Seen Around Church: Week of June 9, 2024

Beginning to Ring Strikes the Right Chords in its First Session

Sweet harmony! Our first Beginning to Ring of the summer was so fun! Thank you to Director of Music and Organist Zach Bowyer and SMPC Chancel Ringer member Gayle Ireland for their expert instruction. Just a reminder that everyone ages high school and up are welcome to join us on Thursday mornings in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. to learn to ring the handbells. No RSVP or experience required. Just show up and be ready to learn and have fun! 

School’s Out For Summer!

The SMPC Youth met up at Starbucks on Friday, June 7 to celebrate the start of summer. If you have a rising 6th grader through graduated 12th grade, there are tons of ways to connect this summer. Check out the SMPC Youth page on our website for details. You can also contact Associate Pastor of Youth and Missions/Outreach Lindsey Odom.

Chancel Choir and Chancel Ringers Celebrate End of Choir Season

The Chancel Choir and Chancel Ringers celebrated the end of the choir season with a party at the Kleckers’ home on Saturday night. We want to thank the entire Music Ministry for joyfully leading us in prayer through song every Sunday! We are so grateful for such a talented, enthusiastic and dedicated group of people. A huge thank you also goes to the Music Ministry’s fearless leader, Director of Music and Organist Zach Bowyer, and all of our ensembles, accompanists and soloists throughout the year. We hope you get tons of rest and relaxation over the summer – we can’t wait to hear you back in the loft in the fall!

Also, enjoy these clips from the joyous Music Sunday! Here are the pieces in order:

Hymn 10: Sing Glory to the Name of God
“Prelude on Psalm 96: Sing to the Lord a New Song” – Charles Callahan (Laura Schelhammer, flute)
“The Music of Creation” – Shelton Ridge Love (Chancel Choir; Blythe Kinsey, piano)
“When in Our Music God Is Glorified” – Arnold Sherman (Chancel Ringers; Kyle Gavagan, trumpet)
Hymn 689: When the Morning Stars Together
“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” – John Rutter (Chancel Choir; Ann Carney, organ)

SMPC Members Take Tour of Roof Above

Several members of our SMPC family had the opportunity to learn more about how Roof Above is helping the unsheltered in our community through an informative tour on Monday, June 10. Roof Above serves more than 1,400 neighbors a day! During the hour-long tour, SMPC learned more about the MANY ways we can get involved – from volunteering time onsite in various jobs to volunteering on your own time by making bagged lunches or donating monetarily through Alternative Giving, we can make a huge positive impact on finding a solution to homelessness. If you want more information about the tour and what the group learned, please contact Donna Brown.

The photo of the volunteer t-shirt reads:

“The thing to do, it seems to me, is. to prepare yourself so that you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s clous.” ~ Maya Angelou

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay: SMPC Youth Enjoy Fabulous Lake Day

Our middle and high schoolers enjoyed a day at Lake Tillery to celebrate the start of summer on Tuesday, June 11. It was an absolutely gorgeous day full of jet skiing, swimming, paddle boarding, boating and tons of laughs. A huge thank you to Terry and Dave Gaines for hosting the group and for all of our adult volunteers! We couldn’t have had this fun day without you!

The next SMPC Youth activity this summer is Message and Macaroons at Amelie’s Bakery in Carmel Commons on Monday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. Come enjoy a sweet treat and quick Bible study. Hope to see you there!

Faces of Faith: Dr. Kevin Estes

Note: “Faces of Faith” is back this summer! Check it out weekly as we spotlight SMPC members and learn more about them! First up is Dr. Kevin Estes.

Name: Dr. Kevin Estes

Family: My wife, Jenny, , who’s a nurse, and our sons, Judah (rising 11th grader at Providence High School), Luke (rising 9th grader at Providence High School) and Jenny’s aunt, Judith Coen

Years at SMPC: Almost 2 years (we started attending August 2022 and joined in December 2023)

What brought you to SMPC? After moving to Charlotte, we stopped our search for a church once we found SMPC because we were inspired by the preaching and encouraged to see the significant leadership role given to children in worship.

How have you found connection at SMPC?  I’ve found connection through the Wednesday morning Conversations with Matt Brown where we discuss the Scripture for the coming Sunday’s worship and the various Sunday morning Adult Bible Study groups led by Rebecca Guzman and Melissa White.