A Note from the Pastor Let me be real frank with you. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means that Christmas is not far behind. Advent, one of the least appreciated liturgical seasons on the Christian calendar, is going to get the squeeze, again. We will all be singing Christmas carols and exchanging gifts before you know it! But before all that happens, there is an important and unifying end-note to this tune we have all been dancing to for the past year. There is a concluding shibboleth (a clue, or password) to the Christian year - and it is a significant one. You might even say it is vitally important, because, in this choose-your-own-adventure story, your next move matters. In this coming year, your faith journey will either be a scratchy repeat of previous cycles OR it will be something new and fresh and full of miracle. This is the ongoing story of God's people. On November 21st (Christ the King Sunday), I will be preaching on Jeremiah 29:11. It is one of my all-time favorite Bible verses and it has inspired our Stewardship campaign for the coming year. This Sunday (11/14), I am going to be setting the stage for that text... getting us all on the same page. Looking back over the course of the past year, I realize that I am so very grateful for this congregation and the work we are called to do. Blessings,   Pastor David Ps. Our anti-racism study group is meeting after worship this Sunday. There is still time to join, if you are interested. Contact me ASAP for this month's short reading assignment.

COVENANT OF CARE By attending worship or other events in-person at FPCR, you are agreeing to a covenant of care which includes adherence to all of the stated protocols (masks, social distancing, etc.) and self-screening for COVID symptoms before choosing to attend in-person activity on the church's campus. We want to do our part to help keep all attendees healthy and safe. It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that the protocols are being followed on campus at FPCR.

Wed, Nov 10 Sometimers: 8 am Sew & Tell: 12:30 FH Handbell Rehearsal: 5:45 pm Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm Thurs, Nov 11 - Veteran's Day Tai Chi: 10 am, FH Evening Circle: 6 pm, Library Sun, Nov 14 Nursery: 9 am, Infants - Kindergarten Adult Sunday School - Coffee Class, in-person & Zoom: 9 am, Rm A111 Adult Sunday School - Present Word, 9 am, Rm A109 Children's Sunday School Outdoors: 9:15 - 10 am Worship in-person and on YouTube: 10:30 am Book Club: 5 pm, Library Young Adult Ministry: 5:30 pm, UKirk Dinner & Worship at SMU

VETERANS DAY Thursday, November 11 Remember to thank a veteran for their service and sacrifice.

CONGRATULATIONS Rosy & Jay!!

Thank you to all who came to Rosy's Watch Party this past Saturday and to all who watched from home. We had a wonderful time celebrating with them!

Congratulations to Noah Clayton, grandson of Bill and Shirley Latham, who graduated from Memorial Park Academy/J.J. Pearce High School on Friday, October 29.  Memorial Park is a program of the RISD that allows a student to work at his own pace and Noah's pace just happened to be fast enough to allow him to graduate in October rather than May. He plans to start junior college in January and continue to work part-time.

Our prayers of sympathy and support are extended to the family and friends of: Don Morgan, who died October 30, 2021  Hailey Perkins, who died November 6, 2021

We have several special 90+ birthdays this month! Alberta Hammond celebrating her 91st birthday on Nov 3 Lynne Kraus celebrating her 90th birthday on Nov 3 Kathi Thompson celebrating her 90th birthday on Nov 14 Mary Phillips celebrating her 92nd birthday on Nov 19 Marianne Graswich celebrating her 96th birthday Nov 24 Bob Grimes celebrating his 94th birthday on Nov 28 If you know of a member that is celebrating a 90+ birthday that's not listed, please contact Lisa.

FAMILY ADVENT FELLOWSHIP Sunday, November 28 3:00 to 5:00 pm   Families with toddler, preschool, and elementary children or grandchildren are invited to gather for afternoon fellowship and fun as we begin the 2021 Advent and Christmas journey on the first Sunday of Advent! This gathering of families will be indoors, with masks required for age two and above.   After a photo “booth” in the Welcome Center for your child(ren)’s annual FPCR photo ornament, your family can travel through “socially distanced” craft and activity stations in Ernst Fellowship Hall. We’ll send you home with a tasty treat, and your family’s own copy of “Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas: 100 Ways to Make the Season Sacred” (by Traci Smith). We look forward to seeking God’s hope, peace, joy, and love as we travel together!   Please RSVP by clicking here.

That wonderful time of the year is almost here!   Help make a happier Christmas for children in need.   Visit our Angel Tree in the Narthex to adopt an angel! Contact Robin Smith, 214.405.3053, robinsclee@yahoo.com OR Eva Waldrop, 214.403.6605, eawaldrop@att.net.  Gifts are due by Sunday, Dec. 5.

