THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2025 | | |
We hope you'll join us for worship on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. We will celebrate the baptism of Maisy Caroline Reynolds, daughter of John Reynolds and Caitlin Watkins, granddaughter of Carol and Rob Watkins. All are welcome!
Reading from the Old Testament: Psalm 119: 97-104
Reading from the New Testament: Luke 18:1-8
Sermon: Persistent Faith, Public Witness
Pastor: Rev. Lindsey Odom
Listening devices are available during worship. Please stop by the Connection Center 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 Adrienne Jaquith, office and database manager.
| | 2026 OPERATING FUND CAMPAIGN | | | | |
Our 2026 Operating Fund Campaign, Called to Community, inspired by 1 John 4:7, is in full swing! The Operating Fund Campaign is SMPC’s primary fundraising campaign and supports all our ministries and programs--everything you love about our church is funded by the annual Operating Fund Campaign.
We hope you’ll join us in person during our 10:10 a.m. worship services or via livestream to see and hear how your pledge makes a difference. If you did not receive your stewardship packet at church, you should have received it by mail. Make a pledge by returning a pledge card or via the link below. Commitment Sunday is October 26. Contact: mkzagora@smpchome.org
| | UPDATES ON PASTORAL TRANSITION | | | | |
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! TRANSITION COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES NEW TRANSITIONAL PASTOR
We are excited to announce that Dr. Sanford (Sandy) Hull has accepted the Transitional Pastor position at South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church, effective Monday, December 1, 2025. His first Sunday preaching will be on Sunday, December 7.
We are filled with hope as we welcome Sandy to SMPC and look forward to him meeting all of you, this wonderful community of faith, as he leads us through the interim period between Dr. Matt Brown’s retirement and our next senior pastor, bringing his experience, warmth, and positivity. Read the announcement from Transition Committee Chair Nancy Metzler for more details.
| | IS YOUR REALM PROFILE PHOTO CURRENT? | | As we welcome new members this fall and will soon welcome Dr. Sandy Hull as Transitional Pastor, this is a PERFECT time to make sure your Realm profile photo is current! Please see instructions here. Contact: Adrienne Jaquith | | SEEN AROUND CHURCH & SPECIAL EVENTS | | | | |
Seen Around Church
Special visitors in Sunday worship, SMPC Youth make over 1,200 sandwiches for Roof Above and more! See what's been going on at church this week!
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BONUS READ! 'Hospitality, Hope and Homecoming: The Wenners' Story
Enjoy this sweet story of friendship and hope! Thank you to Donna and Russ Wenner for sharing it!
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Nourish Up Food Drive This Month: Pick Up Your Bags This Sunday!
Food bags are available to pick up to fill with canned and dry goods for the Nourish Up Food Drive! Items needed include: canned meat (tuna, chicken, salmon); canned fruit (no sugar added or in juice); canned vegetables (no salt added or low sodium); pasta (canned or dry boxed); whole grain cereals; beans; peanut butter; rice; diapers and wipes. Return bags through Sunday, November 2. Make a monetary donation here. | Contact: Lindsey Odom
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CROP Hunger Walk is This Sunday!
Sunday, October 19, 2:00 p.m., Providence Baptist Church - Join the SMPC team in this year's CROP Hunger Walk! Walk, donate or both! Benefiting Crisis Assistance, Nourish Up and Second Harvest Food Banks. | Join the SMPC Team | Contact: Lindsey Odom
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Mission Stories: OFCB's Pastor Actionnel Fleurisma
SMPC is grateful for more than 30 years of mission partnership with OFCB in Bayonnais, Haiti. Since we cannot currently visit Haiti in person, we hope that you will find value hearing about the experiences of key players from SMPC and OFCB. Their stories reflect why we support OFCB through prayer, student sponsorships, and donations. To learn more, click here to enjoy this video featuring Pastor Actionnel Fleurisma, founder of OFCB.
