“A voice from the heavens said,

‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’”

~ Matthew 3: 17

Dear Friends,

As we make our way into 2023, I feel a bit like we’re gathering or re-gathering our faith toolkit. On Christmas we were reminded that our first and primary job is to receive the gift of Christ’s birth. On Sunday we picked up star words to help guide us in the months ahead, and we paused at the table to be nourished for the journey. And now as we prepare to join Jesus in his ministry, we will remember our baptism on Sunday as we hear about Jesus’ baptism.

Our tradition affirms that we are saved by grace alone. No matter when or where you were or are baptized, we believe that it is always God who acts first, loving us, naming us, and claiming us as beloved children. Over the next few days, I invite you to reflect on your baptism and/or those of your children or grandchildren: Where was the baptism? Who was there? What are the stories?

In your reflections and in worship on Sunday, I hope you will once again hear God’s word to you, claiming you as God’s beloved child now and always.

Grace and peace,

Ellen

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

Bridge Texts

Wednesday: Matthew 2:19-23

Thursday: Matthew 3:1-12

Friday: Matthew 3:13-17

Saturday: Psalm 2:7-8

Sunday: Matthew 3:1-17

Monday: Matthew 4:1-4

Tuesday: Matthew 4:5-7

Wednesday: Matthew 4 8-11

Visit the Commons to see ALL of the children FPC members support in Bayonnais, Haiti. Their individual personalities shine through in their pics. As you look at their pictures offer a prayer not only for the children and their families but for the work of Friends Empowering Haiti, OFCB Ministries, EWO, Actionnel, and the many volunteers who are working so hard to make a difference.

Thank you to everyone who has made their pledge for 2023!

Pledges and gifts for the 2023 Stewardship Campaign will support the vibrant ministry of FPC in the coming year. In order to finalize the budget and to ensure that all pledges have been received by the church office, members of the Finance and Stewardship Committee will be reaching out to members who made pledges in prior years but who have not yet pledged for 2023. The committee recognizes that there may have been issues with pledges submitted through the mail or through the church website. These phone calls are an effort to make sure every pledge made is accounted for.

Please contact Suzanne Russell at the church office if you have sent a pledge and have not received recognition of this gift. We are grateful for your faithful giving and look forward to a full and fruitful 2023!   

Thursday Connection resumes tomorrow at 2:00 PM in The Commons.

For the next several weeks, we will be discussing Hope: A User’s Manual by Maryann McKibben Dana. This week will be an introduction and books will be available at the meeting for $12.

As you left worship on Sunday Pastor Ellen invited you to pick up a star. In her sermon she said:

"Each star has a different word, a star word. This word is an invitation to remember the star and to look for the star’s light in an often shadowy and uncertain world. As my colleague and friend Becca Messman writes: 'Trust that you get the word you need. Let this word guide your prayers and hone your noticing of where and how God is leading you.' The stars are not magic, any more than that one over Bethlehem was all those years ago. Stars shine and invite us to look up and out. Stars point to the Light of the world, the one who promises to help us find our way."

Stars are now available in the Fellowship House lobby, and they will be in the Narthex this Sunday for anyone who would like one.

If you are unable to get here but you would still like a star word, please contact Pastor Ellen ellen.crawfordtrue@firstpresconcord.org

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

Are you interested in becoming a member of FPC? Do you want to know more about this congregation, our denomination, and how to get around our campus?

If so, the Welcome Class is for you. Welcome team members will be in the parking lot to direct you to the right location. Those wishing to join the church will be received on January 29 followed by a New Member luncheon. If you have questions, please speak with one of the pastors.

Our Girl Scouts met on Thursday to kick off 2023. The Daisy troop earned their Board Game Design challenge. Brownies worked on their Money Manager badge, learning about budgets and savings. Cookie sales planning was on the agenda for our Junior Troop and our older girls explored the many special leadership and service awards that they can earn. The troops meet again on January 19^th. 

FPC has a number of members and friends of the church who can no longer participate in worship and church activities. The Congregational Care Ministry Team of the diaconate has started a program called First Friends to ensure that these precious people receive visits from our church family.