NURSERY OPENING! Beginning on Nov. 14, the nursery will be open on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:00 am. Gilli, Carrie, and Vicky look forward to welcoming infants through Kindergartners to the nursery after a long hiatus.   In order to minimize risk for COVID19, nursery staff and participants are covenanting to take the following precautions: All nursery staff are fully vaccinated and will be masked at all times. Children aged 2 and up are required to wear a mask in the nursery at all times.  Parents/Guardians will need to screen their child(ren) for COVID19 symptoms before coming to church. If your child is showing any signs of COVID19 symptoms, we ask that you keep them at home that day. Nursery staff will take your child's temperature upon arrival. Capacity is limited to 5 children. You must register your child for the nursery ahead of time (more details below). No "walk-in's" will be allowed into the nursery at this time.    How will registration work? You can register your child for the following Sunday by clicking here. Registration for the following Sunday opens at 10:30 am on the Sunday prior. The registration deadline is Thursday. Your child's registration will be confirmed in an email to parents/guardians on Friday.   We will be monitoring local health data, precautions, and vaccine availability and will communicate any changes.    If you have any questions, please be in touch with Gilli Smith: gilliansmith317@gmail.com, 214-288-2933.   We look forward to welcoming our youngest disciples back to the nursery!

THESE DAYS Daily Devotionals We have been unable to receive these wonderful daily devotionals this quarter. However we do have a link to read them online through November. Click here for the online version.

CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FPCR For giving and pledges, click the link below or mail your offerings. If you use a bank auto-draft for any pledges or giving to FPCR, be sure to update our new address with your bank.   First Presbyterian Church PO Box 831985 Richardson, TX 75083

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR Please remember to wear a mask when in the church for any reason. Just another way to love your neighbor!

For those who are so generously bringing their Network food donations to church on Sunday, here is some special information. Network, as so many other groups, are having supply chain issues and aren't receiving items they normally receive. Many are items we already give, but these are the high need items right now. We will continue to keep you posted as their specific needs change. And remember, if you don't want to lug your donations in to the church, we are still under the porte cochere on the 3rd Thursday of the month. The next food drive is November 18th.   They are in special need of: breakfast items  baking supplies, snacks (chips, crackers, nuts, etc.)  hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc.)  pet food  Please drop off food items at the FPCR drive-thru food drive - 3rd and 5th Thursday of every month OR Items may be dropped off on Sundays in the shopping cart labeled "Network Donations" located in the Welcome Center.

Zoom Meetings & Sunday School Classes

Coffee Class Sunday School In-person & Zoom Sunday - 9 am Register here Meeting ID: 820 9420 9105 Passcode: 340615 Discussion on Christian living using the DVD series “Living the Questions". Present Word Sunday School Sunday - 9 am In the fall quarter, using Old and New Testament passages, we will review acts of worship and praise that celebrate who God is and what God has done for God's people, so that you will better appreciate and celebrate God's presence in this world. Join us! Pastors' Bible Study Tuesday - 4 pm Register here

Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Please ring the doorbell at Door C. We ask that everyone wear a mask and social distance while in the building.

Below are extension numbers for the staff should you need to contact the office at 972.235.2316: Lisa - 221 Shirley/Financial - 227 Ralph - 248 Rosy - 230 David - 237

EASY WAYS YOUR SHOPPING CAN BENEFIT FPCR Just a reminder that your regular shopping can benefit FPCR!! When shopping at AmazonSmile.com, Kroger or Tom Thumb you can designate FPCR as your preferred charitable organization and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the church!

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If you would like to receive any of the following, please email lisa@fpcrichardson.org: FPCR DIRECTORY Request a copy via email or regular mail. THESE DAYS DEVOTIONALS Request a quarterly copy by mail. DAILY ENCOURAGEMENTS These short emails are a great way to start your day! PRAYER CONCERNS LIST Updated prayer list emailed each week. MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION If you are currently not a member and would like more information on membership.

Session Members Class of 2022 Katie Haun Black Shirley Latham Kathy Rice Class of 2023 John Fattaruso Ben Niewenhuis Sarah Wright Class of 2024 Jo Bowen Dianne Long Jan Warner

Session Meeting Dates November 21 December 11 (Saturday morning)

Calling all Pray-ers!

Front Line Healthcare Workers Treating COVID-19 Patients   Marcia Franzen (daughter of Beverly & Marty Gallagher) - nurse on COVID-19 ward in Stockholm Ally Stilwell (Pastor Rosy's best friend) - infectious diseases pharmacist in Brooklyn, NY Jack & Tracy Childress (Lisa Carter's brother & sister-in-law) - ER doctor and nurse in Gainesville/Denison Bekah Leon (Colleen Oates' niece) - ER nurse in Wilmington, DE Morgan James (Jenny's husband) - RN at Children's Medical. Karen Scott (Charlie Bross' daughter) - Speech Therapist in a nursing home COVID unit Lily Agwe - Healthcare First Responder, Highland Springs,TX