I am excited about it and looking forward to experiencing that with you, but we’ll have to save most of the conversation about it for Sunday, because instead I need to talk about some of the shifts we are making to manage risk in light of the onslaught of the Omicron variant of COVID here in the Lehigh Valley.

Specifically, we are returning to a 6-foot distancing policy in terms of seating in worship between households or “pods” in addition to maintaining strict masking requirements. We are defining a pod as people whom you either share a house with or with whom you are in regular close contact on an ongoing basis (i.e., your best friend with whom you meet up regularly).

Secondly, the Chancel Choir will be on hiatus until this surge abates, as it is impossible to adequately distance in the choir loft, and choral singing is more forceful than ordinary singing, and thus a higher risk even when masked. Instead, we will have a soloist to lead congregational singing, which so far has not been challenged as a practice in guidance about Omicron. Similarly, the Contemporary Service will now only include one vocalist instead of multiple ones.

Finally, the Task Force wants to remind you all that you are required to wear a properly fitting mask over your nose and mouth at all times inside the church buildings, and you are urged to either double-mask or wear an N95 mask as you are able. Do not remove or loosen your mask at any time; this is particularly important if we are going to be able to continue with congregational singing, because some people are tempted to hold their masks away from their mouths while singing, which then breaks the seal and dramatically heightens the risk.

Further, you are expected to be fully vaccinated, which now means the initial course of vaccination plus a booster, if you are attending any in-person worship or activities at the church. We will continue to offer a strong digital option for worship and if you are immunocompromised or have other reasons not to receive a vaccination, we strongly urge you to participate remotely rather than attend in-person.

Contemporary Worship Bulletin (4 pages)

Traditional Worship Bulletin (4 pages)

The Building Re-Opening Task Force has also decided to suspend our volunteer receptionists staffing the office, for the time being. Please contact the staff person you need to speak with, to set up an appointment – staff are working remotely as much as possible. If you don’t know who to contact, email us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at 610-867-5865.

The group is beginning discussion of the book, The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential, by N.T. Wright (2013, Harper One Imprint, ISBN 978-0-06-223050-8).

HEARTS N MINDS meets both in person and via Zoom (video as well as audio-only option).

PHYSICAL LOCATION:

   - To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3aeqLLD

   - To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 385 500 4307, then press # and then # again.

Should we need to close the building and/or cancel events or office hours, we will make those announcements on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org), Facebook page, and WFMZ (both on wfmz.com and on their TV announcements). Messages will also be placed on the church phone, 610-867-5865.

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.

Send any prayer requests to prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org or call 610-867-5865 and leave a message.

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.

TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. - Handbell rehearsal, Sanctuary (December 21 only)

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 office is not currently staffed with a receptionist. 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. 

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).