If you feel called to participate in this ministry, please contact Susan Hannah or Pastor Julie. You will be asked to serve for six months and will be assigned one person to visit at least every other month. If you would prefer to visit as part of a team, we will assign you a partner. This is an important as well as fulfilling ministry of which to be a part. Please prayerfully consider serving in this way.

As we kick off programming for 2023, we are looking to build our volunteer teams. Please prayerfully consider being part of one or more of these groups:

Elementary Sunday School – We have a dedicated team of four, but would like to add a couple more people to our sub list: Elementary Sunday School Team: Elementary Sunday School (signupgenius.com)

Middle & High School Sunday School – Join our teaching team or the sub list MS / HS Sunday School teachers: MS / HS Sunday School (signupgenius.com)

Nursery Volunteers – Youth and adults to help care for our youngest congregation members during worship, approximately 10:30-noon Nursery Volunteers: Sunday Nursery Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Pew Prep – You’ll receive a lesson to cover the 20-30 minutes of this educational class that starts after the Children’s Message and concludes during the Offertory Pew Prep: Pew Prep - Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Providing dinner for Confirmands/Youth group – please e-mail René Prager at: r.prager@firstpresconcord.org

Love Feast in the Streets, sponsored by Ester’s Heart, is a local community effort to assist the unhoused. Our church has committed to providing volunteers for 5 Saturday’s in 2023; January 21^st, April 15^th, August 5^th, October 7^th and December 2nd. .

 The event hours are 8:30 AM -12:30 PM with 10-12 volunteers who will assist with set up and take down, serving a hot breakfast, snacks, and take away lunch, guiding people to the medical services, barber, clothing tables and the shower facilities.

Please see the sign up genius link attached.

For question please contact Dakeita Vanderburg or Elizabeth Ann Dover Bishop.

It was awesome to be back with our Youth Group friends! Jennie Davis provided an amazing spaghetti dinner and then the games began!

Twice, Team 1 reached new heights in our tower building contest. A fun game of Sardines led us to The Commons, where each Youth and advisor selected a Star word for 2023.

With schools on break for the Martin Luther King holiday, we will not have our regular evening Youth Group on January 15. Instead, we invite all Youth who are in town to join us at Moe’s for lunch, immediately following worship.

Parents should plan to provide transportation to and from Moe’s at 1497 Concord Pkwy N and everyone should bring money to cover their lunch. Families are welcome to stay or pick-up by 1:30 PM.

Please RSVP here: 2022-2023 Youth: 1/15 Youth (signupgenius.com)

We will return to our normal schedule on January 22 and need volunteers to help prepare dinner: 2022-2023 Youth: 1/22 Youth (signupgenius.com)

Thursday morning coffee is starting up again. We meet every Thursday from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Gibson Mill Market. This is open to everyone. 

Books & Brews will gather at Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company (7285 W Winds Blvd NW, Concord, NC 28027) at 7 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2023.

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

Presbyterian Women’s Spiritual Nurture

Spring Event

With Speaker Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill from the Charlotte Presbytery

Sunday, March 5th, 2023 12:15 PM in Davis Hall

Info about reservations to follow

We hope you will mark your calendars and plan to join us for spiritual nurture and fellowship at

First Presbyterian Church Concord, NC

Friends Empowering Haiti (Friends) was founded 30 years ago as a result of the strong relationships formed between missionaries in the U.S. and local leaders in Bayonnais, Haiti. We seek to support our brothers and sisters of Friends, a local Haitian non-profit in the Bayonnais region of Haiti. Our mission is to share God’s love and to support locally-led efforts to create healthy, hopeful and empowered communities throughout Bayonnais.

The fundraiser on Thursday, March 9, will be the 30th year celebration with delicious food, drinks, a silent auction, and Actionnel Fleurisma, (founder of Friends), as the guest speaker. Please mark your calendars for this special event, invitation to follow.

For ticket information please contact Betsy Liles, fundraising chair, at dinnerbell6@gmail.com

For sponsorship opportunities and information on Friends Empowering Haiti

please visit

www.friendsempoweringhaiti.org

Monday, January 16th , in Davis Hall from

2:30 PM - 7:00 PM

To schedule an appointment click here and enter 28025 or

visit redcrossblood.org and enter: Cabarrus VIP Blood Drive