THIS SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2026 | | |
We hope you'll join us for worship at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. We'll have our SMPC Summer Singers joining us in the choir loft! All are welcome.
First Reading: Psalm 119:97-105
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Sermon: “Inspired and Useful”
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.
| | FROM THE MISSION STUDY TASK FORCE | | |
NOTE: This message was also sent via email on Wednesday, July 15
Thanks again to our SMPC family for your enthusiastic participation in the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) survey. The results are in, and we have some great news to share with you! Because so many of you took the time to provide your thoughtful, meaningful responses, our survey results have a remarkably low margin of error - exactly what we hoped for.
On Tuesday, July 6, Emily Swanson, President and Owner of Holy Cow! Consulting, met with the Mission Study Task Force (MSTF), the Session and staff to present and interpret the data for us. Her presentation was invaluable. Some of the standout words she used to describe SMPC were positive, healthy and engaged, and there were no red flags.
Now it’s your turn to hear the results. We hope you’ll join us for a congregational “town hall” presentation with Emily Swanson immediately after worship on Sunday, July 26, in the sanctuary. The presentation will last about 30 minutes, with a short Q&A to follow. This data provides vital insight into who we are today and will help direct our decisions during this season of pastoral transition. The meeting will also be livestreamed.
Beginning Sunday, July 26, you can also sign up for small group discussions that will start in August. These gatherings are your chance to share with the MSTF your thoughts about the survey results and your hopes for the future of SMPC, including the qualities we are looking for in our next senior pastor.
Thank you for keeping SMPC in your prayers. Please plan to join us on July 26, for the next step in this intentional process! If you have any questions, please contact the MSTF.
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Seen Around Church
Christmas in July, our high schoolers leave for Montreat Youth Conference, Sun City group beats the heat and more! Read about your faith community has been up to this week!
| | 🎄 CHRISTMAS IN JULY: A REPORT! 🎄 | | | | |
What a blessing it was to celebrate Christmas in July this past Sunday with our ministry partner Konpayon! Thank you to EVERYONE who donated to the drive. So far, the total donated for Christmas in July is $2,060! We originally hoped to raise enough money to sponsor two 13th graders, but thanks to your generosity, we are able to sponsor four 13th graders! And, we are SO CLOSE to being able to sponsor one more student!
The link to donate will be live through the end of July. Thank you for your support! Contact: Judy Jones, judy21jones@gmail.com.
| | 'COMING HOME' WEEK 1: THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY | | | | |
This summer, you are invited to explore the basics of Christianity through weekly sermons, website posts, short devotionals, simple challenges, and a paper house project. Each week, participants will wonder together about faith, grace, welcome, and new life in Christ. Kits are still available in the narthex! The sermon from July 12 and follow-up post are on the Doctrine of the Trinity - listen to Sandy’s sermon and read Lindsey’s post - both found on our website here! | Contact: Rebecca Guzman or Lindsey Odom
| | MISSION STORIES: VAL FLEURISMA | | | | |
This month, we introduce you to Mr. Val Fleurisma, who is following in the footsteps of his parents, Actionnel and Yolande. After completing university work in the United States, Val recently returned to Bayonnais, Haiti, to serve as the new Director of Operations for OFCB. Click here to watch his video or here to read 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.
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Donate Bag Lunches for Roof Above on Saturday, July 25
Saturday, July 25, 9:30 a.m., drop off in front of Mecklenburg Hall - Roof Above recently experiences significant roof damage at the Hub - they need our help this month more than ever! Please consider donating bag lunches this month. | Sign up | Contact: Julie Durham
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Donate Blood or Volunteer at the Next American Red Cross Blood Drive
Saturday, August 8, 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Commons - The Red Cross recently reported a nearly 25% drop in the national blood supply during June. This decline is significantly higher than the usual summer shortage, and it comes at a time when summer disasters typically increase. Please consider donating blood or Power Red in the August blood drive. We also need two more volunteers to serve at the drive! Contact: Bill Ramsey
| | SMPC Thursday Mahjong, Today, July 16, 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, July 17, 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 Softball - Friday, July 17, 7:15 p.m. and Monday, July 20, 6:15 p.m., SMPC Softball Field - The SMPC Softball Team (2024 Champions!) would love to have new full- or part-time players! The team plays all regular-season games on the SMPC field. Playoffs usually run through mid-August. There is a small entry fee and a team shirt will be supplied. | Contact: Jimmy Galati or Michael Choren | | SMPC Tuesday Mahjong, Tuesday, July 21, 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 | | Songs of Summer, Sunday, August 2, 9:00-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - This class will not meet this Sunday, July 19, or next Sunday, July 26.An eight-week series exploring familiar Presbyterian hymns and the fascinating stories behind them. Led by SMPC members Gayle and Curt Ireland. | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | | 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, July 25 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 who temporarily call Center of Hope home. Our next dessert collection is Sunday, August 9. | 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 | | 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 | | Hands of Hope at Crisis Assistance Ministry, Thursday, July 30, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Meet at Crisis Assistance, 500 A Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206, Middle and High Schoolers - Join us as we serve Crisis Assistance. Please consider bringing a donation of clothes or household items. | More information and register on Realm. | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | Pickleball and Popsicles with the Pastor, Monday, August 3, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Piper Glen Country Club, Middle and High Schoolers - Whether you’re an experienced player or trying pickleball for the first time, come out to play games, enjoy refreshing popsicles, and spend time connecting with your youth group friends. | 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
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Openings 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 2s, 3s, and 4/TK classes this fall. | Contact: SMPC Preschool Director Tammy Winchip
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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 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 | | | | |
