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Friday, March 4, 2022 Newsletter

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

9:00 a.m. Contemporary 
11:15 a.m. Traditional*

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

The last couple of years, I’ve seen people making the same sardonic joke at the beginning of Lent: “this year for Lent, I’m giving up.” The reference, of course, is to the practice of giving something up for Lent, a practice that is particularly prominent in the Roman Catholic and Episcopalian traditions.

Generally, what is given up is something that provides pleasure or convenience or distraction, such as chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or even social media. The joke, of course, is about wanting to give up the cumulative burden of stress over the last few years from the ongoing pandemic, economic uncertainty, national division, and international strife, or just giving up trying to handle it all.
But I think this also creates a helpful opening for us to observe Lent more constructively. We are not in need of yet more deprivation, however small or significant. But the point of Lent is not to make ourselves suffer and sacrifice in some way as a means of demonstrating our appreciation for Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice and our willingness to follow him. That’s the problem with emphasizing Lent as being about giving something up. 
Which is why Presbyterians have traditionally avoided giving things up for Lent and instead stressed the importance of taking things up for Lent: engaging in additional spiritual disciplines of prayer, Scripture reading, and service to deepen one’s understanding and practice of faith.

This actually goes back to the origins of Lent, which was developed after Christianity was unbanned and legitimized by the Roman Empire and the church needed a means to prepare the sudden surge of people interested in Christianity to receive the sacrament of Baptism. Their answer was Lent: a 40-day period of intensive study, worship, and preparation to be baptized on Easter.

And this is the dimension I want to suggest for us to claim in Lent this year. As I mentioned in the Ash Wednesday service this week, repentance means both turning away from things and turning towards new things. And that connects right into the traditional questions in the sacrament of Baptism, which include both those turns: turning away from evil and sin, turning towards Jesus Christ and then following him in our lives of faith.

So I want to encourage us to remember our baptisms this Lent, to remember that God’s grace has claimed us and called us by name, and nothing in heaven or earth can separate us from that. And in doing so, we can also reclaim our baptisms and rededicate ourselves to responding to God’s grace intentionally and actively and with gratitude.

So, I invite you to observe Lent by turning towards Christ with renewed commitment and expectation, taking up new ways of Christian worship and learning and service. And as you do so, I am confident that Christ will meet you in that and bless you in Lent with insight and growth and fullness and joy.

Grace and Peace,
J.C.
FOR THIS SUNDAY

                          
Click the link to read the verses
- This week’s sermon: Water for the Wilderness by The Rev. J.C. Austin

- 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 for Sunday


FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP: UPDATED PROTOCOLS

  • Everyone over the age of 2 is required to properly wear a mask covering the nose and mouth; double masks or N95 are recommended.
  • Everyone eligible is expected to be fully vaccinated, which now means the initial course of vaccination plus a booster, if you are attending any in-person events at the church.
  • Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.; please ask an usher for directions to that space.
  • We will offer nametags for folks to wear – these are for everyone! You can pick up as you enter the worship space; please clearly PRINT your first name.
COMMUNION SUNDAY
If you would like to participate from home, please prepare your elements beforehand:

  • a bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel, muffin) and
  • grape juice, wine or water
HOSPITALITY TIME ON SUNDAY

We’re excited to offer Hospitality Time between our two worship services! Beginning this Sunday, March 6, you’re invited to join us in Fellowship Hall for coffee and a few refreshments starting at 10:00 a.m. This is simply a time to build relationships and connect with one another… what a gift! 

Folks are welcome to unmask while seated and eating or drinking, but are asked to remain masked otherwise. We’ll also have a table for kids of all ages (including grown-ups who are kids at heart) to create faith together while enjoying a story and related craft. Hope you’ll join us!
SUNDAY’S FELLOWSHIP & FORMATION HOUR: FOR THIS WEEK

Hearts N Minds, our adult ed class, will meet this Sunday, in person, from 10-11 a.m. in the Children’s Center, room E3/4. It will also be offered via Zoom.

As we conclude our series on Christian Nationalism, we will discuss being actively engaged in the world around us, empowered by the Holy Spirit, caring for others with compassion and working for peace and justice. We will look at current organizations that champion change to the environment, and to benefit people who are poor, rejected, and hungry. There is no reading assignment – all are welcome, as always.

