With Christ at the Center
LAST MONTH, WE HOSTED OUR ANNUAL RISE AGAINST HUNGER FOOD PACKING EVENT! TOGETHER, WE PACKAGED OVER 10,000 MEALS TO HELP THOSE FACING HUNGER AROUND THE WORLD! WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU, AND WE'RE EXCITED FOR NEXT YEAR!
Dear Providence Family,
My name is Fred, and along with my wife, Ellen, and our two boys, Freddie and Logan, we are grateful to call Providence Baptist Church our church home.
For me, Providence has been more than just a church—it is where I grew up, where my faith was formed, and where I learned what it means to be part of a family of believers who care deeply about one another and about God’s mission in the world. The support this church has provided for our family through so many chapters of Logan and Freddie’s lives has truly been inspiring. You all never stop caring for and loving on us. For that, we are eternally grateful. You remind us what it means to be part of a church family.
Below is the new Deacon Slate, as well as new members for our Committees and Ministry Groups! These slates are from the Human Resources Committee and will come for a vote during the Q4 Quarterly Church Conference following Worship on October 19.
DEACONS*
Ashley Davis, 1997
Karen Dukes, 1998
David Eskew, 2013
Carly Fenimore, 2000
David Gora, 2022
In 2018, our deacons and senior pastor laid out a bold vision: “Providence Will…Cultivate Generosity ” and that every active member would be an active giver. Now, in 2025, it is time to turn vision into reality: “Providence Does Cultivate Generosity.” As a member of the Financial Resources Committee, I have seen firsthand how generosity flows through this church. It shows up in the way we support missions, care for families, and help the next generation (including kids like my own) build a strong foundation of faith.
This year, we are asking each of us to step up— together—to fulfill the commitment our church made back in 2018. Whether you were here then or joined later, this is our shared promise.
Grayson Gruninger, 2023
Abby Hendrix, 1998
Donna Newman, 2000
FINANCIAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Jason Mercer
Roger Skirvin
Myra Zweier
MISSIONS COMMITTEE
David Coward
Susan Good
Kate Marshall
Ted Sparks
We are asking every active member of Providence to be an active giver in 2026. Imagine what it will mean if every household joins in. It will be an incredible milestone in our church’s story.
You should have received a pledge card in the mail. If not, we will have some available on Sundays. You can return it in Worship, mail it in, or if it's easier, you can make your pledge online through Realm. Please let us know your decision as soon as you’re ready or by October 19.
I am excited to be part of this journey with you. Together, let us follow Jesus by following through.
In Gratitude, Fred Wingate, II Generosity Team
PROPERTY RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Neal Hendrix
Mike Motsinger
LEARNING MINISTRY GROUPS**
Adults Tom O'Neal
Children Whitney McGarry
Students Leslie Hunt
CDC Steven Allison
WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRY GROUP
David Price
*Year indicates year joined
**Minister recommendations
Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org
Providence Together
October 22 at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall
All ages are invited to join us for a special intergenerational gathering!
Michelle Hitselberger, mhitselberger@providencebc.org
Youth Basketball Registration Open Registration for our Youth Basketball League is now open! Practices begin in November and Saturday games begin December 6. Register your child today and volunteer to be a coach at www.providencebc.org/ connect/activity-center/sports
Elizabeth Maye Hudson, emaye@providencebc.org
Trunk or Treat
October 26 at 5:30pm in the Parking Lot
Your family is invited to join us for fun, food, and treats! Come dressed in your costumes and bring a friend! Volunteers needed to set-up, host a Trunk (our goal is 20), donate candy, provide hospitality, and serve food.
Ursula Taylor, utaylor@providencebc.org
Spaghetti Fellowship Dinner
October 7 at 5pm in the Fellowship Hall
All families are invited to join us for our annual Spaghetti Fellowship Dinner! Come gather with other families, learn more about the CDC, and engage in fellowship with one another.
