Friday, March 26, 2021 Newsletter
FOR PALM SUNDAY:
COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11 A.M.
OUTDOORS AND ON FACEBOOK LIVE
(also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
AN UPDATE ON CONGREGATIONAL SINGING
I’ve been asked by several people recently about when we might be considering a return to indoor, in-person worship. The Session’s Building Reopening Task Force has been hard at work on that very question for months, which of course is a very complicated one in a number of ways. The Task Force will be providing an update on its work and thinking in the next few days, so please keep an eye out for a special message from them soon.
In the meantime, though, I want to communicate a decision that they’ve made this week regarding congregational singing at outdoor services. As you know, we are planning to return to outdoor in-person worship this Sunday, Palm Sunday, with a combined service at 11 a.m.
The Building Reopening Task Force has been tracking the scientific research around congregational singing since the beginning of the pandemic, and as you probably know, the scientific consensus is that singing in groups is one of the most dangerous activities possible in terms of transmitting the COVID-19 virus. It is no coincidence that many of the outbreaks that have happened in churches have been in choir practices or in worship services in which people sang, even with masks on and at least some attention to physical distancing.
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Outdoor singing with masks on, however, seems to be a different story. Again, the scientific consensus for a long time has been that transmission risk drops dramatically outdoors, particularly when coupled with wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. While the Task Force has been unable to find any specific research on the transmission risk of singing while outdoors, it also has been unable to find any examples of transmission occurring from singing outdoors while masked and distanced. |
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Many churches across the country have followed our practice of digital worship combined with periodic outdoor worship, and more and more of them have allowed singing while masked and physically distanced. Unlike singing indoors, which has numerous examples of outbreaks, singing outdoors while taking appropriate precautions does not seem to have caused problems anywhere that we can find.
Accordingly, the Building Reopening Task Force has affirmed this week that we can sing and pray in unison during outdoor services, given that everyone participating is required to wear a mask and practice physical distancing.
So, weather-permitting, we will begin doing so this Sunday, March 28, at the combined outdoor worship service at 11 a.m. taking place behind the church (east side). Unfortunately, as I write this article, the weather forecast is discouraging, with a 90% chance of rain on Sunday morning.
So before coming to church on Sunday, please check and see whether the outdoor service is still on or if it has been cancelled and replaced by a digital livestream instead. If it has been cancelled, there will be announcements to that effect on the Facebook page, the website, and the church’s voicemail.
But the Session has already decided to resume a regular schedule of outdoor, in-person worship now that we are through the worst of winter, so more opportunities are coming even if we get washed out this Sunday. (NOTE: Whether or not there is an outdoor service, we will continue with the virtual service livestreamed via Facebook and on our website; it will also be available to listen to as always.)
In any case, I look forward to beginning the journey through Holy Week with you on Sunday, and to being with you in worship and singing, one way or another!
Grace and Peace,
JC
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Scripture lesson:
Click the link to read the verses
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· This week's sermon: Casing the Promised Land by The Rev. J.C. Austin
· We post each week’s sermon
(audio and text) on our website:
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday
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DETAILS FOR THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 28 – PALM SUNDAY
The service will also be livestreamed on Facebook Live and our website homepage.
We are watching the weather forecast – please check the website, Facebook page or church phone message (610-867-5865) before venturing out. In case of bad weather, the outdoor service will not be rescheduled.
Please complete this short online form with the number of people from your household who will be attending. You can also call the church office at 610-867-5865 and leave a message.
Protocols will be in place:
- Everyone must wear a mask.
- Bring your own chairs.
- Follow the instructions of the volunteers for parking and where to sit.
- You will be asked to sign in for contact tracing purposes, and you will be provided with a bulletin.
The Congregational Life Committee has prepared small loaves of homebaked bread that they will distribute for you to take home; these can be used for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday communion services.
If you do not pick up a mini loaf this Sunday, you are invited to drive by the front of the church building on Thursday, April 1 between 10-11 a.m. for curbside pickup.
If you won’t be attending this service, and would like a loaf of bread, contact us at CongLife@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at 610-867-5865.
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HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Sunday, March 28: Palm Sunday (see additional information, above)
- 9 a.m.: Hearts N Minds
- 10:15-10:45 a.m.: Zoom Sunday School
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11 a.m.: Combined Worship Service, to be held outdoors on the east side of the building (It will also be shared on Facebook Live and via Zoom for phone only)
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4 p.m.: Organ concert by Dr. Bryan Holten, to watch live on our Facebook page and website homepage, followed by Zoom ‘meet and greet’ (details below)
Maundy Thursday, April 1: Communion Service
7 p.m. via Zoom
- If you would like to participate in communion, please prepare your elements beforehand: a bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel, etc.) and grape juice, wine or water. We will be breaking into small group rooms for part of the service.
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To join via Zoom: bit.ly/2QFRydm
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To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 830 2666 3596 - and push ## (twice).
Good Friday, April 2: Tenebrae Service
8 p.m. via Facebook Live (also on the website, and via Zoom audio only, below)
- This is a service of increasing darkness; you may want to be in a room where you can lower the lights.
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To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 812 8593 1605 - and push ## (twice).
Holy Saturday, April 3: Compline Service
7 p.m. via Facebook Live (also on the website, and via Zoom audio only, below)
- This is a service of contemplation and special music.
