I invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ,

to observe a holy Lent

by self-examination and penitence,

by prayer and fasting,

by works of love,

and by meditating on God’s word.

~from the PC(USA) Book of Common Worship

Dear Friends,

Tonight, we will begin the Lenten season with our Ash Wednesday service. In worship we hear the good news of God’s grace which emboldens us to repent and seek God’s forgiveness. And we will hear an invitation to observe a holy Lent. This invitation does not demand that we give up chocolate or wine or video games or Girl Scout cookies. This invitation urges us to pause and consider what makes for a holy life, a faithful life. Such a life is not one of unbearable restriction; rather it is a life marked by worship, intentional reflection, reading scripture, praying, and offering ourselves in love to our neighbors. These are a few of the puzzle pieces that fit us together as God works to shape us and re-shape us into the Body of Christ.

I hope you will join us in person or online as one of our FPC children helps Julie and me lead this brief reflective service. We will sing, pray, reflect, and receive ashes (if you choose). All ages are welcome, as we answer the call to journey forward together in faith, trusting that “in life and in death, we belong to God.”

Grace and peace,

Ellen

Usher sign up link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0948acab2dabf49-fpcusher

Lay Reader sign up link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0948acab2dabf49-scripture

link for online worship:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfpzVUz-ZgaCJuogIMor8Iw/live

link to Ellen's sermon podcasts:  https://bit.ly/Sermons_FPCConcord

Wednesday: Psalm 51:1-3; Matthew 18:1-9

Thursday: Matthew 18:10-21

Friday: Matthew 18:23-35

Saturday: Psalm 51

Sunday: Matthew 4:1-11

Monday: Matthew 19:1-12

Tuesday: Matthew 19:13-15

Wednesday: Psalm 51

This Sunday, February 26, Rev. Dr. Brian Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary will be our guest during Sunday School and worship. He will lead an adult class in Davis Hall at 9:45 AM on "Apocalyptic Hope" and he will preach on Jesus' time in the wilderness from Matthew.

This Sunday is our Noisy Offering so gather up your change! (Dollar bills accepted too)

We are looking for volunteers in various areas of Christian Education. Please consider joining one of our volunteer / teaching teams:

Nursery: Nursery Volunteers: Sunday Nursery Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Middle / High School Sunday School: MS / HS Sunday School teachers: MS / HS Sunday School (signupgenius.com)

Elementary Sunday School: Elementary Sunday School Team: Elementary Sunday School (signupgenius.com)

Pew Prep: Pew Prep: Pew Prep - Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Youth Group meals: Youth dinners: Youth Group Meals (signupgenius.com)

Our confirmation partners join our confirmands this week as we explore the question: What Does it Mean to Show Christ’s Love? Doors will open at 4:15 PM to Davis Hall, class will run 4:30-5:30 PM.

In Youth Group we will spend some time working on Youth Sunday and talking about One Great Hour of Sharing. Please plan to join us!

Youth families should use this sign-up to RSVP for Sunday School (wrapping up a unit on Moses), worship (including Noisy Offering), Confirmation, dinner, and Youth group!

2022-2023 Youth: 2/26 Youth (signupgenius.com)

Moms with Children in the Home

You are invited to join other mothers at

Southern Strain

Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 PM

Questions? Speak to Amanda Williamson

Over the next several weeks, the Welcome Committee will highlight members who joined FPC in 2022. If you have not met them yet, be on the lookout for them and introduce yourself. Perhaps you will find a shared interest or experience as you read their very brief bios. 

What an awesome day to see our Girl Scouts and their cars race in the Powder Puff Derby! The proceeds from the derby benefited the Sister to Sister Campaign, which provides financial support to Girl Scout families in need. The girls had a great time racing! 

Congratulations to Daisy Lydia for her 3rd place overall finish; Junior Calleigh for 3rd place finish in the junior category; to Brownie Emmaline for most colorful race car; and Brownie AJ for most creative race car! All of our scouts did a great job cheering one another on.  

