Dear Friends,

In this Sunday’s text we meet a man who has been bound for years. When Jesus meets him in the tombs, the man asks Jesus, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” and Jesus responds by setting the man free.

The things that bind us take many forms, and those things can be more difficult to break than the strongest chains. What binds (or has bound) you or your friends or loved ones? Who among our neighbors is bound now? What does Jesus, the Son of the Most High God have to do with us? What does he have to do with them?

Grace and peace,

Ellen

There will be a Memorial Service for Randy Francis tomorrow, Thursday, January, 18, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel.

In Case of Inclement Weather on Sundays, check FPC's social media, and your email, for updates.

Monday through Thursday, if Cabarrus County Schools are closed for weather, our office will also be closed, and the staff will work remotely.

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

Confirmation class continues on Sunday, January 21. Confirmands are encouraged to arrive between 4:15 and 4:30 PM and class will begin at 4:30 PM

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All 6^th-12^th graders are invited to dinner at 5:00 PM in Davis Hall and combined Youth Group, 6-7 PM as we begin planning for Youth Sunday (and enjoy a game of sardines!)

2023-2024 Youth: 1/21 Youth & Confirmation (signupgenius.com)

We enjoyed a great Youth Choice with lunch at Chipotle last Sunday.

For anyone interested in participating in the Earth Care Congregation team, there will be a brief meeting after the worship service on January 21st in the Entry lobby of the Fellowship House. We will discuss the Re-Application process as well as plan the next working meeting. 

Todd Hobbie Class - Confirmation

Are you curious about our current Confirmation curriculum? Have you been wondering about the role of the Confirmation Partner? Do you have a child who will be participating next year or the following year or have you just been wondering how Confirmation has changed or stayed the same over the years?

Please join the Todd Hobbie class on Sunday, January 28^th, at 9:45 AM in Davis Hall, to learn more. Sample copies of our parent guide as well as the Confirmand Journal will be available for review. Our Director of Christian Education, René Prager, will lead the discussion. 

January Session Highlights

At the Session’s January meeting, the Finance committee presented the 2024 budget, which was approved unanimously. The budget will now be presented to the congregation at a congregational meeting on Sunday, January 28 after the worship service. Of note, the church ended 2023 with a surplus revenue, and our 2024 pledges, coming from 157 families, are higher than our 2023 pledges.

The Buildings and Grounds committee, in addition to managing installation of a new furnace and multiple roof issues, is working on plans for additional handrails for the front of the sanctuary.

The Session continues to discuss Start with Hello by Shannan Martin. They also spend time reflecting on our favorite moments of 2023 and brainstorming about what we would love to see at church in 2024.

Save the Date!

VBS, “The Olympics – Celebrating All of God’s Children” will be June 10-13, 2024.

Planning and preparation are underway! If you are interested in helping either/both the week of VBS or with advance preparations, please use this sign-up link:

VBS 2024: VBS Volunteers (signupgenius.com) or contact Bill Cochran or René Prager r.prager@firstpresconcord.org

Here is the link for the 2024 Love Feast on the Streets Signup Genius.

We are gearing up for a new season of caring with Love Feast on the Streets sponsored by Esther's Heart Ministries. During these events, we have the opportunity to clothe, feed and check in with those living on the streets. We will be serving our unhoused neighbors 7 times this year and details on how to signup are in the link below! We need approx 10 people each session. We cannot say enough about the love that is shared through this ministry.  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA8AE2EA1FA7-love