  • To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3Iizxry
  • To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 842 1225 8913, then press # and then # again. 
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING BEGINS SUNDAY

The first Presbyterian Special Offering, One Great Hour of Sharing, begins March 2 and ends with Easter on April 17.
During Lent, we celebrate that God connects with us through Jesus’ resurrection. It connects us with those who have the least. One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is about those who Jesus connected with, the Bible says, those oppressed, in need, have loss or are lacking.
Each gift to OGHS supports its Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program and its injustice program, Self-Development of People.

Learn more through the pamphlets in the Narthex and Kirk Center. Envelopes are available there. Checks can be made out to: FPCB with One Great Hour of Sharing on the memo line or through our giving link on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org/give).

If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.
INQUIRERS CLASS:
COMING SUNDAY

If you’re a newcomer to FPCB and are interested in learning more about becoming a member of the church, you’re invited to join us for an in-person Inquirers Seminar on Sunday, March 6 from 2-5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. 
This will be an opportunity to meet other newcomers, to learn more about First Pres, our theological commitments and spiritual practices, and to consider whether you are being called into ministry partnership here alongside us. This is a required first step before joining the church, and we’ll need a headcount to make sure we have enough materials. Please email Lindsey (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org) to sign up!
LENTEN SERIES: THE LENTEN WILDERNESS JOURNEY   
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.: March 9, March 23, and April 6
In person and via Zoom
 
Lent presses us to consider Jesus’s wilderness experience. A wilderness where safety and comfort are taken away. His journey forced a wrestling with God; yes, even a tussling with tempters. For Jesus, it was a place of loneliness: a time of questioning, and self-doubt. As modern-day pilgrims, we too have our own lament, with struggles that leave us vulnerable and exposed.
For three Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. - March 9, March 23, and April 6 - come gather with fellow wanderers who are called to follow Jesus.

This Lenten practice will also express our heart’s own lament of struggle, yet remind us of a God who hears us and never fails to continually seek out and gather us in.
Join us to appreciate Lenten scriptures and secular readings which serve as guideposts in our larger spiritual journey. We offer a Lenten practice that expresses our hearts to a God who hears our lament out of the fullness of all that we are. Each Lenten session invites quiet contemplation, group discussion and fellowship, seeking new ways to find strength to go where Jesus leads us. 

The in person classes will be held in classrooms in the Children’s Center – use the back (east) parking lot to enter through the Kirk Center doors and you will be directed.

  • To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3MnQByz
  • To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 817 4968 707, then press # and then # again. 

If participating from home: you may want to print these documents:

HI NEIGHBORS INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS: COMING MONDAY!

Hi Neighbors is back and in person beginning this Monday, March 7. Everyone is welcome to attend our session in Fellowship Hall, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with a hospitality time. 
At 10 a.m. we’ll begin the program by John Cordes, the chaplain at Kirkland Village, entitled “Spirituality and Photography.” John will share his considerable talents as a photographer of animals. (Right: “Naya”)

On Monday, March 14, we’ll hear about “10 Scams” by Danielle Moore of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
CAN YOU HELP? NEW “JOB SHARING” SHIFTS AVAILABLE

This past week we began staffing the church office with our dedicated group of volunteer receptionists. We currently have two open shifts available - on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Typically our volunteers sign on for an every-week shift, but we are putting out the call to see if anyone is interested in taking two shifts a month (every other week). Let us know if this (or an every week shift) interests you – please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865. Thanks for considering this way of serving our church!
CHURCH OFFICE UPDATE

The Building Re-Opening Task Force has reinstated our volunteer receptionists staffing the office. However, please continue to contact the staff person you need to speak with, to set up an appointment – staff are working remotely as much as possible. If you don’t know who to contact, email us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at 610-867-5865.

The South entrance door is unlocked between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Thursday, and on Sunday mornings.
A NOTE ABOUT CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS...

Should we need to close the building and/or cancel events or office hours, we will make those announcements on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org), Facebook page, and WFMZ (both on wfmz.com and on their TV announcements). Messages will also be placed on the church phone, 610-867-5865.
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 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 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service, in-person in the Kirk Center AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; see below, to join us online
  • 10:00: Hospitality Hour, Fellowship Hall
  • 10:00: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, in person and via Zoom (details above)
  • 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; see below, to join us online
TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICES

  • 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 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 (interested? contact David Macbeth)
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)

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).
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

Oscar Mendoza, Director of Business Administration: ext. 210; OMendoza@fpc-bethlehem.org

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

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

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

Website:  www.fpc-bethlehem.org