Friday, February 24, 2023 Newsletter
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 – Sunday
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: THE WAY BEFORE US
Recently, Pastor Lindsey and I were talking about various aspects of this season in the in life of our congregation, both in terms of Lent beginning and in the larger sense of our strategic mission work. As we were talking, she told me about a Quaker proverb that I had not heard but greatly appreciated.
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The full version of the proverb is “Proceed as the way opens,” but it’s often truncated simply to, “way will open.” What it means is that sometimes we have to undertake something without knowing exactly how to go about it: the “way” is not clear or marked out.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t undertake it; it means we proceed, and we continue to proceed as the way “opens,” as it becomes more clear that we’re going in the right direction.
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And what’s wonderful about the shortened version, “way will open,” is the sense of conviction that it will open if we are willing to proceed in faith and trust. It may be a wandering path, there may be some false starts or wrong turns, but as we proceed, the way for us to go opens up before us and becomes more and more clear.
“Way will open” obviously has a lot of resonance for us as we are striving to discern the way into a vibrant, faithful, impactful, and sustainable future as a congregation through the creative use of our energy, ministry, and resources.
But it also has resonance for us in our individual lives. So many pastoral conversations I have with people boil down to struggling to find their way in their professional or personal lives.
One of the challenges, and sometimes even one of the unexpected benefits, of the pandemic for many people is that they are reconsidering many of the assumptions they have had about how they want to live their lives and faith. What are the things that will bring authentic purpose and joy and peace? What are the things that need to be let go in order to live into that promise? How can we find a new way to live?
Given all that, I want to invite you this Lenten season to explore what “way will open” means for both you as an individual and for us as a congregation.
To that end, the Lenten Sermon Series will be on this very theme, exploring what Scripture has to say about what it means for us to proceed as the way opens in our journey of faith. We will begin this Sunday, fittingly, with Jesus in the wilderness, trying to discern the way in which his ministry should go, in a sermon entitled, “At the Crossroads.”
In addition, I want to invite you to our Sunday morning combined Adult Education series, as well. This class will be meeting in Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m. for the next four weeks, and will be exploring the insights of the two books that the Session and Trustees read last summer and which have been guiding their strategic work ever since. The books are Shift: Three Big Moves for the 21st Century Church, by Mark Tidsworth, and We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Ministry and Mission, by Mark Elsdon.
While you are certainly invited to make reading these books part of your Lenten discipline, there is no expectation that you will have done so in order to participate in the class. Rather, we’ll be presenting the key points of the two books and discussing them with an eye towards how they might speak to us right here at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.
I am excited about this season in the life of our church, in terms of observing Lent together and even more so in terms of our strategic work. I hope that you will make a special effort to be a part of these crucial conversations, and I look forward to being in them with you!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
*If you are interested in borrowing a copy, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or the church office (610-867-5865) and we’ll help connect you.
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- This week’s sermon: Way Will Open: At the Crossroads by The Rev. J.C. Austin
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We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday
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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
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Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. this Sunday morning; please ask an usher for directions.
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Your children are a joy in our worship services, and should the need arise, “kid bags” are available for their use. They are in the Narthex and in the blanket-sitting area (to the left of the communion table in Fellowship Hall).
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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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COFFEE & CONVERSATION – AFTER EACH SUNDAY SERVICE
We invite folks to stay for Coffee & Conversation following each of our two worship services.
This is an opportunity for connection in Fellowship Hall where you’ll find coffee for adults along with juice boxes and a simple snack for children. (We will still gather for our Intergenerational Faith Formation story and craft after the 9:00 service!)
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LOOKING FOR A FEW LECTORS…
“Lectors” is the name for the people who participate in our worship services, by reading prayers and scripture. We are looking for additional volunteers for our 9 a.m. service; if you are interested, please use this easy online sign-up form.
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SPECIAL LENTEN SERIES FOR SUNDAY ADULT ED
For the next four Sundays – February 26, and March 5, 12 and 19 – we are offering a special Lenten series for adult ed. All are welcome to gather in Fellowship Hall beginning at 10 a.m.
We will be exploring the insights of the two books that the Session and Trustees read last summer and which have been guiding their strategic work ever since. The books are Shift: Three Big Moves for the 21st Century Church, by Mark Tidsworth, and We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Ministry and Mission, by Mark Elsdon.
While you are certainly invited to make reading these books part of your Lenten discipline, there is no expectation that you will have done so in order to participate in the class. Rather, we’ll be presenting the key points of the two books and discussing them with an eye towards how they might speak to us right here at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.
The Hearts N Minds adult ed class is on hiatus until Sunday, April 2, when they will meet at 9:45 a.m. in the Parlor. They will not meet on Easter Sunday (April 9) and will resume on Sunday, April 16.
