January 11, 2019
THIS SUNDAY: 9 AM CONTEMPORARY SERVICE in Kirk Center
10:30 AM TRADITIONAL SERVICE in Sanctuary
Children's Sunday School during both services
Join us for Hospitality in Fellowship Hall after each of our services!
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A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR J.C. AUSTIN:
A Conversation about Our Contemporary Service
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A year ago, as we resumed operational control of the church property at 2344 Center Street, the Session decided to schedule a contemporary-style worship service at 9 am and a traditional-style service at 10:30 am each week, more or less matching the worship practice in recent years for the congregation. However, the Session also wanted to take the opportunity to consider a wider range of possibilities in light of the worship trends in worship and broader church life, and explore what might be the best strategies for this congregation going forward.
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Therefore, the Session created a Worship Task Force that would study those trends and consider them in light of our particular history, context, and opportunities. In that work, the Task Force has not only been addressing the questions of worship style (contemporary vs. traditional vs. “blended”), but also the broad range of styles and trends within each of those categories and beyond.
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As part of that work, the Task Force wants to specifically hear from those for whom contemporary worship styles are particularly meaningful. To that end, later this month
we will be holding a “Worship Conversation” immediately following the 9 am contemporary service on Sunday, January 27 in the Kirk Center
. The Rev. Sue Bennetch will be preaching the services those days, which will allow me to moderate the conversation while the traditional service is conducted as usual. Members of the Task Force will be present as well. We will talk briefly about some of what we’ve been learning and discussing about contemporary worship, answer questions, and listen to feedback about the current service and ideas for the future. We’re doing this so that the Task Force can incorporate this input into its final recommendations to Session.
So, if contemporary worship opportunities are particularly important to you, I urge you to note this event on your calendars and make a special effort to come and participate. If you are someone who prefers traditional worship but are interested in these issues, rest assured that there will be other opportunities in the near future to engage on these questions that will not require you to miss a traditional service; the goal here is simply to give the Task Force the best chance to hear from people who primarily worship at 9 am.
Finally, if you are someone who generally attends the 9 am contemporary service but cannot be present on January 27, you can always
email me
any thoughts or questions you have and I will pass them along to the Task Force. I continue to be thrilled with the progress we have made as a congregation over the past year, and am excited as we consider ways in which we can further enrich the worship life of our church!
Grace and Peace,
JC
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2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES
Our new boxed envelopes should be available to pick up beginning Sunday, January 20 in Fellowship Hall. Until then, you can put your gift/check in a provided “My Offering” envelope (available in the pews, Narthex and Rotunda); make sure your name is on it.
The financial secretary will make sure your gift is properly credited as we begin the new calendar year. End-of-year financial statements should be mailed out towards the end of the month. Thank you for your patience.
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DONATIONS FOR OUR FLORAL MINISTRY
Will you consider providing flowers for our Sanctuary worship services? A donation of $75 will pay for the arrangement under the cross in the Sanctuary, and $90 covers two pedestal arrangements.
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HUGS, HANDSHAKES, AND HEART TAPS
The Passing of the Peace at the beginning of worship is an expression of Christian love, unity, and reconciliation with one another. For some, however, expressing those values through hugs and handshakes is not comfortable, and for others, close physical contact may pose a medical risk.
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So, if someone gives a “Heart Tap” by patting their own heart during the Passing of the Peace, please respond in like manner to acknowledge the heartfelt grace of that person's greeting and need to maintain physical space.
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ADULT EDUCATION UPDATES
Hearts N Minds,
our Adult Education program, meets at 9 am each Sunday in
the Parlor.
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For this Sunday (January 13), Ron Helmuth will lead the Hearts N Minds class in an exploration of the lectionary readings from the prior Sunday. We are starting the New Year with a planful study of Scripture and how to apply it to our daily living.
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JOIN US! HANDBELL CHOIR
Our new Handbell Choir is currently on hiatus, and will start weekly rehearsals on Tuesday, February 5 at 5:30 pm.
No experience is necessary to join this energetic group, which will be preparing to share their talents at Easter cele-brations! Contact
David Macbeth for more information.
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TONIGHT: FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT!
Disney’s
Moana
Bring the family (ages 6 and over) to enjoy Disney’s
Moana tonight (Friday, January 11).
We’ll gather in Fellowship Hall and offer pizza and beverages at 6 pm; the movie begins at
6:30 pm.
