A Note from the Pastor » May 12

Our Called Congregational Meeting will be Sunday, immediately after worship. The link may be found in the "Week at a Glance" section below. In that meeting we will hear from the Nominating Committee (see below) and elect new elders to Session, elect at-large members of the 2022 Nominating Committee, Acknowledge our graduating Seniors, and go over the procedures and protocols for limited in-person worship beginning on May 23.

Specific instructions on how to RSVP for in-person worship will be coming soon. We plan for there to be an emailed RSVP link and a link in the Online Worship section above. Alternatively, one may also RSVP by calling the Church office or by emailing Lisa Carter, our Office Administrator. The RSVP system will open at 9:00 AM on Monday mornings. There will be no early registrations.

The Session has compiled the protocols for in-person worship. You are encouraged to review this document prior to registration. Read the Protocol to Resume In-Person Worship.

I look forward to seeing you at the Congregational Meeting!

Blessings,
Pastor David

J.W. Campbell Scholarship

All members of FPC who have graduated from high school (or are about to graduate) and are enrolled in college for the Fall 2021 semester are eligible to apply for the J.W. Campbell Scholarships. Priority may be given on the basis of financial need and/or to an applicant planning to enter a church-related school or profession. There is no age restriction.

This scholarship fund was established well over 20 years ago in memory of J.W. Campbell and his son, Carson. We are grateful for the generosity of the Campbell family for this memorial gift which has been a blessing to more than 200 FPC students.

The deadline for applications is June 14, 2021, including transcripts of high school grades or a transcript of the most recent year of college completed. Please direct any questions to Kathy Hammontree.

Download the application form or you can pick one up in the church office.

Covid-19 Update - March 11, 2021

We are moving to Phase Two of our reopening plan.

Over the next few weeks, this means that we will:

• Continue to provide for online Worship and Sunday School.
• Work toward opening the Church Office fully – as employees and volunteers are vaccinated.
• Continue to require masks in all public spaces of the Church facilities.
• Allow groups of 10 or less to gather by appointment. Contact Lisa Carter to arrange a time and space, if your group would like to meet in person.
• Open the Sanctuary for private devotional/prayer time, by appointment. Contact Lisa Carter if you are interested and in reserving a block of time.
• Ask that food and drink be enjoyed only outside for the time being.
• Invite vaccinated individuals, who would like to help with worship logistics and the eventual livestreaming of worship services, to attend our video and recording sessions. Contact David Schaefers if you are interested.
• Make an online option available for groups who are meeting in-person, as to involve those who may not yet be able or comfortable gathering (i.e. a concurrent Zoom call or FaceTime.)
• Encourage outdoor activities that are designed with physical spacing/social distancing in mind.

Monday, the CDC released new guidance for fully vaccinated individuals. While this new guidance means that we have many members who are celebrating that their own personal pandemic is over – we should be quick to recognize that our larger community and many of our younger Church families are still right in the middle of it. How quickly we move into Phase Three will depend on the same local metrics we have been monitoring for the past year. As we take these next steps, we encourage those who are participating in face-to-face activities to exercise both personal responsibility and care for others. If infection numbers rise, we may still move back to Phase One. Let's all pray that Phase Three is right around the corner.

View the detailed plan guidelines here

Note from our Pastors

This Sunday at 2:00pm, we will premiere the memorial service for Gordon Rice on Facebook and YouTube. Please keep the Rice family in your prayers and join us as we celebrate Gordon's life of faith.

If you are looking for a reason to get out of the house - feel free to swing by the Church and walk our Labyrinth! You will find it in the front (north) yard and there are instructions posted.

Update on our Reuter Pipe Organ

After being damaged by the leaky roof several years ago, it is finally time to do a proper repair and refurbishment of our Reuter pipe organ. We expect the work to begin in May or June and take 6 weeks to complete.

Read the full story from Ralph Stannard

Save the Lenten Dates!

Tea Conversations (via Zoom)
Sundays during Lent (2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28), 9:30-10:15 am.
Join the Zoom meeting on Sunday mornings
 
Maundy Thursday Worship Service (via Zoom)
April 1, 7:00 p.m.  Register now for the Zoom meeting
 
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
April 2, 7:00 p.m. Worship service to premiere on Facebook and YouTube.

These Days Devotionals

If you would like a copy, please email lisa@fpcrichardson.org. They will also be available at the food drive on Jan. 21. You can also download the devotionals for the month of January.

Network Needs

They are currently in need of the following items:

• Jelly/Jam, Breakfast items, and Oatmeal
• Baking items (oil) and Pancake/baking mix
• Box meals (hamburger helper)
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Canned meals (Ravioli, Spaghetti) and Canned soup
• Granola bars
• Hand soap
• Tooth brushes and toothpaste
• Bodywash, Shampoo/conditioner, and Deodorant
• Detergent
• Diapers: size 3 +

Please drop off items at the next FPCR drive-thru food drive on Feb. 18.

As always, thank you for your generosity and being a blessing to those in need.

Earth Care Congregation

In helping with our "Earth Care Congregation" program, parents, help your children respect God's creation by avoiding their becoming part of our "throw away society." In the words of 16th Century Astronomer Johannes Kepler, "Nature uses as little as possible of everything." Perhaps we might do the same?

College Ministry at FPCR

Are you interested in volunteering to help implement a College Ministry? With the assistance of Ukirk Ministries, a Presbyterian College program that provides resources and directions to congregations that want to have a college campus presence. Visit www.ukirkdallas.org or contact Pastor David at david@fpcrichardson.org to learn more and participate.