May 2 - Communion Sunday - PW Installation at 1 p.m.
May 9 - Youth Sunday and Confirmation
May 16 - Live, in-person worship; Graduating high school senior recognition
May 23 - Pentecost Sunday with Officer Ordination and Installation
May 30 - Trinity Sunday/Memorial Day Weekend - worship changes to 10 a.m.for summer
June 6 - Rev. Lynne Keel Preaching
June 13 - last Sunday for Rev. Rush Otey
June 20 - first Sunday for Rev. Ellen Crawford True - outdoor welcome reception
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As I moved my books and files from my office when I “retired” last year, I was struck by the large number of books and articles and sermons related to death and dying. That is not unusual since ministers are likely to encounter these situations more often than most other people. Over the past fifty years I have officiated at nearly 500 funerals or memorial services, each one being different in significant ways, but all-encompassing both grief and the Christian hope of Resurrection. I have also taught or helped lead classes or seminars in congregations and colleges and seminaries and community settings. In our culture the Church and other faith communities are the only ongoing gatherings which address death and dying with realism and with awareness of transcendence and eternal life.
The sermon for May 2 is “On Death and Dying,” and the Scripture lessons are Psalm 139, Psalm 88, and Hebrews 11. The sermon will be more theological and Biblical since that is what is often missing in current attitudes and misconceptions about the subject. Practically speaking there are excellent resources available from medical caregivers and also from Hospice, which is one of the great advancements and breakthroughs of the twentieth century. I hope you will take advantage of these opportunities for preparation, as well as visiting your attorney and your financial planners regarding a will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
In addition to the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, among the books which I continue to find helpful are Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal, Thomas Long and Thomas Lynch’s The Good Funeral: Death, Grief, and the Community of Care, Thomas Lynch’s The Undertaking, Marilyn Chandler McEntyre’s A Faithful Farewell: Living Your Last Chapter With Love, and Allen Verhey’s The Christian Art of Dying: Learning from Jesus.
“Whether in life or in death, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)
Rush
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Reminder that our Annual Birthday event is this 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. All registered attendees will receive an e-mail with the Zoom link.
Gift bag pick up is at the church between 11 a.m. and noon on May 2nd.
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Journey Sunday School class is meeting in the regular classroom (2nd floor of the Education Building) on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. following Covid distance guidleines and wearing masks. Beginning this Sunday, and through the month of May, they will be reading and discussing the Christian themes and symbolism present in "The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis. |
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Reminder – Youth will meet at the church on Sunday, May 2nd, 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. to work on Youth Sunday. Please plan to wear attire for recording your segment of the worship service unless you have already done so. Please contact René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org with any questions. If you are an adult willing to assist on Sunday, let René know by Friday. |
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Church Grounds Work Day May 8 |
There will be a Church Grounds Work Day on May 8 starting at 8:00 a.m. We will work on the main campus so bring your work gloves and gardening tools. We will also tackle the parking lot and vacant lot across Church Street. We need volunteers with power tools to clear out the overgrown area between the lots. If you have any questions, please contact the Building and Grounds Committee - Wade Holland, Jim Holloway, and Kathy Pilkington. |
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Volunteers needed!
Please use this link to sign-up to help:
We need YOU! Please consider signing up to help with our 2021 Vacation Bible School program.
There are many ways to help and all honor the promise we made to the children of our congregation at their Baptism.
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Earlier this month, the Girl Scouts met to learn about the importance of bees. The girls are pictured planting flower pots to take home.
If you have a rising kindergarten through 12th grade daughter or granddaughter, please reach out to René Prager at thepragers@yahoo.com for information about troops forming for the fall!
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Market for Mission October 2nd... |
Knowing we have all been deep cleaning and clearing out this past year, hold onto your treasures just a bit longer! We will start collecting items for the Market for Mission sale in May. Details very shortly on what and how to donate. Thanks much!! |
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Mother's Day, May 9th, will be Youth Sunday. Our entire worship service will be youth led and we hope that all of the youth of the congregation can participate.
Eleven of our Youth gathered on April 18 for planning. If you were not able to attend, please contact René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org by April 30th so that we can ensure your Youth has a role in worship. Please mark your calendars for 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 2nd, for our next gathering.
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Middle School Camping Retreat |
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
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All graduating high school seniors, please save Sunday, May 16th.
Beginning at 9:45 a.m., the Presbyterian Women will be hosting a reception to celebrate you! Invitations will be coming soon!
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April - Month of the Young Child |
In April, as we celebrate The Month Of The Young Child with murals, our First Kids remind us that seeing the world through the eyes of a child is a beautiful thing. |
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Services Update - Worship Available on Sunday Morning |
Worship is posted at 8:30 a.m.
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Lay Liturgists
Sign up here to be a lay liturgist to
read scripture in worship on Sundays.
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Sanctuary Flowers
To give the congregation a gift of
to sign-up for one or more Sundays
during the year.
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Sunday, May 2, 2021
Rev. Rush Otey preaching
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Thursday, April 29
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
6:00 p.m. Girl Scouts (courtyard)
Friday, April 30
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
Sunday, May 2
8:30 a.m. Worship online
9:45 a.m. Journey Sunday School (Ed Bldg)
9:45 a.m. S & D Sunday School (online)
1:00 p.m. PW Birthday Event (online)
4:00 p.m. Officer Training (online)
5:00 p.m. Youth (Sanctuary/Courtyard)
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Monday, May 3
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
2:30 p.m. Music Recording (Sanctuary)
7:00 p.m. Re-opening Meeting (online)
Tuesday, May 4
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
1:30 p.m. Circle 3 (Courtyard)
6:00 p.m. Cub Scouts
7:00 p.m. Board of Deacons (online)
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Pack 3
Wednesday, May 5
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
7:30 p.m. Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
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Marriage
Congratulations to Matthew Steel and Kate McCrobie who were married on Friday, April 9, in a small private ceremony in Charlotte. Matt is the son of church members Rob and Glenda Steel.
Birthdays
April 29 - Todd Aldridge, Stewart Brown, Keeley Gould, Fred Irving, Amy Rinker, Johnna Watson
April 30 - Abigail Rohrer
May 1 - Abbie Bauman, McKenzie Bauman, Sara Beth Caldwell, Reven Fulghum, Mack Harrison,
Susan Schneider
May 2- Spencer Hillman, Michelle Patrum, Dalton Sloop
May 3 - Susan Bethune, Robert Hahn, Harris Morrison, Julia Schneider, Samuel Schneider
May 4- Lou Anne Clark, Lata Eapen
May 5 - Ashley Fischer, Michael Fischer, Elizabeth Maroney, Meghan Maroney, Noah White
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Rush Otey
Temporary Supply Pastor
Associate Pastor
for Care and Mission
René Prager
Interim Youth
Programs Coordinator
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Director of Music and Organist
Choirmaster
Church Administrator
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 Hours:
Closed
Memorial Garden:
(704) 786-8009
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
Garden Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Closed Monday
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