A Note from the Pastor I am really looking forward to this exciting weekend! We have all sorts of special activities planned (see yesterday's email) in celebration of our congregation's 150th +1 anniversary. We hope to see you on Saturday and Sunday. Don't forget to RSVP for the free boxed meal, for our congregational lunch on the lawn. And there is still time to sign up for Saturday's service projects, which will take place rain-or-shine! (Use your best judgement if you are participating in the park clean up.) Feel free to wear your blue 150th anniversary t-shirts on Saturday or Sunday! Bring a blanket for lunch on the lawn. Stay for the music! If you have not already done so, please take a minute to participate in the FPCR Family Feud Survey (found below). Your answers will be used by the Youth Group in celebration of the congregation's anniversary. Which favorite hymn will come out on top? Will macaroni and cheese take the top spot for favorite pot luck dish? We will see! Sunday, October 3, is the deadline to sign up for our new racial justice learning/action group. There has been quite a bit of interest in doing something more than another book study on this important topic. The Session is excited about this opportunity. See below for more info. And don't forget the Food Drive on Thursday morning! Since it is the fifth Thursday of the month, there is an extra opportunity to donate to the Network food pantry. See below for the most current needs. Blessings,   Pastor David Ps. A word of thanks to all who donated on North Texas Giving Day. You gave $2,091 for the Pastors' Emergency Fund at FPCR. That is a wonderful way to serve our neighbors!

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, Sept 29 Sometimers: 8 am Sew & Tell: 12:30 FH Handbell Rehearsal: 5:45 pm Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm Sat, Oct 2 150th Anniversary Service projects (see schedule below for times) Handbell Rehearsal: 9:30 am, Sanctuary Sun, Oct 3 - 150th Celebration Adult Sunday School - Coffee Class, in-person & Zoom: 9 am, Rm A111 Adult Sunday School - Present Word, 9 am, Rm A109 Handbell Rehearsal: 9:30 am, Sanctuary Heritage Sunday Worship in-person and on YouTube: 10:30 am Lunch on the lawn following service Organ recital following lunch Youth Group: 6 pm, God's Garage & FH Tues, Oct 5 Pastors' Bible Study via Zoom: 4 pm. Register here.

DRIVE-THRU FOOD DRIVE This Thursday, Sept 30 9:30 - 11:30 am Did you know we collect food and toiletries for the Network of Community Ministries on the 5th Thursday. We collect food and toiletry items on both the 3rd and 5th Thursdays.   If you attend in-person Sunday worship feel free to leave items in the shopping cart in the Welcome Center. But if you forget to bring something on Sunday or if you want to make donations from the safety of your car, then our Thursday drop-offs are the place for you!

The Women's Morning Circle will be meeting next Wednesday, Oct 6, at 9:45 in Heritage Hall. Rev Bev will be leading the lesson. Hope you can join us!

?? MISSING ITEM ?? A purple vase is missing from Rosy's shower. If one went home with you by accident, please return it to the church. Thanks!

Racial Justice Learning/Action Group You're invited!  We are excited to share that we are beginning a new group at FPCR, focusing on racial justice issues. Participation in this group will include monthly meetings where we discuss assigned resources for that month and share a meal together. This group asks members for a two year commitment as we grow together, learn from one another and share opportunities and learnings with our broader church family. Group members will partner together to select resources, lead the group and suggest initiatives or projects. If you are interested in participating in this group or just learning more about it, please reach out to Margaret Rogers or Robin Smith.  Click here to complete a short application that will help us learn more about your interest and will also provide additional information for those who are interested. Please complete the application by October 3. We hope to hear from you!

LUNCHEON November 3, 12 - 1 pm The Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services luncheon is on for this year! The luncheon will take place at the Doubletree Hotel on 75 near Northpark Mall. Masks are needed when not eating and the tables will seat 8 - 10 this year. If people prefer not to eat while there...box lunches will be provided as a 'to go' option.   Please contact Robin Smith, robinsclee@yahoo.com, if you are interested in attending and if you need a ride.

FPCR FAMILY FEUD   In honor of the church’s 150th anniversary, the youth group is going to play Family Feud, FPCR edition. Click here to take the survey with the following questions to help create their game:   Best thing to bring to a pot luck Favorite Hymn Favorite book of the Bible How many years have you been a member

