THE BANNER
October 2, 2019
World Communion Sunday
The first Sunday in October is designated as World Communion Sunday, which celebrates our oneness in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world. World Communion Sunday (originally called World Wide Communion Sunday) is a gift of the Presbyterian Church to the larger ecumenical church. The first celebration occurred at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1933 where Dr. Hugh Thompson Kerr served as pastor.
John A. Dalles, a PCUSA pastor who has researched the history of World Communion Sunday notes this in his blog entry, reprinted from the October 7, 2002, issue of Presbyterian Outlook:
Davitt S. Bell (the late Clerk of Session and church historian at Shadyside) recalled that Dr. Kerr first conceived the notion of World Communion Sunday during his year as moderator of the General Assembly (1930). Dr. Kerr’s younger son, the Rev. Dr. Donald Craig Kerr, who is pastor emeritus of the Roland Park Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, was sixteen in 1933. He has related that World Communion Sunday grew out of the Division of Stewardship at Shadyside. It was their attempt to bring churches together in a service of Christian unity—in which everyone might receive both inspiration and information, and above all, to know how important the Church of Jesus Christ is, and how each congregation is interconnected one with another. When I asked Donald Kerr how the idea of World Communion Sunday spread from that first service to the World Wide practice of today, this is what he replied,
“The concept spread very slowly at the start. People did not give it a whole lot of thought. It was during the Second World War that the spirit caught hold, because we were trying to hold the world together. World Wide Communion symbolized the effort to hold things together, in a spiritual sense. It emphasized that we are one in the Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Celebration of World Wide Communion Sunday was adopted as a denominational practice in the Presbyterian Church (US) in 1936. Churches in other denominations were invited to celebrate with us from the beginning, but it wasn’t until 1940 when the Department of Evangelism of the Federal Council of Churches (a predecessor body of the National Council of Churches) promoted extending the celebration to a number of churches around the world that the practice became widespread. Today, World Communion Sunday is celebrated around the world, demonstrating that the church founded on Jesus Christ peacefully shares God-given goods in a world increasingly destabilized by globalization.

Blessings,
Scott Kenefake
Interim Pastor
THANK YOU!!
The Exodus last Sunday was a huge success moving everything for the market to Davis Hall in one hour and fifteen minutes! Thank you all so much. Don't forget to come shopping on Saturday!
Blessing of the Animals
Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 6th, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.! We will be having a Blessing of the Animals Service for church and community. We will gather with our pet friends (farm friends are also welcome!) on the church lawn in front of the main sanctuary entrance on Union Street (or Davis Hall if raining). [Participants may choose to bring a picture of their pet instead if such a gathering would be frightening or stressful for their pet]. We will enter into a brief liturgy extolling God's good creation and sing together, All Things Bright and Beautiful. Then, each animal (or picture!) will receive an individual blessing from participating clergy. We will also remember beloved pets that have died by name. Finally, we will enjoy some refreshments/fellowship together and learn about the work of the  Concord and Greater Cabarrus Humane Society.  

The Blessing of the Animals liturgy has ancient roots in the Christian tradition and usually coincides with the Feast of St. Francis in early October (see:  Blessing of the Animals - Let All Creation Praise  for more information). Families with children and grandchildren are encourage especially to come! We look forward to seeing you and your neighbors there!
Donations for the Humane Society
As part of the Blessing and Remembering the Animals event, our congregation will collect donations to benefit our local Humane Society, who was so excited to hear that First Presbyterian wanted to support them! They have provided us a very specific list of their most-needed items. Please do all of the animals a favor and stick to the requested brands of pet food (switching from brand to brand suddenly can be very hard on a dog's tummy)!
The Humane Society's great needs are:
Pedigree Small Breed dry food * Pedigree Puppy dry food * Pedigree canned puppy food * Pedigree canned adult food * canned chicken breast * Tidy Cat cat litter (not the feather lite) * Purina Kitten Chow * copier paper * Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent * Clorox bleach * paper towels
Items will be collected on October 6, both before the 11:00 a.m. service and during the Blessing event that afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Thank you for your support!
Selection Committee Update
The Session has approved the following members to nominate a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): Tripp Carpenter, Sally Dotger, Carol Hovey, Janna Mitchell, and Jim Monroe. Please pray for these members as they begin their important task. They will soon be seeking your nominations for the PNC!
Wednesday Night Fellowship
Join us on October 9 as we hear from Deputy Fire Marshal Brad Hunt during Fire Prevention Week. We hope to see you there! Dinner will feature chicken, orzo, broccoli, fruit, salad and dessert. Be sure to make a reservation with the church office by Noon on Monday, October 7th. There is a sign up sheet in the Fellowship House.
Calling All College Students!
Hey College Students, if you are looking for a retreat away and a space to connect with other college students and young adults, all while exploring your faith and issues that matter, then this is the conference for you! The theme this year is "Remembering Sabbath" with many great speakers and conversation leaders. Contact Rachel Vogado if you are interested in going. The conference is January 2-5, 2020 in Montreat, NC. 
Deadline to sign up is October 10th with a $50 deposit.
Total cost for the trip is $150 which includes conference fees, lodging, and meals. 
You Are Invited
2019 Cabarrus County CROP Hunger Walk
What Is It? The Cabarrus County CROP Hunger Walk is a great opportunity for our church family to work together by donating money and time to end hunger in our community and in the world. This event includes stations (First Presbyterian of Concord is hosting the clean water station again this year) and a 1 mile and 3 mile walk. Fun for all ages.

