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Friday, Dec. 6, 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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A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE
Greetings, friends!
For those who asked for last Sunday’s breath prayer, here you go:
INHALE: In you, O God,
EXHALE: I find my worth.
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This Sunday, we continue our Advent journey and light the candle of Peace. Our Words for the Beginning this week are: We Can’t Go Alone. While we are often inclined toward independence and self-sufficiency, this poignant reminder draws us together and sends us into the world as a community of peacemakers.
In that spirit, our proclamation for the week will come from multiple voices rather than just one. In both services, in place of a sermon, we’ll enjoy musical Advent reflections to create an experience of peace and connection.
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This week’s breath prayer is for communal guidance:
INHALE: Light in the darkness,
EXHALE: Guide our paths together.
Indeed, it will take all of our hands and hearts together to live into God’s future with hope for the sake of peace.
Blessings for our expectant Advent waiting,
Lindsey
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BRINGING CHRISTMAS CHEER
Will you make some time on Sunday to sign holiday cards that will be available in the North Link?
These will be delivered by the Deacons as they make visits to our church members.
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FOR SUNDAY: HEARTS N MINDS - ADULT ED CLASS | |
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The Hearts N Minds adult education class has planned special experiences for the remaining Sundays in Advent: Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. There will be no class on Sunday, Dec. 29 and Sunday, Jan. 5.
Betsy Simpson, Gail Watts, Richard Smith, and Ginny Smith will lead the class in practices of lectio divina. But, why?
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Lectio divina matters because it provides a contemplative, Scripture-based foundation for a thoughtful Christian response to our world. It is more than “bible study.” It is about knowing God intimately, not just knowing more about God. Join us as Scripture touches human experience with the “mysterious stirring” of the Holy Spirit.
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 IS BACK
Body N Soul returns on Sunday, Dec. 8, meeting weekly between Sunday services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall. During the seasons of Advent and Christmas, they will share seasonal stories, crafts, and conversation. All are welcome!
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ADVENT COLLECTION IS UNDERWAY!
We are collecting items for two local organizations,
Turning Point and Northeast Community Center.
Collection boxes are in the North Link, Kirk Center entrance,
and by the south entrance.
Turning Point: NEW ONLY
mens boxers and basic clothing (sweats, T-shirts, etc.) [all sizes];
boys underwear (4T-14); toddler clothes (boys and girls);
womens underwear, PJ’s and leggings (S-XL) and ankle socks
Northeast Community Center
pancake mixes (using water), syrups, canned soups (pop top lids are best),
cereals and oatmeal
PRINT THE FLYER
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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 AHEAD
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
Sunday, Jan. 5: 9 a.m. – Holy Ground service; 11:15 a.m. – Traditional service
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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)
- 10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
- 10:10-11 a.m.: Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation, Fellowship Hall – all are welcomel
- 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org
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.
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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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