Wednesday, November 23, 2022 Newsletter


SUNDAY SERVICE IN-PERSON AND

ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:



10:00 a.m. Combined Worship Service

in Fellowship Hall*


 (* also available on our website and via phone)


THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER COMING TO YOU EARLY -

BACK ON OUR REGULAR SCHEDULE NEXT WEEK!

A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: ALREADY IN MOTION


Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that you will be able to spend this holiday time in a way that is special to you and allowed you to express your gratitude for all the blessings in your life. It is a quick pivot this year, though, with the first Sunday of Advent coming on the Sunday after Thanksgiving! So this Sunday, we will begin our observance of Advent with some special opportunities. 


First, we will be worshipping this Sunday in a combined service at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, with elements of both traditional worship and the Holy Ground contemporary service. 

If you haven’t yet experienced the Holy Ground service, this is a great opportunity to sample some of the key elements.


Following the worship service, we will have our Hanging of the Greens celebration, which includes several different opportunities for you to choose from. First, you can help decorate the church for Advent and Christmas, as in literally hanging the greens! 

Second, there will be Christmas cookie decorating at tables in Fellowship Hall. And third, there will be craft activities in which you can take part. So there is an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to participate. 


In addition, there will be soup and chili provided for lunch together, and you are invited to bring a salad, bread or a dessert to add to that. However, you are welcome to come participate regardless of whether you bring anything.


The word “Advent” literally means “coming” or “arriving.” So any “advent” is not about something that is still off in the future; it is about something that is already in motion, already beginning to happen. In Christianity in general, that is about anticipating the coming of Christ, both at his birth and at the end of time.



But for us it is also the arriving of a special season of community and beauty, of love and of hope. I look forward to sharing this Advent season with you, and hope to see you on Sunday!


Grace and peace,

J.C.

FOR THIS SUNDAY


Matthew 1:1-17

  

Click the link to read the verses

- This week’s sermon: Every Name in the Book 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

TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper


Combined Worship Service (4 pages)


Hymn Insert #1


Hymn Insert #2

FOR SUNDAY MORNING


  • The Building Reopening Task Force encourages people to wear masks, especially if they are in a high risk category, as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others.    
  • Child care will be available from 9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions. 
  • We offer nametags for folks to wear; please clearly PRINT your first name.

Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary: please join us for this special Thanksgiving Eve Service. We will hear three special gratitude testimonials and enjoy special musical selections.


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).


If you are worshipping from home: print the 5-page bulletin:

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING BEGINS SUNDAY

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

Please consider donating. Envelopes are available in the narthex, Fellowship Hall, and in your pledge envelope box.

POINSETTIA ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES


Special envelopes are available in the pews, Narthex and Fellowship Hall,

to return by Sunday, December 4 (there is also a poinsettia envelope

in your pack of pledge envelopes).


The suggested donation is $20; you can take home a poinsettia after the

Christmas Eve service you attend. This is a lovely way to honor

a loved one. If you need an envelope call us at 610-867-5865.

HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED: NO CLASS THIS SUNDAY

 

Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will not meet this Sunday because of our Combined Service at 10 a.m.


Looking ahead: 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 dates for this Advent series are December 4, 11, and 18 from 9:45-10:40 a.m., in room 178. 

A SPECIAL SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

This Sunday, November 27, we’ll have one combined worship service at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, followed by a soup lunch. Soups will be provided, but if folks could bring either a salad, bread, or dessert to complete the meal, that would be great! (Bringing something is not required to attend, though.) 

After the meal, we’ll help deck the church halls for Advent and Christmas! There will also be cookie decorating and a craft for our young ones (or any of you who are young at heart).


We also need a few volunteers to help with lunch set up and clean up. Please let Lindsey know if you’re able to help.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

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: bit.ly/3OxmXss.


In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media.


If you do not have access to a device and would like a printed copy, please contact Lindsey at lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org.

SUPPORTING OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS 


We’ll be preparing and serving dinner at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering three times during this winter’s shelter season. FPCB will be cooking and serving dinner for their guests on Wednesday, November 30. 


We have all the volunteers we need to help cook and serve dinner, clean up during service and after the meal, and serve as shower monitor - thank you to all who have signed up!


Please save the date for our other two BES dinners later in the shelter season: Wednesday, January 25 and Wednesday, March 29. Sign-up forms will be coming soon.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR: THE WRAP-UP

Many thanks to those who supported last weekend’s Craft Fair! Our Crafters group reports that between last year’s small sale and this year’s bigger event, they have made over $1200.

 

The group will meet in late January to decide how and where to spend these funds, and to make plans going forward. When they start their weekly crafting sessions again after the first of the year, they extend an invitation to those interested in joining them. Stay tuned for details!

SAVE THE DATE: INTERGENERATIONAL EVENT

On Saturday, December 10 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., we’re hosting an Intergenerational Spirituality & Creativity Retreat for the FPCB community, along with our Preschool families and residents of Kirkland Village. 


Together, we’ll explore the Advent practice of waiting—waiting for joy; waiting for love; waiting for peace; and waiting for hope. 

The day will be full of interactive fun: music, a drum circle, shaker making, art projects, creative movement, and more!

 

This event is for anyone who is young and everyone who is young at heart. All ages are welcome! This a great opportunity for shared learning and play with children or grandchildren. We hope you’ll come (and consider inviting friends and neighbors)! 


Lunch will be provided, so we’d love to have RSVPs by Sunday, December 3 to help us with a headcount for food and supplies: bit.ly/3ggRb60

LOOKING AHEAD…


  • Wednesday, November 23: Join us at 7 p.m. for our Thanksgiving Eve service in the Sanctuary; it will also be available via livestream. This is a Communion service.


  • Sunday, November 27: This is the first Sunday in Advent, and we will offer one Worship Service at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall (both in person and livestreamed). See the article above for the lunch and activities details. No Hearts N Minds class for today.


  • Saturday, December 3: Memorial service for Donald Masters at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary.


  • Saturday, December 10: All are welcome to join us at an Intergenerational Spirituality & Creativity Retreat, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (see article, above)


  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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.



  • 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.
CLICK HERE FOR PRAYER LIST
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...
Send any prayer requests to prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org or call 610-867-5865 and leave a message.

Send us your news and photos to share:

info@fpc-bethlehem.org

**Deadline for next week's newsletter is

WEDNESDAY at noon**

* * *

And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem

Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!

THIS SUNDAY

  • 9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
  • 10:00 a.m.: Combined Worship Service, Fellowship Hall
  • 11:15 a.m.: Advent Lunch & Hanging of the Greens, Fellowship Hall – all are welcome!

TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10:00 AM


  • 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

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.

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:


THE OFFICE AND PRESCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24 AND MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28 FOR THANKSGIVING (Preschool will also be closed today and Friday).


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).

CALENDAR
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. 210MZarillo@fpc-bethlehem.org


Cindy Matthews, Bookkeeper; ext. 211; CMatthews@fpc-bethlehem.org


Website:  www.fpc-bethlehem.org