Pumpkin Patch
October 14-15 at 10am on the CDC Front Lawn Pick pumpkins with us! Families are invited to help their child select a pumpkin to take home. We will gather on the CDC Front Lawn at 10am.
Charlotte CROP Hunger Walk
Book Character Parade
October 31 at 10am in the CDC Parking Lot Come dress up for our character parade! Children will dress up like their favorite book character (bring the book) and parade around to different classrooms to receive treats.
Pete Leo, pleo@providencebc.org
Corwin Stanley: '25-'26 Martha Strawn Iley Scholarship Recipient October 12 during Worship
On October 12, Corwin Stanley, the ‘25-’26 Martha Strawn Iley Scholarship recipient, will join us in Worship to share his talents! A junior at GardnerWebb University, Corwin is majoring in Traditional Worship Music and serves as part-time Music Minister at Gaffney’s Draytonville Baptist Church.
Amy Brown, abrown@providencebc.org
Movie Night
October 5 at 6:30pm at The Querys' Home Middle and high schoolers are invited to a movie night under the stars! Arrive by 6:30pm and bring a camping chair and blanket. Snacks and drinks will be served. Eat dinner before you arrive. Sign up on Realm!
Sunday Night LIVE
October 12 at 5:30pm in the Youth Room All middle and high schoolers are invited to join us for Sunday Night LIVE! We will start with dinner all together, followed by live music, games, and more, then small groups.
CBFNC Student Fall Retreat
October 24-26 at Fort Caswell, NC Fall Retreat is a weekend filled with worship, Bible study, and time on the beach! Our 2025 theme is "The Voice of Truth." Register by October 13! Email Kristen to volunteer as a chaperone.
Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net
PrimeTimers' Luncheon
October 16 at 12pm in the Fellowship Hall Fall is here and it’s time for our next PrimeTimers’ Luncheon! Join us October 16 for lunch, fellowship and entertainment. Juliana O'Rork from the Better Business Bureau will bring us the latest information on scams and how to report them. Our luncheons are open to all! RSVP by October 10 via Realm or to Wilna at (704) 553-2615. Cost is $7/person.
connections@providencebc.org
World Communion Sunday
October 5 during Worship
Join us in Worship for World Communion Sunday, a day intended to promote Christian unity.
Blessing of Animals
October 5 at 4pm at the Gazebo
Bring your leashed pet, a photo of your pet, or even a favorite stuffed animal for our Blessing of the Animals ceremony! Invite a friend!
Women on Mission
October 14 at 10:30am in the Missions Center
All are invited to join us as we hear from Rev. Dr. Scottie Stamper about the Browning Retreat. We'll also make blankets for the Ronald McDonald House. Questions? Contact Susan Jones at sbjones7@gmail.com or Lynn Osment at losment02@gmail.com
Q4 Quarterly Church Conference
October 19 following Worship
Our Q4 Quarterly Church Conference will be October 19 following Worship.
Prayer Vigil
Last Saturday of the Month in the Chapel
You are invited to pray in the Chapel from 8am-12pm on October 25. Suggested prayer guides are available. CONTINUED...
Join us on Sunday, October 19 for the 47th annual Charlotte CROP Hunger Walk, part of a nationwide endeavor to raise money to alleviate hunger and poverty in locally and overseas. This year, the Walk will take place here at Providence and the surrounding neighborhoods! Visit crophungerwalk.org/charlottenc to register!
Celebration Lunch
October 26 following Worship in the Gym
On October 26, we will celebrate achieving our goal of every active
member being an active giver with a special lunch! Following Worship, all are invited to share in this celebration as one church family! Let us continue
to ensure that Providence not only does, but continues to, cultivate generosity in 2026 and beyond!
