1 April 1, 2015

Worship
Places to Worship

Places to

April First, Two Thousand & Fifteen

2 April 1, 2015

How to

Places to Worship

CHOOSE A
CHURCH

Choosing a church can

seem like a complex and
daunting task. Each
faith-based community
is different.
A church is a group of like-minded
people who share a set of beliefs.
Its members often feel like a
kind of family, offering support,
encouragement and assistance to
each other.
Church communities worship and
learn together. Growing in faith
should be one of the goals in
attending church services. The right
church can provide a foundation for
your spiritual life.
When searching a church, pray to
God for guidance. Then determine
what setting is important to you.
Are you looking for a less-formal,
more modern church with energetic
sermons? Do you need an intimate
community or a mega-church?
Do you have a particular faith? If you
are a Methodist, Baptist or Lutheran,
being surrounded by people with
similar beliefs will be important. Or
do you prefer a
non-denominational church?
Once you understand your needs,
conduct some research. Look in your
local newspaper, Yellow pages, online
or drive around your city.
Ask friends and relatives about
the churches they attend. People

are often happy to discuss their

experiences with you.
Once you have found some
possibilities, visit several churches.
Attend services with a positive
attitude and ask questions of
the members. Gather as much
information as you can.
Sometimes having a friend along will
help you feel more at ease. Speak
to people sitting near you, or speak
to the pastor after the service. Take
home any literature offered.
Afterward, reflect on your experience.
Does the churchs statement of
belief match your own beliefs?
Sometimes churches are known for
their service to the community. If
volunteer work is important to you,
find a religious community that
has programs for soup kitchens,
homeless shelters or even local
parks.
Were you comfortable sitting in the
church or were you itching to leave?
Did the pastor hold your attention or
were you bored?
Knowing your values will help you
select the right church. Worship and
spirituality are deeply personal.
Sometimes different family members
may attend different churches.
If you feel the presence of God in the
church youve chosen, then you have
made the right decision.

Knowing your values will help you select the right church.

Places to Worship

April 1, 2015 3

Places to Worship

4 April 1, 2015

Create Religious

Easter Traditions

Easter is on the way, and practicing

Christians across the globe have
spent the Lenten season preparing
for the day when they celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent is
a season best spent in the company
of close friends and family, and
the following are a few ways for
Christians to celebrate their faith
in the weeks leading up to Easter
Sunday.

Give Easter Eggs a Different

Meaning.
Easter eggs are popular among
youngsters, and that popularity can
be used to teach kids about their
faith. Eggs are frequently viewed
as a symbol of new life, so parents
can use them to show their children
how Christ died and was born anew.
Eggs can be filled with small items

that symbolize something related

to Christs story. Or they can be left
empty to represent the empty tomb
after His resurrection.

Eat Food that Conveys

Biblical Stories.
For Easter dinner, enjoy foods that
are mentioned in the Bible. A fish
dinner can convey the story of how
Jesus multiplied fish to feed the
crowds, or dine on lamb and share
the story of Passover.

Participate in Church
Services.
Throughout Lent, many parishes
offer Easter vigils or specialized
services that relate the account of
Jesus life and subsequent death
on the cross. Some churches may
recreate realistic stations of the
...cont. on pg 6

S.T.A.R.S. Preschool
SHILOH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Seeking Together and Reaching Success

Our focus is on social and
spiritual development
Ages 2-5

The Small Church with a Big Heart

Sunday School 10:00 AM Worship Service 11:00 AM
Pastor Greg Hamilton

205-913-3670

4149 Odell School Road Concord, NC

www.shilohconcord.org info@shilohconcord.org

SUMMER CAMP
For ages 2-4th grade.

Contact Anne Dehlin at 704-707-1172

or anne.dehlin@mycrossroads.co
Located in Crossroads Church
on George Liles Pkwy, Concord

Places to Worship

April 1, 2015 5

St. Johns Reformed Church

Places to Worship

"We're saving a seat for you"

704.788.9211
4284 Orphanage Rd., Concord
www.HarvestConcord.org

April 1, 2015 7

8 April 1, 2015

Places to Worship
These days, lifes focus is often on
consumerism -- from the latest
gadgets to keeping up with the
Joneses.
Whatever your religious beliefs, you
may be looking for ways to find more
meaning in your life.
Here are three ways to possibly find
that enlightenment:

Three Ways to

Incorporate
Spirituality

in Everyday Life.
Walking humbly with God, showing the kindness of Jesus, receiving the Spirits comfort

Family Time
Spend some quality time with
family or close friends. Turn off the
TV. Ignore your latest text message.
Whether its over a delicious meal
or on a long walk, giving your loved
ones your undivided attention can
bring you closer together.

Volunteer

but if you do a little searching in

your calendar, you may be able
to find some time to set aside
for a volunteer project that helps
you connect with others in your
community.

Be Introspective
There is plenty of great literature
available that can help you explore
your own spirituality.
From spending time with others to
spending some time with yourself,
you can give your daily routine more
meaning.
-StatePoint

You may be looking

for ways to find more
meaning in your life.

