THIS SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026 | | |
We hope you'll join us for worship on Ascension Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. All are welcome! After worship, stay for Lunch on the Grounds - details below!
Reading 1: Ephesians 1:15-23
Reading 2: Acts 1:1-11
Sermon: “Why the Ascension 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've been made aware of suspicious emails claiming to be from Dr. Sandy Hull. In these emails, he asks for gift cards. These messages are NOT from him. If you receive an unexpected email, please do not respond, click any links, or open attachments.
When in doubt, delete the email and contact the church office directly to verify (704-544-0404). Thank you!!
| FROM THE MISSION STUDY TASK FORCE | | |
The Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) survey is live! We encourage everyone in the congregation who is 13 years or older to take the survey and have your meows heard! Our goal is to have at least 400 surveys completed - let's do this!
Questions about the CAT? Contact the Mission Study Task Force here.
| |
We also want to hear from children and youth ages 12 and younger. We have two surveys designed especially for them, our CAT for Kids. You can find the surveys in the Connection Center or print your own via the links below. Please return completed CAT for Kids to the Connections Center by Sunday, May 31. Thank you!
CAT for Kids Ages 9 and younger
CAT for Kids Ages 10-12
|
| | | |
Seen Around Church
SMPC hosts a delicious breakfast for Smithfield Elementary teachers, mahjong fun, and a special shoutout to an SMPC bride! Read more here!
| | | | |
Let Us Know You're Coming to Lunch on the Grounds
Sunday, May 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall and Church Grounds - Join us after worship for a delicious lunch on the grounds catered by Brown Bag. We've extended the invitation to our friends at Mosaic of Charlotte! We look forward to this meaningful fellowship opportunity as we usher in summer. Cost: Adults - $12; Kids 4-11 - $4; 3 and under - free | Volunteer | Register | Contact: Melissa White
| | | | |
Hops and Vine Around Town to Meet in Late May
Saturday, May 30, 4:00-6:00 p.m., OMB - Ballantyne Bowl - Everyone is welcome for fellowship and fun! Contact: Frank Graham
| | | | |
Serve or Donate Breakfast to Center of Hope This Saturday!
Saturday, May 16, Meet at SMPC at 5:15 a.m. - On the third Saturday of each month, SMPC preps, cooks and serves breakfast for guests at the Center of Hope. Volunteers are back at SMPC by about 9:00 a.m. Donations are due to the church today, May 14. | Sign up | Contact: Lee Martin
| | | | |
Urgent Need! Bag Lunches for Roof Above Over Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday, May 23, 9:30 a.m., In Front of Mecklenburg Hall - Each month, SMPC collects 100 bag lunches for our neighbors at Roof Above. Signups are a little lower than usual due to the holiday weekend. If you are in town and can serve this month, please consider signing up! | Sign Up | Contact: Julie Durham
| | | | |
Volunteers Needed to Help at Nourish Up Warehouse
Saturday, May 30, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Nourish Up Warehouse, 901 Carrier Drive Charlotte, NC 28216, Ages 13 years and older - Volunteers will help support food distribution efforts that make a real difference for neighbors in need. Please first register on the SignUpGenius, then follow the instructions there to register on the Nourish Up site. Space is limited to 20 volunteers. | Contact: Lindsey Odom
| | Shelter Ministry, Today, May 14, 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 | | Men's Breakfast Group, Today, May 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. Contact: Bob Tyler | | SMPC Thursday Mahjong, Today, May 14, 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 | | Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, May 15, 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 | | Adult Study: Slow Theology, Sunday, May 17, 9:00-10:00 a.m. - An class where we practice slowing down, asking deeper questions, and listening more carefully to Scripture, tradition and one another. This is not about having the right answers, but about growing in curiosity, trust and faith. This class will meet until Sunday, June 7. | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | | Handiworkers' Group, Tuesday, May 19, 10:00 a.m., Palmer Building, Room 104 - This is the last meeting of this group until they pause for summer! All levels of knitters, needlepointers, quilters, cross-stitchers and crocheters are invited. | Contact: Judy Jameson | | SMPC Tuesday Mahjong, Tuesday, May 19, 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 | | Pastor’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study - 'The Minor Prophets in a Major Message,' Wednesday, May 20, 9:30 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - Led by Transitional Pastor Sandy Hull. The last twelve books of the Old Testament are known as the Minor Prophets. Minor doesn’t mean less important; it just means they are a lot shorter than the other prophetic books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel). These brief books have crucial lessons for us personally and for today’s world. Schedule is as follows: May 20: Habakkuk; May 27: Haggai; June 3: Malachi. All are welcome! If you would like to join by Zoom, please contact Adrienne Jaquith | | International Dining Group, Thursday, May 21, 6:00 p.m., Aroma Indian Grill, 9648 Red Stone Drive, Indian Land, SC - Everyone is invited to join this group as they sample cuisines around town each month. Space is limited to 24. | RSVP on Realm | Video on how to RSVP on Realm| Contact: Carol Roan | | Making Space Mom’s Group & Rain or Shine, Thursday, May 21, 7:30 p.m., SMPC Fire Pit - Join us around the fire pit for conversation and fellowship. Moms of all ages are invited to join in - it’s never too late! | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | | |
Men’s Evening Study Group, Tuesday, May 26, 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
| | Third Thirty - BONUS!, Sunday, June 7, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Ages 60-90 - In this session, we'll have a panel discussion about aging gracefully. 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 | | American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, August 8, 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, May 23 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, June 14. | 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 - End of Year Party, Sunday, May 17, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Meet in Narthex, Children in Kindergarten-5th Grade - Join us for our BAM! End of Year Party as we celebrate an awesome year together! We will meet for dinner, water games, and lots of fun as we wrap up the season. From 6:30–7:00 p.m., we’ll end the night with a waterslide! Parents are invited to join us during that time if their child would like to participate. We will also sing in worship this Sunday, May 17. Watch your email for details about singing. We can’t wait to celebrate a great year at BAM! | 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 | | SMPC Youth Summer Kickoff, Sunday, May 17, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - We'll have an inflatable waterslide, cornhole, spikeball and fellowship! Pizza will be served! | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | SMPC College Summer Gathering, Thursday, June 4, 7:00 p.m., The Hicks' Home - Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship and food with our SMPC college students who are home for the summer! We’ll gather in the beautiful backyard and porch setting of the Hicks home for a relaxed night of reconnecting, catching up, and enjoying time together. | 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! While Director of Music and Organist Zach Bowyer is on sabbatical, please contact Laura Black, Ministry Associate for Children and Music. | 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 | | | | |
