THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026

We hope you'll join us for worship at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. It is World Communion Sunday! We will also celebrate the baptism of Jacob Daniel Schardt, son of Erin and Josh and brother of Will.

We hope you'll stay for Lunch on the Grounds after worship! Get details and register here. Note: Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. today!



First Reading: Psalm 34:1-10

Second Reading: John 6:51-59

Sermon: "One Bread, One Body"

Pastor: Rev. Lindsey Odom

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.

This Sunday we begin our annual stewardship emphasis. Throughout October, we will celebrate all God is doing at SMPC and take time to pray individually for God’s leading as we make our pledges for 2027. Click here to see how the church’s budget will be allocated next year. 

What a joy and privilege we have to be able to participate in God’s new thing at SMPC!

Whoa, it was a busy week at SMPC! Grab your coffee (or Diet Coke?!) and catch up on all the latest church news!

Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, October 2, 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

SMPC Thursday Mahjong, Today, October 1, 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

Handiworkers Group, Tuesday, October 6, 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, October 6, 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

American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, November 7, 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Commons - It's SMPC's 121st Blood Drive! Please bring your American Red Cross Donor Card or photo I.D. | Sign up | Volunteer at the Drive | Contact: Bill Ramsey

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, October 24 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, October 17. Food donations are due Thursday, October 15. 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, October 11. | Sign up | Contact: Terry Gaines

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), Sunday, October 11, 5:00-6:30 p.m., 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 dinner! | 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

October BYG (Big Youth Group), Sunday, October 4, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - BYG is held on the first Sundays 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.  | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Operation Sandwich, Sunday, October 11, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - We will make sandwiches for Roof Above! Please sign up to bring sandwich materials and register here. | 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 joyful 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

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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