A Note from the Pastor Thank you for your prayers while I was away on study leave in Israel/Palestine the past few weeks. It was an incredible gift to take part in this trip with my ecumenical clergy cohort through the Ministry Collaborative (a group of 12 clergy I've met with monthly over the last 4 years). I feel as though I have lots left to continue processing and reflecting upon in the days to come, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon! One day we visited a baptismal site on the Jordan River (it's probably near to where Jesus was baptized, but not "the place"). Our group gathered in a circle at the river's edge with water up to our ankles. We read Mark's story of Jesus' baptism. Then we prayed, sang, and took a few moments to remember our baptisms. One by one, we dipped our hands in the water and drew a cross on the forehead of the person next to us. As we drew the cross, we'd say: "You are marked by God's love, and you are sent back into the wilderness." Back into the wilderness... in many ways, the world we live in today feels much like a wilderness. There's no shortage of conflict, division, injustice, and suffering. And yet in the midst of that wilderness, we're marked by God's love. What would the wildernesses we experience be like if we remembered whose and who we are? God's beloved children. What if we approached the wilderness with intentions to share God's love in that setting? What does it mean for us to be marked by God's love? Perhaps you're experiencing a wilderness of your own this week. Remember that you are marked by God's love, and that God is with you in the wilderness. And if you're not in the wilderness, may you be the voice of love alongside those who are.  With love, Pastor Rosy

COVENANT OF CARE Remember: by attending worship or other events in-person at FPCR, you are agreeing to a covenant of care which includes self-screening for COVID symptoms before choosing to attend in-person activities. Masks are optional but recommended. We have members that are continuing to wear masks, due to health concerns or out of care for others. Please respect the decisions and personal space of others as you attend FPCR.

You all have been amazing bringing spaghetti sauce and pasta, canned chicken and tuna, easy box meals like hamburger helper, cooking oil and pancake mix, cereal and granola bars, sugar and flour, toothbrushes and toothpaste, diapers and paper goods. Particularly for summer months you've brought peanut butter and jelly, pop topped kid-friendly meals, mac and cheese, granola bars, applesauce cups, oatmeal and healthy snack choices. The Mission Ministry and folks at Network can't thank you enough for helping our neighbors.   Instead of bringing contributions to our 3rd and 5th Thursday drive through food drop-offs, now bring your contributions weekly for the tiny theologians to gather during worship and learn to share with our neighbors. And the need definitely goes on! Please, please continue to bring your contributions! You can also drop off your donations in the baskets by the office anytime Monday through Thursday from 9 am until 4 pm. If you have large food donations or don't feel comfortable bringing items to the church, call Sharon Relyea at 972-740-6188 or Gene Lormor at 214-912-8197 and we will come by and pick them up. Bob and I have enjoyed collecting your contributions for the last 18 months under the porte cochere and Gene is eager to get back to loading his car and taking FPCR's contributions to Network as he's done for many years.

Thank you to those who have volunteered to help with the coffee bar! We are still looking for volunteers to make coffee for the 4th Sunday of the month. Contact Jan Warner for more info.

STEWARDSHIP AT FPCR For giving and pledges, click the link 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

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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TEMPORARY OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 9 am - 4 pm Please ring the doorbell at Door C. Masks are optional but recommended.

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

FPCR Session Members Class of 2023 John Fattaruso Ben Niewenhuis Sarah Wright Class of 2024 Jo Bowen Dianne Long Jan Warner Class of 2025 Liz Bross Mike Haun Robin Smith Rev. David Schaefers - Moderator Rev. Rosy Robson McCreary - VM Margaret Wright - Clerk

Session Meeting Dates May 15 June 26 No stated meeting in July August 21 September 18 October 16 November 20 December 10 (Saturday morning)

Calling all Pray-ers!

PRAYER REQUESTS FROM SESSION For new staff positions and those involved in the interviewing process For FPCR staff as it faces upcoming changes For the USA as it approaches 1,000,000 Covid deaths For those affected by the war in Ukraine For refugees everywhere For safe travel for Pastor Rosy - while she is in Israel/Palestine For the columbarium committee as they begin their work 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

Wednesday, May 11 Sometimers, 8:00 am Handbell Rehearsal: 5:45 pm Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm Thurs, May 12 Art Therapy: 10 am, C113 CCE Meeting: 10 am, Library Tai Chi: 10 am, FH Evening Circle: 6 pm, Linda Yeager's home PCC Board: 7:30 pm, FH Sun, May 15 Nursery: 9 am, Infants - Kindergarten Adult Sunday School Coffee Class: 9 am, Rm A111 Children’s Sunday School: 9 am Elementary (K-3rd) Sunday School: Heritage Hall Tweens (4-6) Sunday School HYBRID: Room 6 or Zoom Worship in-person, YouTube and Facebook: 10:30 am Grace Community Presbyterian Fellowship: 4:30 pm, Chapel Book Club: 5 pm, Jan Warner's home Monday, May 16 Bob Puig Memorial Service & Reception: 11 am Tuesday, May 17 Staff Meeting: 11 am, Library Pastor's Bible Study: 4 pm