This Sunday, March 28, is Palm/Passion Sunday. If you would like a palm branch to have while you watch our online service you may come by and pick one up outside the Fellowship House tomorrow, Thursday, March 25, between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. or drive by on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and you can take one from the bucket underneath the covered area between the Will Young and Education Buildings.

The congregation is invited to join the Concord community of faith in the traditional Stations of the Cross procession on Good Friday, April 2nd. The walk will start at 3:30 PM at Grace Lutheran Church and proceed with stops at St. James Lutheran Church, Memorial Gardens, City Hall, Central United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and end at Forest Hills United Methodist Church at approximately 4:45 PM.

Please use this link to RSVP: 2021 FPC: Stations of the Cross Procession  This will allow us to easily communicate any changes in the plan due to inclement weather and/or changes in Covid restrictions impacting the procession. First Presbyterian Church has been assigned TWO readings during the procession. Please consider delivering one of these readings by signing up through this link or contacting René Prager at: r.prager@firstpresconcord.org.

There will be a Zoom meeting to discuss the Book of Job this Sunday, March 28 at 7 p.m. An invitation to the Zoom meeting will be sent to the Congregation so anyone who wishes may attend. This will be the only live opportunity to discuss this book, not two as originally thought. Thank you.

Congratulations to each of our newly elected church officers! Thank you for your commitment to our church and thank you to the congregation for participating in the online voting process. 94 votes were cast to elect these new Deacons and Elders:

Fritze Leigh Batts,

Jenny Chikes

Joy Cook

Chris Hahn

Susan Hannah

Debbie Harris

Rindy Moore

Anita Brown

Buddy Delizza

Kevin Garrison (Class of 2022)

Kara King

Jim Monroe (Class of 2023)

Harriett Phillips

Aaron Rotan

Valerie Thomas

Amy Woolwine

Training for church officers will take place using Zoom on three Sundays at 4 p.m., April 18, April 25 and May 2, and the officers will meet with the Session on May 11. Ordination and Installation is planned for Pentecost Sunday, May 23.

Our 2nd through 12th grade Girl Scouts return to in-person meetings Thursday in the courtyard. The girls will assemble twenty sets of lunches for Opportunity House as part of the church-wide mission this week. They will also continue their year-long study of celebrations around the world learning about different countries, cultures, and religions. Thursday's experience will expose them to the Hindu tradition of Holi, which marks the start of spring in India.

Pictured: Girl Scouts with their clay Diwali vessels at one of our last in-person gatherings in November.

An important mission within our congregation is strengthening the ties that bind us to one another in God’s love. Sallie Dotger spoke to the Youth about the importance of celebrating and connecting with the older members of our congregation. Even prior to Covid, many members were not able to attend worship or other church functions, due to physical limitations or health reasons. These members contributed so much of their time, talents, and financial resources to First Presbyterian Church over many decades. A simple gesture, such as a card or note, can help let people know that they are still an important member of our church family.

The Youth took part in the Presbyterian Women’s card ministry for our VIPs by writing notes and Bible verses in spring and Easter themed cards. It was amazing to witness the thoughtfulness that they put into their notes. A few of the notes are pictured to left. These cards will be mailed out at the end of the week, for arrival prior to Easter.

If you are interested in participating in the Card Ministry of the Presbyterian Women, please contact René Prager (thepragers@yahoo.com) for a link to the Easter card sign-up. Cards will be sent out approximately once a quarter.

Opportunity House is striving to provide transitional housing in Cabarrus County, including the first housing for single women in Cabarrus County. They are in great need of new or gently used items, including twin beds and bedding, dressers, lamps, kitchen items,wall decor, and so on.

Pick up of donations can be arranged.

Here is the link to sign up to fill one of the needs.

For more information, contact Laura Tolbert at 980-622-0811.

The annual special collection for Easter Sunday is One Great Hour of Sharing. You can give to this using the drop down option here, by texting 704-228-7459 and selecting it in the drop down option, or by mailing a check to the church, and putting One Great Hour of Sharing in the memo line. If you are mailing a check please send it to First Presbyterian Church P O Box 789, Concord, NC 28026.

Click here for information on this worthwhile collection.

Please plan to join us on Sunday, May 2nd, at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. We will reflect on our accomplishments over the last year, celebrate the lives and contributions of the women whom we have lost since our last Birthday Event, and install our new Coordinating Team officers and Circle Leaders, as we look forward to the year ahead.

We will offer a birthday gift bag to accompany the event theme. Please indicate if you would like to pick up your bag at the church between 11 a.m. and noon on May 2nd, or if you would like it to be dropped off on your front porch.

Please RSVP here by April 19th.

2021 Vacation Bible School!

S’more Adventures with God

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

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.