Friday, May 20, 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:
WITH OPEN MINDS AND HEARTS
With Memorial Day just around the corner, many people are already thinking about summer: school will be letting out in just a few more weeks; people are thinking about where to go and what to do for some time off and/or time away; and the rhythms of life in general tend to take on a different dynamic.
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In recent years, at least, one of the rhythms that has not changed here at First Pres is that of our worship life: we have continued to offer a Contemporary Service and a Traditional Service throughout the summer without pause or break.
This summer, however, the Session (at the recommendation of the Worship Committee) has decided to try a new experiment: Summer Worship.
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Part of the reason we are doing this is because there is some work that needs to be done in the Kirk Center, where the Contemporary Service meets, that includes repairs for a roof leak that have been delayed because of both insurance and pandemic-related supply chain issues. So this service will take place in the Sanctuary to allow space and time for that work, as the Sanctuary is fully air-conditioned for the summer.
But we also saw this as not simply a challenge, but an opportunity for a short-term experiment for broadening our worship life. One of the strategic priorities the Session established for the congregation in 2019 was, in fact, about this very thing, as you may remember:
Vibrant and Diverse Worship – We will be considering, experimenting with, and implementing a variety of styles, formats, and approaches for worship experiences in the church, all while staying consistent with the key elements of the Reformed worship tradition (Biblically-based preaching, theologically-appropriate music, the regular administration of the Sacraments, etc.)
With the onset of the pandemic, most of our experimental energy went into figuring out how to offer compelling digital worship, but now that we are back in the swing of an in-person option for worship, the time seemed ripe to do something a little different.
In calling this service “Summer Worship,” we’re indicating that the experience of worship will not simply be what we’ve generally called a “Combined Worship Service,” simply incorporating elements of both our Traditional and Contemporary Services into one service, generally leaning in the direction of whatever service was normally held in that space (Kirk Center or Sanctuary).
Now, don’t worry: we will be having classic traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs in Summer Worship! In fact, we will even be asking for you to “nominate” some of your favorite hymns and songs so we make sure that they are included this summer (more on that in the newsletter after Memorial Day). But we are also envisioning new experiments along with those continuing commitments. While we are meeting in the Sanctuary, the pastors will not be wearing robes, and we encourage people to dress more casually with a “come as you are” feel.
We will be incorporating some elements of worship to be more intentionally intergenerational and welcoming for children. And we will be actively soliciting feedback on what you’re enjoying, what doesn’t resonate for you, and what ideas you have for experiments as the summer goes on. We are excited about co-creating this ministry with all of you!
So, I want to encourage you all to join into this experiment with open minds and hearts as we strive to live into our strategic vision as a church, and to continue to claim our identity as an “Experimental Church”!
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: A Sheep Story by
The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
- 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.
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, wraps up its current series this week. 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 join via Zoom:
- To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3Iizxry
- 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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FAITH CRAWL: LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT FAITH TRADITIONS |
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Last Sunday about 50 people participated in the Bethlehem Interfaith Group’s second annual Faith Crawl.
In three hours, the group travelled via bus to four different houses of worship to learn about the faiths and worship practices of their neighbors.
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The tour began at Wesley United Methodist Church where Pastor Candy Labar led the group in a game of “name that Charles Wesley hymn” and shared what makes a United Methodist Church unique from other Christian denominations.
From there the group visited Congregation Birth Shalom where Rabbi Michael Singer gave a tour of the sanctuary (including their Torah scrolls) and shared the history of the congregation which dates back to 1890.
Next, Imam Beytullah Colak shared a tour of the library and mosque at Respect Graduate School, talked about the five pillars of the Muslim faith, and demonstrated a Muslim call to prayer. The tour concluded at the Quaker Meeting House where the friends talked about their unique structure and led participants in ten minutes of silent worship.
The Faith Crawl is one of many events the Bethlehem Interfaith Group hosts throughout the year to fulfill their mission of education, social justice, and friendship. Look forward to the next Faith Crawl in the spring of 2023 where we will tour houses of worship on the south side of Bethlehem.
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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 offered on Tuesdays 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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