Friday, May 13, 2022 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
11:15 a.m. Traditional*
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: A RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE
This Sunday will be a particularly special one at the 11:15 a.m. service, because we will be celebrating the baptisms of not one, not two, but three children from two families who recently joined the church! I hope you can make plans to be there and participate in this service, and I thought I’d take the opportunity to remind us of what Presbyterians believe about why Baptism is such a crucial and sacred part of the Christian life.
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In the Reformed theological tradition (of which Presbyterians are a part), we don’t believe that our salvation is contingent on being baptized. We believe we are baptized because we are saved, not saved because we are baptized. Our tradition is relentless in its emphasis on the sovereignty and grace of God, which essentially means that God has both the first and final say on things.
That, in turn, means that baptism is a response to God’s grace, not an acquisition of it. Instead, we talk about baptism as a sign and a seal of God’s saving grace.
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In baptism, we recognize and respond to that saving grace with gratitude and a commitment to a life of following Christ in our words, actions, and spirit.
In baptism, we recognize and respond to that saving grace with gratitude and a commitment to a life of following Christ in our words, actions, and spirit.
And so baptism is both our formal inclusion in the church, the body of Christ, and our commissioning as Christ’s disciples and ministers; every Christian is called to ministry through their baptism. That is what is “different” about us after baptism. Those who are called to ordained ministries have specific responsibilities in the church, but those are in addition to the baptismal call that we all have.
The question about baptizing infants or young children versus adults often arises in the conversations. As you probably know, some Christian traditions will not baptize infants at all, while others (like ours) do. The reason for those differences is a theological one. Because of our emphasis on God’s grace, we don’t believe baptism is a conscious “decision for Christ” like Baptists or some other traditions do, which is why they require people to be old enough to make such a conscious decision in order to receive Baptism.
We, on the other hand, baptize infants because we believe that God’s grace is already at work before we are even aware of it or capable of any understanding of it. So for us, there’s nothing different about baptism, per se, between infants and adults. What’s different is that adults being baptized are also able to declare their faith in Christ and intention to follow Christ as a disciple and a member of the church. Those who are baptized as infants have to do that when they are old enough to do so in order to be full members of the church. That’s where the tradition of Confirmation came from, for example, but that’s a different article!
Finally, in the Reformed tradition Baptism is never a private experience, but an act in which the whole church participates. That is why we always do baptisms as part of a regular worship service, because the congregation as a whole both witnesses and participates in the sacrament.
In fact, you are even asked a direct question about nurturing the person being baptized as they grow in their faith, whether they are an infant, child, or adult. That’s because, again, baptism is the formal beginning of a life of Christian faith, and we spend the rest of our lives growing in that faith, regardless of how old we are when we are baptized.
So: I hope you will be here on Sunday to both witness and participate in this sacrament, and in welcoming these newest members of our congregation into our life and ministry together!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: The Hardest Commandment by The Rev. J.C. Austin
- We post the video of each week’s
services and sermon text and audio
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper
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FOR SUNDAY MORNING
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Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions.
- We will 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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We offer Hospitality Time between our two worship services: you’re invited to join us in Fellowship Hall for coffee and a few refreshments starting at 10:00 a.m. We’ll also have a table for kids of all ages to create faith together while enjoying a story and related craft. Hope you’ll join us!
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*UPDATED* MASK PROTOCOLS
As a reminder, anyone who is not fully vaccinated and boosted must properly wear a mask when in the church building; all others may wear one at their option.
The local transmission rate is currently increasing. Therefore, although we are not requiring masks, we strongly encourage that people wear masks as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others.
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SUNDAY’S FELLOWSHIP & FORMATION HOUR: "GROWING EMPATHY"
Hearts N Minds, our adult ed class, has started a new series, to which all are welcome (it doesn’t matter if you did not attend the first sessions). They meet in person, from 9:45-11 a.m. (note the new start time) in the Children’s Center, room E3/4, as well as via Zoom.
Between May 1-22 they’re offering a four-week series about growing empathy: It will explore why empathy has become so important, what empathy is and what it is not, what hinders our willingness to practice it more often, and how we can put it into action. Join us in learning how we can make empathy a more normal state in our faith journey.
