Friday, February 4, 2022 Newsletter
COMMUNION SUNDAY SERVICES
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
NEW TIME! 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:
EXPLORING SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURE
As I was reading our Scripture passage for Sunday to prepare the sermon, it suddenly occurred to me: “Wait, is Jesus falling prey to 1st century ‘cancel culture’?” The passage is Luke 4:14-30, which is the story of when Jesus came to his hometown of Nazareth, read Scripture in the synagogue during Sabbath services, and then began to teach on it.
At first, everyone is impressed and excited by what he’s doing. But then he references a few other Scripture passages about God working through Gentiles, non-Jewish people who are not part of the covenant established between God and Abraham and his descendants. At that, they get so angry that they rise up and drive him to the edge of the high cliff that Nazareth is perched on, overlooking the Jezreel Valley far below, and try to hurl him off the cliff.
Jesus somehow manages to escape, but the fact remains that the end of his first sermon, preached to what seemed to be a receptive hometown crowd, was so offensive to the congregation that they turned almost instantly into an angry mob that literally tried to throw him away by tossing him off the cliff to his death.
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As you probably know, the whole idea of “cancel culture” in 21st century U.S. society is a controversial one, and part of the larger problem of hyper-polarization that has become its own kind of political pandemic in recent years. In fact, people are polarized around the idea of whether cancel culture even exists and, if so, what counts and what doesn’t as “cancel culture” versus appropriate consequences for inappropriate public behavior. |
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But essentially, it’s describing a response of sudden and widespread outrage, usually online, to an offensive statement or work by a public figure, and calls for people to reject that figure and rescind their support of them. The debate, then, is whether such responses to offensive statements are necessary or appropriate, or even whether the statements should be considered offensive at all.
With that in mind, this passage from Luke seems oddly contemporary! So: is Jesus being canceled?!? What does that even mean for the people of his day and for us in ours? This Sunday, we’ll be considering those questions and more as we explore this important and puzzling text. I look forward to being with you, in person or online, as we do so!
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: Throwing Jesus Away 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 for Sunday
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Sunday is Communion Sunday, so please prepare your elements beforehand if you would like to participate. |
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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
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Everyone over the age of 2 is required to properly wear a mask covering the nose and mouth; double masks or N95 are recommended.
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Everyone eligible is expected to be fully vaccinated, which now means the initial course of vaccination plus a booster, if you are attending any in-person events at the church.
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Please maintain a minimum of a 6 foot distance between household groups/pods.
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Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.; please ask an usher for directions to that space.
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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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SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY: COMING FEBRUARY 13
Souper Bowl of Caring was established in 1990 by Rev. Dr. Brad Smith from Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC to empower youth and unite communities to tackle hunger using the energy of the Big Game.
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For many years it has been a tradition of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem to participate in collecting for our local ministry partners in helping those less fortunate. In years past this included a soup luncheon to help raise funds. |
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For this year we are asking for the usual monetary offering and also request nonperishable foods to be given to the food banks. The money that is collected will go to pay for dinners that we will be doing at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering over this year. This has primarily been a youth activity in the past but we are a congregation that is young at heart and so we are carrying on the tradition. Both New Bethany and Turning Point have indicated that they really can use the canned goods especially protein items like tuna and chicken.
It will also be “Scouting Sunday” so the members of our troop will be on hand to serve as ushers and assist with the food collection.
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SUNDAY’S FELLOWSHIP & FORMATION HOUR –
New Time! Via Zoom only!
Hearts N Minds, our adult ed class, returns at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom only. Everyone is welcome to attend.
There is nothing to read in advance of the class; the topic to be discussed is “Is America a Christian nation? Should it be? Today’s class will delve into the earliest days of America: the puritans and the pilgrims, the founding fathers, the influence of Christianity on politics and American exceptionalism. What does it all mean?"
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To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3Kq7vM6
- To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 857 2714 8575, then press # and then # again.
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NEW DISCIPLESHIP OFFERING: THREE-PART SERIES
Wednesdays: Feburary 9 and 23
7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom
The Discipleship Committee is offering a new series, What Does It Mean to Confess the Faith Today? We had a good turnout for the first session on Wednesday evening. If you missed it: click this link for the recording.
“Jesus is Lord.” That was the first creed of the church, but it was hardly the last. From that simple affirmation, a large (and sometimes bewildering) assortment of confessions has unfolded over the centuries, from the Nicene and Apostles Creeds through the Presbyterian “Brief Statement of Faith” to the 2020 “Reclaiming Jesus” affirmation. Our Book of Confessions alone has a dozen of them.
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Why so many? How do they come to be? Why do we use them in worship? Why have confessions and creeds at all? You’re invited to join Lindsey Altvater Clifton and Steve Simmons as we consider what confessions are, what they do, and what they can mean for us today. |
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To join online for the video class, use this Zoom ling: bit.ly/3aeqLLD
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To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 385 500 4307, then press # and then # again.
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HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT “OUR” FAMILY
It has been a busy first week in the area for Baz, Mursal, Taib, and Bahar! They’ve had their first Pennsylvania snow, gone in for a round of labs and some follow-up doctor’s appointments, and gotten started on ESL (English as a Second Language) lessons.
