THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 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 Jones Hickman Bunn Woodard, daughter of Geena and Michael Woodard, and sister of Harper Leigh and Rue. After worship, we hope you'll join us to celebrate Dr. Matt Brown's 65th birthday with cake in the narthex. All are welcome!
First Reading: Psalm 25:4-5
Second Reading: John 18:33-38
Sermon: Six Great Ends of the Church - IV. The preservation of the truth
Pastor: Dr. Matt Brown
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 | | | | On October 26, we celebrated Commitment Sunday for our 2026 Operating Fund Campaign, Called to Community. Thank you to the 224 families who have made a financial commitment to support our programs and ministries for 2026. Our goal is for 300 families to support this campaign. Your support in this transitional year is especially meaningful! If you’ve never made a pledge before, please prayerfully consider responding this year—a pledge in any amount makes a difference! Pledges are not legally binding, and you can stop or edit your pledge at any time. You can support the campaign by pledging online via the link below or by contacting Mary Katheryne Zagora. | | UPDATES ON PASTORAL TRANSITION | | SEEN AROUND CHURCH & SPECIAL EVENTS | | | | |
Seen Around Church
It's the month of gratitude, and we have SO much to be thankful for at SMPC! Read about what's been happening at church this week - it's vibrant, fun and ready for you!
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Fall Campus Cleanup this Saturday, November 8
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Church Grounds - Let's make the church grounds beautiful for Dr. Matt Brown's retirement celebrations later this month and the season of Advent! Many hands make light work! Hope you can join us. | Contact: Collin Sinclair
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Hops and Vine Around Town Meets this Saturday, November 8
4:00-6:00 p.m., Rea Farms Harris Teeter Wine Bar - All are invited for fun and fellowship! | Contact: Frank Graham
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SMPC Lunch Bunch to Meet in December, RSVP by November 30
Tuesday, December 2, 11:45 a.m., Burton’s Grill, Blakeney 9816 Rea Rd, Charlotte, 28277 - SMPC Lunch Bunch is an informal group that meets four times a year for lunch and fellowship. All are welcome—invite a friend. RSVP by Sunday, November 30 via Realm or by emailing Anita Schult.
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Bring Desserts for Center of Hope this Sunday, November 9
Sunday, November 9, Before 10:10 a.m. Worship, Narthex - On the second Sunday of each month we collect sweet treats for the women and children who temporarily call Center of Hope home. Store-bought or homemade goodies are great! | Contact: Terry Gaines
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All Church Serves: Thanksgiving Meal Kits for Smithfield Elementary School Families
Sunday, November 16, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall - All ages are invited to make Thanksgiving meal kits for families of Smithfield Elementary School students. Our goal is to make 40 meal kits. Register and sign up to donate on Realm. | Contact: Lindsey Odom
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Reserve Your Spot Now to Ring for Salvation Army!
Saturdays, November 29-December 20, Slots open from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Belk SouthPark Mall - Come make some noise for a good cause and join the SMPC bell ringers for the Salvation Army this holiday season. It's a beloved tradition that is perfect for families, confirmands/mentors, friends, or anyone who wants to bring some holiday cheer to others! Sign up as a group or solo! | Sign up here Contact: Terry Gaines
| | Making Space Mom's Group, Today, November 6, 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, November 7, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the first and third Fridays of every month. They are beginning the book Imagine Heaven by John Burke. | Contact: Curt Ireland | | Hops and Vine Around Town, Saturday, November 8, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Rea Farms Harris Teeter - All are invited to join us for fellowship and fun! | Contact: Frank Graham | | Words of Love: A Healing Journey with the Ten Commandments, Sunday, November 9, 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, November 11, 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 | | A Caregiver's Journey, Tuesday, November 11, 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, November 11, 7:30 p.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. All are welcome. | Contact: Jon Myers | | Conversations with Dr. Matt Brown, Wednesday, November 12, 9:30 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - Join us as we discuss the Scripture for the coming week's sermon. Please note: this is the last Bible study with Matt! All are welcome! | Contact Matt Brown for the Zoom ID# | | The Shelter Ministry, Thursday, November 13, 9:00 a.m., Mecklenburg Hall - This group meets on the second Thursday of every month to fill empty prescription vials with body wash for Roof Above. All are welcome. Contact: Carol Morgan | | Men's Breakfast Group, Thursday, November 13, 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, November 22 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 this 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, November 23, 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 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 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 PJ and Pancake Night, Sunday, November 9, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - Wear your pajamas and enjoy fellowship and delicious pancakes. Bring a friend! | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | BYG (Big Youth Group) and Christmas Party, Sunday, December 7, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - We'll have an Advent devotion and will decorate gingerbread houses and Christmas cookies! 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 | | | | |
Be a Trinity Bell Toller!
Sundays before 10:10 a.m. Worship - NEW from our Music Ministry! Each Sunday, a Trinity Bell Toller rings 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 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
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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 | | | | |