There is no registration or fee to attend, but we will accept monetary donations for the meal.
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Moana features a feisty young heroine who takes to heart the motto: “When you embrace what you're destined to do, that's when you fulfill your greatest potential.”
It is a film filled with gorgeous, top of the line animation, beautiful music, and lush scenery. There are life-lessons to be learned! Come and join the conversation.
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RESTORATIVE PRACTICES WORKSHOP:
Saturday, January 26
We talk about restorative justice and restorative practices, but what do those terms really mean? How are these considerations even relevant for "regular" people? How might these practices help us resolve conflict at home, school, work, place of worship, etc.? How can individuals or groups make a difference for others involved in the criminal justice system?
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Restorative Practices: Changing our Response to Wrongdoing
, a presentation by Bob Costello, is appropriate for middle schoolers, young adults, and adults of all ages. Free and open to the public. 9 am-noon in Fellowship Hall;
sign up here. This workshop is sponsored by the Discipleship Committee.
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Our presenter
is the Assistant Commissioner for Organizational Development at the NYC Department of Probation. He has worked for more than 20 years in the fields of mental health, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient services and alternative education. Bob is the co-author of
The Restorative Practices Handbook for Teachers, Disciplinarians and Administrators
and
Restorative Circles in Schools: Building Community and Enhancing Learning.
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DEPRESSION GROUP: NEW DAY, TIME
The Depression Support Group is for anyone whose life is affected by depression – whether yourself or someone you care about. New sessions will begin on Tuesday, January 22, and the meeting time will be from 12:30-2:30 pm in Room 206 (PW Room). For more information contact
Melody Engel.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES - 9 AM and 10:30 AM
Preschool to Grade 5
For the 9:00 service, the class is in room A4 in the childcare suite on the first floor of the Kirk Center (near the Kirk Center lobby). Parents are asked to bring their children to A4 before the service.
During the 10:30 service, the children will attend the first part of worship with their families and leave with their teachers after the Children’s Chat. Please remember to sign up your children in the Narthex before going into the service.
The same curriculum will be used in both classes, and, as in the past, child care will be available during both services for younger children. If you have any questions, please contact
Elizabeth Conard
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Send us your news and photos to share:
Deadline for newsletter:
Wednesday at noon
* * *
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
THIS SUNDAY:
- Hospitality in Fellowship Hall after each service; join us for light refreshments and fellowship
- 9:00 am Contemporary Service, Kirk Center
- 9:00 am Sunday School, Pre-K through Grade 5, Room A4
- 9:00 am Adult Education class, Hearts N Minds, Parlor
- 10:30 am Traditional Service, Sanctuary
- 10:30 am Sunday School, Pre-K through Grade 5 (children attend first part of
worship service), Room E3-4
- Childcare for Infants and Toddlers, 8:30 am to noon, Room A3
MONDAYS: It’s a Start fitness class, 10 am, Middle School Step
TUESDAYS:
Handbell Choir is on hiatus until Tuesday, February 5
WEDNESDAYS: Overcomers Outreach, 7 pm, Room 408
THURSDAYS: Choir Rehearsal, 7 pm, Sanctuary;
Al-Anon Family Group, 7 PM, Room 212
FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAYS (January 15): Successful Aging, 10:30 am, Room 412
THIRD WEDNESDAY (January 16): Dementia Caregiver Support Group, 1:00 pm,
Room 206 (PW Room)
THIRD THURSDAY (January 17): Prayers & Squares, 10 am – 2 pm, Room 408 (bring your lunch and join us to create quilts and prayer shawls)
LOOKING AHEAD:
Sunday, January 27: “Worship Conversation” immediately following the 9 am contemporary service in the Kirk Center (for those who typically attend this service)
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:
We are open Monday-Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm. The office will be closed on Monday, January 21, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
As always, you can leave a voicemail message with the church any time at
CARE CONCERNS AND HOSPITAL VISITS:
If members of the FPCB congregation are hospitalized and would welcome pastoral and hospital ministrant visitors and/or prayers, please contact:
Melody Engel, Hospital Ministrants, phone: 484-695-4905 or
email
Phil Fair, Prayer Ministrants, phone: 610-867-8361 or
email
BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS
:
If members of the FPCB congregation would like to schedule weddings, baptisms or funerals, please contact
The Rev. Sue Bennetch
at 610-867-5865, ext. 209.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM
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First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 |
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
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