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Welcome to South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church! Here are some of the things you can expect when you worship with us on Sunday mornings.
We're glad you've visited us here; please plan to visit us on Sunday mornings, too!Visitor’s TableYou will find our Visitor’s Table on your immediate left as you enter the main entrance to our building. Check this table for information about our worship services, Christian education programs, outreach opportunities, and fellowship events. Be sure to pick up a copy of our newsletter and a brochure that outlines our history and mission. A member of the Membership Committee will be available to answer any questions you may have.
WorshipFrom September until May we have three worship services, at 8:30, 9:30 and 11 am. Our 8:30 service is held in our chapel and is a shorter service, lasting about 45 minutes. Our 9:30 and 11:00 services are very similar; both last about an hour. The 9:30 service includes special music, such as solos, and the 11:00 service includes music by our full choir. Also, at the 11:00 service we offer children's worship for children up to third grade. The children leave Mecklenburg Hall after the anthem and are taken to our chapel. They return at the Doxology to conclude the worship service with their families. At each service, you’ll find greeters at the front door and preschool door who will welcome you and direct you to the sanctuary and nursery rooms (if needed). Bulletins outlining the order of worship and weekly announcements are available from ushers posted outside the main sanctuary doors. During each service, you’ll be asked to sign the Friendship Pad as it is passed from one end of each row to the other. This is voluntary but, if you leave your address, this allows the pastors and the Membership Committee to thank you (with a small gift and a letter) for worshipping with us. Our members also sign the Friendship Pad each Sunday, so we can keep our attendance rolls updated. Click here for our Worship page
NurseryWe have a committed nursery staff comprised of paid employees and church volunteers who care for children ages infancy through age 5 during each of our worship services. If you attend the 9:30 or 11:00 am service, please drop your child off at the appropriate location (signs are posted outside of each door, and a master list is available at the Visitor’s Table). Please sign your child in, and you will be given a number on a card. When you return to pick up your child, please show that card to the nursery staff member and don’t forget to sign out your child.Click here for a Nursery letter to SMPC parents and visitors Click here to Meet our nursery staff
Sunday SchoolFrom September until May we offer Sunday school classes for ages 3 to adult, from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Sunday School for 3, 4 and 5 year olds is learning about the Bible through a series of studies from the Old and New Testaments. Our preschool classrooms are located in the preschool wing. 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. Click here for more about our preschool education program. Grades 1 – 5 Sunday School classes use a “rotation model” which encourages a variety of learning experiences as students “rotate” through art, drama, media and traditional Bible study. Schedules showing topics and room assignments are available at the Visitor’s Table, and a schedule is posted at the entrance to the “Temple”, or gathering room, where the 1st through 5th graders meet before dispersing by grade level. The Temple is located right beside the Visitor’s Table in the main entrance. Click here for more about our elementary education program. Sunday School for Grades 6 & 7 focus on more traditional Bible study of the Old and New Testaments with discussion and activities such as art, singing and writing to reinforce learning. The 6th graders meet in room 202 of the Admin/CE Building. 7th graders meet in room 204 of the Admin/CE Building.
Sunday School for Grade 8 is a year-long confirmation class. This group meets in the Classroom Cottage. Click here for more about our middle school youth Sunday School program. Grades 9 – 12 use a variety of materials to keep interest and enthusiasm high. This group also meets in the Classroom Cottage. Click here for more about our high school youth Sunday School program. Adults: We typically offer three adult Sunday school classes. Please check the Christian Education web page for further details on the Adult classes. Click here for more about our adult Sunday school classes. We also have Small Group Ministries throughout the week at SMPC. These include Bible studies, book studies, fellowship and service opportunities and youth group meetings.
FellowshipWe invite you to greet one another each Sunday morning between 10:30 and 11:00 am at The Coffee Grounds, SMPC’s place for fellowship and a fresh cup of complimentary coffee or hot tea. The Coffee Grounds is located outside Fellowship Hall, just inside our preschool wing doors. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet new people and catch up with old friends. If you'd like to try something cold to drink and sweet to eat, we offer Lemonade on the Lawn, also between 10:30 and 11:00 am. You'll find Lemonade on the Lawn at the main church doors. Stop by to meet and greet! Click here for more Fellowship opportunities
Parking Park in one of our visitor parking spots reserved just for you. The spots are located in the front row of the parking lot closest to our building. Come down the main entrance; turn left at the circle and the visitor parking spots will be on your left.
Inquirer’s Class If you are interested in learning more about membership, we invite you to participate in an Inquirer’s Class that is offered periodically. Our pastor, Matt Brown, leads this class which takes a brief look at the history, beliefs, and structure of the Presbyterian Church, answers questions relating to membership, and explores how the Spirit of God uses our gifts to form community. We offer refreshments and childcare is available. If you have questions about this class or would like to attend, please contact Nancy Metzler, Director of Hospitality and Connection, at 704.544.0404, ext. 103, or you may email her at nmetzler@bellsouth.net.
Joining Our Church
If you are interested in joining our church, the Session meets the second Sunday of the month, at 10:30am immediately following the 9:30am worship service, for the purpose of receiving new members. In the Presbyterian Church, becoming a member can be done in one of three ways: Transfer of Church Letter – we will write to the church where you are currently a member and request a transfer. Reaffirmation of Faith – for those who are not currently an active member of another church, a reaffirmation of your faith before the Session, the governing body of the church composed of elders. Profession of Faith and Baptism – a profession of faith and scheduled baptism, for those who have never been baptized. If you want to know more about joining SMPC, please check out our Membership Page.
... And Lots More! Please explore our entire web site to learn more about SMPC or click on the following for:
If you have any questions about visiting our church, please contact Adrienne Jaquith (704.540.8784) or Hope Plunket (704.540.3649) Co-Chairs of our Membership Committee, or you may contact Nancy Metzler, Director of Hospitality and Connection, in the church office (704.544.0404, ext. 103, or nmetzler@bellsouth.net). |
