Friday, September 8, 2023 Newsletter
NEW WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY!
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 NEW ADVENTURE
Having dropped my son Liam off at college a few weeks ago, I find myself thinking back to my own experiences of my first few weeks of college. My setting was very different in many ways to his: Sewanee, where I went, is in a town of less than 2000 people on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau in the mountains of Tennessee, while his college overlooks the Potomac River in the heart of Washington, D.C.
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And so he has many, many opportunities that I did not in terms of access to major cultural events, the political and intellectual leaders of our day, and great restaurants when you needed to get away from the Dining Hall (while I enjoyed the “trucker’s special” at the local truck stop, we literally dreamed of the day when Sewanee might merit a Pizza Hut!).
But we did have something he doesn’t have: the Mountain. Sewanee is a paradise if you want to do anything outdoors.
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Within minutes of the campus proper are limestone cliffs with wonderful opportunities for rock climbing and rappelling, beautiful trails for hiking and mountain biking, lakes for canoeing, and caves for exploring. And, because of my friend Andrew, I had an opportunity that almost nobody else had: off-roading.
Andrew, you see, was the proud owner of an actual Korean War-era, Army surplus Jeep. So on Friday afternoons, after the last class of the week was behind us, sometimes Andrew would appear with a grin on his face and ask, “hey; wanna go driving?” And two or three of us would pile in the Jeep and we would drive off campus and onto dirt roads into the woods, and then when we were far enough, he would say, “this looks good,” and pull off the road and just drive through the woods.
That Jeep could handle ANYTHING: it cruised through rivers of mud like a boat, and traversed sheer rock like an ice skater. It could take a hill that rose at an almost 90 degree angle like it was going for a jog down Main Street, and swim across rivers like a duck. It even had a winch strong enough to pull fll-grown trees out of the way if they were too big to go over. Sometimes we would hit dead ends, and every now and then we’d get lost, but we were always able to find a new way to take us where we wanted to go in the end.
As I think about where we are as a church, as a society, as individuals living in these strange and unpredictable times, it occurred to me that what we really need to figure out is what an “Off-Road Faith” is. For most of us, for most of our lives, we have followed well-marked and well-maintained roads through life, and the question has really been which road do we choose? What destination do we want, and what is the best way to get there?
But, more and more, that is not the situation in which we find ourselves. We find what were once well-marked and well-traveled roads now tapering into dirt paths and finally into the wilderness, whether that is a metaphor for our family life or our careers or our society or what it means to be a faithful and vibrant church.
So, to begin the fall season together, we are going to spend the next five weeks exploring “An Off-Road Faith” as a sermon series: what it means to follow Jesus as “the Way” when there isn’t a paved road to follow as individuals and as a church; how to discern our direction and path when it is not clearly given to us; how we can claim the adventure of an off-road faith without pretending like there is not also some anxiety and grief in doing so, a longing for the clear roads we once counted on; and how while this feels like something very new and unfamiliar, it is actually how God has most reliably shown up for God’s people throughout the ages, and is doing so even now.
I’m excited about our off-road journey together, both the sermon series and the work that we will be continuing to do as a congregation to live into the future to which God is calling us. I hope that you will make a special effort to be in worship, whether in person or online, through this series.
As we move into two services, the Traditional Service at 11 a.m. will no longer have a “Sermon Response” opportunity within worship, but we are going to have an experiment during this sermon series with tables set up for sermon response conversations after worship in the North Link outside the Sanctuary.
So if you attend Traditional Worship and have enjoyed the Sermon Response time that we have had in Summer Worship, I encourage you to gather in the North Link and have those conversations for 15 minutes or so after worship!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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The conversation continues: This 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: An Off-Road Faith: Turn and Follow 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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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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NEW SCHEDULE BEGINS THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 |
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As we shared last week, we will begin our schedule of two services this 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). This session will be recorded and we'll share the link with you next week; it will not be livestreamed.
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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.
The third Special Offering of the Presbyterian Church, Peace and Global Witness, has begun, 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). |
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DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE?
This week we finish learning 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.
The Nominating Committee members are charged with identifying candidates for Elders, Deacons, Trustees, and the Nominating Committee itself. This committee usually meets three or four times each year; the term of service is one year, and a member may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
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Says former Nominating Committee member Judy Smullen (pictured, right, in front of a quilt she helped craft):
“Participating in the Nominating Committee gave me the opportunity to know a number of people in the church to a depth I had not before.
"Working with the other members was both a privilege and a pleasure - a privilege because I was contributing to the selection of the next generation of church leaders, and a pleasure because of the commitment and kindness of the people on the committee.”
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Committee members currently serving are JoAnne Turcott (chair), Jackie Byrnes, Jeanette Claessens, Sue Jones, Bekah Masthay, Liz Mountain, and Tracy Samuelson. |
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! PLEASE CONSIDER!
For next 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. Your help is needed!
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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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CHANCEL CHOIR TO START UP AGAIN |
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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; they are all listed on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org/news/).
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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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NEXT HELPING HANDS TRIP COMING IN NOVEMBER |
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The Lehigh Presbytery Helping Hands Care Team is reaching out to the church congregations that partner with them for their mission trips to share Christ's love in disaster areas.
The group will be traveling again to New Bern, N.C. at the Neuse Forest Presbyterian Church. This trip will be Nov. 4-11 (Saturday – Saturday).
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They are thankful for their loyal volunteers and always welcome new folks. All levels and types of skills and experience are welcome – these trips primarily focus on cleaning up/repairing homes damaged by storms.
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THE GATE COMMUNITY CHURCH
or “Who Are Those People Downstairs?”
You may have noticed signs in and around our building for “The Gate Community Church,” and heard rumors about “the church that meets downstairs.” Let us introduce The Gate Community Church, a nondenominational fellowship of faith founded in 2012 that is exploring new ways of being church with folks for whom more conventional ways no longer “fit.” As Pastor Eric Schwartz puts it, “The Gate lands differently.”
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If you look on their website (thegatecc.com), you’ll see that their Statement of Faith is the Nicene Creed (the most commonly-used creed in the church worldwide – what could be more “traditional” than that?).
That’s where it starts; where it goes, God knows.
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The only guardrail on the freewheeling conversation / worship / study / engagement that is The Gate on Sunday morning is, in the words of its vision statement, the commitment to grow “a community of faith, centered in Truth, grounded in love.” As an extension of its life together, the Gate also reaches out in mission through regular collaboration with New Bethany and Victory House.
After prayerful deliberation, our Session has entered into a two-year renewable covenant with these new friends in faith. While FPCB has no intention of “absorbing” The Gate, we are beginning to envision exciting possibilities for productive partnerships in learning and mission as together we explore what it means to be, in line with one of our core values, “expansively welcoming” to our broader community. Welcome, “Gaters”!
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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
- 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
- 10:00 a.m.: Mission Strategy Conversation in Fellowship Hall – all welcome (this session will be recorded and the link shared next week; it will not be livestreamed)
- 11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship service, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook and on our website
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.
THE BUILDING, OFFICE AND PRESCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3 FOR ELECTRIC REPAIRS.
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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