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Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 Newsletter
For Sunday - Communion Sunday
9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
(in person in Fellowship Hall)
11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service
(in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
A MEANINGFUL REMEMBRANCE
Greetings, friends!
As we continue to wander the Exodus wilderness along with the Hebrew people toward A Future with Hope, this week we consider God’s promise of guidance and how that impacts our stewardship. We also celebrate All Saints, remembering those who have been our companions on the journey, who still guide us from among the great cloud of witnesses.
Something about the intersection of these two themes brought to mind a favorite blessing of mine from Jan Richardson from her book, Circle of Grace:
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Beloved Is Where We Begin
If you would enter
into the wilderness,
do not begin
without a blessing.
Do not leave
without hearing
who you are:
Beloved,
named by the One
who has traveled this path
before you.
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Do not go
without letting it echo
in your ears,
and if you find
it is hard
to let it into your heart,
do not despair.
That is what
this journey is for.
I cannot promise
this blessing will free you
from danger,
from fear,
from hunger
or thirst,
from the scorching
of sun
or the fall
of the night.
But I can tell you
that on this path
there will be help.
I can tell you
that on this way
there will be rest.
I can tell you
that you will know
the strange graces
that come to our aid
only on a road
such as this,
that fly to meet us
bearing comfort
and strength,
that come alongside us
for no other cause
than to lean themselves
toward our ear
and with their
curious insistence
whisper our name:
Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved.
Individually and collectively, I wonder who is whispering Beloved in our ears and offering their help as we chart this wilderness path through uncertainty and transition into the steadiness of the next chapter of life and ministry as a congregation? Whose voice reassures us of God’s promise of A Future with Hope? What reminders of their presence and encouragement might ground us, keep us clear-eyed and full-hearted?
Whoever your individual or FPCB saints may be, I invite you to bring their memory with you to worship this Sunday. Feel free to bring a photo or memento if you like!
We’ll remember and give thanks for their lives during our communion liturgy, and you’re welcome to hold them close in spirit as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper alongside all the saints gone on before us. It will be a tender, meaningful Sunday together, dear ones.
Christ's peace,
Lindsey
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Exodus 20:1-21
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- Sermon: A Future with Hope: Promise of Guidance by 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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COMMUNION SUNDAY
If you would like to participate while worshipping online,
you are invited to 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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YOUR REMINDER FOR SATURDAY NIGHT - SO YOU'RE NOT LATE ON SUNDAY! | |
FOR SUNDAY: HEARTS N MINDS - ADULT ED CLASS | |
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This season, the Hearts N Minds adult education class discusses democracy and democratic values in a non-partisan way. On Sunday Rev. Dr. Richard Smith will lead us on an exploration of anger.
The class meets in the Parlor at 10 a.m. on Sundays. All are welcome!
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FOR SUNDAY: BODY N SOUL - INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH FORMATION
Intergenerational faith formation builds community across generations, providing a space and structure where persons of all ages can learn from each other. Through biblically-based storytelling, small group conversations, interactive group activities, and opportunities for individual contemplation, participants encounter God’s word and explore how it is active in today’s world.
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The class is exploring the curriculum Current: Seeking Peace Together. Divided into four segments, this curriculum explores the topics: Peace with God, Peace Within, Peace with Others, and Peace with Creation. | |
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Each week introduces a new story from the Old or New Testament that illustrates God’s shalom. Body N Soul meets weekly between Sunday services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall, continuing through the end of December. All are welcome! | |
ELECTION NIGHT CONTEMPLATION AND PRAYER | |
On Tuesday, Nov. 5 anytime from 7:00-8:30 p.m., you’re invited to stop by the Sanctuary for a time of Election Night contemplation and prayer. Dave and Madison will offer contemplative musical selections, and there will be printed prayers to support your own quiet reflection. | |
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We pray this drop-in time and space will help you hold whatever worries and hopes you may have for our nation during the 2024 General Election. | |
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LOOKING FOR LECTORS
We are putting out a call for volunteers to serve as lectors (readers) in our worship services. This is a great way to become involved in the worship life of our church.
You can choose from the 9 a.m. Holy Ground (contemporary) service or the 11:15 a.m. Traditional service. Use the easy online sign-up, below.
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UPDATE: PER CAPITA FOR 2024
This year, the per capita payment due to the Presbytery is $48 per FPCB member. Of that total contribution, $9.80 goes to the PC(USA) General Assembly, $1.15 to the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, and $37.05 to Lehigh Presbytery.
