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THE BANNER
February 13, 2019
Guest Minister, George Slaton
Sunday, February 17th, we welcome George Slaton back to the pulpit. George grew up in Concord where he and his family were active members of First Presbyterian Church. He attended what is now Union Presbyterian Seminary and graduated from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. After serving churches in Florida and Tennessee, he completed a residency in pastoral psychotherapy in Atlanta, GA. He served at Presbyterian Counseling Center in Wilmington, NC from 1980 to 2010 where he was therapist and Executive Director. George is an honorably retired member of Charlotte Presbytery and works with its Conciliation Team.

Sunday, February 24th,
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. in Davis Hall
We need your support to reach our goal
to package 10,000+ meals.
Wednesday Night Fellowship
Join us on February 20th for Get to Know a Member: Hobby Night. We will have four members sharing information and enthusiasm for their hobbies in a casual setting. Currently scheduled are Connie Bixler (paper stars); Sallie Dotger (baskets); Fred Brooks (N-scale railroading); and Doug Crawford (Revolutionary War).  We hope to see you there! Please make your dinner reservations by noon Monday, February 18th. Menu: spaghetti, salad, fruit, dessert.
Tuesday Lunch Bunch
On February 26th Lunch Bunch welcomes James Rhea, a local artist who paints frescos of stories and people from scripture. Come see his interpretations of God's revelation. Please make your lunch reservations by noon Monday, February 25th.
Congratulations to Casey Aldridge
Congratulations to Casey Aldridge who became a candidate for ordination as Minister of Word and Sacrament at the Presbytery of Charlotte’s February 9th meeting. Casey, a child of this church, is a second year student at Princeton Theological Seminary. After earning his Master of Divinity degree, he hopes to earn a PhD and teach religion at the college level while serving in ministry in his local community. What a privilege God has granted us in raising and nurturing people like Casey in the faith that we might all participate in the Kingdom of God
Recommendations for Church Officers
   The congregation is invited to make recommendations of church members to serve a 3-year term on the Session or Board of Deacons, beginning in June.  
   For BOARD OF DEACONS candidates, think of members who have gifts for congregational care and passion for community outreach. Alongside the pastors, deacons are spiritual leaders who provide spiritual care and other support to the people of our congregation. They organize and carry out mission work in the community and beyond. They welcome and greet visitors, assist in worship and help to assimilate new members in the church. Deacons also organize fellowship activities in the congregation.
   For SESSION candidates, think of members who are committed disciples of Jesus Christ and possess the wisdom and discernment to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Elders on the Session oversee all work of the church, including administrative, budgetary and personnel matters; building and grounds maintenance; worship, music and sacraments; Christian education programs; stewardship and giving; and many other issues related to our mission and ministries. Working hand in hand with the “teaching elders” (i.e., ministers of word and sacrament), ruling elders make decisions that seek to follow the will of God in all of these matters. In accordance with the Book of Order, the Session also has oversight over the work of the Board of Deacons.
   The Congregational Nominating Committee will meet on February 26th to consider names for nominees for the Classes of 2022. Please email your suggestions to Deborah Mesimer by Thursday, February 21st.
  Current Deacons
  • Class of 2019 - Hillman Brown, Harold Cline, Mary Beth Eubanks, Ashley Fischer, Timbs Fulghum, Thomas Moore, Amy Woolwine
  • Class of 2020 - Nicki Bryant, Chip Clark, Matt Dugan, Davilla Gilbert, Janna Mitchell, Jerry Otteni, Valerie Thomas
  • Class of 2021 - Ron Barus, Susan Brooks, Brooks Fulton, Mary Garrison, Margaret Hillman, Anne Morrison
Current Elders
  • Class of 2019 - Gina Goff, Caroline Hedgecock, Margaret Irvin, Betsy Liles, Judy Mongold, William Niblock, Pat Wannamaker
  • Class of 2020 - John Bishop, Pat Chaffin, Arabella Malone-Trahey, Todd Phillips, Jane Spainhour, Kay Wall, Nathan Woolwine
  • Class of 2021 - Evelyn Barrier, Holly Cagle, Wade Holland, Carol Hovey, Jeff Monroe, Chrissy Rotan, Dave Sheridan
Asheville Youth Mission Weekend
Last weekend, some of our middle and high school youth went to Asheville for a Mission Weekend. As we spent time talking about how to live out our faith and share God's abundance with others, we had many opportunities to see faith in action. Together we helped to blaze a trail for the Black Mountain Home for Children, we did a "walk in their shoes" to learn about homelessness through the stories of people who have experienced homelessness, and we helped First Presbyterian Church in Asheville with their Saturday Sanctuary, a hospitality ministry for homeless folks in the winter months. Thanks to Elizabeth Anne Dover for sharing her time and energy as a chaperone and big thanks to the youth for the ways that they help us all to see new ways to live out our faith!
Experiencing Loss? Dealing with Grief?
There are more than 40 losses which can produce the emotions we call grief…death, divorce, the end of a relationship, loss of a pet, loss of health, financial changes, moving, and many others. Beginning February 19th , Louanne Stanton, a certified grief counselor with Reflections Grief Recovery, Inc. will offer an eight week series in the Commons. LOSS 101 will provide the tools to understand grief in our society, grief in ourselves, and actions to take to feel better. The classes will meet weekly on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. For more information log on to www.loss101.org or call Louanne directly at 980-521-4661.
Sign-up Links
Wednesday Night Fellowship
Wednesday, February 20th
6:00 p.m., Davis Hall
Rise Against Hunger
Sunday, February 24th
2:30 - 4:00 p.m., Davis Hall
Lay Liturgists
Sign up here to be a lay liturgist to
read scripture in worship 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.
Shepherd for Sunday School
Please help us fill the Spring calendar!
Sign up here to be a Shepherd in our Elementary and Middle School Sunday School.
A Shepherd helps our teachers by being another adult in the room, to make sure that we have a safe classroom, and to fulfill the requirements of our Child and Youth Protection Policy. If you have questions about what it means to be a Shepherd, please reach out to one of the members of the Christian Education Committee or Rachel Vogado.  
Youth Newsletter
Sign up here to receive the Youth Newsletter for detailed information
about all events related to youth who are in 6th-12 grade.
Calendar
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Rev. George Slaton preaching

