THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2025

We hope you'll join us for worship on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. It will be Associate Pastor Dr. Whitney Bayer's last Sunday at SMPC. Please join us as we celebrate her and all of the blessings she and her family have brought to SMPC! More details below.



First Reading: Luke 15:11-24

Second Reading: Psalm 126

Sermon: Armloads of Blessing

Pastor: Dr. Whitney Bayer

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.

With thanksgiving for her faithful service in our midst, excitement and blessings for this new chapter in her ministry, and prayers for Associate Pastor Dr. Whitney Bayer and her family, the Session has called a brief Congregational Meeting for this Sunday, March 30 at the conclusion of worship, so that we may act on Whitney’s request to conclude her call at South Mecklenburg so that she may accept the call to serve as pastor of Rumson Presbyterian Church in Rumson, NJ. A reception for the Bayers will take place immediately following the meeting.

Let’s Send the Bayers Off with Lots of SMPC Love!

Notecards and pens are in the narthex for you to write a note of appreciation, encouragement, a fond memory or a prayer for Whitney, her husband, Daniel, and their children, Adeline and Oliver. Your words will be a reminder of the love, gratitude and special place they will always hold at SMPC! Thank you!

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Thank you for voting in Round 2: The Sacred Sixteen! View winners and make your picks for Round 3: The Ethereal Eight on our website! The "Heavenly Hymn" champion will be revealed on Easter Sunday! Voting each week ends at noon on Wednesday, and winners will be announced each Thursday in the weekly email and on social media, so make sure you're following us on Facebook and Instagram!

The Believing and Belonging class originally scheduled for this Sunday, March 30, has been rescheduled to Sunday, June 8, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the McQueen Room. This class is for all who are considering membership and/or would like to know more about being Presbyterian and SMPC. Led by Rebecca Guzman and Melissa White, we will explore the history and beliefs of the Presbyterian church and how God uses our gifts to create community. Lunch will be served and childcare provided. | Register | Contact: Melissa White

Spring Campus Cleanup Scheduled for Early April

Saturdays, April 5 and April 12, 8:00-10:30 a.m., SMPC Campus - Many hands make light work! Join us to get our beloved church campus ready for spring! | Contact: Collin Sinclair

'Third Thirty' Explores Realities and Challenges We Face Between Ages 60-90

Monthly beginning Sunday, April 6, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Commons - This is 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 will meet 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. | Contact: Melissa White

Join Us for Maundy Thursday Supper & Communion

Thursday, April 17, 2025, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall - Join as we continue our journey through Holy Week. We will share supper and communion and remember our Lord’s gathering with His disciples on the night of His arrest when they broke bread together. Our supper will include meats, cheeses, fruit and bread. | Register by Tuesday, April 15 | Contact: Melissa White

Men's Breakfast Group, Today, March 27, 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

THURSDAY CLASS - From Wilderness to Glory - Adult Lenten Study -Today, March 27, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Chapel 204 or Zoom - Join us Sundays OR Thursdays (or go between the two!) for a seven-week Lenten study of From Wilderness to Glory by N.T. Wright. All are welcome! | Register | Contact: Melissa White

SUNDAY CLASS - From Wilderness to Glory - Adult Lenten Study -Sunday, March 30, 9:00-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - Join us Sundays OR Thursdays (or go between the two!) for a seven-week Lenten study of From Wilderness to Glory by N.T. Wright. All are welcome! | Register | Contact: Melissa White

Handiworkers Group, Tuesday, April 1, 10:00 a.m., Palmer Building Room 104 - All levels of knitters, needlepointers, quilters, cross-stitchers and crocheters are invited. We meet weekly to work on projects. | Contact: Judy Jameson

Conversations with Dr. Matt Brown, Wednesday, April 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#

Making Space Mom's Group, Thursday, April 3, 7:30 p.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the first and third Thursday of every month. All moms are welcome! Contact: Allison Reeves

Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, April 4, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Chapel 206 - This group meets on the first and third Fridays of every month. They are beginning a new book, Amazing Grace by Bruce Hindmarsh. All are welcome. Contact: Curt Ireland

A Caregiver's Journey, Tuesday, April 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

Men’s Evening Study Group, Tuesday, April 8, 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

American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, May 3, 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, April26 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, April 19. Food donations are due Thursday, April 16. 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, April 12. | 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

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 – Smithfield Elementary School is in need of a few more math tutors! 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

Western North Carolina Relief: We have raised over $33,500 for Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, a congregation that is heavily engaged in Hurricane Helene disaster relief efforts. Thank you to ALL who have donated and shared the link with family and friends! By making a monetary donation to SMPC through this link (or button below), all funds go directly to BMPC.

BAM! Bible and Music, Sunday, April 6, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Children in Kindergarten-5th Grade - During BAM!, children will sing, creatively engage with Bible stories, and explore various instruments in peer age groups. They will occasionally sing, play instruments, or display their creations during Sunday worship. BAM! is a great way for children to form friendships with other kids at church. Pizza will be served. | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman

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

April BYG, Sunday, March 30, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - BYG is held on the first Sunday of each month during the school year. BYG provides an opportunity for youth to grow in faith and love through Bible study, small group time, good food, fun games, and good company. Pizza will be served. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Mission Project Night! Easter Meal Kits and Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 6, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - We'll make Easter Meal Kits and making Easter cards for students at our partner school, Smithfield Elementary, and have an Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Egg Hunt will be limited to just SMPC Youth. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom

SMPC Preschool Registration is Open - Schedule a Tour Now

Preschool registration is now open. The school requires that new preschool families complete a contact form and meet for a tour prior to registering. If you are interested in enrolling a 2-year-old through TK child in the fall of 2025, now is the time to tour! Once you tour, families can complete a registration form and reserve a spot for the fall! Contact forms can be found on our website here.

Visit the SMPC Preschool website for more information or to complete a contact form. 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