CONNECTIONS
WOMEN ON MISSION MEET ON THE 2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 10:30AM IN THE MISSIONS CENTER! THESE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL, SO COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR PRAYERS, MISSION PROJECTS, GUEST SPEAKERS, AND FELLOWSHIP!
From the Senior Pastor
Pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
With gratitude being the reason for this season, I want to highlight four events this month in the life of our church that will each, in their own way, be occasions for thanksgiving. The first occasion is November 6, the Wednesday after election day. We’ll gather in the Sanctuary at 6pm for a special communion service to remind each other—and to proclaim to the world—that what binds us together as brothers and sisters in Christ is far more powerful, and certainly more eternal, than the partisan differences that might seek to separate us.
Way before we are Democrats or Republicans or unaffiliated voters, we are children of God and followers of Jesus. Our true citizenship, as the apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:20, is not here. It’s in heaven. We mustn’t ever forget this good news—even when political passions run high and hot.
Coming in peace to the Lord’s table, in the immediate aftermath of yet another contentious and toxic election season, is the best way to remember who we truly are, both in Christ and for one another.
Thanks be to God for this gift of holy communion!
November 17 is the second occasion. We will be voting this Sunday to affirm a slate of eight new deacons and to elect six people to serve on our newly-constituted Church Council. This is a big deal. After a thorough and deliberative process, Providence took the bold step in October of revising its lay leadership and governing structure with the goal of making it more representative, clear, responsive, and accountable.
Now it’s time to begin calling leaders to serve in this new structure. Please be praying now both for God’s blessing and for God’s wisdom to be upon them. Thanks be to God for the gift of good—and willing—leaders in our church!
The third occasion is November 20, which is our annual churchwide Rise Against Hunger mission project. We’ll start at 6pm in the Randy Ballard Gym and, in just over an hour, together we’ll pack 15,000 meals for those experiencing hunger around the world. This event is easily one of my very favorite things that we do at Providence. It’s intergenerational, it’s hands-on, it’s together, it’s fun, and—best of all—it’s done
in obedience to Jesus, who tells us that, when we feed hungry people, we are, in fact, feeding him (Matthew 25:45). Thanks be to God for the gift of serving others in the name of Jesus!
Finally, the fourth occasion is November 24, when we will, during worship, make our financial commitments to support the missions and ministries of Providence in 2025. Cultivating generosity is a priority for us, both in our individual lives and as a community of faith, because when we are giving, we are imitating Jesus—and that’s exactly what healthy discipleship looks like.
Generosity is the primary way that every single one of us can participate in the work of Providence, and so I’m challenging each of you to be a growing giver next year. Hilary and I commit to growing in our giving in 2025. We invite you to join us. Thanks be to God for the gifts that we’ve been given to share with one another! May the peace of Christ—and a profound spirit of gratitude—be with you!
Ministry at Providence
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org
Women’s Retreat Postponed
The Women’s Retreat scheduled for November 1-3 has been postponed due to the recent damage caused by Hurricane Helene, likely to be rescheduled for late winter/early spring of 2025. The retreat program and cost will remain the same. Refunds will be issued to those who have previously registered.
“Holidays Unwrapped: Grief, Love, and Remembrance” Workshop
Join us in the Fellowship Hall on November 17 at 12pm for a special workshop from Scottie Stamper where we’ll navigate the complex emotions of grief and loss during the holiday season. A catered lunch from Jason’s Deli will be available for $12 (cash or check accepted at the door). Sign up on Realm by November 13!
Advent Devotion Guide
For the upcoming Advent season, the Adult Discipleship Ministry would like to offer an Advent Devotion Guide from Living Compass, which will be made available on the Adult Discipleship page on our website. This guide includes daily devotions, reflections, quotes, and practices to help us prepare for Christmas.
ACTIVITY CENTER
Michelle Hitselberger, mhitselberger@providencebc.org
Youth Basketball Registration
Did you miss the registration deadline for Youth Basketball? There still might be openings! If you’d still like to register, please contact Coach Carlton at canthony@providencebc.org
Pickleball Beginners Class
Join us on November 13 at 10am for a beginners pickleball class! The cost is $5/person. Text or call (704) 737-1168.
Activity Center Closings
The Activity Center will be closed on November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday and will reopen November 29.
CHILDREN
Elizabeth Maye Hudson, emaye@providencebc.org
Welcoming Claire Revord
Join us in welcoming Claire Revord, our Interim Ministry Assistant for the Children’s Ministry! As a member of Providence since 2022, Claire has served in a variety of volunteer roles and currently leads the Open Door Faith Formation class. If you see Claire around, say ‘hi’ and offer your gratitude for her important work!
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Ursula Taylor, utaylor@providencebc.org
Thanksgiving Luncheon
We will have our annual Thanksgiving Holiday Luncheon (for children and teachers only) in the Fellowship Hall on November 19 at the classes regularly scheduled lunch time.
CDC Closings
On November 27, Preschool will close at 12pm and Fullcare will close at 1pm.
MUSIC
Timothy Hill, thill@providencebc.org
‘Hanging of the Green’ Double Choir Rehearsal
The tradition of the Double Choir rehearsal continues on November 13 as we make our preparations for our annual ‘Hanging of the Green’ service on December 1. Please report to your usual choir rehearsal as scheduled.
