October 12, 2022

Dear Friends,

As you may have heard, I was invited to offer the invocation before the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday, October 9. I have no idea how they got my name, but it was a fun thing to do, and I was honored to be asked. The game did not go the way those of us rooting for the home team would have liked. It was fascinating, however, to be behind the scenes and witness all that goes in to having everything run on a tight schedule. Most of the people who actually make the game possible never appear on the jumbotron.

Being a faithful community requires all sorts of gifts, skills, insights, talents and hard work from a whole host of people whose names are rarely if ever “up in lights.” There is no small way to be part of this community. Every effort, every smile, every prayer, every hug, every time you show up plays a crucial role in helping all of us follow Christ more faithfully. I hope you know how important you are, to me, to this congregation, and of course, to God.

Grace and peace,

Ellen

(Photo of my Lutheran friend, John, who made sure my microphone worked and who offered me the peace of Christ after I finished praying.)

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

Bridge Texts: October 13 - October 16

Thursday, Exodus 33

Friday, Exodus 34:1-9, 29-35

Saturday, Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Sunday, Deuteronomy 8:11-19

October 16 - October 19

Sunday, Deuteronomy 8:11-19

Monday, Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Tuesday, Joshua 24:1-15

Wednesday, 1 Samuel 1:1-1

Welcome Class

Sunday at 9:45 AM in the Sunroom of Fellowship House

Are you interested in membership at First Presbyterian? Perhaps you are not ready to join but would like to know more about our congregation.  This gathering is for you!

Just show up. Volunteers will be outside to direct you. 

Did you become a member of First Presbyterian in 2021 or 2022?

If so, you are invited to the 2022 “New Member” Luncheon

Sunday, October 23 after worship in Davis Hall.

This will be a casual time for conversation

with staff, a few church leaders, and one another. 

Please call the church office reservation line

(704-788-2100, press 7 when the auto attendant answers) by noon, on Thursday, October 20 to RSVP,

indicating the number of adults and children.

                                                                                     There will be a child-friendly meal option.

                                                                                           (There is no cost for the meal.) 

Healing Support Luncheon

Tuesday, November 1 at 11:30 AM

Davis Hall

We each grieve in our own way. There is no timeline for grief.  This luncheon is for anyone who has recently experienced the loss of someone dear and for those who know the dull ache of grief over time. Brief words about grief and prayers for healing will be offered, however, the focus is on sharing a meal with others who understand loss.

 Please call the church office reservation line

(704-788-2100, press 7 when the auto attendant answers)

by Wednesday, October 26, to let us know you are coming.

Visit the Commons this week and find Tuvalu on the world map. Offer a prayer for the island nations facing such an uncertain future.

The Todd Hobbie Sunday School Class will resume this Sunday, October 16, at 9:45 AM in Davis Hall. 

FPC is hosting a community fellowship luncheon t to support Second Course and You Are Invited! Join us on Sunday, November 6 at 12:30 PM.    More Details on the attached flyer.

You are invited to join the Davidson Forum on October 26 for Forty Years of Religious Studies at Davidson College   More Details on the attached flyer.

Thank you to all who supported or participated with our FPC Concord team at this year’s CROP Walk! We raised some money to fight poverty and hunger both locally and globally, enjoyed some great weather, and even got a little exercise. We had a strong team of 12 participants on Sunday, but the walk returns to downtown Concord next October when we hope to have even more! 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: PDA is one of the most faithful groups working on recovery from disasters of every kind. They also commit to stay with communities and help with long-term recovery needs. You can support their work by clicking here: https://pda.pcusa.org/

The Girl Scout Troops sponsored by First Presbyterian Church held their annual Investiture / Rededication ceremony last Thursday. Thirty-two Girl Scouts, across all six levels of scouting participated, including fifteen new members since last year's ceremony. Nine Girl Scouts bridged to the next level of Girl Scouting and those milestones were celebrated with friends and family present.

Junior Troop 3142 led the Girl Scout Promise:

On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Troop 334 recited and lit the candles for each part of the Girl Scout Law:

I will do my best to be

honest and fair,

friendly and helpful,

considerate and caring,

courageous and strong,

and responsible for what I say and do,

and to respect myself and others,

respect authority,

use resources wisely,

make the world a better place,

and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

A reception for scouts and their families was held in the courtyard.