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Friday, December 9, 2022 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
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, and audio via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
THE PRACTICE OF INTENTIONAL JOY
Advent has become an increasingly unusual season in the Christian church because it stands in significant contrast to the way in which the general culture prepares for Christmas. In terms of our theology and worship, Advent is not simply intended to be a “tailgate party” for Christmas, gathering together to wait for the big game with increasing amounts of fun and festivity.
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Rather, Advent is intended to be a time of anticipation and active preparation for the coming of Christ, recognizing that the world is not how God intends it to be, and claiming the hope that, in Jesus Christ, God has established the reign of God on Earth and will bring it to full fruition at the end of time. In fact, for many centuries Advent was a season of individual fasting and prayer as part of that preparation, like Lent, which is part of why the color of Advent is purple, just like Lent. | |
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That’s also why this third week of Advent is unusual even within the season of Advent. You’ve probably noticed that one of the candles on the Advent wreath is pink, not purple; that is the candle we will light this week, the third week of Advent, which has the theme of Joy.
Advent is no longer observed by Presbyterians as a penitential season, but it retains a sense of thoughtful and prayerful introspection and preparation. But when Advent really was a season of penance, the ecumenical church realized that joy is an essential part of anticipating the coming of Christ, but it was being obscured by the somberness of the Advent season.
So they established Gaudete Sunday as the third Sunday of Advent. “Gaudete” is Latin for “Rejoice,” and it was chosen as the theme of the third Sunday of Advent to emphasize that Christians can and do rejoice as the coming of Christ draws near.
Each of the themes associated with a Sunday in Advent has its own power, and you could make a case for each of them as being the most important one: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. But I think it’s interesting that we have to be particularly intentional about making space for Joy in our Advent observances.
Perhaps that’s because, of the four of them, Joy is the only one that is its own reward. Hope prevents despair; peace ends unproductive conflict and creates wholeness and well-being; love establishes right relationships between God and our neighbors. But joy… creates joy!
But that is perhaps why it is so important to remember, because joy keeps our faith from becoming one of obligation and even drudgery; it reminds us that receiving God’s grace in Jesus Christ is not a forensic process but an experience that changes and defines our whole being, enabling us to express and live in joy even in difficult circumstances, because God is with us and will not be moved.
So in preparation for worship this Sunday, I invite you to spend a few minutes considering where you have experienced or encountered joy in your life recently. Where have you been filled with delight? What prompted it? And how can you share that with others?
This practice of intentional joy is just as important to a true season of Advent as acts of love, building up peace, or signs of hope. And the more attentive we are to it, the more reasons we will find for rejoicing. So with that promise in mind, I look forward to worshipping with you in joy this Sunday!
And let us all continue to pray for the coming of Christ as we claim God’s blessings of hope, peace, joy, and love in this season of Advent.
Grace and peace,
J.C.
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Matthew 1:18-25
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: Dealer's Choice by
The Rev. J.C. Austin
- We post the video of each week’s
services and sermon text and audio
on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
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FOR SUNDAY MORNING
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UPDATE: With the rising numbers of confirmed Covid cases in the community and among our own church congregation and staff, the Building Reopening Task Force strongly encourages people to wear masks. If you get Covid, you might want to consult this link to the CDC website to help you determine when you can end isolation. If you have not been boosted in the past few months, you should consider attending virtually.
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Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions.
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We offer nametags for folks to wear; please clearly PRINT your first name.
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Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we reflect God’s perfect gift to us, Jesus Christ, with generous support of church leaders among us – past, present and future – who have pointed us to God. We honor and celebrate leaders like retired pastors, church workers and their families, who now find themselves in critical financial need. We also honor emerging leaders like students in schools and colleges equipping communities of color who prepare to bring their gifts in service to the world. | |
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Please consider donating. Envelopes are available in the narthex, Fellowship Hall, and in your pledge envelope box. | |
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HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED: ADVENT SERIES CONTINUES
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet this Sunday from 9:45-10:40 a.m. in room 178 (on the ground floor, beneath Fellowship Hall). All are welcome to join in!
As we anticipate the time of year that celebrates the birth of Christ, to enrich your faith during this Advent season, you are invited to join the Hearts N Minds class to consider the themes of Waiting, Making Room, and Waking Up as interwoven spiritual practices.
Scripture and other sacred texts, poetry, video, and group discussion, will connect us with our sense of wonder and our heart for God as well as ground us in our call to work for justice. Come be a part of this engaging experience. The Advent series will continue on December 11 and 18; the class will not meet on December 25 or
January 1.
