THIS SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2025 | | |
We hope you'll join us for worship for the Fifth Sunday of Easter at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. All are welcome! We also hope you join us after worship for Lunch on the Grounds - more information below or here.
First Reading: Leviticus 19:32-34
Second Reading: Acts 11:1-18
Sermon: Just As
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.
| | SEEN AROUND CHURCH & SPECIAL EVENTS | | | | |
Seen Around Church
We haven't seen the sun much this week, but we still have some bright church news! Read about what's been happening this week at SMPC!
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Yay! This Sunday! Join us for Lunch on the Grounds
Sunday, May 18, 11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m., SMPC Parking Lot/Mecklenburg Hall - Everyone is welcome! Join us after worship for a delicious lunch catered by Brown Bag. We’ll enjoy sliced grilled chicken breast, spinach salad with berries and mandarin oranges, mac ’n cheese, rolls, brownies, tea and lemonade. Adults: $12; Children ages 4-11: $6; Children under 3: Free | Contact: Melissa White
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And While You're at Lunch on the Grounds, Come to the Family Playdate on the Playground!
Sunday, May 18, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., SMPC Preschool Playground, Ages 3-1st Grade - Join us for some fun on the playground during Lunch on the Grounds. Siblings welcome! | Contact: Kaitlin Gaul
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Melissa White to be Ordained on Sunday, June 1 - All Welcome to Attend
Sunday, June 1, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary and Livestream - Join us as Director of Hospitality and Connection Melissa White becomes an ordained Minister of Sacrament and Word. Reception to follow in the narthex. All are welcome!
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The SMPC Music Ministry invites you to 'An Unsurpassed Alleluia," a Hymn Festival for All
Sunday, June 8, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary and Livestream - Presented as part of the Charlotte Chapter of the American Guild of Organists’ Summer Recital Series! Through robust congregational singing, thoughtful meditations, and stirring music, we will explore the deep truths of our faith: God’s promise to bring all things to a good end in spite of evil, the way hope and faith work hand in hand, and the surprising, transformative nature of hope. Come sing, reflect, and be renewed. Free to attend and all are welcome. | Contact: Zach Bowyer
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Batter up: SMPC Men's Softball Team Welcomes New Players
Join the SMPC Men’s Softball team! Practice starts in May and the first game is Monday, June 2. Games are held on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer, and most are played on the SMPC field. The team won the championship last year and has moved up to the league’s top division this summer (the 2024 trophy is in Chapel 206!). Contact: Michael Choren
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The Shelter Ministry Needs Small Boxes
The Shelter Ministry is low on small boxes, which they use to fill with prescription bottles of body wash for our neighbors at Roof Above. Think shoeboxes or small Amazon boxes! Please drop off in the church office M-Th, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Contact: Carol Morgan
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Summer Service Opportunity: Be a Harabee Reader at the Freedom School Partners
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 Harabee Reader here. There will be more volunteer opportunities with Freedom School this summer so stay tuned! | Contact: Lindsey Odom
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Need Medical Equipment? SMPC Can Help!
Did you know SMPC has a supply of medical equipment available for members to borrow? Items include crutches, walkers, knee scooters, and wheelchairs—all free to use when needed.
We also welcome donations of gently used medical equipment to help support others in our community.
If you’d like to borrow or donate an item, please contact Steve Stevenson!
| | Food for Thought Book Group, Today, May 15, 12:30 p.m., McQueen Room - This group is reading Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander. All are welcome. Contact: Kathy Paquette | | International Dining Group, Thursday, May 15, 6:00 p.m., Great Wall of China, 6666 Carmel Rd - Join this group that meets monthly to sample cuisines around town! All are welcome. | Register | Contact: Alice Tyler | | Making Space Mom's Group, Today, May 15, 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 | | "The Wired Word" Adult Study, Sunday, May 18, 9:00-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - This is the last session in a three-week series led by Melissa White and Rebecca Guzman using The Wired Word, a curriculum that connects scripture with current events. No prep needed—just come ready to reflect and engage! All are welcome! | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman | | Handiworkers Group, Tuesday, May 20, 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, May 21, 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 Breakfast Group, Thursday, May 22, 9:30 a.m., Big View Diner, 6637 Lancaster Hwy - This is the last meeting before the group takes a break for summer. They will reconvene on Thursday, September 11, to their normal cadence of the second and fourth Thursdays each month. | Contact: Bob Tyler | | Men’s Evening Study Group, Tuesday, May 27, 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 | | The Third Thirty - "Being Parents to Parents," Sunday, June 1, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,The Commons, Ages 60-90 years old - The third 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 | | Believing and Belonging, Sunday, June 8, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 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 | | 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, April 26 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, June 14. | Sign up | Contact: Terry Gaines | | 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 END OF YEAR PARTY!, Sunday, May 18, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Children in Kindergarten-5th Grade - Join us for our end of the year BAM! party! It's been a great year!! 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 | | Youth Summer Kickoff, Sunday, May 18, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall/Church Lawn, Middle and High Schoolers - We'll have inflatable water slides, Spikeball, cornhole and pizza! | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | Summer Celebration at Starbucks, Tuesday, June 10, 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Starbucks at Stonecrest - Let's celebrate the start of summer!! Drop in when you can! Please let Lindsey Odom know you're coming! | | SMPC Youth River Tubing on the Catawba River, Thursday, June 12, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Catawba River Outdoors, Marion, NC, Middle and High Schoolers (Rising 6th Grade through Completed 12th Grade) - Come rock the river with us through some river tubing at Catawba River Outdoors. Transportation, snacks, and ice cream are provided. We will meet at the church at 8:00 a.m. to drive together. Donuts will be provided. Cost is $20 to tube. Please bring extra money for lunch at a local barbeque restaurant. | Register and Pay | Contact: Lindsey Odom | | | | |
Join the Music Ministry!
SMPC offers dynamic music programming for all ages that focuses on praising God through joyous song, the playing of 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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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
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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 | | | | |
