With Christ at the Center
CONNECTIONS
“Remember that you are but dust, and to dust you shall return…” (Psalm 103:14). Lent is a time of drawing closer to God in confession, intentional prayer and fasting, and deeper resolve to follow Jesus, even—and especially—when it leads to the cross. Join us at Providence this Lenten season.
From the Senior Pastor
There are many ways to deepen spiritual awareness during the season of Lent. Some people give up a particular food or drink—or maybe press pause on a bad habit—as a symbolic reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for the sake of a sinful world. Some people add a beneficial practice, like daily Bible reading, or deliberate acts of kindness, or fasting one day each week as sign of the new life that the risen Christ offers to all who come to him in faith.
This Lenten season, I am walking with purpose, using my daily walks and intentional time outdoors as an opportunity to pray for the people and places that I see.
The idea of walking with purpose is an insight that I gained from my time on St. Cuthbert’s Way last fall. Over the course of 100 kilometers, I discovered that walking outdoors has a liberating effect on my mind. Something about being in motion helps elevate my thoughts toward God—or, maybe, it creates sufficient space for God to sneak into thoughts that might otherwise be focused on other, lesser, matters. Either way, it’s a good thing. So, this Lenten season, I am walking with
purpose—and on Saturday, April 4, I invite you to join me for a walk with purpose (or, if you want to be fancy about it, a pilgrimage) to the historical heart of uptown Charlotte. Here’s what I have in mind: Providence pilgrims will gather in the Activity Center parking lot at 10am and walk up Randolph Road to the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets, a distance of 5.2 miles. Along the way, we will pass by schools, a hospital, the courthouse and government buildings, businesses, churches, and lots of places where our neighbors live. Every one of these venues is an invitation to pray for the people in our community and for the blessings that make our community strong: Peace, justice, education, health, work, and a shared commitment to the common good.
At the intersection of Trade and Tryon, we will pray together as a group, rest for a while, and then head back to the church. The roundtrip is roughly 10.4 miles. If walking the whole thing feels daunting, then walk some of it—or, just show up at the corner of Trade and Tryon around noon. There’s no shame in being a partial-pilgrim!
I’ve been inspired here by the Buddhist monks who traveled through Charlotte back in January. They walked for peace. That was their purpose. I thought: 'We can do something like that, too, as a way of blessing Charlotte and bearing witness to God’s love for our city.' In Colossians 1:10, the apostle Paul urges us to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Christ, bearing fruit in every good work.” Walking together on April 4 just feels like a good way to spend Holy Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I invite you to join me then!
May the peace of Christ be with you!
Lee Canipe Senior Pastor
SERMON TEXTS THIS MONTH
March 1 Larry Hovis
March 8 Traci Smith
March 15 1 Samuel 16:1-13
March 22 Ezekiel 37:1-14
March 29 Matthew 21:1-11
Ministry at Providence
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org
Women's Retreat
March 20-22 | Fort Caswell, NC
From March 20-22, a group of women will take a weekend retreat to Fort Caswell, NC to enjoy fellowship with one another. Scottie Stamper will be speaking on the theme of “Held by the Tide: Learning to Rest in God’s Faithful Rhythm.” This will be a fun, relaxing, meaningful time away with the women of Providence.
ACTIVITY CENTER
Michelle Hitselberger, mhitselberger@providencebc.org
Activity Center Closed 4pm March 2 - March 3
The Activity Center will close 4pm on March 2 and remain closed through March 3 for Election setup and voting.
Men's Softball League
Spring-Summer 2026
Teams are forming this spring! No experience necessary —just sign up and have fun! Teams need 11-13 players and play 1-2 nights per week (MonThu). Sign up on Realm!
Children's Summer Camps
Summer 2026
Kids are invited to join us this summer for exciting sports and art camps! From soccer and basketball to pickleball and even water play, there's something for every kid this summer! Visit our website for more information.
Active Adults 50+ Programming
Adults 50+ are invited to join us for special programming this summer! From Exercise & Balance Classes w/ Atrium Health, History Classes w/ Dr. Sasser, and Summer Camps, there's a place for you! Details coming soon.
Pickleball at Providence
Various Times Tuesday-Sunday Everyone ages 16+ is invited to come play pickleball! From beginner's clinics to tournaments and personal training, there's something for everyone!
Fitness Center, Track, and Open Gym
The Fitness Center and Track are open 7 days a week! For Open Gym availability, call (704) 366-4030 ext. 103
CHILDREN
Elizabeth Maye Hudson, emaye@providencebc.org
Children's Sunday
March 8 | Worship
Join us as our children lead us in Worship! Following Worship, Rev. Traci Smith hosts a workshop for families to explore practical faith practices. Lunch will be available during this workshop. More details will be emailed to parents.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Ursula Taylor, utaylor@providencebc.org
Scholastic Book Fair
March 9-13 | Child Development Center
Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming! Families are invited to explore books that inspire a love of reading while supporting our school.
Dental Health Presentation
March 13 | Child Development Center
We’re excited for a Dental Health Presentation to help our children learn the importance of caring for their smiles in a fun and engaging way!
