‌
THE BANNER
February 5, 2020

This Sunday, February 9th,
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Davis Hall
We need your support to reach our goal
to package 15,000+ meals.

February Events

February 2020
 
Church Retreat/Staycation!, February 21-23, (Friday-Sunday)
featuring Diana Butler Bass : Read about Diana here



Friday, February 21st
Dinner, 6:00 p.m., Davis Hall
Keynote: 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
"Shifting Ground: Conversations and Practices for Churches   in an Age of Change"
Childcare available
 
Saturday, February 22nd 
Breakfast, 8:00 a.m., Davis Hall; Children & Youth programming to run concurrently with Workshop
Workshop, 9:00 a.m.--1:00 p.m.,  "OK Boomer, What's Next? Religion in a Time of Change" [Trends, Facts About Cultural Change]
Davis Hall, with midpoint break
Childcare available
 
Sunday, February 23rd
9:45 a.m., GIFT Sunday, A Conversation with Diana Butler Bass, Davis Hall
Worship, 11:00 a.m.
"Get Up and Do Not be Afraid"
Exodus 24:12-18, Matthew 17:1-9
Diana Butler Bass, Preaching
Childcare available
 
Books by Diana Butler Bass that will be on hand for purchase and signing throughout the weekend: 
Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening 
Broken We Kneel: Reflections on Faith and Citizenship
Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks
Grounded: Finding God in the World-A Spiritual Revolution
Church Office Phone System Upgrade
The phone system for the church office will now be answered by the automated system during business hours with a dedicated line for making reservations. You are still able to speak with the staff person you wish to reach, just listen to the prompt and select the number for their direct line. To make a reservation for an upcoming event select 7.
Tuesday Lunch Bunch Program Update
Come have lunch on February 11 at 11:45 a.m. in Davis Hall and hear our speaker, Amanda Buck, provide a presentation entitled Information for Life. Are your necessary documents organized? (life insurance policies, medical information, etc.) In a fun and engaging presentation, participants will learn strategies to gather documents and how to ensure they are available to your loved ones. The participants will also get a book!
Remember to make your lunch reservations by noon on Monday, February 10th.
No Men's Bible Study Wednesday, February 12
There will not be a men's bible study next Wednesday, February 12. We will return at our usual time of 7:30 a.m. the following week, Wednesday, February 19.
Wednesday Night Fellowship
Join us on Wednesday, February 12, for dinner and a talk led by Detective Christy Jones, Concord Police Department, on current scams targeting senior citizens. Remember to make your reservations by noon on Monday,
February 10.
It's Time for Nominations for Church Officers
Church officers are important leaders within our congregation and in carrying out our mission in the community. At this time, the congregation is asked to nominate church members to serve 3-year terms on the Session or Board of Deacons. To nominate someone, please discuss the nomination with that person to assure that they are willing and able to serve. 

Fo r BOARD OF DEACONS  candidates, think of members who have gifts for congregational care and passion for community outreach. Alongside the pastors, deacons are leaders who provide spiritual care and other support to the people of our congregation. They organize and carry out mission work in the community and beyond. They welcome and greet visitors, assist in worship and help to assimilate new members in the church. Deacons also organize fellowship activities in the congregation.

For  SESSION   candidates, think of members who are committed disciples of Jesus Christ and possess the wisdom and discernment to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Elders on the Session oversee all work of the church, including administrative, budgetary and personnel matters; building and grounds maintenance; worship, music and sacraments; Christian education programs; stewardship and giving; and many other issues related to our mission and ministries. Working hand in hand with the ministers , ruling elders make decisions that seek to follow the will of God in all these matters. In accordance with the Book of Order, the Session also has oversight over the work of the Board of Deacons.

As directed by our Manual of Church Procedures, our Congregational Nominating Committee consists of representatives from the current Elders, Deacons, Presbyterian Women, Sunday School, Youth, and Clerk of Session. This committee will meet on February 19 to consider names of nominees for the Classes of 2023 to be presented for a congregational vote.

