Friday, November 6, 2020 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. Traditional (also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: THE EXPERIMENTS CONTINUE
On Wednesday night, we held our most recent in-person outdoor service, this time a special service to pray for healing for our nation amidst all the social concerns and political divisions that we are experiencing, especially in the context of a close and bitterly contested national election. It was a lovely and moving service, not simply because we were able to focus on healing, but because we were able to do so on a beautiful evening and to be physically in the same space at the same time. (see the video here)
As you know, we have been experimenting with different in-person worship and ministry opportunities outdoors over the past few months, as the pandemic continues to make it unwise to gather in groups indoors for extended periods of time.
We currently have another combined outdoor in-person service scheduled for Sunday, November 22, at 11 a.m. But it is unclear whether it is practical to continuing offering full-length services of worship outdoors through the winter, though the Session’s Worship Committee is actively examining the possibilities of doing so.
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In the meantime, though, we are going to try another experiment, and that is with weekly in-person Evening Prayer Services on four Tuesdays in a row, starting next week on November 10. These services will start at 6 p.m. and last around 25 minutes long, and will consist of Scripture, prayer, silent reflection, and pre-recorded music (there will be no sermon or homily).
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We will be gathering where we did for the Special Service for National Healing: behind the church building], in the area near the entrance to the buildings that leads to the Kirk Center if you go right, and up to Fellowship Hall if you go left (pictured, above). This area has both nice space and good acoustics, and it is reasonably well-lit by street lamps at night.
Unlike the Special Prayer Service last Wednesday, though, these Evening Prayer Services will not be livestreamed. That is because we are holding them specifically to respond to people’s desire to find safer alternatives for in-person worship than gathering indoors; it also cuts down considerably on the set-up time required of our tech team.
We will run the Evening Prayer Services through Tuesday, December 1 and then evaluate whether there is a mandate for continuing them through Advent. As always, if you have ideas for creative worship or ministry for which you are willing to help create an experiment, please pass your ideas along to the relevant committee of Session. You can find contact information for those on the "Contact Us" page of our website. I look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays!
Grace and Peace,
JC
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Scripture lesson:
Click the link to read online
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· This week's sermon: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning by Rev. J.C. Austin
· We post each week’s sermon
(audio and text) on our website:
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper
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FOR THIS SUNDAY: Our Services are “Live” on Facebook
To watch “live”- as it happens:
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Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
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If you don’t have a Facebook account, go to our website to view the service
- Please check in with a comment so we know you’ve joined us!
- NEW: Captions will now be available on our livestream, for those who would like to use that feature
To watch a video – available after the services have aired: Visit our website
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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS – OR PREFER TO “LISTEN IN” ON SUNDAY ON YOUR PHONE.
We will offer the TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SERVICE (at 11 a.m. on Sunday) with an ‘audio-only’ option so you can listen to it on your phone.
Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 955 325 387 followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again.
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All Saints Day Remembrances
At last Sunday’s services we remembered the following losses in 2020:
Carol Kinney, Kenneth Simmons, Terri Uhler, Mary Oskin, Evelyn Musselman, Clifton “Tip” Mowrer, Eunice Mackie, Polly McClure, William Starnes
Philip Breslin, Robert Lefevre, Marie Hagenbuch, Bill Horn, Janine Castle, Philip Paulus, Louis Strubeck, Roberta Shupe, Carmela Hauze
Melvin Wright, Glenn Bannerman, Jeremy Emerich, Victor Garbarini, Joseph Iacone, Pamela Mies, Frank Scarpati, Scott Schnalzer, Irvin Segreaves, Jon Williams
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SUNDAY SCHOOL: NOT JUST FOR SUNDAYS!
You can make our Sunday School program work for your family’s schedule with our two options: attend a Sunday morning Zoom gathering from 10:15-10:45 a.m. - or - each week we provide a prerecorded series of videos and related resources that you can access when convenient.
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This week's story is from 2 Samuel, chapter 6, verses 12-22: "I just want to celebrate what God has done".
Consider joining us for the Sunday morning Zoom session; to access the prerecorded videos look for the Sunday School logo on the homepage.
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Meeting ID: 928 9221 9682
Password: 369116
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HEARTS N MINDS UPDATE: ADULT EDUCATION AT FPC
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, continues its weekly discussion about social justice, what the Bible says to us, and thoughtful, meditative readings. Everyone is welcome and you can join at any time. We meet every Sunday at 9 a.m. via Zoom. The first book is Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans.
Reading for this week: pages 113-140
Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again.
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FPCB PRESCHOOL
POINSETTIA & WREATH SALE
We know it's not even Thanksgiving, but we're already thinking about poinsettias and wreaths! The Preschool has some lovely selections for you to order for your home - prepaid orders are due next Friday, November 13.
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Pick up your orders beginning on Thursday, November 19.
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THANK YOU! CROP Walk 2020 Final Tally
A big thank you to everyone who participated in this year's walk.
The combined efforts of First Pres walkers and donors netted $1910
(the total receipts for Bethlehem walkers came to $7671) for local
and global hunger relief and developmental assistance.
Even in this strange year, thanks to you, it worked!
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COLLECTION FOR OUR NEIGHBORS: THIS SATURDAY |
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The Congregational Life team is sponsoring a collection of full-size personal care products for our neighbors participating in the programs at Northeast Ministries and Meals on Wheels. You can do a contactless, drive-through drop off at the front of the church building from 10 a.m.-noon this Saturday, November 7.
There is also a large covered tub outside the South entrance you can use.
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Please consider donating: shampoo, conditioner, hair products, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes and combs. |
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IF YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED…
We would like to know when our members are entering the hospital. Please tell the hospital that your church ID is 724 and they will contact us. You can also contact Phil
PRAYER REQUESTS...
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Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for next week's newsletter: Wednesday at noon**
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Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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CALENDAR
THIS SATURDAY:
- 10-Noon: Drive-by drop-off of full size personal care product donations for neighbors served by Northeast Ministries and Meals on Wheels; located at front of church building – contact-less pick-up from your vehicle
THIS SUNDAY
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9:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult education class (see more information above)
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9:00 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service – see instructions in blue box, above, to join us online
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10:15 a.m.: Sunday School for K-5, via Zoom (see more information above)
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11:00 a.m.: Combined Worship Service - see instructions in blue box, above, to join us online, and in the yellow box to join us via phone
TUESDAYS (NOVEMBER 10 – DECEMBER 1)
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6:00-6:25 p.m.: Evening Prayer Service, east side of church building (no sign up; bring your own chairs and wear masks) In-person only; not livestreamed
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WEDNESDAY
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7 p.m.: Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)
ALL OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS AND GATHERINGS ARE CANCELLED AT THIS TIME unless offered online (see listings on our Facebook page under “Events”)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO: The office staff is working remotely and checking email and voicemail daily. The answering service (610-778-7003) can take your urgent pastoral concerns, 24 hours a day.
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: Phil Fair, Prayer Ministrant (prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org).
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM |
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org
Cristy Mette, Administrative Operations Manager: ext. 228;
Cindy Matthews, Bookkeeper: email: CMatthews@fpc-bethlehem.org
Andrea Barbehenn, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956;
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