Hello First Presbyterian Church,

Each Sunday in worship, we say together an affirmation of faith. This is an opportunity for us to both remember and tell the world who we are, what we believe, and how we should live according to God's Word. This coming Sunday, our affirmation of faith will feature a portion of the Belhar Confession, which includes the following statement: We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells.

As you discern you and your family's pledge for 2023, consider how FPCR nurtures Christ's message of reconciliation and lives into being the salt of the earth and light of the world through our shared witness together. 

On Sunday, we will celebrate being church together as we dedicate pledges in worship and fellowship over a delicious meal afterwards (be sure to RSVP using the link below!). 

Looking forward to worshipping and witnessing with YOU!

Peace,

Pastor Rosy

Wednesday,November 9

• Sometimers: 8:00 am
• Handbell Rehearsal: 5:50 pm
• Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm

Thursday, November 10

• Tai Chi: 10:00 am, FH
• Evening Circle: 6:00 pm, Library

Sunday, November 13- Stewardship Celebration

• Nursery: 9:00 am, Infants - Kindergarten
• Adult Sunday School Coffee Class: 9:00 am, Rm A111
• Children's Sunday School: 9:00 am
• Joyful Noises with Children: 10:00 am, Music Room
• Worship in-person, YouTube and Facebook: 10:30 am
• Stewardship Celebration Lunch: 12:00 pm RSVP HERE
• Grace Community Presbyterian Fellowship: 1:00 pm, Chapel
• Book Club: 5:00 pm, Library

Monday, November 14

• Faith Sharing: 1:00 pm, Library

Tuesday, November 15

• Tuesday Morning Prayer Group: 6:30 am, by Phone (Call Robin Smith if interested)
• Tuesday Morning Bible Study: 10:00 am, Library
• Staff Meeting: 11:00 am, Conference Room
• Pastor's Bible Study: 4:00 pm, Zoom

Wednesday, November 16

• Sometimers: 8:00 am
• Handbell Rehearsal: 5:50 pm
• Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm

*Events listed in blue indicate that one of our Community Partners is using our facilities.

Dear Saints of FPC,

Thank you for your many lovely comments regarding the Sanctuary Choir's anthem for All Saints' Sunday. Video footage of that performance is linked below to view and share as you'd like.



Philip Stopford - Do Not Be Afraid 

Grace and Peace,

Ralph

November 2022

Your Session is so grateful for the many ways you live out your faith in this place:  

For the preparation and help you provided for the Grace Presbytery meeting held at FPC-R on September 22.  The cleanup crew had us looking sharp—special thanks to Lowell Long, Bob & Sharon Relyea, Howard Kent and Brian Tanzola for heading up the window washing.  The volunteers at the meeting were friendly faces directing visitors, checking them in, babysitting, and feeding them.  Thanks to Jo & Steve Bowen, Robin Smith, Jeanne Stone, Doug Anderson, Randy Phillips, Lowell & Dianne Long, and Amber Tietze.

Our members also staffed a booth at the Asian American Culture Festival on September 10th at DFW Chinatown (the shopping center just across LaSalle from us).  Steve Bowen, Jeanne Stone, Jane Chien, and Jan Warner handed out water bottles, a peace prayer card, and information about Tai-Chi classes, and K.C. Chang greeted friends in the crowd (and there was a huge crowd!) 

We appreciate the work of Jeanne Stone & Jan Warner for Wednesday night dinners; Paddy Nichols for his work with YAMs; Debbie Rowley & Linda Yeager for leading the morning & evening circles, and to Steve Bowen for his faithful service as head usher. 

We are the thankful recipients of the 2022 distribution from the estate of Sanford Mitchell.  Speaking of finances, Treasurer Bob Wright has assembled a finance committee (Miriam Durrett, Janice Fandrick, Laura Nichols, Rick Rickman) to begin working on the 2023 budget.  The Session is spending time discerning the staffing needs for 2023.  Watch for more information as a part of stewardship & budget season.



In other news bits:  Plans are underway for a Session retreat in early 2023.  Funds were approved for new mulch on the playground, and we are investigating the source of the roof leaks in the chancel area.  Session spent time discerning what we want to see happen in 2023 and addressing some of the ideas raised during the Brainstorming Brigade.  We expect that process to be ongoing!

Last Friday, we had a wonderful team of volunteers put together a breakfast delivery for the teachers of Richardson Terrace Elementary. Special thanks go out to Becky, Jeanne, Miriam, Judy, Sharon, Robin, Penny, Jan, Linda, Eva, and Laurie, for your efforts in organizing and preparing this wonderful treat for our local teachers! 

Network's Educator's Pantry is running low on snacks for students, and we need your help to refill it! We want to make sure that every student has access to brain food and no one has to struggle in class because they're hungry. You can make a difference by helping to keep this program stocked!

If you'd like to help a student in need, you can donate snacks at 1500 International Parkway, or donate via our Educators' Pantry Amazon wish list at https://amzn.to/3bWOzbv. We will also accept donations during worship on Sunday!

Session Meeting Dates

November 20

December 10 (Saturday morning)