Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES IN-PERSON AND
ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. Traditional*
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: WEEPING AND REJOICING
One of my favorite verses in Scripture comes from Paul’s letter to the Romans. It comes in a whole series of instructions Paul is giving to the church in Rome about how they should live out their faith, based on how he has laid out the essence of that faith in preceding chapters.
One of those instructions is this: “rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). I love it because it is first a call to communal solidarity; whether someone is rejoicing or weeping in the Christian church, they do not do so alone, but the whole community rallies around them and joins them, sharing in the joy or sorrow.
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But second, and even more importantly, it is a call to do so at the same time. Grief does not give way to joy, nor joy to grief, but both are given their rightful space and attention by the community at the same time, because within the Christian community there are always those who are rejoicing and those who are weeping, and they all need to be joined in that right when they are experiencing it. With that in mind, then, I want to highlight two elements of our communal life here at First Pres: one of weeping and grief, and one of joy and celebration. |
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As you know, our dear Pastor Emeritus, Keith Brown, died several weeks ago, and I told you at the time that discussions and plans were underway for a fitting memorial service. I know that so many of us here as well as family and friends and former members and staff elsewhere want to attend that service and give thanks for the gift of Keith’s life and ministry, as well as come together to share in our grief together. And we will be doing that.
However, the sudden and significant rise in COVID infections as a result of the Delta variant is such that Keith’s family has decided to delay the service until sometime in 2022, because the risk to those traveling to the service, especially those who are more vulnerable to infection, is too high to be acceptable.
So, we will reexamine the situation in early 2022 and see if we can schedule a date for the service then. We will, of course, schedule it in such a way that we can announce it well in advance and allow people to make travel arrangements at a reasonable cost. When the date is set, we will announce it repeatedly in this newsletter, on the website, on social media, in worship, and with a special email to our entire mailing list, so don’t worry: if you haven’t heard when the date is, it hasn’t been set yet.
Our source of joy and celebration, then, is the upcoming installation of Lindsey Altvater Clifton as our Associate Pastor for Formation and Justice. As you well know, Lindsey has been serving with us since the beginning of last March, and she has already made a huge impact on our congregation through her leadership, preaching, prayers, and care.
This installation service is the formal recognition and blessing of her service with us, and it is actually a worship service of Lehigh Presbytery, because in Presbyterian governance, congregations call their own pastors, but the presbytery approves and installs them because ministers are members of the presbytery, not individual congregations.
The service is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 12, and I hope you will all make a special effort to be part of it, whether in person or through the livestream. It will be a moving and joyful occasion with special preaching, prayers, and music. If you are coming in person, it would be extremely helpful for you to RSVP so we can plan accordingly; you can do so by using this online form or leave a message at 610-867-5865.
I look forward to rejoicing with all of you in this special day in the life of Lindsey’s ministry and our congregation!
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: A Good Word: Salvation by The Rev. J.C. Austin
· We post each week’s sermon
(audio and text) on our website:
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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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Our popular “Lemonade on the Lawn” social time will be offered from 10-
11 a.m. on Sunday, between the services. Stay after the first service or come early for the second, and stop by for a cool drink, snack, and fellowship.
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We’ll also have a table set out for a “fresh produce exchange.” If you have extra bounty from your garden, bring it with you to place on the table to share with others. We’ll do this every week through the growing season.
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INQUIRERS’ SEMINAR: #AnInquiringFaith
We are excited to announce a two-part Inquirers’ Seminar, as part of our ministries of engagement and faith formation here at First Presbyterian.
The seminar will be in two parts: an in-person session on Sunday, September 19 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., with a Zoom follow-up to be scheduled with the group as availability permits.
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While these seminars are a necessary step towards formal membership in the congregation, membership itself is not the goal or expected outcome of the seminar.
Rather, we offer these seminars to give people an intentional space and time in which to ask and consider good questions about the Christian faith, the Presbyterian Church, and this congregation.
Inquirers gather for an interactive experience that explores the intersection of our own stories with the story of Jesus, the church, and our story as the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.
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Some people are inquiring specifically about membership here; some just want to learn more about the Presbyterian tradition; and some are just trying to get a better understanding of who Jesus is and how Christians think about him and relate to him.
Each person brings their own questions as well as their own story, and the Inquirers Seminar is a place to bring those and let them take root and bear fruit; the word “seminar,” after all, comes from a Latin word for a plant nursery where seeds are planted and nurtured as they grow.
If you are interested in participating or in learning more, please contact The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton or call the Church Office at 610-867-5865 with your contact information, and we will be in touch with you. Hope to see you there!
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Please join us for this very special occasion, offered in our Sanctuary.
If you plan to attend, please note that masks will be mandatory,
and your RSVP is appreciated but not required.
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A MESSAGE FROM LEHIGH PRESBYTERY
The news of the last week has been horrific as one tragedy after another has occurred around the world, devastating God’s creation and God’s children. Fortunately, there are ways Presbyterians can help bring some relief to those directly impacted. GIVE—share your financial blessings to help disaster survivors; ACT—get involved with disaster recovery ministry; PRAY—our best response is prayer on behalf of disaster survivors.
Action items from linked article:
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Urge the U.S. Government to initiate a robust humanitarian response. National, state and local non-profit organizations, including churches, Presbyteries, Synods, are asked to sign on to this letter to President Biden.
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Support the international Humanitarian Response through through the PDA U.S. Refugee Emergency Fund
- Welcome Afghans coming to the U.S.
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PDA has general information on how refugee resettlement works and how churches welcome refugees here.
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Because people are moving quickly, local resettlement offices are franticly trying to meet the immediate needs of those who are arriving. Church World Service will be handling inquiries by national staff through refugeewelcome@cwsglobal.org
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If you want to find out if there is a local program near you, click here.
- Get Educated and Prepared:
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Register for the Church World Service “Lunch & Learn” Webinar – Looking Ahead to 2022 – Resettlement Update on August 30, 2021 at 12pm.
- Mark your calendars now to attend the online conference: “Together We Welcome: A National Faith Gathering to Strengthen Support for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants” which will take place Nov. 7-11
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has had long-standing partnerships in Haiti for decades. These meaningful relationships enable them to come alongside communities affected by disaster in the immediate aftermath, as well as support communities planning multi-year, long-term recovery projects.
In the U.S.: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with presbyteries across the country to help communities recovering from fires and floods.
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MUSIC ENSEMBLES STARTING UP: ALL ARE WELCOME!
Director of Music Ministries, David Macbeth, extends an invitation to all musicians – experienced and otherwise – to consider participating in our Handbell ensemble and Chancel Choir.
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The Handbell ensemble rehearses at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays; the Chancel Choir meets at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Use the South entrance door.
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HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
The FPCB Preschool & Extended Care program is looking for creative, certified teachers to join the Extended Care staff.
They offer a year round, part time schedule with a well-established program.
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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
- 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn social time, east side of building
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11:00 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" button (midway down the homepage) and then click "Watch the Service"
- 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
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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the 11 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, Choir Room
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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