‌
THE BANNER
September 4, 2019
Worship for September 8, 2019, 11 a.m.
Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 and Jeremiah 18:1-11 (with references to John 3:1-17)
Sermon Title: “The Allegory of the Potter”
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Scott M. Kenefake
Sermon synopsis: What is your view of God? Static or dynamic? Unchanging or changing? Does God ever change his/her mind in response to us? These are some of the theological questions raised in Jeremiah’s famous allegory of the potter. We will consider these questions with reference to the spiritual idea of “being born again,” in John 3 (which is a much bigger and transformational idea than has usually been portrayed by conventional American Protestantism). And finally, we will consider how all of this applies to our own spiritual development by reference to James Fowler’s well-known Stages of Faith, (see if you can determine which stage you are in!): click here
Worship Matters
“If God is the source of life, I worship God by living. If God is the source of love, I worship God by loving. If God is the ground of being, I worship God by having the courage to be more fully human; the embodiment of the divine.” John Shelby Spong

This week we will kick-off our Fall schedule with a Rally Day breakfast at 9:45 am and worship at 11:00 am. Some people in the congregation have inquired as to whether we will also be offering an 8:45 am worship service anytime soon.  The only honest answer is that it is under consideration.  

We currently have a special Session Committee researching possible alternative worship services, which includes worship opportunities at different times, places, styles, and formats.  (The committee was appointed in order to carry out a key component of FPCC’s Strategic Plan, adopted in 2018).

These things need to be thought through carefully and prayerfully: how do these new ways of worshiping fit with our mission and theology? What impact will they have on our budget? Who will lead them and how will they be sustained over time? What resources will we commit to advertising and marketing these worship opportunities so that people in the community will know about them? Who is our audience? Current church members or specific groups in the wider community?

We currently have several people (as well as committees!) looking at these questions and expect to develop a game plan going forward in the next few months. Your patience and input are greatly appreciated. 

Blessings, Scott Kenefake, Interim Pastor
Rally Day
Mark your calendars for Rally Day on September 8th! Come celebrate with your church family as we kick off the Fall season! As our Fall programming returns, all ages are invited to gather over a delicious breakfast at 9:45 a.m. in Davis Hall to learn about all the educational and faith building opportunities you can experience during the Sunday School hour. The celebration will continue as we worship together at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. As we fellowship, we will look forward to the ways that we will faithfully live, serve, worship, and learn as neighbors together.
Children's and Youth Choir Resumes!
On Sunday, September 8, the Children's Choir and Youth Choir will begin rehearsals for their 2019-2020 season. 

The Children's Choir meets from 3pm-4pm in the smaller choir room located on the 3rd floor of the Education Building (at the top of the staircase). All children K-5 are invited to come! We learn music reading, play musical games, sing songs, and learn how to share our musical gifts with each other and in worship. Highlights of the church year include a Christmas and Spring concert along with numerous musical offerings for Sunday worship! 
   
The Youth Choir (grades 6-12) meets in the larger choir room from 4pm-5pm, making youth fellowship an easy transition. Singing approximately once a month in worship, this choir also heralds the Christmas Pageant, Christmas Eve, Youth Sunday, Palm Sunday, and Flowered Cross Easter services. Prior music reading is not required as we learn a little bit every week about singing and praising God through music. All middle and high school students are welcomed any time!
  
For more information, please contact Ms.Jacquie through the church website. 
First Youth Fellowship Kickoff
All youth (6th-12th grades) and their parents or caregivers are invited to First Youth Fellowship on September 8, 5-7 p.m. Come to Davis Hall ready to play, engage, and connect as we learn what this year has in store for us. During this combined time, we will share a meal together and jump into Youth Fellowship! Along with fun, this will be a time where we fill out required forms (bring your insurance card) for Youth Fellowship. At least one parent or caregiver MUST accompany your youth. Have questions? Contact Rachel! 

