Friday, June 21, 2024 Newsletter



For Sunday



10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service in the Sanctuary

(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)

A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: LOOKING AHEAD

Friends, I want to express my profound gratitude for all the kind notes and texts that I have received since announcing the news of my call to Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, Maryland last Sunday night. I have been repeatedly moved by your expressions of support even in the midst of sadness; it means more than I can ever adequately express. 

The actual pastoral transition process is in the hands of the Session and the Presbytery at this point, and the rest of this message (see it, below) will be an update from the Session along those lines. In Presbyterian polity, the outgoing pastor is not permitted to play any part in that transition process so as to avoid even the appearance of inappropriate influence, so it will be the Session that will be the primary source of information on all of that.

There is still much to say and do before I go, however. But in the meantime, I want to say clearly now that it has been the greatest honor, privilege, and joy of my pastoral ministry to be your pastor for almost seven years now, and that I will carry what we have shared together as a special treasure in my heart and keep you always in my prayers for all my remaining days.

Grace and Peace,

J.C.

A Message from Session

Dear FPCB Congregation,

On Sunday evening, we met with J.C. as he shared the announcement of his new call. Rev. Rhonda Kruse (Transitional Presbyter for Lehigh Presbytery) and Rev. Taylor Hall (liaison for the Committee on Ministry) were both present to offer their support.

During that meeting, we voted to call a Congregational Meeting following Summer Worship on Sunday, July 28 to vote on dissolving the pastoral call between J.C. and First Pres. This is the formal action needed to empower him in taking the new call. After this congregational meeting, we’ll gather to reflect on and celebrate J.C.’s ministry with us. More information about that event, including volunteer needs, will be shared in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, we want to assure you that we are already hard at work planning for a smooth transition upon J.C.’s departure. Following Presbytery guidance, the Personnel Committee and Session are working on a leadership bridge plan to get us from the end of July to the start of a Transitional Pastor, and Session is working to form a search team for that Transitional Pastor position. We hope to have that team formed and the position posted very soon after the conclusion of J.C.’s tenure. (Presbytery policy precludes us from beginning that search until then.)

Perhaps most importantly, we trust that the Spirit is already moving here, preparing us and leading us in next steps, just as the Spirit was at work in making way for J.C.’s new call. While seasons of transition can be a time of grief and worry, it is also a time for possibility and hope. 

We honor the myriad of feelings folks may be having, and we want to make sure you all know that your lay leaders, Lindsey, and Suzanne, are happy to lend a listening ear or offer support however we can. Don’t hesitate to reach out! 

We’re also committed to keeping you informed as we navigate this transition together. We give thanks both for J.C.’s ministry with us and for God’s faithfulness to this congregation through all of its many changes in our 149 year history!

In Christ,

FPCB Session

FOR THIS SUNDAY

Matthew 5:1-2, 13-16

• The Great Ends of the Church 6: The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World by The Rev. J.C. Austin
• We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org

TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper:



Traditional Worship Service (4 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY: JOIN US FOR LEMONADE ON THE LAWN

Join us after worship for our social time, “Lemonade on the Lawn” – everyone is welcome to come and connect. If weather permits, we’ll gather on the west side (front) of the church building, otherwise in Fellowship Hall.

Thank you to our Women’s K Group, who are hosting on Sunday. We are looking for other groups or families to take on the hosting duties for future dates.

BIG SALE!! THIS SATURDAY – WITH YOUR HELP!

We can use your help for our Spring Cleaning Sale, coming tomorrow (Saturday, June 22). We’ll be open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Kirk Center, so this is a rain or shine event.

We have lots of everything to sell! If you know a 'foodie' or someone with a commercial kitchen, we have dishware, cutlery, and serving pieces to sell. Also office and home furniture, decor, craft and building supplies, kids stuff, and much more - it's fun to see what we have!

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

• Sunday, June 30: Outdoor Worship on the East Lawn (in the Sanctuary if weather dictates) – 10 a.m.; followed by Lemonade on the Lawn, also on the East Lawn (or Fellowship Hall if needed)
• Monday, July 1 – Friday, July 5: Preschool closed; reopening on Monday, July 8

• Thursday, July 4: Church building and offices closed for Independence Day holiday; reopening on Monday, July 8

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:



• Child care will be available from 9:45-11:15 a.m. this Sunday morning; please ask an usher for directions.



• Your children are a joy in our worship services, and should the need arise, “kid bags” are available for their use while they are visiting. They are in the Narthex.



• 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.

THIS SUNDAY



• 9:45 – 11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship service, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook and on our website
• 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn gathering, front of the church – all are welcome!

WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (meeting #: 868 2214 2960; passcode: OO-Beth)



CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:



The Preschool will be open for its regular Summer Splash hours. The church office will re-open on Thursday, June 20 at 9 a.m.

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.