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TO READ for Sunday:
To join via Zoom:
- To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3Iizxry
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- To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 842 1225 8913, then press # and then # again.
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INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? INQUIRERS SEMINAR ON SUNDAY
About once a quarter, we hold Inquirers Seminars for folks who might like to learn more about our congregation and our denomination and/or those who may be considering the possibility of becoming members at First Pres.
We’re planning to hold the in-person portion this Sunday, May 15 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The afternoon will be casual and conversational, and it will offer space to connect with other newcomers along with pastors J.C. and Lindsey. We’ll also have a 90 minute follow-up session by Zoom, that will be scheduled around the participants’ schedules.
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THE COMM’UNITY’ GARDEN IS BACK! |
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The Barn/Blank Slate CommUNITY gardens are in their 12th year of operation - they are “UNITY” because a number of churches (including First Pres), and a temple are involved.
The produce from the gardens goes to local soup kitchens and food pantries to help people who have food insecurity. The gardens won a national and an international award because of this concept.
We have begun planting for this growing season. If you look in the garden - located north of the church building - you will see the early season plants.
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At our church, the Preschool is involved: the kids planted sunflower seeds indoors and when ready the seedlings will be planted outdoors by the kids.
We invite you to come look or join us and help the community – if interested, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865. |
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HONORING THE REV. DAVE DORST
We received notice from Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Leesburg, FL, that they are celebrating Pastor Dave Dorst, who had been a Youth Pastor with our congregation back in 1973-79. He was ordained 50 years ago on May 14, and will be honored at a celebration at Grace EPC tomorrow (Saturday, May 14).
If you have a photo, note of encouragement, fun story, anecdote, or fond memory of Pastor Dorst that can be shared at the celebration, please send it to GraceEPCLeesburg@gmail.com.
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LUNCH BUNCH: JOIN US THIS WEDNESDAY
From Melody Engel, Deacon: How nice to be experiencing the joy of spring, no matter how long it took to get here!
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I am happy to report we are offering a “Brown Bag Lunch Bunch” gathering at Illick's Mill Park. All are welcome to join us - bring your lunch and share our fellowship.
We’ll meet at noon on Wednesday,
May 18 at Illick's Mill Park (on Illick’s Mill Road, just off Center Street south of the church campus).
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We will sit at the open air tables but there are tables under the pavilions as well. Feel free to invite anyone you think might benefit from some socialization with wonderful people – we plan to offer these monthly.
In case of bad weather, check the church website or Facebook page, or church voice message (610-867-5865) for updates.
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BARRY BRANDT SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE
The Barry Brandt Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by the late Dr. Allen D. and Ella Brandt to remember their son Barry who died in 1961 when his plane, carrying new Army recruits, crashed enroute to basic training.
This named fund, a part of our church's permanent endowment, provides income for scholarship assistance to Protestant students, preferably members of First Presbyterian, who have financial need and demonstrated scholastic ability.
Students planning on entering college or furthering their college education this year are invited to complete the application which is posted on the church’s website. Inquiries can be directed to Susan Mowrer-Benda, chair of the Fund Committee; contact her at endowment@fpc-bethlehem.org.
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CALLING ALL CRAFTERS!
Sewers and knitters and quilters and painters and floral arrangers and anyone interested in fun and fellowship - all are welcome to join the weekly sessions beginning this Tuesday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
No experience necessary! Materials supplied!
We'll meet in Room 408 - bring along your lunch and share your inspiration! Contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org with any questions.
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CHURCH OFFICE UPDATE
Please continue to contact the staff person you need to speak with, to set up an appointment – staff are working remotely as much as possible. If you don’t know who to contact, email us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at 610-867-5865.
The South entrance door is unlocked between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Thursday, and on Sunday mornings.
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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 is
WEDNESDAY at noon**
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Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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THIS SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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9 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service, in-person in the Kirk Center AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; see below, to join us online
- 9:45 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, in person and via Zoom
- 10 a.m.: Hospitality Hour, Fellowship Hall
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11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; see below, to join us online
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICES
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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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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the 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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WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO: Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday,
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The South entrance will be open during these hours, and on Sunday mornings.
Many of the office staff are continuing to work 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.
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
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