Dear Friends,

In response to lively conversations with leaders during our Planning Day in February, we are trying some new things as we seek to be open and welcoming. We know there are people who are looking for community and for a place to worship God and to wonder what a life of service and discipleship might look like now and in the future. And we would love for those people to find a welcome here.

Beginning this Sunday, April 10, in addition to gathering in the sanctuary for worship on Sunday mornings, folks will be gathering in Davis Hall where we will be livestreaming the YouTube broadcast of the service. It is our hope that those who might prefer a more informal worship space will join us there. This is yet one more way the leaders of FPC are creatively responding to God’s call to invite and welcome friends, neighbors, and strangers to worship and serve God with us. And I am grateful for imagination and grace, both of which are needed to venture into something new.

We will be trying some other new things in the coming months, so as my dad would say, “Stay tuned!” It is so good to be in this place among these people where we treasure what has come before even as we look forward with hope, curiosity, and joy to all that lies ahead.

Grace and peace,

Ellen

Good Friday Community Stations of the Cross Walk: For over twenty years, area churches and individuals have participated in a Good Friday Stations of the Cross walk. This year’s walk is scheduled for April 15^th at 3:30 pm, and will last about 75 minutes. The walk this year will begin at Grace Lutheran Church (corner of Chestnut and Tournament) followed by stops in the Logan community. Once again, FPC will provide two readers for one of the stations. If you are interested in being a reader, please contact Pastor Ellen (ellen.crawfordtrue@firstpresconcord.org).

Next week is Holy Week. Remember to sign up here if you will be attending the Maundy Thursday, April 14 meal at 6:30 PM. Worship will begin at 7:15. You do not need to sign up to attend just the worship service.

Good Friday, April 15 3:30 PM: We will gather with other Concord churches at Grace Lutherab Church for the annual Stations of the Cross Walk.

7:00 AM: Sunrise Service in Memorial Garden, please bring your own chairs. In the case of inclement weather, this service will be held in the sanctuary.

10:00 AM: Flowered Cross Service in the sanctuary.

11:00 AM: Worship with communion in the sanctuary and livestreamed to Davis Hall and online

Children of all ages are invited to participate in the palm procession this Sunday.

Meet Ellen and Julie on the chancel steps at 10:45 am for a retelling of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Children and their parents will then follow Ellen and Julie into the sanctuary during the first hymn,

waving palm branches. Others will be invited to join the procession. Parents of young children may exit

by the side door to take the youngest to the nursery. Children kindergarten and older will remain in worship. Worship bags with extra activities will be available.

FPC is hosting two upcoming UNCC senior music recitals. This Friday, April 8 at 7:30 PM, Alexandra Fitzgerald, a student of Professor David Russel, will present a violin recital. On Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 PM, Kira Wagner, a student of Professor Eric Millard, will present a trumpet recital. Both students will graduate in the spring with honors and have been accepted into graduate school for the fall.

There will not be Pew Prep on April 10 or 17. Extra activities will be placed in the Pew bags to help our young worshipers follow along with our special Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services.

Pew Prep will resume on April 24^th. If you are interested in being an adult helper, please use this sign-up link: Pew Prep: Pew Prep - Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

A lesson plan and additional information will be provided.

Our Middle and High School students filled eggs (and bunnies and carrots) last week in preparation for Sunday School April 10. All Middle and High school students are asked to arrive at 9:45 to help hide the eggs for our Elementary School children. All elementary school children are encouraged to arrive by 10 AM to participate. They are welcome to bring a basket or can use a bag, which will be provided.

 Also available….

Join us for our Vacation Bible School adventure in Narnia, June 27-30. VBS is open for ages 2 to rising 5^th graders.

The event is FREE, but registration is required with completed forms due by June 1^st.  (click here to register)

Please register your kids and grandkids today!

We are looking for volunteers to help run stations and shepherd the children from one activity to another. We are also looking for volunteers to help create sets and bring the magic of Narnia to life (designing, constructing, painting, sewing). If you are interested in helping, please let René Prager know. If you have any items that you would like to donate related to our theme (artificial trees, “fur” coats, 1940’s or Renaissance style clothing) we will also happily accept them. Thank you!

On Sunday, our Middle and High School Youth will meet from 5-6 PM in Davis Hall for a special program with a guest speaker from CVAN (Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network) with the goal educating both boys and girls about the dynamics of dating violence and how to get help or help someone else. Please plan to join us for this important discussion. You can use the Youth April sign-up genius to RSVP or e-mail René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org. We will not have a Youth Meal together on April 10.

Last Sunday, eight middle school and five high school Youth worked to assemble twenty-seven care packages for our First Presbyterian college and boarding school students. The care packages will be mailed out after Easter, prior to spring semester final exams. They include study snacks, coffee, tea, stress relievers, and hand written notes and prayers from the Youth Group.

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together to work for a better world. The three programs supported by OGHS - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to support individuals and communities in need. Among other important ministries, a gift to OGHS will support refugee assistance for those fleeing Ukraine and other parts of the world. One Great Hour of Sharing will be received Easter Sunday. Please prayerfully consider generously supporting this offering.

Registration for the 2022-2023 year begins soon. Please contact René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org for more information.

We had a great Girls in God meeting last Sunday! We talked about Mary and Martha of Bethany, both disciples of Jesus. We made some sweet goodies for the staff to thank them for their tireless work for the church. We’d love to see you or your 13-or-older daughter in room 305 of the Will Young Building, this Sunday from 3:30pm-4:30pm!