SHARE:  

THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 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!



Reading from the Gospels: Luke 4:16-30

Sermon: Provocateur

Preacher: 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.

QUICK LINKS

HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

We continue to pray for Southern California! If you are looking for a way to help those affected by the wildfires, please consider donating to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance through the PC(USA). The designated account supplements the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering to enable a significant response for U.S. wildfires. Your gifts are appreciated!! Donate here.

SEEN AROUND CHURCH & SPECIAL EVENTS

Seen Around Church


NFL fans come together over lemonade and cookies, SMPC Youth have big fun at Sports Connection, Troop 119 has been busy and so much more! Read about what's been happening at church this week!

Read Seen Around Church

THIS SUNDAY! All Church Reads - 'Trust the Whisper' by Kathy Izard & Author Talk & Reflection - Invite a Friend!


Sunday, February 2, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Sanctuary - Read the book Trust the Whisper: How Answering Quiet Callings Inspires Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Grace by Kathy Izard and join us for an evening with Kathy! After sharing the story behind the book, Kathy will answer questions and lead a short “Find Your Whisper” exercise. Children are also invited to a special program with Director of Spiritual Formation Rebecca Guzman featuring Kathy’s children’s book, Grace Heard a Whisper. Casual reception to follow. All are welcome - invite friends! | Registration not required but recommended | Contact: Rebecca Guzman

Registration for Women's Conference in Montreat Opens Next Week!


Registration for the Women’s Connection 2025 conference in Montreat opens Monday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m.. Spots typically fill up fast! The conference will be August 8-10 with keynote speaker Amy-Jilly Levine, a professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University and Vanderbilt University. We encourage SMPC women of all ages (and their friends!) to register. | Learn more | Contact: Whitney Bayer

Support SMPC Preschool AND Take Care of Dinner


Thursday, February 6, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Brixx at Blakeney - Brixx will donate $4 for every adult entree and $1 for every kid's meal you buy on SMPC's behalf. Simply download the flyer and bring it to Brixx! | Contact: Tammy Winchip

Download Brixx Flyer

New! Adult Study: 'Wonder' Starts Sunday, February 9


Sundays beginning February 9, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - Do science and religion always have to be at odds? What if they could inspire us to ask bigger questions, explore deeper mysteries, and marvel at the unknown? Join us for a unique Sunday School series that bridges the gap between faith and science. Together, we’ll explore how these two ways of understanding the world can complement and enrich one another. Through thought-provoking discussions and reflections, we’ll delight in the beauty of discovery—both in the natural world and in our spiritual journeys. | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman

February 9 is a BIG Sunday - Souper Bowl of Caring and Youth Sunday! Don't miss it!


Sunday, February 9, 10:10 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary - Sunday, February 9 will be a big Sunday at SMPC. We'll be collecting canned goods and monetary donations for Nourish Up in our annual Souper Bowl of Caring initiative, and we will be celebrating the blessings of our amazing Youth Ministry during Youth Sunday! Our Youth will lead us in worship and will be hosting an important fundraiser for its scholarship program, which helps offset the costs of the Youth Ministry, such as retreats and off-campus events. There will be so much joy and love filling our faith community - you don't want to miss it. | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Learn How to Make Chrismons!


Saturday, February 15, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Chapel 202 - If you are curious about the Chrismons that adorned our tree in the narthex throughout Advent and want to learn how to make them, come to this beginner’s Chrismon class! Crafting these ornaments requires a steady hand and a dose of patience - ages 10 to 100 are welcome! The cost is $5.00 to cover materials, and you will complete a dragonfly ornament during the class. | Contact: Donna Brown

Register for Chrismons Class

Donate Food or Volunteer for Room in the Inn - Two Sundays Left


Sundays, February 16 and March 2, Various Times and Opportunities, Sardis Presbyterian Church - There are two more chances to serve or donate. From our Missions/Outreach Committee: Sunday, February 16 is the day before President's Day (and maybe that's a day off work for you!). Perhaps that makes volunteering Sunday night or Monday morning more doable? We are partnering with Sardis Presbyterian Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church for this Missions and Outreach opportunity. Volunteers will help with dinner, overnight stays or breakfast and cleanup. Contact: Lindsey Odom

Sign up for Room in the Inn

Ciao, Bella! Join the International Dining Group this Month for Delish Italian Cuisine!


Thursday, February 20, 6:00 p.m., Osteria LuCa, 4127 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209 - All are invited to join this group that meets on the third Thursday of every month for new cuisine and fellowship! | RSVP by Monday, February 17 to Alice Tyler

Register Now for Parents Morning Out!


Saturday, March 8, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Meet in the Sanctuary, Ages 3-2nd Grade - Children are invited to this fun-filled morning where we'll play games, create crafts, watch a Bible story movie and enjoy a snack! | Cost is $10 to cover materials | Register | Contact: Rebecca Guzman

Remember or Honor a Loved One with the SMPC Flower Ministry


There are several options to remember or honor a loved one with the SMPC Flower Ministry!



Find more details and sign up to reserve a Sunday. We’ll ask you to provide a dedication for the bulletin – we are happy to help with the wording! Contact: Karen Malmut

EVENTS AND CLASSES

Adult Study - "Trust the Whisper"Sunday, February 2, 9:00-10:00 a.m., McQueen Room or Zoom - We're in the last week of a four-week discussion with Melissa White and Rebecca Guzman on Kathy Izard’s book, Trust the Whisper: How Answering Quiet Callings Inspires Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Grace. All are welcome - even if you didn't attend the first 3 weeks. Together, we are examining how small moments and choices can lead to a meaningful life. | Register | Contact: Melissa White

Handiworkers GroupTuesday, February 4, 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, February 5, 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, February 6, 7:30 p.m., McQueen Room - Moms of all ages are invited to join us on the first and third Thursdays of every month for study, service and fellowship. | Contact: Allison Reeves

Friday Morning Men's GroupFriday, February 7, 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 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. All are welcome. Contact: Curt Ireland

A Caregiver's Journey, Tuesday, February 11, 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: Dr. Whitney Bayer

Men’s Evening Study Group, Tuesday, February 11, 7:30 p.m. Chapel 206 - The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month. New faces are always welcome! | Contact: Jon Myers

Shelter MinistryThursday, February 13, 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

Men's Breakfast Group, Thursday, February 13, 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

WAYS TO SERVE

American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, March 8, 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Commons - Read a message from blood drive coordinator Bill Ramsey on how your donation helps those in need. 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, February 22 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, February 15. Food donations are due Thursday, Feburary 13. 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, February 9. | 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. | More Info | Donate | Contact: Judy Nichols

Nourish Up’s St. Giles Food PantryFridays, 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.

Donate to NC Disaster Relief Fund

CHILDREN

BAM! Bible and Music, Sunday, February 9, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Children in Kindergarten-5th Grade Due to the Super Bowl, BAM! on February 9 will be from 4:00-5:00 pm with no dinner. 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. | 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

February BYG (Big Youth Group), Sunday, February 2, 5:00-6:30 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 fellowship. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom

Pizza and Paint Party, Sunday, February 9, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Mecklenburg Hall, Middle and High Schoolers - Join us for pizza, snacks and a craft! We'll paint a ceramic heart ornament. Please note we'll meet directly after worship as we have Room in the Inn that evening. | Register | Contact: Lindsey Odom

MUSIC

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

Join the Music Ministry

SMPC PRESCHOOL

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

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

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

GIVING

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

Give

STAY CONNECTED

Set up a Realm account here | Realm Connect in the App Store | Realm Connect on Google Play | Contact Adrienne Jaquith

Facebook  Instagram
Join our mailing list!