150th Celebration - October 2-3 Saturday, October 2: 150 Hours of Service  We are hoping to reach 150 hours of service to our community this Saturday! Sign up to take part in one of the activities below, or do something kind for a neighbor on your own (mowing, cleaning, baking, providing a meal, etc.) by clicking here. If you decide to do something on your own, please report your time to Pastor Rosy or Pastor David. We plan to share how many hours of service were given during worship. Plan to wear your FPCR t-shirt if you have one! Here are the FPCR organized activities for Saturday:  Trash pick-up at Mark Twain Park: 8:00-11:00 am (24 signed up) Assemble “Blessing Bags”: Ernst Fellowship Hall, 9:00-11:00 am (9 signed up) Make cards for the community: Ernst Fellowship Hall, 1:00-3:00 pm (14 signed up) Network Clothes Closet: 9 am - 12 pm (4 signed up - limit is 10) Baked with Love: FPCR Kitchen, 1 - 3 pm (7 signed up)   Sunday, October 3: Heritage Sunday Worship Service   Join us online or in-person for a special Heritage Sunday worship service, as we give thanks to God for 150+1 years of worship, nurture, and service. The FPCR Scrapbooks will be on display in the Welcome Center and communion will be celebrated at the end of the service. Please gather communion elements before worship if you will be joining us online. The Ruth Greer Handbell Choir and Sanctuary Choir will both be sharing their gifts with the congregation. The selected hymns for this service are some of this congregation's favorites. Special announcements are also in the works! We look forward to worshiping with you!   Sunday, October 3: Lunch on the Lawn   We will continue to celebrate our anniversary with a special lunch on the front lawn. All are invited. Free boxed lunches will be provided, but you must RSVP by this Friday! To RSVP, you may call Lisa Carter, our Office Administrator, at (972) 235-2316 through Wednesday afternoon or email her at lisa@fpcrichardson.org by Friday at noon. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch and join us for food and fellowship on the front lawn.   Sunday, October 3: Organ Recital  Immediately following worship and lunch, our very own Edwin Walker will give a special organ recital that will feature a variety of fun and engaging music! The organ has just recently been renovated and it is sounding better than ever. You won’t want to miss it. Additional choir and organ concerts will take place at 4pm on October 10th and 17th. Check the regular ePress for more information on those special offerings.

CONCERTS AT FPCR   The FPCR music department is proud to announce that repairs and refurbishing of our Reuter Pipe Organ are now complete. It is once again in like new condition, and it looks and sounds fantastic. I have planned three celebratory recitals in October to welcome our organ back to its unadulterated prominence in the life of our congregation and music program.

This Sunday, October 3, is Heritage Sunday and we’ll celebrate FPC’s 150-year anniversary! After worship, we will enjoy a box lunch together and then Edwin Walker will present an exciting recital of organ favorites. Please stay for this wonderful program as it will be your first opportunity to hear the organ at its very best!    On Sunday, October 10th at 4pm, the Sanctuary Choir, soloists, and professional string quartet from the Dallas Opera Orchestra, will join Edwin in a performance of Franz Schubert's delightful Mass in G Major. Like Mozart, Schubert is known for his tuneful melodies and beautiful harmonies. In addition, the choir will sing Gilbert Martin’s When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and Carl Nygard’s God So Loved the World.

The third recital on Sunday, October 17th, also at 4pm, will feature guest organist, Michael Conrady. Michael is the organist and choir director at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Dallas and we are thrilled that he'll be with us. Michael is also an adjunct professor of music at SMU and served on the advisory board on the creation of our Glory to God hymnal.

Both recitals on the 10th and 17th will be followed by receptions created by Jan Warner and Jeanne Stone. I hope you'll join us for all three of these wonderful programs. Each will be unique, and the organ will be featured in a variety of ways. I'm very thankful to our session, our pastors, and to you, the members of FPCR, for supporting our music department and for the refurbishing of our magnificent pipe organ. May generations upon generations enjoy its musical grandeur.   Soli Deo Gracias, Ralph

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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!

Click here to see the photo album from Rosy's shower.

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

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. If you are interested in participating, click here for more information.

Network is currently in need of the following:   Hygiene products  Detergent  Diapers all sizes Toilet paper Easy box meals (such as hamburger helper) Chef Boyardee Flour and baking supplies Cooking oil Spices/seasonings (such as oregano, cumin, and more to season beans and rice) Kid-friendly foods will be distributed at both Network and the 8 mobile food pantries each week, in addition to nutritional food boxes. Items needed are: Pop topped kid-friendly meals, Mac and cheese, granola bars, applesauce cups, oatmeal, cereal, peanut butter, and other healthy snack options  Network is also in need of new men's, women's, and children's underwear, infant socks, baby and toddler clothing, children's clothing, and shoes (all sizes). Clothing donations can be dropped off each Wednesday from 8 am to 4 pm at the back of the building,1500 International Parkway. Please do not leave donations outside if Network is closed. Please drop off food items at the FPCR drive-thru food drive - Sept 30, 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.

OFFICE HOURS 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 call the office at 972.235.2316: Lisa - 221 Shirley/Financial - 227 Ralph - 248 Rosy - 230 David - 237

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

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 October 17 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