Happy New Year! On our church calendar (meaning the church universal) it is officially a new year, Year C. Every three years the Christian cal-endar begins with Advent. Advent is a time of prepara-tion that lasts, generally, the four weeks before Christmas. Each year we pull out the Ad-vent banners and decorate the sanctuary and our minis-ters with the color purple. There are proscribed readings for each Sunday and for all of the other special holy days. One of the online tools that we often use to reference the Revised Common Lectionary is published by Vanderbilt University. It is a great re-source to look ahead at the upcoming readings and it may be found at lection-ary.library.vanderbilt.edu. You are encouraged to use this easy resource for your own devotional time.

Advent quickly gives way to the season of Christmas. You read that correctly – Christmas is a season of the church, not just a day! It lasts from Christmas Eve, through Epiphany (January 6), to the Sunday we celebrate the Bap-tism of the Lord (January 13 this year). Christmas is a time of celebration and new begin-nings and focuses on the in-carnation of Christ; we use white or gold to emphasize its importance. At FPC, this is also a time when we are plan-

ning for the year ahead. By Epipha-ny, we have usual-ly set our budgets and we are on our way to forecasting the major events that will take place at FPC in the new year. (Just a reminder - If you haven’t turned in your pledge card, there is still time to do so!)

The next sea-son of the church is what we call Ordinary Time – not be-cause it is simply ordinary – like there is nothing going on, but because we count the Sundays. The liturgical color for Ordinary Time is green. This year there are eight Sun-days before we enter into the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday (March 6). Lent is that time leading up to Easter (April 21) that includes Palm Sunday (April 14) and Good Friday (April 19). You will see purple in the sanctuary again for Lent – as it is a time of preparation, similar to Ad-vent. White or gold is the col-or for Easter and the seven Sundays that lead up to Pen-tecost on June 9. We wear red on Pentecost Sunday as we recall the birth of the church and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Following Pentecost, we return to the season of Ordi-nary Time. The color turns

back to green and the church focuses on faith formation for the members of the church. From June through Novem-ber, we focus primarily on the stories of Christ. We will re-main in Ordinary Time until Advent begins again at the end of November.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about, from a worship preparation perspec-tive, as we make our way through the liturgical year. In addition, we hope to continue to add programs that will be relevant to the lives of our members – expanding minis-tries where the Session feels led to do new things. We hope that you will join us on this journey through the church year. It is always excit-ing to see what new develop-ments are already in the works and just waiting to be revealed. Come along with us!

New Year Resolutions

haps we learn to pray more, or provide a listening ear, or learn about a book of the Bible. I am of the firm belief that every Christian should have a few verses that are meaningful, and instructive, for the journey ahead – if not a whole book. What would it be like if all of us became experts on a few verses of Holy Scripture? I think it would be transforma-tional!

In this new church year, we have a choice to make. Will we continue to walk with Jesus, and be led into new adventures where we will be able to use our unique gifts and talents, or will we simply be a fan of Jesus and cheer for those who are mak-ing the journey? I hope that we will all make a com-mitment to move forward, as we step out in faith.

We know that we cannot do that alone, or at least not do it very well. We need each other for support and encouragement. We can accomplish amazing things when we work together, pray to-gether, and play together. I am very excited to see what this new year will bring because there is a general feeling around FPC these days, that we are ready for the next step in the journey. We are be-coming disciples. We are growing in faith. We will set goals for ourselves, and with God’s help, we will meet and exceed those goals. But notice, God has to be in the middle of it. Jesus has to be included in the party, or we get lost on our way.

This Advent, let us walk boldly with our God, growing stronger and more faithful every day. Let us support one another, expect much from each other, and have faith that our service makes a difference in the world.

Blessings this Holy Advent, Pastor David

Advent has begun, and with it’s coming we en-ter into a new year on the church’s calendar. Ad-vent signals the beginning of something new. It is a time for reflection and waiting, as we prepare for Christ’s coming. How do we wait? This is the ques-tion that we face each year at this time. Do we fill the days with shopping, cooking and decorating, or do we feed our souls?

