Friday, July 15, 2022 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICE
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
10:00 a.m. Summer Worship in the Sanctuary
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
Supporting our Afghan friends
Greetings friends,
Even though it’s just now the middle of July, the program committees (Congregational Life, Discipleship, Mission, and Engagement) and I have already been hard at work brainstorming for the fall.
We’ve been enjoying collaborative planning meetings once a month since May, and this month, we’ll be ready to start getting dates for programs and events on the calendar. It’s exciting to see themes and threads start to come together!
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This past fall, we kicked the program year off with our church-wide reading and discussion of Neighborhood Church: How to Transform Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission.
As I look back, I can see at least one significant way in which that inspired our work: the commitment we’ve made to co-sponsor the resettlement of our Afghan family.
Putting our faith into action in ways that have a long-term, relational impact is at the heart of being a Neighborhood Church.
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It is clear that both the Refugee Family Support Team and our whole congregation really have skin in the game with Baz, Mursal, Taib, Bahar, and the baby on the way!
At our most recent Table Talk potluck last Sunday, we learned more about our family’s immigration status, and we made a shared commitment to advocate for all Afghans to have a clear, accessible pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. Advocacy is yet another way we can be a Neighborhood Church!
We’re joining together in a letter-writing campaign to encourage our Congressional elected officials to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act. If you’d like to participate, you can learn more on this handout (a two-page document) which includes a letter template that you can revise and customize as you wish.
Letters are due to the church on Sunday, July 31; they don’t have to be stamped and addressed since we’ll send a large envelope with all of them together. (Just label them with the legislator’s name and your return address so that you’ll receive a response.)
We’ll have a basket out to collect them in the narthex, just before going into the Sanctuary. If you won't be coming to the building before then, you can also contact the Church office at 610-867-5865 and we’re happy to send you a stamped envelope to mail your letters to the church.
At our next Table Talk on Sunday, August 7 following Summer Worship, we’ll celebrate with a Baby Shower for our Afghan family. Be on the lookout for information about a registry of items that they need, along with a note about what you can bring food-wise (as you’re able).
Friends, it’s good to be Christ’s church together and in the world! I’m grateful for the many ways in which we’re living out our faith as a Neighborhood Church.
Blessings, dear ones.
Lindsey
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: Spirit of Peace by
The Rev. Lindsey Altaver Clifton
- We post the video of each week’s
services and sermon text and audio
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper
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FOR SUNDAY MORNING: UPDATES!
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The Building Reopening Task Force has issued a new guideline: they encourage that people wear masks, especially if they are in a high risk category, as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others.
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Child care will be available from 9:45-11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions.
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We 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.
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Join us after Sunday worship…
Our popular “Lemonade on the Lawn” social time is offered after our 10 a.m. Summer Worship service. Stop by the front lawn for a cool drink, snack, and fellowship. We’ll head into the North Link in case of bad weather.
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HONORING THE REV. KEITH BROWN
As we hope you are aware, Session has been considering how to honor the memory of the late The Rev. Keith Brown, Pastor Emeritus at FPCB.
Naming Fellowship Hall after him and upgrading it for a new century of life and ministry together seems like the perfect way not only to memorialize his commitment to koinonia (koy-no-NEE-ah, which is often translated into English as “fellowship”) but to ensure that it continues to guide and support our congregational life for generations to come.
Fellowship Hall is a wonderful space where koinonia can be practiced in many ways, but it is an aging facility that is in need of significant updating to realize its great potential.
The Session, the Trustees, their committees, and our church staff have been working together to gather information and determine how to best revitalize Fellowship Hall. Proposals for additional electrical supply, air conditioning, and kitchen plumbing repairs will be obtained.
By adding modern technology and making modest alterations the space can be utilized for our Contemporary Worship as well as for receptions, seminars, and special events. A consulting firm is doing a thorough evaluation and will make recommendations for lighting, sound, acoustics, seating, and sets. Some components previously used in the gym for Contemporary Service will be reused, but for robust long term benefit the scope and cost of the project will be substantial.
When complete, it will not only support our existing ministries more effectively, but allow us to expand our impact both through our own programs and alongside community partners.
We thank those of you who have already supported this initiative. For those who have not, we invite you to join us in honoring Keith’s life and ministry through the Keith Brown Memorial Fund. All contributions are blessings, each as one is able.
We look forward to a commemorative service to formally dedicate Fellowship Hall in Keith’s name.
TO DONATE TO THE KEITH BROWN MEMORIAL FUND:
- Mail a check (made out to FPCB with “Brown” in the memo line) to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, Attn: Business Office, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18017.
- On the Narthex tables you will find offering envelopes marked “Brown.” You can use one to place your check in the donation box (also on the Narthex table) or offering plate.
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Use our online giving portal at fpc.bethlehem.org/give and put “Brown” in the “notes” box below the payment information.
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SHHH… IT’S A SECRET!
If you are so inclined: we are proposing a card shower for Emy Cliff, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Saturday, July 30.
You can send to her at
Briarholme 207
Kirkland Village
Bethlehem, PA 18017
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LOOKING FOR SUNDAY MORNING HELP |
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We are looking for a couple of 'on call' volunteers to assist us in providing child care on Sunday mornings. The hours are 9:45-11:30 a.m., or until the last child leaves. There are always two workers present. These are sub positions, in case our regular staff is unable to work.
Volunteers need to be at least 16 years old, and will need to get their clearances, for which there is no cost. You will get the assistance you need to complete them.
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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...
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Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for next week's newsletter is
WEDNESDAY at noon**
* * *
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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THIS SUNDAY
- 9:45 – 11:30 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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10 a.m.: Summer Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; below, to join us online
- 11 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn, front of building (west side)
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICES
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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 - 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
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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the Summer 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.
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TUESDAYS, NEW TIME! 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Crafters, Room 408 (everyone welcome)
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).
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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
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