FPCR Weekly ePress

Hello First Presbyterian Church,

I hope that in the midst of a busy week you are finding moments to pray and to reflect. Rev. Maggie Alsup wrote about Holy Week in an article for the Presbyterian Outlook this week,

"If we take our journey to Easter one step at a time, there is something profound for us. While many are rushing to share the good news and joy of Sunday morning, we need to pause and be in the messy parts of the story. The part where, in anger, Jesus flips tables. The part where Jesus calls out and condemns religious leaders who go against God’s laws. The part where a friend and disciple of Christ betrays him for silver. The part where Jesus shares his last meal with those closest to him and then is handed over to the authorities. The part where Jesus is condemned to die. And the violent act of his death. The part where the world waits in silence, surrounded by pain and sorrow, on Holy Saturday. Holy Week is a time for us to sit with the messiness of our lives and the messiness of the Easter story. By rushing to the ending, we avoid the middle and miss the whole point. Easter joy doesn’t exist without the sadness or pain. And in knowing this, we can come to know both joy and sadness better, which enriches the Easter story for us and grants us perspective in how we see ourselves and our hurting world."

In this past Sunday's worship service, we started our Holy Week journey. We read scriptures that took us beyond the palms parade. Here is a link to the daily lectionary readings for this week. I hope you'll read them- not avoiding "the middle messy parts of the story," but immersing yourself in this most holy week.

One step at a time through this week, this life, that often feels so messy... I'm grateful we can journey together.

Peace,

Pastor Rosy

Wednesday, April 16

Sometimers: 8 am
Handbell Rehearsal: 5:45-7:15 pm
Choir Rehearsal: 7:30-9 pm

Thursday, April 17

Tai Chi: 10 am-12 pm, Fellowship Hall
Art Therapy: 10 am-12 pm, A109
Accolade Theatre Rehearsal: 3:30-8:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
Maundy Thursday Dinners for 8 - 6:30 pm

Saturday, April 18

Good Friday Gathering: 9 am-3 pm, FH, Chapel, A111, A109, Library, WC
First Grace Community Church: 4-6 pm, Chapel
United Fellowship Bible Church: 6-9 pm, Fellowship Hall
Good Friday Service: 6:30 pm

Saturday, April 19

Taiwanese Ministry Bible Study: 2-4 pm, Library
United Fellowship Bible Church: 4-7 pm, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, April 20 - Easter Sunday

Outdoor Easter Worship: 8 am, Playground Pavilion
Present Word: 9 am, A109
Nursery Open: 9-11:30 am, CE Building
Children's Sunday School: 9-10 am, CE Building
Worship: 10:30 am, In-Person and Online
Easter Egg Hunt: After Worship
First Grace Community Church: 11 am-1 pm, Chapel, A111, A109
Presbyterian Church of East Africa: 11 am-2 pm, C203, C204B
United Fellowship Bible Church: 2-5 pm, Fellowship Hall

Monday, April 21 - OFFICE CLOSED

P.E.O. Workday: 1-3 pm, Room A111, Room A109

Tuesday, April 22

Tuesday Morning Prayer Group: 6:30-7 am, Phone
Tuesday Morning Bible Study: 10 am, Library
Accolade Theatre Rehearsal: 3:30-8:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
Pastor's Bible Study: 4-5 pm, Zoom

Wednesday, April 23

Sometimers: 8 am
Handbell Rehearsal: 5:45-7:15 pm
Choir Rehearsal: 7:30-9 pm

*Events listed in blue indicate that one of our Community Partners is using our facilities.

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First Presbyterian Church

PO Box 831985

Richardson, TX 75083

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