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Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 Newsletter
For Sunday - Pledge Stewardship 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: BRINGING THE BEST OF OURSELVES
Greetings friends,
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This week we gather to conclude our Stewardship season and celebrate Pledge Dedication Sunday as we offer our intentions for supporting the shared ministry that is First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.
This is one way in which we are collectively part of building A Future with Hope here and now, by contributing our gifts and pledging ourselves and our resources to Christ’s work in the world through this community of faith.
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We’ll hear a final story of God’s faithfulness to the Israelites, our wilderness wandering companions, which offers us the promise of Jubilee. And we’ll consider together how we are also called to such a Stewardship practice which in turn forms us into those who more fully seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
In addition to continuing your prayerful discernment about how you might be called to practice generosity in your own stewardship for 2025, I also invite you to reflect on your hopes for our congregation and your intentions for engaging in communal life. In this season of transition, we need folks to bring the best of themselves which means seeking connection with and support from one another and from God.
How are you being called to participate in the life of our congregation with more depth and meaning? Where in your spiritual life might you need rest or care? Who from FPCB might you reach out to for such support or encouragement? How might you cultivate a vision for our church’s future that comes from a place of trust and reassurance rather than worry or insecurity?
During times of change, it can be challenging to embody a practice of Jubilee - change doesn’t always feel jubilant or worth celebrating, after all - but a posture of gratitude, joy, and renewal is essential for charting the path toward A Future with Hope.
May we inch a bit closer to that reality each day, dear ones!
Blessings for the journey together,
Lindsey
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THIS SUNDAY - PLEDGE STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
Information about this year's Stewardship initiative, "A Future with Hope" has been mailed.
All household members - as currently listed on our rolls - should have received instructions about submitting pledges for 2025. We ask that you return your pledge commitments this Sunday, as a part of each worship service. We will have extra copies of the pledge form available at the services.
Another option is to submit your pledge online at fpc-bethlehem.org/give. If you plan to give online, we'll provide a card you can fill out for the pledge collection part of the service.
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FOR SUNDAY: HEARTS N MINDS - ADULT ED CLASS | |
This season, the Hearts N Minds adult education class continues to discuss democracy and democratic values in a non-partisan way. On Sunday Judy Smullen will lead us on an exploration of community. The class meets in the Parlor at 10 a.m. on Sundays. All are welcome! | |
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In January the group will begin a discussion of the book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World by John Phillip Newell. This book was recommended to the class by the late George Maunz, whose life will be celebrated Saturday at an 11 a.m. service in the Sanctuary.
We encourage you to find your copy at an independent or used bookstore (brick-and-mortar or online).
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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! | |
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NEW NAME ANNOUNCED FOR LEHIGH PRESBYTERY
At a recent combined Assembly of Lackawanna and Lehigh Presbyteries, commissioners selected “Mountain Laurel Presbytery” as the name for our soon to be merged presbytery. In making their presentation, the Merger Team acknowledged their deep appreciation for the 54 suggestions of possible names made by members of the presbyteries earlier this fall.
They narrowed down the list of possibilities by looking for a name that would be unique to the geographical setting of the merged presbytery, that would embrace our congregation in Waverly, NY, and that would offer depth of meaning and hope for our new presbytery.
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LOOKING FOR LECTORS
Lectors are the volunteers who read scripture and participate in other readings, in both of our Sunday services. We are putting out a call for the services between the Thanksgiving Eve service and the end of the year: if you are interested, please use this easy online form.
You can also contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call the church office at
610-867-5865 if you have questions, or to express your interest.
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HI NEIGHBORS SPEAKERS PROGRAM: THANKS FOR A GREAT FALL SERIES! | |
The Fall 2024 series of Hi Neighbors programs wrapped up with a special Veterans Day program presented by Bethlehem history buff Mark Iampietro, “Bethlehem Veterans and their Memorials.” Mark shared a number of videos he’s created; you can peruse his collection of dozens of videos about Bethlehem history by going to youtube.com and entering “Exploring Bethlehem” in the search bar. | |
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After his presentation, attendees enjoyed a pizza lunch and completed a survey about the nine programs offered this fall.
One of the most well-received was a program by Chief Adam Waterbear DePaul of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania (LNPA). For those who may have missed it – or are interested in learning more – you’re invited to a screening of a new documentary about LNPA, “Keepers of the Way.”
It will be offered at Northampton Community College on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at
7 p.m., and also available to view via Zoom. It is free and open to the public. For more information: bit.ly/3YNZkBh.
Many thanks to volunteer Susan Wolf for coordinating our wonderful presentations, and to the hospitality team of Donna Knepp, Ruth Willis and Leslie Pohl for their good work. Our spring series will begin in March.
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SERVICES FOR GEORGE MAUNZ
The family of George Maunz, who passed away on Oct. 3, has extended an invitation to attend his memorial service tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 16) at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
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SCOUTING FOR FOOD: THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DRIVE | |
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On two recent Saturdays, 22 scouts, two siblings, and 15 adults from First Pres’ Boy Scout Troop 302 participated in the annual Scouting for Food project.
They worked with Cub Scout Pack 368 in Hanover Township. All together they filled over 150 boxes with 3830 pounds of food for our church partner, New Bethany Ministries.
Many thanks to all who supported this project!
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LOOKING AHEAD
This Sunday, Nov. 17: Pledge Stewardship Sunday - both worship services
Friday, Nov. 22: Preschool Thanksgiving Chapel, Sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. – all welcome
Sunday, Nov. 24: Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) Gratitude Celebration, College Hill Moravian Church; 3 p.m. – all welcome
Tuesday, Nov. 26: Preschool Thanksgiving Chapel, Sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. – all welcome
Wednesday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Eve Service, Sanctuary and livestream; 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 28 – Friday, Nov. 29: Building/offices/Preschool closed for Thanksgiving holiday
Saturday, Nov. 30: Hanging of the Greens (church decorating); 9 a.m.-noon - all welcome to come help!
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GRATITUDE CELEBRATION
All are welcome to attend this interfaith event, offered by Bethlehem Interfaith Group (of which First Pres is a part). It will be held on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. at College Hill Moravian Church, 72 W. Laurel St., Bethlehem.
The event will feature a service as well a program that will provide opportunities for smaller discussion groups. It will include music and readings from each tradition (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Bahá'i and Friends).
There will be a collection of non-perishable food for local food banks, and light refreshments will be served, including Kosher and Halal.
If you can't attend in person, you can view a livestream or recording at youtube.com/@bethleheminterfaithgroup.
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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 "Watch" at the top and then the "Watch the Service" button
- Please check in with a comment so we know you’ve joined us!
- Captions are 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 - PLEDGE STEWARDSHIP 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. - Hand Bell Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
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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