*Be sure to read to the end - if you see "View entire message" at the bottom,
click that to see the rest of the newsletter.*
| |
|
Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 Newsletter
For Sunday
9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
(in person in Fellowship Hall)
11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service
(in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)
| |
|
A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
INHALE AND EXHALE
Dear ones,
I’m writing this Pastor’s Message on Wednesday morning, and I confess that I don’t yet have words for all that needs to be said, so I begin with a few of the Breath Prayers from our Election Night resources -
| |
|
Inhale: Be still
Exhale: and know you are God.
(From Psalm 46:10)
Inhale: You are our refuge
Exhale: and our strength.
(From Psalm 46:1)
| |
|
|
Inhale: On earth
Exhale: as it is in heaven. (From Matt. 6:10)
May we remember that Jesus is Lord and that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are continually held in the love of God who knows the prayers of our hearts before they are on our lips. As we gather together on Sunday, may we extend deep grace and care for one another in the tenderness of this week, and may the Spirit show up in noticeable ways to reassure us of the promise of God’s presence and the power of beloved community.
On another note, I’m glad to share that the position description for our Transitional Pastor role has been approved by the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry and is posted on the Church Leadership Connection website where PC(USA) openings are published. If you’d like to read or share it, you can find it
online here.
Our Transitional Pastor Search Team will now begin receiving and reviewing applications from candidates. Given the upcoming holiday season, we expect that the earliest we might have someone in place is likely sometime in January. As a process reminder, the Transitional Pastor Search Team will recommend a final candidate to Session for their approval; since this is a contract position, not a permanently installed one, it will not come to the congregation for a vote.
As the Transitional Pastor Search Team is able to offer updates, they’ll be sure to share them!
With gratitude for your prayers and grace for the journey,
Lindsey
| | |
|
- Sermon: A Future with Hope: Promise of Enough by Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
-
We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
| |
FOR SUNDAY: HEARTS N MINDS - ADULT ED CLASS | |
|
This season, the Hearts N Minds adult education class discusses democracy and democratic values in a non-partisan way. On Sunday Rev. Betsy Simpson will lead us on an exploration of resilience.
The class meets in the Parlor at 10 a.m. on Sundays. All are welcome!
| |
|
|
FOR SUNDAY: BODY N SOUL - INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH FORMATION
Intergenerational faith formation builds community across generations, providing a space and structure where persons of all ages can learn from each other. Through biblically-based storytelling, small group conversations, interactive group activities, and opportunities for individual contemplation, participants encounter God’s word and explore how it is active in today’s world.
| |
The class is exploring the curriculum Current: Seeking Peace Together. Divided into four segments, this curriculum explores the topics: Peace with God, Peace Within, Peace with Others, and Peace with Creation. | |
|
Each week introduces a new story from the Old or New Testament that illustrates God’s shalom. Body N Soul meets weekly between Sunday services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall, continuing through the end of December. All are welcome! | |
|
FELLOWSHIP LUNCH & BIBLICAL STORYTELLING CONCERT
A Concert of Biblical Stories of Dreams and Visions (and the stuff in between)
You’re invited to join us in Fellowship Hall for a potluck luncheon following the 11:15 a.m. service this Sunday, Nov. 10. Please bring a dish to share! After the luncheon (around 1:00 p.m.), we’ll enjoy a Biblical Storytelling Concert with Jim Stahl in the Sanctuary.
| |
|
Come hear Jim Stahl (right) perform biblical stories of dreams, visions, and the stuff in between. Experience stories of creation, Hagar, Jacob, Joseph, Elisha, Jesus' birth, parables, Acts, and the oracles to the churches.
This concert will last one hour with an intermission and will be recorded. The concert is a fulfillment of the yearlong certificate course from the Academy of Biblical Storytelling.
| |
|
FILAMENT CHAMBER ENSEMBLE CONCERT: SATURDAY AFTERNOON | |
|
Filament, a Philadelphia-based chamber ensemble, will perform at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $20 each.
Mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle, who is a frequent soloist with the Bach Choir, will join the ensemble for this performance of 17th- and 18th-century chamber music.
| |
|
Filament was formed in 2019, and includes a core trio of violin, viola da gamba, and keyboards. Its founding members are Evan Few, Elena Kauffman, and John Walthausen. | |
HI NEIGHBORS SPEAKERS PROGRAM:
A SPECIAL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM | |
|
For this past Monday’s Hi Neighbors presentation, Dr. Daniel Lobresti shared “A Basic Guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI).” A highlight was a story created by ChatGTP about a wayward squirrel visiting FPCB on a Sunday morning, complete with doughnuts!
