Noisy Offering

This Sunday, September 28, will be our Noisy Offering to benefit the backpack program at Coltrane-Webb Elementary. Bring your change (dollars and checks accepted too!)

Passport Kids Camp at Montreat!

Who: Current 3^rd-6^th graders

What: Passport kids at Montreat Conference Center - Montreat Conference Center - Montreat, NC - Christian Summer Camps and Mission Trips For Children and Youth Groups | Passport Inc (passportcamps.org)

When: July 6-9 (morning of July 6 and return the afternoon of July 9)

Cost: $350 total (includes 3 nights in Assembly Inn, meals from dinner July 6 - breakfast July 9)

A Non-refundable deposit of $150 is due by Sunday, September 28, the non-refundable balance will be due by January 25th.

Children will share rooms with 2-5 to a room based on room options and total participants. The dining facility does provide food options. Please communicate any food allergies in advance of the payment deadlines.

Why: This faith-based camp has received high reviews from other PCUSA leaders. It is a wonderful way to see all that Montreat has to offer while growing closer to God in a structured scripture-based program. A lot of camp-style FUN is built into the schedule! Our 2025 group LOVED Passport Kids Camp!

Please contact René Prager – r.prager@firstpresconcord.org with questions. We plan to schedule a few informal gatherings ahead of the camp so that campers can get to know each other and the chaperone team.

Please prayerfully consider carving out this special time for your children to participate in this program!

Be a part of the GREAT EXODUS!

This Sunday, September 28th, please join us immediately following worship as we move the sale items into Davis Hall from many storage areas. Dress comfortably and if you have a two wheeler or hand truck please bring it. (Identified with your name)

 We will use the same process we did two years ago; that being, sending the two wheelers unaccompanied up and down the elevator with teams ready on the first and third floors to keep the flow going. The stairs will still be used for foot traffic. All ages are encouraged to participate....there will be lightweight items and things children can carry as well. C'mon, it'll be fun!!

Introduction to Spiritual Practices Adult Sunday School Class

Join us this Sunday in room E201 at 9:30 AM as we talk about the spiritual practice of prayer. We will experiment with breath prayers.

Hope to see you there!

Salvation Army Shelter

Salvation Army Shelter

The Salvation Army facility in Concord can hold approximately 44 people, including six families. They have made us aware of items they need. We will be collecting these items on a regular basis.

The items include: Laundry detergent, all purpose cleaners, women’s feminine products, shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, wash cloths, hair brushes, socks and twin fitted and flat sheets.

You can leave your donations in the rear of the fellowship House in the container labeled Salvation Army.

If you have any questions contact Carol Lacy grammytwins@yahoo.com

Youth Group News!

Make plans to join us for Youth Group on Sunday!

Join us from 4:30 PM -6:00 PM on September 28^th – starting at the Fellowship House! We will have fun in downtown Concord as we look for “Art in the City” on a scavenger hunt.

Pastor Ellen and several awesome congregation members will be hosting stations across downtown!

Invite a friend - 2025-2026 Youth: Youth Art in the City Scavenger Hunt

Other upcoming Youth events -

10/4, Youth Market for Mission bake sale volunteers -

2025-2026 Youth: 10/4 Youth Market for Mission bake sale table volunteers

Pick up your More than Sunday shirt!

The More than Sunday t-shirts and sweatshirts will be ready soon and Margaret & Bill Poitevint will be available to distribute them on Wednesday, October 1st.  We will be in the Fellowship House that day from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM for you to pick up your items.  Margaret will email the people who do not pick them up and will work out a time for a later delivery.  Thanks!

Blessing of the Animals

On Sunday, October 5, at 3:00 PM, we will gather on the Fellowship House lawn for the Blessing of the Animals service.

We will be collecting donations for the Cabarrus County Animal. The staff and volunteers work very hard to provide a safe, comfortable, and loving environment for these animals. Please bring your donations, (see list below) and Session members will deliver the items to the shelter.

Invite your friends and neighbors as we gather to worship God and to give thanks for, celebrate, and care for all of God's creatures great and small. Join us for human snacks and pet treats!

See you there!

Requested Donations:

Newspaper

Paper towels

Dawn dish soap

Laundry detergent

Puppy pee-pads

Bleach

Canned paté cat food

Gently used towels and blankets

Cat toys

Durable dog toys like Kongs and Nylabones

Gently used leashes and collars

Gently used medium and large dog crates

 A Death Cafe conversation 

Most of us don't know what to say when someone dies. Yet this is an experience that we all have at some point in our lives. So why is this so hard ? And how can we as a culture replace fear and anxiety concerning death with acceptance and even hope? One way is to just talk about it, in a safe space, with people we know, and a facilitator.  

"Death Cafe" is just a discussion group for people to have an open and compassionate conversation about death and dying. Talking about death is really just talking about a part of life.

This is not a grief support group nor an end-of-life planning session. 

Churches are already involved in the spiritual aspects of illness and dying, and having a conversation in a church setting may deepen our understanding of this topic as a spiritual issue.

Join us on either October 19th or 26th in the Commons, where we will start promptly at 3:00 PM and end promptly at 4:30 PM. 

A Sign-Up Genius link is below.   

 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CA4AE2DA7FACF8-58160056-death

Youth Hosts Guest Bakers

The Youth Group hosted three guest bakers on Sunday. A special thank you to Cheryl Kelling, Kirby Bullard, and Nancy Rotan, for sharing one of their recipes with us as we baked cookies for the Market for Mission Bake Sale. We froze items in preparation for the October 4^th Market for Mission. Be sure to stop by the Youth Bake Sale table to support the Market for Mission AND enjoy a delicious treat. 

Youth Waterfall Trip

Our Youth took a daytrip to Lower Cascades Falls at Hanging Rock State Park on Tuesday.

In addition to enjoying the falls and a pre-hike trip to Krispy Kreme, the Youth learned about Rosh Hashanah. They read scripture passages related to the Jewish New Year, celebrated, and enjoyed a traditional snack of apples and honey.