From:                                             Concord Presbyterian Church <concord.margaretob@20526043.mailchimpapp.com>

Sent:                                               Tuesday, November 26, 2024 8:15 PM

To:                                                  concord.margaretob@gmail.com

Subject:                                         Concord Connects - November 27, 2024

 

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concordconnects
  
November 27, 2024
  
Keeping you connected to the life and ministry of 

Concord Presbyterian Church!


First Sunday of Advent
December 1 @ 10:00am

Communion*, Deacons' Fund offering
"Hope as Protest" - Isaiah 40:1-11, 21-31

Rev. Chelsea Spyres, Pastor & Exec. Director, Riverfront Ministries preaching

     Rev. Chelsea Spyres is a United Methodist Pastor serving as Pastor & Executive Director of Riverfront Ministries, one of our PCUSA New Worshiping Communities. Chelsea graduated from Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC, with her Master’s in Divinity. She enjoys creating spaces of worship and creativity in and outside the local church, bringing people together for community support and transformation. Chelsea began with Riverfront Ministries in January 2020, and since then, has launched the Wilmington Kitchen Collective, a shared kitchen space for culinary entrepreneurs to experience community and support while launching their small businesses. We are excited to welcome her to our pulpit this Sunday!
     About the Art: "You Are a Blessing When You Pass Through the Waters" - Lisle Gwynn Garrity [Inspired by Isaiah 43:1-7]. "When we began working on our Advent theme (Words for the Beginning), we were inspired by the storied tradition of quilting. Though I am not a textile artist, I turned to the fabric medium I enjoy: painting with ink dyes and gold resist on silk. As I read through my assigned scriptures for this series, I created a list of the images and patterns I found in my texts: water, fire, spirit, fruit trees, mountains, stars, sky. Then, I stretched my silk and began to paint, creating a series of 6 small banners.
    Next, I moved into a digital space. I photographed my silk banners and then began drawing quilt patterns with my stylus pen onto my iPad, collaging the photos of my silk paintings into the designs. As I digitally stitched together patterns and geometric shapes, I realized I was quilting, just in my own unique way. This piece is meant to be a visual prayer, inviting you to internalize and personalize the words of blessing from Isaiah 43: 'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.' (Is. 43:2a)"

     Join us for IN-PERSON WORSHIP on Sunday at 10:00am; doors open at 9:40am. 

     To join in WORSHIP ONLINE this Sunday, December 1, click on the picture above to go to our Concord website. Near the bottom of the home page, click on the same picture to connect with the worship video. The worship service will be available live at 10:00am Sunday morning or later in the day to view at your convenience.

*This Sunday we will celebrate the Lord's Supper as part of the service.
If joining us online, please have something ready for eating and something ready for drinking.

 

 

 

Children in Worship - Communion Sunday


This week is a Communion Sunday, so we will not be meeting for "Navigating the Bible." Children will bring the communion elements forward during the first hymn. Children are then invited to join us up front for Wondering Time. After Wondering Time, children will stay in worship with their families and take part in communion after the sermon. There are quiet activities in the back of the Sanctuary that children may take to the pews.

 

 

youth group
 
11:30am-1:00pm every Sunday
Unless otherwise noted
 
We meet in the back of the sanctuary following Sunday worship and Gathering Time. 
Hoping to see you there…bring a friend!
😊
 
Please click here to view an updated schedule.

 

 


DESSERTS NEEDED FOR ADVENTFEST LUNCHEON

Spiritual Formation is looking for donations of cookies or bars (homemade or store bought) for the Adventfest luncheon on Sunday, December 8.  You may drop them off in the kitchen before worship on December 8 OR bring them to church sooner, clearly marked “Adventfest”, and place in the church freezer.  Thank you!

 

 

Prayer List 
 Prayers of sympathy for Maria Hess & family following the death of her mother MaryAnne Ezzi last Friday. (obit)
Condolences for the family of member David Hubinger, who passed away earlier this month. (obit)
Healing prayers for Wayne Stahl who is now back at Kutz Home. Prayers also for Wayne's brother Gray, facing his own health issues.
Preschool Director Lori Schofield's daughter Lexi is now home & recovering from treatment. Continued prayers as she undergoes follow-up & testing.
Prayers for Carol Lind who has been in Wilmington Hospital for the past two weeks for heart, blood pressure & kidney issues, then follow up with rehab to gain strength & stamina. 

Prayers for the following list of people who are in our hearts as they deal with ongoing health struggles - Jo Ann, June, Ginnie M., Dan V., Duane, Craig E., Sue, Eileen, Rita & Dawn.
Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!

*** 
If you would like to add names/needs to this list and our ministry of prayer, please email info@concordpc.org or fill out a "Prayers of the People" card at the Sunday service and hand to a greeter during the offering. 

