Friday, October 27, 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)
|
|
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: FINDING SILENCE
There are two things in human society that were once common but are increasingly difficult to find in contemporary times. The first is darkness; for thousands of years, our ancestors relied on the moon and stars and whatever small fires or light implements (like torches or lanterns) they could use to illuminate their immediate surroundings.
Today, however, the problem of “light pollution” at night is so severe that scientific evidence shows that it is actively and significantly harming the environment, including being a major contributor to the decline in the population of bees and other pollinators.
|
|
More poetically, the extent of nighttime illumination in most areas of the country is so severe that it is difficult to see most stars at night, much less constellations and other astronomic events. In fact, central Pennsylvania has one of the few truly “dark sky” areas in the entire eastern United States, in the Susquehannock state forest.
The second thing that is very hard to find these days is silence. A big part of that is similar to light pollution: our world is so filled with artificial sound, from chirping smartphones to blaring entertainment systems to machinery and traffic to airplanes overhead.
|
|
|
But another part of it is our discomfort with silence. People always talk about being afraid of the dark, but I wonder if we might be even more afraid of silence. When we’re with other people, we often interpret silence as a sign that something is wrong. Now, there is a kind of “weaponized silence” that people use in situations to make others uncomfortable or as a kind of passive-aggressive act of power.
Our reluctance to experience silence is much broader and deeper than that. I think we sometimes view silence as unproductive, like if we have time for silence then we should be filling that void with something useful. And sometimes we dislike silence because it encourages us to turn inward to attend to our own thoughts and feelings, and we don’t necessarily want to do that.
But that kind of silent contemplation has been recognized as essential to human spiritual and personal growth for thousands of years. Vows of silence are an ancient practice to literally keep ourselves from filling up the silence with our own voice and forcing us to be quiet, setting the tone for reflection and prayer.
It is for that reason that the Worship Committee decided to act on an idea submitted by one of you, and experiment with a few minutes of silence in the Traditional Worship Service. The Holy Ground Contemporary Service already has time and space for those seeking individual silent reflection, but traditional worship has tended to go straight from the sermon into a hymn, an affirmation of faith, and then other prayers and activities without a pause.
These two minutes of silence that we will be practicing during the stewardship season (through November 19) are designed to give us the time and space to respond to the sermon with personal reflection and prayer before we move on to the communal responses in the worship service. I commend this time and this experiment to you, and hope that you will let us know how it is impacting you when you’ve tried it a few times.
I do have one reminder for you as we do this. Because our minds are so attuned to productivity, they often wander quickly in silence, searching for some kind of “productive” use of the time. So first, remember that this is not dead time, but time for active reflection and prayer.
And second, if your mind is wandering in the midst of those, consider this: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great German pastor and theologian who resisted Nazism in the 1930s and 40s, taught his seminary students that if your mind wanders during silent prayer, it is often leading you to the people or situations on which your heart is fixed and thus particularly well-suited for prayer. So it is really a shepherd of prayer rather than a distraction away from it.
I hope you will find this experiment in silence meaningful, and I look forward to being with you in worship as we practice it!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
|
|
|
|
- This week’s sermon: Think Different by the Rev. J.C. Austin
-
We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
|
|
FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
-
Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. this Sunday morning; please ask an usher for directions.
-
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.
-
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.
|
|
PARTICIPATE IN OUR SUNDAY SERVICES
Do you enjoy reading aloud? Are you interested in reading scripture at either of our two Sunday morning services? You would read approximately every other month and the schedule is very flexible.
If you would like to volunteer for the 11 a.m. Traditional service, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.
|
|
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).
|
|
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.
Judy Smullen will lead our discussion; you do not have to read the book to participate. If you would like to, please read chapter five (pages 99-130).
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...
|
|
|
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS BOOK |
|
Hear Us Out: Six Questions on Belonging and Belief
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem
Mondays: November 6 and 20
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
|
|
|
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! Feel free to join us even if you did not attend the first sessions.
|
|
APPRECIATION FROM A SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Blaine Sheppard is a recipient of a Barry Brandt Scholarship from First Pres. She shares this update on her educational journey (more info on the scholarship).
Hello Friends,
|
|
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Blaine Sheppard and I have been a member of this wonderful church for about six years now. I began attending First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem back in my junior year of high school, when I was looking for community service hours, but soon realized that this was a very special place.
