Friday, October 29, 2021 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES IN-PERSON AND
ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
NEW TIME! 11:15 a.m. Traditional*
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
BLOOMING AFTER THE WILDFIRE
It is a cliché that a crisis also presents an opportunity, but it is a cliché for a reason: there is great truth in it. A crisis disrupts patterns and assumptions that were previously thought to be consistently predicable, even inevitable. That disruption can be disconcerting when it happens, because the whole reason it’s a disruption is that it is upending what we considered to be “the way things are.”
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But it can also be liberating, clearing the way for the seeds of new possibilities to be planted, take root, and flourish.
One of my favorite examples of this is what are called “pyrophytic plants,” or “fire followers,” more colloquially: plants that only bloom after wildfires.
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In California, the fire poppy is one such plant; it blooms after a wildfire has burned through, as the seeds are activated by the intense smoke of a major fire. They release new seeds at that point then lie dormant until the next major fire, even if that is not for years, then those bloom and the cycle repeats.
Now, wildfire metaphors have been popular for describing the COVID-19 pandemic, applying to everything from its rapid spread to the attempts to control it to the damage it has caused in lives and to the economy. But I also think this metaphor of “fire followers” can be helpful to us now: what is the new life that can spring forth in this season? What blossoms of new possibilities might be activated now that would not have happened in ordinary times?
Given that one of the biggest impacts of the pandemic on church life in the United States has been on worship attendance, the Worship Committee here at First Pres has been wrestling with some of these questions, both in themselves and also in terms of larger opportunities and possibilities in the congregation and in the larger world.
Most churches in the United States have seen their worship attendance decline in the last eighteen months, even when accounting for theology, style, size, and the proliferation of online worship options (in other words, we’re talking about an overall decline, not a migration from in-person to online worship). That has been a disconcerting disruption to many, but it also raises the question of what new seeds could be planted or might already be springing to life from the impact of the pandemic
At First Pres, the impact of the pandemic has been particularly pronounced on the Contemporary Worship service, which follows the larger trends in the United States: smaller services and smaller congregations are being disproportionally affected, and that has been the smaller of our two services for years. Therefore, the Worship Committee has decided to explore the dynamics and possibilities there first.
So, within the next couple of weeks, there will be several opportunities for you to engage in that exploration. First, a congregation-wide survey is being prepared to ask some questions about contemporary worship in particular and worship scheduling and style more generally. Please look for it and take it when it comes; it will not take you long to complete it, but your input would be very helpful to both the Worship Committee and the Session as they go about this work.
Second, there will be two Town Hall opportunities to hear more about some of the questions we’re asking about contemporary worship and to express your own thoughts on the matter. The first “Contemporary Worship Town Hall” will be in person in the Kirk Center immediately following the Contemporary Worship service on Sunday, November 7. The second will be a Zoom meeting on Monday, November 15 at 5:30 p.m.
The presentation will be the same at both; we are just trying to provide multiple formats and times so that everyone who wants to participate has a good chance to do so. I am excited about the possibilities before us and the blooms that we will see coming forth, and I hope to see you at one of the Town Halls as we explore all that.
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Scripture lesson
Click the link to read the verses
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-This week’s sermon: On the Way:
Standing at the Crossroads by
The Rev. J.C. Austin
-We post the video of each week’s
services and sermon text and audio
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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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Everyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask.
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Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – please ask a greeter for directions to that space.
- We will offer nametags for folks to wear – you can pick up as you enter the worship space; please write your first name.
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For those interested…
If you have challenges hearing the Traditional service in the Sanctuary, we have a solution: headsets that tap directly into the sound system. Ask an usher for assistance.
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DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE? NOMINATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 7
The Congregational Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for Elders, Trustees, Deacons, and Nominating Committee members.
November 7.
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You can nominate yourself or someone else for any of these important leadership positions (anyone you nominate will be contacted by the Nominating Committee to be sure they are eligible and in agreement to run). |
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Elders comprise the Session of the Presbyterian Church which is, in essence, the decision-making body of the church. They recommend and approve all program and policy implementation and modifications in the church. Elders serve a three year term and the Session meets monthly; Elders generally serve on one or more committees, which also usually meet on a monthly basis.
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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.
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Deacons are the caregivers of the church. They minister to the individual members through home communion and visits, hospital and prayer ministries, and providing support to those in difficult situations. Deacons serve a three year term and typically meet monthly.
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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.
Thank you for participating in this vital aspect of the life of our congregation.
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SUNDAY’S FELLOWSHIP & FORMATION HOUR – BETWEEN SERVICES
Our new Fellowship & Formation Hour offerings will continue through the start of Advent, and include these two options: our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, and a special kid-friendly faith formation session.
HEARTS N MINDS
Hearts N Minds meets both in person and via Zoom (video as well as audio-only option). Details below. We will start at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join.
We are reading Father Greg Boyle’s incredible book Barking to the Choir. For this Sunday, we will discuss chapters two and three, and ask that you practice being non-judgmental for one day. Everyone is welcome to join.
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PHYSICAL LOCATION:
We will meet in classrooms E3&4, which are on the second floor of the Kirk Center. Use the elevator that is outside Fellowship Hall (stage end), or if you enter the building via the double doors on the east side of the building (Kirk Center entrance), bear left to the elevator. Take it to the 4th floor. Exit the elevator and proceed through the rotunda. Turn right and continue down the hall to Neighborhood E (rooms 3&4). NOTE: Church protocol requires masks to be worn correctly when inside the building.
