Dear Friends,
We are approaching two of my favorite Sundays of the year: Confirmation Sunday on April 23 and Youth Sunday on April 30. This Sunday we will receive our confirmands as active members during worship. The students have wondered and worked together and with their confirmation partners as we have explored what it means to say “Yes” to four big questions. During worship, they will be asked the same questions we ask other new members:
1. Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
2. Who is your Lord and Savior?
3. Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his word and showing his love?
4. Will you devote yourself to the church’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers?
As we celebrate and pray for these young people, I invite you to reflect on these questions, too, as we consider anew what it means for us to be members of the Body of Christ.
Grace and peace,
Ellen
Campus Security: In our ongoing efforts to care for all who work, play, and worship on our campus, we are being intentional about access to buildings throughout the week and on Sundays.
· Throughout the week, it is crucial that no exterior doors are propped open.
· If you enter the Commons from the Education building, please ensure that you lock the interior door after you leave.
· All sanctuary doors are locked after worship begins on Sunday mornings, with the exception of the main doors leading to the narthex. Worshipers are free to exit by any of the doors at any time. To re-enter, please come through the doors to the narthex.
Please contact Pastor Ellen or Kevin Barbee with questions.
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
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Our confirmation class met Sunday for our last class. While discussing prayer through scripture: Luke 18:1, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 51:10, and Romans 5:5, confirmands shaped clay into three dimensional hearts. We discussed how the cracks in the clay, symbolizing our own imperfection, serve as access points for the Holy Spirit. Confirmands were examined by Session on April 18th, and will be received by the congregation in worship on April 23rd. Please join us to celebrate this milestone in the lives of these young adults.
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Community Shred-a-thon Tomorrow |
Spring Cleaning? Here's an opportunity to shred those old documents and protect your privacy! FPC is sponsoring a community Shred-a-thon so pass the word:
Thursday, April 20th
10:00 AM - Noon
Fellowship House Circular Drive
*Limit of 4 boxes per car*
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Keep Collecting Those Coins!
We will be taking up the Noisy Offering on April 30 – Youth Sunday. This gives everyone an extra week to collect those coins!
The offering pours into the Backpack Ministry, which helps to feed community families in need through Coltrane-Webb Elementary school. This ministry, led by Presbyterian Women with gracious funding contributions from the Diaconate, provides food for families with school-age children for the weekends and holidays.
Please help to make this a successful collection.
Dollar bills and checks (to FPC) are welcomed along with coins!
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VBS Registration is Now Open |
Travel to the Jerusalem Marketplace!
What was Jerusalem like when Jesus entered the city on Palm Sunday? Come find out as we step back in time to explore the music and games, the crafts and trades, and the religious customs that Jesus and the people of that time would have enjoyed and celebrated. Join us June 26-29. Registration is now open and we encourage you to register early. Click here for a registration form.
We are seeking volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please e-mail René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org.
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A reminder that the door to the Commons (first floor Education Building by elevator) MUST be locked when you leave the space. There is a key to the right of the door that is never removed. Simply turn the key until the light turns green and the door unlocks. Upon leaving, turn the key until the light turns red. In this age of increased security concerns please help us maintain this easy but effective safety measure. Thank you! | |
All 6th-12th graders are invited to join us on Sunday!
Sunday School - 9:45 am, Room 304 Will Young Building
Confirmands – 10:30 in the sanctuary
Worship - 11am, Sanctuary
Youth Sunday rehearsal - 4:30-6 PM in the Sanctuary
2022-2023 Youth: 4/23 Youth (signupgenius.com)
Last Sunday, we enjoyed games and recreation and also spent time on an Earthcare project.
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One Great Hour of Sharing- the results | Thank you to everyone who donated to this year's One Great Hour of Sharing Easter Collection. We will be sending a check for $2,516 plus an additional $500 from the Deacons Discretionary Fund, for a grand total of $3,016! | |
Thank you to all who volunteered at Love Feast on the Streets. About 45 of our unhoused neighbors came, down from almost 80 during the winter. Our neighbors enjoyed breakfast provided by Chick -fil-a and a baked spaghetti lunch provided by Second Course. In addition, clothes, snacks, hygiene articles, shower facilities, haircuts, and blood pressure checks were available. Our next volunteer day is August 5 and will be held at Central United Methodist Church. If you are curious about this ministry, speak to one of the folks in the photo. They will be happy to share their experience with you.
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Join us for Lunch Bunch Wednesday, April 26 at 11:45 AM in Davis Hall.
Come catch up with old friends and meet new ones, while enjoying a delicious lunch. Lunch Bunch is open to anyone, regardless of age.
Please make reservations no later than Monday, April 24 at noon. Call the reservation line, 704-788-2100, press 7.
Lunch is $9.
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Habitat for Humanity 2023 Update |
We are entering the second week of our campaign to raise $10,000 to support the work of Habitat for Humanity in Cabarrus County. As we learned last week from Bill Shelton, CEO of Habitat Cabarrus, in the 30+ years since the local organization was first conceived by members of this church, First Presbyterian Church, along with its members giving as individuals, has contributed close to $500,000 to this vital Christian mission, money which has enabled our community to serve the needs of affordable housing for low-income Cabarrus County families.
This Sunday we will hear from Aiesha King, a future homeowner whose new home is currently under construction by the Women Build initiative. She is eager to tell her story, and even more eager to show her children their new rooms when that time comes. She is a wonderful example of how Habitat for Humanity truly makes a tangible and immediate difference in people’s lives.
The campaign will continue through May 7. There are several ways you can give:
· Write a check to FPC with Habitat for Humanity in the “For” line and drop it into the offering plate, or mail it to the church office at P.O. Box 789, Concord, NC, 28026.