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Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Advent devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices.
If you would like us to email the link to you, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.
If you do not have access to a device and would like a printed copy, please contact Lindsey at lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org.
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OUR GIVING TREE IS UP AND READY FOR YOU | |
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Have you been in the North Link outside Fellowship Hall? Our Giving Tree is decorated with lights and ornaments. The ornaments represent tools and supplies for people who need a hand up. Choose from among many options like sewing machines, clean water, chickens, and much else – many price points are available.
Choose an ornament or several, put them in the basket, give your check (made out to PCUSA - not FPCB) or cash to the Mission volunteer and know you have done some good in the world.
You can also ‘shop’ online here – peruse the options and make your payment to PCUSA directly. Having a hard time thinking of just the right gift for a relative or friend - how about something from the tree?
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LOOKING AHEAD…
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Saturday, December 10: All are welcome to join us at an Intergenerational Spirituality & Creativity Retreat, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (reservations are closed)
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Sunday, December 18: Our Christmas Joy Concert will be offered at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary, featuring the Chancel Choir and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts’ Touring Choir, with special guests the Concord Chamber Singers. Free will donation; in person and livestreamed.
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Wednesday, December 21: The Longest Night Service provides space for those who are grieving a loss in their lives (whether a person, a job, an experience, a dream) to engage the deep truths of Advent and Christmas without feeling forced into experiences of cheer that they are not feeling. Offered both in person and via livestream at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This is a communion service.
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Saturday, December 24: We will offer two candlelight Christmas Eve services in the Sanctuary (also livestreamed) – an intergenerational service at 4 p.m., and a Traditional service at 7 p.m.
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Sunday, December 25: On Christmas Day, join us for a 10 a.m. Worship Service in Fellowship Hall (also available via livestream). No Hearts N Minds for today.
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PCUSA: HELPING TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Pastor Lindsey was interviewed for this recent article in Presbyterians Today; here's a brief excerpt:
"Clifton offers this advice on how congregations can become advocates: 'I’ve learned two things that are most helpful. First, get to know the community you are in, know what the needs and inequities are in a way that is relational, and listen well to neighbors and community leaders that are already doing the work. There’s no need to re-create the wheel,' she said. 'Second, offer multiple ways for church members to engage at various points of access and comfort. Some are only ready to take baby steps. Start with a letter-writing campaign, then show up in person.'
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HELP US FILL THESE POSITIONS
We are looking to fill these two part-time positions – please help us spread the word! As a reminder, we do not employ First Pres church members. For additional information or to submit an application, contact us at HR@fpc-bethlehem.org.
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Hourly childcare worker, at a rate of $13.00/hour, to work in the church's childcare room on Sunday mornings from 8:30 a.m. -12:15 p.m. each week. Must be at least 18 years of age and must have (or obtain) current clearances (criminal background check, child abuse clearance, FBI fingerprint certification); CPR certificate/first aid training is desirable but not required. We will provide CPR/AED training to new employees in the fall, and reimburse for clearance expenses. Some benefits available, including paid time off.
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Pastoral Care Associate to represent the church and offer pastoral care in home or health institution visitations and other contacts involving care and support. This ordained individual works with the Deacons and coordinates their pastoral care for at-home members and those in need of material or spiritual support. This is a part-time position (20 hours per week). Click here for more information (including a printable flyer).
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UPDATED: 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. We contact the hospitals on weekdays to get that information. If you enter the hospital on Friday-Sunday, you can 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:
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
**Deadline for next week's newsletter is
WEDNESDAY at noon**
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And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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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 service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
- 9:45 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Room 178 - all are welcome
- 10:00 a.m.: Hospitality Time & Intergenerational Faith Formation, Fellowship Hall; all are welcome
- 11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; below, to join us online
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 AM
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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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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the Traditional Worship Service
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 848 4170 9518, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – press the # key again.
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TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. – Handbell Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary (no experience needed; 12 and older)
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, Choir Room behind the Sanctuary (some choral experience; 14 and older)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The South entrance will be open during these hours, and on Sunday mornings.
Many of the office staff are continuing to work 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.
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
The Rev. J.C. Austin, Pastor/Head of Staff: ext. 213, JAustin@fpc-bethlehem.org
The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Associate Pastor of Formation and Justice; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries: ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Maintenance Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Pam Marth, Administrative Coordinator: ext. 228; email: PMarth@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
Marianne Zarillo, Finance (interim); ext. 210; MZarillo@fpc-bethlehem.org
Cindy Matthews, Bookkeeper; ext. 211; CMatthews@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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