Friday, November 4, 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)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: Planting the seeds
On the Christian calendar, All Saints’ Day is celebrated every November 1. In the Reformed theological tradition, from which Presbyterians come, there is not a tradition of saints being particularly virtuous or unusually faithful people.
Rather, we follow the tradition of the early church which viewed every follower of Jesus Christ as a “saint,” meaning simply that through their Baptism they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit and have done their best to live in the Spirit and share Christ’s love throughout their lives.
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And so here at First Pres, we celebrate All Saints’ Day by remembering and giving thanks for all of those who are connected to this congregation in one way or another that have died in the previous year and been received by God as one of Christ’s saints.
This year, All Saints Day comes in the midst of our sermon series on “Fruit That Will Last,” in which we are considering the seeds that have been planted through the ministry of this church that are bearing fruit now, and the seeds that we are being called to plant now to bear fruit into the future.
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It occurs to me that this is a particularly fitting lens through which to consider the saints who have been part of our lives and the life of this congregation. When I think about the saints who have blessed my life, all of them have planted some kind of seed that has blossomed and born fruit that has helped sustain me in my own journey of life and faith: parents, teachers, pastors, friends, colleagues, even a few passing strangers.
There are people in each of those groups who have taught me something important about what it means to be human, to be Christian, to be a friend, to be the person whom I strive to be. Each of you have your own stories of people like that.
And so this week, as we observe All Saints Day this Sunday, I invite you to consider the saints who have blessed your life, who have planted seeds in your life that continue to bear fruit for you, and to give thanks for them, their witness, and their ministry, whether they are still alive or have gone ahead to join the “great cloud of witnesses,” as the writer of Hebrews puts it, of all those faithful saints who have gone before us.
Grace and peace,
J.C.
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: Fruit that Will Last: Count on Sharing by The Rev. Bob Rapp
- We post the video of each week’s
services and sermon text and audio
on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
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FOR SUNDAY MORNING
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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.
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Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions.
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We offer nametags for folks to wear; please clearly PRINT your first name.
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Sunday is Communion Sunday
If you are worshipping from home, you can prepare your own elements: bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, etc.) and
grape juice, wine or water
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GUEST PREACHER: THE REV. BOB RAPP | |
We are pleased to welcome The Rev. Bob Rapp as our guest preacher on Sunday. He will also present to our Hearts N Minds class at 9:45 a.m.
A 2013 graduate of the Crossroads Lay Leadership Program at Moravian Theological Seminary, Bob first came to Christ Church in the summer of 2016, as a pastoral intern working toward licensed ministry in the UCC Church. He accepted the call to be the Pastor for Mission of Christ Church in October 2018. His previous life endeavors were as a business owner and a truck driver specializing in hauling heavy equipment.
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In recent years, his passion for homeless veterans led him to an outreach position with Hope for Veterans. Bob currently works as the Executive Director of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, Inc. located at Christ UCC. | |
BETWEEN SERVICES: HOSPITALITY TIME – AND MORE!
All are welcome to connect at our Hospitality time starting at 10 a.m. (between the two services), in Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a beverage and snack, and fellowship with other members, friends and guests.
Creating Faith: Intergenerational Faith Formation
Kids of all ages (including adults who are kids at heart) are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall during the Hospitality time between services for Creating Faith, a simple time together for a story and craft that will nurture our faith and engage our creativity. We’ll begin by 10:15 a.m. and wrap up by 10:45 a.m. Feel free to bring your Hospitality drink and snack over to our tables!
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INQUIRERS SEMINAR UPDATE
We’re scheduling our next Inquirers Seminar, for those interested in learning more about the Presbyterian faith in general, and First Pres in particular (perhaps with an eye to joining our congregation as a member). It will be held on Sunday, November 20 from 2-5 p.m., in person.
If you’re interested and would like to be included, please let Lindsey know (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org).
