Friday, February 17, 2023 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES
9:00 a.m. ‘Holy Ground’ Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall
(in person only)
11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary – Sunday
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: CONSIDERING OUR OPTIONS
Friends, it’s good to be back after two weeks away on study leave. I’m grateful for the opportunity to step back from the demands of daily ministry and reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges facing the Christian church in the post-pandemic world, and it was a joy to be able to do that in South Africa, which has been so formative to my life and ministry in so many ways. Even so, I found myself especially eager to return to Bethlehem after such a wonderful annual congregational meeting right before I left!
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For those of you who were unable to attend, it was a watershed moment for us in many ways for us as a congregation.
In addition to electing a wonderful group of new congregational leaders at the meeting, the Session and Trustees reported on our ministry and finances in 2022, and then turned our attention to 2023, which we have identified as a crucial year for us to “swing for the fences.”
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As you know, our normal practice is to present a balanced budget for the coming year of ministry as a congregation. With the increase in expenses from inflation as well as the increasing demands of facilities that have been accumulating deferred maintenance for decades, the Session cannot project a balanced budget under the status quo of our income and expense streams.
That leaves us with only two options: reduce expenses or increase revenue. The Session and Trustees were both unanimous that our focus needs to be on increasing revenues, because the only ways to meaningfully reduce expenses is to add to the burden of deferred maintenance on the facilities and/or drastically cut staff expenses, which would deal a crippling blow to our ability to do ministry, given how lean our staffing model already is.
Therefore, the Session has established a Mission Strategy Steering Committee, made up of seven members, with myself and Lindsey as staff support, to guide an energetic effort to help us discern, develop, and pursue new long-term strategies as a congregation that will increase our ministry impact in the world exponentially while simultaneously re-purposing existing resources and cultivating new ones to get us to financial sustainability.
This work is in addition to the Trustees’ current Facilities Usage Task Force, which is pursuing short-term opportunities to generate income in the meantime. The good news is that every church in the United States is in the position of needing to do this kind of work; many simply haven’t realized it yet. I am beyond grateful for the leadership of the Session and Trustees in recognizing both the need and opportunity in this moment for us to do this work, and I am convinced that we will be seen as a national model before we are done.
The question, of course, is how do we get there! With that in mind, the Steering Committee had its organizing meeting just this past Wednesday night. It was an exciting and hopeful conversation, and we came out of it with a clear sense of next steps in terms of exploring possibilities, resources, and existing models for this kind of innovative and impactful ministry.
As was stated in the Annual Meeting, both the church leadership as a whole and this Steering Committee in particular are committed to strong communication and frequent conversation as we move through this work. To that end, please mark your calendars for 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, March 26. That will be the first “Strategy Conversation” that the Steering Committee will hold, and all are encouraged to participate. More information will be forthcoming, but I hope you will be as excited as I am to be there and be a part of it.
Finally, we are about to enter the season of Lent. As you have often heard me say, Presbyterians have a tradition of “taking something up” for Lent rather than “giving something up.” By that, I mean that the purpose of Lent is not minor self-deprivation, like giving up chocolate, but an intentional focus on our lives of discipleship, such as taking up new practices of worship, prayer, study, generosity, and service.
You are encouraged to get the books* and read them as part of your Lenten discipline, but you do not need to do that in order to engage in the class, which is designed for people who are unfamiliar with the books but invested in a positive future for this congregation. I hope you will join me, and I look forward to a stimulating class and season of Lent!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
*If you are interested in borrowing a copy, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or the church office (610-867-5865) and we’ll help connect you.
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- This week’s sermon: Turn and Face the Strange 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 and in the blanket-sitting area (to the left of the communion table in Fellowship Hall).
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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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Thank you for your generosity!
We collected $700 on Sunday for our area nonprofit partners.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
Wednesday, February 22: Ash Wednesday
We will gather in Fellowship Hall at 7 p.m. for our
Ash Wednesday service. This will be offered in person
and livestreamed via Facebook.
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COFFEE & CONVERSATION – AFTER EACH SUNDAY SERVICE
We invite folks to stay for Coffee & Conversation following each of our two worship services.
