Friday, March 31, 2023 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES – PALM SUNDAY
COMMUNION SUNDAY
9:00 a.m. ‘Holy Ground’ Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary – Sunday
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
COMMEMORATING THE TRIDUUM
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week, the most important week of the year on the Christian calendar. In the next week, we will have a range of services that commemorate Jesus’ activities the week leading up to his resurrection from the dead. Palm Sunday begins the week with a service celebrating Jesus’ provocative and triumphal entry into Jerusalem, accompanied by crowds of people laying palms on the road before him as a tribute to an arriving king.
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Later in the week, though, things take a sharp turn into rejection, betrayal, crucifixion, and death. The church has called these services, held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Holy Week, the Triduum since ancient times. The Triduum follows the Jewish tradition of marking days, since all of Jesus’ followers that were with him through the events of Holy Week were, of course, Jewish.
That means it begins on the evening of Maundy Thursday, in which we recall the institution of the Lord’s Supper and Christ’s “new commandment” that we love one another just as Christ has loved us (the word “Maundy” comes from the Latin for “mandate” or “commandment”).
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We will observe Maundy Thursday with a contemplative communion service in Fellowship Hall at 7 p.m. It will include prayers, music, and the sacrament of Communion, and will be available both in person and online.
The second night of the Triduum begins on Friday night, which we observe as Good Friday with a Service of Tenebrae. Tenebrae is Latin for “darkness,” and that is what the service involves: walking through the sequence of Jesus’ arrest, trial, torment, crucifixion, death, and burial by reading the Scriptural stories from the Gospel of Matthew in sequence, along with hymns or anthems and time for silent reflection.
After each passage is read, a candle on the Communion table is extinguished and the lights of the Sanctuary are lowered, until only the Christ candle is left. It is then processed out of the Sanctuary, symbolizing the light of Christ going out of the world at his death, and the Sanctuary is left in total darkness until the service concludes, at which point enough light is returned to safely exit in silence. It is a very moving service, and I hope you can join in person or online.
Holy Saturday, in many ways, is the forgotten time of the Triduum, but this was not always the case. It is actually the oldest part of Christian Holy Week observances, going back to the early observances of the ancient church, and before the Middle Ages it was the best-attended service of the year!
It was a vigil that began Saturday evening, went all night with prayer, and then ended at dawn with a celebration of Communion on Easter morning. While we do not hold an all-night vigil, we do observe this tradition in our own way with a Holy Saturday Compline Service that preserves the spirit of those vigils with a service of contemplative and sung prayer on Saturday evening. It’s less than a hour long, but it is a wonderful way of spiritually “keeping watch” between Good Friday and Easter morning that I encourage you to experience, again either in person or online.
Easter, of course, will be celebrated with our “Holy Ground” contemporary service at 9 a.m. and our traditional service at 11 a.m. as we gather in person and online to give thanks to God that “Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!” And that will finish our observance of the Triduum, which officially concludes Sunday evening, the end of the third day.
I hope you will participate in as many of these rich Holy Week offerings as you are able. I look forward to completing our journey through Lent and Holy Week and to celebrating Christ’s resurrection with you on Easter!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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This week’s sermon: Saying the Quiet Part Loud by
The Rev. J.C. Austin
We post the video of each week’s services and
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday
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Sunday is Communion Sunday.
If you would like to participate from home, you can prepare your own elements: bread or bread-like item
(cracker, pita, bagel, etc.) and grape juice, wine or water.
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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 and in the blanket-sitting area (to the left of the communion table in Fellowship Hall).
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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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YOU'RE INVITED: PRESCHOOL EASTER CHAPEL
Our Preschool will offer its Easter Chapel at two times: today (Friday) and Monday, at 9 a.m. in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to enjoy their program.
If you come on Monday, we invite you to stay after Chapel and join us for the Hi Neighbors speakers program in Fellowship Hall - the social time begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10 a.m. You'll have plenty of time to join us after the Preschool program.
Monday's program is an update about the Bethlehem Food Co-Op's plans to bring a community owned, 'everyone welcome' grocery store to 250 E. Broad St. See more information below.
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AFTER EACH SUNDAY SERVICE: Coffee & Conversation
We invite folks to stay for Coffee & Conversation following each of our two worship services. This is an opportunity for connection in Fellowship Hall where you’ll find coffee for adults along with juice boxes and a simple snack for children. (We will still gather for our Intergenerational Faith Formation story and craft after the 9:00 service!)
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HEARTS N MINDS: CLASS THIS SUNDAY
The Hearts N Minds adult ed class will resume this Sunday, meeting from 9:45 – 10:40 a.m. in the Parlor (upstairs above the main church office). Please feel free to come even if you have not done the reading.
The group is studying a new book, Elusive Grace: Loving Your Enemies While Striving for God’s Justice by Pastor Scott Black Johnson, senior pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian in Manhattan. Please read pages 70-92.
The class will not meet on Easter Sunday (April 9) and will meet again on Sunday, April 16.
