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Friday, May 24, 2024 Newsletter
For Sunday - NEW TIME!
10:00 a.m.: Summer 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:
THE ‘REAL’ START TO SUMMER WORSHIP
This Sunday, several things are happening in and around worship to which I want to call your attention. This is the second week of our Summer Worship schedule, but in some ways it is really the first week that we are doing “Summer Worship” in the sense that we will be doing it for the rest of the summer.
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Last Sunday we were treated to the music of our dedicated and talented Handbell Choir throughout the service, for which we were all grateful.
However, starting this Sunday, our services in the summer will include musical elements that are typical of both the 9 a.m. Holy Ground Contemporary Service and the 11 a.m. Traditional Service.
(Note: If you are joining us online, you will want to tune in shortly before 10 a.m. to enjoy the Prelude selections.)
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Second, this Sunday we will begin our Lemonade on the Lawn fellowship time immediately following the 10 a.m. service. This is exactly what it sounds like: a time for fellowship and refreshments after worship and outdoors, now that it is finally warm enough to do so! Elsewhere in the newsletter, you will find information on how to volunteer to help host a Sunday of Lemonade on the Lawn; please consider whether that might be something you can do.
In any case, though, I want to ask you to do something else. Fellowship time at any church, whether coffee or lemonade, can be one of the loneliest places there is for newcomers if church members are not intentional about welcoming them. This Sunday, the sermon will be on the Second Great End of the Church, “The Shelter, Nurture, and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God,” which is all about creating a community of Christ-like welcome and mutual care.
So it is the perfect Sunday to begin a spiritual discipline of engaging people we don’t know when we come to fellowship time. I don’t mean that you need to ignore your friends, but take a look around when you arrive and, if you see someone you don’t know, introduce yourself and ask them “how long have you been coming to First Pres?” (That way, it doesn’t matter if this is their first time or if they’ve been coming for 30 years and you just haven’t met them, you can have a wonderful conversation either way!)
Then introduce them to your friends so they can be part of the community themselves. It’s a simple act, but it can be literally life-changing; my mother is still an active member at First Presbyterian of Atlanta because of one person who did this for us as a family back in 1983!!
Finally, this Sunday will mark the return of the Sermon Response time that is an integral part of the 9 a.m. Holy Ground Service. When we surveyed the congregation, a majority of people preferred not to have the Sermon Response, in which 10-15 minutes of time is allotted for group conversation, individual reflection, or artistic creation in response to the day’s sermon, as part of the Summer Worship experience the way we did last year.
Yet we also know that is one of the most important elements of the 9 a.m. service for many of its regulars. So: we have set up tables in the air-conditioned comfort of the Narthex. If you want to engage in the Sermon Response, after the conclusion of the worship service we invite you to pick up some lemonade outside and then make your way to a table and spend 10-15 minutes responding as usual before you go on your way. We hope this will create space for this worship experience to continue during the summer for those who want it.
In any case, I look forward to being with you in worship on Sunday, whether in person or online!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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- This week’s sermon: The Great Ends of the Church 2: The Shelter, Nurture, and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God (aka “There’s a Place for Us”) 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:
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FOR THIS SUNDAY: LEMONADE ON THE LAWN RETURNS!
Join us after worship for our social time, “Lemonade on the Lawn” – everyone is welcome to come and connect. If weather permits, we’ll gather on the west side (front) of the church building, otherwise in Fellowship Hall.
We have a group hosting for this Sunday, and the Deacons will host on June 2. We are looking for other groups or families to take on the hosting duties for future dates.
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Basically, you will need to:
- Provide simple treats for about 40-50, such as: grapes, clementines or cut-up fruit; cheese and crackers; easy-to-eat baked treats (homemade or purchased) like cookies, mini muffins, bars, or granola bars.
- Get the beverages, cups and napkins, ice, and coolers out of the church kitchen and set them up (we typically serve lemonade, iced tea and water – these are provided).
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- Return items to the kitchen and clean up (tables will be provided and taken down).
It doesn’t have to be a “formal” group, like a K group, committee, or the choir – it can be a family or group of friends. It’s easy to sign up on this online form or call the church office at 610-867-5865. We’ll also have a paper sign-up form at each event.
Thanks for considering this request! If you have any questions about what’s involved, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 and we’ll connect you with a ‘veteran.’
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SPRING CLEANING SALE: IT’S A WRAP (FOR NOW)
We had a wonderful response – both by volunteers and shoppers – to our big sale this past weekend! Everyone pitched in to make it a great event, and we are very grateful.
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There are still items being purchased, but as of press time we are approaching $4000.00 in profits. The Crafters group also had a successful sale!
As much as we sold, there are many items still available, so we are considering a second sale in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for those details as we firm them up.
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And if you are inspired to clean out your own closets and basements, we’ll offer the opportunity again to rent your own table space. |
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LOOKING FOR LECTORS
If you are interested in participating in worship as a lector (reader), there is an easy online sign-up form that you can complete.
If you have not served as a lector before and have questions, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call the church office at 610-867-5865. Thanks for considering!
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HI NEIGHBORS: THANKS FOR A GREAT SPRING SESSION!
The spring series of Hi Neighbors programs has wrapped, and it’s been a very successful run. Many thanks to those who came out to be inspired and informed!
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We are very grateful to our nine presenters, who shared their knowledge and experiences. And a special thanks to Susan Wolf, who worked to ‘suss out’ and schedule all of the programs, and to Donna Knepp, who led the hosting team. We could not have done it without you! |
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If you would like to be on our Hi Neighbors mailing lists (for snail mail and/or emails), drop us a note at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call the church office at 610-867-5865. We’ll see you again in September!
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As we approach summer and the Memorial Day holiday weekend, please note the following updates:
- The church building and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27. We will re-open on Tuesday, May 28 for our regular hours of 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- The Preschool concludes its school year schedule today (Friday, May 24). They will be closed all next week (May 27 – 31) and on Monday, June 3 will begin their Summer Splash program (8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday-Friday).
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(Above right: A great time was had at the Preschool’s recent Spring Fling – damp skies did not prevent the fun! |
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A GREAT TURNOUT - AND GREAT CONVERSATION
Despite downed tree branches and blocked roads, we welcomed a steady stream of visitors to our third Community Meeting last night.
Set up outdoors at three "open house"-style stations, a proposed plan was shared and visitors could give input on specific attributes.
Many thanks to all who participated - your input is invaluable as our plans take shape! We wil have updates on our website shortly, for those who were unable to attend.
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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 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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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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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
- NEW TIME! 9:45 – 11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- NEW TIME! 10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship service, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook and on our website
- 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn gathering, front of the church – all are 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)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
FOR MONDAY, MAY 27: The church office, building and Preschool will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. The Preschool will be closed for the remainder of the week (May 28-31) and re-open on Monday, June 3 for their Summer Splash program. The church office and building will reopen on Tuesday, May 28.
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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