Seen Around Church – Week of December 3, 2023

Deck the Halls (and Sanctuary)!

The sanctuary and narthex look BEAUTIFUL thanks to the hard work of many elves!

Hospitality Committee Hosts a Beau”TEA”ful Event to Kick off the Advent Season

Our annual Women’s Holiday Tea was a wonderful way to begin the season of Advent at SMPC! Women of all ages gathered in Mecklenburg Hall on Saturday, December 2 for fellowship, delicious tea, lunch from Chicken Salad Chick and sweet treats. This year’s speaker, Erin Cook, gave a lovely meditation remembering her grandmother and reminding us of the power of love and hope in both happy and challenging times.  We want to give a big thank you to all who made this year’s event happen, including Emily Williams, Linda Thompson, Alice Tyler, Cindy Bernhardt, Leanne Royster, Lori Schellin, Kathy Graham and Maria Davis. Many thanks to Zach for providing our beautiful music. Also, we applaud Steve Stevenson’s hard work in getting the room set up – thank you, Steve!

Families Get Creative at Advent Wreath Workshop

Our Advent Wreath Workshop was so much fun! We loved seeing the creativity and love poured into each wreath. It was a wonderful way to usher in the first Sunday of Advent.

Giving the Gift that Gives Back

This past Sunday we also welcomed agencies from around the community to SMPC for this year’s Alternative Gift Market (AGM). It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about how we can help those in need – not just during the holidays, but all year round. Thank you to those who shopped in person! If you couldn’t join us on Sunday, you can still shop online until December 25. Giving back to the community might just be the perfect gift to give to someone you love!

SMPC Ushers in First Sunday of Advent

The First Sunday of Advent was a joyful time around church with multi-generational ushers, greeters in sparkles and the most beautiful Chrismon tree in all the land (the picture doesn’t do it justice – you must see it in person!). Here are a few snapshots of the morning.

SMPC Children Ready for Festival of Carols

The children are ready! Sunday evening’s BAM! marked the last rehearsal for our children’s nativity. We can’t wait to see these precious faces in the sanctuary this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. A Festival of Carols is one of our favorite worship services of the year – it’s a chance to hear our entire Music Ministry along with a chamber orchestra and children’s nativity. It’s such a lovely way to deepen your Advent experience and the best way to spend a Sunday night. We hope to see you there (and bring a friend!). You can also watch via livestream. Childcare will be provided.

SMPC Youth Celebrate Advent

Close to 50 SMPC Youth celebrated Advent and the Christmas season at BYG (Big Youth Group) Sunday night, December 3. The group prayed an Advent devotion, made gingerbread houses, decorated cookies, sipped hot chocolate and had a great night of fellowship and laughter! Thank you to all the adults who helped at BYG. It could not have happened without you!

BYG happens once a month and is open to middle and high schoolers. The next BYG is Sunday, January 7, 5:00-6:30 p.m. in Mecklenburg Hall. We love seeing new faces and friends! Join in the fun anytime!