Dear Friends,

On Ash Wednesday, February 22, we will gather for worship in the sanctuary and begin our Lent together in worship, prayer, silence, and singing, along with receiving the imposition of ashes. Our theme for Lent this year is “Parables and Other Puzzles.” Through the lens of Matthew’s gospel, we will reflect together on some of Jesus’ parables. As we noticed on Sunday, in his parables, Jesus draws on everyday images such as meals and fields, bridesmaids and lamps. His stories are often puzzling, leading us to believe that if we can make all the pieces fit, everything will make sense. Parables are not that simple however, nor is the life of faith. Parables are not really puzzles to be solved but pieces that give us glimpses of a larger whole, guiding us as we seek to follow Jesus faithfully. Each week you will be invited to take home a puzzle piece at the end of worship. The pieces are all the same shape, so they all fit with each other. They do not and will not lead to a completed puzzle with a neatly finished edge. You will be invited to write on them, paint them, or simply link them one to another as you reflect on how these puzzling pieces speak to our work of playing, praying, worshiping, wondering, sacrificing, and serving as we seek to follow where our Savior leads.

Grace and peace,

Ellen

Lent Highlights:

Lenten Virtual Midday Prayer on YouTube each Wednesday at 12:30 PM beginning March 1, 2023

Puzzles & Pizzas on Sunday, March 26, 2023 immediately following worship in Davis Hall

Maundy Thursday dinner and service in Davis Hall beginning at 6:30 PM on April 6, 2023

Good Friday Community Walk on April 7, 2023

Good Friday Tenebrae service in the sanctuary at 7 PM on April 7, 2023

And more!

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

Wednesday: Matthew 14:22-36

Thursday: Matthew 15:1-20

Friday: Matthew 15:21-39

Saturday: Matthew 16:1-23

Sunday: Psalm 41:7-10; Matthew 16:24--17:8

Monday: Matthew 17:9-20

Tuesday: Matthew 17:22-27

Wednesday: Psalm 51:1-3; Matthew 18:1-9

On Sunday, February 26, Dr. Brian Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary will be our guest during Sunday school and worship. He will lead an adult class on “Apocalyptic Hope,” and he will preach on Jesus’ time in the wilderness from Matthew.

To read Dr. Blount’s brief bio, click here.

You are invited to a benefit luncheon for the Salvation Army of Cabarrus & Stanly Counties:

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Central United Methodist Church

30 Union Street North, Concord, NC

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Tickets $10

Soup, Crackers, Dessert & Beverage

Eat In or Take Out



for more information, click here

In Confirmation class on Sunday, February 12, we made crosses and talked about what it means to follow Jesus and take up our cross. Confirmation class will not meet on February 19. We will meet at 4:30 PM on February 26 in Davis Hall and our partners will join us.

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, February 16, at 7 PM at Pharr Mill Brewing and BBQ, 363 Church St N. All are welcome! Contact Pastor Ellen or Hunter Morrison with questions.

As Leland and Hugh shared in the Moment for Mission Sunday, while we "stuff our faces full of nachos, sit around and watch professional athletes battle it out, and pay tens of thousands of dollars to watch them in person, just down the street people are suffering due to lack of nutrition."

Youth dressed in green were representing the Eagles on behalf on Cooperative Christian Ministry. Youth dressed in red were representing the Chiefs on behalf of the Back pack program. "Both of these entities go towards supporting hunger missions. The donation count symbolizes the score of the super bowl so let’s make it a high scoring game, Thank you all for your donations."

It is no surprise that the collection totals for these great programs were almost as close as the final score.

Kansas City Chiefs/Backpack Program scored the highest donations: $444.60 and the Philadelphia Eagles/Cooperative Christian Ministries had a respectable: $365. Thank you to all who contributed to this worthy cause and to our Youth for leading us in this drive!

Moms with Children in the Home

You are invited to join other mothers at

Southern Strain

Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 PM

Questions? Speak to Amanda Williamson

      We have two scheduled build dates for Presby Wonder Women:

Thursday, March 16 and Saturday, May 13.

No prior experience or skills necessary.

On the job training provided!

Many of our Presby Wonder Women are working women so even if you did not sign up as a team member, please consider helping on Thursday, March 23. Can’t build but would like to help? Consider bringing lunch to the work crew. Please contact Pastor Julie or Elizabeth Anne Bishop to volunteer. 

You're Invited!

Please join Friends Empowering Haiti in celebrating 30 years of supporting our brothers and sisters in Bayonnais with a festive evening of food, drinks, and a silent auction

Actionnel Fleurisma, Pastor and Founder of the ICB School, will be our guest speaker

Tickets are $100 per person - purchase here:

https://friendsempoweringhaiti.org/celebrating-30-years/

Questions? Contact Betsy Liles dinnerbell6@gmail.com

The next book for the Racial Equity Reads group is "The Color of Compromise," by Jemar Tisby. The first meeting is scheduled for 3 PM on Sunday, February 26, in The Commons. We'll start by discussing the first two chapters.

You're encouraged to order the book from Shelves, a Black-owned bookstore in Charlotte, by emailing orders@shelvesbookstore.com. The book is also available on Amazon.com.

More details will be announced in coming weeks. For more information email sverner@yahoo.com.