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THE BANNER
February 3, 2021
Online Bible Study on the Book of Job, led by Rush Otey
Job has to do with universal human experiences of suffering and faith, loss and hope, despair and friendship, humanity and the vastness of Creation. It seems particularly important during a worldwide pandemic. Beginning on February 11 and going through March 27, each Thursday I plan to send a one or two page document by e-mail to the entire congregation which will invite us into this book. If you are not interested or don’t have time, simply delete the documents. At the end of February and again at the end of March, we will have evening Zoom forums on this study, and the link for the Zoom conversations will be sent in advance. Since Job is a bit daunting in its length and depth, a good commentary may be helpful. Here are a few, all of which are available from Amazon or any reliable bookseller:
     “Job” by Norman C. Habel, Knox Preaching Series, 1982  paperback version is $8.56 and used copies from $4.59  Habel’s commentary was also published in a couple of other series.
     “The Book of Job: When Bad Things Happened to a Good Person,” by Harold S. Kushner, 2012  The renowned rabbi reflects on his professional and personal life, with honesty and poignant wisdom.  $14.94 new, used from $3.47
     “Job” by J. Gerald Janzen, in the Interpretation commentary series—used from $4.03, paperback $24.99, Kindle $14.37  Janzen’s work is more scholarly and technical, but also gives many important historical and critical insights.
Sunday Stories - New Volunteer Opportunity!
We are looking for folks to read or tell a Bible story (or any children's story with a good lesson in it) each week. It should be 5 minutes or less and you can record it yourself with an iphone and email the video to: huntermorrison@gmail.com or choose the sign-up option to be recorded at the church.

SUNDAY STORIES will go on Youtube, weekly, early on Sunday, starting this Sunday, February 7, and will continue through Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Welcome Members!
Welcome back to Jennifer Chikes! Jennifer was gone for a while but has now returned to Concord and rejoined our First Pres family.

First Presbyterian Church would also like to extend a warm welcome to Fritze Batts, her daughter Caroline, and her son, Dylan, who have joined us by Transfer of Letter. Fritze grew up here but has been living in Texas and attending First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall, TX. Welcome to the Batts family!
We welcome a new year and a new opportunity for church leaders!
As we do each year, it is time for us to elect church officers to serve as Deacons and Elders for the next 3 years – the Class of 2024! Our process includes seeking suggested nominees from the congregation and then deliberations by our Congregational Nominating Committee to put forth a slate of 7 Deacon and 8 Elder nominees (1 additional Elder for the class of 2023).
 
At this time, the congregation is asked to suggest names of church members to be nominated to serve 3-year terms on the Session or Board of Deacons. To suggest someone, please first discuss it with that person to assure that they are willing and able to serve. 
 
For BOARD OF DEACONS candidates, think of members who have gifts for congregational care and passion for community outreach. Alongside the pastors, deacons are spiritual leaders who provide spiritual care and other support to the people of our congregation. They organize and carry out mission work in the community and beyond. They welcome and greet visitors, assist in worship and help to assimilate new members in the church. Deacons also organize fellowship activities in the congregation.
 
For SESSION candidates, think of members who are committed disciples of Jesus Christ and possess the wisdom and discernment to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Elders on the Session oversee all work of the church, including administrative, budgetary and personnel matters; building and grounds maintenance; worship, music and sacraments; Christian education programs; stewardship and giving; and many other issues related to our mission and ministries. Working hand in hand with the ministers, ruling elders make decisions that seek to follow the will of God in all matters. In accordance with the Book of Order, the Session also has oversight over the work of the Board of Deacons.
 
As directed by our Manual of Church Procedures, our Congregational Nominating Committee consists of representatives from the current Elders, Deacons, Presbyterian Women, Sunday School, Youth, and Clerk of Session. This year the committee includes Susan Smith, Susan Brooks, Rene Prager, Harold Cline, Elizabeth Anne Dover, and Gina Goff. They will meet later in February to consider names of nominees to be presented for a congregational vote.
 
After talking with your potential nominees, please share the names for Deacons and/or Elders by email, mail, or by calling Suzanne Russell by February 17, 2021 suzanne.russell@firstpresconcord.org
 
Below is a list of current Deacons and Elders (not currently eligible for nomination): 

