Dear Friends,

The beauty of spring and the promise of Easter have brought us to a new season. Days are longer and the weather is warmer, drawing us back out into the world as we leave winter behind. Easter invites us out into the world as well, not only to go and tell the good news but to go and live that good news.

At our meeting last night, the session was reminded of the need for volunteers for Love Feast in the Streets this week on Saturday, a time to care for and come alongside our unhoused neighbors. We also discussed how to care for and support our neighbors downtown in this season, businesses and unhoused neighbors impacted by the construction on Union Street.

While we may not have come up with the magic cure to solve everything, I was once again struck by the session’s creativity in considering how we as a faith community might continue to be a force for good and responsive to the needs just down the street. Possibilities included meeting with friends and small groups downtown and learning more about who makes up our unhoused population. These leaders continue to embrace their call to lead us in loving and serving our neighbors as we follow Christ out into God’s beloved world, and I am grateful.

Grace and peace,

Ellen

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

All 6^th-12^th graders are invited to join us on Sunday!

Sunday School - 9:45 AM, Room 304 Will Young Building 

Worship - 11 AM, Sanctuary

Confirmation - 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Davis Hall 

Dinner - 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM Davis Hall - RSVP now!

Youth Group - 6:00 PM - 7:)) PM Davis Hall for all 6th-12th grade 

RSVP: 2022-2023 Youth: 4/16 Youth (signupgenius.com)

Doors open at 4:15 for Confirmation class. Students are reminded to bring their journals and completed faith statements.

Thank you to our young worship leaders and ushers: Eleanor and Rebekah Bryant, Clara and Claudia Dugan, Emmaline and Findley Moore, Eliza Morrison, and A.J. Williamson. And thank you to Jonathan Ewart who helped us to visual the image with which Jesus left us when he washed the feet of the disciples. 

Below are two pictures from worship on Maundy Thursday, followed by two from worship on Good Friday.

We still need volunteers to assist at Love Feast on the Streets this Saturday 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM in the parking lot of St James Lutheran Church. No expertise needed. No strenuous work involved. Lots of fun and fellowship. As a volunteer, you will be involved with one or more of the following: welcoming our unhoused neighbors, serving a hot breakfast, passing out snacks, working at the clothing table, serving lunch, or helping out in other areas as needed.

Sign up at:

 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4fa8ae2ea1fa7-love#/

We are on Instagram and Facebook! Social media is a great way for us to get news out to you as members AND a great way to invite others in our community to join us. Please help us share opportunities to worship God, study scripture, join in fellowship, and in all the other ways we see, hear, and feel the Holy Spirit moving within and among us.

Instagram: @firstpreconcordnc https://www.instagram.com/firstpresconcordnc/?hl=en

Facebook: First Presbyterian Church, Concord NC https://www.facebook.com/firstpresconcordnc/

Please follow us, “like” the posts, offer affirming comments, and share the posts to your own social media pages. 

Sunrise at Memorial Garden, this year's flowered cross and 11 AM Worship.

 April 16 will mark the beginning of our annual fund-raising campaign to support the work of Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County. This year’s campaign runs through May 7 and our goal is $10,000.

Thanks to our faithful and generous congregation, our church has been a vital contributor to Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build houses for low-income families in our community for many years.

The need for safe housing is greater than ever. Habitat is currently in the midst of a five-year plan to increase its capacity of delivering a minimum of 5 new houses to the community each year.

There are several ways you can give:

·        Write a check to FPC with Habitat for Humanity in the “For” line and drop it into the offering plate, or mail it to the church office at P.O. Box 789, Concord, NC, 28026.

·        Go to the church’s website at www.firstpresconcord.org, navigate to “Give Now,” and select Habitat for Humanity in the dropdown fund menu.

Thank you for past and ongoing support of this important Christian mission.

We will meet to discuss the first four chapters of Nonverts at 4:30 PM on Monday, April 17, at Pharr Mill Brewery and Barbecue.  



“Reformed Christianity in an Intercultural Perspective”

The Reformed theological tradition has a global reach in the frame of what some have referred to as a shift in the center of gravity in world Christianity over the past century. This session considers how relationships between the global North and the global South shape theological reflection and action in our own context. The “Brief Statement of Faith of the Mexican Communion of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches” and reference to the biblical concept of jubilee will guide our reflection.

Biography

Matt Samson is a professor of anthropology at Davidson College. His doctorate is from the State University of New York at Albany, and his research and teaching are centered on indigenous culture and religious change in Latin America, particularly Guatemala, as well the connections between human rights and environmental justice. He grew up in the Presbytery of South Louisiana and attended Austin Presbyterian Seminary.  

Spring Cleaning? Here's an opportunity to shred those old documents and protect your privacy! FPC is sponsoring a community Shred-a-thon so pass the word:

Thursday, April 20th

10:00 AM - Noon

Fellowship House Circlular Drive

*Limit of 4 boxes per car*

The group has chosen The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb (a North Carolina native) as our next book.

We will meet at the Market Bar at Gibson Mill on April 20 at 7 PM. Hope to see you there!

Thursday Connection Resumes April 20 at 2:00 PM in the Commons

We will be discussing Kate Bowler’s book, No Cure for Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear). The books are in for those who ordered one through Julie and can be picked up in the Fellowship House at your convenience. Please wait to pay until the first class ($15). Please read the preface and chapter one prior in preparation for our first meeting if possible. If you did not order a book but would like to participate, books are available on Amazon and in many bookstores.

Lunch Bunch: March 26 11:45 AM. in Davis Hall.

Fun, Food, and Fellowship! All are welcome.

Please make reservations by calling the reservation line

704-788-2100 ext. 7

Annual Church Family Picnic

Sunday, April 30th

5:00 PM with dinner served at 5:45 PM.

A time for Fellowship and Food 

Niblock Family Farm located at 4000 Poplar Tent Road

BBQ chicken and fixins by Chef Colin Bramlett

Please bring a quilt or lawn chair.

$7 per person - $25 max per family

(pay online or at the picnic)

We look forward to a fun evening!

Please RSVP by making your reservation NOW. or call the reservation line: 704-788-2100, press 7