Friday, December 2, 2022 Newsletter


COMMUNION SUNDAY SERVICES


9:00 a.m. ‘Holy Ground’ Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall

(in person only)


11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

  (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, and audio via phone)

A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN:

THE POWER IS IN THE STORIES


Earlier this week, a meme was circulating in pastor groups online that showed a video clip of a megachurch that had at least eight drummers practicing for a Christmas service in its worship space. Apparently, the plan called for them to be drumming while simultaneously swinging on wires from the ceiling over the heads of the congregation, all while a series of giant video screens behind them showed an exploding graphic of “JESUS!!!” in the background. It was, to say the least, quite a spectacle. 

The point of circulating the clip, of course, was to critique that as excessive. And, of course, it is, but the truth is that many churches have difficulty finding the line between special and excessive on Christmas Eve, and often tilt towards the latter in an attempt to attract more people to the Christmas Eve service.


As I shared the meme with Pastor Lindsey, though, she remarked, “if there’s ever a Christian story that doesn’t need a gimmick, it’s probably Christmas Eve… so much humanity and wonder all by itself.”


And she is right: the power of both Advent and Christmas are in the stories, not in the spectacle.

Ironically, aside from the angelic appearances, those stories in Scripture are anything but spectacular. The whole point of the stories, in many ways, is how unspectacular they are: God being incarnated in an ordinary infant born to a peasant woman in a tiny hamlet in a backwater province of the Roman Empire. 


The wonder is that God chose such a way of coming to us; it goes against everything that human beings would expect God to do, to the point that U.S. churches today often try to add as much spectacle as they can muster, and the question is really just what their particular scope and budget can handle.     

     

Here at First Pres, we try to keep our focus on the power of the stories rather than the spectacle surrounding them. That doesn’t mean we don’t have special music or services, of course, but they are designed to draw us into the Christmas story.


This year, we will have Candlelight Christmas Eve services at both 4 pm and 7 pm; the earlier service is an intentionally intergenerational one, while the later one is a traditional service of Scripture lessons and Christmas carols.


Since Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, we will have a special Christmas Day Celebration service at 10 am in Fellowship Hall. This will be a “come as you are” service, so don’t miss your chance to attend worship in your Christmas pajamas in person and not just with the livestream from your couch! 


Similarly, on New Year’s Day, we will have a combined service at 10 am that will be a service of “Other Lessons and Carols,” meaning the stories surrounding Jesus’ birth and childhood that we rarely get to explore during the Christmas season.



I’m looking forward to both Advent and Christmas together as a church as we listen to these stories and explore their power and meaning anew for us as followers of Jesus. I hope you will be a part of as many of them as you can be, and I hope to see you as you do!


Grace and peace,

J.C.

FOR THIS SUNDAY


Luke 1:26-38

  

Click the link to read the verses

- This week’s sermon: Do Not be Afraid by The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton


- We post the video of each week’s

services and sermon text and audio

on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org

TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper


Traditional Worship Service (7 pages, includes 2 hymn inserts)

FOR SUNDAY MORNING


  • The Building Reopening Task Force encourages people to wear masks, especially if they are in a high risk category, as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others.    
  • Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions. 
  • We offer nametags for folks to wear; please clearly PRINT your first name.

SUNDAY IS COMMUNION SUNDAY


If you would like to participate in Communion while watching the livestreamed service, you can prepare your own elements: a bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel, etc.) and grape juice, wine or water.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we reflect God’s perfect gift to us, Jesus Christ, with generous support of church leaders among us – past, present and future – who have pointed us to God. We honor and celebrate leaders like retired pastors, church workers and their families, who now find themselves in critical financial need. We also honor emerging leaders like students in schools and colleges equipping communities of color who prepare to bring their gifts in service to the world.

Please consider donating. Envelopes are available in the narthex, Fellowship Hall, and in your pledge envelope box.

POINSETTIA ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES


Special envelopes are available in the pews, Narthex and Fellowship Hall,

to return by this Sunday, December 4 (there is also a poinsettia envelope

in your pack of pledge envelopes).


The suggested donation is $20; you can take home a poinsettia after the

Christmas Eve service you attend. This is a lovely way to honor

a loved one. If you need an envelope call us at 610-867-5865.

HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED: NEW ADVENT SERIES

 

Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet this Sunday from 9:45-10:40 a.m. in room 178 (on the ground floor, beneath Fellowship Hall). All are welcome to join in!


As we anticipate the time of year that celebrates the birth of Christ, to enrich your faith during this Advent season, you are invited to join the Hearts N Minds class to consider the themes of Waiting, Making Room, and Waking Up as interwoven spiritual practices. 


Scripture and other sacred texts, poetry, video, and group discussion, will connect us with our sense of wonder and our heart for God as well as ground us in our call to work for justice. Come be a part of this engaging experience. The dates for this Advent series are December 4, 11, and 18.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Advent devotional.