Thank you to Missions and Outreach Committee members Judy Jones and Donna Podgorny for the time and love they poured into this video project! If you would like more information on how you can impact our work in Haiti, contact Lindsey Odom
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Transportation Ministry Needs Daytime Drivers
Our Transportation Ministry provides rides to members who need help getting to appointments or running errands. If you have daytime flexibility, please consider joining this caring ministry and helping us serve one another. | Contact: Tim Maguire
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Donate Blood or Volunteer at the American Red Cross Blood Drive
Saturday, November 1, 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Commons -There are plenty of spaces still open to donate blood, make a Power Red donation OR volunteer at our next blood drive. If you are over 17 years old, weigh more than 110 lbs and are generally in good health, please consider signing up! Please bring your American Red Cross Donor Card or photo I.D. | Sign up | Volunteer at the Drive | Contact: Bill Ramsey
| | Food for Thought Book Group, Today, October 16, 12:30 p.m., McQueen Room - This group is open to all book lovers! They are reading Britt-Marie Was Here by Frederik Backman | Contact: Kathy Paquette | | |
Making Space Mom's Group, Tonight, October 16, 7:30 p.m., Chapel 206 -
Moms of all ages are invited to join us on the first and third Thursdays of every month for study, service and fellowship. | Contact: Allison Reeves
| | Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, October 17, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the first and third Fridays of every month. They are reading Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. | Contact: Curt Ireland | | Words of Love: A Healing Journey with the Ten Commandments, Sunday, October 12, 9:00-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - A ten-week study led by Melissa White and Rebecca Guzman. Reclaim the Ten Commandments as a path to healing and deeper love. All are welcome. | Register | Contact: Melissa White | | Handiworkers' Group, Tuesday, October 21, 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 | | Conversations with Dr. Matt Brown, Wednesday, October 2, 9:30 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - We will discuss the scripture for the coming week’s sermon. All are welcome! | Contact Matt Brown for the Zoom ID# | | Men's Evening Study Group, Tuesday, October 28, 7:30 p.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. All are welcome. | Contact: Jon Myers | | Men's Breakfast Group, Thursday, October 30, 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 | | DR. MATT BROWN'S RETIREMENT CELEBRATION | | American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, November 1, 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, October 25 at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Palmer Building. | 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, November 9. | 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. They have received a gift from a generous donor, which will match any individual donation up to a total of $83,333 between now and December 31, 2025. Donations can be made by check, mailed to Friends Empowering Haiti, P.O. Box 34563, Charlotte, NC 28234 or online. | Read more about the impact of sponsoring a student | More Info | Donate | Contact: Judy Nichols | | Nourish Up’s St. Giles Food Pantry, Fridays, 1:00-2:00 p.m. or 2:00-4:00 p.m., 2027 Emerywood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 – Lift and deliver boxes of food from Nourish Up’s St. Giles Food Pantry to cars 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 | | Tutoring at Smithfield Elementary – If you are interested in learning more about this awesome service opportunity, please complete this form so that we can connect with you! Tutoring at Smithfield Elementary is a rewarding way to share your time and talents. | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | SMPC Ushers - We are looking for new members to join our Usher Team! 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, October 19, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Meet in the Narthex, Kindergarten-5th Grade - During BAM!, children sing, creatively engage with Bible stories, and explore various instruments in peer age groups. Please make sure to register on Realm so we order enough 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 attend and help, but we need an extra adult to sign up and be present. | 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 Halloween Party and Bonfire Night, Sunday, October 26, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - We'll have a costume contest, Halloween-themed games, S'mores and more! Bring a friend! | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | BYG (Big Youth Group), Sunday, November 2, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - 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. Please bring a canned goods for our Thanksgiving Meal Kits for Smithfield Elementary. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | | | |
Be a Trinity Bell Toller!
Sundays before 10:10 a.m. Worship - NEW from our Music Ministry! Each Sunday, a Trinity Bell Toller will ring the bell three times before the prelude—a simple yet powerful reminder of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, calling us to center ourselves as worship begins. No experience necessary. More information and sign up below. Contact: Zach Bowyer
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Come Make a Joyful Noise! Join SMPC's Music Ministry
SMPC offers dynamic music programming for all ages that focuses 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
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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 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 | | | | |
