What is Rally Day?

Rally Day is our church-wide Kick-Off event for our new year of church programming! ALL are invited and encouraged to participate. We will gather in Davis Hall at 9:45 AM for breakfast, fellowship, and fun! There will be almost twenty different tables around the perimeter of Davis Hall showcasing different church programs and groups who meet on campus. Join us as the excitement builds for ways to study scripture, serve in the community, and enjoy Christian fellowship together. 

Library on Rally Day

CHILDREN OF ALL AGES—COME TO RALLY DAY AND BRING YOUR PARENTS! FREE BREAKFAST! THEN GO TO THE LIBRARY AND SEE ALL THE COOL BOOKS WE HAVE. LOTS OF YOUNG ADULT AND MIDDLE SCHOOL + A WHOLE SEPARATE LIBRARY FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS.

Please come check out the Library Table at Rally Day, September 7, 2025 at 9:45 AM. Breakfast will be served and we have children’s books that we are giving away! We’d also love for you to pick up a bookmark that tells you the hours that the library is open and then go visit the library during Rally Day. Don’t miss it! It’s a hidden gem. 

Pew Prep Resumes September 7^th!

Our Kindergarten and 1^st graders are invited to Pew Prep following the Children’s Message, starting Sunday, September 7^th. Our young worshippers will learn about components of the worship service, special church seasons, and the names of parts of the sanctuary. It is our hope that these lessons will help them engage more fully in worship. Students will return to the sanctuary during the Offering.

If you are interested in helping with this important worship education, please join the Pew Prep team. A sign-up is available here: Pew Prep: 25/26 Pew Prep - Volunteers

Order Your FPC "More Than Sunday" Shirt Today!

Please click here to place your order.

If you have any questions, please contact Margaret Poitevint at marg26@gmail.com and she’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Prices are indicated on the sign-up and please be reminded that the V-neck is cut for ladies so you may need to order one size larger than your size in the Unisex shirts.

Your order and payment will be due no later than noon on Rally Day, September 7th!  Margaret will be there to collect money that day, but you can also send a check to the church office: PO Box 789, Concord, NC 28026. Please send either cash or a check made payable to FPC.

If you are paying on the church website select "miscellaneous giving" in the drop down fund. Please be aware that if there is extra money once the order is placed, it will be donated to Market for Missions. Thanks!

Youth Group News!

Youth Group starts on September 7^th. Youth 6^th grade through 15 years old will be preparing the meal. Youth 16 and older will serve the dinner at the Night Shelter.

There are a number of food items needed for the meal prep. We ask those 15 and under to select items listed at the 5pm time slot and Youth 16 and older to select items noted with a 6pm time slot.

Please sign-up by Thursday, 9/4, so that Mrs. Prager can shop for missing items.

Check out the upcoming calendar and sign-up to participate!

9/7, see sign-up for times, Davis Hall – Cooking and serving Night Shelter - 2025-2026 Youth: 9/7 Youth- Night Shelter cooking & serving

9/14 – 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Moore farm – Youth Kick Off Party! 2025-2026 Youth: 9/14 Youth Kick-Off

9/21, Davis Hall – Baking for Market for Mission - 2025-2026 Youth: 9/21 Youth Group Baking for Market for Mission

9/23, Waterfall & Krispy Kreme road trip! - 2025-2026 Youth: 9/23 Youth Waterfall / Krispy Kreme Day trip

FPC Night Shelter Meal Sign-up

Please use this link to sign-up for our next week of meals for the night shelter, next week, September 7 - 13. Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4CA9AF2BA1F58-58089598-september

College Addresses

We are lifting our college students in prayer as a new semester of classes begins.

Please send college addresses to René Prager: r.prager@firstpresconcord.org, by Wednesday, September 10^th.

If you have the start date of final exams, please include that too! Thank you!

