May 2, 2024 Edition

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. – John 15:13

The Charlotte metro area is grieving the lost lives of four law enforcement officials killed in the line of duty: Sam Polocha and William Elliott (North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections), Deputy US Marshall Thomas Weeks, and CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer. Four other officers were wounded. As members of a fugitive task force, they were serving a warrant for among other things, illegal firearm possession. Getting guns off the street was a special focus for Officer Eyer.

This is the largest loss for the law enforcement community since the shootings in Dallas, TX in 2016. Each of these men leaves behind family members, friends, and colleagues, all of whom were aware of the risks of their careers but are now left to deal with the reality and the grief that they are not coming home. Click here to continue reading.

The Sixth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as “Rogation Sunday.” The word “rogation” comes from the Latin verb rogare, meaning "to ask." Rogation Days (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the following week) were a time when the priest and people would walk the boundaries of the town praying for fields and laborers.

Rogation Sunday invites us to ask for God’s blessing on a particular place and the people who live there in order to promote the common good and share in the hope of God’s goodness. We are particularly invited to ask God’s blessing for agriculture and industry, and God’s protection on all the activities which enable people to flourish. As we ask, we also commit ourselves to play our part, to join in God’s work of creation and gracious provision. 

On Sunday, May 5, you are invited to bring your garden implements, tools of your work, or equipment you use in play for blessing this Rogation Sunday.

Fundraiser for Academic Learning Center on Thursday, May 2, 5-7:30 PM at Southern Strain Brewing. Drop in or support by buying tickets. For more information, contact Anne Jaeger.

Piedmont Choral Society presents free community concerts on Friday, May 3 at 7 PM and Sunday, May 5 at 3 PM at Calvary Lutheran Church, 950 Bradley Street, Concord. Program will be "To Music: Celebrating the Powerful Gift of Music."

Spring Altar Guild Luncheon on Saturday, May 4 at 11 AM | Guild members are asked to bring a salad to share. Dessert and beverages will be provided. All members and any interested persons are encouraged to attend for fellowship and food! Questions? Contact Brenda Trott.

The main church entrance (Lake Concord Rd) and front parking lot are OPEN. But things will get messy next week! The front and back parking lots will be torn up and the asphalt reclaimed to prepare a new base for new asphalt and the repaving process. There will be parking lot closures during the week of May 6. Subject to change due to weather. However, when the parking lots re-open, the surface will be very dusty and messy enough to ruin shoes. Shoe protection will need to be worn when walking from the parking lots to the church building. The church will provide the appropriate shoe coverings (or “booties”). Here's the basic plan:

Sunday, May 5: No special instructions.

Sunday services and events proceed as scheduled.

Monday, May 6 – Front parking lot is open, back parking lot is closed,

no booties needed.

Tuesday, May 7 – Front parking lot is open, back parking lot is closed,

no booties needed.

Wednesday, May 8 – Front parking lot is CLOSED, back parking lot is open,

booties needed.

Thursday, May 9 – Front parking lot is CLOSED, back parking lot is open,

booties needed.

Friday, May 10 – Front parking lot is CLOSED, back parking lot is open,

booties needed.

Sunday, May 12: Front parking lot is OPEN, booties needed.

Click to read more about bootie distribution and specific entry instructions.

Anti-Racism Training Opportunities | Sacred Ground begins May 23 | Two Thursdays per month | 11 AM –12:30 PM | Zoom | Register by May 9 | Have you wanted to offer Sacred Ground for your church but wanted to experience it first? Have you been looking for a group, but the schedule hasn't worked? This is your chance to experience the program. You will meet others committed to this work, participate and learn from the program. Our hope is that many participants will go on to facilitate programs at their church. Sacred Ground Facilitator training will be offered in August for those starting groups in the fall or winter. Registration is open until May 9. If the class fills, we will keep a waiting list.

The Diocese of North Carolina also offers an anti-racism training option, "Introduction to Dismantling Racism: Reclaiming Our Baptismal Promise." Dismantling Racism is an interactive workshop offered via Zoom. It is designed to deepen spiritual commitment to dismantling racism as participants in the Jesus Movement. Through presentations, prayer, story sharing, videos and small group discussion, participants explore how the sin of racism impacts all lives. Remaining 2024 training dates:

Summer Planning | Looking ahead, here are a couple events to place on your summer calendar. Details will be coming soon!

• Parish Par-Tay, July 14, 5 PM
• Vacation Bible School, August 1-3

Rev. Nancy will be on Sabbatical from July 16-October 24, 2024. Rev. Nancy shared what she anticipates during this time. Martin Ericson, Senior Warden, shared the plan for church operations.

We offer congratulations to Ken Stead and Barbara Horne-Stead on the marriage of their son, Jonathan August Stead to Jazmin Manchego Campechano on March 1, 2024. 

Prayer is the foundation of the ministry of this parish. If you would like to request prayers, please share here. If you are hospitalized, please let the church know. If you are unable to make the call yourself, ask for the chaplain on call and they will make it for you. The church phone number is 704-782-2024.

Prayers have been requested for Al, Jean, Wendy, Rita, Frank, Lucas, Paul, Lynn, and Elena.