      We have two scheduled build dates for Presby Wonder Women:

Thursday, March 16 and Saturday, May 13.

No prior experience or skills necessary.

On the job training provided!

Many of our Presby Wonder Women are working women so even if you did not sign up as a team member, please consider helping on Thursday, March 23. Can’t build but would like to help? Consider bringing lunch to the work crew. Please contact Pastor Julie or Elizabeth Anne Bishop to volunteer, or use this sign-up link.

You're Invited!

Please join Friends Empowering Haiti in celebrating 30 years of supporting our brothers and sisters in Bayonnais with a festive evening of food, drinks, and a silent auction

Actionnel Fleurisma, Pastor and Founder of the ICB School, will be our guest speaker

Tickets are $100 per person - purchase here:

https://friendsempoweringhaiti.org/celebrating-30-years/

Questions? Contact Betsy Liles dinnerbell6@gmail.com

On March 5, Dr. Dave True will teach the third and final session on Christian Faith in a Reformed Key.  

First Presbyterian Church has recently received most thoughtful and generous gifts from the estates of Joe St. John and Michael R. Coltrane. The St. John gift was divided between Memorial Garden and the operating budget of the church, as specified by the estate. The Coltrane gift was placed in the Special Maintenance Reserve, as approved unanimously by the Session at its January meeting. The Session wishes to express profound gratitude for these gifts, as they ensure the ongoing vibrant ministry of our church. 

The dust has settled from the annual Scouting for Hunger and Souper Bowl of Caring food drives. We greatly appreciate our community for supporting us so well! The Boy Scout drive was a little lower than past years, but we still got in close to 4 tons of food, which really helped our inventory.

Currently, the pantry items we are in biggest need of are:

·    Any canned meat (chicken, tuna, etc.)

·    Canned peas, carrots, and potatoes

·    Diced Tomatoes

·    Pasta Sauce

·    Any kind of canned beans (Baked, pinto, kidney, etc.) except for green beans

·    Any Canned Fruit (Mixed, Peaches, Pears, Pineapple, etc.)

·    Toilet Paper and Paper Towels

As always, we especially seek low-sodium items, no-added-sugar items, and whole grain items. 

Currently, we have plenty of:

·    Canned Green Beans

·    Canned Corn

·    Soup

·    Macaroni & Cheese

·    Spaghetti and other dried Pasta

·    Rice

·    Tomato Sauce

Thank you for the continued support from our church and community partners. Our Crisis Center at 246 Country Club Drive NE in Concord serves as the warehouse for most of the food. We will gladly accept all donations at that site from 9:30 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday. Bethel Baptist Helping Hands Food Pantry, located at 1209 1/4 Opal Street in Kannapolis, will gladly accept donations from 9 am to 1 pm on Monday and Thursday. The food pantry located at Westford UMC on Highway 49 and the Kannapolis Food Pantry at West Point Baptist Church can accept donations on Saturday morning from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. The Feeding Our Souls Food Pantry at Bethel Church in Midland, and North Kannapolis Baptist Church Food Pantry will accept donations by calling the church in advance.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks again for all your support as together we serve our neighbors in need.

Kris Edscorn

Food Program Manager

  246 Country Club Dr. NE

  PO Box 1717

  Concord, NC 28026-1717

(704) 706-9897

(704) 785-8071 fax

www.cooperativeministry.com

Our next book is Everybody Knows by David Wesley Williams, an irreverent (with adult language and content) modern-day, imaginative take on the flood. We will meet at 7 pm on March 23 at The Market Bar at Gibson Mill. Contact Pastor Ellen or Hunter Morrison with questions. All are welcome!

For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world.

                                   In a world of disaster, hunger, and oppression

                       millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources,

                            clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity.

The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

Please give generously to this offering. It will be received Easter Sunday.