All rising 6th - 8th graders are invited to our Camping Retreat, July 9 - 11, at the beautiful Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area (near Asheville).

The cost is $75-$100 per youth. Please RSVP and pay your non-refundable $25 deposit by May 10.

René Prager: r.prager@firstpresconcord.org

Please click here for the Sign-Up Genius link to volunteer.

2021 Vacation Bible School!

June 21-24 (Monday to Thursday)

9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This outdoor adventure is open to two-year olds to rising 5th graders.

Volunteers needed! Please use this link to sign-up to help: 2021 FPC: Volunteers - Vacation Bible School

Registration is now OPEN! Please register here today! Due to COVID protocols, May 24^th will be a firm deadline for VBS registrations. This will allow us the necessary time to implement in-person programming for our exciting week of VBS!

The 2020 Joy of Giving Annual Report is on the way! The Annual Report is a combined project of our First Presbyterian Foundation and the Stewardship Committee. This year’s content focuses on how, in the midst of a pandemic, our church family creatively used the gifts God has bestowed upon us to serve others. Jim Monroe, who edited the Annual Report, said, “We were so appreciative of the  support of those who provided information and photos for the Annual Report. Their enthusiasm and the investment of their time for this project is another testimony of God’s spirit among us!”

The best items for the Blessing Box are foods that can be eaten on the go, including: tuna packets, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausages, potted meat, canned pasta, granola bars, crackers, nuts, raisins, cereal bars, protein bars, small Gatorade bottles, and juice boxes. Hygiene items including deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and feminine products are helpful. Diapers, wipes, and socks are also appreciated. Feel free to contact Dakeita Vanderburg at 704-793-8972 for any questions. We thank you in advance for your support of this important mission of our church. 

The Honorary Life Membership program was established in the Presbyterian Church to honor faithful service to Presbyterian Women and to the church. It is traditionally presented at the annual birthday event. Our deserving recipient this year is Carol Hovey.

Carol is a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church. She has devoted her entire adult life to nursing: from the oncology unit to teaching nursing at the community college, from providing patient education for diabetes to parish nursing. She did all of this as a single parent, raising two amazing children through their formative years. Carol discovered that education was her passion, and, in her 60’s, she earned her Masters in Community Health. She became the first parish nurse in Cabarrus County and our area’s first certified holistic nurse. She now teaches about Advanced Care Planning.

Her roles in the church are numerous, including: Circle and Sunday School member, Circle leader, Sunday School teacher, PW Spiritual Nurture co-chair, Communion Committee, Pastoral Nominating Committee, Moderator of Presbyterian Women, Deacon, Elder and she currently serves as Moderator for the Worship and Music committee. Carol participated in First Presbyterian Church’s first medical mission to the Mexican border. Recently, she forged a relationship with Woody Collins, president of our source for our Congo Helping Hands scholarship. Carol, and husband Bryan, hosted Woody in their home during his recent visit to our church.

Behind the scenes, Carol is regularly involved in pastoral care through encouraging and supportive notes and phone calls, providing educational materials and resource referrals, and her chicken pies. She is an integral part of First Presbyterian Church, taking to heart any official duty and going above and beyond in countless unofficial roles.

Outside the church, Carol has served on the boards of the Cabarrus Agricultural Fair, Cooperative Christian Ministries, and the Lions Club. Her outreach in our community is far and wide, as she seems to know the many needs through her numerous community connections. She is a strong advocate for racial justice. When she retires in August, we know that she will jump right in, filling her time as a volunteer and continuing to serve the under-served and under-represented.

As Carol arrived at the drive-up gift bag pick up with sister Susan Hannah on Sunday, she was surprised her daughter Holly Cottom, who traveled to Concord for the recognition event. Her son, Miles, was able to join from out of state via facetime. The three are pictured above with Miles via facetime. Carol is a sister, mother, friend, travel companion, mentor, confidant, and sister in Christ and this recognition is well deserved.

Visit the NEWS section of the church web site for up to date information on the re-opening of our Church campus for worship and other activities. We anticipate things to change frequently over the next several weeks and will post all updates for the congregation under that section of the website. 

Our pastoral staff continues to preach and teach through various means of technology. Please join us for all of our worship opportunities on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/firstpresconcordnc/),

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfpzVUz-ZgaCJuogIMor8Iw) or our Sermon Archives (https://firstpresconcord.org/worship/sermon-archives/).

Worship is posted at 8:30 a.m.