CONNECTIONS
OUR STUDENTS RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH REBUILDING TOGETHER OF GREATER CHARLOTTE TO PROVIDE CRITICAL HOME REPAIRS TO NEIGHBORS IN NEED!
From the Senior Pastor
“...The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love.”
- Galatians 5:6
Just about everybody I know is approaching this fall with at least some degree of fear and trepidation. Presidential elections have a way of exacerbating already-existing social tensions, which means the so-called “culture wars” that thrive on division and dominate the media are about to go on steroids. Get ready to hear many more angry voices shouting from political extremes.
This kind of polarization strains relationships, destroys friendships, and weakens the ties that bind us to our neighbors—the very people whom Jesus calls us to love in his name. There are plenty of different theories about why and how we arrived at this ugly place as a society, but the fact of the matter is this: Here we are.
When my ministry colleagues and I gathered for our semi-annual planning day this past March, we spent some time talking about what the mission of the church needs to
be at a moment like this. Jesus tells his followers in Matthew 5:13-14 that they are salt of the earth and light for the world. A little bit of both goes a long way—but salt has to stay salty, and light has to shine in order for either to be effective. For a fallen world to learn who Jesus is, we must be true to who Jesus says we are.
Out of our conversation in March, then, came this question: How can we help equip Providence people to be salt and light in a toxic political environment this fall?
One way—we hope—will be our churchwide emphasis in September called Not About You. Our political culture relentlessly appeals to our perceived self-interest. Jesus, meanwhile, tells his followers that his disciples must deny themselves, pick up their cross, and go where he leads. In other words, Jesus tells us: ‘It’s not about you. Or your opinions. Or your party affiliation. Or who you voted for. It’s about me.’
This is the good news that we’re called to share on the everyday mission fields where we live, work,
and play—which led my colleagues and I to ask a second question: What skills do we need to have in order to be this kind of missionary in this kind of environment?
Here’s what we came up with: More listening, less talking; More giving, less taking;
• More serving, less complaining;
• More us, less me.
Sounds a lot different from what we’re hearing from the world these days, doesn’t it? That’s the point. As Martin Luther King, Jr., used to say, the church of Jesus Christ isn’t called to be a thermometer reflecting the environment. Instead, it’s called to be a thermostat that changes the environment.
Starting September 8, we will begin learning about these missionary skills during worship and other faith formation times with Galatians 5:6 as our guiding verse. May God help us all be salt and light this fall—and may the peace of Christ be with you!
SEPTEMBER IS NAMETAG MONTH!
Beginning on Sunday, September 8 and continuing each Sunday for the rest of the month, there will be nametags at the Rotunda and Activity Center entrances. Help us build community by making a nametag, wearing it around campus, and introducing yourself to new friends so that others may get to know you better!
Ministry at Providence
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org
Adult Bible Study Resumes
Join us for Adult Bible Study on Thursdays at 11am in the Eddins Room for our 10-part study on Ecclesiastes. Check out The Bible Project’s “A Guide to Ecclesiastes” and Enter The Bible’s “Ecclesiastes Guide.” The schedule is contingent on Blake’s health progress and may change.
ACTIVITY CENTER
Michelle Hitselberger, mhitselberger@providencebc.org
Youth Fall Soccer League
Children ages 5-10 are invited to play soccer this fall at Providence! Play is 6-7pm on Mondays and runs from September 9-October 21. Cost is $159 per player. Parents are encouraged to sign up to be a coach! Space is limited, so register on Realm today!
Open Gym on Sundays
Starting September 8, the Gym will open on Sundays from 1-5pm!
CHILDREN
Elizabeth Maye Hudson, emaye@providencebc.org
1st Grade Bible Presentation
Join us for Worship on September 15 as we celebrate a special milestone with our 1st Grade children and present them with their own Bibles!
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Ursula Taylor, utaulor@providencebc.org
Full Care & Half Care First Days
Our Full Care preschool will begin on September 3, and our Half Care preschool will begin on September 4. We can’t wait to see you this fall!
Family Pasta Dinner
We will have our annual Pasta Dinner on September 24! CDC families are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall at 5:45pm for music and fellowship. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 and up.
MUSIC
Timothy Hill, thill@providencebc.org
There’s a Place for YOU...
The Music Ministry at Providence is a unique place for fellowship, uniting diverse people, interests, and age groups in a common calling. We are here not just to make music, but to worship through it and uphold one another in the name of Jesus Christ. As we begin a new season, we extend an invitation for you to join us – all are welcome! From choirs to handbell ensembles, there’s a place for you!
STUDENTS
Dane Jackson, djackson@providencebc.org
Yuck Night
All students are invited to join us at 6pm on September 4 by the Gazebo & Fields for Yuck Night! Bring a friend (and a towel and change of clothes) for a messy night to remember. Student Ministry Orientation Students, parents, caregivers, and volunteers are invited to come learn about the Student Ministry on September 8 at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall! Hear about upcoming events, trips, and much more. Lunch will be provided.
Blessing of New Drivers in Worship
Join us on September 22 as we invite all recently (or soon-to-be) new drivers and their families to take part in a special blessing during Worship! Students and their families will be asked to briefly stand.
SENIOR ADULTS
Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net
PrimeTimers Luncheon
Our monthly PrimeTimers luncheons return 12pm Thursday, September 19 in the Fellowship Hall! Entertainment will be provided by the Gold Standard Chorus Quartet. RSVP on Realm by September 13 or by calling Wilna Eury at (704) 553-2615. Our luncheons are open to all, and the cost is $7.
CHURCHWIDE
Providence Closed (Labor Day)
The Providence Campus will be closed on September 2 for Labor Day.
