Helpful Interpretive “Keys” for Reading and Understanding Scripture (Both Testaments!)
Last Sunday, (when introducing the Gospel Reading in morning worship) Dr. Kenefake mentioned that the Bible is organized around four “big” stories—and that knowing these stories makes scripture easier to understand because they are constantly referenced (by symbol and metaphor) throughout the Bible’s diverse literature. They are beautifully described in more detail in Marcus J. Borg’s wonderful book,
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time:
1. Creation (Genesis 1 & 2)
2. The Exodus (liberation from slavery/bondage; God’s guidance and constant presence with us)
3. The Exile & Return (living as a conquered people in a foreign land; restoration, renewal, hope, and the establishment of a “just” society [the Prophets] under the leadership of a “just” leader [Messiah])
4. The Priestly Story (which focuses on worship practices in the Temple in Jerusalem)
The story of Jesus is told by the Gospel writers in direct conversation with these four “big” stories, as are the writings of Paul, the Pastoral Epistles, and Revelation.
Happy reading!
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Teach Us to Pray: Re-Imaging Our Idea of Prayer
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Curious about prayer? Looking for a place to learn more about prayer, ask questions, explore and practice? Join us for a six week series beginning this Thursday (Jan 16-Feb 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!
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Confirmation Information Meeting
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A Confirmation informational meeting for all 8th graders and their parents will be held on January 19th during the Sunday school hour (9:45-10:45) in the Library Conference room of the Education Building. This meeting will be a time to learn about the Confirmation journey at FPC and to ask questions. Mark your calendars and come join us! If you know you will be unable to attend, but would like your child to go through Confirmation, please contact Rachel as soon as possible.
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Come have lunch on January 21 at 11:45 a.m. in Davis Hall and hear from Tom Wood who will present his research and collection of coinage of the Acts of the Apostles, the travel cities of Paul. Remember to make your lunch reservations by noon on Monday, January 20th.
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Thanks to everyone for their generous support of Presbyterian Women's Backpack Program, a weekend feeding program that supports students at Coltrane Webb Elementary School. We get numerous questions about what kind of food can be donated, so we will be making monthly recommendations for those of you who enjoy a hands-on helping experience. For January 2020 we are focusing on the following:
- Canned chicken (approximately 10 ounce cans)
- Canned fruit (approximately 15 ounce cans)
- Peanut butter (approximately 28 ounce plastic jars; please, no glass containers)
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 support!
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Wednesday Night Fellowship
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Join us on Wednesday, January 22, for Wednesday Night Fellowship when one of the Field Training Officers from Cabarrus County Emergency Medical Services will discuss and demonstrate hand-only CPR. Please make your reservation no later than noon on Monday, January 20.
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GIFT Sunday is January 26
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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!
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Free Tickets Available to hear Bryan Stevenson
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John Belk Arena - Davidson College Union Events
Reynolds Lecture: Bryan Stevenson
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM
Bryan Stevenson is the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a human rights organization in Montgomery, Alabama. Mr. Stevenson is a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated, and the condemned.
Racial Equity Cabarrus has 25 free tickets to this event. Contact Chuck Collier: racialequitycabarrus@gmail.com or 704-430-6818.
First come - first serve.
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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.
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Lay Liturgists
Sign up
here to be a lay liturgist to
read scripture in worship 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.
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Wednesday Night Fellowship
6:00 p.m., Davis Hall
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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.
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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.
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Sunday, January 19, 2020
Rev. Rachel Vogado
Isaiah 49:1-7, John 1:29-42
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Thursday, January 16
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
9:15 a.m. Preschool Advisory Board
12:00 p.m. Prayer Class
6:30 p.m. Boy Scout Adv. Boards of Review
Friday, January 17
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
9:30 a.m. Adult Literacy Tutoring
10:00 a.m. Coat Giveaway
Saturday, January 18
9:00 a.m. Commons Committee
Sunday, January 19
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Class
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Choir
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:15 p.m. Youth Lunch at Moe's
4:00 p.m. Daisy Troop 3631
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Monday, January 20
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday -
office and preschool closed
11:30 a.m. AA
Tuesday, January 21
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
11:45 a.m. Lunch Bunch
7:00 p.m. AA meeting
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 3
7:00 p.m. PW CT
Wednesday, January 22
7:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m. WNF dinner
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir
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Birth
Congratulations to Casey and Brad Terwelp on the birth of their daughter,
Willow Grace
,
born January 9, 2020 in Mt. Pleasant, NC.. Grandparents are Kim and Ron Barus, great grandmother is Pam Dennis.
Congratulations to Daniel and Liz Sherrill on the birth of their son, Hampton Reid
,
born January 9, 2020 in Jacksonville, NC. Grandparents are Carolyn and Heath Ritchie.
Birthdays
January 16
- Sandy Aldridge
January 17
- Mike Ellis, Kelly Gilbert
January 18 -
Tricia Iglehart, Carol Vuchnich
January 19
- John Bishop, Doreen Devore, Julia Patrum, Pat Waters
January 20
- Jerry Dyer, Bill Morrison
January 22
- Donna Knorr, Ben Verner
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Scott Kenefake
Interim Senior Pastor
Associate Pastor
for Care and Mission
Associate Pastor
for Christian Formation
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Director of Music and Organist
Choirmaster
Church Administrator
Financial Secretary
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Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent
Director of First Kids
Church Hostess
Wedding Director
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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
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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
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