Also, to get a head start on staying in the Youth News loop, parents and youth can sign up here to receive the Youth Newsletter for detailed information about all events related to youth fellowship.
Wednesday Night Fellowship
Join us on September 11th at 6:00pm in Davis Hall as we kick off our Wednesday Night Fellowship. This fall we will gather for food, fellowship, and fun! We will dine on some of Jayne's greatest hits as well as deepen our walk of faith together. Menu: meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit, salad, dessert. Be sure to make a reservation with the church office by September 9th .
Discipleship Opportunities
God gives us many gifts and as a church we joyfully work together to worship, learn, and grow. There are many ways in which you can join in the work that Jesus Christ is doing here with us. We need your help, and we hope that you will joyfully and prayerfully consider joining in the work of God's church.
Help us as we worship! Sign up here to be a lay reader to share God's word with us in worship as you read scripture on Sundays. Materials and information will be sent to you for the week that you sign up.
Help us as we learn! Sign up here to help support the great work of our Sunday School teachers and be a shepherd in our Elementary, Middle School, and High School Sunday School classrooms.
Thank you for sharing your gifts with the church!
Support the Mission of Habitat
Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County invites you to join us for a complimentary breakfast as we reflect on how HOME IS THE KEY TO EVERYTHING in our community.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019 - registration: 7:30 a.m. Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Bethel Enrichment Cente r
2474 Dale Earnhardt Blvd
Kannapolis, NC 28083
RSVP by September 6 by calling 704-786-4001 and mention Peter Chikes or call the church office, 704-788-2100, and Peter Chikes will add your name to his list.
Tuesday Lunch Bunch
Come have lunch on September 17th at 11:45am in Davis Hall and hear from our new Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. Scott Kenefake, about the work of transitional ministry. Remember to make your lunch reservations by noon Monday, September 16th.
Race Together - Uncover-Reflect-Unite
Free - 4 Part Weekly Series to Discover More about Race in the U.S.
Thursday Evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m. September 19th - October 10th, 2019
Location: Community Room @ All Saints Episcopal Church - 346 Country Club Drive, Concord
Details : Register
Email: RaceTogetherSeries@gmail.com
Bring Donations for Church Street Market Every Tuesday in September!
Gently used items for the church yard sale may be dropped off Tuesday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.., in room 306 of the Education Building. Especially needed are more art and pottery as that sold well last year. We have enough books and children’s clothes. Items will continue to be accepted each Tuesday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.., through September. Continue to save the furniture you want to donate until the week of September 30. Thank you!

Daisy Girl Scout Troop 3631
Troop 3631, First Presbyterian's Daisy Girl Scout Troop, has been re-established and will be hosting an information meeting on Sunday, September 15th.
 
Daisy Troop 3631 will be open to Kindergarten and First Grade Girls. All interested families are invited to attend a parent meeting on Sunday September 15th at 4 p.m. in the Children’s Chapel (2nd floor of the Education Building). An activity will be provided for the girls while the parents meet. 

This program is open to member and non-member families, so please spread the word! Contact Rindy Moore with any questions rindybmoore@gmail.com or 704-699-1237.

Journey SS Class Outing and You Are Invited
This September our own Jonathan Ewart will be directing the play, "Divorce, Southern Style" in Rock Hill, SC.

The Rock Hill Community Theater is a nonprofit providing theater experiences and education to Rock Hill and the surrounding community. They invite all interested persons to volunteer, audition, and attend.
Performances of "Divorce, Southern Style" are Friday - Sunday, September 20-22 and 27-29. Ticket prices- $10-$15 (depending upon the performance time).
 
Members of Journey SS class are attending the matinee on Sunday, September 22nd in Rock Hill and then having dinner in Charlotte. They invite anyone interested to please join them on the 22nd. There is a sign-up sheet on the table as you enter the Fellowship House and you can sign up to go with them until Sunday, September 15th.
Red Cross Cabarrus County VIP Blood Drive
Monday, September 16th in Davis Hall from 2:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, visit  redcrossblood.org and enter: Cabarrus VIP
Sign-up Links
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 .
Youth Newsletter
Sign up here to receive the Youth Newsletter for detailed information
about all events related to youth who are in 6th-12th grade.
Calendar
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Rev. Dr. Scott Kenefake preaching

Thursday, September 5
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
Friday, September 6
9:00 First Kids Preschool
9:30 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
Sunday, September 8
9:45 a.m. Rally Day
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Choir
11:00 a.m. Worship
3:00 p.m. Children's Choir
4:00 p.m. Youth Choir
4:30 p.m. Circle 5
5:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship kickoff
Monday, September 9
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
10:00 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
11:00 a.m Circle 4
11:30 a.m. AA
7:00 p.m. Boy Scout District Roundtable
Tuesday, September 10
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
10:00 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
11:30 a.m. Lunch, Academic Learning Center
1:00 p.m. Church Street Market Drop Off
6:00 p.m. Cub Scouts
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 3
7:00 p.m. Session
Wednesday, September 11
7:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
6:00 p.m. Fellowship Supper
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir

Church Report
Memorials
Sue Davis - General Endowment
Benjamin Flowe - Families in Need, General Endowment
Doris Price - Music Fund
Birthdays

September 4 - Mary Ida Beaver, Nickolas Reid
September 6 - Loretta Coltrane, Winslow Leatherman, Anna Younce
September 7 - Josh Monroe
September 8 -Lori Clay
September 9 -Trent Blackman, Pat Holingsworth, Kelly Jones, Aaron Rotan, Jim Waters
September 10 - Judy Hollis, Abby Kluttz, Joe Price, Peter Snellings, Bob Underwood Jr.
Staff
Scott Kenefake
Interim Senior Pastor 

Associate Pastor 
for Care and Mission

Associate Pastor
for Christian Formation
Director of Music and Organist

Choirmaster

Suzanne Russell
Church Administrator

Financial Secretary
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 Summer Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday - Open for Scheduled Groups
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday mornings for FPC

Memorial Garden:
(980) 621-0719
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
 
Garden Hours: 
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Closed Monday