Church Family Moment for Sunday, April 27, 2025
April 21, 2025
Seen Around Church: Week of April 27, 2025
April 30, 2025SMPC Members Knock It Out of the Park—Together!
We love seeing our church family show up for one another! Last week, Aaron E. had quite the cheering squad at his middle school baseball game. His confirmation mentor, Tom Klecker, came to cheer him on and brought along fellow SMPC member and good friend Pat Malo. Fun fact: their wives both sing in the Chancel Choir! They were also joined by Aaron’s mom, Amy, and Rev. Lindsey Odom.
With all that support in the stands, it’s no surprise Aaron’s team pulled off a win—by just one run! Go team, and go SMPC! ⚾💙
Photo credit: Lindsey Odom
SMPC Serves Breakfast to Center of Hope Guests
It was an early morning for several SMPC members on Holy Saturday, April 19. The group gathered in the church parking lot at 5:15 a.m. to collect the donated breakfast items for Center of Hope, a temporary shelter for women and children near Uptown Charlotte.
They cooked and served a hot breakfast of pancakes, freshly scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, and fresh fruit to guests. While SMPC serves at Center of Hope on the second Saturday of each month, there is something especially meaningful about serving on Holy Saturday.
Being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community is what strengthens us as a faith family.
The next opportunity to serve is Saturday, May 17. Sign up to serve or donate items here.
Photo credit: Donna Podgorny
Gathered at the Table: A Meaningful Maundy Thursday
We were blessed to gather as a church family for Maundy Thursday Supper and Communion. Together, we reflected on Jesus’ deep love for us and considered powerful questions: How would it feel to have Jesus wash our feet? How will we serve as Jesus served?
Thank you to our amazing volunteers for all the hard work and heart that made this evening so meaningful.
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
What a joyful morning at SMPC — we gathered together as a faith community to celebrate the risen Christ. From bright smiles and warm sunshine to the energy of children and the beauty of shared worship, Easter reminded us that hope is alive and love has the final word.
Christ is risen, and the joy is real!
Some photos thanks to Lindsey Odom and Terry Gaines
Gratitude for a Beautiful Easter Season
Thank you to the greeters, coffee makers, choirs, handbell ringers, guest musicians, liturgists, AV team, parking volunteers, ushers, Easter Flower Cross coordinators, lemonade and cookie organizers, children’s worship volunteers, nursery staff—and all of our incredible volunteers and staff—who made Easter Sunday worship and our entire Lenten season so meaningful.
We are truly blessed to be part of such a vibrant and faithful community!
(And a special thank you to Steve Stevenson for capturing the first photo and Judy Jones for the second photo!)
A Special Easter Moment: The Gravender Family
Among the many beautiful moments captured on Easter Sunday at SMPC, one photo tells a particularly meaningful story—that of the Gravender family, sitting together on a long pew before the 9:00 a.m. service.
They arrived early to reserve the space so their whole family could worship side by side. Nate, their son in the purple shirt, had come home from college just for the weekend and was heading back shortly after the service. But being at SMPC for Easter worship was important to him—and to them.
It’s a small snapshot that speaks volumes: about love, family, tradition, and the deep-rooted connection so many feel to this faith community. We’re grateful for moments like these that remind us what it means to come home, even if just for a little while.
Photo credit: Lindsey Odom
Get a Load of This!
SMPC member and Shelter Ministry Coordinator Carol Morgan recently filled an entire leaf bag with donated prescription vials that the Shelter Ministry will repurpose by filling them with body wash for our neighbors at Roof Above.
The most amazing part? Carol single-handedly removed and soaked off every label—and tackled the sticky paper residue on each vial—all by herself!
Thank you to Carol and to all who show up on the second Thursday of each month to serve with the Shelter Ministry. All are welcome! Their next meetup is Thursday, May 8, at 9:00 a.m. in Mecklenburg Hall.
A Blooming Tradition
On Easter Sunday, SMPC families and friends gathered in front of the flower cross—a beloved tradition that beautifully symbolizes new life and resurrection hope. With each flower added, the cross turned into a joyful backdrop for photos and memories. Thank you to our Easter Flower Cross coordinators Kathleen Bearse and Kay Dano for the love and dedication they pour into this each year!
These images show the heart of our multigenerational church family, celebrating the risen Christ together!
