Dear Friends,

On Sunday we will celebrate receiving our confirmands into membership. We will also observe Transfiguration Sunday listening to Mark’s account of all that took place on the mountain. This dazzling event immediately follows Jesus’ first passion prediction, his declaration of what lies ahead as he makes his way to Jerusalem. While it might be nice to focus only on the happy, shiny moment on that mountain, it is no accident that the text links Christ’s passion with the Transfiguration. As Dr. Ahmi Lee writes, “The Suffering Servant is also the victorious Lord of glory.” We can’t have one without the other. I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday as we celebrate and wonder and ponder together.

Grace and peace,

Ellen

Artwork by John Stuart, www.stushieart.com

Ash Wednesday Worship: On Wednesday, February 14, we will gather in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM for a brief worship service. Together we will begin the season of Lent with reflection, prayer, music, and the imposition of ashes.

In Case of Inclement Weather on Sundays, check FPC's social media, and your email, for updates.

Monday through Thursday, if Cabarrus County Schools are closed for weather, our office will also be closed, and the staff will work remotely.

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

Souper Bowl Collection

The Youth will be collecting monetary donations in support of 1 Can / Blessing Box at the conclusion of worship on Sunday. This is part of the Souper Bowl of Caring annual campaign. Regardless of whether you are cheering for San Francisco, Kansas City, Taylor Swift, or none/all of the above, please help us support our neighbors in need!

The Youth will have buckets for your cash or checks in the narthex or the side door as you exit worship on Sunday. Checks should be made out to First Presbyterian Church with 1 Can in the memo line. 

Youth Group News!

Here is a look at what the remainder of February will look like for Youth.

February 11 - Confirmands arrive at 10:30 AM in the sanctuary for group photo AND walk through for what will happen in worship.

ALL Youth are encouraged to follow the pastors to the narthex after worship and pick up the posters, pendants, and collection cans for the Souper Bowl of Caring. 2 Youth (1 with a 49ers can, 1 with Kansas City) at the side door exit near Fellowship House and others in the narthex)

ALL families are invited to the Fellowship House following worship for a reception for our new members (confirmands).

No regular Youth on Super Bowl Sunday.

February 18 - RSVP for lunch after worship to introduce the Lenten study and enjoy fellowship together. ALL Youth are encouraged to attend - Youth can sit together or with families. 

*No regular Youth is scheduled due to holiday weekend, but if many are in town and interested, we can look to schedule something. Please RSVP on the line for this date BY February 11.

February 25 - We will continue our work on Youth Sunday. ALL Youth (and friends) are encouraged to attend, even if you cannot participate in Youth Sunday, April 14. Middle school will gather 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, dinner 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM, high school 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.

2023-2024 Youth: February Youth (signupgenius.com)

Lenten Lunch

On Sunday, February 18, we will kick off our Lenten small group series, titled Bearing Witness, with lunch in Davis Hall. Come learn about Simon of Cyrene, the passer-by who was conscripted by Roman soldiers to carry Jesus' cross for him, and other characters at the crucifixion scene.

By attending this lunch, you are agreeing to join a small, lay-led group that will study a verse or two of scripture each week of Lent, dealing with a different witness to the crucifixion each week. Our small groups will then come back together at our church-wide Maundy Thursday service to break bread and tie things together.

Please RSVP for lunch by clicking here, or call the reservation line, 704-788-2100 #7. Reservations Must Be Made by Sunday, February 11.



Lunch is $7 per person, and will be free for kids under the age of 12. You may pay at the door or online.

Small Group signup information is as follows:

Monday mornings from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM with Evelyn Barrier Light in the Journey Classroom.

Monday evenings from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM with Nathan Woolwine. This group will meet only on Zoom.

Wednesdays at 6:30 PM with Matt Dugan. Matt’s group will meet some weeks at local breweries and other weeks on Zoom.

Usher Meeting February 10

Join the Hospitality Ministry team for coffee, and doughnuts on Saturday, February 10 at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship House as we make plans for the usher ministry for 2024 and beyond! 

Please feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested in joining us. 

See you then! 

Any questions, call Cindy Wise at 704.699.1039.

Racial Equity

Members of the Racial Equity Reads Group will be going to Covenant Presbyterian Church (1000 E. Morehead St. Charlotte) this Saturday, February 10 (and perhaps for Sunday school and church on Sunday, February 11) to hear speaker, author, and historian Dr. Jemar Tisby, the author of the New York Times bestselling book,The Color of Compromise:The Truth about the Church's Complicity in Racism.

Here’s the schedule:

—Saturday, February 10, 9:00 AM -11:00 AM in the sanctuary. 

Race and Religion: Challenges and Opportunities for Churches a public presentation and discussion. 

—Sunday, February 11, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall

Christian Nationalism and the Imperative of the Gospel, Faith formation lecture

—Sunday, February 11,11:00 AM in the sanctuary.

Dr. Tisby preaches the sermon for the normal worship service. 

We are planning to carpool, leaving from the church parking lot. If you’d like to come on Saturday, email Kirby Bullard: hankoreo@yahoo.com

Live Karaoke in the Commons

On Saturday, February 17 at 7:00 PM, Rev. Rory Chambers will bring the tri-state area's greatest live karaoke show down south to Concord, and The Commons Prayer Room (75 Church St N) in particular.

Bring your family and friends for a night of wholesome, acoustic vibes with guests from across the presbytery and beyond. Entry is free, but to sing or enjoy light refreshments we'll ask you to make a donation to Roof Above's work to end homelessness in and across the Charlotte area.

You can check out Rory's Live Karaoke and his more than 800 available songs here: https://www.acoustickaraoke.live/. We'll see you there!

Racial Equity Reads

The Racial Equity Reads group will meet in The Commons at 7:00 PM, Monday, February 12, to discuss Chapter 2 of “The Cross and the Lynching Tree,” by James H. Cone. We had a lively discussion at our last meeting, including insights from our associate pastor, Casey Aldridge.

Our group is informal, and you are invited to join any time. You are encouraged to order the book from a Black-owned bookseller such as Shelves, a mail-order-only bookseller in Charlotte (orders@shelvesbookstore.com), or Mahogany Books in Washington, D.C. (mahoganybooks.com). The book is also available on Amazon.com.

The selections we read and discuss are intended to broaden and deepen our understanding of the origins and history of systemic anti-Black racism in America, and its effects on both Black and white people.

For more information email sverner@yahoo.com.

Men’s Bible Study Opportunity

Monday morning at 7:00 AM, at Rachel’s Place, 550 Concord Pkwy N, Concord, NC.

All are welcome. We eat, we have fellowship, and we study and discuss. 

Blessing Box

Have you ever wondered what you can do to help the hungry in our neighborhood? We often feel powerless to make a difference in the lives of our struggling neighbors, but 1Can is making it easy. We are partnering with them to fill our blessing box located at 65 Church St. NE.

They have curated a list of items for the box and will be filling it two days/week. It's our congregation's responsibility to fill it on Saturday or Sunday of each week. Sign up for your opportunity to serve below. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA8AE2EA1FA7-blessing#/