Our Midweek programming schedule offers Missions, Music, and Faith Formation for all ages! Check out the opportunities for the month of October below:
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP | 6-7pm
October 1 - Book of Hebrews Session 2
October 8 - Book of Hebrews Session 3
October 15 - Book of Hebrews Session 4
October 22 - Providence Together
October 29 - All Saints Vespers
MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR REHEARSALS
5:45-6:30pm Young Musicians, 2nd-5th, Room 2306
Debra Wallace, Director
Trinity Singers, K-1st, Room 2232
Nathan Hudson, Director
Music Makers, 4s-TK, Room 1457
Molly Naylor, Director
Cherub Choir, 3s, Room 1420
Julia Wright, Director
6:30-7:30pm Student Choir, 6th-12th, Room 2306
7:30pm Adult Choir, Choir Suite
Pete Leo, Director
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sundays
9:15am Faith Formation
10:30am Worship
1-5pm Fitness Center Open
Monday-Friday
9am-8pm Fitness Center Open
Mon, Tue, Thu, & Sat
6-7pm Jazzercise Class
Mondays
6:30pm Carolina Shag Lessons
7-9pm Men's Pick-Up Basketball (ages 55+)
Tuesday-Sunday
Various Times Indoor Pickleball*
Wednesdays
5pm Midweek at Providence
7pm Ballroom Dancing
Thursdays
11am Adult Bible Study*
1-3pm Game ON! Social
Saturdays
8am-12pm Cotswold Farmers Market
9am-3pm Fitness Center Open
*Visit our website for more details and a full schedule of events
STUDENT FUSION | 5:45-6:30pm
We will gather at 5:45pm in the Youth Room!
CHILDREN’S ROTATIONS | 6:30-7:15pm
Weekly – Preschool Missions; Midweek for Children
MIDWEEK FELLOWSHIP DINNER
5pm in the Fellowship Hall
October 1 General Tso's Chicken Stir Fry
October 8 BBQ Pulled Pork
October 15 Baked Leg Quarters
October 22 Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
October 29 Fajita Chicken Tacos
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!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
World Communion Sunday
4pm Blessing of Animals, Gazebo
6:30pm Student's Movie Night, The Querys' Home
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7
5pm CDC's Spaghetti Fellowship Dinner, Fellowship Hall
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
10:30am Corwin Stanley Joins for Worship, Fellowship Hall
5:30pm Student Ministry's Sunday Night LIVE, Youth Room
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14
10:30am Women on Mission, Missions Center
OCTOBER 14-15
10am CDC's Pumpkin Patch, CDC Front Lawn
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
12pm PrimeTimers' Luncheon, Fellowship Hall
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
11:30am Q4 Quarterly Church Conference, Fellowship Hall 1-4pm Charlotte CROP Walk
OCTOBER 24-26
CBFNC Student Fall Retreat, Fort Caswell, NC
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
8-11am Gardens Work Day, Providence Gardens 8am-12pm Prayer Vigil, Chapel
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
11:30am Celebration Lunch, Activity Center Gym 5:30-7pm Trunk or Treat, Rotunda Parking Lot
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
10am CDC's Book Character Parade, CDC Parking Lot
SERMON TEXTS THIS MONTH
October 5 Blake preaching
October 12 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
October 19 Luke 18:1-8
October 26 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
In 2018, Providence set a goal that, by 2025, every member would be a giver and that Providence will cultivate generosity. Well, it's 2025, and it's time to turn vision into action. Together, let’s ensure that Providence not only will—but does—cultivate generosity. Make your commitment for 2026 today and follow through!
We remember with appreciation and sympathy these Providence members who have recently passed away.
• JoEllen Arant, September 16, 2025
ANNE MCGARRY
September 21, 2025
NOVEMBER 2
All Saints Day
NOVEMBER 11
Women on Mission
NOVEMBER 16
Student Ministry's Sunday Night LIVE
NOVEMBER 19
Double Choir
NOVEMBER 26
No Midweek Programming
NOVEMBER 27-28
Providence Closed (Thanksgiving)
NOVEMBER 30
Hanging of the Green Family Advent Dinner
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!