One Year After Helene,

Join Us For a Day in the Mountains with Habitat

Last year we responded to disaster in Western North Carolina by donating money, sending water, clothing, and other vital goods to our neighbors in need, and preparing clean-up buckets for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. As we approach the anniversary of Hurricane Helene, recovery is still ongoing, and we plan to take a day trip up to Buncombe County on Saturday, September 20.

We will work from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity at their Glenn Bridge neighborhood construction site in Arden, NC, and then support local businesses or restaurants in Black Mountain before driving back. Carpools will leave the church parking lot at 6:00 AM sharp, and return to Concord by 8:00 PM.

We will need drivers and volunteers. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. If you can drive, please sign up using the driver slot and indicate how many people you can take with you. Likewise, let us know if you want to help but need a ride, or if you plan to drive yourself the day before or stay an extra day on your own. Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CA4AE2DA7FACF8-58167780-western

Market for Missions!

WE NEED YOU! The Market for Missions on October 4th will be here before we know it! This one is shaping up to be our biggest and best sale yet and we need more help than ever! Whether you are new to the sale or have worked all previous ones, your help is greatly needed and immensely appreciated!

·         Please contact a committee member below to say you will volunteer during prep week, sale day, or Sunday’s “last chance sale” day! Details on dates and times are below. We will put you on the list and send more specific information as the sale approaches. 

·         Orders for FPC shirts are being taken now through Rally Day - Sunday 9/7, be sure to use the link in the Banner or contact Margaret Poitivent at marg26@gmail.com to order one to wear on sale day! 

A NEW twist this year is that we will continue the Market on Sunday afternoon, October 5, for church members and their invited family/friends, with a "Last Chance Sale" 

Volunteer Days & approximate times:

September 30 - October 3 - Prep Week - any time you're available from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

October 4 - Sale Day - 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 6:00 AM if you can be there to help move things outdoors 

October 5 - Last Chance Sale - Noon - 2:30 PM, and after 2:30 PM any help to begin the clean-up will be appreciated!

Many thanks,

The Market for Mission Committee: Beth Barbee, Carrie Myers, Gina Goff, Harriett Phillips, Kathy Pilkington, Sallie Dotger, Wendy Irvin

Earth Care Congregation Team Meeting

The earth care team will meet following worship this Sunday, September 7, in the Fellowship House Library. All are invited to join us!

First Kids News

First Kids is pleased to announce that the following wonderful women will be part of our staff for the 25-26 school year as we celebrate our 70th year!

Maureen O'Bryan- Director

Pam Prentice- Assistant Director

One-Year Class 

Sally Price, Kristi Dugan & Kristina Revels

Two-Year Class

MaryAnn Harrison, Lisa Sackeli

Three A Class

Melissa McGuire, Yessi Carrera

Three B Class 

Stacy Graham, Megan Kopasz, Alex Martin

MWF Fours

Maureen O'Bryan, Holly Westbrook, Sarah Callahan

Five-Day Fours

Laura Lyon, Elyse Lambert, Golda Jay

TK

Angie Sult, Katrina Wallace & Sarah Callahan

Mark Your Calendars for VBS 2026!

Please mark your calendars now VBS 2026! We will be Fishing With Jesus! June 8-11, 2026.

VBS is free and advance registration is required. Please watch for registration information in March 2026 and register! With growing numbers, we anticipate capping our totals next summer in order to continue providing a safe and fun experience for all!

You can use this link to indicate both your participation interest and volunteer availability. We will use the sign-up to communicate important information. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0948ACAB2DABF49-57316050-vbs2026#/  

Save-the-Date

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Fellowship House Front Lawn

3:00 PM

Invite your Friends and Neighbors too!

Work Continues at Memorial Garden...

New Girl Scout Year

Our Girl Scout troops are ready for a fun year of scouting adventures! The first meeting of the year is Thursday, September 4^th. If you would like more information on the Girl Scout program at First Presbyterian Church for girls, kindergarten through 12^th grade, please contact René Prager at r.prager@firstpresconcord.org.