Remember this weekend we turn our clocks forward an hour!

Dear Friends,

It has now been three years since the world began to wonder and worry about this strange virus that was being mentioned in the news. At the time, I remember thinking it seemed so far away. I had no idea how it would upend life everywhere in a matter of days. We are still finding our way forward, relishing the chance to gather in person for weddings, graduations, baptisms, and funerals. While we always valued gathering with one another, I treasure it more deeply now than I ever could have before March of 2020. I also know there are those for whom gathering still does not feel safe, so we are still called upon to be creative in connecting with one another, because there are still pieces and people we are missing.

Building on our Lenten theme, “Parables and Other Puzzles,” I hope you’ll plan to join us for Pizza and Puzzles on Sunday, March 26 (sign up here or call the reservations line, 704-788-2100, press 7, by March 21). Following worship that day, we will gather to enjoy a relaxed meal and spend some time working on puzzles and playing easy games, (we may even stream some March Madness games!). I am excited about the chance for us to have fun together with friends of all ages as we keep putting the pieces back together.

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

On Sunday, our confirmands studied 2 Timothy 1:1-14 and the Apostles’ Creed. In small groups, they also explored one additional creed and shared the most important portions with our group. We read Hebrews 12:1-2 and talked about those who have been influential in our faith lives, celebrating many of them as we created a “cloud of witnesses”. Confirmation class resumes on March 19^th. 

Our Youth learned about the Jewish holiday, Purim, by reading the book of Esther and baking Hamantaschen cookies.

Sunday’s Schedule

9:45-10:45 Sunday School, Room 304, Will Young Building – Jesus Feeding the 5000

11 AM Worship in the sanctuary

12:30-1:30 – lunch at Moe’s – Families are welcome to join us

RSVP here: 2022-2023 Youth: 3/12 Youth (signupgenius.com)

No confirmation class, no regular youth group

Join us in our Sanctuary this Friday,

March 10, 2023 at 6 PM for a

Cello Duo Recital.

All are welcome to enjoy this Free Concert!

Am I totally depraved? 

One of the most misunderstood doctrines of Reformed churches is the doctrine of “total depravity.” It has often been associated with dour-looking Presbyterians, and then there’s the suspicion that the doctrine is, at its core, misanthropic. Dr. Dave True will examine multiple meanings of total depravity, criticisms of the doctrine, alternatives, and how the doctrine might be reformulated today.

One Great Hour of Sharing:

Presbyterian Hunger Program

Alleviating Hunger and Eliminating Its Causes

Presbyterian congregations are reaching their communities with the love of Christ – offering meals for hungry people through food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens, backpack programs, and more. This is vital work.

Complementing the work of local congregations, the mission of the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) is to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes. Working in partnership in the United States and around the world, we seek to find out why people are hungry and encourage action that will help address the underlying causes.

• One such partnership is in Yemen where war has left more than 8.4 million people at risk of starvation. The response of our partner, Generations Without Qat, has included the distribution of fishing kits, goats to provide milk, support for income generating activities, and skills or capacity building trainings.

With all its partners, Presbyterian Hunger Program approaches hunger holistically, using a variety of approaches, including direct food relief combined with root cause work, sustainable development, advocacy, intentional and sustainable living, and education.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be received on Easter. 

Please join the Racial Equity Reads group at 3 p.m. this Sunday, March 12, in The Commons to discuss “The Color of Compromise” by Jemar Tisby.

This book, available on Amazon.com, examines the American Church’s complicity in racism and suggests ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God’s people. We will look specifically at chapters 2 and 3 this week.

Our group is informal, and you can join any time. For more information email sverner@yahoo.com. 

If you have a child in college, please e-mail René Prager, r.prager@firstpresconcord.org, their mailing address so that we can prepare a care package for them.

We had a couple of packages returned in the fall, so please send in those addresses even if they are the same as the fall.

Please also let us know if your college student is graduating this spring.

Join Us

Sunday, March 26th

6 PM in the Commons

for a Community Prayer Service for Ukraine

Monday, March 13th, 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

The S & D Sunday School class invites the congregation to join in providing Easter hams to families-in-need served by Operation Breadbasket. S & D class members will purchase and deliver 140 hams to Operation Breadbasket in time for their Easter distribution. If you would like to donate, please make your check out to Brian Moore and either drop it off at the church office, or mail to him: 2401 Bethlehem Church Rd, Gold Hill, NC 28071. Thank you!