I hid many aspects of my identity for the majority of my life, but when I began to experience true Christian Love, I realized the fear that I carried with me everyday could be left at the door of First Presbyterian.
|
|
|
I now know that I can proudly walk in using my preferred name, aid in creating a safe space for other LGBT+ youth and educate those who have questions about what terms mean or how to be respectful to those different than oneself. I am beyond proud to be part of this safe, welcoming, and open community.
However, I hope now I can make you proud. I am currently a rising senior at Susquehanna University with a biomedical sciences major and both a chemistry and honors minor. As I begin to move onto getting my master’s degree and an MD, I have had the time to be contemplative and it has revealed a few things.
Firstly, if you were not aware, First Presbyterian has been aiding me financially in my collegiate journey, and without those contributions, I would not have made it as far as I have. I will be studying abroad, as is required by my college, next semester because of First Presbyterian. I will be graduating and seeking even higher education because of First Presbyterian.
You all have so deeply impacted my future, the only way I can ever hope to repay you is by becoming the best doctor I can be, and by using my gifts to work towards God’s greater glory, which brings me to the other profound effect you all had on me.
Christianity and I have been at odds in the recent years, but with some fresh perspective from all of you, I began to realize how beautiful Christian love can be. I have begun repairing the rifts in my faith, which has proven an invaluable asset in getting through the stressors of college. A personal relationship with God, which was only repaired by the powerful sermons on Sunday mornings and personal guidance from those who I now consider family, has granted me the tools to overcome the common challenges I find in college.
I mean this from the depths of my heart; First Presbyterian has completely altered the course of my life and only for the better; without all of you and your guidance, I do not know who I would be today. Thank you for guiding me down the path of genuine love, gratitude and maturity.
|
|
ABOLISH HUNGER: A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Monday, November 13
9:00 a.m. – noon
Kirk Center
All are welcome
|
|
As part of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, representatives from organizations that are involved in food production, distribution, and advocacy/social policy from around the Lehigh Valley - as well as interested members of the public - will meet to exchange information, network, and dream together about what a truly food secure community might look like.
This will be an opportunity for organizations working with issues of food security to compare notes, identify gaps in the food system locally and nationally, and strategize with one another about possibilities for the future.
|
|
|
This event will be largely discussion-oriented, with participating organizations invited to give a brief word about what they do and to have a space to display literature.
Andrea Faiano, Bread for the World’s State Organizer for Pennsylvania, will be on hand to give an up-to-the-minute report on what's happening with the upcoming Farm Bill, SNAP, the school lunch program, and other legislative initiatives that have considerable local implications.
This event is free and open to the public; it is sponsored by the Lehigh Conference of Churches. For further details, contact Steve Simmons at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.
|
|
JOIN OUR SATURDAY WORK CREW
|
|
This Saturday, October 28
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.*
Rain or shine
The planned work includes painting several outside and interior doors, and yard work, including the cleaning up of several cut-down trees.
|
|
|
*Come when you can and stay as long as you can. If you'll be here for lunchtime, please bring a lunch, and everyone should bring drinks to stay hydrated. We encourage you to bring work gloves with you.
|
|
HI NEIGHBORS – LEARN THE HISTORY OF CATASAUQUA
Curious to learn about interesting topics? Our popular speakers program, Hi Neighbors, is for you!
|
|
As one of our audience members told us, “Even if it’s a topic I don’t think will interest me, I’m always glad I came – I always learn something new and interesting!”
For this Monday (October 30) we will hear from Deb Mellish from the Catasauqua Preservation Association, who will share the story of “The
Ironmen of Catasauqua.”
|
|
|
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.
|
|
PRESCHOOL ANNOUNCES POINSETTIA SALE
Even as we’re still enjoying the mums we purchased from their September sale, it’s time to look ahead to Poinsettia and Wreath season!
Here's the order form for you to print and bring/send to church (there will be order forms available at Sunday services). Orders are due by Friday, November 10, with pick-up scheduled for Tuesday, November 28.
|
|
LOOKING AHEAD... ONE TICKET LEFT! |
|
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. |
|
|
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.
As of press time we have one ticket left, so please email Lindsey at lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org if you're interested. Make checks payable to FPC-Bethlehem with a note that they are for Phantom tickets. |
|
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...
|
|
Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for the next week's newsletter:
WEDNESDAY at noon**
* * *
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
|
|
TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
-
Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
-
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
|
|
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.
|
|
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM |
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
