Friday, September 1, 2023 Newsletter
SUMMER WORSHIP in the Sanctuary
Communion Sunday
10:00 a.m.: Worship Service
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
RECAPPING OUR TOWN HALL
As you hopefully know, we held an important Congregational Town Hall last Sunday at which the Joint Finance Committee of the Session and Trustees reported on the current finances of the congregation, as well as trends over the course of the year and projections for the end of this year and beyond.
In addition, the Strategic Mission Steering Committee reported on their work to date and the exciting opportunities that are unfolding for both establishing long-term financial sustainability AND exponentially increasing the missional impact of our congregation’s property to a level that it has never had in the history of the church.
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The meeting was livestreamed and recorded for those who were unable to attend, and we are providing links to that recording as well as a summary of key points.
If you were not able to be present at the meeting, please take a few minutes to review the recap, so you are up-to-date on these crucial issues and opportunities in the life of our church.
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If questions arise for you during this review, please send them to info@fpc-bethlehem.org and either the Finance Committee or the Steering Committee members will do their best to answer them, depending on which one seems to be best-suited to address your questions.
You can anticipate further communications on all these issues as we go through the fall towards the end of the calendar year, so keep your ears open for announcements to that effect. We are committed to the greatest transparency possible on all of these issues, and will continue to try to live up to that commitment in everything that we do.
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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The conversation continues: On Sunday, September 10 at 10 a.m.
we will offer a Mission Strategy Conversation in Fellowship Hall.
This session will be recorded (but not livestreamed).
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This week’s sermon: Barefoot on Holy Ground by the 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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COMMUNION SUNDAY
If you are worshipping from home and would like to participate, you can prepare your own elements: a bread or bread-like item such as a cracker, bagel, pita, or muffin, and grape juice, wine or water.
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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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The last Lemonade on the Lawn of the season! Join us after worship at the front of the church building for fellowship and light refreshments.
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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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NEW SCHEDULE BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 |
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As we shared last week, we will begin our schedule of two services on Sunday, September 10.
We’ll offer our Holy Ground contemporary service at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. The Traditional worship service will begin at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
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For Sunday, September 10, there will be a Mission Strategy Conversation at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, following up on information shared in last week’s Congregational Town Hall (see related article, above).
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HEARTS N MINDS RETURNS ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
The Hearts N Minds adult education class starts September 17. This group – which is open to all - meets 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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Our first book is the brand new HEAR US OUT: Six Questions on Belonging and Belief, authored by Sue Pizor Yoder and Co.Lab.Inq.
Many of you already have the book and it is easy to find online. Three of the authors are members of our own faith family: Janet Stahl, Jim Stahl, and Steve Simmons.
Newspapers, magazines and television tell us younger people have a diminished interest in becoming affiliated with formalized religion. On the other hand, studies show that these same persons are “spiritual” and seek to understand the intricacies of the universe. Others know about Jesus and consider him a “good person” while not being so sure about this “God Thing”.
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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. |
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PEACE IS ACTIVE, NOT PASSIVE. PEACE IS DOING, NOT WAITING.
Sometimes it feels like the world is coming at us so quickly that we don’t know which way to turn, where to look, what to do next. In a chaotic world, we find strength in knowing that God is always near. Paul’s prayer asks God to grant us peace at all times, in all ways. Peace. For our world, our family, our community, our church, and ourselves.
The third Special Offering of the Presbyterian Church, Peace and Global Witness, starts this Sunday, September 3, and ends on World Communion Sunday, October 1.
Half of this offering goes to initiatives such as field work in 200 congregations and villages, and 1500 schools in Malawi. Some of you may have been there when FPCB members went there in 2010.
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Another 25% goes to our mid-council to support efforts such as a Women’s Correctional Center in Washington state, where despite the concrete and barbed wire, God is not separated from the women. There Hagar’s Community Church is named for the story of Hagar in Genesis, who survives despite the harshest conditions.
Finally, as with the Pentecost offering, our congregation keeps 25% for the work of peace and reconciliation here. For instance, it could support the anti-racist and social justice work we continue to do.