Fall Kickoff
Join us at 5pm on September 4 as we reconnect and prepare for our Midweek programming to resume! We’ll gather for a cookout, games, a mini-train, dessert, and more!
Celebration Sunday
Let’s celebrate another year of Faith Formation classes together on Sunday, September 8! Refreshments will be available outside the Rotunda beginning at 8:45am. Looking for a class to join? Contact Blake Kendrick!
Women on Mission
We will meet on September 10 at 10:30am in the Mission Center for a Mission Action Work Day making over 1000 lunches for Roof Above! Lunch will be provided, and all are welcome! We’ll also collect chapstick for the Red Box Prison Ministry. Questions? Contact Debra at (704) 614-7998.
Acts 2:42 Groups
“2:42 Groups” extends an invitation to members and families to gather around the table 4 times from September 2024 through July 2025 with Providence families. Sign up on Realm by September 15!
Prayer Vigil
You are invited to come sit and pray quietly from 8am-12pm in the Chapel on September 28. Suggested Prayer guides are available.
Special Guest David McLennan
On Sunday, October 6 at 4pm, we will welcome David McLennan, professor of Political Science at Meredith College. He will share insights on how civic responsibilities overlap with faith-based commitments to the common good, and will reflect on Richard Haass’s book, The Bill of Obligations. Bring a friend to hear a thoughtful, practical approach to healthy civic engagement in a toxic political environment.
CHURCHWIDE (CONTINUED)
Wander and Wonder – A MOMs Group Fall Series
Join us for a special MOMs Group series this fall with Sarah Blackwell as
she leads us through using wonder to gain confidence in guiding our children. All mothers of children ages 3-11 are invited to join 3 educational sessions from 6-7pm in Room 2231 on
September 11, September 25, and October 9. This series is part of Sarah Blackwell’s doctoral research. Sign up on Realm today! We look forward to seeing you there!
Join us for our Fall Kickoff on Wednesday, September 4 at 5pm! After that, Midweek activities will resume for the fall on Wednesday, September 11. We are so excited to see you all again on Wednesday nights! Invite a friend or neighbor to join us!
Our Midweek schedule offers Music, Missions, and Faith Formation for all ages. See the opportunities to join us during the month of September below:
ADULT ROTATIONS | 6–7PM
September 11 – Book Club: Bill of Obligations Part 1
September 18 – Do Justice: Learning to Listen
September 25 – Vespers: Communion & Candlelight
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
Our Midweek gathering will meet at 5:45pm in the Youth Room.
September Calendar
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Mondays
5:30-7pm Adult Open Gym (ages 16+)
7-9pm Men’s Basketball PickUp Games (ages 40+)
Mondays - Fridays
2:30pm Youth Open Gym (ages 12-17)
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10am-1pm & Pickleball
6-8pm SportsQuest
Wednesdays
5pm Midweek at Providence
Thurdays
11am Adult Bible Study, Missions Center
Fridays 9am-2:30pm Pickleball Tournament
Saturdays 8am-12pm Cotswold Farmers Market
10am-3pm Open Gym
Sundays 9:15am Faith Formation
10:30am Worship
1-5pm Open Gym
CHILDREN’S ROTATIONS | 6:30–7:15PM
Preschool-1st Grade – Missions Rotation 2nd-5th Grade – Worship Rotation
MIDWEEK FELLOWSHIP DINNER
September 11 Meatloaf & Vegetables
September 18 Chicken Parmesan
September 25 Sweet and Sour Chicken
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.
Dinner payments can be made via cash, check, or online through Realm!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Providence Closed (Labor Day)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
CDC Full Care Begins
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
CDC Half Care Begins
5pm Fall Kickoff
6pm Yuck Night, Gazebo & Fields
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Celebration Sunday 11:30am Student Ministry Orientation, Fellowship Hall
4pm Listening Session, Eddins Room
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
10:30am Women on Mission, Missions Center
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
5pm Midweek at Providence Resumes
6pm Wander and Wonder, Room 2231
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 11am Adult Bible Study Resumes, Eddins Room
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
10:30am 1st Grade Bible Presentation, Sanctuary
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 12pm PrimeTimer’s Luncheon, Fellowship Hall
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 10:30am Blessing of New Drivers in Worship, Sanctuary
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
5:45pm CDC Pasta Dinner, Fellowship Hall
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 6pm Wander and Wonder, Room 2231
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
8am-12pm Prayer Vigil, Gordon Chapel
The Record We Wrote
Families Forward Charlotte Needs Family Liaison Mentors Families Forward Charlotte, one of our Missions Partners, is in search of Family Liaison Mentors! Liaisons develop one-on-one relationships with Family Partners experiencing poverty here in Charlotte, assisting them in setting personal goals and helping them navigate the necessary steps to achieving them. If you’re interested in becoming a Family Liaison Mentor, you’re encouraged to attend one of FFC’s short informational sessions to learn more about this life-changing opportunity. There are no skillset requirements and anyone can volunteer! FFC will provide all the necessary training and support. If you would like to sign up and/or have questions, please contact Dane Jackson at djackson@providencebc.org
4921 RANDOLPH ROAD
CHARLOTTE, NC 28211
Save The Date
OCTOBER 6
World Communion Sunday
Special Guest David McLennan
OCTOBER 9
Children’s CROP Walk
OCTOBER 13
Blessing of Animals
OCTOBER 16
Q4 Quarterly Church Conference
OCTOBER 25-27
Youth Fall Retreat
OCTOBER 27
Trunk or Treat
In Christian Sympathy
We remember with appreciation and sympathy these Providence members who have recently passed away.
• Doris Mitchell Golder, August 14, 2024
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!
Periodicals
Postage PAID Charlotte, NC USPS 979-940