When Is It? Sunday, October 13th. Registration and education stations are at 1:00 PM. The walk is at 2:00 PM.

Where Is It? This year, the walk is happening at Forest Hills United Methodist Church at 265 Union Street N., Concord, NC 28025.

How Can I Donate? To make online donations click here. Select donate, click team, type First Presbyterian Concord. You can also donate in the church office or in the collection plates on Sundays with checks designated to CROP walk. Last year, our church collected an amazing $1,706 for this event and we have been challenged to meet that goal again this year!

How Can I Join In? You can use the above website to register for the team or you can call the church office. You can also join in by just arriving that day! All are welcome!
Is There Any Other Way I Can Help? Yes! You can spread the word and encourage your friends and family to support this fun event. You also can help with our education station that day by helping to show other walkers what it is like to have limited access to clean water (we supply the educational tools) and handing out candy to the kids who visit our station.

Who Can I Contact with Questions? Our church's CROP walk coordinator this year is Edy Johnston. Feel free to email her at johnstoniiip@aol.com or call her at 704.796.6230 if you have questions or want to help.  
Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County
Dear Church Family,

Thank you to everyone who has already made a contribution to the 2019 Habitat for Humanity campaign. As of September 30th we have raised $2,150 toward our church goal of $10,000. The campaign will continue through October 20th, so there is still plenty of time to make your contribution and make this campaign a success! To donate, please make your check payable to First Presbyterian Church and write "Habitat" on the memo line.
Just a reminder that we will have a volunteer workday in January, 2020 and anyone who can swing a hammer or use a paint brush is welcome to volunteer. No prior experience needed!
Thanks again, The Board of Deacons
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Wednesday Night Fellowship
October 9
6:00 p.m., Davis Hall

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Calendar
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Rev. Dr. Scott Kenefake preaching
Singing the Blues in Zion
Lamentations 1:1-6; Lamentations 3:19-26; Psalm 137
As many of you know, the blues is a music genre and musical form which was originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1870s by African-Americans from roots in African musical traditions, African-American work songs, and spirituals. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. What many people are not aware of is that the Hebrew Bible has its own version of the Blues. We call these lamentations and psalms of lament. This Sunday we will look at some examples of these laments and discover how they have enabled people to survive and thrive through the myriad difficulties of life down through the centuries and how they have also been profound sources of hope for people around the world. I look forward to sharing these ideas with you!
Thursday, October 3
8:00 a.m. Church Street Market Set Up
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
6:30 p.m. Preschool Advisory Board
Friday, October 4
8:00 a.m. Church Street Market Set Up
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
9:30 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
Saturday, October 5
8:00 a.m .Church Street Market Sale
Sunday, October 6
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Choir
11:00 a.m. Worship/ Moment for Mission
12:00 p.m. Lemonade on the Lawn
2:00 p.m. Blessing of the Animals
3:00 p.m. Children's Choir
4:00 p.m. Daisy Troop 3631
4:00 p.m. Youth Choir
Monday, October 7
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
11:30 a.m. AA
6:30 p.m. Circle 1
7:00 p.m. Boy Scout District Steering Com.
Tuesday, October 8
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
10:00 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
6:00 p.m. Cub Scouts
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 3
7:00 p.m. Session
Wednesday, October 9
7:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
6:00 p.m. Fellowship Supper
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir

Church Report
Memorials
Benjamin Flowe -  Families in Need
Jane Nierenberg -  Families in Need, Todd & Betsy Hobbie Scholarship Fund

Birthdays
October 2 - Julia Ruth Iglehart, Elaine Mervin
October 3 - Gregory Watson
October 4 - Marcia Brooks, Jane Conversano, Jeff Nelson
October 5 - Pat Chaffin, Tyler Hough
October 6 - Kim Barus, Deaven Niblock, Will RInker, Jr.
October 7 - Dennison Moore IV, Mark Payne
October 8 - Braedon Hough
Staff
Scott Kenefake
Interim Senior Pastor 

Associate Pastor 
for Care and Mission

Associate Pastor
for Christian Formation
Director of Music and Organist

Choirmaster

Suzanne Russell
Church Administrator

Financial Secretary
Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent

Director of First Kids

Church Hostess

Wedding Director
Contact Info
First Presbyterian Church

70 Union Street North
Concord NC 28025 

Mailing Address: 
PO Box 789 Concord NC 28026-0789

Church Office Hours: 
Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed Friday
The Commons Prayer Room Summer Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday - Open for Scheduled Groups
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday mornings for FPC

Memorial Garden:
(980) 621-0719
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
 
Garden Hours: 
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Closed Monday