THE BANNER

August 26, 2026

Note from Ellen

Dear Friends,


This week’s question from our curious kids is, “Where do God and Jesus live?” How would you answer? As a child, I imagined God sitting on a cloud, just out of sight, but the book of Revelation has something else to suggest: “See, the home of God is among mortals.” Really? Our text for this week is Revelation 21:1-6a. What does it tell us about where God chooses to live?


I hope to see you on Sunday when we’ll wonder about this together.


Grace and peace,

Ellen



A Congregational Meeting for the purpose of voting to approve revisions to the Manual of Procedures will take place after worship this Sunday, August 30.


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

Photography Team


Do you like to take photos? Would you like to be part of our new FPC Photography Team? We are looking for volunteers to take photos at different FPC events. We’ll use these photos on social media and in the Banner to share and celebrate life with FPC. We’ll have a sign up on Rally Day. Contact Pastor Ellen or Pastor Casey with questions.

First Kids News


We are excited to reopen this week for the 26-27 school year. 

Our theme this year is, "Let's Get Wild With Nature." We'll discover, learn with, and care for, our beautiful Earth.  

 

I am pleased to announce our talented staff,"The Terrific Twenty!"

    Director- Maureen O'Bryan 

Assistant Director- Pam Prentice 

TK- Angie Sult, Katrina Wallace, Sarah Callahan

Five-Day Fours- Laura Lyon, Golda Jay, Elyse Lambert

MWF Four- Maureen O'Bryan, Holly Westbrook, Jennifer Michalski

Three A- Laura Williams, Yessi Carrera 

Three B- Megan Kopasz, Stacy Graham, Alex Martin

Twos- MaryAnn Harrison, Lisa Sackeli 

One- Kristi Dugan, Sally Price, Kristina Revels 

We wish each of our alumni students prayers and good thoughts as you begin your new school year, and appreciate all prayers you can send 

back our way as we embark on this new adventure. 

 

Learning and Playing Together, 

Ms. Maureen 

CCM Monthly Food Needs


In August, the food program has served an average of 58 households per day. With the second half of the month to come, we would really appreciate any food items that you can donate. Serving our clients in need and being a resource for our community continues to be one of the reasons why we do what we do. Your partnership and generosity go such a long way in stocking our pantry shelves. If you are looking for something to pray for, pray that God opens doors for CCM to have life-changing conversations with our clients in need, in order to help bring them from crisis to restoration. Thank you for all that you do, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community.

 

Here are the items that the CCM Food Program is in need of this month:

 

·    Soup of any kind

·    Canned Vegetables of any kind

·    Beans of any kind

·    Dry rice

·    Jelly

·    Tomato Paste

·    Tomato Sauce

·    Paper towels and toilet paper

·    Pasta of any kind

 

We remain appreciative of items which are “low-sodium,” “no-added-sugar,” and “whole grain.” Visit https://cooperativeministry.com/wp-content/uploads/CCM-Healthy-Pantry-Donations.pdf for details on nutritional donations.

 

In addition to our main pantry at 246 Country Club Dr. @ 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM Mondays-Fridays, and Thursdays from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, CCM’s satellite pantries also accept grocery donations. They include:

 

1. Bethel Baptist Helping Hands, Kannapolis @ 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Mondays and Thursdays

2. Westford Methodist, Concord @ 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Saturdays

3. West Point Baptist, Kannapolis @ 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Saturdays

4. Bethel Methodist Church, Midland @ appointment by phone (704-888-2653)

5. North Kannapolis Baptist, Kannapolis @ appointment by phone (704-933-2125)

Night Shelter Meals


Please use the link below to sign up to help September 6-12, our week of making and serving meals at the night shelter:


https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4CA9AF2BA1F58-65250827-september

Save the Date!


Mark your calendar and plan to join us for Rally Day on Sunday, September 13. Watch the Banner for more details soon!

Earth Care Congregation News


Previously in the Banner the Earth Care Committee reported on an educational seminar held at First Presbyterian Church about PFAS (forever chemicals). In February a recent EPA report showed that more than 120,000 Concord water customers were receiving water laced with “forever chemicals” more than two times the EPA limit. Since that time the Hillgrove Water Treatment Plant has spent $18 million to install new granular activated carbon (GAC) filters to absorb contamination and residual organic compounds before water reaches the customer. This is the most modern method currently available for PFAS removal. In June and July of this year water contamination in Concord has been reduced to less than half of the new EPA guidelines that will go into effect in 2031. (Information from Chris Miller’s substack)


As we are an Earth Care Congregation, our committee will continue to provide education and pertinent information about how we as a congregation can make a difference in our environment and community.

Noisy Offering Collection


This past Sunday we collected $250.20 for the backpack program at Coltrane Webb Elementary school.

Thank you for your donations.

 

Lay Liturgists

Sign up here to be a lay liturgist to

read scripture in worship on Sundays.


Nursery

Sign up here to volunteer in the Nursery on Sundays.


Pew Prep

Sign up here to volunteer to help with pew prep on Sundays.

 

Ushers

Sign up here to volunteer in the          

Sanctuary on Sundays


Greeters

Sign up here to volunteer in the

Sanctuary on Sundays


Sanctuary Flowers

To give the congregation a gift of

sanctuary flowers, please click here

to sign-up for one or more Sundays

during the year.

Calendar

View the Full Calendar here.

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Rev. Ellen Crawford True

Psalm 150 , Revelation 21:1-6

Thursday, August 27

9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)

3:00 PM Finance & Stewardship Mtg (Fellowship House Library)

6:30 PM BoySscout Boards of Advancement (Ed Bldg)

Friday, August 28

office closed

9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)

Saturday, August 29

2:00 PM K. Stamey funeral (Sanctuary and Davis Hall)

Sunday, August 30

9:45 AM S & D Class (Fellowship House)

11:00 AM Worship (Sanctuary)

3:00 PM Rise Against Hunger (Davis Hall)

Monday, August 31

9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)

Tuesday, September 1

9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)

7:00 PM Al Anon (Commons)

Wednesday, September 2

9:00 AM First Kids Preschool (Will Young Bldg)

10:30 AM Bible Study (Library Conference Room)

2:00 PM Staff Mtg (Fellowship House Sunroom)


    

Church Report

Birthdays

August 27 - Karen Barefoot, Charlie Bixler, Hilary Robbins

August 28 - Mark Clark, Susan Pless

August 30 - Cathleen Rogers, David Tignor

August 31 - Thomas Niblock, Christine Seitz

September 1 - Leslie Burke, Ellie Sherrill

September 2 - Caroline Bixler, April Cline


To enjoy a sung Happy Birthday, click here!

Staff

Ellen Crawford True

Senior Pastor/Head of Staff 

ellen.crawfordtrue@firstpresconcord.org


Casey Aldridge

Associate Pastor

casey.aldridge@firstpresconcord.org


Bryan Hovey

Parish Associate

bryan.hovey@firstpresconcord.org



Director of Music and Organist

Choirmaster

Suzanne Russell
Church Administrator

Kim Mazzola
Financial Administrative Asst.

Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent


Director of First Kids


Wedding Director
Contact Info
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

The Commons Prayer Room:

Open to FPC: Tuesday - Sunday

Open to FPC: Saturday 10 AM - 3 PM     

Group times available with prior arrangement


Memorial Garden:

info@firstpresconcord.org


36 Spring Street SW

Concord NC 28025

 

Garden Hours: 

Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

March 15 - September 15


Tuesday- Sunday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

September 15 - March 15

Closed Monday

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