Comfort in Hope

Posted January 2, 2024 by SMBC in Worship

In January and into February during our Sunday morning worship services, we’ll be focused on receiving the divine comfort that hope in a faithful God places on offer to us. God is a comforter. God is a giver of hope. As we explore the book of Isaiah each week and the beautiful words God gave to the prophet—"Comfort, comfort, my people"—we'll be encouraged to embrace hope in a God who's not only…
color powder hitting creating a color explosion

Once Upon a Family...

Posted December 25, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

Christmas is a time for families. We delight in watching children experiencing all that the season brings. Is there anything more joyful than a child at Christmas? Of seeing their anticipation for what’s in store? We travel to be with parents or children knowing that when we’re with family, we catch afresh the wonder of the season and the promise that there is a place for us. It’s no accident…
cream colored leather book cover with once upon a family written across it

Peace Sunday

Posted December 24, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

The Greek word for “peace” (pronounced as “eirene”) is rooted in the Hebrew concept of shalom. The Hebrew word “Shalom” (peace in English) means to bring completeness or to restore. Israel as a nation was chosen by God to be the harbingers of God’s shalom throughout all of creation. God called the people of Israel were called restoration and hope as they stood as a testament to God's reconciling…
cream colored leather book cover with Peace sunday written across it

Silent Night

Posted December 23, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

First performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 in a small town in Austria, Silent Night (Stille Nacht) is a staple of the Advent season. Peaceful, serene, and awe-inducing, this carol provides a glimpse into a quiet night when God’s gift to humanity was realized. A woman gave birth to her firstborn, and Christ became flesh to dwell among us. 
navy leather book cover with silent night written across in gold

Christmas Tradition

Posted December 22, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
navy leather book cover with christmas tradition written across in gold

Loving Humility

Posted December 21, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

Growing up, my immediate family celebrated a rather traditional Christmas. We gleefully tore open packages and gifts on December 25 and ate the traditional Christmas spread of foods. With extended family, however, Christmas looked a bit different. 
navy leather book cover with loving humility written across in gold

Papa's Cinnamon Rolls

Posted December 20, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

My Papa (maternal grandfather) was, among many things, a baker. All year long, but especially when we were visiting at Christmas, we were treated to his pancakes, biscuits, and cinnamon rolls. In later years, he became unable to bake, so while the family had all the recipes, his pancakes (or hot cakes) were the easiest to make.
navy leather book cover with papa's cinnamon rolls written across in gold

End-of-Year Need to Meet the Budget

Posted December 19, 2023 by Steve Wells in Discipleship, Pastor

Your year-end giving really does make a difference. In 2023, forty-seven people joined South Main after either making a profession of faith in Christ or discovering a new church home with us. Eight baptisms grew out of the nurturing work of our Family Ministry. Think about that—young people, some who have been at South Main since being on the cradle roll and others who made their own way as…
christmas tree

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Posted December 19, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis), likely written in the mid-eighteenth century, is a triumphal carol that urges us to gather close to Christ for the sole purpose of adoring Him. We are urged to come first to Bethlehem, Christ’s birthplace, where the angels sing in exultation on the happy (Christmas) morning.
navy leather book cover with o come all ye faithful written across in gold

Christmas Present

Posted December 18, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

What is the best present you've ever given someone?
navy leather book cover with christmas present written across in gold

Monday Over Coffee: "The Shark is Broken"

Posted December 18, 2023 by Greg Funderburk in Monday Over Coffee

The Shark is Broken is a captivating play about the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded during the much-troubled filming of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster 1975 movie, Jaws. The play premiered in London’s West End in 2021 before coming to Toronto, then Broadway this past fall. 
shark fin out of the water

Love Sunday

Posted December 17, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

John of the Cross was a Carmelite monk from the sixteenth century best known for his reflections on spiritual formation. His book, Dark Night of the Soul, explores how our trials and struggles are an opportunity to be formed into people who understand and practice love for others and love for God.
navy leather book cover with Love Sunday written across in gold

Memories of Christmas Feasts

Posted December 16, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

The very first South Main Christmas service my family attended was 30 years ago. Looking back, the amount of time passed, the relationships deepened, and the consistency of the church in my life is, of itself, something to be cherished. 
red leather book cover with memories of christmas feasts written across in gold

The First Nowell

Posted December 15, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

Of Cornish (English) origin, The First Nowell was likely composed during the early modern era (c. 1350-1800). The song tells the story of the angels, who announced Christ’s birth, and the shepherds and wise men who came to adore Him.
red leather book cover with the first nowell written across in gold

Christmas Activity

Posted December 14, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

What is your favorite Christmas time activity? Art by Wyatt Smith (2nd Grade)
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The Arrival of Santa Paws

Posted December 13, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

A group of players mentioned in our Christmas songs but often overlooked in our memories of Christmas are the animals: “The cattle are looing-the baby awakes…” “The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum,” “Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, had a very shiny nose.”
red leather book cover with the arrival of santa paws written across in gold

End of Year Need to Meet the Budget

Posted December 12, 2023 by Steve Wells in Discipleship, Pastor

I hope you were in worship last Sunday—I call it “Bell Sunday,” and it is one of my favorite days of the year. If you missed it, we had 3 rows of bells—one in the choir loft, one on the platform, and one across the floor—each one spanning the width of the platform. That layout allowed us to have the Tribe, Youth, and Adult Handbell Choirs each ring, then all ring together. It was glorious—the…
christmas tree

Meme's Trifle Recipe

Posted December 12, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

It’s been a little over a year since my 99-year-old grandmother, Meme, went onward and upward to her “party” in the heavens, as she would say. She was my sassy, British grandmother who loved to laugh, enjoy wine and cheese or the occasional Hershey’s bar for dinner, and epitomized the power of positivity in life.
red leather book cover with meme's trifle recipe written across in gold

An Unexpected Gift

Posted December 11, 2023 by SMBC in Advent

Growing up in a family with four siblings in West Texas, my parents always managed to make memorable Christmases. Along the way, and somewhat accidentally, they created a family tradition that carries on to this day.
red leather book cover with an unexpected gift written across in gold

Monday Over Coffee: "Blue"

Posted December 11, 2023 by Greg Funderburk in Monday Over Coffee

The sky in Amsterdam, Russell Shorto explains in his 2013 book about his adopted hometown, has a striking “rinsed quality” about it. Composed of a “sober light” he writes, “free of any orange particulate glow,” it gleams sublime in deep and deeper blues as the sun descends each night over the city’s famous canals.
close up on a pair of blue jeans