COMING TO YOU EARLY DUE TO THE HOLIDAY!
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Newsletter
Sunday services:
9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
in Fellowship Hall (in person only)
11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service in the Sanctuary
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: A DAY OF GRACE
I think I’m right in saying that Friday is the only “Day After” holiday that we celebrate in the United States. Some other countries, particularly those with ties to Great Britain, have Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) or Easter Monday as public holidays, but not here in the United States.
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But long before that, the Day After Thanksgiving was simply a holiday of grace, creating a four-day weekend that is perfect for short family reunions and celebrations (and eating through the leftovers of the Thanksgiving meal!). I want to encourage all of us to reclaim something of that original grace of the Day After Thanksgiving and enjoy this day as a kind of Sabbath, wherever you may find yourself, and continue to give thanks for the good things in our lives with which God has blessed us.
One of the things I have been most thankful for in the past year has been the mission strategy work we have been doing as a congregation. It is only slightly more than a year since the Session and Trustees came out of a transformative officers’ retreat with the conviction that we as a congregation needed to both expand and deepen our missional impact in our community, and utilize our church property as an extraordinary resource for doing so.
Not long after, the Session created the Missional Strategy Steering Committee, comprised of both Elders and Trustees, to explore the possibilities and best opportunities for doing so and come back to the Trustees and Session with recommendations. I am deeply thankful for the amazing work that Steering Committee has done in the past year, and especially for the leadership that Donna Taggart, Don Robertson, and Lindsey Altvater Clifton have contributed so faithfully and well in these efforts.
If ever there was a proof of God’s hands at work, it’s in the development, in less than a year, of our twin initiatives (check out the new webpage at fpc-bethlehem.org/campus-vision) to transform the utilization of our existing facilities and our wider church property to achieve a level of missional impact in the community that we simply have never had before.
To that end, I want to urge you all to attend the next Community Meeting that we will be having on Tuesday, November 28, at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This meeting will focus on hearing a report from the City of Bethlehem about affordable housing, an in-depth engagement with the results of the community survey we’ve conducted, and opportunities for discussion, questions, and feedback on all this.
It’s important that we have a strong turnout from the congregation not only so that you can make sure your voice is heard, but also to be in conversation with our neighbors about all these possibilities, as well. There will pizza provided for dinner, so you don’t need to worry about that. This gathering will also be livestreamed on our Facebook page and website.
I hope you all have a happy and blessed Day After Thanksgiving, and I look forward to being with you next Tuesday!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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- This week’s sermon: Where's Your Bar? 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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TONIGHT: JOIN US FOR OUR THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE
For tonight at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary (and livestreamed): please join us for our annual Thanksgiving Eve Service. We will hear three special gratitude testimonials and enjoy a selection from the Chancel Choir.
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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).
This service will also be livestreamed on Facebook and on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org).
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You can print the five-page bulletin here: |
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COMPLETE THE BUILDING COMMUNITY SURVEY |
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If you have not already done so, please complete the quick ten question survey about the Building Community project (the exterior project) by this Friday, November 24: use the link, below (there will also be print copies available at tonight’s service, in the North Link).
We also hope you’ll make plans to attend our Community Meeting on Tuesday, November 28 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
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This will be an opportunity to hear about the results from our partners at Collabo. It will also be livestreamed, and if you’re there in person we’ll have pizza for everyone. |
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HEARTS N MINDS: NO CLASS THIS SUNDAY
The Hearts N Minds adult education class will not meet this Sunday (November 26). The next class will be on Sunday, December 3 at 9:45 a.m., ending at 10:40 a.m. (if you attend the 9 a.m. Holy Ground service, you are welcome to leave early to attend this class). All are welcome to attend!
For the three Sundays in December, the Rev. Dr. Richard Smith, Parish Associate, will do a special Advent presentation inspired by the poetry and writings of Mary Oliver.
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HELP US WITH THE “HANGING OF THE GREENS”
All are welcome to help on Saturday, December 2 from
10 a.m. – noon to help us decorate the inside of the church building. Please let us know if you’re planning to come:
call 610-867-5865.
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ADVENT COLLECTION IS COMING!
Beginning this Sunday, November 26, we will begin collecting items for
two local organizations, Turning Point and Northeast Community Center.
