Friday, March 12, 2021 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. Traditional (also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
Resilience – Support – Faithfulness - Love
As you all know, this Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of our congregational response to the pandemic.
On March 15, 2020, we went to “digital-only” worship for the first time. I remember how conflicted I was about doing that in the week leading up to that decision, which involved multiple Session meetings as we discussed the limited information we had at that point, trying to decide what was the most faithful decision to make.
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I even wrote an article about it that was shared fairly widely online among pastors as everyone was trying to find their way through the same issues and decisions.
I also remember hoping that maybe we could resume in-person worship by Easter, which was about a month later!
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That seems naïve to the point of being laughable at this point, but the simple truth is that very few of us had any idea of what we were really facing as the pandemic descended on us, and what it would require of us in terms of endurance, adaptability, grief, and faith.
At this point, I think all of us would admit to some level of exhaustion. It reminds me of what friends who have run marathons tell me. “The hardest miles aren’t usually the last few,” they say; “it’s the ones before those, around miles 18-20, when you’ve been running so long and you start hitting the wall of your endurance, but the finish line isn’t just around the corner.” That is where it feels like we are right now, to many of us.
At the same time, there is good news about the vaccines, particularly from the federal government about vaccine available to all U.S. adults by the end of May. If that proves to be the case, then perhaps the finish line is actually moving up a bit! We shall see.
This Sunday, we will be marking the anniversary in both services. The sermon will, of course, be engaging the anniversary, but we will also have a special Prayers of the People focused specifically on the pandemic, on what we’ve gone through over the last year, and our hopes for the times to come.
We will be interspersing sections of the prayers with ringing bells and chimes a total of 53 times, once for every 10,000 who have died in the United States over the past year. So I hope you will make a special effort to be part of one of the services; I think it will be a powerful and moving experience.
I am also pleased to announce that the Session has approved the planting of a new tree on the church property that will be dedicated to the memory of our common life and ministry through the pandemic, and especially to the memory of those who have died from it. It is not quite time for planting yet, so the tree itself will be selected in the near future and planted later in the year.
The cost of the tree and of planting it is around $2000, so if you are interested in making a memorial gift in the name of someone who has died or simply as an affirmation of our congregation’s faithful ministry through the pandemic, we invite you to do so by check or online gift, just be sure to indicate “memorial tree” in the memo line of your gift so it is directed to the right place; if you wish the gift to be in the name of someone, please indicate that there, as well.
In any case, I look forward to being with you in worship on Sunday, and I am so grateful for how far we have come together as a congregation in so many ways over this past year. Thank you for your resilience, your support, your faithfulness, and your love.
Grace and Peace,
JC
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Scripture lesson:
Numbers 13 & 14, selected verses
Click the link to read the verses
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· This week's sermon: No Going Back by 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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LOOKING AHEAD
This Sunday, March 14: ‘Meet and Greet’ during hospitality time following the 11 a.m. church service, via Zoom (If you call in via phone for the service, you can stay on the line – see the new sign-in in the calendar BELOW)
Sunday, March 28: Palm Sunday
- 9 a.m.: Hearts N Minds
- 10:15 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 (There will be a sign-up in next week’s newsletter; the service will also be shared on Facebook Live and via Zoom for phone only.)
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4 p.m.: Organ concert by Bryan Holten, to watch live on our Facebook page and website homepage (details below)
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 a.m.: Zoom Sunday School
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11 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service via Facebook Live and on our website (Hospitality Time following the 11 a.m. service, via Zoom)
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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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LENTEN SUPPER SERIES
There are two more sessions for our Lenten Supper Series: Wednesdays, March 17 and 24, via Zoom. The Discipleship Committee has arranged for an interesting line-up of presenters, under the umbrella topic of “Worship: Praising and Enjoying God Together”.
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You are welcome to join the Zoom at 6:00 p.m., for 30 minutes of fellowship time (you can eat your supper online with others or just enjoy the conversation).
The program begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs for an hour – if you have not already joined in, please sign in before 6:30 so we can start on time.
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March 17: “Worship Matters: Engaging Worship as an Embodied Spiritual Practice” by Lindsey Altvater Clifton
March 24: “Exploring the Art(s) of Preaching” by J.C. Austin
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 893 3839 7818 followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again.
