Friday, October 13, 2023 Newsletter
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. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
TAKING THE FIRST STEPS
Dear ones,
Next week, we begin the first steps in our campus planning and community engagement process alongside our partners from Collabo and Urban Ventures! We’ve named this planning endeavor “Building Community” as a nod toward its primary goals—creating connections among folks within and beyond our congregation, and (hopefully, one day) fostering some new expression of built community around us.
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Adam, Patrick, and Mehvish from Collabo and Anne from Urban Ventures will be in town for several meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday morning, we begin with an internal team meeting and site tour (including walking a bit into the surrounding neighborhood), followed by a team lunch.
Then we’re hosting three small group Listening Sessions that afternoon with select church members and the neighbors in closest proximity. Leaders from Kirkland Village, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Wesley Church, and the residents directly across Center Street and down the Laros Estate private drive have all been invited to attend.
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I enjoyed meeting some of our residential neighbors while delivering the information and invitations, and I look forward to connecting in person with staff and leaders from our institutional neighbors!
Tuesday concludes with the congregational Meet & Greet from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall with Happy Hour refreshments to be served. While it’s an informal drop-in event, the time to get to know our consulting partners and share ideas or concerns at this conceptual stage is important. All are welcome and I hope you’ll make plans to come!
Then on Wednesday, we’re meeting with the staff from the City of Bethlehem’s Zoning and Community and Economic Development offices before wrapping up our time together.
Next month, we anticipate having a public, community-wide survey ready to launch as a tool to start gathering input on various elements that folks would most like to see incorporated into the mixed-income/mixed-use campus plan. We’ll also likely be holding our first large community meeting, as well.
As we take these first steps, I want to reiterate the Steering Committee’s openness to hearing your questions and concerns. Making space in this process for folks to express their worry or skepticism or even opposition is essential for deepening our ties and strengthening our faith. (It also positively impacts the project itself, which is exactly why we’re utilizing a community-engaged planning process!)
If having such conversations in public meetings or even small groups feels challenging, please know that my door (and inbox – lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org) are open. With humility and gratitude, I will welcome thoughtful dialogue and differing perspectives on this undertaking, and I will make time for as many one-on-one conversations as it takes to navigate this with all the togetherness and unity we can muster.
I know the members of the Steering Committee share this commitment, so if you have a trusted relationship with another member of the team, please know that you can reach out to them, as well. This is what is means to be and build community, after all.
Together in Christ, and with blessings for the road ahead,
Lindsey
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- This week’s sermon: An Off-Road Faith: A Spirituality of Us by the Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
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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 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. 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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INQUIRERS CLASS
If you are interested in learning more about the Presbyterian faith, and First Pres specifically - perhaps with an eye toward becoming a member - you are invited to participate in our next Inquirers Class.
This in-person session will be offered on Sunday, October 22 from 2-5 p.m. Those interested are asked to contact Lindsey at lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org. |
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HEARTS N MINDS: MEETS THIS SUNDAY
The Hearts N Minds adult education class will meet this Sunday in the Parlor on the second floor of the South wing. We gather at 9:45 a.m. and end 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).
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The group is reading the brand new HEAR US OUT: Six Questions on Belonging and Belief, authored by Sue Pizor Yoder and Co.Lab.Inq.
Betsy Simpson will lead our discussion; you do not have to read the book to participate. If you would like to, please read chapter three.
Let’s read the book together and tell each other our own stories. Questions? Contact Judy Smullen or Linda Robertson at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.
Can't make it to these sessions...
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ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS BOOK |
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Hear Us Out: Six Questions on Belonging and Belief
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem
Mondays: October 23, November 6 and
20
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
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The religious landscape of America is changing. People who have no relationship with a faith community are a growing segment of our population, while loneliness, anxiety, and depression are reaching epidemic proportions in a culture where everyone is “connected,” but where many people report having few or no real friends.
This raises some deep questions: Where do I belong? What is the story of my life? What legacy will I leave to future generations? How can I live a good life, and what does that even mean? What do I believe, and where can I explore that question with other people in an honest and open way?