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Checks can be sent to the church with “Peace and Global Witness” written on the memo line. There are special envelopes in the Narthex and your personal boxes of envelopes; you can also give at fpc-bethlehem.org/give (note “Peace and Global Witness” in the “notes” box).
Please consider donating to this special offering.
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DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE?
This week we continue to learn more about the leadership roles in our church. Although it seems early to begin, as a congregation, we will soon be embarking on the important process of selecting our next group of leaders.
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The Trustees oversee all financial and property matters in the church including the budget, building renovations and repairs, planned giving, and investment funds. Trustees meet monthly and members also serve on one additional committee, such as the property or finance committee, which also generally meet monthly. The term for Trustees is three years.
We asked Jack Walker (right) about his role as Trustee:
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“I enjoy being a Trustee; it helps keep me keep up to date on how the church is doing physically and financially. The decisions the committee makes help keep the church doors open and welcoming new and current members coming through them.”
The Trustees serving alongside Jack are George Bickford, Bob Hunsicker, Joanne Kelhart, Belle Marks, Sue Nelson, Bud Newton, Melinda Stitt and Mark Swank.
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HI NEIGHBORS – BACK ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 |
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Plans are in full swing for this fall’s session of Hi Neighbors, our popular speakers program!
The organizers have planned a full calendar of ten exciting programs highlighting travel, entertainment, history and a host of other topics of general interest. These programs are free and open to all.
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The sessions will begin on Monday, September 18. We’ll meet in Fellowship Hall, beginning at 9:30 a.m. for a social time. The one-hour programs begin at 10 a.m. (although sometimes we go longer if there are a lot of questions for our speakers!).
First up: popular presenter Tom Repasch offers “Banned in Berlin: The Story of the Last Great Performers in Nazi Germany”. Comedian harmonists were one of the most successful musical groups in Europe before World War II – an all-male German close-harmony ensemble that performed from 1928-34. Fun fact: In November a new musical comes to Broadway about this group and its fate in Nazi Germany, with music by Barry Manilow.
We’ve also scheduled a “field trip” for Monday, October 9, so watch for those details as well, in case you’d like to register to ride the provided bus.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
On Thursday, September 14, we’ll join folks from all over the Lehigh Valley to participate in United Way’s Day of Caring, a collective service opportunity that supports nonprofit partners in our communities.
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We’ve signed up to help at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering as they continue preparing for the upcoming shelter season. We need nine volunteers to help us vacuum and shampoo the carpet in several rooms at BES (and move the furniture out of the way as we work). |
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They have a few vacuums and one carpet shampooer, but if any of you are able to bring an additional carpet cleaner, that would be helpful!
We’ll be there from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., and if we finish this job early, they will likely have a few other things we can help take care of. (It will be helpful if you can commit to the entire day.) BES will provide snacks, water, and coffee throughout the day, but volunteers should plan to bring a water bottle. United Way is providing lunch.
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IS OUR CRAFTERS GROUP FOR YOU? |
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Come join the Crafters Group – now preparing items for a November craft show. No special skills or craft ideas are needed – all the materials and instructions are supplied.
We meet on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-noon in Room 408 (no meeting on Tuesday, October 3).
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The earnings from the show will go to a local organization; last year, $1000 was donated to Bloom, a local women’s shelter. |
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LOOKING AHEAD...
We have scheduled electrical work to be done by PPL for Tuesday, October 3: the entire building (including the Preschool) will be closed all day. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you need to reschedule space for a meeting/gathering, please contact Carol Burns (see above).
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Thank you! With ‘not much’ notice, our pop-up food
drive on Sunday
collected over 170 items for local neighbors!
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PRESCHOOL MUM SALE: PLACE YOUR ORDER!
Time to order these gorgeous, 9" mums - available in 5 fabulous colors.
Only $8 each. Order by Monday, September 11 for pick-up on
Wednesday, September 20.
(forms also available in the Narthex on Sunday morning)
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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
- 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn fellowship time
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)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
The church building, office and Preschool will be closed for the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 4. The building and office will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, September 5. The Preschool will be closed next week and reopen on Monday, September 11.
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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