This Monday’s program (for Nov. 11) will be offered by Bethlehem history buff Mark Iampietro, “Bethlehem Veterans and their Memorials.” It should be an interesting reflection on our city’s history.
| |
|
|
We start each session with a 9:30 a.m. Social Time in Fellowship Hall. The hour-long program follows at 10 a.m. All are welcome – no registration fee or sign-up needed. Just come and bring your friends!
To celebrate the end of our fall session, we’ll offer a complimentary pizza lunch for attendees. Our spring series will begin in March.
| |
TRIVIA & TACO TUESDAY: COMING THIS TUESDAY, NOV. 12
FPCB folks and friends are invited to meet at The Clubhouse Grill (400 Illick’s Mill Road) on Tuesday, Nov. 12 for dinner (optional – starts at 6:00 p.m.) and trivia (7:00 p.m.).
| |
|
If you’d like to join our team, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call 610-867-5865. You’ll need to sign up whether you come to dinner or not (and please clarify if you’re doing dinner or not).
We always have a good time, and hope you’ll consider coming out on a ‘school night’ for some fun and fellowship!
| |
|
|
SERVICES FOR GEORGE MAUNZ
The family of George Maunz, who passed away on Oct. 3, has extended an invitation to attend his memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
| |
|
PRESCHOOL POINSETTIA SALE - EXTENDED DEADLINE!
Our Preschool is offering its popular Poinsettia and Wreath Sale for the coming holiday season. Use the order form (use the link, below) to place your order – due by Sunday, with delivery around Dec. 4. You can drop your order forms at the Sunday services, or drop it at the church office.
| |
SCOUTING FOR FOOD THIS WEEKEND | |
|
A reminder that if you received a postcard at your residence about this year’s Scouting for Food event: the Scouts will be by your house on Saturday to pick up your donations of non-perishable food items.
If you did not receive a postcard and want to support this effort, we can offer two more options:
| |
|
- You can drop off at our back parking lot between 9-10 a.m. on Saturday morning – Scouts will be working
- Bring your donations to the North Link on Sunday morning
| |
|
LOOKING AHEAD
Sunday, Nov. 17: Stewardship Sunday
Information about this year's Stewardship initiative, "Rooted in Faith... Flourishing in Mission," is in the mail!
All household members - as currently listed on our rolls - will receive instructions about submitting pledges for 2024. We ask that you return your pledge commitments on Sunday, Nov. 17 - Giving Sunday.
Another option is to submit your pledge online at fpc-bethlehem.org/give.
Friday, Nov. 22: Preschool Thanksgiving Chapel, Sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. – all welcome
Sunday, Nov. 24: Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) Gratitude Celebration, College Hill Moravian Church; 3 p.m. – all welcome
Tuesday, Nov. 26: Preschool Thanksgiving Chapel, Sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. – all welcome
Wednesday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Eve Service, Sanctuary and livestream; 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 28 – Friday, Nov. 29: Building/offices/Preschool closed for Thanksgiving holiday
Saturday, Nov. 30: Hanging of the Greens (church decorating); 9 a.m.-noon - all welcome to come help!
| |
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...
| |
Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
WEDNESDAY at noon**
* * *
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
| |
|
TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
-
Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
-
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
| |
|
FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
-
Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. -12:15 p.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 - COMMUNION SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
-
10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (see more info, above)
-
10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Fellowship Hall (see more info, above)
- 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org
-
12:15-1:15 p.m.: Fellowship Luncheon, Fellowship Hall (see more info, above)
-
1:15 p.m.: Biblical Storytelling Concert, Sanctuary (see more info, above)
TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. - Hand Bell Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (meeting #: 868 2214 2960; passcode: OO-Beth) THURSDAYS: 7 p.m. - Chancel Choir rehearsals, Sanctuary; newcomers welcome!
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.
| |
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM | |
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Acting Head of Staff/Associate Pastor for Justice and Community Impact; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Suzanne Trump, Pastoral Associate for Compassion; STrump@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries: ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Crook, Director of Church Administration; ext. 210; DCrook@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Carol Burns, Communications Manager: ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org
Tracy Leszcynski, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; TLeszcynski@fpc-bethlehem.org
Brenda Robinson, Bookkeeper; BusinessOffice@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
| | | | |
