A Note from the Pastor Go ahead and mark your calendar, because on May the 16th, immediately after worship, we will have a called congregational meeting over Zoom, in order to elect new ruling elders, to acknowledge graduating seniors, and to discuss the procedures and protocols in place as we move into limited in-person worship! We plan for in-person worship to begin on May 23rd. At that time, we will also continue to livestream the service to Facebook and YouTube. We will begin by allowing 50 attendees in worship, but that number will be reassessed by the Session in the following weeks. The date of May 23 was decided, in part, because that date assumes that all attendees will have had an opportunity to be fully vaccinated by the start of in-person worship services – based on the March 29 open vaccinations policy in the State of Texas.   RSVPs will be required, and more information on how to do that will be forthcoming. Stay tuned for more! Pastor David

Thurs, April 22 Arts Alive: Earth Day in the Park (see below for details) Sun, April 25 Adult Sunday School class via Zoom: 9 am Fellowship Coffee Hour via Zoom: 9:30 am Preschool/Kindergarten Gathering on FPCR lawn: 9:30 am Elementary/Tween via Zoom: 9:30 am Worship via Facebook: 10:30 am Youth Outdoor Activity - Foxboro Park: 5-7 pm Tues, April 27 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

Our prayers of sympathy and support are extended to:   The Hamaker family at the passing of Elsie on April 8, 2021. Wanda Way and the Way family at the passing of Cliff on April 17, 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

PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN GATHERING This Sunday, May 25 - 9:30 am Families with children ages 3-6 are invited to join us on the church's front lawn this Sunday, at 9:30 am. We will have a story, songs, and a fun activity. Please wear a mask and bring a picnic blanket and a stuffed animal for our Noah’s Ark story. An adult will need to stay with the child(ren) while they are here. RSVP to Laura Nichols by Friday, April 23. (laura.june.nichols@gmail.com)

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!!!

CARING MINISTRY Volunteer Opportunities The Caring Ministry is establishing a calendar for June 2021 - June 2022 for anyone that would like to provide 2 to 4 individual home-style meals. Each meal would be placed in a divided container and put in the church freezer. We hope to have two people sign the calendar for each month of the year. That will ensure the pastors will have the flexibility to provide several meals for folks that may need them on very short notice. The Caring Ministry will provide the containers and labels for you to utilize. these containers are freezer safe, microwavable, and stack easily. These are now available in the church kitchen inside a marked tote bag that reads "Ministry Meals." If you are interested in participating, please contact Jo Bowen (cell 214-793-8612, email - jojotheflamingo@yahoo.com) or Sue Pochyla (cell - 214.789-7597, email - cspocyyla@yahoo.com) by May 1 and indicate y our 1st and 2nd choice of months. We will send you a completed calendar so you will be aware of your commitment. We know that folks are appreciative of home-style meals during challenging times. It is a blessing to be able to support this ministry. Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you. Your Friends of the Caring Ministry

MISSION OPPORTUNITY Caring Fund Remember the Caring Fund? It has had some changes recently. However, the fund still provides support for Presbyterian Village North and Faith Presbyterian Hospice. The Mission Ministry wants to continue supporting this fund as many of our older members have benefited from it in past years. The Caring Fund drive goes from Mother's Day, May 9 to Father's Day, June 20. Please thoughtfully consider giving. Watch for more information in the next few weeks as to how you can give.

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 We will take a break from the Lunch & Learn on the 2nd Sunday in May for Mother's Day.

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.

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 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 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) Greg Harris (Tiffany Tanzola's fiance) - Tarrant County Comm. College (Cyber Security) 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