Friday, July 14, 2023 Newsletter
SUMMER WORSHIP
10:00 a.m.
In the Sanctuary
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. SUZANNE TRUMP:
A MINISTRY OF COMPASSION
It is hard to believe that we are in the middle of July, and I have been part of ministry with all of you for three months! Time goes faster each year, not sure why, but we all experience it. Thank you all for your warm welcome and the many offers of assistance, telling me about our community of faith, and helping me learn more about what it means to be a Presbyterian. I am still trying to remember that it is debts and debtors and not trespasses.
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I have been working closely with the deacons as we seek to enhance the ministry of compassion. We are reviewing our list of those we visit and adding those who we think would benefit from additional care and support. If you or someone you know would like to be visited by a deacon or by me, let us know.
It is also important to let us know if you or a family member, friend, or loved one enter the hospital. With current healthcare regulations it is difficult to get information about people who are hospitalized or in continuing care facilities such as rehab.
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My door is always open to you. I want to get to know you and learn how I can walk with you on your faith journey.
Speaking of open doors and hospitality, join us for worship on Sunday and hear what Jesus has to say about humility and hospitality.
And after worship we will gather to “Linger & Learn” about some of the needs in our community. As an expansively welcoming community we want our words and actions to be consistent and true to our calling as Christians.
Blessings,
Suzanne
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This week’s sermon: Humility and Hospitality by the Rev. Suzanne Trump
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We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday
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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
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Child care will be available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.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. 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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LIVESTREAMING FOR THIS SUNDAY
We will livestream the service at 10 a.m. When it is concluded, we will end that livestream, and then start a new one for the Linger & Learn. Whether you’re watching on Facebook or our website, just stick around and the Linger & Learn livestream will come up.
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LEMONADE ON THE LAWN
We’ll take a pause on our social time, “Lemonade on the Lawn” for this coming Sunday – we’ll be doing our “Linger & Learn” after the worship service.
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Lemonade on the Lawn will resume on Sunday, July 23, and we are looking for other groups or families to take on the hosting duties (there is no one signed up for that date). Basically, you will need to provide a few treats to eat and to get the beverages, cups and napkins, ice, and coolers out of the church kitchen. Clean-up is as simple as returning those items to the kitchen.
It doesn’t have to be a “formal” group, like a
K group or the choir – it can be a family or group of friends. It’s easy to sign up on this online form or call the church office at 610-867-5865. We’ll also have a paper sign-up form at each event.
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FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON – A MUSICAL TREAT |
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A five-day intensive choral experience for talented local choral scholars culminates in a very special concert. This experience is being offered by the Artefact Ensemble, a group of acclaimed choral musicians/educators, including David Macbeth, FPCB’s Director of Music Ministries.
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It will be offered this Sunday, July 16 at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary. There is no admission fee and all are welcome. They will also share their talents during our Sunday worship service.
Supported in large part by a grant from the Jared L. Wily Fund for High School Choir Ministries. Additional support from the Raymond-Cryer Donor Advised Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and the members of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.
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DINNER & A SHOW: KINKY BOOTS |
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We’ve made plans to see the Lehigh Valley premiere of the hit Broadway musical, Kinky Boots, at the Pennsylvlania Playhouse on Friday, July 28. All are welcome!
For those interested, we’ll first gather for dinner at The Clubhouse Grille, 400 Illick’s Mill Road (next to the Playhouse) at 5:30 p.m. Each person pays for their own meal.
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The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $22 each. (If you do not go to dinner, meet at the theatre at 7:15 p.m.)
You can pay for your tickets beforehand (to the church office) or the night of the show; make checks payable to FPCB and put “play” in the memo line.
The deadline to register to attend is Friday, July 21. If you’d like to attend, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 and include: your name, how many tickets, if you’re going to dinner, and if you need handicapped seating at The Playhouse.
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A WONDERFUL VISIT…
Thank you to Fran Spicer who arranged a “meet and greet” at Kirkland Village for J.C., Lindsey, and Suzanne to visit with their residents.
J.C. and Lindsey were able to share updates on the work of the Strategic Mission Steering Committee and answer questions about some upcoming opportunities. Suzanne was introduced to the group and shared her story and her role in our community of faith.
It was a wonderful time to talk and get to know one another, and we look forward to having time together in the future to continue to join in conversation.
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ALL ARE WELCOME! BETHLEHEM GARDEN CLUB FLOWER SHOW |
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Friday, July 21, from 3-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 22, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
On the weekend of July 21-22, our Kirk Center will be ablaze with the beauty of the Bethlehem Garden Club’s big event, “A Standard Flower Show.” The show is open to the public and admission is free.
Along with lovely flower displays, there will be vignettes, table settings, miniatures, a plant sale and a pastry cafe. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
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CHILD CARE HELP NEEDED
Our Sunday morning Child Care program is hiring! We are looking for workers to provide care during Sunday morning worship services, to kiddos infant to age 5. Knowledge about littles, and experience working with them is a plus.
The summer shifts run from 9:45-11:15 a.m.; from September-May it is from 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (in the summer the workers are paid for the full 3.5 hour shift).
Clearances are required (the church will pay for these), and they must be at least 18 years old. The starting pay is $14, and employees cannot be church members.
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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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**Deadline for the next week's 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 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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THIS SUNDAY
- 9:45-11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestream on Facebook Live and our website
- 11:15 a.m.: Linger & Learn, our after-worship learning opportunity, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestream on Facebook Live and our website
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)
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.
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
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