FPCB members are invited to make a separate gift to the church in the amount of $48 to offset the cost of their membership. If you have pledge envelopes, there is a specific envelope for that purpose. If you do not have an envelope, please be sure to write “Per Capita” in the memo line (or note that on your online payment). Many thanks for your consideration and support!
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FELLOWSHIP LUNCH & BIBLICAL STORYTELLING CONCERT
A Concert of Biblical Stories of Dreams and Visions (and the stuff in between)
You’re invited to join us in Fellowship Hall for a potluck luncheon following the 11:15 a.m. service on Sunday, Nov. 10. Please bring a dish to share! After the luncheon (around 1:00 p.m.), we’ll enjoy a Biblical Storytelling Concert with Jim Stahl in the Sanctuary.
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Come hear Jim Stahl (right) perform biblical stories of dreams, visions, and the stuff in between. Experience stories of creation, Hagar, Jacob, Joseph, Elisha, Jesus' birth, parables, Acts, and the oracles to the churches.
This concert will last one hour with an intermission and will be recorded. The concert is a fulfillment of the yearlong certificate course from the Academy of Biblical Storytelling.
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HI NEIGHBORS SPEAKERS PROGRAM: JOIN US ON MONDAY! | |
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It was another big crowd for Monday’s program by Dan Skeldon, WFMZ meteorologist, who talked ‘all things weather.’ As always, our audience had lots of great questions!
For this coming Monday’s Hi Neighbors presentation, Dr. Daniel Lobresti will offer “A Basic Guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI).” Come with your questions about this new technology that is impacting many aspects of our lives.
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We start each session with a 9:30 a.m. Social Time in Fellowship Hall. The hour-long program follows at 10 a.m. All are welcome – no registration fee or sign-up needed. Just come and bring your friends!
For Monday, Nov. 11 – our last program of the fall session – we’ll hear from local historian Mark Iampietro, who will share “Bethlehem Veterans and Their Memorials.” We’ll offer a complimentary pizza lunch for attendees.
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TRIVIA & TACO TUESDAY: COMING ON TUESDAY, NOV. 12
FPCB folks and friends are invited to meet at The Clubhouse Grill (400 Illick’s Mill Road) on Tuesday, Nov. 12 for dinner (optional – starts at 6:00 p.m.) and trivia
(7:00 p.m.).
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If you’d like to join our team, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call 610-867-5865. You’ll need to sign up whether you come to dinner or not (and please clarify if you’re doing dinner or not).
We always have a good time, and hope you’ll consider coming out on a ‘school night’ for some fun and fellowship!
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LAST CALL: ANNUAL CROP WALK | |
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Many thanks to all who participated in this year’s CROP Hunger Walk, whether as sponsors or walkers (or both!). As of now, we've received more than $2,500 in contributions to this effort, and if you’d like to pitch in, it’s not too late!
We're wrapping this up so please use the link to give.
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Or you can also make out a check to “CWS/CROP” and drop it off in the church office.
Thanks for helping us support our neighbors in this way!
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PRESCHOOL POINSETTIA SALE!
Our Preschool is offering its popular Poinsettia and Wreath Sale for the coming holiday season. Use the order form (use the link, below) to place your order – due by next Friday, Nov. 8, with delivery around Dec. 4. You can drop your order forms at the Sunday services, or drop it at the church office.
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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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**Deadline for the next newsletter:
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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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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 while they are visiting. 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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THIS SUNDAY - COMMUNION SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
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10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (see more info, above)
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10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Fellowship Hall (see more info, above)
- 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org
TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. - NO REHEARSAL THIS WEEK (Hand Bell Choir rehearsals, Sanctuary; newcomers welcome!)
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (meeting #: 868 2214 2960; passcode: OO-Beth) THURSDAYS: 7 p.m. - Chancel Choir rehearsals, Sanctuary; newcomers welcome!
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
Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Acting Head of Staff/Associate Pastor for Justice and Community Impact; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Suzanne Trump, Pastoral Associate for Compassion; STrump@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries: ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Crook, Director of Church Administration; ext. 210; DCrook@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Carol Burns, Communications Manager: ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org
Tracy Leszcynski, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; TLeszcynski@fpc-bethlehem.org
Brenda Robinson, Bookkeeper; BusinessOffice@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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