This is an opportunity for connection in Fellowship Hall where you’ll find coffee for adults along with juice boxes and a simple snack for children. (We will still gather for our Intergenerational Faith Formation story and craft after the 9:00 service!)
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LOOKING FOR A FEW LECTORS…
“Lectors” is the name for the people who participate in our worship services, by reading prayers and scripture. We are looking for additional volunteers for our 9 a.m. service; if you are interested, please use this easy online sign-up form.
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HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED: NEXT CLASS ON SUNDAY
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The Hearts N Minds class will meet this Sunday from 9:45 – 10:40 a.m. in the Parlor (upstairs above the main church office). Please feel free to come even if you have not done the reading.
The group is studying the book, Elusive Grace: Loving Your Enemies While Striving for God’s Justice by Pastor Scott Black Johnson, senior pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian in Manhattan.
For Sunday they will read and discuss “Learning to Love God and Learning to Love Jesus” (pages 57-69).
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SAVE THE DATE: Making Room for Something New
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Our Lenten Supper Series
From 6:00-7:30 p.m. on the first four Wednesdays of Lent (March 1, 8, 15, and 22), we’ll gather in Fellowship Hall for a simple potluck meal and explore the theme Making Room for Something New.
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SUPPORTING ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING |
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Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) — Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People — all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. |
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NOTE: The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund is supporting earthquake response efforts in Turkey and Syria.
Received during the season of Lent (February 22 – April 9), each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.
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LOOKING AHEAD TO LENTEN COLLECTIONS
First Pres will be collecting nonperishable foods and bedding for New Bethany Ministries, Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering and Northeast Community Center, beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 22) through Palm Sunday.
Note that the items for BES can be new or very gently used; they are also requesting donations of tents (they appreciate this model, so they can tell who is affiliated with their programs).
Containers will be located in the North Link and in the Kirk Center. Please consider supporting these Bethlehem organizations.
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FLOWERS ARE ON OUR MINDS…
Altar Flowers: We appreciate the donation of altar flowers for use in our Traditional worship services in the Sanctuary. This is a wonderful way to honor a loved one, or their memory. Please sign up for your requested date using the form in the Narthex (or you can call the church office at 610-867-5865).
We will order the flowers on your behalf. The cost is $75, payable to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem; send your payment to the Finance Office or use the flower envelope that is with the sign-up form.
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Easter Flowers: Starting next week we will be taking orders for flowers for use in our Easter services – you will have your choice of a hydrangea ($22), tulip ($11) and daffodil ($11). Special envelopes will be available, or you can use the one in your pack of envelopes. This is a nice way to honor or remember a loved one, and you can take home the flowers you order.
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COMING IN APRIL: NEXT HELPING HANDS TRIP
The next Helping Hands trip is slated for Saturday, April 15 – Saturday, April 22 and will take volunteers back to New Bern, NC to work on homes for our neighbors there.
We’ll have more details soon; if you are interested in more information you are invited to contact Kevin Kehoe at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865.
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SOME REMINDERS FOR YOU…
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Look for updates on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org), Facebook page, and WFMZ (channel 69 and wfmz.com). We’ll also put a message on our church phone, 610-867-5865.
PLEDGE ENVELOPES: If you ordered pledge envelopes, they will be mailed directly to you from the envelope company. Please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org if you have not yet received them.
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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, but you are also enouraged to contact Phil Fair at prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org to keep us up to date.
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 SERVICES
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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)
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9:00 a.m.: “Holy Ground” Contemporary service, Fellowship Hall (in person only) followed by Coffee & Conversation in Fellowship Hall
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9:45 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
- 10:00 a.m.: Intergenerational Faith Formation, Fellowship Hall – all are welcome
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11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; in-person followed by Coffee & Conversation in Fellowship Hall
TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. - Handbell rehearsal, Sanctuary (middle school and older, no experience needed)
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)
THURSDAYS: 7 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
The church office and building are open this Monday, February 20 (President’s Day); Preschool is closed.
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.
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
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