Perhaps it’s a good time to make some resolu-tions and set some goals for the coming year. The other day, on Facebook, I saw some of our mem-bers posting a great idea about reading one chap-ter of Luke, every day, between now and Christ-mas. That way, when they wake up on Christmas morning, they will not only know who we are cele-brating – but why as well. What if we all did some-thing like that? Other folks I know are using Advent Devotionals from years past, or even the new ones at FPCR this year. What if we all made some inten-tional efforts to feed our souls this Advent?

This Advent season, I would like to challenge you to ask that little question, “What if?” I am sure that it is a catalyst that will take you on a journey of your own. Maybe you will read through the whole Bible on your own. Maybe you will join a Faith Sharing group, sign up to be an usher, teach a Sunday School class, or attend a presbytery meeting. But maybe, you will do something even more meaningful, like feeding the poor, clothing the naked, or showing hospitality to the homeless. Who knows?

What I do know is that, while we are on this faith journey, we are either moving ahead or we are falling behind. Jesus is not content with just sitting around and doing the same old thing. Even if we are unable to get up and get out of the house, we are still called to move forward in our faith. Per-

Giving is interesting. It is interesting because it is such a powerful act to give to others and such a powerful act to accept a gift. Giving and receiving embodies a relationship in which all involved are enriched for the better. Read 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 aloud. Then name all the meaningful times in your life when you have both given and received. When you are finished, sit in silence for five minutes and reflect on the impact that has made in your life.

This holiday season reminds us that Bod’s gift to all creation is Jesus. Christ teaches humankind how to live through the constant giving and out-

pouring of love in the form of donating time, re-sources, listening, and living out the life that the Bible calls us to live. When manifested in pure love, giving is a spiritual discipline that results in new life. It brings joy, hope, and happiness,. This holi-day season, continue to practice the spiritual disci-pline of giving and receiving. It is indeed an “indescribable gift.”

The author, Amanda Barclay, was a student at Austin Theologi-cal Seminary.

Advent Thoughts

Throughout Advent, we're using a bundle of resources from A Sanctified Art, a group of four artists in ministry. They create a variety of re-sources for faith communities to use to deepen their faith through scripture study, art, and faith practices. They seek to help individuals and com-munities engage with their faith in different ways. Part of their philosophy is based on the variety of ways scripture offers us glimpses of God- words, images, visions, poetry, dreams, and revelations. As Presbyterians, we're familiar with the words. We worship with bulletins filled with words. We listen to Scripture read and proclaimed. This Advent season you're invited to draw near to God in different ways. Of course, we'll still use bulletins, read Scripture, and listen to sermons. Our music ministries will help us to hear the music of God. The Draw Near devotionals from A Sancti-fied Art invite each of us to engage with the Word with poetry and art. Over the coming weeks, as we anticipate God drawing near to us by taking on flesh and experi-encing what it is to be human, may we as individu-als and as a community of faith, draw near to God by leaning into wonder, justice, truth, and one an-other.

If you listen closely, you just might hear the sun whispering, “Draw near, draw near,” to flowers below that straighten their spines and stretch their faces toward the light.

And like that light, which falls to the earth and covers us in a blanket of warmth, I see God leaning toward me, inviting my heart and beckoning my feet, leaning down like a potter to clay, a mother to a crib or a child to pray—

Saying, “Child, my child, draw near to me. Draw near to truth and wonder and peace.”

For in my bones, I believe that in the beginning God came to me. And just like the sun, which day after day, invites the flowers to stand and change, if you listen closely, you just might hear God say to you, “Draw near, draw near.”

This poem is by Sarah Are, my friend and a member of A Sanctified Art.

You can help! Mission Opportunities in Advent

One Man’s Treasure We are collecting gently used men's coats, cloth-ing, and shoes in all sizes for this ministry which helps men released from incarceration get back on their feet. This ministry was a favorite of Ernie Gotts. Look for the baskets marked “One Man’s Treasure” around the church.

The Christmas Joy Offering When you give to the Joy Offering you provide assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need, and also to developing future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleg-

es equipping communities of color. The Joy Offering is collected through December 31.