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HI NEIGHBORS – THANKS FOR A GREAT FALL SESSION
We have had a wonderful ‘season’ of interesting programs (and a fun field trip!) for Hi Neighbors this fall.
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Many thanks to Susan Wolf, our volunteer program coordinator, and to Leslie Pohl and Donna Knepp, who offered a very nice hospitality time.
With special thanks to our presenters, and to those who came each week to learn and be entertained!
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Initial planning has begun for the spring series of programs, which will begin in March. Watch this space for updates! |
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POINSETTIA ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Special envelopes are available in the pews, Narthex and Fellowship Hall,
to return by Sunday, December 3 (there is also a poinsettia envelope
in your pack of pledge envelopes). These are beautiful, “double” poinsettias.
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.
If you ordered poinsettias and/or wreaths from the Preschool Fundraiser, those will be available for pick-up on Tuesday,
November 28 – we will contact you to let you know
what time to pick up and where.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: BES DINNER ON NOVEMBER 29 |
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FPCB volunteers will be cooking and serving dinner for the guests at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering on Wednesday, November 29.
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 or call the church office at 610-867-5865.
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ANOTHER REQUEST FROM BES
Dear friends of BES,
Once again, the Chamber has kindly offered a free Christmas Hut on Main Street to Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering and Bethlehem Area Moravians Freezer Ministry during the Christmas Season. We use this hut to share information about the important work both groups do to address homelessness and hunger in our area.
As in past years, our hut will be located on Main Street next to Central Moravian Church. We will be open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons and evenings from Thursday, November 30 to Saturday, December 23, offering free coffee, hot chocolate and cookies to the visitors on Main Street, as we provide them with information about our organizations and occasionally receive donations. In addition, Bob Wingrove and Johanna Harris have worked hard to enlist musical groups who will perform on the steps of Central Moravian most evenings.
All who have helped in the past agree that it is a lot of fun to be able to share free refreshments and chat with those who come downtown to share in the Christmas spirit!
Obviously, this cannot happen without the support of our many volunteers. We need help with setup, serving and information sharing. Parking may be found at any of the city garages or (if you are lucky) along the streets.
Please go to our online sign-up to register for a spot (or two!) and help us spread the word about our amazing ministries!
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LOOKING AHEAD
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Wednesday, November 22: Thanksgiving Eve Service, Sanctuary and livestream; 7 p.m.
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Thursday, November 23 – Monday, November 27: Building/offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday
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Sunday, November 26: Advent Donations begin (through Sunday, December 17)
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Tuesday, November 28: Preschool Poinsettia order pick-up
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Tuesday, November 28: Community Meeting (regarding building projects), Fellowship Hall and livestream; 6-8 p.m.
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Saturday, December 2: Hanging of the Greens, Sanctuary; 10 a.m. – noon
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Saturday, December 16: Concord Chamber Singers Concert, Sanctuary; 7 p.m.
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Sunday, December 17: Christmas Joy Concert, Sanctuary; 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, December 19 and Thursday, December 21: Preschool Christmas Chapel, Sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. – all welcome
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Wednesday, December 20: Longest Night service, Fellowship Hall and livestream; 6 p.m.
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Sunday, December 24:
- 10 a.m. Combined Worship Service, Sanctuary and livestream
- 4 p.m. Intergenerational Christmas Eve Service, Sanctuary and livestream
- 7 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Sanctuary and livestream
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Monday, December 25 – Monday, January 1: Building/offices closed for holidays
- Sunday, December 31:
- Holy Ground Worship service, Fellowship Hall; 9 a.m.
- Traditional Worship service, Sanctuary and livestream; 11 a.m.
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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
- 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship service, in-person in Fellowship Hall
- 11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship service, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook and on our website
TUESDAYS: NEW TIME THIS WEEK: 4:30 p.m. – Hand Bell Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary – all are welcome (no experience needed)
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (NEW! meeting #: 868 2214 2960; passcode: OO-Beth)
THURSDAYS (NO REHEARSAL THIS WEEK): 7 p.m. – Chancel Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary / Choir Room – all are welcome to join in!
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
The church office, building, and Preschool will be closed Thursday, Friday and Monday for the Thanksgiving holiday (the Preschool will also be closed today, Wednesday). All will reopen on Tuesday, November 28.
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
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