Dear Friends,

Happy 2024! I hope your holidays were filled with good things and that the new year has gotten off to a good start. This Sunday marks another new beginning as we start our walk through the gospel of Mark, a walk that will continue through Easter. Mark’s gospel begins not with angels or a manger, but with John the Baptist and Jesus’ own baptism (click here to read the passage). In Mark’s account, Jesus sees the heavens torn apart and hears a voice declare that he is God’s beloved Son.

During worship we will have an opportunity to recall our own beginning, our own baptism before we gather around the table. What does it mean for us to remember our baptism in light of Jesus’ baptism? As we turn to a new page in the calendar, can we hear God call us beloved, too?

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

Join us on Sunday in Davis Hall!

Confirmands should arrive between 4:15 PM and 4:30 PM, and class will start promptly at 4:30. Please bring your journal.

Dinner is at 5:30 PM and combined Youth (6^th-12^th grade) is from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Please bring a friend. It is GAME NIGHT!

2023-2024 Youth: 1/7 Youth & Confirmation (signupgenius.com)

Thursday Connections...

The next Connections book study will begin January 25, 2024 at 2 PM in the Commons, with Rev. Casey Aldridge leading the discussion of Priya Parker’s book 'The Art of Gathering…How We Meet and Why it Matters.’ 

Mark you calendars now for this winter read and as one reviewer remarks…"Read it for its wisdom, its charm, its insight, and its ability to make every encounter with others more meaningful and enjoyable."

Repurpose Your Christmas Trees

As you take down your decorations, please be aware that we are accepting artificial Christmas trees of all sizes.

The lights do not need to work, but we would like trees to be green (some artificial trees come in a range of colors)

We will store these at the church for props for future Vacation Bible schools and other programs.

Please contact René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org or 704-788-2100 ext 4 to schedule a drop off. We do not need the trees this holiday season, so there is no rush. We would prefer to repurpose gently used trees that you are planning to discard versus purchasing new ones."