Dear Friends,
We began Holy Week hearing Luke’s telling of the Passion of Jesus. We are now closer to the day we have longed for: Easter, but there are a few significant stops before we get there. We will gather around tables in Davis Hall tomorrow evening for a meal followed by an informal Maundy Thursday service which includes interactive prayers designed for all ages to participate. Good Friday gives us a chance to walk through the story of Jesus’ final hours with our neighbors. And then on Easter Sunday, we will gather early in the morning in Memorial Gardens for our Sunrise Service at 7 am, followed by the Flowered Cross service at 10 am, and worship with communion at 11 am in the sanctuary. The thread that weaves through these holy days is the story of God’s faithfulness in Jesus Christ as recalled in scripture, God’s Word to us and for us.
I hope that you will be able to join us for one or more of these services. Whether you worship with us in person or not, I invite you to read the story along with us as a community:
Maundy Thursday: Luke 22:1-27, I Corinthians 11: 23-26
Good Friday: Luke 22:28-23:56
Easter Sunday: Luke 24:1-12
Blessings on your Holy Week and Easter. I am grateful to share in this sacred season with you.
Grace and peace,
Ellen
Welcome Class: On Sunday, April 24, we are inviting those who are interested in learning more about life at First Presbyterian Church to join Ellen and Julie and several church leaders for conversation. We will gather in the Fellowship House Library at 9:45 am that morning. Please contact Pastor Ellen Crawford True with questions ( ellen.crawfordtrue@firstpresconcord.org)
*Please Do Not Park in the Bike Lane on Church Street or Your Vehicle May be Towed*
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One Great Hour of Sharing |
For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world.
In a world of disaster, hunger, and oppression millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity.
The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.
This Offering will be received Easter Sunday. Special envelopes can be found at the end of each pew. Please make checks out to FPC and put OGHS in the memo line.
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No Pew Prep on Easter Sunday, April 17 |
As a reminder, we will not offer Pew Prep on Easter Sunday. We encourage families to pick up a Pew bag in the Narthex. Special Easter themed items can be found in the bag to enhance connections to the worship service. |
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Thursday Connection will begin a five week study next Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 3:00 PM in the Journey Room. We will use Adam Hamilton’s book, Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn’t Say
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Our First Kids friends celebrated Easter this week, including using natural dye on eggs. They used beets (red), turmeric (yellow), and red cabbage (blue). Here Maureen helps a young friend with his egg. |
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On Sunday, eleven of our youth gathered in Davis Hall for a special presentation by CVAN's assistant director, Rebecca Moffett on Safe Relationships. Rebecca introduced the many programs CVAN offers in our community and then lead a discussion on power and control and the connection of those to domestic violence. The Youth were provided with ways that they can help themselves and help friends escape these situations. If you or someone you know needs help:
- loveisrespect.org has resources and a helpline 1-866-331-9474
- CVAN 24-hour hotline 704-788-2826
If you missed Sunday's program and would like a copy of the Teen Power and Control Wheel handout, please contact René Prager, r.prager@firstpresconcord.org.
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Our Girl Scout Troops met on Thursday evening. In celebration of Earth Month, the Daisies planted, named, and took home their own flowers to care for. They also helped create larger planters we will gift to some of our favorite places that supported us through Cookie Season. They created their own G.I.R.L. Magazine covers and we talked about how the same statements of affirmation and self-worth can stay with them but also change as they grow. You can be brave and quiet. Studious and funny. We then talked about how those values are found in other magazine cover worthy people: Juliette Gordon Low, Jane Goodall, Winona LaDuke, and more. They now have a coloring book to learn more about these Earth loving women.
The Brownies welcomed a new member and worked toward earning their hiking badge. They learned about trail markings, talked about what to wear and bring for safety and comfort, and made “GORP” - Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts (ok, maybe with a candy treat included.) There was even some spontaneous singing!
Our Juniors and Cadettes also welcomed a new member and prepared for an overnight adventure by working on a series of outdoor badges. They discussed and planned menu options and made fire starters to use for preparing some of our meals.
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There will be a Grounds Workday on Saturday, May 14. |
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Lay Liturgists
Sign up here to be a lay liturgist to
read scripture in worship on Sundays.
Commons
Sign up here to open or close the Commons.
Nursery
Sign up here to volunteer in the Nursery on Sundays.
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Sanctuary Flowers
To give the congregation a gift of
to sign-up for one or more Sundays
during the year.
Ushers
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Sunday, April 17, 2022
Ellen Crawford True, preaching
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Thursday, April 14
9:00 AM First Kids Preschool
3:00 PM Lenten Group (Commons)
6:30 PM Maundy Thursday meal and service (Davis Hall)
Friday, April 15
3:30 PM Stations of the Cross Walk (Grace Lutheran)
Sunday, April 17
7:00 AM Sunrise Service (Memorial Garden)
10:00 AM Flowered Cross (Sanctuary)
10:15 AM Sanctuary Choir (Choir Room)
11:00 AM Worship (Sanctuary or Live-stream)
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Monday, April 18
Office Closed for Easter Monday
10:00 AM Healing Shawls (Fellowship House)
Tuesday, April 19
2:00 PM Staff Meeting
6:00 PM Dunford Fund Committee (TBD)
7:00 PM PW CT Mtg (TBD)
7:00 PM Cub Scouts (TBD)
7:00 PM Boy Scouts (Youth Room)
7:00 PM Al Anon (Commons)
Wednesday, April 20
10:30 AM Bible Study Fellowship House library)
6:30 PM Officer Training (Davis Hall)
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Birth
Congratulations to Ben and Sonia Mongold on the birth of their son, Bodhi Allessio Mongold, born on April 9, 2022 in Nashville, TN. Grandparents are Judy and George Mongold.
Birthdays
April 14 - Ellen Faust, Aubrey Griffin
April 15 - Thomas Barefoot, Buddy DeLizza, Claire Farmer, Hayden Horton
April 16 - David Bristol Austin, Barbara Hayes
April 17 - Bob Foust, Allison Jones, Hannah Patrum, McCann Sheridan
April 18 - Ben Holland, Anne Niblock
April 19 - Elizabeth Campbell, James Gibson, Sydney Lisk, Bob Pierce
April 20 - Emma Teague, Remy Williams
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Ellen Crawford True
Senior Pastor/
Head of Staff
Julie Hill
Temporary Associate Pastor
René Prager
Director of Christian Education
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Director of Music and Organist
Choirmaster
Church Administrator
Kim Mazzola
Financial Administrative Asst.
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Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent
Director of First Kids
Wedding Director
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First Presbyterian Church
(704) 788-2100
70 Union Street North
Concord NC 28025
Mailing Address:
PO Box 789 Concord NC 28026-0789
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Friday
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The Commons Prayer Room Hours:
Monday Closed
Open for scheduled groups:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Open to the Public:
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday mornings for FPC
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
Garden Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Monday
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