A Note from the Pastor I want to take a moment to thank a few folks. The Session, the COVID19 Task Force, and the Livestreaming Task force have been hard at work for several weeks as we navigate the number of logistical issues that surround reopening to in-person gatherings, while still maintaining our online presence. This is hard, behind the scenes work - and I am so thankful for the members of our congregation that are tackling it head-on. In the coming weeks, we plan to communicate our next steps with the congregation. Stay tuned! In the meantime, it would be very helpful in planning our next steps if we could know how many in our congregation have been vaccinated for COVID19. If you would like to voluntarily disclose that information, please contact Lisa Carter. Her email is lisa@fpcrichardson.org. May the peace of Christ be with you! Pastor David P.S. We have two food drives this month. The first is this Thursday. Yesterday I received a notification from the NETWORK that we donated 10,829 pounds of food last year. That is amazing!

Thurs, April 15 Drive-thru Food Drive: 9:30 - 11:30 am Sun, April 18 Adult Sunday School class via Zoom: 9 am Fellowship Coffee Hour via Zoom: 9:30 am Elementary & Tween Sunday School Class: 9:30 am Worship via Facebook: 10:30 am Session Meeting following worship Tues, April 20 Pastors' Bible Study via Zoom: 5 pm. Register here. Thurs, April 29 Drive-thru Food Drive: 9:30 - 11:30 am

Zoom Meetings & Sunday School Classes

Present Word Sunday School Prophets in Pajamas Sunday - 9 am Register here, Download lesson Forget the message of current street corner prophets. Join us this quarter as we study some of the courageous Old Testament prophets who made a difference in the lives of so many by delivering authentic messages of repentance and hope and speaking truth to power in the process. FPCR Fellowship Coffee Hour Sunday - 9:30 am Join here Children's Sunday School for Elementary & Tweens Sunday - 9:30 am Register in advance here. (You will receive a confirmation email with information for the meeting.) Classes will meet April 11 - May 23. Pastors' Bible Study Tuesday - 5 pm Register here

We have some extra special birthdays to celebrate this month! Virginia Maupin Celebrating her 97th birthday on April 2 Euna Rue Brady Celebrating her 96th birthday on April 14

Our prayers of sympathy and support are extended to:   Miriam Durrett and family at the passing of Miriam’s mother-in-law, Henrietta Durrett. The Hamaker family at the passing of Elsie on April 8, 2021.

ARTS ALIVE! Earth Day in the Park Thursday, April 22 10 am - 12 pm TAKE A MORNING AND MEET US:  Richardson's Huffhines Park in the Pavilion on the north side. Arts Alive! will be there with a very creative/fun selection of wooden birdhouses ready to paint. Bring a friend if you wish? Just let us know you're coming so we have enough supplies.    Wear a mask, bring a drink, and a lawn chair if you wish. Not feeling crafty? We'd still love to see you, so swing by to say Hi & check out the fun! Contact info - Linda Yeager, 214-284-8539, lindafyeager41@gmail.com

We had a wonderful Lunch & Learn last Sunday featuring Rev. Jessie Light-Wells and the story of one of FPCR's newest mission partners, UKirk SMU, the new campus ministry she leads. If you missed it, click here to watch.

EARTH DAY Thursday, April 22 Ways to celebrate Earth Day: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse  Walk, BIke, Carpool Check out Earth Day on EarthX, click here Avoid using plastic water bottles and plastic straws Visit the Native Land app Get involved in gardening Pick up some litter Paint a birdhouse Sing a song, say a prayer for God’s creation!!!

SCHOLARSHIPS JW Campbell Scholarship Due Date: Monday, June 14, 2021 JW Campbell Scholarships are available to any FPC member enrolling in college, trade or technical school for the Fall semester of 2021.  Click here for more information. Information is also available on the church website: www:fpcrichardson.org Application forms, including transcripts, must be returned to: kathy.hammontree@gmail.com no later than Monday, June 14, 2021.  Applications will be considered by the Special Gifts Committee and all applicants will receive a notification letter by the end of July 2021.  Mitchel/Tufts Scholarship Due Date: Friday, April 16, 2021 Another great scholarship opportunity is the Mitchel/Tufts Scholarship through the Dallas Foundation. This scholarship was created by the family of our beloved Sanford Mitchell upon his passing. This is for a $1000 to $5000 scholarship with preference given to kids from our church and Sanford's LA church. Click here for more information and follow the link to the Michel/Tufts Scholarship.

Network is currently in need of the following:   Fresh Produce, Baking Goods (Flour, Sugar, Cooking Oil, pre-made mixes such as Bisquik and Jiffy), Canned Fruit (any variety), Jelly, Jams, and Spreads, Peanut Butter, Canned Meat (chicken, chili, tuna, etc.), Canned Meals (ravioli, spaghetti o’s, etc.), Canned Pasta, Box Meals, Mac and Cheese, Green Beans, Bottled Water (for volunteers) Hygiene Products (soap, shampoo, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, facial tissues, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies), Paper Towels, Bleach. Network is also in need of: new men's, women's and children's underwear, infant socks. Please drop off items at the next FPCR drive-thru food drive - Thurs, April 15 & 29.

CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FPCR   If you have not made a pledge for 2021, you still can!

Even though our 2021 stewardship campaign has come to an end, there is always an opportunity to submit a pledge. Click here to complete an annual estimate of giving today.  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

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 Meeting Dates April 18 May 16 June 20 July 18 (if needed) August 15 September 19 October 17 November 21 December 11 (Saturday morning)

Calling all Pray-ers!

TEACHERS FOR THE  2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR   Recognizing the unusual and demanding challenges teachers face this school year because of COVID, we want to identify and pray for FPCR members (or family members) who are teaching this year. Our developing list of names is below. Please lift them in your prayers and email any additions to Lisa@fpcrichardson.org. Charlie Anderson - RISD (Latin) Judy Bozone - Texas A&M Commerce (Music Theory) Sarah Mathieu Burdick - Lamplighter School (Pre-K) Josh Carter (Lisa's son) - Dallas College (Game Technology)  Kathy Crouch (Howard Kent's daughter) - RISD (Elementary) Mary Mathieu Farrington - RISD (Counselor) John Fattaruso - SMU (Physics) Andy Forisha - United States Naval Academy (Math) Kate Forisha - Plano ISD (Administrator) Stephen Forisha - Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD (Math) Nancy Freeman - Mesquite ISD (Science) Katie Gassensmith - Frisco ISD (Music) Wayne Geyer - Texas A&M Commerce Graduate Assistant Lyna Colbaugh Gonzalez - RISD (Librarian) Julia Haun - UTD (Interdisciplinary Studies) David Hughes - Frisco ISD (Math) Jessica Fandrick Kirkland - Allen ISD (3rd Grade) Valerie Lormor - Austin ISD (Kindergarten) Sarah Rowley - DePauw University (History) Stefani Stewart - GISD (Special Ed) Barbara Sucher - RISD (Counselor) Shannon Talley - Dallas College, Richland Campus (Vocal Music) Sarah Wright - RISD (Substitute) Front Line Healthcare Workers Treating COVID-19 Patients   Madeline Katz (granddaughter of Suzanne Katz) - nurse on COVID-19 wing at Baylor/Dallas  Dr. Jeff Gotts (son of Ernie & Lindy Gotts) - MD in the ICU of Univ. of CA, San Francisco 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 Dr. and nurse in Gainesville 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 75083 hardson.org