Dear friends,

I’m certain that I’m not alone in wondering where the year has gone. We are in the middle of November. The Christmas parade is on Saturday. Thanksgiving will be here next week. Time is buzzing by. The season of Advent is almost upon us.

Our text for this Sunday (Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5) is one that has often been used as an Advent text, inviting us to begin thinking what it means to wait and hope in a faithful way. Isaiah speaks of God’s heartbreak and judgment, even as he hints at the possibility of something new growing out of the ruins of a kingdom destroyed. Where—if anywhere—do you see God bringing new life in the midst of destruction? What word of hope would you offer to our embattled world? How do we wait and hope as the frenzied world around us presses on?

Grace and peace,

Ellen

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

Look for the Angel Tree this Sunday, November 19, to choose your Angel Tree gift request tag. 

For 41 years now, since 1982, First Presbyterian Church has worked with The Prison Fellowship Angel Tree program to strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. Volunteers from the congregation participate by donating Christmas gifts which are then presented to a child as if they had come directly from the parent behind bars. This is a powerful way for us to share Christ's love by ministering to those suffering through the temporary absence of a parent. In this our 41^st year, we encourage all FPC members in partnership with the Board of Deacons to participate.  

We need volunteers to help with handing out tags and delivering gifts. If interested, please email Susan Simpson at susansimpson@ctc.net. 

 All gifts should be delivered to the Fellowship House by Tuesday, November 28. 

Calling all First Presbyterian Earth Care Champions

As many of you already know, First Presbyterian Church Concord is an Earth Care Congregation.

Each year we submit a renewal application to the PC(USA) to address progress we have made in caring for God’s earth in a holistic manner by integrating earth care into all aspects of church life. We assess our earth care actions in the areas of worship, education, outreach, and facilities and grounds. Our team welcomes any and all members of the congregation who are passionate about our church’s mission to our congregation, our church facilities and grounds, our community and the wider world with regards to efforts we can make in preserving and enhancing God’s good earth.

Please contact Jim Wall at jwall495@gmail.com if you would like to be involved in the Earth Care Congregation team.  We will hold an introductory meeting sometime this year and then gather in early 2024 for the purpose of the renewal application and to make future plans.

Books and Brews is reading Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol (unabridged version) for November.

We will meeting on Thursday, November 30th at 7:00 PM. The location this month is at Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company. The address is 7285 West Winds Blvd NW Concord NC 28027

January and February book choices have been decided as well.

For January we will be reading The Wind Knows my Name by Isabel Allende.

February we will be reading The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander Newfoundland by Jim Defede.

Date and locations for January and February will be announced soon.

Presbyterian Women's Fall Event

The Women of First Presbyterian Church invite you to "Come to the Table" for their Advent Communion and Lunch on Wednesday, November 29 at 12 Noon in Davis Hall.

Lunch is $12. RSVP by Monday, November 27 to:

suzanne.russell@firstpresconcord.org

or call the reservations line: 704-788-2100 #7

Annual Christmas Joy Offering Dinner

The Women of First Presbyterian Church invite you to join them on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 in Davis Hall.

Dinner is at 6:00 PM, Punch and Cheese Straws at 5:30 PM if your schedule permits.

Dinner is $15. RSVP by Tuesday, November 28 online here, or call the reservations line at 704-788-2100 #7. *Be sure to indicate if you need childcare, a vegetarian or a vegan dinner*

Cornucopia

Thank you to each child and family who contributed to our cornucopia this year. The fifty-six pounds of produce was delivered to Cooperative Christian Ministries this week.

Veterans Day Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch celebrated Veteran’s Day with much enjoyment with lunch at Gary’s Barbecue in China Grove, followed by a tour of the Price of Freedom Museum.

We were truly amazed at what a patriotic community had accomplished. An old school has been transformed into a tribute to people who have served in war. We saw hundreds of uniforms from all branches of service with pictures of the men (and a few women) who wore them, medals, letters, models, etc. They had even created rooms from the 30’s.

Tom Smith, CEO of Food Lion, had attended the school and was a strong supporter of the Museum. He built a nice brick building next to the museum to house his very extensive collection of military vehicles ($300,000) that he left to the museum.

We enjoyed a private tour, but the Museum is open each Sunday from 3-5. We hope you will visit the museum in the future.

Start Your Advent with Service: Sign Up to Volunteer at Our Upcoming Love Feast!

Every other month, we support our local partner, Esther's Heart, by volunteering on a Saturday in their "Love Feast on the Streets."

We need nine more volunteers to help set up tables, distribute warm food and clean clothes, and answer questions, on Saturday, December 2, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Central United Methodist Church. This is a great and easy way to get to know and serve our neighbors in downtown Concord and prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of our servant Lord. If you are able to take part, please sign up below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA8AE2EA1FA7-love/152728864#/