 

 


Wanted: Cookie Bakers for the Messiah Concert Reception on Dec. 15

We will again have a cookie and beverage reception after the Messiah, and we need home-baked Christmas cookies. You can bake early and put cookies in the church freezer. Please clearly mark them "MESSIAH" since we are also baking for the Friendship House shelters. If you do not have any time to bake, we would also gladly accept purchased pound cakes. These can also be placed in the freezer ahead of time. Please let Dottie Lund know what and how much you are contributing (dottielund@comcast.net 302-230-1522). Thanks for your help!

 

 

Advent Devotional Booklet Available


     This devotional contains art, poems, hymns, commentary, and reflection prompts. It is meant to be read at your own pace throughout the season of Advent and Christmas; it concludes with Epiphany. The booklet is great for older youth and adults of all ages—and especially for those who are hungry for weekly readings and prompts.
     Pick up your copy in the back of the sanctuary today or our friends at Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Advent devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices: online.flippingbook.com/view/811735764/  (In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media.)

 

 


NO MUG & MUFFIN - WED., NOVEMBER 27

Our weekly MUG & MUFFIN Bible study will not be held this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We will meet again via Zoom on Wed., December 4 from 10:00-11:00am, led by Pastor Eric Markman. To join the Zoom gathering ONLINE, click on this link

 

 

The Perfect Gift

We trust in the hope of the Christ Child, the perfect gift, for whom we prepare a way so he can prepare a way for us to know the fullness of God’s love. Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we reflect God’s perfect gift to us. Our gifts smooth the path for our current and retired church workers and their families in their time of critical need; and prepare the way for our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.

The Christmas Joy Offering will be received throughout the month of December. Envelopes are available in the pews or you can donate online.
When we all so a little, it adds up to a lot!

 

 

Contributions for the Flower Fund for Christmas

If you would like to contribute to the Flower Fund for the upcoming holiday season, please make your check for $20/poinsettia payable to Concord Presbyterian Church, memo: “Christmas Flowers.” Place it in a designated envelope in the offering or the Church Office mailbox. Be sure to include a note stating how you wish the acknowledgment to read in the bulletin. Contributing to the grace and beauty of our Christmas decorations is a lovely way to remember or honor a loved one.

 

 

Advent Is the Season of Giving!

     Mission & Congregational Life invites you to take part in this Reverse Advent Calendar activity to benefit our community! Instead of receiving a little daily gift as we count down the days to Christmas, we will give back daily by placing a non-perishable food item in a bag each day at our own homes. 
     Bring your items to church each Sunday in December and place them by the empty manger in the narthex. We will be sharing these gifts with the community by placing them in the Blessing Box outside Concord Church.
     Suggestions: dry pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned tuna & chicken, cereal, PB&J, canned fruit & vegetables, canned soup & broth, oatmeal packets, boxed mac & cheese, granola/protein bars. Smaller containers are best, as the box provides for short-term needs and space inside is limited. (No glass or expired items, please.)

 

 


Share the Spirit!
Cock-a-doodle-do! Have we got a gift for you...

This Christmas, we are supporting the Chicken Project of the Guatemala Partnership of New Castle Presbytery. You can help give a woman in Guatemala a starter set of chickens which helps address food insecurity and provides women who live at a subsistence level with another source of income. Please make your contribution through Concord (memo Guatemala Chickens) or at https://mailchi.mp/637434c252f3/gift-of-chicks-advent-2024.

 

 

 Concord Photo Gallery

Show us your activities, vacations, special occasions, children or pets being adorable...! If you have photos you'd be willing to share with your Concord family, please send them to Margaret. We'll try to include your photos in Concord Connects as space permits.

 

Here they are - the Concord Christmas Elves! They dress in Christmas colors and work behind the scenes to make sure that seafarers receive their ditty boxes and Concord members have bulletins on Sunday mornings. Thank you, Dottie Lund & Wes Diemer!

 

A belated but HUGE thank you from Phoebe Rowe, for all of the generous donations on her behalf for the UnLocal team in the NYC marathon! Thanks in part to Concord’s kindness, UnLocal was able to raise over $20,000 to support the immigrant community in NYC. And Phoebe finished the marathon in just over 5 hours, with her knees only a *little* worse for the wear. Thanks again!

 


Christina on vacation - meeting mammals & making friends!

 

 

Gathering Time (Refreshments after Church)


Please sign up online to bring snacks & a beverage to enjoy after our Sunday worship service. We will set up in the back of the Sanctuary and provide the coffee. This is a great time to enjoy fellowship with our members & guests. Our Congregational Life Committee encourages all (men & women, individuals, families & friends) who are able to take a turn. Keep it simple and remember to include some gluten-free snacks. Thanks for your participation!

 

 

 

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You are receiving this e-mail because you are a member of Concord Presbyterian Church or have expressed an interest in receiving information about Concord activities.

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Concord Presbyterian Church

1800 Fairfax Blvd.

Wilmington, DE 19803


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