THIS SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2025

We hope you'll join us for worship on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. It is Communion Sunday. All are welcome!



First Reading: Psalm 66:5-9, 16-20

Second Reading: Luke 10:1-11, 16-2

Sermon: Liaisons of Peace

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.

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Faces of Faith: Rose Weinheimer

Welcome to our weekly summer series, Faces of Faith, where we spotlight SMPC members and friends and learn about how their faith and involvement in the church have impacted their lives. Enjoy getting to know Rose Weinheimer!

Read Youth Reflections on Massanetta Middle School Conference

Our youth wrote thoughtful and beautiful reflections on their experience at last week's Middle School Conference. Enjoy reading more here!

Spots Available in the SMPC Preschool 4s Classes

SMPC Preschool has openings in the Monday-Friday 4s and Monday-Thursday 4s for the 2025-26 school year. The preschool day is from 9:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m. If your child or a child you know would love to learn, have fun and grow in a caring, vibrant preschool, please contact SMPC Preschool Director Tammy Winchip to book a tour and register. School starts in September!

Join the SMPC Summer Pickup Choir!

Sunday, July 13, Meet at 9:00 a.m., Sanctuary - Youth (6th grade and up) through adults are welcome to come join us in the choir loft to praise God through music and lead the congregation in song during 10:10 a.m. worship. No experience needed! | Contact Zach Bowyer

Cookies or Brownies Needed for Center of Hope

Sunday, July 13, Before 10:10 a.m. Worship, Narthex - On the second Sunday of every month we provide sweet treats for the women and children that temporarily call Center of Hope home. We still have slots open for cookies or brownies! Remember, store-bought is totally great! | Sign up | Contact: Terry Gaines

From Missions and Outreach: An Update from Haiti

In Ewo's "June Hero Stories," their online newsletter, Actionnel Fleurisma, pastor and founder of OFCB Ministries in Bayonnais and SMPC charter member, gave an optimistic and uplifting update on life in Haiti. We continue to keep our Haitian brothers and sisters in our prayers as their country lives with unrest and uncertainty. We look forward to welcoming Actionnel and his wife, Yolande, to SMPC in September. Read Actionnel's letter here. | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Be a Harambee Reader with the Freedom School!

Various Opportunities, Now through July 30, 8:15-9:00 a.m., - A great summer service opportunity with minimal time commitment but maximum impact! Learn more about being a Harambee Reader here. | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Sign Up to Donate Blood or Volunteer at the Next Blood Drive

Saturday, August 9, 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

Summer Organ Sidekick (SOS) is BACK this Summer

Various Sundays, Ages Rising 2nd Grade to Rising 6th Grade - Children are invited to sit next to Director of Music and Organist Zach Bowyer at the organ to experience what it's like to lead music during worship! We’ll have one “sidekick” per Sunday. Please sign up for only one Sunday to allow everyone a chance to participate! More information and register below. | Contact: Zach Bowyer

Conversations with Dr. Matt Brown, Wednesday, July 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#

A Caregiver's Journey, Tuesday, July 8, 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

Shelter Ministry, Thursday, July 10, 9:00 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

The Third Thirty - "Retirement Home, Your Home, or Your Children's Home," Sunday, July 13, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,The Commons, Ages 60-90 years old - The fourth session in a 12-session study called, “The Third Thirty: A Candid Spiritual Exploration of Realities and Challenges We Face in the Years 60-90.” This study meets one Sunday a month over a light lunch after worship. Come to as many sessions as your schedule allows! These gatherings will create space for open discussion of some of the issues facing us as we navigate these decades of our lives. | More details and register | Contact: Melissa White

Food for Thought Book Group, Thursday, July 17, 12:30 p.m., McQueen Room - This group will discuss Lady Tan's Circle of Women: A Novel by Lisa See. All are welcome! | Contact: Kathy Paquette

Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, July 18, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the first and third Fridays of every month. They are reading the book Life is Hard. God is Good. Let's Dance: Experiencing Real Joy in a World Gone Mad by Bruce Hindmarsh. All are welcome. Contact: Curt Ireland

American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, August 9, 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 on the fourth Saturday of each month. Our next collection is Saturday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Palmer Building. | 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, July 19. Food donations are due Thursday, July 17. Graduated high school seniors and college students are encouraged to serve this summer! Monetary donations are always welcome. | Watch the 3-minute video | Sign Up | Contact: Bob Williamson

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, July 13. | 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. | Read more about the impact of sponsoring a student | More Info | Donate | Contact: Judy Nichols

Harambee Reader at the Freedom School, June 24-July 30, 8:15-9:00 a.m., - A great summer service opportunity with minimal time commitment but maximum impact! Learn more about being a Harambee Reader here. There will be more volunteer opportunities with Freedom School this summer so stay tuned! | Contact: Lindsey Odom

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 – Yes, school is out for the summer, but Smithfield Elementary School will need tutors next school year! 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

Vacation Bible School and Mission Possible Monday, July 21-Thursday, July 24, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., VBS: Ages 3-4th grade; Mission Possible: Rising 5th and 6th Grade - Registration is now open for Vacation Bible School: Road Trip - On the Go with God and Mission Possible, our service-focused week for 5th and 6th graders! | Register for VBS | Register for Mission Possible | 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: Kathy Graham

High School Rereat at Montreat, Sunday, July 6-Saturday, July 12, Montreat, NC - While registration is closed for this event, we keep our high schoolers and chaperones in our prayers as they head to Montreat for the annual youth conference. This year’s theme is “Light My Path.” Contact: Lindsey Odom

Serving at Crisis Assistance Ministry, Tuesday, July 15, 1:00-3:00 p.m., 500-A Spratt St., Middle and High Schoolers - Please join us for this important service event! Drop off and pick up at Crisis Assistance. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom

A Few Spots Remain for the 2025-26 School Year

The preschool has some availability for the 2025-26 school year in the 4-day 4s and the 5-day 4s/TK. If you would like more information about SMPC Preschool and class availability. | Contact: 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

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: Adrienne Jaquith

Acolyte (1st-5th graders)

Usher Team

Welcome Team (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