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ADULT ED PRESENTATION: “HONOR YOURSELF”
Please join Cristy Mette, business entrepreneur and creator of the Joyful Self Wellness Center, on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m. as she discusses the “5 Steps to Your Joyful Self”. The focus of this session will be on “Step 1: Honor Yourself”.
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Joyful Self was created to provide a safe place to explore personal development through workshops focusing on healing the mind, body, and spirit. In “Honor Yourself”, you will be reminded that all healing begins with loving yourself first.
We will discuss self care: what it is and how you can implement it in your life. Now is the time to begin your healing journey one step at a time! So dress comfy, find a quiet space in your home, bring a journal, a bottle of water and join us online via Zoom at bit.ly/2OrLfsx.
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Or you can leave a message for her on the church phone, 610-867-5865.
And if you needed a visual of her as Prof.
Rubeus Hagrid , here you go!
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CONGREGATIONAL LIFE: LOOKING AHEAD
You’ll want to note these opportunities, coming to you courtesy of the Congregational Life committee:
Friday, March 19 at 7 p.m.: Think you know your hometown? We’ll offer a trivia game via Zoom, focusing on Bethlehem and Lehigh Valley questions. Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton – herself a newcomer to the area – will lead the questions. Fun for all ages – everyone welcome!
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To join via Zoom: bit.ly/3viWGnk
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To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 885 9291 7782, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – press the # key again.
Sunday, March 28 – Palm Sunday: After the Combined Worship Service at 11 a.m., which will be held outdoors on the east side of the building, the committee will distribute small loaves of homebaked bread that you can take home and use for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday communion services.
If you won’t be attending this service, and would like a load of bread, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message on the church phone, 610-867-5865.
The group is working on additional outdoor events for April, so we can safely gather in person. Stay tuned for details!
AND: Congregational Life is looking for new members to join their group. If you’re interested in helping to plan activities for all ages, to socialize and connect, please contact Phyllis Walker at info@fpc-bethlehem.org. The group typically meets via Zoom on Tuesdays, mid-day.
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ORGAN CONCERT: NEW DATE
Sunday, March 28 at 4 p.m.
via Facebook Live and on our website
Organist Bryan Holten will present a special concert in our Sanctuary that you can enjoy from home via Facebook Live and on our church website. At the conclusion of the concert, you can join Bryan via Zoom for a ‘meet and greet’ session.
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More details to come about this exciting opportunity. |
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Our friends at Congregation Brith Sholom have extended an invitation to their virtual Community Pre-Passover Model Seder, scheduled for this Sunday, March 14 at 4 p.m.
The Discipleship Committee encourages us to consider participating in this opportunity to learn more about the Jewish holiday of Passover – the Feast of Freedom. The Haggadah and its ancient wisdom will be explored from slavery to freedom – and reflecting on its meaning in this time.
To participate, call 610-866-8009 for login details. You will also need this list of ingredients to participate.
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HEARTS N MINDS: ADULT EDUCATION CLASS
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The Hearts N Minds adult ed class has begun exploring The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending the Bible Has Made us Unable to Read It by Peter Enns.
Reading for this Sunday: Psalms 82 (we recommend you take time and read it several times. Perhaps once before you read the chapter in Enns and perhaps again after the reading assignment). Also Chapter 4: Why Doesn't God Make Up His Mind?, pages 133-164.
Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450
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To 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! 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.
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This week's story is from the book of Exodus 32: 1-35: The Golden Calf. When you have to wait, remember what's true. When we are frustrated with waiting, we can turn to God.
Meeting ID: 928 9221 9682 / Password: 369116
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HI NEIGHBORS: CONTINUING OUR LEARNING |
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Hi Neighbors is FPCB’s popular speaker series for adult learners of all ages to hear presentations on a wide variety of interesting topics, to watch or listen to via Zoom.
Our next program will be “The Green New Deal and Climate Change Policy”, presented by Dr. Christopher Rice on Monday, April 12 at 10 a.m. More details to come!
This past Monday, author, archivist and historian Martha Capwell Fox made a knowledgeable and engaging presentation on “The Silk Industry in Easton: 1890-1990”. You can watch it (and our previous programs) here: bit.ly/3t9f5Bm
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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 - COMMUNION SUNDAY
- 9:00 a.m.: Contemporary Worship service via Facebook Live and on our website
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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.: Traditional 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. 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.
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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)
- 7 p.m.: Lenten Supper Series; see more information above
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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