You may have a packed schedule,

Sunday School am
Sunday Morning Worship
Service am
Sunday Evening Worship
pm
Wednesday Evening Word
of Life Hour pm
Baptist Men
Baptist Women
Puppets
Youth Group
Happy Hearts Seniors

Coldwater
Baptist
Church
Union Street South
Concord NC

Rev Jim Posey Pastor

Church Office

Church and
Fellowship Building

Coldwater Baptist Church is the
oldest Baptist Church in Cabarrus
County dating back to
when WelshEnglish Baptists
settled near Coldwater Creek

wwwcoldwaterbaptistchurchcom and Facebook coldwaterbaptistchurch

Places to Worship

April 1, 2015 9

Saint James The Greater Catholic Church

139 Manor Ave. SW Concord, NC

Mass Schedule
Daily
Monday - 7pm Novena Mass
Tuesday - Saturday 8am
(The First Friday of every month is at 11am)
Saturday - 5pm - Vigil
7pm - Spanish
Sunday - 8am
10 am - Childrens Mass
11:30 am
1:30 pm - Spanish
5pm - Teen Mass

Reconciliation
Saturday - 2 pm - 4pm

704-720-0600

www.saintjamescatholic.org

Seeking, Serving, WorshipingJesus Christ

We believe a relationship with Christ is a
lifelong journey which becomes the foundation
of who you are and the basis for how you serve
others. Our mission of Seeking, Serving, and
Worshiping Jesus Christ is the road map for
your Christian journey.

Sunday Schedule

Sunday School9:30am
Worship.10:30am

Place where you can belong

1020 Kansas Street
Kannapolis, NC 28083

Check us out on the web: www.royaloaksumc.org

10 April 1, 2015

Places to Worship

STORING YOUR

RELIGIOUS DOCUMENTS
IN A SAFE PLACE

Maintaining good records can be

beneficial in a variety of ways. People
sometimes have a need to consult
important paperwork, such as birth
certificates, social security cards
and mortgage contracts, and the
ability to organize such documents
effectively can make it easier to
handle those situations when these
records are needed. Important
documents should be kept in a safe,
easily accessible place, and the
same can be said for educational
documents and religious certificates.
Parents need to access their kids
records during Communion and
Confirmation season. Completing
early sacraments is often a
prerequisite to participating in those
that come later in life. Catholic
children who do not attend a

Catholic school will need to be

enrolled in faith formation classes
in order to receive Holy Communion
or to be confirmed in the church. In
addition, they will need to provide
proof that they are practicing
members of the faith. For example,
many churches and religious
educational organizations require
copies of baptismal certificates for
children to be eligible to receive
the sacraments of Reconciliation,
Communion and Confirmation. These
same certificates may be necessary
later in life as well, most notably
when men and women want to get
married in a church.
Parents may want to store their kids
religious documents in a folder. This
makes it easier when kids become
adults and must prove that they
...cont. on pg 11

Kimball

A church with a heart!

Making disciples for 100 years.

WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS
8:30am (blended/contemporary),
11am (traditional)
10am combined on 5th Sunday in a month.

Places to Worship

April 1, 2015 11

...cont. from pg 10
have completed the sacraments.
Keep these items in a secure place,
such as a home safe or in a safety
deposit box. If these documents are
lost and need to be replaced, it can
take time to contact the parish or
church where sacraments took place.
Godparents or those serving as
Confirmation sponsors may also
need to produce certain documents.
Churches typically require
documentation from godparents
and sponsors to verify that they
are practicing members of the faith
and will guide the children they are
sponsoring accordingly. Sponsors
may find they will need to provide
a letter from a pastor or priest
verifying their attendance at church
and status as an active participant.
Copies of sacramental certificates

may also be required. Knowing these

requirements in advance helps
everyone participating in sacraments
to be prepared for what is expected
of them during this religious journey.
-Metro Creative Connection

Keep these items in a

secure place, such as a
home safe or in a
safety deposit box.

Worship Service
Sunday 10:00am
Gem Theatre Kannapolis, NC

Disciples of Jesus
reaching out spreading hope
www.journeyktown.com

Places to Worship

12 April 1, 2015

Christians make up one

of the largest religious
sects of the world.

Did You

Know?

Christianity has expanded

considerably since the religion was
established from the teachings
of Jesus Christ. According to the
Catholic Education Resource
Center and information from the
International Bulletin of Missionary
Research, there were roughly 558
million Christians in the world in
1900.

Almost half of all Christians live in

the United States, Brazil, Mexico,
Russia, or Germany. There are also
large groups living in the Philippines,
China and Nigeria.
-Metro Creative Connection

Currently, there are approximately

2.2 billion Christians. Half of
all the worlds Christians are
Catholics, while the next largest
sect of Christians belongs to
denominationally unaffiliated
independent churches that boast
some 400 million members.