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To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 812 8593 1605 - and push ## (twice).
Sunday, April 4: Easter Sunday – Communion Sunday
- 9 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service via Facebook Live and on our website
- 9 a.m.: NO Hearts N Minds today
- 10:15-10:45 a.m.: Zoom Sunday School
- 11 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service via Facebook Live and on our website
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Hospitality Time following the 11 a.m. service, via Zoom
Sunday, April 11
- 9 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service via Facebook Live and on our website
- 9 a.m.: Hearts N Minds today
- 10:15-10:45 a.m.: NO Zoom Sunday School today
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10:15-10:45 a.m.: Easter Hymn Sing via Zoom (details to come)
- 11 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service via Facebook Live and on our website
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EASTER LILIES
If you would like to make a donation toward the Easter lilies that will be used to decorate for Easter, please do that by Wednesday, March 31. You can make it in memory or honor of someone; please note that name and “Easter lilies” on your check, sent to the church Business office, or made online at fpc-bethlehem.org/donate. Add “Easter lilies” and the name to the memo box. Thank you!
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A VERY SPECIAL ORGAN RECITAL
Sunday, March 28 at 4 p.m.
via Facebook Live and on our website
Join us for an organ recital presented by
Dr. Bryan Holten, Artist-Lecturer in Organ Performance at Moravian College. He will explore the full range of color and texture afforded by our grand Moeller/Casavant pipe organ, offering a varied program of works from Bach through the romantic French masters.
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You can enjoy the recital from home via Facebook Live and on our church website. At the conclusion of the recital, you can join Dr. Holten via Zoom for a ‘meet and greet’ session.
Dr. Holten attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he completed the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Organ Performance and Literature. He has studied organ with David Higgs, Michel Bouvard, and Edoardo Bellotti, in addition to a curriculum in keyboard technique, improvisation, and harpsichord. In 2014, he received the Jim Cochran Recital Award, in recognition of his second DMA degree recital. You can read more about him here: bryanholten.com/
To listen to the concert and the meet and greet on the phone (audio only): Call
929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 810 3451 0146 and push ## (twice).
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EASTER EGG HUNT!
Saturday, April 3
10 a.m. – outdoors on the church grounds
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The youngest ones in our congregation (up to age 10) – along with our FPCB Preschool friends – are invited to gather outdoors for an Easter Egg Hunt. The children will be divided into two age groups.
We ask that everyone (age two and older) wear a mask, and practice safe distancing. If the weather is bad we will not reschedule; please check our website, Facebook page or church message before venturing out.
Let us know if you will be attending by filling out this short online form: bit.ly/2QDUiYJ (or leave a message at 610-867-5865).
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Many thanks to the Congregational Life Committee for organizing this fun event! |
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LENTEN SUPPER SERIES
We had a wonderful response to our Lenten Supper Series of five presentations. Thank you to all who participated, and to our presenters. You can view the five sessions at bit.ly/30hijX7.
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HEARTS N MINDS: ADULT EDUCATION CLASS
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The Hearts N Minds adult ed class is concluding its discussion of The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending the Bible Has Made us Unable to Read It by Peter Enns.
Reading for this Sunday is chapter six, “No One Saw This Coming.” There will be no class on Easter Sunday, and for April 11, there will be a concluding discussion about this book.
It’s time to secure a copy of the next book that will be discussed: Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus by Jim Wallis.
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Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL: TWO OPTIONS TO ENJOY |
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We are pleased to offer two Sunday School options for families! Is there someone you know who might like to know about this great learning opportunity for families? Many churches do not have any resources like this and would like to know about these! |
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Gather with other families on Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:45 a.m. for a Zoom session; you can also do “anytime” Sunday School with a prerecorded series of videos on our website.
This week's story is from the book of Matthew 21: 1-1: Palm Sunday. God's people had been waiting for so long on a savior. Waiting had been hard, but now it was time for Celebration!
Meeting ID: 928 9221 9682 / Password: 369116
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DO YOU NEED A RIDE?
If you have an appointment to get the Covid vaccine and need a ride, please let us know. You can call the church office (610-867-5865) and leave a message, or send an email to deacons@fpc-bethlehem.org with your name, phone number, the date of your appointment and the time. We will be in touch to make the necessary plans.
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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. You can also contact Phil
PRAYER REQUESTS...
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Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for 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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CALENDAR
THIS SUNDAY
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9:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds – see more information above
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10:15-10:45 a.m.: Sunday School via Zoom – see more information above
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11:00 a.m.: Combined Worship Service - see instructions in blue box, below, to join us online, and in the yellow box to join us via phone
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FOR THIS SUNDAY: : Worship with us “Live” on Facebook
To watch “live”- as it happens:
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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
- 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
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*** NOTE THE NEW MEETING ID ***
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the 11 a.m. Combined 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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WEDNESDAYS:
- 7 p.m.: Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)
ALL OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS AND GATHERINGS ARE CANCELLED AT THIS TIME unless offered online (see listings on our Facebook page under “Events”)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO: The office staff is working remotely and checking email and voicemail daily. 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
Cristy Mette, Administrative Operations Manager: ext. 228;
Andrea Barbehenn, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956;
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