Warm Clothes for Christmas Sweatshirts and hoodies are collected for distribu-tion to the RISD Clothes Closet, neighborhood schools, and the Network. Bring your purchases to worship to be placed under the Chrismon Tree.

Giving Tree Select a card from the tree in the narthex and help someone with food, gas, rent, or utility bills. Your donation goes toward the Pastor’s Emergency Fund.

As we journey through this penitential season of Advent, I become more and more cognizant of the fact that I must try and slow down and take stock of how Christ is working in my life—and frankly, I don’t do a very good job of it. For church musicians, December can be overwhelming, stressful, and at times, not much fun at all. There are so many details to think about: music selection, transitioning the sanctuary from ordinary time to Advent, worship planning, special concerts, special services, special bulletins, and Christmas Eve ser-vices (preparing candles – yikes!) just to name a few. Plus, as our church building now hosts five different groups (Taiwanese, Pakistani, Kenyan, Columbian, FPC), there is always something going on somewhere. But in the end, everything always comes together beautifully and hindsight again proves to me that God was there all the time help-ing me each step of the way.

Which brings me back to how Christ is working in my life. As I write this particular Music Box dur-ing Advent, I’m forcing myself to look inward and trying very hard to name those things, and behav-iors, that have come between me and God. I’ve always prided myself on working to break down barriers between people and to challenge their beliefs and assumptions but yet I find it’s so much easier to build new walls! Sometimes it just feels good to isolate one’s self from others, and con-

cerns and problems. When I read that back, I real-ize that that attitude is not of God, and that’s a little disconcerting. During all Saints’ Sunday, Pas-tor David always incorporates into the liturgy John Donne’s poem with the famous line that says “no man is an island.” How true.

So as we draw nearer to Christ this Advent sea-son, I remind myself that Christ has a plan for my life. He has always had a plan for my life and my life is so much better knowing that he is in control. I’ll say that I will try and do better in the coming months, but as I am imperfect, I know I will again fail. But yet again, Christ in his tender mercy, will pick up my failings and confront me with my sin and offer his grace and forgiveness. It’s a cycle I would love to break out of, for Christ is my love, my desire, and my salvation.

I challenge you during this Advent season to take some time to assess where things are be-tween you and Christ. I know I will work even hard-er at keeping the walls between myself and others low enough to simply step over. I pray that togeth-er we will encounter God’s love in new and special ways as we await the coming Christ.

May your journey through Advent be a blessed one.

In Christ, Ralph

Update on the Roofing Project

A committee met on November 27, to decide on the method of payment for the roofing work being done. The committee members: Pastor Da-vid, Pastor Rosy, Rick Rickman, Harry and Lea Per-kins, Bob Tillinghast, Shirley Hawkins, Janice Fandrick, Lowell Long, and Randy Phillips who is the Project Manager for the church.

Randy said that the project, unless there are weather issues, will be completed during the first week of December. Mark Messner, the roofing consultant hired by the church to oversee the work, estimates the roof being installed should last at least 25 years if properly maintained. The TPO product carries a ten year manufacturer’s warran-ty, and the workmanship is warrantied for 5 years. Additional insulation is being installed and some of the wood deck is being replaced. The existing gut-ters and downspouts around the Sanctuary will be replaced with larger capacity material. Randy and

Mark believe the work is being done thus far, in a quality manner.

The committee approved a $55,000 payment with the balance due upon completion in Decem-ber. The total project cost is approximately $ 130,000. The funds will come from a combination of existing Designated Funds created for this type of need, and an internal loan from the FPC-R En-dowment Fund which will be repaid with interest from operating income. The payment plan had previously been approved at the Congregation Meeting of April 22, 2018.

Please contact any of the committee members if you have questions. Many thanks to Randy for his leadership in this project.

Lowell Long, Clerk

Winter Solstice: The Longest Night

midst of grief and loss. When we gather to wor-ship, we gather together in community. We are reminded that we belong to God, but that we also belong to one another. If you are not grieving a specific loss at this time, you are encouraged to worship and to sit in solidarity with your sisters and brothers. Imagine what your very presence may do for your neighbor.