Read Across America
March 20 | Crouch Fellowship Hall
In celebration of Read Across America, Waltonwood residents will join us as they read to our children!
MUSIC
Pete Leo, pleo@providencebc.org
Children's Choirs in Worship
March 8 | During Worship
All Children's Choirs will participate in Children's Sunday! Join us as we celebrate the children of Providence. Join Children's and Student Choirs Children (3 years through 5th grade) and Students (6th-12th grade) are invited to join our choirs! We begin new music this month. See the Midweek section for choir rehearsal details
STUDENTS
Amy Brown, abrown@providencebc.org
Sunday Night LIVE
March 8 | 5:30pm | Chapman Youth Room
All middle and high schoolers are invited to join us for Sunday Night LIVE! We'll start with dinner, followed by large group, ending in small groups.
Game Night
March 22 | 4-5:30pm
Middle and high schoolers are invited to Game Night! Come and hang out, play some games, and enjoy time with friends. We’ill provide snacks and drinks. Sign up on Realm!
SENIOR ADULTS
Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net
PrimeTimers' Luncheon
March 19 | 12pm | Crouch Fellowship Hall
Mark your calendars! We welcome David Haynes, artist and speaker, with his message, “Servanthood: Investing in the Lives of Others.” He will also introduce his latest gallery featuring acrylic artwork of Western NC churches affected by Hurricane Helene. RSVP by March 13 on Realm or to Wilna at (704) 553-2615 . Cost is $7.
CHURCHWIDE
connections@providencebc.org
Women on Mission
March 10 | 10:30am | Nalley Missions Center
All are invited to join us for a time of hands-on missions! March is National Social Worker Month, and we'll pack care packages for Mecklenburg County social workers. Our speaker is from Congregations for Kids, one of Providence’s mission partners. Lunch ($5) and fellowship will follow. Invite a friend! Questions? Contact Susan Jones at sbjones7@gmail.com or Lynn Osment at losment02@gmail.com
Providence Racers
March 11 | 6:30pm | Randy Ballard Gym
Mark your calendars—it’s time to RACE! Cars will race for speed and be judged for creativity.
CBFNC Annual Gathering
March 19-20 | Raleigh, NC
CBFNC invites you to their 2026 Annual Gathering! Experience the joy of connection and belonging as we worship, learn, share, and celebrate how God is at work across NC. Visit cbfnc.org/annualgathering for more!
Prayer Vigil
Last Saturdays in the Gordon Weekley Chapel
You are invited to come and pray quietly. Prayer guides are available.
Holy Week at Providence † March 29 - April 5
Holy Week is observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the
Passion of Jesus Christ, culminating in his resurrection on Easter. We invite you to join us at Providence as we remember Christ’s death and celebrate his resurrection on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.
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 March below:
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP | 6-7pm
March 4 Art Masterpieces of the Lenten Season
March 11 Providence Racers
March 18 Art Presentation from David Haynes
March 25 Lenten Bible Study
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
March 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* 1-3pm 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
March 4 MOMs Group: Strength in Dignity
March 25 MOMs Group: Words that Build
FELLOWSHIP DINNER MENUS
5pm | Crouch Fellowship Hall
March 4 Chicken Parmesan and Spaghetti
March 11 General Tso Chicken
March 18 Pulled Pork BBQ
March 25 Baked Leg Quarters
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!
MARCH 2-3
4pm Activity Center Closed through March 3
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
10:30am
Children's Sunday, During Worship 5:30pm Student Ministry's Sunday Night LIVE, Chapman Youth Room
MARCH 9-13
Scholastic Book Fair, Child Development Center
TUESDAY, MARCH 10
10:30am Women on Mission, Nalley Missions Center
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
6:30pm Providence Racers, Randy Ballard Gym
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
CDC's Dental Health Presentation
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
12pm PrimeTimers' Luncheon, Crouch Fellowship Hall
MARCH 19-20
CBFNC Annual Gathering, Hayes Barton Baptist Church (Raleigh, NC)
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
CDC's Read Across America Day, Crouch Fellowship Hall
MARCH 20-22
Women's Retreat, Fort Caswell, NC
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
4-5:30pm Student's Game Night
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
8am-12pm Prayer Vigil, Gordon Weekley Chapel
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
10:30am † Palm Sunday, During Worship
PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH
4921 Randolph Road Charlotte, NC 28211
The Record We Wrote
In Christian Sympathy
We remember with appreciation and sympathy these Providence members who have recently passed away.
• Faith Summers, January 31, 2026
• Anne Litaker, February 7, 2026
• Jere Pruner, February 10, 2026
New Members
CHRIS & VICKY AYERS (Friends of Providence) February 15, 2026
Save The Date
APRIL 1
Easter Rock Hunt
APRIL 2
Maundy Thursday †
APRIL 3
Good Friday †
APRIL 5
Easter Sunday †
APRIL 6
Providence Closed (Easter Monday)
APRIL 8
No Midweek Programming
APRIL 24
Women on Mission
APRIL 29
End-of-Year Concert and Ice Cream Party
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!