CONNECTIONS
From the Senior Pastor
The guiding vision of Restore & Renew is to prepare our campus for the next generation of ministry at Providence. The next phase addresses our Activity Center, Providence's front porch to our Cotswold neighbors. But investing in our church’s future isn’t just a matter of better buildings and nicer grounds. Preparing Providence for the next generation of ministry also involves investing in the people who’ll lead us in the future. Developing good leaders shouldn’t be left to chance—which is how Providence Leads came about.
Our governing documents task the Human Resources Committee with the responsibility of encouraging young leaders at Providence. A working-group within the committee spent most of last year developing a curriculum and then gathering our first cohort of eight people—four who grew up at
Providence, and four who’ve joined within the last three years. It’s a good mix of perspectives.
The cohort—Ashley Davis, Carly Fenimore, Grayson Gruninger, Abby Hendrix, Shelby Potter, Hunter Revord, Olivia Rutherford, and Billy Zweier—began meeting in January. They’ve done strength assessments with Scottie Stamper, heard from Jim Morgan on becoming Christcentered leaders, and listened to Larry Hovis, CBFNC’s executive coordinator, discuss the importance of being leaders who seek common ground in divided times.
made and ministry happens at Providence—and they’re each developing a personal “theology of leadership” statement to reflect their understanding of what it means to be an effective, obedient, Christ-centered leader.
I’m proud of how our inaugural Providence Leads cohort has engaged with the learning material, with one another, and with the call to serve the risen Christ. Pray for them as they finish their work together this month—and then pray that God will use them to lead well, with integrity, and for God’s glory in years to come.
May the peace of Christ be with you!
They’ve spent time discerning their ministry voices (as Paul describes them in Eph. 4:11-13)— and why healthy
churches listen to all five voices. They’ll learn how decisions are
Sunday Door Schedule (Effective May 3, 2026) — At Providence’s request, CMPD officers completed a safety assessment of our campus in March. They recommend that three exterior doors be unlocked on Sunday mornings: 1) the Rotunda entrance, 2) the Activity Center entrance, and 3) the Children’s Building entrance. Beginning May 3, all other exterior doors will be exit only
Lee Canipe Senior Pastor
SERMON TEXTS THIS MONTH
April 5 Matthew 28:1-10
April 12 Mallory Challis
April 19 Acts 2:14a, 36-41
April 26 1 Peter 2:19-25
Our Providence Together: Racers Night was a blast! Congratulations to all our racers! We can't wait to do it again next year!
Ministry at Providence
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org
Adult Midweek: Engaging in Cotswold's Religious Landscape
April 15 & 22 | 6pm | Kerygma Classroom
What does faith look like in our neighborhood? Join us for a guided study of the religious institutions and places of worship within a five-mile radius of Cotswold. The focus is on living more fully into our call to Engage Cotswold with openness and love.
ACTIVITY CENTER
Michelle Hitselberger, mhitselberger@providencebc.org
Line Dance Lessons
April 18 | 6-9pm | Randy Ballard Gym
Put your dancing shoes on! Beginners class is 6-7pm, Intermediate is 7-8pm, and Open Dance Floor with a DJ is 8-9pm! Cost is $10/person.
Masterpiece Painting Class
May 4 | 12-2pm/6:30-8:30pm | Activity Center
Learn to paint like the greats! Come for a time of painting, laughing, and a fabulous experience! Register on Realm. Cost is $45/session ($90 for both sessions). All supplies included.
Upcoming in the Activity Center
Lots of exciting programming for all ages is coming soon! From Kids and Senior Summer Camps to Ballroom Dancing and Billiards Tournaments, there's something for everyone!
CHILDREN
Elizabeth Maye Hudson, emaye@providencebc.org
Easter Rock Hunt
April 1 | 6pm | Activity Center
Join us for our annual Easter Rock Hunt! Children’s Choirs will not rehearse. Volunteer on The Chart! Vacation Bible School
Find your strength in God this summer with Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS, based on Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives
me strength." For sign up info, visit www.providencebc.org/connect/vbs
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Ursula Taylor, utaylor@providencebc.org
Easter Egg Hunt
April 1-2
Get ready for some springtime fun! Children will enjoy our annual Easter Egg Hunt filled with excitement, smiles, and sweet surprises.