After talking with your nominees, please email names to suzanne.russell@firstpresconcord.org or call the church office by  Tuesday February 18 th
  Current Deacons
  Class of 2020  - Nicki Bryant, Chip Clark, Matt Dugan, Davilla Gilbert, Janna Mitchell, Jerry Otteni,
 Valerie Thomas
  Class of 2021  - Ron Barus, Susan Brooks, Brooks Fulton, Mary Garrison, Margaret Hillman,
Anne Morrison
  Class of 2022  – Donna Cline, Jerry Dyer, Mary Kathryn Ewart, Jessica Garmon, Edy Johnston,
Dean Phillips, Don Seitz
 
Current Elders
Class of 2020  - John Bishop, Pat Chaffin, Arabella Malone-Trahey, Todd Phillips, Jane Spainhour,
Kay Wall, Nathan Woolwine
  Class of 2021  - Evelyn Barrier, Holly Cagle, Wade Holland, Carol Hovey, Jeff Monroe, Chrissy Rotan,
Dave Sheridan
  Class of 2022  – Peter Chikes, David Harrison, Jim Holloway, Donna Knorr, Margaret Moore,
Hunter Morrison, Kathy Pilkington
Teach Us to Pray: Re-Imaging Our Idea of Prayer
Curious about prayer? Looking for a place to learn more about prayer, ask questions, explore and practice? Join us on Thursdays through February 20 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Commons Prayer Room in a conversation about prayer led by Rev. Rachel Vogado. (This conversation will be taking place during the lunch hour, so feel free to bring a bagged lunch if you would like.)
Using a set of images by artist Scott Erickson, we will explore some of the frustrations surrounding our personal prayer practices, and then discover ways to reframe how we can enter into a deeper conversation with the Divine.

Unable to join, but hate to miss? Join us via Zoom, and share in a digital conversation with us. By tuning in, you can see the images we are using and tune into our conversation. We will also have a digital host, in case you would like to ask a question or share a comment. Join the meeting by clicking  here, which will direct you to set up a free Zoom account. Rev. Rachel Vogado is happy to help answer any questions about Zoom or how to connect with us; you can find her email address below.

Never heard of the Commons? The Commons is a large & sacred space to help you get some one-on-one time with God. Think of it as a prayer room for people who live in the real world. You can find us at 75 Church Street NE, Concord NC 28025. You can park in the parking lot at First Presbyterian Church. Learn more about the Commons  here!

Finally, we would love to know if you plan to join us so we can know how many to prepare for, whether in person or via Zoom. Send an email to  Rachel and let her know if you plan to attend! We hope you will join us!
Backpack Program
Thank you for your generous support of the January 2020 Backpack Program food choices! If you or your organization would like to support our Presbyterian Women's Backpack Program by purchasing grocery items, our February 2020 focus is on the following:
  • Beef stew (20 ounce cans or 38 ounce cans)
  • Vegetable soup (approximately 10.5 ounce cans)
  • Flour tortillas (8 tortillas per package, minimum)
You can put your purchases in any of the red wagons which are typically in Fellowship House, Davis Hall, and the Education Building foyer.

Thank you for your continued support!
Visitation Team
The Visitation Team will meet February 16 right after worship at 12:15 p.m.. in the Library Conference room in the Education building. The purpose will be check in about visiting and contacting all of our home bound and shut-in members. If you have previously been on the team, if you have just recently agreed to visit, or if you have an interest in visiting, please try to attend. The committee wants to insure we are in touch with our members on a regular basis. An updated list of those to visit will be provided.
For more information, please contact Jerry Dyer at (704)305-0901 or jdyer1947@gmail.com .
More events in March!
March 2020
 
Sundays in Lent*—8:45 a.m. Worship returns in the Sanctuary
This worship service will feature Communion by Intinction each week, a contemplative feel, inclusive language, acoustic music, engagement of all five senses, a brief Mediation on the readings from Scripture, within a recognizably “Reformed” format, ending by 9:30 am.
 
