Friday, September 3, 2021 Newsletter

COMMUNION SUNDAY SERVICES IN-PERSON AND
ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:

9:00 a.m. Contemporary 
11:00 a.m. Traditional*

 (* also available on our website and via phone)
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
TRANSFORMING OUR CONGREGATION

This week is the last week of our Summer Sermon Series, “A Good Word.” It has been a joy to walk through these weeks with you, taking up the words that you yourselves suggested at the beginning of the summer and examining them through Scripture to hear what God is telling us in terms of how we can live our faith in Jesus Christ out more fully and faithfully as a result.
This week, the word is “transformation,” which was suggested by a number of people. It seems a fitting way to conclude the “Good Word” series because transformation is so central to the basic promises of the gospel, so it is by definition “good news” (that’s what the word “gospel” literally means: “good news”!). Yet transformation can also be a bit intimidating, even scary, thing, because it also by definition means a fundamental change into something new and different. And these things are not necessarily mutually exclusive; many of the best experiences and moments in life are both very good and a bit intimidating!
It’s also a good bridge to our next sermon series, which will begin on September 12, which takes its focus from an important book called Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation Into a Powerhouse for Mission.

This book has gotten considerable national attention in the Presbyterian Church (USA), including a denomination-wide reading hosted by the co-moderators of the General Assembly in 2019. The book argues that the future of vibrant congregations depends on their ability to authentically engage the communities in which they live, not to “grow the church” as a goal in itself but to learn their neighbors’ greatest hopes and needs and build relationships and partnerships based on what they learn. When done well, the byproduct of this work will be growth in size and vitality of the congregation, but that is a byproduct of authentic ministry, not a goal in and of itself.

The Session has been reading the book together through the summer at the encouragement of the Mission Committee, and through the Discipleship Committee, is encouraging the entire membership of the church to join in this important work to help us chart the future of this congregation. I want to encourage you to get a copy of the book: they will be available after both services each week. There is no required cost to anyone who wants to participate, but if you’d like to make a small contribution to support this endeavor when you pick up your book, you’re welcome to do so.

Concurrent with the sermon series, which will focus on the different major themes of the book, the Discipleship Committee is hosting an Adult Education series to talk through the book during our new Formation and Fellowship Hour at 10 a.m. on Sundays. You can participate in person or via Zoom and join in the conversation about the book.

As we continue to be an “Experimental Church” that is transforming for a vibrant and faithful future, I am very excited about these plans and feel that this is some of the most important work we can be doing together as a church.

I hope that you will jump into this work yourself through the sermons, the book, and the discussion classes, as together we continue to learn and imagine how we can be the church that God is equipping and calling us to be!

Grace and Peace,
J.C.
FOR THIS SUNDAY

Scripture lesson:
                          
Click the link to read the verses
·   This week's sermon: A Good Word: Transformation by The Rev. J.C. Austin

·     We post each week’s sermon
(audio and text) on our website:
TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:

  • Everyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask.

  • Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – please ask a greeter for directions to that space.

  • We will offer nametags for folks to wear – you can pick up as you enter the worship space; please write your first name.
COMMUNION SUNDAY
Communion will be offered at the in-person services.

If you would like to participate from home, you can prepare your own elements: bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel) and grape juice,
wine or water.
For those interested…

If you have challenges hearing the Traditional service in the Sanctuary, we have a solution: headsets that tap directly into the sound system. Ask an usher for assistance.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:

  • Lemonade on the Lawn social hour is concluded for this summer season. Thanks to Congregational Life and all who supported it by attending and sharing baked goods!

  • NEW TIME! Beginning Sunday, September 12, the Traditional service will begin at 11:15 a.m.
INQUIRERS’ SEMINAR: #AnInquiringFaith

We are excited to announce a two-part Inquirers’ Seminar, as part of our ministries of engagement and faith formation here at First Presbyterian.

The seminar will be in two parts: an in-person session on Sunday, September 19 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., with a Zoom follow-up to be scheduled with the group as availability permits. 
While these seminars are a necessary step towards formal membership in the congregation, membership itself is not the goal or expected outcome of the seminar.
Rather, we offer these seminars to give people an intentional space and time in which to ask and consider good questions about the Christian faith, the Presbyterian Church, and this congregation.

