Friday, December 8, 2023 Newsletter
For Sunday:
9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
in Fellowship Hall (in person only)
11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service in the Sanctuary
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: A SPECIAL VISITOR
It’s my privilege and pleasure to announce that the Co-Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has accepted my invitation to preach in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem next Sunday, December 17, at both services.
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The General Assembly is the highest council of the Presbyterian Church (USA), setting policy for the denomination as a whole and directing resources, statements, and studies to be produced on a wide range of topics.
It is an honor for any church to have a sitting Moderator come preach and/or speak, and so I hope you will make a special effort to be in worship next Sunday and either stay or come back for lunch and a conversation with the Co-Moderator in Fellowship Hall immediately following the 11 a.m. service.
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This is particularly true because this is not just any Co-Moderator, but the Rev. Ruth F. Santana-Grace, whom many of you will remember was an Associate Pastor right here at First Presbyterian of Bethlehem for many years! Ruth served this congregation faithfully and well, and now serves as Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Philadelphia.
But she and her family return often to us in Bethlehem for Christmas Eve and other special occasions. This year, it’s particularly fitting that she will be speaking to us in her capacity as Co-Moderator of the General Assembly on the Third Sunday of Advent, on which we traditionally light the Candle of Joy. It is indeed a joy to welcome Ruth “home” to Bethlehem as both a dear friend of this congregation and one of the leaders of our denomination.
Again, Ruth will be preaching in both services and will be speaking about her experiences as Co-Moderator at a luncheon after the 11 a.m. service. After the meeting of the General Assembly closes for which they have served, the Co-Moderators spend the next two years traveling the country and the world representing the General Assembly and interpreting its actions, as well as playing a crucial role in strengthening relationships within the denomination and with denominational partners abroad.
Her presentation of her experiences and perspectives will be both enlightening and intriguing, and I urge you not to miss it.
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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- This week’s sermon: Making Connections 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.
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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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As J.C. shared (above), we’re pleased to be hosting a Christmas Luncheon with PC(USA) Co-Moderator Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace on Sunday, December 17 following the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
Ruth (right, a former Associate Pastor here at FPCB) will be leading in worship in both services, and she’ll join us over lunch to share more about her time as one of our denomination’s Co-Moderators.
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To help us with a headcount, please RSVP if you plan to attend. Lunch will be provided, however we can use some volunteers to bring a simple dessert. You can use this link (below) for both the RSVP and dessert sign-up, or call us at 610-867-5865.
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HEARTS N MINDS: ALL ARE WELCOME
The Hearts N Minds adult education class will meet this Sunday at 9:45 a.m., ending at 10:40 a.m. (if you attend the 9 a.m. Holy Ground service, you are welcome to leave early to attend this class). All are welcome to attend – they meet in the Parlor (upstairs in the South wing).
For the three Sundays in December, the Rev. Dr. Richard Smith, Parish Associate, will do a special Advent presentation inspired by the poetry and writings of Mary Oliver.
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JOIN US! COMMUNITY LIFE PROGRAM COMMITTEE
If you want to feel more plugged into the life of the church or have ideas to share about possible programs or events, we hope you’ll consider joining the Community Life Program Committee for its monthly meeting this Tuesday, December 12 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. in room 400 (we'll wrap early for those wanting to get to Trivia & Taco Tuesday, below).
We welcome new committee members (or occasional participants) to help us consider future opportunities for faith formation, fellowship, mission, and community engagement!
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CONNECTING WITH OUR CONGREGATION |
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Thank you to all who attended the Deacons’ meeting with hospital ministrants and all other members who are interested in increasing congregational connection, especially with our friends who are unable to attend in-person worship and events. Several great ideas were offered and are in motion. |
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We have scheduled a follow-up meeting for Wednesday, December 13 at 10 a.m. in Room 212 to expand and review our process. We welcome anyone who would like to be part of this session as more ideas are needed. We hope to see you then! |
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ADVENT COLLECTION IS UNDERWAY!
We are collecting items for
two local organizations, Turning Point and
Northeast Community Center.
by these organizations.
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TRIVIA & TACO TUESDAY: COMING NEXT WEEK
A group of FPCB friends will meet at The Clubhouse Grill on Tuesday, December 12 for dinner (6:00 p.m.) and trivia (7:00 p.m.). If you’d like to join a church team, please email Lindsey to sign up or call 610-867-5865!
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Each person pays for their own meal, but it’s also Taco Tuesday with $2.50 tacos if you’re looking for a tasty, affordable option.
Our team has a pretty solid track record, so we hope you’ll join us for some friendly competition and a good time!
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POINSETTIA ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
NEW DEADLINE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10
Help us decorate the Sanctuary with beautiful, “double” poinsettias!
We suggest a donation of $20 for a poinsettia that you can take home
after the Christmas Eve service you attend.
This is a lovely way to honor a loved one.
Special envelopes are available in the pews, Narthex and
Fellowship Hall (there is also a poinsettia envelope
in your pack of pledge envelopes).
If you need an envelope contact us at 610-867-5865
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SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER! |
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Deacons will be delivering holiday gift bags to our church friends who worship from their homes.
You can help send holiday greetings by signing your name on the Christmas cards on the table in the North Link (outside Fellowship Hall). Thank you!
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LOOKING AHEAD
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Now through Sunday, December 17: Advent Donations
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Saturday, December 16: Concord Chamber Singers Concert, Sanctuary; 7 p.m. This is a ticketed event, online or at the door.
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Sunday, December 17: Christmas Joy Concert, Sanctuary; 7 p.m. Featuring the FPCB Chancel Choir, the Touring and Treble Choirs from Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, and select voices from the Concord Chamber Singers. No charge to attend; free will offering will be taken. Also available via livestream on our Facebook page and website.
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Tuesday, December 19 and Thursday, December 21: Preschool Christmas Chapel, Sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. – all welcome
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Wednesday, December 20: Longest Night service, Fellowship Hall and livestream; 6 p.m. This is a Communion service featuring music and word
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Monday, December 25 – Monday, January 1: Building/offices closed for holidays
- Sunday, December 31: regular worship schedule (no Hearts N Minds adult ed)
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CARE CONCERNS AND HOSPITAL VISITS
If you are hospitalized, please tell the hospital our church code is 724. Also, please call the church office at 610-867-5865 to let us know as the hospitals do not always collect this information. After hours, leave a message or call our answering service at 610-778-7003.
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 SERVICE
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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)
- 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship service, in-person in Fellowship Hall
- 9:45 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome!
- 11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship service, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook and on our website
TUESDAYS: 6:00 p.m. – Hand Bell Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary – all are welcome (no experience needed)
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (NEW! meeting #: 868 2214 2960; passcode: OO-Beth)
THURSDAYS 7 p.m. – Chancel Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary / Choir Room – all are welcome to join in!
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.
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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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