This week I have been reading two short books that deal with the above question: N.T. Wright’s, God and the Pandemic, and Walter Brueggemann’s, Virus as a Summons to Faith. Both are helpful, short reflections on how people of faith should respond to the challenges of the present moment.

For example, in God and the Pandemic, N.T. Wright uses both the Old and New Testaments to help Christians think through their reactions and responses to the pandemic. Offering spiritual guidance during a time of crisis, Wright helps readers reflect on scripture, prayer, and teachings from Jesus' life in order to think differently about disaster and how to react to it.

And in Virus as a Summons to Faith, the summons Brueggemann hears in the devastation caused by the Covid-19 virus is the same summons that all prophets hear in the midst of calamity: the call into right relationship with Living Presence, a call into deeper, more caring, and mutually beneficial relationship with all that is.

If you only have time to read one, I suggest starting with God and the Pandemic. (It is only 80 pages long). I am not usually an N.T. Wright fan, but this work hits all the right notes pastorally. As one reviewer has written: “Wright isn't content to just provide pat answers, or to give us the answers we want to hear. He keeps going back to the Bible, back to Jesus, and back to our responsibilities as image-bearers of God. In an age of knee-jerk reactions, social shaming, and trying to out-shout your "opponents", such a stubborn view of the issues is not only refreshing and welcome, but necessary …”

I commend these books (really extended essays) to your attention. Here is a video link where N.T. Wright introduces God and the Pandemic.

Blessings,

Scott Kenefake

Interim Pastor

Click here to see the survey and read the related article.

All women of the church, ages 18-118, are invited and encouraged to explore opportunities in Presbyterian Women.

Our year will certainly look different and will likely evolve during the year. The opportunity for fellowship and Bible study, and our commitment to serve our congregation and larger community, are both great ways to connect with one another and share God's love.

Please take a moment to view last year's circles and this year's leaders, then click here by Monday, August 10, to sign up for this year so that we can update our 2020-2021 directory. Thank you!

The grand total raised from the July campaign is $10,900.

With the Deacons matching grant, a total of $15,900 was raised for Habitat in the month of July. Thanks to everyone who participated!!!

Please click here to watch a thank you message from Woody Collins from Congo Helping Hands.

A list of suggestions has been tailored from past collections and is listed below. For additional information, contact Susan Smith at bluemeadow461@gmail.com.

·        Wooden pencils (pref Ticonderoga)

·        Small pencil sharpeners*                     

·        Mechanical pencils

·        Pens (blue, black, red)

·        Crayons and colored pencils

·        Highlighters and glue sticks

·        Notebooks (wide rule)

·        Filler paper (college rule)

·        Pocket folders

·        Headphones and ear buds*

·        Dry erase markers

·        Individual packs of tissues*

·        Boxes of tissues

·        Disinfecting wipes

·        Hand sanitizers

     * New items on the list or items

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/).