Q. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Dear Friends,

The language in this first question of the Shorter Catechism sounds a bit old-fashioned, and yet the beauty of the answer is as relevant today as it ever was. What is our highest end? What is our chief purpose? To glorify God AND to enjoy God forever. This past Sunday, I had the privilege of working with the confirmation class and with our combined youth group alongside René Prager and the faithful youth advisors. In confirmation we wondered together about sin and grace and forgiveness. For youth group, we began thinking together about Youth Sunday and talking about all that goes into planning worship. The questions the students asked and the ideas they shared were wise and insightful. They are invested in learning about God, Jesus, the church, worship and deeply curious about who we are called to be as God’s people in God’s world. They are thoughtful, curious, and honest. And walking alongside them in the life of faith is an absolute joy.

Our highest purpose is to honor and serve God above all others and to enjoy God along the way. This week I am especially grateful for companions of all ages who help me do both.

Grace and peace,

Ellen

We will have our annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, February 12 following worship for the purpose of presenting the 2023 budget and approving the 2023 Terms of Call for Pastor 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

Wednesday: Matthew 5:27-36

Thursday: Matthew 5:38-42

Friday Matthew 5:43-48

Saturday: Psalm 20:1-8; Matthew 6: 1-6

Sunday: Psalm 20:1-8; Matthew 6:7-21 [25-34]

Monday: Matthew 6: 25-34

Tuesday: Matthew 7: 1-5

Wednesday: Matthew 7: 6-11

Our search for an Associate Pastor is in full swing. The position description was approved by the session and posted on the PC(USA) website earlier this month. We have received close to 30 applications to date and have begun reviewing these as a committee. 

As a reminder, the committee members are:

Hunter Morrison (chair)

Fritze Batts

Loretta Coltrane

Adeline Fulton

Margaret Irvin

Jeff Monroe

Valerie Thomas

If you would like to see the job description (MIF), please click on this link:

We are excited about the possibilities and ask that you keep the committee and the candidates in your prayers as we continue to listen for God’s leading.

There are just a few days left to bring coats

to support the Cuddle Up Drive sponsored by

the Partnership for Children. A collection box

is in the Fellowship House. 

Gather up your change! (Dollar bills accepted too.)

This Sunday is our Noisy Offering.

Our next Market for Mission will be held this fall on Saturday, October 7th.  Be sure to put this date on your calendar - it takes “our village" to carry out this sale! The Market for Mission has been so successful in raising funds for Friends Empowering Haiti and we want to keep that support going! 

This is your heads up to start cleaning out your closets, attics and garages. Items we are looking for include: Home Decor; Kitchen & Small Appliance; Linens, Towels & Bedding; Art & Pottery; Jewelry, Like new Shoes & Purses; Outerwear & Sweaters; Small stands & end tables; Tools; Children’s Toys; Pet; Vintage & Collectibles; Holiday; Rugs; Puzzles and that one of a kind item someone just might be looking for! We will start collecting items in March. 

Remember, items for the sale need to be clean and in good condition. And if you have neighbors or friends who want to contribute all the better. Your generous donations are what make the sale possible….thank you in advance! Please call or text with any questions: Gina Goff (704) 794-2228 or Carrie Myers (704) 467-0962.

Our confirmation class has been busy. You will see many of them ushering, often with their confirmation partner, in worship over the coming weeks. In class on Sunday, we talked about turning from sin: Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?

Pastor Ellen joined us for Youth Group and led us in discussion about the order and components of worship. The Youth identified a list of prayer concerns (pictured here) as a preliminary list in developing the Prayers of the People for Youth Sunday.

We hope to see our Youth in Sunday school, worship (including helping with the Noisy Offering), confirmation, dinner, and youth group on Sunday, January 29^th. Please take a moment to RSVP for all that you plan to attend:

2022-2023 Youth: 1/29 Youth (signupgenius.com)

The First Presbyterian Church sponsored Girl Scout troops were talking Girl Scout cookies on Thursday evening. The Daisy, Brownie, and Junior troops all worked on cookie related badges – practicing math skills and using their creativity. Our middle and high school scouts were busy planning for an upcoming international event in March and they also worked on earning their Girl Scout Safety Award. 

Our next book is Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. We’ll meet at Pharr Mill Brewing & BBQ 363 Church St N, at 7 PM on Thursday, February 16. All are welcome! Contact Pastor Ellen or Hunter Morrison with questions.

The Wisdom of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz for the Church Today 

This session explores what insights (if any) the ancient story of Ruth offers the church today as it seeks to be faithful in our post-secular culture. Today many people encounter religion and spirituality in supposedly secular forms of culture, such as novels and films, political gestures, and wellness routines. Is it possible that the characters of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz bear the secrets of keeping faith in and with our post-secular context?