CDC Closed
The CDC will close in observance of Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Family Picnic
April 17
Join us for a fun-filled Family Picnic as we wrap up Week of the Young Child! Families are invited to enjoy quality time together with food, laughter, and community. Details coming soon.
MUSIC
Pete Leo, pleo@providencebc.org
End-of-Year Concert
April 29 | 6:15pm
All are invited to our End-of-Year Concert featuring choirs from Three’s through Senior High! Don't miss this evening of joyful music and ice cream!
Men's Chorus for Mother's Day
May 10 | During Worship
Gentlemen high-school-age and up are invited to sing in a special Men’s Chorus for Mother’s Day! Rehearsals are May 2 and 9 from 9-10am.
STUDENTS
Amy Brown, abrown@providencebc.org
Sunday Night LIVE
April 19 | 5:30pm | Chapman Youth Room
Join us for dinner together, followed by large group with music, games, and more, then small groups.
Senior Celebration Breakfast
April 26 | 9:15am | Chapman Youth Room
Students, student leaders, and families of seniors will celebrate our graduating seniors with breakfast and reflections.
SENIOR ADULTS
Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net
PrimeTimers' Luncheon
April 16 | 12pm | Crouch Fellowship Hall
Mark your calendar! We'll welcome Robert Whitlow, local attorney, Christian mystery author, and filmmaker. He'll introduce you to a world of mystery with a legal and Christian twist, sharing how he became an author and made Charlotte his home. Invite a friend!
RSVP by April 10 via Realm or to Wilna at (704) 553-2615 . Cost is $7/person.
CHURCHWIDE
connections@providencebc.org
Holy Week at Providence † March 29 - April 5
Holy Week is observed each year with special solemnity as we remember Christ's death and resurrection. We invite you to join us for special services and Worship on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. The Providence Campus will close in observance of Easter Monday.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Women on Mission is partnering with Congregations for Kids, one of Providence's Missions Partners, to bring visibility to Child Abuse Prevention Month in a city-wide event by planting blue pinwheels across the church campus that serve as "a simple but powerful symbol of hope."
Women on Mission
April 24 | Charlotte Convention Center
As our annual tradition, Women on Mission will be attending Second Harvest’s Empty Bowls Luncheon on April 24. This will serve as our April monthly meeting. Contact Susan Jones at sbjones7@gmail.com or Lynn Osment at losment02@gmail.com
Q2 Quarterly Church Conference
April 26 | Following Worship
Our Q2 Quarterly Conference will be held following Worship April 26. The Church Council Forum will be April 23.
Prayer Vigil
Last Saturday of the Month | Weekley Chapel
You are invited to come pray in the Chapel from 8am-12pm on April 25. Suggested prayer guides are available.
All Ages Retreat
October 9-11 | Quaker Lake (Climax, NC)
Get ready for our All Ages Retreat!
Join us at Quaker Lake Camp this fall for an intentional, intergenerational
weekend where we’ll worship, play, and strengthen our bonds as a faith community. Registration details are coming soon, so stay tuned!
Join us Wednesday nights for Music, Missions, Faith Formation, and special programming for all ages! See the opportunities to join us during the month of April below! There will be no Midweek programming on Wednesday, April 8.