Sunday, February 17
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Class
11:00 a.m. Worship
3:00 p.m. Children's Choir
4:00 p.m. Youth Choir
5:00 p.m. Middle School Youth Fellowship
6:00 p.m. All Youth Supper
6:30 p.m. High School Youth Fellowship
Monday, February 18
Church Office and First Kids Closed
11:30 a.m. AA
Tuesday, February 19
9:00 a.m. First Kids
10:00 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
10:00 a.m. Loss 101 Grief Recovery Series
1:00 p.m. Loss 101 Grief Recovery Series
7:00 p.m. PW CT Meeting
Wednesday, February 20
7:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study
9:00 a.m. First Kids
4:30 p.m. Interim Senior Pastor Search Com.
6:00 p.m. Fellowship Supper
6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir
Thursday, February 21
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 3
Friday, February 22
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
9:30 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
Sunday, February 24
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Class
11:00 a.m. Worship
2:30 p.m. Rise Against Hunger Event
3:00 p.m. Children's Choir
4:30 p.m. Youth Choir
Church Report
Condolences
The sympathy and condolences of the congregation are extended to the family of Charles "Chuck" Bibby who passed away February 8, 2019. Please keep this family in your prayers for peace and comfort.
Birth
Congratulations to Rebekah Niblock and Felipe Saenz on the birth of their son, Agustin Saenz Niblock, born February 1, 2019, in Columbia, SC. Grandparents are Anne and William Niblock.
Birthdays
Feb 13 - Kay Crawford, Pat Crowe, Margaret Cuthbertson, Buell Little, Chip Ritchie, Sydney Rogers, Carter White
Feb 15 - Eric Gluf, Amanda Williamson
Feb 16 - Clara Burke, Anne Crocker
Feb 17 - Bill Rinker
Feb 18 - Elaine Blackman, Kenzie Price
Feb 19 - Andy Martin, Rachel Perdue
Staff
Associate Pastor 
for Care and Mission

Associate Pastor
for Christian Formation

Director of Music and Organist
Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent

Director of First Kids

Church Hostess

Wedding Director
Contact Info
First Presbyterian Church

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 Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Open for Scheduled Groups
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday mornings for FPC

Memorial Garden:
(704) 786-8009
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
 
Garden Hours: 
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Closed Monday