Inquirers gather for an interactive experience that explores the intersection of our own stories with the story of Jesus, the church, and our story as the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. 
Some people are inquiring specifically about membership here; some just want to learn more about the Presbyterian tradition; and some are just trying to get a better understanding of who Jesus is and how Christians think about him and relate to him.

Each person brings their own questions as well as their own story, and the Inquirers Seminar is a place to bring those and let them take root and bear fruit; the word “seminar,” after all, comes from a Latin word for a plant nursery where seeds are planted and nurtured as they grow.

If you are interested in participating or in learning more, please contact The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton or call the Church Office at 610-867-5865 with your contact information, and we will be in touch with you. Hope to see you there!
Please join us for this very special occasion, offered in our Sanctuary.

If you plan to attend, please note that masks will be mandatory,
and your RSVP is appreciated but not required.
HI NEIGHBORS GEARING UP FOR NEW PROGRAMS
Our popular speakers program, Hi Neighbors, will be starting back up again on Monday, September 20, with programs in Fellowship Hall.

All are welcome to attend these interesting and informative presentations. The programs begin at 9:30 a.m. with a Fellowship Time, followed by a program at 10 a.m.
The first one will be Traveling with Betsy, presented by Betsy Simpson.

The following week, September 27, a field trip is planned, to nearby Monocacy Farm Project to visit with farmer Eli Stogsdill. Meet at the church to carpool.

The following week (October 4) we are scheduled to hear from U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) with an update on Washington, DC. This presentation will be offered both in person and via Zoom.

In next week's newsletter we'll share the entire schedule. And as a reminder, church COVID protocols must be observed at all times (and are subject to change).

We hope you'll plan to attend these interesting programs!
MUSIC ENSEMBLES STARTING UP: ALL ARE WELCOME!

Director of Music Ministries, David Macbeth, extends an invitation to all musicians – experienced and otherwise – to consider participating in our Handbell ensemble and Chancel Choir.
The Handbell ensemble rehearses at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays; the Chancel Choir meets at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Use the South entrance door.

For more information contact David.
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

The FPCB Preschool & Extended Care program is looking for creative, certified teachers to join the Extended Care staff.

They offer a year round, part time schedule with a well-established program.

Contact director Laura Hawk at lhawk@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-2956.
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
Fair at prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org to keep us up to date.

PRAYER REQUESTS...
Send any prayer requests to prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org or call 610-867-5865 and leave a message.
Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for next week's newsletter: WEDNESDAY at noon**
* * *
And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
CALENDAR

THIS SUNDAY

  • 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers for directions)
  • 9:00 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service, in-person in the Kirk Center AND livestreamed
  • 11:00 a.m.: Combined Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestreamed - see instructions in blue box, below, to join us online, and in the yellow box to join us via phone 
FOR THIS SUNDAY: : Worship with us “Live” on Facebook
To watch “live”- as it happens:

  • Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
  • NEW! If you don’t have a Facebook account, go to our website to view the service - click on the "Watch" button (midway down the homepage) and then click "Watch the Service"
  • Please check in with a comment so we know you’ve joined us!
  • 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
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the 11 a.m. Traditional service

To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 848 4170 9518, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – press the # key again.
TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. - Handbell rehearsal, Sanctuary
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)
THURSDAYS: 7 p.m. – Chancel Choir rehearsal, Choir Room

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. The church offices and Preschool will be closed Monday, September 6 for Labor 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).
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org

The Rev. J.C. Austin, Pastor/Head of Staff: ext. 213, JAustin@fpc-bethlehem.org

The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Associate Pastor of Formation and Justice; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org

The Rev. Sue Bennetch, Pastoral Associate: ext. 209; SBennetch@fpc-bethlehem.org

David Macbeth, Music Director: ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org

Cristy Mette, Administrative Operations Manager: ext. 228;

Rebecca Angione, Facilities Manager: ext. 210; RAngione@fpc-bethlehem.org

Marianne Zarillo, Business Manager: email: MZarillo@fpc-bethlehem.org

Cindy Matthews, Bookkeeper: email: CMatthews@fpc-bethlehem.org

Carol Burns, Communications Manager; phone 610-428-9649; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org

Laura Hawk, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; LHawk@fpc-bethlehem.org

Website:  www.fpc-bethlehem.org