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HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED: THIS SUNDAY’S CLASS
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet this Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 178. Everyone is welcome to hear the presentation by The Rev. Bob Rapp, Executive Director of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, Inc.
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HI NEIGHBORS MEETS MONDAY
Our popular weekly series – featuring presentations on a wide variety of topics – is open to all interested adults. Come and learn with us!
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We will be in Fellowship Hall on Monday, November 7 to hear “Keeping Your Wings Level” by Korry Frank, United Airlines pilot.
Hospitality time begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the program at 10 a.m.
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“VESPERS”: A WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL EVENT | |
The Sanctuary at First Pres will be the setting for “Vespers”, a special musical event featuring the Saint Tikhon Choir, professional soloists, and student vocalists from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts.
It will be offered on Sunday, November 13 at 4 p.m. This concert is the third in a series of three events that weekend, premiering the new work, “Vespers” by the choir’s conductor, Benedict Sheehan.
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If you’d like a ‘sneak peek’ of their music, tune in to WDIY 88.1FM today (Friday) at the 10 a.m. hour of WDIY Classics, hosted by Lucille Kincaid. She will share some of their selections and talk about the November 13 concert. (You can listen ‘live’ on 88.1FM or wdiy.org; you can also hear the program for the next two weeks on WDIY’s free app.)
Advance purchase of tickets is recommended at their website. Tickets are free for those 18 and under; $20 for seniors 65+ or active military; $30 for general admission; and $45 for premium seating in the first four rows.
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‘A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING’
Sponsored by Bethlehem Interfaith Group
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The Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) will sponsor a “Service of Thanksgiving” at Congregation Brith Sholom, 1190 West Macada Street on Sunday, November 13 at 4 p.m.
The service will feature contributions from many of the faiths represented, including music, readings, prayer, and interactive responses. Rev. Nina Patton-Semero of Epworth United Methodist Church will offer the meditation.
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All are welcome to attend; per the Covid protocols at our host venue, masks are required. Donations of non-perishable food items for a local food bank are appreciated; there will also be a free will offering to support New Bethany Ministries’ work in the community. | |
SAVE THE DATES!
We’ll be preparing and serving dinner at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering three times during this winter’s shelter season. After the Volunteer Coordinator training in a couple of weeks, we’ll share more about what help is needed and start asking for volunteers to sign up.
In the meantime, if you are interested in helping our church meet the needs of our unhoused neighbors, please mark your calendars with the following dates: Wednesday, November 30; Wednesday, January 25 and Wednesday, March 29.
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CROP WALK: FINAL TALLY
Many thanks to all who participated in this year's CROP Walk for Hunger. Together, we raised $1575 to provide nutritional assistance, disaster relief, agricultural development, and other help for people locally and worldwide who are seeking to improve their lives. Well done!
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CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR IS COMING! | |
Plan your shopping for hand-crafted gifts and décor at our Christmas Craft Fair.
It's coming on Saturday, November 19
(9 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and Sunday, November 20 (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) in Fellowship Hall.
(right: a sampling of the wares created by our clever crafters!)
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On Saturday, you can also visit the Craft Fair at Wesley United Methodist Church (next door at 2540 Center Street) – theirs runs from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Make it a real "day out" to #shoplocal! | |
Chancel Choir has begun – they meet on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Choir Room behind the Sanctuary (use the South entrance). Those with some choral experience are welcome (age 14 and older).
Our Handbell Choir has started their weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays from
6-7 p.m. Those 12 and older are welcome – no musical experience needed, and it is not too late to get involved.
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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**
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Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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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
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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
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 AM
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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 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.
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MONDAYS: 9:30 a.m. - Hi Neighbors informational program, Fellowship Hall (everyone welcome)
TUESDAYS: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. - Crafters, Room 408 (everyone welcome); 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).
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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
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. 210; MZarillo@fpc-bethlehem.org
Cindy Matthews, Bookkeeper; ext. 211; CMatthews@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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