Sharon Baptist Church

Dr. James Strickland, Pastor

SUNDAY
Sunday School 9:45am
Morning Worship 10:45am
Evening Worship 6:00pm

WEDNESDAY
Bible Study 7:00pm

2628 Shady Lane Avenue

Winecoff School Community Concord
704.782.9753

Mt Olivet United Methodist Church

301 Mount Olivet Rd, Concord, NC 704-782-8846
Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors
Sunday Schedule: 8:45 am Early Worship Service
9:45 am Sunday School
11:00 am Traditional Worship Service
Wednesday: 6:00 pm Bible Study for ALL Ages
Friday: 10:00 am 2:00 pm Heavenly Hot Dogs

www.mtochurch.com
Reverend Cheryl Skinner

Places to Worship

BAKE
Your Own

COMMUNION

BREAD

The Holy Eucharist is at the heart

of Christian mass. The sharing of
the Eucharist is reminiscent of the
words and actions of Jesus Christ
during the Last Supper on the eve of
his crucifixion. Christ instructed his
disciples to break bread and enjoy
wine, which would represent his own
body and blood, shed for all so sins
would be forgiven. Centuries later,
Christians still gather to share in the
miracle and ultimate sacrifice that is
the taking of bread and wine.
Communion bread varies depending
on the parish and the sect of
Christianity. In many cases, the
Eucharist is unleavened bread,
similar to a cracker or a matzo.
Although, leavened bread has
been known to be used at certain
services. Communion recipients
may be given individual wafers of
bread or be asked to break slivers

April 1, 2015 13

from a communal piece. Wine can

be poured into individual cups, but
is most often sipped from a group
chalice.
Roman Catholics do not believe that
the bread and wine offered at mass
is symbolic of Jesus Christ. They
firmly believe that it turns into His
very own body and blood during the
transubstantiation.
Churches receive the Eucharistic
bread and wine from church
approved sources to be used in
their masses. However, celebrants
who would like to create their own
variations of unblessed Communion
bread at home can explore a variety
of recipes. The following is a simple
bread recipe, which can also be
used for Communion parties, Easter
and other religious celebrations.

Family of Faith

Communion Bread
Ingredients:

11/2 cups flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 tablespoons baking soda
3 tablespoons shortening
3 tablespoons honey
3/4 cup water

Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients. Cut in
shortening. Add honey, then water.
Mix by hand. Knead for a bit. Divide
and roll into 4 balls and flatten. Cut
a shallow cross through the top.
Bake for 10 minutes at 350o F on
a cookie sheet. Allow to cool and
enjoy.
-Metro Creative Connection

Our Village Church

Lutheran Church

OVC3

Serving Christ through Community

Come experience our diverse
family atmosphere,
with a contemporary

Sunday Worship 10:30am

Warm, Casual Worship Experience

All are Welcome!

Worship Service @8:45 am

Outreach Focused
Adult Fellowship Group
A small church with a big heart...
Come make our Family YOUR Family!

www.ovc3.com

For More Information:

www.familyoffaithlutheran.org
(704) 782-0671

Find us on Facebook!
Family of Faith Lutheran Church

A Shared Facility Located at

240 Pitts School Road NW | Concord, NC

14 April 1, 2015

Places to Worship
Come late winter,
diners may notice more
meat-free selections
available on
restaurant menus.
Thats thanks to the Lenten season
that precedes Easter Sunday. During
Lent, Christians traditionally abstain
from eating meat on Fridays. Lent is
an ideal time for men and women
looking to get healthier to include
more vegetables, whole grains and
seafood in their diets.

Meat-Free Meals

for this Lenten Season

New Hope Lutheran Church ELCA

decreases the risk of abnormal

heartbeats, which can lead to sudden
cardiac death.
Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease
triglyceride levels, slow the growth
rate of atherosclerotic plaque and
lower blood pressure.
-Metro Creative Connection

Try substituting ground beef with tofu,

and incorporate vegetables where
meat may be used. For example,
layer lasagna with slices of zucchini
instead of filling it with sausage.
Plus, eat more fish. Research shows
that fish high in omega-3 fatty acids

GOOD SHEPHERD MINISTRY

1615 Brantley Road

Kannapolis, NC 28083
704-932-3716
newhopelutheran@windstream.net
www.livinginnewhope.org

SUNDAY:

North Carolina ELCA Synod Initiative

Forward Together in Christ in Community

A community of Jesus Christ centered upon prayer, outreach,

worship, learning and fellowship

WEDNESDAY:

Sunday School 9:00 am Worship 10:00 am

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts Wednesday 7:00 pm

Joyful Morning Womens Circle 1st Wednesday 11:30 am
Free Hot Dog Lunch 1st Saturday 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
School Snack Pack Program 2nd Sunday
Good Timers 2nd Tuesday 11:30 am
Noisy Bucket 3rd Sunday for Community Outreach
Faith Womens Circle 3rd Monday 7:00 pm
Theology on Tap 3rd Thursday Logans 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings Tuesday and Friday 7:30 pm

All Welcome to Come and Worship With Us

Good Shepherd Ministry, IAOGI

282 ChurCh Street Ne CoNCord

16 April 1, 2015

Places to Worship