· Go to the church’s website at www.firstpresconcord.org, and select Habitat for Humanity in the dropdown fund menu.
Thank you for past and ongoing support of this important Christian mission.
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The group has chosen The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb (a North Carolina native) as our next book.
We will meet at Hawthorne's Pizza on Union Street tomorrow, April 20 at 7 PM. Hope to see you there!
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Thursday Connection: Thursday at 2:00 PM in The Commons.
It is not too late to join in the discussion. Books are available in the
Fellowship House. We will be discussing Chapter 1.
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Annual Church Picnic
Sunday, April 30 at 5:00 PM
Niblock Family Farm
400 Poplar Tent Road
Hayrides for all ages!
Bouncy House for the young!
BBQ Chicken and Fixins by
Chef Colin Bramlett of Second Course
will be served at 5:45 PM
Please bring a quilt or lawn chair.
Make reservations NOW online.
or by calling the reservation line at 704-788-2100, press 7.
Deadline is Monday, April 24 at 5:00 PM
Dinner is $7/person with a $25 family Maximum
Pay online or at the picnic.
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Real Stories of Real Students with Assistant Principal Logan Barrier
We have all said it before, “it takes a village,” in reference to raising our own children or the children in our immediate circles. Our children are our future and some of them are struggling in more ways than the public could ever imagine, and it’s happening right under our noses. Come and listen to real stories from the real lives of students in our public school systems. Engage in conversation about how we, as a church, can come together to collaborate on ways in which we can help to make a difference in the lives of all of God’s children.
Logan Barrier is from New Wilmington, PA, which is a small town just north of Pittsburgh, PA. She played Division I basketball at Davidson College where she majored in Religion with a concentration in Education. Logan then moved to Florence, Italy for a year and then eventually made her way back to North Carolina where she then earned her K-6 teaching certification from UNC-Charlotte while working full time at the Community School of Davidson. She then got hired at Fred L. Wilson Elementary School, which is part of Kannapolis City Schools. During her time there she earned her Masters of Administration through East Carolina University. Logan currently serves Mount Pleasant Middle School, part of Cabarrus County Schools, as one of the Assistant Principals. She is currently working towards earning her doctoral degree in educational leadership through East Carolina University. Logan is married to Shaun Barrier and they have two sons: Lipe (3) and George (1).
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The second and final discussion of "Nonverts" will be on Tues. May 2 at 4:30 PM at Pharr Mill Brewery and BBQ.
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Lay Liturgists
Sign up here to be a lay liturgist to
read scripture in worship on Sundays.
Nursery
Sign up here to volunteer in the Nursery on Sundays.
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Ushers
Sign up here to volunteer in the
Sanctuary 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.
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Sunday, April 23, 2023
Rev.Ellen Crawford True preaching
Psalm 98, Acts 10, selected verses
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Thursday, April 20
9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)
10:00 AM Thursday Morning Coffee (Gibson Mill)
2:00 PM Thursday Connection (Commons)
6:00 PM Girl Scouts (Ed Bldg)
6:30 Boy Scout Boards of Advancement (Davis Hall)
7:00 PM Books & Brews (Hawthorne's on Union)
Friday, April 21
9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)
Saturday, April 22
1:30 PM Concert -piano,violin (Sanctuary)
Sunday, April 23
9:45 AM Middle/High School SS (Room 304 Will Young)
9:45 AM Todd Hobbie Class (Davis Hall)
9:45 AM Journey Class (Ed Bldg)
9:45 AM S & D Class (Fellowship House)
11:00 AM Worship w/Confirmation (Sanctuary)
3:00 PM Racial Equity Reads (Commons)
4:30 PM Youth Sunday Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
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Monday, April 24
9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)
6:30 PM Worship Meeting (Journey Classroom)
Tuesday, April 25
9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)
2:00 PM Staff Meeting (FH Sunroom)
6:00 PM Cub Scouts (Davis Hall)
6:30 PM APNC (Fellowship House)
7:00 PM Boy Scouts (Youth Room)
7:00 PM Al Anon Meeting (Commons)
Wednesday, April 26
9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)
10:30 AM Bible Study (Fellowship House)
11:45 AM Lunch Bunch (Davis Hall)
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
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Birth
Congratulations to Maria and Palmer Steel on the birth of their daughter, Penelope Francis on March 30 in Charlotte. After a rough delivery, all are doing well. Grandparents are Glenda and Rob Steel.
Congratulations to Brian and Morgan Todd on the birth of their daughter, Harper James Todd, on March 25. Grandparents are Brenda and Jim Todd.
Birthdays
April 20 - Emma Teague, Remy Williams
April 21 - Kimmy Byrd, Lucas Kiser, Wells Mitzel, Scott Watson
April 22 - Caroline Batts, Matt Dugan, Brian Floyd, Marina Snellings, Mary Wilder
April 23 - Jay Hollis
April 24 - Ann Gluf, Jay Johnston, Will Lisk, René Prager
April 25 - Hillman Brown, Allison Goff Clark, Mark Conversano, Mark Hollis, Anne Reese
April 26 - Kennedy Kiser, Laura Roseman
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Ellen Crawford True
Senior Pastor/
Head of Staff
Julie Hill
Temporary Associate Pastor
René Prager
Director of Christian Education
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Director of Music and Organist
Choirmaster
Church Administrator
Kim Mazzola
Financial Administrative Asst.
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Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent
Director of First Kids
Wedding Director
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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 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed Friday
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The Commons Prayer Room:
Open to FPC: Sunday until 1:00 PM,
Tuesday10 AM - 5 PM, Thursday 10 AM - 5 PM
Open to FPC and the public: Wednesday 10 AM - 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 3 PM
Group times available with prior arrangement
Memorial Garden:
info@firstpresconcord.org
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
Garden Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed Monday
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