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RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 8:
EASTER EGG HUNT & SPRING FESTIVAL
It looks like Mother Nature is taking “April showers” to heart and rain is expected for this Saturday, so we are rescheduling our Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Festival for Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. – noon.
Your memories of Easter Egg Hunts may include a mad dash to the hidden eggs, with the biggest and fastest kiddos getting the most “loot.”
Our planning committee has put a different spin on our upcoming event: while there will be a dash to the eggs, all of them will be empty, and each participant will turn in all of their eggs to receive the same goody bag. We also have a lot of other activities planned, like decorating eggs and other hands-on activities; bubble station; popcorn; face painting and tattoos; and a fun photo booth.
Note that this event is open to all ages and you are asked to bring your own basket.
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SISTER JOAN BOOK DISCUSSION |
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On two Wednesdays, April 5 and April 12, Steve Simmons and Judy Smullen will facilitate an afternoon discussion of Sister Joan Chittister’s 2019 provocative book, The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage (copies of used books are available on Thrift Books and Amazon Books).
We will meet in the Parlor from 4-5:30 p.m.
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On Thursday, April 20, Sister Joan will be the keynote speaker for the ‘Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture Series on Christian Unity’ at DeSales University. Tickets are available by contacting the Lehigh Conference of Churches (online info at bit.ly/3JqA50a or call 610-433-6421).
Sister Joan emphasizes that “Faith is invalid unless you are living it.” Using the image of the historical prophet, she asks, “What are you doing about the situation of the poor and marginalized in your own community?”
Join us for fellowship and good discussion.
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JOIN US FOR LUNCH: SUNDAY, APRIL 16
The FPCB Endowment Committee is hosting a lunch for everyone right after the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, April 16. We already have over 20 reservations – please consider joining us!
After a light meal (provided), students from Lafayette College will report on their recent trip to Washington, D.C., which was supported by a grant from the McKnight Mission Scholarship Fund.
This fund assists persons to participate in inspirational, educational or service opportunities which would both enlarge their personal sense of the cause of national/world mission service. The family of longtime member Sally Gillispie established the fund following the death of her parents, who were missionaries in Africa.
There is no charge for the lunch and for catering purposes we ask you to RSVP using this easy online sign-up: bit.ly/3Z4squ6 (you can also call the church’s main office at 610-867-5865).
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HI NEIGHBORS SPEAKERS PROGRAMS ARE BACK! |
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Our popular speakers program, Hi Neighbors, is back!
This time around we're partnering with the folks at Meals on Wheels, who are assisting us with the scheduling of presenters, and to promote our program. We thank them for their support.
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Each program will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall with a hospitality time. The presentations will begin at 10 a.m. All are welcome - there is no fee and no pre-registration.
On Monday (April 3) we'll hear an update on the progress of the Bethlehem Food Co-Op – this group is bringing a new community-owned, ‘everyone welcome’ grocery store to 250 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem. There are a lot of updates to share as the store is readied to open later this year. First Pres is a founding organizational member, and many in our congregation are household members. Carol Burns, our Communications Coordinator and a BFC volunteer, will present the program.
There is no program on April 10, and on April 17 we will hear from local musician, Dave Fry.
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ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING |
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One Great Hour of Sharing supports individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. NOTE: The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund is supporting earthquake response efforts in Turkey and Syria.
This collection will be taken through Easter Sunday (April 9).
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LAST CALL: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS
First Pres is collecting nonperishable foods and bedding for New Bethany Ministries, Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering and Northeast Community Center, now through Palm Sunday.
Note that the items for BES can be new or very gently used; they are also requesting donations of tents (they appreciate this model, so they can tell who is affiliated with their programs).
Containers are located in the North Link and in the Kirk Center. Please consider supporting these Bethlehem organizations.
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We have several opportunities for worship, connection, and growth during Holy Week.
We will journey through stories that are both brutal and beautiful: Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, his final moments on the cross, and the surprising good news of his resurrection. In all of it, may we find God’s presence and deeper kinship with one another.
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All services are offered in person and livestreamed on our Facebook page and website.
Palm Sunday, April 2
- 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
- 11 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service
Maundy Thursday: April 6 at 7 p.m.
Good Friday Tenebrae: April 7 at 8 p.m.
Holy Saturday Compline: April 8 at 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday: April 9
- 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
- 11 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service
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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 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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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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THIS SUNDAY - PALM SUNDAY & COMMUNION SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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9:00 a.m.: “Holy Ground” Contemporary service, Fellowship Hall (in person AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website) in-person followed by Coffee & Conversation in Fellowship Hall
- 9:45-10:40 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
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11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; in-person followed by Coffee & Conversation in Fellowship Hall
TUESDAYS: 6 p.m. - Handbell rehearsal, Sanctuary (middle school and older, no experience needed)
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, Sanctuary
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
- The Preschool will be closed on Thursday, April 6
- The building and Preschool will be closed on Friday, April 7 for Good Friday and on Monday, April 10 in observance of the Easter holiday
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.
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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