The family has met seven of our ten team members - we’re making introductions one new person at a time so we don’t overwhelm them - and we have already logged over 50 volunteer hours happily spent getting to know them and supporting their transition into our community.
Our Family Support team members have already made donations totaling about $700 for groceries, clothes, and other home essentials, and the Mission Committee has allocated $1100 of its annual budget to offer a rent subsidy that Bethany Christian Services is matching.
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Additionally, to make sure that the family had what they needed before and upon arrival, we have spent just over $1150 on household goods, items needed for repairs or replacement in their apartment (like blinds), prepaid cell phones and service, and their internet deposit. |
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At the outset, Bethany Christian Services let us know that we’d likely need to raise $8,000-$10,000 as a congregational co-sponsor. We are already 20-25% to that goal with just contributions from the Mission Committee and Family Support Team!
We will also have some additional partners and financial supporters in this ministry - other churches in our Presbytery, some Lutheran friends in South Bethlehem, and a member or two of the Bethlehem Interfaith Group - but we also need your help!
We’d be incredibly grateful for monetary donations to help create a fund to help us meet the family’s needs - both material and financial, already incurred and ongoing. If you are willing and able to make a contribution, you can do so online through the church website’s (fpc-bethlehem.org/give) or with a gift on an upcoming Sunday.
However you make your gift, please label it “Refugee Family Support” so that it can be accounted for and allocated correctly. It would also help our finance office if your designated gift is made separately from any regular offerings.
We hope to be able to make a virtual introduction to the family soon and to host an outdoor picnic with them in the warmer months once they’re more settled! We’re also working on plans to capture the powerful stories that Baz, Mursal, and Kalim (a friend and their US Tie) have to share and to do some teaching and congregational engagement related to refugee resettlement, as well.
Many, many thanks for all the ways that you’re already making this journey with our new friends! And much gratitude for your financial support, as well!
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A NOTE ABOUT THE ANNUAL REPORT
or contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 to request a copy and we will mail it to you next week.
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STAFF UPDATES
If you read our Annual Report carefully, you will know that we have had some recent changes in our staffing. And we have one more to announce.
Facilities Manager Rebecca Angione retired at the end of December after a long and dedicated tenure. We wish her well in her new adventures, and lots of time to pursue the things she loves.
Kevin Konczyk was hired in September as our Facilities Maintenance Manager and he has been joined by Brandon Bereznak and Edward Ortiz, as part-time staff. Kyle Willans continues as another part-time staff person.
Cristy Mette, our Administrative Operations Manager, has resigned her position to pursue other opportunities. A temporary employee is assisting with these responsibilities while we recruit her replacement (see below).
If you would like to send personal messages to Rebecca and/or Cristy, please send to info@fpc-bethlehem.org or to the church office (with their name on it marked "Personal"), and we will forward to them.
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HELP US FILL THESE OPEN POSITIONS
A growing church means growing our staff – if you know of anyone who might be interested in any of these positions, please have them contact us at HR@fpc-bethlehem.org. These are summaries of the job descriptions.
Operations Administrator: to run an effective, smoothly working administrative operations office. 20-25 hours per week. These are a few of the responsibilities: manage/coordinate church calendar of activities and facility use with sensitivity to multiple stakeholders; coordinate facility use requests with Facilities Maintenance Team to ensure all stakeholder needs are met; and maintain an accurate and current church member database.
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Sunday Child Care: an additional hourly childcare worker for the church's childcare room on Sunday mornings from 8:30-12:00 each week. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must have (or obtain) current clearances (criminal background check, child abuse clearance, FBI fingerprint certification).
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Facilities Associate II: to care for church facilities, equipment and grounds. The Facilities Associate II cleans building areas, configures facility for events and assists event participants when needed. Maintains grounds and performs routine mechanical maintenance. Reports breakdowns or major problems. Average hours per week = 25. Three to six month’s related experience or training required.
Preschool Administrative Assistant: to support the Director of our Preschool and Extended Care. The position requires 25 hours per week, with some core and some flexible hours. Because we offer summer learning programs, the position requires availability year-round. HS diploma required, but Associate’s Degree in business, education or related field preferred.
Some of this position’s responsibilities include helping the Director to: prepare and organize enrollment paperwork, answer phones, take messages; maintain substitute teacher list and contact them when needed; collect tuition and enter all receipts/expenditures and deposits into the church’s financial system.
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CHURCH OFFICE UPDATE
The Building Re-Opening Task Force has decided to suspend our volunteer receptionists staffing the office, for the time being. Please 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to Covid restrictions the building's South entrance is only open for Sunday morning worship; it is locked at all other times. You will need to enter the building using the Kirk Center (northeast) entrance (or the person you are meeting with can let you in the South entrance).
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A NOTE ABOUT CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS...
Should we need to close the building and/or cancel events or office hours, we will make those announcements on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org), Facebook page, and WFMZ (both on wfmz.com and on their TV announcements). Messages will also be placed on the church phone, 610-867-5865.
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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 - COMMUNION 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
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9:30 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class via Zoom only, details above
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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 office is not currently staffed with a receptionist. The building's South entrance is locked during the week so you will need to use the Kirk Center (northeast) entrance (or the person you are meeting with can let you in the South entrance).
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.
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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