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP | 6-7pm
April 1
April 15
April 22
Children's Easter Rock Hunt
Cotswold’s Religious Landscape pt. 1
Cotswold’s Religious Landscape pt. 2
April 29 End-of-Year Concert & Ice Cream Party
MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR REHEARSALS
5:45-6:30pm
Cherub Choir (3s), Room 1420
Julia Wright, Director Music Makers (4s-TK), Room 1457
Molly Naylor, Director
Trinity Singers (K-1st), Room 2232
Nathan Hudson, Director
Young Musicians (2nd-5th), Room 2306
Debra Wallace, Director
6:30-7:30pm Student Choir (6th-12th), Room 2306
7:30pm Sanctuary Choir, Lowell Dotson Music Suite
Pete Leo, Director
April Calendar
WEEKLY EVENTS
Sundays
9:15am Faith Formation
10:30am Worship
1-5pm Fitness Center Open
Mondays
6:30pm Carolina Shag Lessons
7-9pm Men's Pick-Up Basketball (ages 55+)
Monday-Friday
9am-8pm Fitness Center Open
Mon, Tue, Thu, & Sat
Times vary Jazzercise Class*
Tuesday-Sunday
Times vary Indoor Pickleball*
Wednesdays
5pm Midweek at Providence
Thursdays
11am Adult Bible Study* 12-3pm Game ON! Social
Saturdays
9am-3pm Fitness Center Open
*Visit our website for full details
STUDENT FUSION | 5:45-6:30pm
We'll gather at 5:45pm in the Chapman Youth Room!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Weekly – Preschool Missions; Midweek for Children
April 15 MOMs Group: Words that Build
FELLOWSHIP DINNER MENUS
5pm | Crouch Fellowship Hall
April 1 Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
April 15 Build-Your-Own Fajita Tacos
April 22 Hamburger or Hot Dog
April 29 Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy
The cost of a Midweek dinner is $25 per Family, $8 per Individual, $5 per Child ages 10 and under, and Free for Children ages 5 and under. Payments can be made via cash, check, or through Realm!
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Mon-Thu 9am-4pm; Fri 9am-1pm
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
6pm Easter Rock Hunt, Activity Center
APRIL 1-2
CDC's Easter Egg Hunt
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
7pm † Maundy Thursday, Sanctuary
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
CDC Closed
11:20am † Good Friday, Rotunda Porch
SUNDAY, APRIL 5
6:45am † Sunrise Service, Columbarium (Rain Plan: Rotunda) 10:30am † Easter Worship, Sanctuary
MONDAY, APRIL 6
Providence Closed (Easter Monday)
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
12pm PrimeTimers' Luncheon, Crouch Fellowship Hall
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
CDC's Family Picnic
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
6-9pm Line Dance Classes, Gym
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
5:30pm Sunday Night LIVE, Chapman Youth Room
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
6:30pm Church Council Forum, Eddins Room
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
WOM Empty Bowl Luncheon
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
8am-12pm Prayer Vigil, Gordon Weekley Chapel
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
9:15am Senior Breakfast, Chapman Youth Room
11:30am Q2 Church Conference, Following Worship
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
6:15pm End-of-Year Concert and Ice Cream Party
PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH
4921 Randolph Road Charlotte, NC 28211
The Record We Wrote
New Members
PRESTON LATTY
March 1, 2026
Missions Collection — During April, Women on Mission are collecting stuffed animals (gently used to new, small- to medium-sized) for CMPD. Stuffed animals are given to children who have witnessed or experienced crime in order to provide comfort in stressful situations.
In Christian
Sympathy
We remember with appreciation and sympathy these Providence members who have recently passed away.
• John Burnette, December 15, 2025
• "Buddy" Norwood, February 20, 2026
• Rusty Haigler, February 23, 2026
• Elizabeth Still, March 3, 2026
Jana Harston, March 10, 2026
Save The Date
MAY 6
Sacred Spaces Tour
MAY 7
Final Adult Bible Study Spring Session
MAY 12
Women on Mission
MAY 13
VBS Training
MAY 17
Anniversary Sunday
MAY 25
Providence Closed (Memorial Day)
JUNE 15-19
Vacation Bible School
AUGUST 7
Providence Knight at the Ballpark
OCTOBER 9-11
All Ages Retreat
ONLINE GIVING
Do you give online to Providence? On Sundays, pick up an online giving card as you enter the Narthex and place it in the offering plate during Worship!
