‌
THE BANNER
January 22, 2020
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Events!

February 2020
 
Church Retreat/Staycation!, February 21-23, (Friday-Sunday)

Guest Speaker/Leader for the Weekend, Diana Butler Bass, Independent Scholar of American Religion & Culture, l earn about her here
Weekend Theme: “Faith & the Common Good: How Empathy & Compassion Transforms Our World!”*
 
Schedule:

Friday Evening, February 21 st
6:00 p.m, Dinner in Davis Hall
7:00 p.m, Keynote Address: Diana Butler Bass, Sanctuary; followed by Q&A, and Book Signing
*Childcare provided by reservation

Saturday, February 22 nd
9:00 a.m, Breakfast in Davis Hall
10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m, Workshop on Weekend Theme, with Diana Butler Bass, Davis Hall
[Programming for Children & Youth to run concurrently with Workshop]
*Nursery provided by reservation.
 
Sunday, February 23 rd/Transfiguration of the Lord
11:00 a.m, Diana Butler Bass, Preaching, Sanctuary

Volunteers Needed! A brief organizational meeting will be held after 11 a.m. worship in the Fellowship House on Sunday, February 2nd.
 
*Registration information for all weekend events for all age groups will be emailed/mailed to church members and friends next week!
GIFT Sunday is January 26
Join us for a time of hands-on intergenerational learning. All ages are welcome to experience GIFT Sundays - Generations in Faith Together, with a light breakfast at 9:45 a.m. This will be the only Sunday School offering that morning, with all classes meeting together in Davis Hall, and nursery will be provided for infants and toddlers. Come learn and grown in faith together! 
Flags in the Sanctuary
Just a reminder that you have until January 30, 2020 to sign up anonymously for the flag discussions by going to this link, or by calling Suzanne Russell in the church office, 704-788-2100 and letting her know which group you wish to be in, want the flags to stay, want the flags removed, or unsure, need to get more information.
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!
Session Highlights from the January 14, 2020 Meeting
• The process for nominating the next class of Elders and Deacons will begin in February.
• The Administration and Personnel Committee are continuing to complete the staff reviews.
• We are in the process of applying for re-certification as an Earth Care congregation.
• A Maintenance Committee, to monitor and address the long-term campus maintenance issues, is
being re-established with initial members to include John Morrison, William Niblock, Kevin Garrison, and Susan Hannah. 
• The Christian Education Committee is working to improve technology on our campus.
• Early worship services will be added during Lent, March 8, 15, 22, 29, & April 5, with communion to be served at each service.
• The Pastor Nominating Committee will meet with the Presbytery for training on January 22.
• Jim Monroe, Holt Morrison, and John Bishop were elected to serve on the First Presbyterian Church Foundation Board.
• Elders from each Session committee will attend the January 25th Elder Symposium at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.
•·         The Deacons are planning:
·         An in-town retreat the weekend of February 21-23 featuring Diana Butler Bass, the author of
Grounded and other contemporary Christian books.
·         Rise Against Hunger meal packing for February 9 with an increase to 15,000 meals.
·         Wednesday night fellowship and dinners will continue on the 2 nd and 4 th Wednesday nights. 

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.”
Commons Update
The Commons has a new coded lock at the Church St. entrance (thank you Wade Holland!) and the lighting remote controls are moving. Meet with Carrie after worship on Sunday, January 26 for just a few minutes to orient to these changes. If you would like to volunteer in the Commons and haven’t gone through the brief orientation, you are welcome as well. To complete the entire orientation will take only another 15 minutes. Thank you!!
Event Invitation from Charlotte Presbytery
You are welcome to join the discussion :Woven Together/Torn Apart: Threads of Racism in Everyday Life at Covenant Presbyterian Church Wednesday evenings, January 15 - February 12 -
information in this l ink
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for a special concert of trumpet and organ on Thursday, February 27, at 7:30 p.m. in our beautiful sanctuary. Dr. Eric Millard will lead the UNCC Trumpet Ensemble accompanied by Jacquie Yost. The concert if free and open to the public!
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 .
 
Opportunity House
Opportunity House is hosting a Port-A-Pit chicken dinner on Tuesday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Midway United Methodist Church, 708 S. Main Street in Kannapolis. Dinners are dine-in or take out, and delivery is available for orders of 10 or more dinners. Tickets are $10.00 each, and can be purchased from Britt Alley or Susan Brooks.
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
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, January 26, 2020
Rev. Dr. Scott Kenefake
Psalm 27:1,4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Thursday, January 23
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
12:00 p.m. Prayer Class
1:00 p.m. Communications Meeting
2:00 Literacy Tutoring
Friday, January 24
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
9:30 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
Sunday, January 26
9:45 a.m. GIFT Sunday
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Choir
11:00 a.m. Worship
3:00 p.m. Children's Choir
4:00 p.m. Youth Choir
5:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship
Monday, January 27
Preschool closed - Teacher Workday
11:30 a.m. AA
Tuesday, January 28
8:45 a.m. First Kids- Doughnuts with Daddy
7:00 p.m. Al Anon meeting
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 3
Wednesday, January 29
7:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study
8:45 a.m. First Kids -Doughnuts with Daddy
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir
Church Report
Birthdays
January 23 - Jennie Bethune
January 24 - Julie Epler, Claire Kinane, H. L. Ruth IV
January 25 - Mark Carlough, Paul Chikes, Jim Epler, Craig Pless, Leigh Sparks
January 27 - Courtney Clark
January 28 - Kathryn Kiser, Jerry McLester, Ginger Solomon
January 29 - Michael Gray, Julie Lopez, Olivia Reiff, Robbie Sherrill

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 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