Visitor Information
Sunday worship services at 8:30, 9:30 and 11 am; Sunday school for all ages at 9:30 am.
Childcare provided at all services.
Welcome to South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church! We are glad you are visiting with us. Here are some of the things you can expect when you worship with us on Sunday mornings.
Parking
Park in one of our visitor parking spots reserved just for you. These parking spots are located directly across from the main doors to our sanctuary.
Information Center
You will find an Information Center located just inside the main entrance of our Sanctuary Building. Check this table for information about our worship services, Christian education programs, outreach opportunities, small group options, and fellowship events. Be sure to pick up a copy of SMPC Weekly and a brochure that outlines our history and mission. A member of the Membership Committee will be available to answer any questions.
Fellowship
We invite you to join us outside in the circle (weather permitting!) on Sunday mornings between 10:30 and 11:00 for “Lemonade on the Lawn” – plus cookies and other snacks. In the narthex, just outside the sanctuary doors, you can enjoy a cup of coffee and grab a muffin at SMPC’s own “Coffee Grounds”. These are great places to meet people and learn more about what’s going on at SMPC!
Nursery
We provide secure, nurturing care for children from infancy through kindergarten on Sunday mornings during all worship services. Our infant, toddler, two-year old, three-year old, four-year old, and kindergarten rooms are staffed with professional nursery personnel, as well as parent disciples, providing our children with consistent and attentive care. All paid nursery staff have completed the SMPC Children, Youth, Volunteers and Staff Protection Policy training.
If you are attending the 8:30 am service, drop off your child in Room 101 for infants, Room 110 for all other ages. If you are attending the 9:30 or 11:00 service, drop off your child at the appropriate location (signs are posted outside of each door). Parents must sign their children in.
Worship
We have three worship services on Sunday mornings, at 8:30, 9:30 and 11:00 am. The 8:30 service is held in our Chapel; it is a shorter service, lasting approximately 45 minutes. The 9:30 and 11:00 services are very similar, both approximately an hour long. The 9:30 service includes special music, such as solos, and the 11:00 service includes the full choir. See below for information about Children’s Worship during the 11:00 service.
At each service you’ll find greeters at the doors to welcome you and direct you to the sanctuary and/or nursery rooms. Bulletins outlining the order of worship and weekly announcements are available from ushers posted outside the main sanctuary doors. During the service, you’ll be asked to sign the registry pad as it is passed from one end of each row to the other. If you leave your address, the pastors and the Membership Committee are able to welcome you with a small gift and a letter. Our members also sign the Friendship Pad each Sunday, so we can keep our rolls updated.
Children’s Ministry Notes for the 11:00 Worship Service
Children up to third grade are invited to participate in Children’s Worship, held in the Chapel during the 11:00 worship service. Children leave the sanctuary after the anthem returning at the Doxology to conclude the worship service with their families. Childcare is provided for all younger children during the service.
Sunday School
From September to May we offer Sunday school classes for ages 3 to adult, from 9:30 to 10:30 am.
3 year olds, 4 year olds and kindergartners are using the Live B.I.G. curriculum by Abington Press. These lessons are taught using Bible story, arts, crafts, and song. A map showing room assignments for each age group is available at the Visitor’s Table. Room assignments are also posted on each classroom door.
Grades 1 – 5 participate in a rotational Sunday school curriculum. We gather in Mecklenburg Hall at 9:30 for 15 minutes of worship. The grade levels are then escorted by an adult shepherd to their classroom for the morning lesson. During the 5 week rotation each grade level will visit all 5 classrooms for a different perspective of the 5 week theme. Following the end of the 9:30 worship service or adult Sunday school, you may collect your child in one of the 5 classrooms. The weekly schedule is posted on each classroom door.
Grades 6 & 7 focus on more traditional Bible study with discussion and activities such as art, singing and writing to reinforce learning. The 6th graders study the New Testament and the 7th graders the Old Testament. Both classes meet in the Administration/Christian Education building. 8th grade is a year-long Confirmation class; this group meets in our Classroom Cottage, which is located behind our main building.
Grades 9 – 12, our high school class, uses the curriculum from The Thoughtful Christian, which focuses on all of the choices we make in life, and how to make them in a way that is faithful to Christ. The group also plays games and has lots of fun learning! This group meets in the Classroom Cottage.
From September until May we offer a variety of adult Sunday school classes. Current classes include:
If you have any questions about visiting our church, please contact Nancy Metzler, Director of Hospitality and Connection, in the church office, 704.544.0404, ext. 103, or nancy@smpchome.org.
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