THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2026 | | |
We hope you'll join us for worship at 10:10 a.m. in the sanctuary or via livestream. It is Communion Sunday. All are welcome.
First Reading: Isaiah 53:1-6 (NLT)
Second Reading: Romans 3:21-28
Sermon: “The Gift of Justification”
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 | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) Survey Town Hall last Sunday! If you missed it, you can watch it online here.
What's Next: The Mission Study Task Force (MSTF) is hosting small group discussions where you can share your thoughts on the survey results, your hopes for the future of SMPC, and the qualities you hope to see in our next senior pastor. There are several upcoming options to join a session:
In Person (No reservation required - just show up!):
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Sunday, August 2, 9:15-10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Parlor
- Sunday, August 16, 9:15-10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Parlor
Virtual (Please register on Realm):
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Saturday, August 8, 10:00-10:45 a.m. | Register
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Tuesday, August 11, 7:30-8:15 p.m. | Register
Questions? Contact the MSTF.
Thank you for keeping SMPC in your prayers during this transition!
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Seen Around Church
Vacation Bible School and Mission Possible videos are up this week! Enjoy all of the smiles and love!!
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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 volunteers to serve at the drive! Contact: Bill Ramsey
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All Church Serves - Backpacks and School Supplies for Smithfield and Sterling Elementary
Saturday, August 23, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Mecklenburg Hall - We are collecting backpacks and school supplies for Smithfield and Sterling Elementary! Collection bins will be located in the narthex beginning Sunday, August 2, and please plan to join us on August 23 for our All Church Serves to sort supplies and stuff backpacks for students in need! Please note: our goal is to provide 50 backpacks to each school (a total of 100 backpacks filled with school supplies), so we appreciate your generosity! Our Blessing of the Backpacks will also be on Sunday, August 23 during worship. Register and find list of supplies needed on Realm. You can also find the schools' Amazon wish list here and have supplies sent directly to the church to donate. Contact: Lindsey Odom
| | SMPC Thursday Mahjong, Today, July 30, 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 | | SMPC Softball - Friday, July 31, 7:15 p.m. and Monday, August 3, 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 | | Songs of Summer, Sunday, August 2, 9:00-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - 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 | | SMPC Tuesday Mahjong, Tuesday, August 4, 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 | | Friday Morning Men's Group, Friday, August 7, 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 | | A Caregiver's Journey, Tuesday, August 11, 1:00-2:30 p.m., McQueen Room - A support group focused on finding meaning and purpose while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. Contact: Kathy Garner | | Shelter Ministry, Thursday, August 13, 9:30 a.m. - August work day is back on! This group meets on the second Thursday of every month to fill empty medicine bottles with body wash for Roof Above. They are in need of body wash (please, no shampoo or conditioner!), but they do not need prescription vials right now. Storage is full. Contact: Carol Morgan | | 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, August 22 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 | | 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 | | SMPC Youth Kickoff Pool Party Lunch, Sunday, August 23, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Sheeler's Home, Middle and High Schoolers - Let's kick off a new year of youth group with games, swimming and pizza! | 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 | | | | |
