Dear Friends,

On Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost as we conclude our sermon series, “Misquoted: Things Jesus Didn’t Say.” Our misquote for this week is, “God helps those who help themselves,” and our text is Romans 8:18-28.

Pentecost is of course when we celebrate God’s Spirit blowing in and through the apostles gathered in Jerusalem, giving birth to the church. As I’m sure you know, the gift of the Spirit entails more than the wind and fire of that one day. On Sunday, we will explore some of Paul’s words from his letter to the church in Rome as he imagines how the Spirit continues to work in and through the Body of Christ in times of challenge and change. How have you sensed the Spirit’s work in your own life and in the church’s life?

I look forward to hearing what the Spirit has to say to us and through us this Sunday.

Grace and peace,

Ellen

Next Sunday, June 4, we will celebrate the Rev. Julie Hill on her final day with us as our Temporary Associate Pastor. Please plan to join us for worship and for a reception in her honor following worship on the Fellowship House lawn.

Next Sunday, June 4, we will have a Selah Worship service at 5 PM in Davis Hall, followed by dinner. All are welcome to attend but dinner reservations must be made using this link by 4 PM next Tuesday, May 30. You can also call the reservations line, 704-788-2100, #7. Please state the event and the number attending for dinner.

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

Submissions for next week's Banner are due to Suzanne.russell@firstpresconcord.org by Noon on Monday, May 29th.Thank you.

Seventeen of our Youth gathered Sunday evening to watch the movie Encanto.

They enjoyed dinner and an ice cream sundae bar. Reflecting on the movie, we identified God-given gifts in ourselves and in one another. At the end of the evening, we gave a send off to youth who will be headed off to residential school in the fall.

Youth are encouraged to sign-up to help with VBS and participate in one of the Meals On Wheels dates this summer. Other opportunities are being planned and will be shared via e-mail and sign-up genius.

Join us for Vacation Bible School, June 26-29. This is the FINAL week to register! Use this link to register for VBS TODAY!

(You can also visit our website and use the signup link on the right near the bottom of the home page.)

We are also seeking volunteers. If you are able to help, please e-mail René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org or use this link to sign-up: 2023 VBS Volunteers: VBS Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Each year Presbyterian women around the world celebrate the end of their calendar year with a collection for the Birthday Offering which benefits causes that align with the PW mission. At our luncheon on Sunday, May 21, attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Second Course. Current Moderator, Kirby Sheridan recognized last year’s officers and new officers for the coming year were installed. Dakeita Vanderburg is the new PW Moderator. 

René Prager was awarded the Honorary Life Membership. Memorial flowers were placed in a vase as we remembered Presbyterian Women who passed away over the last year. 

For the month of May, the diaconate’s mission committee is spotlighting the Community Free Clinic. They have been an important organization in our community since opening in 1994 and their mission is “to help Cabarrus County adults move toward wellness by providing comprehensive healthcare and pharmacy services.”

Their patients are low income, uninsured adults living in Cabarrus County. By providing medical care and medicine at no cost they keep people out of the hospital. For every one dollar donated they provide $8.07 worth of medical services and approximately $2 million in emergency room diversion savings. They are Cabarrus County’s only free medical center and pharmacy and are located at 528 A Lake Concord Road.

They are always in need of volunteers in support of their critical mission. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities or the important services they provide, please visit www.communityfreeclinic.org or call Laura Lyerly Milliken (Executive Director) at 980-498-3052, or speak with FPC Board members: Lori Clay, Gina Goff or Harold Thomas.

As you are cleaning out closets, we are happy to repurpose your board games.

We are specifically looking for: Sorry!, Trouble, Monopoly, and Life board games, but will accept others as well.

Please drop off your used board games in the Fellowship House foyer. Thank you!

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO FIREARMS AND SUICIDE PREVENTION

Tuesday, June 6      

 6:00 – 8:00 PM

 First Presbyterian Church Concord

 Davis Hall

 Pizza and Beverages Provided

*18 years and older:

Register online at https://tslfirearms6623.attendease.com/

Suicide can be prevented. This presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide. Participants will learn the common risk factors for suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, our loved ones and those in our community safe.

Special Door prize for one attendee:

an Awesafe Biometric Gun Safe with Three Ways Quick Access

Brought to you by: Charlotte Out of Darkness Walk

www.afsp.org/Charlotte

The S & D class will continue to meet during the summer months at 9:45 AM in the Fellowship House.  All are welcome.

Our Girl Scouts wrapped up regular meetings for the school year on Thursday evening.

This year our Daisy troop earned a number of badges: Good Neighbor, Coding Basics, Board Game Design, Roller Coaster Design, Toy Business Designer, My First Cookie Business, Cookie Goal Setter, most of their Daisy Petals, and 2 Journeys- 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, and 3 Cheers for Animals and Think Like a Citizen Scientist. Their favorite meeting was the Teddy Bear Tea! 

Brownies celebrated with their families at our last meeting by leading our program with pledges, songs and received their earned badges! They send a shout out to René Prager, Pastor Ellen, and First Presbyterian for their support of our troop this year.

The Junior troop wrapped up a year of amazing growth – individually and as a troop. Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors held their end-of-year ceremony at Memorial Garden. All nine troop members were recognized for earning their Safety Award and seven girls also earned their My Promise, My Faith award. The troop also celebrated graduating senior, Natalie Spears.

The Girl Scouts are already planning for next year! If you have a daughter or granddaughter who will be in Kindergarten through 12^th grade next year, please contact René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org for information on registration.

Our next Books and Brews will be Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Meeting on Thursday July 27 7:00 PM

Location TBD!