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THE BANNER
February 20, 2019
Guest Minister, Alan Buckner
This Sunday, February 24th, we welcome Alan Buckner to the pulpit. Alan was born and raised in Weaverville, NC.  He graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1975 where he earned a Masters of Divinity degree. In 1984 he graduated from the University of Louisville, KY with a Masters in Educational Psychology, and in 2000 graduated from the U.S. Army War College with a Masters of Strategic Studies. Rev. Buckner served in the Army as a Chaplain for 31 years, entering at the rank of Captain and retiring at the rank of Colonel. While serving with the Army in Washington, DC, Chaplain Buckner joined the Presbyterian Church USA, and became a minister of Word and Sacrament in the National Capital Presbytery.
Upon retirement in 2008, Chaplain Buckner accepted a call to serve as the Pastor of Gilwood Presbyterian Church in Concord where he served until his retirement in February 2017.
In retirement, he serves the Presbytery of Charlotte as a Supply Preacher, Co-Moderator of the North Cluster and a member of the Committee on Ministry. 
Rev. Buckner and his wife, Lou reside in Huntersville, NC. They have two grown sons.

Sunday, February 24th,
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. in Davis Hall
We need your support to reach our goal
to package 10,000+ meals.
Lenten Lunch Series
From simple practices such as walking, working, and getting lost to deep meditations on topics like prayer and pronouncing blessings, Barbara Brown Taylor reveals concrete ways to discover the sacred in the small things we do and see. In the season of Lent, join Rachel on Thursdays at noon to reflect on readings from "An Altar in the World," in which she writes about the importance of paying attention to the ordinary if we are to live an engaged and authentic life. Beginning Thursday, March 7th at 12:00 p.m., come each week and dive into themes and Lenten practices of paying attention, devotion, and prayer. We will meet in Davis Hall; please feel free to bring or purchase lunch prepared by our church hostess for $6. Sign up here to purchase lunch and/or purchase a book. All are welcome!
Youth Fellowship Meal Sign Up
Do you have a love of cooking and feeding hungry youth? Each Sunday, our Middle and High School youth gather around a meal together for shared fellowship and fun. We need your help to fill the meal calendar to feed the youth on Sunday night. Please consider signing up with a friend for a Sunday night or two. The youth's stomachs thank you! Rachel will send out meal specifications, including allergy needs, etc. Sign up here! 
Wednesday Night Fellowship
Join us on February 27th to hear Charlotte resident and author of The Hundred Story Home, Kathy Izard, talk about a whisper that urged her to quit her job in order to help house the homeless. Along with building a home for one hundred, she found faith, forgiveness, and fulfillment in her own life. For more information on Kathy and her inspiring story, visit her website www.kathyizard.com.  Please make your dinner reservations by noon Monday, February 25th. Menu: BBQ chicken, mac & cheese, vegetable, salad, fruit, dessert.
Tuesday Lunch Bunch
On February 26th Lunch Bunch welcomes James Rhea, a local artist who paints frescos of stories and people from scripture. Come see his interpretations of God's revelation. Please make your lunch reservations by noon Monday, February 25th.
Session Highlights from the February 12th Meeting
  • For 2018, the ending church budget was positive even though pledges & contributions received were down significantly. As expected, the interest from investments was also down significantly for 2018.
  • Two elders and the ministers attended the Feb. 9 Presbytery meeting. Our own Casey Aldridge did an amazing job sharing his statement of faith as he was received as a Candidate for Ministry.
  • Approved the creation of a Task Force to review and address security and emergency preparedness needs.
  • The Interim Search Committee has met with some very promising candidates and is hopeful to conclude their search soon!
  • The Strategic Planning Team and associated committees are assessing where they can move forward and what projects need to wait for the Interim minister.
  • Deacons are planning a Spring Fling Picnic for Sunday, April 28.
  • Twelve church members are eagerly making plans to go on the Haiti Mission trip March 15-20.
  • As required, and in response to the inquiries recently mailed, Elders approved changes to the membership rolls to more accurately reflect active and inactive status.

The Session meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Minutes are open and available by request after they are approved at the following month’s Session meeting.

To connect with church officers, all Deacons and Elders and their committee assignments are listed on the church website under the “ABOUT” tab, “Staff and Leadership”.
Sign-up Links
Wednesday Night Fellowship
Wednesday, February 27th
6:00 p.m., Davis Hall
Rise Against Hunger
Sunday, February 24th
2:30 - 4:00 p.m., Davis Hall
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.
Shepherd for Sunday School
Please help us fill the Spring calendar!
Sign up here to be a Shepherd in our Elementary and Middle School Sunday School.
A Shepherd helps our teachers by being another adult in the room, to make sure that we have a safe classroom, and to fulfill the requirements of our Child and Youth Protection Policy. If you have questions about what it means to be a Shepherd, please reach out to one of the members of the Christian Education Committee or Rachel Vogado.  
Youth Newsletter
Sign up here to receive the Youth Newsletter for detailed information
about all events related to youth who are in 6th-12 grade.
Calendar
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Luke 6:27-38
"Love Your Enemies"
Rev. Alan Buckner preaching

Our "Noisy" Offering will be received this Sunday during worship.
Sunday, February 24
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Class
11:00 a.m. Worship
2:30 p.m. Rise Against Hunger
3:00 p.m. Children's Choir
4:00 p.m. Youth Choir
Monday, February 25
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
10:00 a.m. Garden Council Meeting
11:30 a.m. AA
Tuesday, February 26
9:00 a.m. First Kids
10:00 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
11:45 a.m. Lunch Bunch
7:00 p.m. Congregational Nominating Com.
Wednesday, February 27
7:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study
9:00 a.m. First Kids
2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting
4:30 p.m. Interim Senior Pastor Search Com.
6:00 p.m. Fellowship Supper
6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir
Thursday, February 28
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
10:00 a.m. Knitting Group
6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts Advanced Boards of Review
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 3
Friday, March 1
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
9:30 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
Sunday, March 3
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Class
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:30 p.m. Haiti Mission Team Meeting
3:00 p.m. Children's Choir
4:30 p.m. Youth Choir
5:00 p.m. Combined Youth Fellowship
Church Report
Birthdays
Feb 20 - Cynthia Rohrer
Feb 21 - Palmer Cuthbertson, Alison Sloop
Feb 23 - Annabeth Bethune, Kathy Pilkington, Emma Prager
Feb 24 - Brianne Campbell, Austin Entwistle
Feb 25 - Kirby Sheridan, Bill Wightman
Feb 26 - Anne Morrison
Staff
Associate Pastor 
for Care and Mission

Associate Pastor
for Christian Formation

Director of Music and Organist
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 Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Open for Scheduled Groups
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday mornings for FPC

Memorial Garden:
(704) 786-8009
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
 
Garden Hours: 
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Closed Monday