For many, the Advent and Christmas seasons are filled with excitement and joy. For others, the glow of Christmas lights, holiday cheer, and Ad-vent candles can feel unreachable in the face of grief and loss.

On December 21, at 8 p.m., we will gather to-gether in community for a "Longest Night" worship service. On this longest night of the year, when daylight is fleeting and darkness lingers, we will worship and we will pay special attention to acts of remembrance and experiences of grief. We will be reminded that even as things get darker, the light comes.

This is not a service of healing, for what we lose cannot always be replaced. Rather, we will be re-minded of God's steadfast presence among us, that nothing in life or in death can separate us from God's love.

We pray that this worship service will create a space that is both sacred and safe for those who are struggling to feel the joy and light of this holi-day season due to loss of any kind. However, this worship service is not just for those who are in the

Wednesday Organ Recitals At Noon

December 5 — Weston Jennings December 12 — Chris Brunt December 19 — Edwin Walker

Special Worship Service Sunday, December 9, at 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Oratorio, by Camille Saint-Säens Lunch to follow ( RSVP by December 7 )

Longest Night Service Friday, December 21, at 8 p.m.

For those who grieve during this season.

Christmas Eve Monday, December 24

5 p.m. Worship/Communion Kid-friendly with carols and candles.

8 p.m. Candlelight Worship/Communion Traditional service with choir and handbells. Childcare provided.

Advent and Christmas Events

Coming! Winter Cinema

Friday Nights January 11, 18, and 25

Did you know that Richardson recycles many packaging/serving components of a Christmas meal? As long as the items are clean, Richardson residents may recycle:

Aluminum, steel and tin (such as aluminum cooking trays, soda cans and cans that once contained cranber-ry sauce and pumpkin filling)

Cardboard (such as egg cartons and the boxes that house dried bread cubes for stuffing)

Glass bottles and containers (that may have contained store-bought gravy, wine, olives, pickles, etc.)

Wax-coated paper containers (such as those used for

Recycle for Christmas

Sunday Book Club

We’re discussing The SEEDS Plan, by Jennie Ann Freiman on December 9, around 1:30 - 2 or when-ever the Advent lunch is over and cleaned up. Join us in the church library. All are welcome. Call Gin-ger (Doug) Anderson for more information.

Thursday Evening Circle

We meet a week early on December 6, for the an-

nual Christmas Tea at the home of Andrea Gray. Come at 6:30 p.m. for good fellowship and study. Contact Linda Yeager for more information.

Wednesday Morning Circle

Begin the New Year right! Join us at 9:30 a.m. on January 2. Contact Susan Johnson for more infor-mation.

Did You Know?

News You Can Use

Veterans’ Day Concert Recordings

Audio and video recordings of the concert on November 11 will be availa-ble for purchase by reservation later in December. The price for both a DVD and CD recording is $20; for a CD-only recording, $10.

To reserve a recording, email Becky Lormor at becky@fpcrichardson.org ASAP.

milk, cream, and soups) Plastic packaging and bags (YES to the bags your gro-

ceries and newspaper may have arrived in; NO to the plastic bags that package chips and frozen foods)

The pots and pans in which you may have cooked the side dishes (yes, even the ones with handles)

Put clean recyclables in blue recycling bags and set near the trash on your designated recycling day—for more in-formation and a complete list of what Richardson does and doesn’t recycle, visit www.cor.net/recycling

Did you know that there are young adults at FPCR? Did you know that they're meeting together twice a month? Beginning in November, 10-15 young adults started getting together for Bible study, service, and fellowship. We're excited about this growing ministry and there are ways for you to be involved. If you consider yourself a young adult, please join us!

Our group is made up of folks in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s. If you're not a young adult, you can still be involved. Please consider providing a meal for this group. If you're involved with mission or service opportunities or know of Dallas-area events that might of interest to this group, we'd love your ideas. Be in touch with Pastor Rosy if you have any questions.

To my wonderful church family: I want to let you know how much I appreciate

all your prayers, cards, and the sentiments you shared upon my mother's death. All these contin-ue to help me so much throughout these days. I appreciate and love my church family so much.

Ruth Martin

John Babb has a new address. Call the church office for details.

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