Schedule:

March 1, Youth Sunday: Combined Worship at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary
March 8, Worship at 8:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
March 15, Worship at 8:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
March 22, Worship at 8:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
March 29, Worship at 8:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
April 5 th (Passion/Palm Sunday), Worship at 8:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
*If sufficient attendance and support for this service is demonstrated, the service may be continued through the Season of Easter, ending on Sunday, May 24 th . The summer worship schedule begins on Sunday, May 31 st , when worship will move to 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Evenings in Lent

Sunday Evenings in Lent, Book Study & Dinner
(March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29), 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.*
 
First Presbyterian Church of Concord (FPCC) and Racial Equity Cabarrus, (REC) read about REC are sponsoring a five-week study of the book, Waking Up White, by racial justice educator, Debby Irving,
read about the study here , and more about Debby here from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. @ FPCC (Room TBD depending on group size).

Discussion leader will be Rev. Dr. Scott M. Kenefake, participants to include members and friends of FPCC, members of the larger community, and the six participating congregations of REC.
Dinner to follow in Davis Hall @ 6:00 p.m. 
 
Books (Paperback and Kindle) can be ordered here

Book is also available here

Save the date!
Debby Irving will be speaking at FPCC (for an REC sponsored community event) on Friday evening, April 24 th, at 7 p.m, in the sanctuary.

* To register, call or email the Church Office by Thursday, February 27 th .
 
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.
Wednesday Night Fellowship
February 12, 2020
6:00 p.m., Davis Hall
Sign-up  
Shepherd for Sunday School
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 9, 2020
Rev. Lynne Keel Preaching
Isaiah 58:1-12, Matthew 5:13-20
Thursday, February 6
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
12:00 p.m. Prayer Class
2:00 p.m. Literacy Tutoring
Friday, February 7
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
9:30 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
Sunday, February 9
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Class
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Choir
11:00 a.m. Worship
3:00 p.m. Rise Against Hunger
4:00 p.m.Youth Choir
4:30 p.m. Circle 5
Monday, February 10
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
11:00 a.m. Circle 4
11:30 a.m. AA
7:00 p.m. Boys Scout District Roundtable
Tuesday, February 11
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
11:45 a.m. Lunch Bunch
7:00 p.m. Al Anon meeting
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 3
7:00 p.m. Session
Wednesday, February 12
9:00 a.m. First Kids
2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m. Fellowship Dinner
6:30 p.m. PNC meeting
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir
Church Report
Memorials
Joe Abbott - Backpack Program
Sue Davis - Backpack Program
Kaye Harris - Backpack Program
Debbie Johnston - Backpack Program
Barbara McCoy - Benevolence Fund, Families in Need, Todd & Betsy Hobbie Scholarship,
Backpack Program
Jane Nierenberg - Backpack Program
Stella Stirewalt - Backpack Program
Roberta Studevant - Backpack Program
Tyler Studevant - Backpack Program
Jeff Wampler - Backpack Program
Dr. D.E. Ward Jr. - Backpack Program
Sara Ward - Backpack Program
Mary Kent Weaver - Backpack Program
Terry West - Backpack Program
Lois Widenhouse - Backpack Program, Todd & Betsy Hobbie Scholarship
Lillian Youngblood - Families in Need, Backpack Program


Birthdays
February 6 - Will Henderson
February 7 - Laura Andrews, Alex Bethune, Mary Margaret Hester
February 8 - Bill Patten Jr.
February 9 - John Benbow, Alex Dulmage
February 11 - Nicole Lisk, Beth McLester , Grace Watson
February 12 - Alex Blackman, Bill Cannon 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
frstkids@y ahoo.com

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