On four Monday evenings in October and November, we will discuss these questions using the recent book Hear Us Out: Six Questions on Belonging and Belief, inviting both the religious and non-religious among us to explore them honestly and in depth. Join the conversation!
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JOIN OUR HAND BELL CHOIR
Here is your opportunity to help make a joyful noise – no experience necessary! This ensemble began rehearsals this past Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Not sure if you’re interested? David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries, says to come check it out – all are welcome!
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HI NEIGHBORS – LET’S VISIT ELLIS ISLAND
This past Monday our Hi Neighbors group took a field trip to the Meals on Wheels facility. More than just a daily meal delivery to local seniors in need, MOW offers a wide variety of services: weekend and emergency boxes of food, smoke detectors, frozen meals that anyone can purchase, and more. We certainly enjoyed seeing their operation at 1302 N. Sherman in Allentown, and were impressed with the scope of their reach.
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For this Monday (Oct. 16) we will hear from Dr. Brian Alnutt, a history professor at Northampton Community College, who will share “Ellis Island: A History”. There will be a social time starting at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, followed by the program at
10 a.m.
Our popular speakers program includes ten exciting programs highlighting travel, entertainment, history and a host of other topics of general interest. These programs are free and open to all and are all listed on our website.
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CROP WALK – A SUCCESSFUL RECAP
First Pres (and friends) walkers and donors rallied to exceed the goal of $1500, and have so far raised over $2600 for this year’s annual CROP Hunger Walk, held on Sunday.
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First Pres and Gate Community Church walkers and donors gathered for a pre-walk luncheon (funded by a $250 donation from Thrivent Insurance Co.).
Lots of good conversation, with thanks to Hearts N Minds adult ed class members for their help serving.
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Proceeds from the walk will be used for hunger relief and agricultural development locally and worldwide, with 25% being designated for use by agencies in our own community.
It’s not too late to donate! We’ll accept donations through Sunday, October 29.
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CONSIDER HOW YOU CAN IMPACT A CHILD’S LIFE |
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Would you like to make a difference in an elementary school student's life? Join us on Thursday mornings at Donegan Elementary School on Bethlehem's South Side for an hour of fun, relationship-building and activities.
The new school year's sessions began yesterday, but it's not too late to join in. It begins at 8 a.m.
You are welcome to visit and check out the program our church has hosted for more than ten years.
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Please contact Deb Philpotts or Al Philpotts if you're curious and want to know more ( info@fpc-bethlehem.org). |
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NEXT HELPING HANDS TRIP COMING IN NOVEMBER |
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There’s still time to register! The Helping Hands group will be traveling again to New Bern, N.C. at the Neuse Forest Presbyterian Church. This trip will be November 4-11 (Saturday – Saturday).
They always welcome new folks. All levels and types of skills and experience are welcome – the primary focus is on cleaning up/repairing homes damaged by storms.
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SHOPPERS: YOUR INPUT IS REQUESTED! DEADLINE EXTENDED |
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The Bethlehem Food Co-Op (of which First Pres is an organizational member) has put out a call for help to choose what types of products it will carry in its new grocery store.
It is scheduled to open early next year at 250 E. Broad St. Anyone can take the survey through today (Friday, October 13).
A $5 coupon toward your first purchase is included as a thank you for taking the survey!
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Do you like ice that is big and smooth? Do you like seeing guys in orange and black? Well, then you are in luck. Join us on Friday, November 3 at 7:05 p.m. for FPC-Bethlehem’s night at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. |
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Meet at the PPL Center in Allentown and watch the Phantoms take on the Hartford Wolf Pack. We have seats secured for $18 each on the second level. Invite your friends and family and let’s have a bit of fun cheering on our Phantoms.
Reservations are needed so please email Lindsey at lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org with the number of tickets you want to purchase. Last day to reserve your seats is Monday, October 23. Make checks payable to FPC-Bethlehem with a note that they are for Phantom tickets. |
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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
- 9:45-10:40 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor - all are welcome
- 11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship service, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook and on our website
TUESDAYS: 6 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: 7 p.m. – Chancel Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary / Choir Room – all are welcome to join in!
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
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