Christmas Choir Invitation
The Sanctuary Choir will present “Small, Dancing Light” by Taylor Scott Davis on December 22. If you’d like to sing with the choir on this wonderful work, please contact Tim or Ed.
STUDENTS
Kristen Hendrix, khendrix@providencebc.org
Sunday Night LIVE
Join us for our last SNL of the year on November 17 from 5:30-7pm in the Chapman Youth Room! We will enjoy
dinner together followed by music, games, and small groups. There may even be a door prize giveaway too…
SENIOR ADULTS
Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net
PrimeTimers Luncheon
Our next PrimeTimers Luncheon will be November 21 in the Fellowship Hall! We will welcome Rev. Nell Green and her Threads by Nomad Christmas Pop-Up Shop. Invite a friend to share in fellowship, a delicious lunch, and Christmas shopping for that special one-of-a-kind gift. RSVP on Realm or call Wilna at (704) 553-2615 by November 15. The cost is $7 for everyone and is open to all!
Altar Guild
This Advent season, the Altar Guild will meet on November 26 at 9:30am to decorate Providence in preparation for Christmas. We’ll meet again on January 7 at 9:30am to take down the decorations. If you’d like to volunteer for setup and/or takedown, contact Wilna at (704) 553-2615 or via email.
CHURCHWIDE connections@providencebc.org
Post-Election Communion
Join us in the Sanctuary on November 6 at 6pm for a special communion service as we recenter our focus on Jesus – the one who unites us as brothers and sisters in his name.
Women on Mission
Our next meeting is November 12 in the Missions Center! We will begin at 10:30am by assembling 50 Thanksgiving boxes for Charlotte Rescue Mission. Our general meeting and guest speaker from the Ronald McDonald House will be at 11:30am followed by lunch. All are welcome!
Prayer Vigil
You are invited to come sit and pray quietly from 8am-12pm in the Chapel on November 30. Suggested Prayer guides are available.
RISE AGAINST HUNGER
Come help us package 15,000 meals to help fight food insecurity around the world and Rise Against Hunger on November 20 at 6pm in the Randy Ballard Gym! If you’d like to learn more about the mission of Rise Against Hunger and how you can help support it, please visit www.riseagainsthunger.org
Our Midweek schedule offers Music, Missions, and Faith Formation for all ages. See the opportunities to join us during the month of Novmeber below!
There will be NO Midweek programming on November 27 because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
ADULT ROTATIONS | 6–7PM
November 6 – Post-Election Communion
November 13 – Midweek Highlight: Wycliffe Seminar
November 20 – Rise Against Hunger
MUSIC | CHOIR REHEARSALS
5:30-6:30pm – Young Musicians
5:45-6:30pm – Cherub Choir and Trinity Singers
6:30-7:30pm – Student Choir
7:30-9pm – Sanctuary Choir
STUDENT FUSION | 5:45–6:30PM
We will gather at 5:45pm in the Youth Room.
November Calendar
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Mondays
6:30pm Carolina Shag Lessons
7-9pm Men’s Basketball PickUp Games (ages 30+)
Mondays–Thursdays
2:30pm Open Gym (all ages)
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10am-1pm & Adult Pickleball
6-8pm Open Play
Wednesdays
5pm Midweek at Providence
Thurdays
12-3pm Cotswold Game ON!
Fridays
9am-2:30pm Pickleball Tournament
Saturdays
12:30-3pm Open Gym (all ages)
Sundays
9:15am Faith Formation
10:30am Worship
1-5pm Open Gym (all ages)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
6pm Post-Election Communion (Midweek Offering), Sanctuary
CHILDREN’S ROTATIONS | 6:30–7:15PM
Weekly – Preschool Missions; Midweek for Children
November 20 – Rise Against Hunger
FELLOWSHIP DINNER MENUS | 5PM
November 6 Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes
November 13 Chicken Parmesan & Spaghetti
November 20 Sweet & Sour Chicken Stir Fry
The cost of a Midweek dinner is:
$25 per Family; $8 per Individual; $5 per Child ages 10 and under; Free for Children ages 5 and under.
Fellowship Dinner payments can be made via cash, check, or online through Realm!
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday 9am–4pm; Friday 9am–1pm
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
10:30am Women on Mission, Missions Center
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
10am Beginners Pickleball, Randy Ballard Gym 6pm Midweek Highlight: Wycliffe Bible Translators Seminar, Fellowship Hall Regular ‘Hanging of the Green’ Times Rehearsal (Double Choir), Sanctuary
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
6:30pm Endurance Club & Bible Study, Activity Center Parlor
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17
12pm “Holidays Unwrapped” Workshop, Fellowship Hall
5:30pm Sunday Night LIVE, Youth Room
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Class Time CDC Thanksgiving Luncheon, Fellowship Hall
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 6pm Rise Against Hunger, Randy Ballard Gym
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21 12pm PrimeTimers Luncheon, Fellowship Hall
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
10:30am Commitment Sunday, Sanctuary
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
9:30am Altar Guild Decorating, Rotunda
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 NO Midweek Programming NOVEMBER 28-29
Providence Closed (Thanksgiving) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
8am-12pm Prayer Vigil, Gordon Chapel