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STARTING WEDNESDAY: LENTEN SUPPER SERIES
“Making Room for Something New”
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From 6:00-7:30 p.m. on the first four Wednesdays of Lent (March 1, 8, 15, and 22), we’ll gather in Fellowship Hall for a simple potluck meal and explore the theme Making Room for Something New.
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The series will offer insight on discipleship practices and spiritual postures for navigating transition and change, both as individuals and as a community.
There will be time for food and connection, a brief bit of teaching and practice, followed by small group reflection and conversation. Here are the themes we’ll explore together over the four weeks: creating space and waiting/wintering; stillness; imagination; resilience and vitality.
Attendees are invited to bring either a salad or dessert for at least eight. Any variety of salad (pasta salad, grain bowl, chicken/egg/potato salad, green salad, etc.) or dessert is welcome!
We also need five volunteers each week to help with light preparations at 5:30 p.m. If you’re available to help, please email info@fpc-bethlehm.org or call the church office at 610-867-5865 and your message will be shared with Gail Watts, who is coordinating the suppers.
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SUPPORTING ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING |
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Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) — Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People — all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. |
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NOTE: The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund is supporting earthquake response efforts in Turkey and Syria.
Received during the season of Lent (February 22 – April 9), each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.
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LOOKING AHEAD TO LENTEN COLLECTIONS
First Pres will be collecting nonperishable foods and bedding for New Bethany Ministries, Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering and Northeast Community Center, beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 22) through Palm Sunday.
Note that the items for BES can be new or very gently used; they are also requesting donations of tents (they appreciate this model, so they can tell who is affiliated with their programs).
Containers are located in the North Link and in the Kirk Center. Please consider supporting these Bethlehem organizations.
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The Lunch Bunch - an informal group which meets for friendship and fun - will reconvene for a lovely midwinter get-together on Thursday, March 9 at noon at Rudy's Bar and Grill, 1406 Center St., Bethlehem. All are welcome to join us!
Please let us know if you plan to attend so we can alert Rudy’s with the number.
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Contact Melody Engel at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call the church office at 610-867-5865. Hope to see many of you for a relaxed, social lunch! |
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FLOWERS ARE ON OUR MINDS…
Altar Flowers: We appreciate the donation of altar flowers for use in our Traditional worship services in the Sanctuary. This is a wonderful way to honor a loved one, or their memory. Please sign up for your requested date using the form in the Narthex (or you can call the church office at 610-867-5865).
We will order the flowers on your behalf. The cost is $75, payable to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem; send your payment to the Finance Office or use the flower envelope that is with the sign-up form.
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Easter Flowers: Starting next week we will be taking orders for flowers for use in our Easter services – you will have your choice of a hydrangea ($22), tulip ($11) and daffodil ($11). Special envelopes will be available, or you can use the one in your pack of envelopes. This is a nice way to honor or remember a loved one, and you can take home the flowers you order.
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COMING IN APRIL: NEXT HELPING HANDS TRIP
The next Helping Hands trip is slated for Saturday, April 15 – Saturday, April 22 and will take volunteers back to New Bern, NC to work on homes for our neighbors there.
We hope you will consider being part of this trip. There are no specific skills or experience required. There are jobs for every skill level, and experienced volunteers can help train you. Volunteers will be housed at the Neuse Forest Presbyterian Church in New Bern. The facility is fairly new and the accommodations are very comfortable.
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The registration deadline is Thursday, March 30. The cost is $250.00 (includes round trip travel to New Bern and housing and meals while in New Bern), but if the cost is prohibitive and you would like to participate, there are scholarship funds available.
The Orientation Meeting will take place on Thursday, March 30 at 6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown.
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Kevin Kehoe via info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message for him at 610-867-5865.
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SOME REMINDERS FOR YOU…
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Look for updates on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org), Facebook page, and WFMZ (channel 69 and wfmz.com). We’ll also put a message on our church phone, 610-867-5865.
PLEDGE ENVELOPES: If you ordered pledge envelopes, they will be mailed directly to you from the envelope company. Please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org if you have not yet received them.
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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, but you are also enouraged to contact Jane Mackie 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 the next week's newsletter:
WEDNESDAY at noon**
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Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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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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THIS SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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9:00 a.m.: “Holy Ground” Contemporary service, Fellowship Hall (in person only) followed by Coffee & Conversation in Fellowship Hall
- 10:00 a.m.: Lenten Adult Ed class, 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; in-person followed by Coffee & Conversation in Fellowship Hall
TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. - Handbell rehearsal, Sanctuary (middle school and older, no experience needed)
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, Sanctuary
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
Regular office hours are Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Many of the office staff are working 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.
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Look for updates on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org), Facebook page, and WFMZ (channel 69 and wfmz.com). We will also put the info on our church phone message, 610-867-5865.
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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