THE BANNER
February 9, 2022
A Note from Ellen
Dear Friends,

What a gift to have time and space to breathe, laugh, cry, rest, and recharge with dear friends over the weekend. What a gift not to worry while I was away knowing that all was well in hand back here. And what a gift to be excited to get back to work doing a job that I love.

We have a full spring ahead of us with opportunities for worship, fellowship, education, and service. What a gift to be a part of this community of faith in this and every season. What a gift.

Grace and peace,
Ellen

*There will be a Congregational Meeting following worship on Sunday, February 20, 2022, for the purpose of presenting the pastors 2022 terms of call and the 2022 budget.*
New sign-up for the Commons
We have a new sign-up for February and March for the Opening and Closing of the Commons!

Todd Hobbie Class
Rev. Deborah Conner will conclude our study of 2 Corinthians this Sunday. We are most grateful for Deborah's sharing her insight into this important letter of Paul. Todd will continue our study of Speaking Christian by Marcus Borg on Sunday February 20.  
BACKPACK PROGRAM SPECIALTY BAGS
Thanks to all of you for your enthusiastic support and donations for our soup bags in February. Our March specialty bags for the backpack program at Coltrane-Webb School will be pantry staples. This gives us another great opportunity for hands-on service! If you would like to help fulfill this request, you can drop off any of the items listed below in Fellowship House during Church office hours. Items provided by Monday, March 7, will be packed and delivered on Thursday, March 10. Our goal is to prepare 11 bags.

2 lb. bag of sugar
2 lb. bag of all-purpose flour
2 lb. bag of self-rising corn meal
baking powder
baking soda
mustard (plastic bottle; medium size)
ketchup (plastic bottle; medium size)
mayonnaise (plastic jar; quart size)
salt/pepper combo packs
Jiffy pop popcorn (nothing that requires a microwave)
shortening (16-ounce container)
white vinegar (plastic bottle; 16 ounces)
 evaporated milk
dishwashing liquid (14-ounce bottle)

Thank you for your continuing support of this important mission of Presbyterian Women!
Will You Devote Yourself to the Church's Teaching?
On Sunday, our Confirmation class read and discussed: Acts 16:1-2, 1Thessalonians 3:2, and 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Which of Paul's words to Timothy do you find most encouraging?

We identified role models in our faith lives. After reading Hebrews 12:1-2, we closed in prayer:

Holy God, we praise you for the example of the heroes of faith who have run this race before us. Give us strength and perseverance, and help us fix our eyes on Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Girl Scouts
Our Brownie troop earned their My Family Story badge last Thursday. They also compiled their troop family tree.

Girl Scouts will be busy delivering cookies in the coming weeks and meet again on Thursday, February 17, for our Thinking Day celebration.
Armor of God
This week our Youth Group celebrated birthdays and used their imaginations as they dressed in the armor of God - shoes allowing us to stomp out evil, hats to protect us from negative thoughts. What does your armor look like?
Boy Scouts Ski Trip
Despite single-digit temperatures and a wind chill factor at -12° at the summit, BSA Troop 3 made its fourth annual ski trip to Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain the last weekend in January. With 14 boys and seven fathers in attendance, we braved the cold weather (thankfully sleeping in cabins, not tents) and had tremendous fun.
Sign-up Links
Lay Liturgists
Sign up here to be a lay liturgist to
read scripture in worship on Sundays.

Commons
Sign up here to open or close the Commons.

Nursery
Sign up here to volunteer in the Nursery on Sundays.
.
Sanctuary Flowers
To give the congregation a gift of
sanctuary flowers, please click here
to sign-up for one or more Sundays
during the year.

Ushers
Sign up here to usher on a Sunday.

Calendar
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Rev. Ellen Crawford True, Preaching
Thursday, February 10
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
5:30 p.m. Memorial Garden Board (Library Congference Room)
7:00 p.m. Mothers of Murdered Offspring (Commons)
Friday, February 11
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
Sunday, February 13
9:30 a.m. Confirmation (Room 304, Will Young Bldg)
9:45 a.m. Journey SS (Ed Bldg)
9:45 a.m. S & D SS (FH)
9:45 a.m. Todd Hobbie SS (Davis Hall)
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Choir (Choir room)
11:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary or Live-stream)
12:15 p.m. Calendar Planning Mtg (Davis Hall)
2:30 p.m. Youth Group (Davis Hall)
3:15 p.m. Children's Choir (small choir room)
Monday, February 14
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
11:00 a.m. Circle 4 - TBD
7:00 p.m. Boy Scout District Roundtable (Davis Hall)
Tuesday, February 15
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting
7:00 p.m. PW CT Mtg (TBD)
7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts (Youth Room)
7:00 p.m. Al Anon (Commons)
Wednesday, February 16
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
10:30 a.m. Bible Study (Davis Hall)
7:30 p.m. Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Church Report
Birthdays
February 11 - Nicole Lisk, Beth McLester, Grace Watson
February 12 - Alex Blackman, Bill Cannon
February 13 - Pat Crowe, Brian Hovey, Buell Little, Chip Ritchie, Addie Rogers, Carter White
February 15 - Eric Gluf, Amanda Williamson
February 16 - Clara Meade Burke, Anne Crocker
**To enjoy a sung happy birthday, click here!**
Staff
Ellen Crawford True
Senior Pastor/
Head of Staff 
ellen.crawfordtrue@firstpresconcord.org

Julie Hill
Temporary Associate Pastor


René Prager
Director of Christian Education



Director of Music and Organist

Choirmaster

Suzanne Russell
Church Administrator

Kim Mazzola
Financial Administrative Asst.

Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent


Director of First Kids


Wedding Director
Contact Info
First Presbyterian Church
(704) 788-2100

70 Union Street North
Concord NC 28025 

Mailing Address: 
PO Box 789 Concord NC 28026-0789

Church Office Hours: 
Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Friday
The Commons Prayer Room Hours:
Monday Closed
Open for scheduled groups:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Open to the Public:
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday mornings for FPC

Memorial Garden:
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
 
Garden Hours: 
Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Monday