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Friday, Nov. 22, 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)
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NOTE: Next week’s newsletter will be going out on Wednesday, Nov. 27
because of the Thanksgiving holiday. As a reminder, the church building
will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28;
Friday, Nov. 29; and Monday, Dec. 2 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. SUZANNE TRUMP: GRANTING GRACE
Greetings friends,
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I have been thinking a lot about grace this past week. The holidays seem to bring stress on by the truck loads. The stress of getting everything done and ready so that we can have the perfect Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year celebrations. And I bet that for most of us the holidays with the best memories are far from perfect and that is what made them so memorable.
The neighborhood that I grew up in had a tradition of going around to the homes on our block to have a celebration during the afternoon on Thanksgiving. My grandmother was not a drinker but that day, a few neighbors made her some drinks, and she was feeling pretty good.
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We returned home for supper and when it came time to serve dessert one piece of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream ended up on the floor, whipped cream side down. My grandmother scooped it up and plopped it right in front of my grandfather, telling my now horrified mom that it was fine. We still laugh when we think of that day. Not perfect at all but a special memory that almost 50 years later still stays with me.
I am already seeing posts on Facebook about the proper greeting for the holiday season. The best post I have seen encourages us to accept a greeting given with graciousness. If someone says, “Happy Holidays” they are not taking Christ out of Christmas but acknowledging that there are many holidays that are celebrated in the next six or seven weeks.
A person may not know your religion or tradition, so they show respect by using a more generic term that encompasses all the traditions in our beautiful and diverse community. Grant grace to the person, grant grace to yourself, accept the greeting and joyfully carry on. Embrace our diverse culture and religions and be thankful for each greeting of joy and peace.
I am working hard to give myself grace this holiday season and I encourage you to do the same. We do not need things to be perfect, we do not need everyone to say the perfect greeting, just breathe and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. The real treasure is not in words but in the joy of family and friends, the joy of celebrating the birth of our Savior, the promises of God. The only perfection in our lives is God. May God grant us grace today and always.
Blessings,
Suzanne
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JOIN US FOR OUR THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE | |
On Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary: please join us for our annual Thanksgiving Eve Service. We will hear three special gratitude testimonials and enjoy a selection from the Chancel Choir. | |
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We will also celebrate communion (if you are at home, please prepare your elements in advance: a bread or bread-like item, like a cracker, bagel or pita, and grape juice, wine or water).
We look forward to worshipping with you, either in person in our Sanctuary or livestreamed on Facebook or on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org).
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KICKING OFF THE ADVENT SEASON | |
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We’ll begin our Advent celebrations with Hanging of the Greens on Saturday, Nov. 30. We’re looking for volunteers to help (as you can) between 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., to decorate the inside of our church building for the holiday season.
Doughnuts, coffee, and cocoa will be provided. We’ll have jobs for all ages, so consider making this a family event. We plan to be done by 1:00 p.m. at the very latest, but hopefully earlier.
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Then on Sunday, Dec. 1, we’ll enjoy intergenerational Advent festivities and fellowship between our two worship services. We’ll begin around 10:00 a.m., so we invite “all ages” to join us for crafts and fun, or for a cup of cocoa and good conversation! | |
FOR SUNDAY: HEARTS N MINDS - ADULT ED CLASS | |
The Hearts N Minds adult education class concludes its discussion about democracy and democratic values in a non-partisan way. On Sunday Jan Bickford will wrap up our study of “The Democracy Project” as she addresses what Parker Palmer calls ‘The Habits of the Heart’. Get ready to hear comments about humility and chutzpah in our quest to listen to all with openness and respect. | |
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The class meets in the Parlor at 10 a.m. on Sundays but will take a break on Sunday, Dec. 1 to attend the intergenerational Advent festivities (see above). Special Advent experiences are planned for these Sundays: Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. There will be no class on Sunday, Dec. 29 and Sunday, Jan. 5. All are welcome!
In January the group will begin a discussion of the book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World by John Phillip Newell. We encourage you to find your copy at an independent or used bookstore (brick-and-mortar or online).
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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.
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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. | |
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Body N Soul meets weekly between Sunday services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall, continuing through the end of December (except for Sunday, Dec. 1). All are welcome! | |
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POINSETTIA ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
DEADLINE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9
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
or info@fpc-bethlehem.org.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: BES DINNER ON DEC. 10 | |
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FPCB will be cooking and serving dinner for the guests at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering on Tuesday, Dec. 10. We need volunteers to help cook, serve, clean up during and after the meal, and serve as shower monitor (which is just a simple check-in process).
If you’re interested in volunteering, please sign up online here: volunteersignup.org/MAMTX. Lindsey will be in touch with additional information a bit closer to the night we’re serving!
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LOOKING FOR LECTORS
Lectors are the volunteers who read scripture and participate in other readings, in both of our Sunday services. For the Sundays in Advent, the lectors also serve as the candlelighters for the Advent wreath. We are putting out a call for the services until the end of the year: if you are interested, please use this easy online form.
You can also contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call the church office at 610-867-5865 if you have questions, or to express your interest.
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LOOKING AHEAD
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 – Monday, Dec. 2: Building/offices/Preschool closed for Thanksgiving holiday (reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 3)
Saturday, Nov. 30: Hanging of the Greens, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – volunteers welcome!
Sunday, Dec. 1: Intergenerational Advent Festivities, 10-11 a.m., Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, Dec. 17: Longest Night Service, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
Saturday, Dec. 21: Concord Chamber Singers Concert, 4 p.m., Sanctuary (ticketed event)
Sunday, Dec. 22: Christmas Joy Concert, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
Tuesday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve services – 4 p.m. Intergenerational and 7 p.m. Traditional, Sanctuary
Tuesday, Dec. 24 - Friday, Jan. 3: Building, offices and Preschool closed for the Christmas/New Year holidays (reopening Monday, Jan. 6)
Sunday, Dec. 29: 9 a.m. – Holy Ground service; 11:15 a.m. – Traditional service
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GRATITUDE CELEBRATION
All are welcome to attend this interfaith event, offered by Bethlehem Interfaith Group (of which First Pres is a part). It will be held on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. at College Hill Moravian Church, 72 W. Laurel St., Bethlehem.
The event will feature a service as well a program that will provide opportunities for smaller discussion groups. It will include music and readings from each tradition (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Bahá'i and Friends).
There will be a collection of non-perishable food for local food banks, and light refreshments will be served, including Kosher and Halal.
If you can't attend in person, you can view a livestream or recording at youtube.com/@bethleheminterfaithgroup.
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CROP WALK!
Many thanks to all the walkers and sponsors from First Presbyterian who participated in this year's CROP Hunger Walk. Together, we raised $2,732 to help combat hunger locally and worldwide, "one step at a time."
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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 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 "Watch" at the top and then the "Watch the Service" button
- Please check in with a comment so we know you’ve joined us!
- Captions are 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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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 while they are visiting. 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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THIS 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)
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10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (see more info, above)
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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
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:
The building, office and Preschool will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from Thursday, Nov. 28 – Monday, Dec. 2.
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
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
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