Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! As we start 2023, in worship we will be listening to the gospel story as told by Matthew. As you may remember from December, it is Matthew who tells Joseph that Mary’s child will be Emmanuel, which means God with us. This Sunday we will pick back up after Jesus’ birth and celebrate Epiphany as the magi follow the star. We will stay with Matthew through Easter.

Though the leaps between texts will be smaller each week, I invite you to consider reading through the gospel over the next few months including both the texts we read on Sundays and those in between. What does it mean for Jesus to be Emmanuel, God with us in Matthew’s world? What does it mean for Jesus to be Emmanuel in ours?

Grace and peace,

Ellen

Artwork by John Stuart: www.stushieart.com

Our Christmas Day Noisy Offering was $177.80!

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

Visit the Commons for inspiration and messages of hope, Wednesdays 10 AM -6 PM and Saturdays 10 AM -3 PM.

 (Church St. entrance).  First Presbyterian members can also visit Tuesdays 10 AM -5 PM and Thursdays 10 AM -5 PM (enter from tunnel hallway) just turn on the lights marked Commons. 

There are so many stations for you to explore and find encouragement! There are sites to enhance your prayer life, stimulate thoughts about justice issues, or about being more involved in the life of our community. We hope that you will take a few moments during this month to drop by the Commons for rest and renewal, and that you find refreshment in all the ways that God calls to us to be in a closer relationship with Him. 

Lunch Bunch: Wednesday, January 11 at 11:45 AM in Davis Hall



Ask a church friend to join you-

           invite a visitor you met recently at church-

                       bring a neighbor-

and join us for good food and conversation at Lunch Bunch.

Make reservations no later than Sunday by calling our reservation line:

704-788-2100, ext. 7. A $9 donation for lunch is suggested.

Welcome Class: Sunday, January 22 at 9:45 AM in the Fellowship House

Are you interested in membership at FPC? Or would you simply like to learn more about our church and what it means to be Presbyterian? If so, you are warmly invited to attend the Welcome Class. This is a great opportunity to meet a few people, learn a bit about the church, and take a tour of the campus. For those who wish to become a member, we will receive new members in worship on January 29. If you have questions, please speak with Pastor Julie.

Longest Night Service: On the night of the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, we gathered in the chapel, acknowledging the pain and sorrow that often accompanies the holiday season. We sang, prayed, kept silence, lit candles, and found comfort in community. If you would like to speak with a

pastor, please call the church office and make an appointment with Pastor Ellen or Pastor Julie.

Thursday Connection: Thursdays at 2 PM

January 12 – February 23 in The Commons



We will be reading and discussing the book, Hope: A User’s Manual

by PC(USA) pastor and author MaryAnn McKibben Dana.

“When it comes to hope, our culture peddles a lot of cheap knockoffs. But that kind of “hope” falls short when things are bleak-which is exactly when we need hope the most….MaryAnne McKibben Dana reflects on what hope is not, what hope is, and where to find it in hopeless times.”

Come join the discussion. Books will be available at the church for $12 by Sunday (hopefully!) 

We are excited for our full schedule to resume on Sunday, January 8^th. We are in need of a few volunteers this week and in the weeks ahead.

Please consider signing up to help in one or more of the following ways:

Pew Prep: Pew Prep: Pew Prep - Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Nursery: Nursery Volunteers: Sunday Nursery Volunteers (signupgenius.com) Middle & High School Sunday School:

MS / HS Sunday School teachers: MS / HS Sunday School (signupgenius.com)

Confirmation Class resumes with Lesson 2 on Sunday, January 8^th, 4:30 - 5:30 PM in Davis Hall. Doors will open at 4:15 and we encourage both Confirmands and Confirmation Partners to arrive early for a short social time before class starts at 4:30. Confirmands should bring their Confirmation Journal with them. You should receive an e-mail by today with additional information. Please contact Pastor Ellen, ellen.crawfordtrue@firstpresconcord.org, or René Prager, r.prager@firstpresconcord.org, with any questions OR if you are unable to attend this session.

Please note that we use an adjusted Youth Group schedule while Confirmation class is in session.

              Confirmation Class: 4:30-5:30 PM

              Confirmation and Youth dinner: 5:30-6 PM

              Combined Youth Group (6^th-12^th grades): 6-7 PM

All evening events are in Davis Hall. Once a month, we will also be resuming the popular Moe’s lunch instead of evening Youth group.

In January, our Moe’s lunch is on January 15^th. You’ll find more information in your e-mail, on the Youth Instagram page, and on sign-up genius.

January 8: 2022-2023 Youth: 1/8 Youth (signupgenius.com)

January 15: 2022-2023 Youth: 1/15 Youth (signupgenius.com)

January 22: 2022-2023 Youth: 1/22 Youth (signupgenius.com)

January 29: 2022-2023 Youth: 1/29 Youth (signupgenius.com)

The Future of the Church in America



On January 8, 15, and 29, Dr. Dave True will visit the Todd Hobbie Class. On January 8th and 15th, Dave will discuss a recent Pew Report that claims that if "recent trends in religious switching continue, Christians could make up less than half of the U.S. population within a few decades." Dr. True will unpack this and other trends and explore how we might view the church's future and its call. Then on January 29, Dave will consider what the church today might learn from the book of Ruth. In February, Dave will lead three classes on three keys of Christian faith in a Reformed key. 

Books & Brews will start off the year with We Are the Light by Matthew Quick, the author of The Silver Linings Playbook. This book has been described as “timely, lovely, and sometimes heartbreaking novel of grief and hope.” The group will gather at Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company (7285 W Winds Blvd NW, Concord, NC 28027) at 7 PM on January 12, 2023.

Contact Hunter Morrison or Pastor Ellen with questions. All are welcome!