Because of copyright issues, you will need to contact us to get the link. In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing the link or posting it on social media.


If you do not have access to a device and would like a printed copy, please contact Lindsey.

COMING ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10: FOR ALL AGES!


On Saturday, December 10 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., we’re hosting an Intergenerational Spirituality & Creativity Retreat for the FPCB community, along with our Preschool families and residents of Kirkland Village. 

Together, we’ll explore the Advent practice of waiting—from Generation to Generation, this season gathers families and communities together to await the birth of God’s love, peace, hope, and joy; to retell the Christmas story; and to celebrate together across all ages and stages of life.

The day will be full of interactive fun: stories, music, a drum circle, shaker making, art projects, creative movement, and more!


This event is for anyone who is young and everyone who is young at heart. All ages are welcome! This a great opportunity for shared learning and play with children or grandchildren and neighbors or friends. We hope you’ll come (and consider inviting others)!



Lunch will be provided, so we’d love to have RSVPs by Wednesday, December 7 to help us with a headcount for food and supplies: bit.ly/3ggRb60

OUR GIVING TREE IS UP AND READY FOR YOU

Have you been in the North Link outside Fellowship Hall? Our Giving Tree is decorated with lights and ornaments. The ornaments represent tools and supplies for people who need a hand up. Choose from among many options like sewing machines, clean water, chickens, and much else – many price points are available.


Choose an ornament or several, put them in the basket, give your check (made out to PCUSA - not FPCB) or cash to the Mission volunteer and know you have done some good in the world.  


Rather do it online? Put the ornament in the basket, then go to presbyteriangifts.pcusa.org. Having a hard time thinking of the right gift for a relative or friend - how about something from the tree? 

LOOKING AHEAD…


  • Saturday, December 3: Memorial service for Donald Masters at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by light refreshments in Fellowship Hall. 


  • Saturday, December 10: All are welcome to join us at an Intergenerational Spirituality & Creativity Retreat, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (see article, above)


  • Sunday, December 18: Our Christmas Joy Concert will be offered at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary, featuring the Chancel Choir and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts’ Touring Choir, with special guests the Concord Chamber Singers. Free will donation; in person and livestreamed.


  • Wednesday, December 21: The Longest Night Service provides space for those who are grieving a loss in their lives (whether a person, a job, an experience, a dream) to engage the deep truths of Advent and Christmas without feeling forced into experiences of cheer that they are not feeling. Offered both in person and via livestream at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This is a communion service.


  • Saturday, December 24: We will offer two candlelight Christmas Eve services in the Sanctuary (also livestreamed) – an intergenerational service at 4 p.m., and a Traditional service at 7 p.m.



  • Sunday, December 25: On Christmas Day, join us for a 10 a.m. Worship Service in Fellowship Hall (also available via livestream). No Hearts N Minds for today.

Donald Masters Memorial Service


All are welcome to join the Masters family at Don's memorial service this Saturday, December 3 at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall immediately after the service.


If you would be willing to provide refreshments, the organizers are asking for these items, cut in finger-size portions:


  • cookies
  • bars
  • dessert breads
  • muffins
  • cake


Please deliver to the main kitchen on Saturday before 10 am. Disposable containers are appreciated.

CELEBRATING THE BEGINNING OF ADVENT

CLICK HERE FOR PRAYER LIST
UPDATED: 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. We contact the hospitals on weekdays to get that information. If you enter the hospital on Friday-Sunday, you can 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:

info@fpc-bethlehem.org

**Deadline for next week's newsletter is

WEDNESDAY at noon**

* * *

And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem

Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!

THIS SUNDAY

  • 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
  • 9:00 a.m.: “Holy Ground” Contemporary service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
  • 9:45 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Room 178 - all are welcome
  • 10:00 a.m.: Hospitality Time & Intergenerational Faith Formation, Fellowship Hall; all are welcome
  • 11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; below, to join us online

TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 AM


  • Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
  • If you don’t have a Facebook account, go to our website to view the service - click on the "Watch the Service" button
  • 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 archives

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the Traditional Worship 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 Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary (no experience needed; 12 and older)

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 behind the Sanctuary (some choral experience; 14 and older)


CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:


Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The South entrance will be open during these hours, and on Sunday mornings.


Many of the office staff are continuing to work remotely for some of the time, so please make an appointment if you need to see someone specific. 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).

CALENDAR
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


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


Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Maintenance Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org


Pam Marth, Administrative Coordinator: ext. 228; email: PMarth@fpc-bethlehem.org


Carol Burns, Communications Manager: ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org



Tracy Leszcynski, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; TLeszcynski@fpc-bethlehem.org


Marianne Zarillo, Finance (interim); ext. 210MZarillo@fpc-bethlehem.org


Cindy Matthews, Bookkeeper; ext. 211; CMatthews@fpc-bethlehem.org


Website:  www.fpc-bethlehem.org