer clean-up in our church buildings and have a couple of items up for grabs - first come first serve for the low price of...FREE! Please contact Facilities Manager Steve Stevenson if you would like more information or would like to pick up one (or more!) of these items.

Stand-up freezer in mint condition

Chairs (More than 20 available)

MISSION STORIES: BOB CUSHMAN

This month, we invite you to hear from SMPC member Bob Cushman about a memorable SMPC youth trip to Bayonnais, Haiti, that he helped lead with his wife, Kelly, and SMPC member David Nichols in 2018. The trip focused on building relationships between SMPC and OFCB youth and sharing God's love through mission activities. With restricted travel to Haiti currently presenting significant challenges, we hope this five-minute video offers a glimpse into the relationships that make this ministry so meaningful and important. Click here for the video and here for the transcript. 



Thank you to Donna Podgorny and Judy Jones for their hard work on these mission videos. You can watch the full collection of videos here. If you would like more information on how you can impact our work in Haiti, contact Lindsey Odom.

SMPC Thursday Mahjong, Today, August 27, 1:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m., Narthex - All levels of mahjong players are invited to join this group that meets weekly on Thursdays. | Contact: Mary Katheryne Zagora

Neighbor Sunday and 'Coming Home' Series Finale, Sunday, August 30, During 10:10 a.m. Worship - Bring a friend to worship AND your completed Coming Home houses to display in the narthex! | Contact: Rebecca Guzman or Rev. Lindsey Odom

Handiworkers Group, Tuesday, September 1, 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.

SMPC Tuesday Mahjong, Tuesday, September 1, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Narthex - All levels of mahjong players are invited to join this group that meets weekly on Tuesdays. | Contact: Mary Katheryne Zagora

Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, September 4, 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

American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, November 7, 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 Saturday, September 26 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Mecklenburg Hall. | Sign up | Contact: Julie Durham

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 Saturday, September 19. Food donations are due Thursday, September 17. Monetary donations are always welcome. | Read the recent Created for Community on this important SMPC mission! | Watch the 3-minute video | Sign Up | Contact: Lee Martin

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

Freedom School Partners - Freedom School Partners needs volunteers for its summer programming. Opportunities include serving as a Harambee Reader, being a reading buddy, volunteering at the warehouse, and helping with special events. Find out more and sign up here. | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Support Haiti Through Konpayon - Created when Friends Empowering Haiti and Ewo united, Konpayon supports the people of Bayonnais, Haiti, through student sponsorships and investments in healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and education. Learn more on their website. | Sponsor a student | Donate | Contact: Judy Jones

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-toe 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) Kickoff, Sunday, September 13, 5:00-6:30 p.m. NEW LOCATION! Meet at the SMPC Preschool entrance of the Palmer Building, Kindergarten-5th Grade - During BAM, children sing, creatively engage with Bible stories, explore instruments, and build friendships in age-based groups. They will occasionally share their music, instruments, or creations during Sunday worship. Please register so we have an accurate headcount for pizza! | 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 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

BYG (Big Youth Group), Sunday, August 30, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - BYG is held on the first Sunday of each month during the school year. 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. For this particular BYG, we will play a game of kickball to start off the new school year and connect! | 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!

Adults

Wednesdays - Chancel Ringers - 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Chancel Choir - 7:00-8:30 p.m. 

Youth

Sundays - Bells - 3:30 p.m.; Choir - 4:00 p.m.

Contact: Zach Bowyer

Openings in the 3s Classes in SMPC Preschool for Fall 2026

Is your preschooler ready for more social interaction and challenging activities? If so, we have an engaging preschool right here in the familiar setting of SMPC! Established in 1993, our half-day preschool is a gem recommended to parents by neighbors, friends and colleagues. We have a few spaces remaining in our 3s classes this fall. | Contact: SMPC Preschool Director Tammy Winchip

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

• Church Family Moment
• Flower Ministry
• Give
• Livestream
• Muffin Ministry
• Website
• Welcome Team
• Worship Service and Sermon Archives

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: Melissa White

Acolyte (1st-5th graders)

Usher Team

Welcome (all ages)

Coffee Grounds Host

Lemonade Host (all ages)

Muffin Ministry

Flower Ministry

Set up a Realm account here | Realm Connect in the App Store | Realm Connect on Google Play | Contact Adrienne Jaquith