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ZOOM:
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To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3aeqLLD
- To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 385 500 4307, then press # and then # again.
KIDS CLASS
The Rev. Cynthia Simmons and Kate Arrington are hosting kid-friendly faith formation sessions on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. They will use the Family Story Bible to create interactive lessons about New Testament stories. (NOTE: No class on Sunday, November 7)
ZOOM:
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LOOKING AHEAD!
Our Thanksgiving Eve Service will be offered on Wednesday, Nov. 24
at 7 p.m., both in person and via Zoom.
You may have heard an announcement that it would be held
on Tuesday night, but it will be held on Wednesday evening.
Our apologies for any inconvenience.
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HI NEIGHBORS: COMING MONDAY
Mondays:
9:30 a.m. Fellowship time outdoors (as weather permits)
10:00 a.m.: Presentation in Fellowship Hall (in person only)
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All are welcome to attend our next session for Monday, November 1’s presentation, offered by State Rep. Steve Samuelson (right): “Update on the Census and Redistricting.”
For Monday, November 8, we’ll do some armchair traveling to “Romania 2019,” by Sally and Jerry Roe.
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As a reminder, church COVID protocols must be observed at all times (and are subject to change). We hope you'll plan to attend these interesting programs. |
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The Book of Acts: What’s a Church Like You Doing in a Place Like This
Offered by the Discipleship Committe
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Thank you to all who participated in this latest round of presentations! If you missed them, you can watch them here: bit.ly/3aGqMrT.
NOTE: unfortunately we experienced technical difficulties and do not have the recording from October 20.
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We appreciate The Rev. Dr. Steve Simmons’ work in leading our conversations. |
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LOOKING FOR THURSDAY MORNING FRIENDS!
If you are available on Thursday mornings from 8 – 8:50 a.m. and are willing to spend some time connecting with a K-5 student, we have a volunteer opportunity for you!
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Donegan Elementary School, 1210 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, began its mentoring program on Thursday, October 28. The adults and students gather in the school’s cafeteria for one-on-one social time, before the students’ school day begins.
The goal is to help the children self-assess their emotional wellness – an important step for those who may have emotionally- and/or economically-challenging lives away from school.
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To participate, mentors must be vaccinated; masks are worn at all times. You won’t be expected to help with 5th grade math homework – but we do ask that you make a commitment to be there consistently, to build a trusting relationship with your student.
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NOT ENOUGH COOKS IN THE KITCHEN!
We’re looking for a few good cooks. We’d even take a few bad cooks who want to get better with practice!
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We’re the First Presbyterian Church Meal Ministry, and have we got a recipe for you!
Make a meal for one of our homebound congregation members, folks who are sick or had a recent hospital stay, or someone in the community who’s hungry.
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We guarantee your effort will be appreciated and you’ll enjoy a warm feeling inside from knowing you helped someone in need.
Interested in helping out? Give us a shout. And if you or someone you know is in need of a hot meal served with a smile, let us know. Contact Jeff Csatari and Jeanne Hunsicker at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message for them at 610-867-5865.
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HELPING HANDS PLANS NEXT TRIP
The Helping Hands Care Team of Lehigh Presbytery has scheduled a mission work trip to New Bern, North Carolina. The trip will take place from Saturday, December 4 – Saturday, December 11.
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Volunteers are needed to assist with the recovery efforts after hurricanes and flooding caused extensive damage to the churches and homes in that area. It takes years for areas to recover from these storms and every “helping hand” makes a difference in the lives of people who lost so much. |
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There are no specific skills or experience required, other than to be flexible and provide whatever help is needed. There are jobs for every skill level and we have experienced volunteers to help train you. We do, of course, welcome those with plumbing, electrical, roofing, and dry wall installation skills.
The cost is $200.00 per person and participants must register by Tuesday,
November 9; there is an orientation on Thursday, November 11. You will need to provide proof that you have received the COVID vaccine. No one can participate unless they are vaccinated due to the close quarters during travel in rented vans and the sleeping arrangements at the church.
If interested, please send an email to Kevin Kehoe at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at 610-867-5865.
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IF YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED…
We would like to know when our members are entering the hospital. Please tell the hospital that your church ID is 724 and they will contact us. You can also contact Phil
PRAYER REQUESTS...
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Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for 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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CALENDAR
THIS SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers for directions)
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9:00 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service, in-person in the Kirk Center AND livestreamed
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10 a.m.: Fellowship & Formation Hour – see details above for Hearts N Minds and Kids Formation Class
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NEW TIME! 11:15 a.m.: Combined Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestreamed - see instructions in blue box, below, to join us online, and in the yellow box to join us via phone
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FOR THIS SUNDAY: : Worship with us “Live” on Facebook
To watch “live”- as it happens:
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Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
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NEW! 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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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the 11:15 a.m. Traditional service
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 848 4170 9518, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – press the # key again.
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TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. - Handbell rehearsal, Sanctuary
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)
THURSDAYS: 7 p.m. – Chancel Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
ALL OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS AND GATHERINGS ARE CANCELLED AT THIS TIME unless offered online (see listings on our Facebook page under “Events”)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO: The office staff is working remotely and checking email and voicemail daily. The answering service (610-778-7003) can take your urgent pastoral concerns, 24 hours a day.
CARE CONCERNS AND HOSPITAL VISITS: If members of the FPCB congregation are hospitalized and would welcome pastoral and hospital ministrant visitors and/or prayers, please contact: Phil Fair, Prayer Ministrant (prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org).
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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
Cristy Mette, Administrative Operations Manager: ext. 228;
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