Friday, June 23, 2023 Newsletter
SUMMER WORSHIP
NEW TIME! 10:00 a.m.
NEW LOCATION! In the Sanctuary
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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AN ACTIVE FAITH: OVERCOMER’S OUTREACH
It’s June 1993: Jurassic Park is breaking box office records. President Bill Clinton introduces Ruth Bader Ginsberg as his nominee for Supreme Court Justice. And a new ministry begins at First Pres.
Thirty years later, Overcomer’s Outreach continues as an active ministry at FPCB.
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OO is an international network of Christ-centered 12 Step support groups which ministers to individuals, their families and loved ones who suffer from the consequences of any addictive behavior. We serve as a bridge between traditional 12 step recovery groups and churches of all denominations.
We recover together as we meet to study and grow in God’s Word. Our ministry welcomes all, regardless of age, race, lifestyle, background or belief. OO utilizes the 12 Step approach along with studying Scriptures. As it says on our website:
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It is not a substitute for church, Bible studies or traditional 12-step groups as we advocate continued attendance at these life-saving programs. The vision that God put into the hearts of Bob and Pauline Bartosch, OO's founders, has grown into a much-needed bridge that connects traditional 12-step groups and the church. Overcomers Outreach brings recovery tools to the church and points people in recovery programs to Jesus Christ as their Higher Power.
We welcome anyone who has a desire to stay clean and sober; anyone who has a desire to rise above the pain and turmoil engendered by the addiction of a loved one; anyone wishing to break the bondage of compulsive behavior.
We originally met in person at FPCB and with the arrival of the Covid pandemic, moved to meeting on Zoom. We continue to meet on Zoom and find it convenient and welcoming – including having visitors from throughout the USA as well as internationally (New Zealand)!
A meeting typically includes about eight people of all ages, in all stages of recovery – and others who have a loved one struggling with addiction.
Please feel free to join us on Zoom at our weekly meeting on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Log on to zoom.com; meeting #380-435-9056, password: overcomer.
For more information contact May Dudding at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or Overcomers Outreach at overcomersoutreach.org.
If you’re not sure this is the right group for you, you can come to try it out – whether you attend one time, every week – or something in between – you are welcome!
- May Dudding
Overcomers Outreach
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This week’s sermon: The Gospel According to Ted Lasso: Forgiving by the Rev. J.C. Austin
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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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NEW TIME! 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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LEMONADE ON THE LAWN
Join us after worship for our social time, “Lemonade on the Lawn” – everyone is welcome to come and connect.
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We are looking for other groups or families to take on the hosting duties. 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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Above right: Last Sunday’s hosts were Doreen Sheppard (left), Cynthia Hahn, and Jan Bickford – who billed themselves as “The Rolling Scones.” You don’t need a clever name to participate in this ministry! |
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If you (or someone you know) is graduating this spring,
please share their name, school, and degree (if applicable)
610-867-5865. We’ll recognize them in a future worship service
and in the newsletter.
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AFGHAN FAMILY UPDATE & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE NEED
Baz, Mursal, and the kids are doing well! A couple weeks ago, they enjoyed their first American cookout on Memorial Day weekend, complete with halal hamburgers cooked on the grill and outdoor dining.
Ayaz is crawling here, there, and everywhere, and even pulling up to stand! Taib and Bahar are officially on summer break, though Taib will start summer school in a couple of weeks, which he’s excited about. (It’s a bit more interactive than the traditional school day.)
And they’re ready to officially begin the Green Card application process, which is where we need some help. The legal fee for compiling and submitting the applications (one for each non-American family member; four total) and representing them at the interview is $6,500.
The church’s Refugee Family Support fund balance has been exhausted, so we’re making another request for donations from the congregation to help meet that need and try to help the family preserve their savings.
If you’re able to make a gift in support of this critical step toward permanent residency, we’d be so very grateful! Feel free to put your contribution in the offering plate on a Sunday as long as they’re labeled with Refugee Family Support or send them in by mail (or donate online at fpc-bethlehem.org/give) with the same designation.
We’re hopeful the family can join us on an upcoming Sunday to offer a Minute for Mission and enjoy Lemonade on the Lawn with us, so stay tuned for that update! They continue to be so grateful for our church’s friendship and support.
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We’ll be celebrating Pride Night with the IronPigs on Thursday, June 29 at 7 p.m. We’d love for you to join us for a fun evening at Coca-Cola Park. Tickets are $12 and include $2 of food credit.
If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to Lindsey by this Monday, June 26. You
can also call the church office at 610-867-5865 and leave your name, contact info, and how many tickets.
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SUNDAY CHILD CARE HELP NEEDED
We are in need of a few volunteer child care helpers for Sunday mornings in the summer; the care is provided from 9:45-11:15 a.m. If we can get several volunteers, only one or two weeks would be expected of each person.
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ASSISTING AT OUR SERVICES
If you are interested in reading at one of our summer services, please sign up through the link provided, below.
You will be sent the scripture several days before the service, so you can prepare. If you have any trouble signing up on this form, please drop us an email. |
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KNOW ANY COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS?
The Barry Brandt Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to provide income for scholarship assistance to students, with first preference to members of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem who have financial need and demonstrated scholastic ability.
For an application form and more information, please contact us.
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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 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.: Lemonade on the Lawn, our social time – all are welcome; front lawn (in case of bad weather, inside in Fellowship Hall)
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:
The church office and building will be closed on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. The Preschool will be closed Monday, July 3 – Friday, July 7. All will reopen on Monday, July 10.
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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