 Current Deacons
 Class of 2021 - Ron Barus, Susan Brooks, Brooks Fulton, Mary Garrison, Margaret Hillman,
Anne Morrison
 Class of 2022 - Donna Cline, Jessica Garmon, Edy Johnston, Kate Morrison, Dean Phillips, Don Seitz, Scott Verner
 Class of 2023 –Linda Barnett, Tripp Carpenter, Kimberly Leatherman, Jeff Nelson, Ellie Sherrill, Dakeita Vanderburg, Amanda Williamson
Current Elders
Class of 2021 - Evelyn Barrier, Holly Cagle, Wade Holland, Carol Hovey, Jeff Monroe, Chrissy Rotan,
Dave Sheridan
 Class of 2022 - Peter Chikes, Jim Holloway, Donna Knorr, Margaret Moore, Hunter Morrison, Kathy Pilkington
 Class of 2023 – Dale Carpenter, Merl Hamilton, Harris Morrison, Amy Murphy, Susan Otteni, Susan Smith
College Addresses!
We are collecting the addresses for our First Presbyterian Concord college students. Whether learning remotely or in person, we would like to connect with them! Please e-mail René Prager at
 r.prager@firstpresconcord.org with your student's name, shipping address, e-mail address, and final exam week (if known). We will be working on care packages during our February Youth Mission weekend, so please forward student information to René by February 12th to be included in the spring mailing. If their address changes during the semester, please let us know!
From Ashes to Easter
On behalf of the Worship and Christian Education committee, we are excited to offer Lent in a Bag for every household, available for pickup in the Fellowship House during office hours beginning Tuesday February 16th! Each bag will contain a canvas with ashes from Memorial Garden to be used in conjunction with the Ash Wednesday service, a devotional, and daily Lenten practice cards designed for all ages to participate. We invite you to join us for this Holy season leading up to Easter.
Virtual Spring PW Nurture Event
The Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church
Cordially Invite You:

The Virtual Spring Nurture Event
Guest Speaker
    Elizabeth Richardson
 Presents
“Pilgrimages to Sacred Places”

Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

Elizabeth continues to treasure the blessings of growing up in First Presbyterian Church Concord beginning in 1956.

Please RSVP Sign-Up Genius here by Thursday, February 18, 2021
Everyone who attends will receive a special spiritual swag bag.
 *When you register by February 18th your spiritual swag bag will be delivered to your home before our event.
Virtual Event - Your ZOOM invitation will be delivered to your email
If you need assistance connecting to the Sign-Up Genius
Call Linda Barnett 704-699-6898 by March 5, 2021
Racial Equity Reads
Our next Racial Equity Reads book will be "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson. We will begin our discussions on Sunday, February 21st at 4pm via Zoom with Part 1 (Ch. 1-3). As part of our ongoing commitment to this work, we encourage you to purchase your books through black-owned booksellers if possible. For more information or to sign up to join the discussion, please contact Lynne Keel at lynne.keel@firstpresconcord.org. 
PW Save the Date
Sunday, May 2nd:
Presbyterian Women
Annual Birthday Program
Services Update- Worship Available earlier on Sunday Morning
Our pastoral staff continues to preach and teach through various means of technology. Please join us for all of our worship opportunities on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/firstpresconcordnc/),
Worship is posted at 8:30 a.m.
Sign-up Links
Sign up to read scripture during our virtual services.
Questions, contact Hunter Morrison: huntermorrison@gmail.com
Lay Liturgists

To be a Sunday Stories reader
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Calendar
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Rev. Rush Otey preaching
Thursday, February 4
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
Friday, February 5
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
Sunday, February 7
8:30 a.m. Worship available online
9:45 a.m. Journey Sunday School
10:00 a.m. S & D Sunday School
Monday, February 8
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
6:30 p.m. Circle 1 Zoom
Tuesday, February 9
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
7:00 p.m. Session Meeting
Wednesday, February 10
9:00 a.m. First Kids Preschool
Church Report
Birth
Congratulations to Alex Teague and her husband Taylor Martin on the birth of their baby, Flynn Everett Martin, born on January 27 in Concord, NC. Grandmother is Laura Lyon.
Memorials
Gay Holding - Backpack Program
Judy Holloway - Backpack Program
Erwin Spainhour - Backpack Program, Haiti Mission, Music Program, Memorial Gardens, Salvation Army
Birthdays
February 3 - Nancy Chikes, Karen Rogers
February 4 - Elizabeth Anne Dover, Steve Ferguson, Doug King
February 5 - Daniel Carlough, Joe Simpson, Caroline Voncannon
February 6 - Will Henderson
February 7 - Laura Andrews, Alex Bethune, Mary Margaret Hester
February 8 - BIll Patten Jr.
February 9 - John Benbow, Alex Dulmage, Teddy Peterson
**To enjoy a sung happy birthday, click here!**
Staff
Rush Otey
Temporary Supply Pastor 

Associate Pastor 
for Care and Mission

René Prager
Interim Youth
Programs Coordinator
Director of Music and Organist

Choirmaster

Suzanne Russell
Church Administrator

Financial Secretary
Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent

Director of First Kids

Kim Mazzola
Financial Administrative Asst.

Wedding Director
Contact Info
First Presbyterian Church
(704) 788-2100

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
The Commons Prayer Room Hours:
Closed

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