*Be sure to read to the end - if you see "View entire message" at the bottom,
click that to see the rest of the newsletter.*
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Friday, April 5, 2024 Newsletter
For Sunday - Communion 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. SUZANNE TRUMP: LISTENING ANEW
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
What a beautiful Easter celebration this past weekend. Many thanks to Lindsey for the confetti wands. It was so awesome to see the confetti covering the floor and altar. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us and a special shout out to David Macbeth and our awesome musicians and singers for making our celebration of the Resurrection new and fresh and captivating.
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Each year we gather to journey through Lent and celebrate the empty tomb on Easter morning. We tell the stories over and over again. The second Sunday of Easter we usually tell the story of Doubting Thomas - spoiler alert, we won’t be telling that story this Sunday; instead we will read from the Book of Acts. For those of you who have spent time in church you will recognize the story of how the first believers lived together, sharing all that they had.
The thing about stories is that the more familiar they are, the more we anticipate what is coming and in doing so, perhaps we miss details or brush over them to get to the good part. We know the stories so well I suspect we stop listening.
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So I am encouraging all of us to practice our best listening skills. As we grow and change the way the stories speak to us changes as well. For this moment in time, what do you need, how can the story speak to you anew? How is the story different for you in April of 2024? You are different, life is a journey and we do not stay in the same place, we grow, we change, we move through different stages in life.
And so when we listen as if hearing the story for the first time we might hear just the message we need for this moment in our journeys. Expect the unexpected in the story and let it speak to you anew this week.
Easter Blessings,
Suzanne
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- This week’s sermon: This Changes Everything by the Rev. Suzanne Trump
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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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COMING ON SUNDAY, APRIL 21: Special 'Between Services' Program |
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The Lafayette College student group known as ‘Alternative School Break’ (or ‘ASB’), received grants from two funds in our church’s endowment – The McKnight Fund and the Louise W. Dimick International Scholarship Fund.
With First Presbyterian support, the students participated in three trips in the January and Spring study breaks.
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Thirty students gave up ‘fun’ time to help others, creating positive change and fostering passion for civic engagement through alternative break experiences.
You are invited to come to Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 21 when the students will present their story. Light refreshments (pastries and beverages) will be served at 10 a.m. following the Holy Ground service. Please use this short online form to let us know that you’ll attend or contact the church office at 610-867-5865.
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A SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU
Through the Roof – And Other Moments with God:
A Time for Spiritual Renewal
Saturday, May 4: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Parlor
You are invited to join us for a time of refreshment, renewal and spiritual nurturing as we seek to identify ways we encounter God in events and relationships in our daily lives.
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Long time spiritual retreat leaders, Jan Bickford, Gail Watts, the Rev. Dr. Ginny Smith, and the Rev. Dr. Richard Smith will facilitate our time together.
Registration is due on Saturday, April 20. Use this simple online sign-up form or call the church office (610-867-5865).
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Lunch will be served. There is a suggested donation of $10, payable by check and made out to First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem, or pay at the door the morning of the retreat.
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HEARTS N MINDS RETURNS THIS SUNDAY
The Hearts N Minds adult education class will meet this Sunday from 9:45 - 10:40 a.m. (if you attend the 9 a.m. Holy Ground service, you are welcome to leave early to attend this class).
The group will discuss Fr. Richard Rohr's Falling Upward, Chapter 8, “Amnesia and the Big Picture” (pages 97-104). All are welcome to attend – you do not have to have done the reading to enjoy the discussion.
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INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH OFFERING FOR ALL AGES
The intergenerational faith formation group has begun exploring a new curriculum titled Current: Seeking Justice Together!
The curriculum includes materials and activities for ages from Preschool to adult, making this hour welcoming to all. Drop in as you are able, or join for the full series. The group meets in Fellowship Hall between the two services from 10:10 - 10:45 a.m.
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A SUCCESSFUL EASTER EGG HUNT!
Dozens of families attended our Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Festival on Saturday, and a great time was had by all!
