Dear Friends,

This Sunday we continue our time with puzzling parables from Matthew as Julie preaches from Matthew 25. I’m curious about what you have seen so far. What pieces are fitting together for you? What remains rough or unfinished? Let us know what insights you’ve discovered and what questions you still have. And if you have started connecting your pieces, we’d love to see them. If you are on social media, tag the church with your photos or simply email your thoughts, photos, or insights to me.

See you Sunday!

Peace,

Ellen

P.S. We have small bright green sheets with information on our schedule for Holy Week. You’ll find them in the Fellowship House and in the narthex. Please pick them up for yourself and to share with friends and neighbors.

Pizza and Puzzles next Sunday, March 26 (sign up here or call the reservations line, 704-788-2100, press 7, by this Tuesday, March 21).

There will be a Congregational Meeting following Worship on Sunday, March 26, for the purpose of electing one Deacon for the Class of 2025 and the Elders and Deacons for the Class of 2026.

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

We celebrated the 111^th anniversary of the first Girl Scout meeting in the United States on Sunday, recognizing all congregation members who have been active in the organization at one time or another.

Members of the troops sponsored by First Presbyterian Church: Daisy Troop 3631, Brownie Troop 323, Junior Troop 3142, and Troop 334, along with congregation members who are active in troop 760, served as greeters, lay readers and ushers.

The Girl Scouts hosted a cookie reception in the Fellowship House following worship. 

Youth – please join us on Sunday!

9:45 AM – Sunday School, Room 304 Will Young Building – We will learn more about the miracles of Jesus.

11:00 AM - Worship in the sanctuary

4:30 PM - Confirmation class in Davis Hall

5:30 PM - Confirmation / Youth dinner in Davis Hall

6:00 PM - Youth Group, 6^th-12^th grades – We will be painting and doing other work to prepare for Youth Sunday

The after school programming at the Boys and Girls Club is amazing. These kids have access to tutoring, meals, and activities thanks to the support of our community. Check out what these kids had to say about their experiences at the Boys and Girls Club

Volunteer:

https://www.bgclubcab.org/how-to-help/volunteer.html  

One Great Hour of Sharing:

Self-Development of People (SDOP)

People Investing in People

Self-Development of People (SDOP) enters into partnerships with community groups of low-income people that want to change their lives and communities, primarily through grants for projects.

Projects included those focused on literacy, worker-owned cooperatives, advocacy, youth-led initiatives, skills development, farming, worker rights, immigration/refugee issues and capacity building. Through your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, over 5,000 projects in economically poor communities in the United States and around the world have had an opportunity to develop solutions to their own challenges since SDOP’s inception.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be received on Easter.

If you have a child in college, please e-mail René Prager, r.prager@firstpresconcord.org, their mailing address so that we can prepare a care package for them.

We had a couple of packages returned in the fall, so please send in those addresses even if they are the same as the fall.

Please also let us know if your college student is graduating this spring.

As we experience the season of Lent, Holy Week, and celebrate Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday, we will be inspired by several guest Celebration Musicians during worship: Sunday, March 26, professional string players (Violins, Viola, Cello and Double-Bass), and a consort of woodwind players on Easter Sunday (Clarinet, English Horn, French Horn, Bassoon). On Palm/Passion Sunday, the Sanctuary Choir will lift a stirring offering of music to God called, "All of Us," that will include a gospel-style trio of women (Cecilia Moneta Matthew, Carrie Myers, and our own home-grown Meredith Myers Herrera).  Plan ahead to attend worship and ask God to bless you and inspire you.

Am I predestined?

This question has occupied and disturbed countless Christians across the ages, but where did the doctrine of predestination originate? It is often associated with Presbyterians, but “Presbyterian” is simply another word for associations. So what is: 1) the origin of the doctrine, 2) its meaning, and 3) its place in the PC USA? Dr. Dave True will consider these questions and more as he helps us understand the origins of predestination, criticisms of the doctrine, and other theological options.  

Prayers for Peace in Ukraine

March 26, 2023 6 PM

Join us the last Sunday in March

for an informal, community service of prayer for Ukraine

The Commons Prayer Room located at 75 Church St. NE Concord

(Church St. side of First Presbyterian)

Parking available in lot across street off of Creswell Dr.

Psalm 31:2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

The S & D Sunday School class invites the congregation to join in providing Easter hams to families-in-need served by Operation Breadbasket. S & D class members will purchase and deliver 140 hams to Operation Breadbasket in time for their Easter distribution. If you would like to donate, please make your check out to Brian Moore and either drop it off at the church office, or mail to him: 2401 Bethlehem Church Rd, Gold Hill, NC 28071. Thank you!