Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 Newsletter

SUNDAY SERVICES IN-PERSON AND
ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary 
11:00 a.m. Traditional*

 (* also available on our website and via phone)
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
New Beginnings Ahead

Greetings, friends!
In just four Sundays, on September 12, we’ll be kicking off our program year with the return of Faith Formation (what we have long called Sunday School) for our children, youth, families, and adults. At the moment, we are still planning to hold these programs in person, with a continued commitment to masking indoors for everyone’s health and safety. Please note that Session and the Building Reopening Task Force will be discussing current local COVID-19 conditions next week to assess any needed changes or additional measures, so it’s possible these plans will shift.

Starting on September 12, our new schedule for Sunday mornings will be:

9:00 a.m.          Contemporary Worship
10:00 a.m.       Fellowship & Formation Hour
11:15 a.m.        Traditional Worship

During the Fellowship & Formation Hour, we’ll begin with Hospitality Time at
10:00 a.m. for folks leaving the Contemporary Service and arriving for Faith Formation. Classes will begin by 10:15 and meet until 11:00.
As we begin the fall, we’re excited to be sharing in a congregation-wide book read of Neighborhood Church: How to Transform Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission. 

The Mission and Discipleship Committees along with Session are inviting everyone to join in by reading along and participating in weekly discussion sessions during the Fellowship & Formation Hour from September 12 through October 3. 
These four weeks of learning together will be structured to include children, youth, and families, as well! Starting this Sunday (August 22), copies of the book will be available after both services each week. There is no required cost to anyone who wants to participate, but if you’d like to make a small contribution to support this endeavor when you pick up your book, you’re welcome to do so.

After the Neighborhood Church series concludes, there will be two classes offered during the Fellowship & Formation Hour beginning October 10:

  • Hearts N Minds: An ongoing book-study and discussion-based class for adults
  • Body & Soul: A new interactive, intergenerational class for all ages—children, youth, families, and adults

Body & Soul will spend the fall using a curriculum called Seeking Justice Together. Each week, there will be a combination of activities—stories from Scripture, music, crafts, skits, etc.—and discussion—some together as a larger, intergenerational group; some with smaller breakout groups for children/youth and adults. 

No matter your age, if you are curious, playful, and have a sense of humor, this is the class for you! It is also a wonderful opportunity to get to know other members of our congregation - both older and younger. (We are hoping to make some portion of this learning experience available digitally, though plans are still in development.) Parents, if you’d rather attend Hearts N Minds (or just enjoy a quiet, uninterrupted cup of coffee), you don’t have to stay with your children/youth in the Body & Soul class; space for ongoing Hospitality Time and fellowship will be available throughout the program hour.

Sunday child care will still be available for infants and toddlers if parents would like to take advantage of that, but we’ll be inviting children - especially those pre-K and up - to remain in worship so they learn how they’re part of those spiritual practices, too! 

Starting September 12, we’ll invite children to experience worship from a “PrayGround” in both the Kirk Center and Sanctuary, where volunteers will guide them in some quiet activities each week. You’ll see more intergenerational practices in our worship services, too. (Easy-to-learn songs that are simple and have some repetition, prayers that incorporate our bodies in movement, visual art for the liturgical seasons, etc.) We can’t wait to see how these changes enliven our worship and create a more vibrant experience for all of us!

It is an exciting time, and we look forward to reconnecting with so many of you we’ve missed over the summer months!

Blessings for the new beginnings ahead,
Lindsey
FOR THIS SUNDAY

Scripture lesson:
                          
Click the link to read the verses
·   This week's sermon: A Good Word: Forgiveness by The Rev. Cynthia Leslie Simmons

·     We post each week’s sermon
(audio and text) on our website:
TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:

  • Everyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask.

  • Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. in Room C1-2 – please ask a greeter for directions to that space.

  • We will offer nametags for folks to wear – you can pick up as you enter the worship space; please write your first name.
PLEASE JOIN US!
Our popular “Lemonade on the Lawn” social time will be offered from 10-
11 a.m. on Sunday, between the services. Stay after the first service or come early for the second, and stop by for a cool drink, snack, and fellowship.
We’ll also have a table set out for a “fresh produce exchange.” If you have extra bounty from your garden, bring it with you to place on the table to share with others. We’ll do this every week through the growing season. 
INQUIRERS’ SEMINAR: #AnInquiringFaith

We are excited to announce a two-part Inquirers’ Seminar, as part of our ministries of engagement and faith formation here at First Presbyterian.

The seminar will be in two parts: an in-person session on Sunday, September 19 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., with a Zoom follow-up to be scheduled with the group as availability permits. 
While these seminars are a necessary step towards formal membership in the congregation, membership itself is not the goal or expected outcome of the seminar.
Rather, we offer these seminars to give people an intentional space and time in which to ask and consider good questions about the Christian faith, the Presbyterian Church, and this congregation.

Inquirers gather for an interactive experience that explores the intersection of our own stories with the story of Jesus, the church, and our story as the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. 
Some people are inquiring specifically about membership here; some just want to learn more about the Presbyterian tradition; and some are just trying to get a better understanding of who Jesus is and how Christians think about him and relate to him.

Each person brings their own questions as well as their own story, and the Inquirers Seminar is a place to bring those and let them take root and bear fruit; the word “seminar,” after all, comes from a Latin word for a plant nursery where seeds are planted and nurtured as they grow.

If you are interested in participating or in learning more, please contact The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton or call the Church Office at 610-867-5865 with your contact information, and we will be in touch with you. Hope to see you there!
Please join us for this very special occasion, offered in our Sanctuary.

If you plan to attend, please note that masks will be mandatory,
and your RSVP is appreciated but not required.
The Endowment Committee is accepting applications for the
2021-2022 school year for scholarships from the
Barry Brandt Educational Assistance Fund.
If interested in more details: info@fpc-bethlehem.org
MUSIC ENSEMBLES STARTING UP: ALL ARE WELCOME!

Director of Music Ministries, David Macbeth, extends an invitation to all musicians – experienced and otherwise – to consider participating in our Handbell ensemble and Chancel Choir.
The Handbell ensemble will have its first rehearsal this Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. The Chancel Choir meets at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning Aug. 26; use the South entrance door.

For more information contact David.
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: WEDNESDAY at noon**
* * *
And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
CALENDAR

THIS SUNDAY

  • 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers for directions)
  • 9:00 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service, in-person in the Kirk Center AND livestreamed
  • 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn social time, east side of building
  • 11:00 a.m.: Combined Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestreamed - see instructions in blue box, below, to join us online, and in the yellow box to join us via phone 
FOR THIS SUNDAY: : Worship with us “Live” on Facebook
To watch “live”- as it happens:

  • Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
  • NEW! If you don’t have a Facebook account, go to our website to view the service - click on the "Watch" button (midway down the homepage) and then click "Watch 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
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the 11 a.m. 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.
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).
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

The Rev. Sue Bennetch, Pastoral Associate: ext. 209; SBennetch@fpc-bethlehem.org

David Macbeth, Music Director: ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org

Cristy Mette, Administrative Operations Manager: ext. 228;

Rebecca Angione, Facilities Manager: ext. 210; RAngione@fpc-bethlehem.org

Marianne Zarillo, Business Manager: email: MZarillo@fpc-bethlehem.org

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

Carol Burns, Communications Manager; phone 610-428-9649; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org

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

Website:  www.fpc-bethlehem.org