Our guests enjoyed activities like face painting, a photo booth, and other crafts before heading outdoors for the age-level egg hunts - including an action-packed adult one!
Enjoy these photos, thanks to elders Kari Keyock and JoAnne Turcotte (click the photo for more).
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SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL FARM BILL
Thank you to those who have written letters in support of the passage of the National Farm Bill. If you would still like to participate, here are the sample letters for our state and local legislators - simply rewrite the letters with your own words and sign. You can drop off at the church office for mailing, or drop them in the mail yourself.
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HI NEIGHBORS: RETURNING ON MONDAY
We have another great presentation planned for Monday at our popular speakers series. All are welcome to attend, and there are no registration or fees required.
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For Monday, April 8: Join Charlene Donchez Mowers as she shares the progress of “Designating Bethlehem Historical Sites as a World Heritage Site.” There are just 24 such sites in the U.S., as designated by the United Nations – what is the impact of such a designation, and how will it benefit our community?
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A social time begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program starts at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Here’s the complete schedule of programs that run through Monday, May 20 - with a special "field trip" on May 13! |
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REVISIONING FAITH FOR THE 21st CENTURY: A PUBLIC PRESENTATION
The 2024 Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture Series on Thursday, April 11 will feature Sue Pizor Yoder and Co.Lab.Inq. The group authored Hear Us Out: 6 Questions on Belonging and Belief, which many in our community have read and studied.
The program will be offered at 3 p.m. at DeSales University; the $20 tickets are available online.
How are emerging generations making meaning in their lives? A team of eight scholars and ministry leaders from across the denominational spectrum formed Co.Lab.Inq, a collective learning laboratory focused on open-ended inquiry, to explore this question. Together they interviewed over 200 people under 40 in search of the lessons they might teach us about belonging, adversity, legacy – and faith.
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Through collaborative storytelling conversations focused on truth-seeking and meaning-making, Pizor Yoder and her co-authors Bonnie Bates, Brandon M. Heavner, Joanne P. Marchetto, Jill Peters, Stephen Simmons, Janet Stahl, and James Stahl identify the complex and varied ways Millennials and Gen Z are navigating life and crafting their stories. |
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What do younger Americans have to say about belonging? Where do they find meaning? What challenges are they facing – and how do they confront them? How do they envision their legacies?
Pizor Yoder and her colleagues were surprised to find that in addition to these questions, their conversation partners also wanted to talk about faith – even when they didn’t identify with any religious tradition. Come discover both the critique and blessing the authors experienced for society and the church.
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NEW EVENT: SHE NAILED IT!
She Nailed It! is an all women, nail-hammering, relay competition and one of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley's signature fundraising events! For the first time, our church has a team of women raising funds and competing - Donna Taggart, Kari Keyock, Tracy Samuelson, and Lindsey Clifton.
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The nail-hammering competition will be held on Monday, May 6 at Dimmick Park in Hellertown. It is a fun community event with food trucks, beer tents, and raffles!
We hope lots of FPCB folks will show up to enjoy it and cheer on our team! Tailgating for the event starts at 1 p.m., and the competition begins at 4 p.m.
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To support our team - FPCB Hammering for Housing - and HabitatLV, you can make a gift online. You can also write a check to the church with "She Nailed It!" on the memo line.
We have to raise a minimum of $1,500 by Monday, April 15, but we’d love to hit $3,000 by the competition date. (Gifts beyond the initial $1,500 goal can be accepted through May 1.) Any support is much appreciated!
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FOR YOUR CALENDAR…
Concord Chamber Singers Concert:
Echoes of Bernstein’s Baton
Sunday, April 28
4 p.m.
FPCB Sanctuary
or at the door
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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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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. 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)
- 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship service, in-person in Fellowship Hall
- 9:45-10:40 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor - all are welcome
- 10:10-10:45 a.m.: Current: Seeking Justice Together!, an intergenerational faith formation offering, Fellowship Hall – all ages are welcome
- 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)
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
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