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Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 Newsletter
For Sunday – NEW SCHEDULE!
9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
(in person in Fellowship Hall)
11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service
(in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
MOVING OUR FLOCK FORWARD
Greetings friends,
This past Sunday (Sept. 15), Session and Trustees met jointly for an update from the Strategic Mission Steering Committee on a few key items.
We began with discussing needed action related to our Articles of Incorporation suggested by our legal partners.
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The first piece of business addressed an important schism-related loose thread regarding which set of Articles of Incorporation is active, and the second was about a needed revision to clarify our relationship with the PC(USA) and our adherence to
its Constitution.
Then the Steering Committee gave an update about our prospective South Building adaptive reuse partnership and facilitated discussion about the financial impact of that update on the transitional leadership that FPCB will need.
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We also shared a recent development on some additional support from Presbytery to help Session discern next steps in our transitional process.
Session and Trustees voted in favor of both items related to our Articles of Incorporation, and the only other action taken was the vote to call a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Sept. 29 following the 11:15 a.m. service for two purposes: first, for the congregation to vote on the proposed revisions to the Articles of Incorporation; second, for the Steering Committee to share their updates with the whole congregation.
We’ll hold the meeting in Fellowship Hall, and snacks will be provided. We hope all FPCB members will make plans to attend, but it will be recorded and made available by request for those who are unable to make it. We’ll share more on that following the meeting.
Between now and then, I’ll be away this Sunday through Wednesday (Sept. 22-25) leading a workshop on our Strategic Missional work at the Stewardship Kaleidoscope conference in Portland, OR.
Suzanne will be on call for any pastoral care needs, and Steve Simmons and Cindy Simmons will be preaching and leading worship. I’m so grateful for all the shepherds (including each one of you, remember?) who help keep the flock together!
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Peace and blessings,
Lindsey
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- Sermon: Giving It a Rest by Rev. Dr. Stephen Simmons
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We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
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FOR THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 22
- 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
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10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (see more info, below)
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10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Fellowship Hall (see more info, below)
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NEW TIME - 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)
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FOR SUNDAY: HEARTS N MINDS - ADULT ED CLASS
“The human heart is the first home of democracy. It is where we embrace our questions. Can we be equitable? Can we be generous? Can we listen with our whole beings, not just our minds, and offer our attention rather than our opinions?” - Terry Tempest Williams
The Hearts N Minds adult education class is engaging in a series of discussions designed to spark engagement with democracy and democratic values in a non-partisan way. They will examine the principles of democracy and how to put these ideas into concrete action in participants’ personal and community lives.
They meet in the Parlor at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings - all are welcome to attend!
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FOR SUNDAY: BODY N SOUL - INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH FORMATION
Intergenerational faith formation builds community across generations, providing a space and structure where persons of all ages can learn from each other. Through biblically-based storytelling, small group conversations, interactive group activities, and opportunities for individual contemplation, participants encounter God’s word and explore how it is active in today’s world.
The Body N Soul class will be exploring the curriculum Current: Seeking Peace Together. Divided into four segments, this curriculum explores the topics: Peace with God, Peace Within, Peace with Others, and Peace with Creation. Each week introduces a new story from the Old or New Testament that illustrates God’s shalom.
Body N Soul meets weekly between services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall and continuing through December. All are welcome!
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LOOKING FOR LECTORS
It's that time when we put out a call for volunteers to serve as lectors (readers) in our worship services. This is a great way to become involved in the worship life of our church.
You can choose from the 9 a.m. Holy Ground (contemporary) service or the 11:15 a.m. Traditional service. Use the easy online sign-up, below.
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DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE?
This week we finish learning more about the leadership roles in our church. Although it seems early to begin, as a congregation, we will soon be embarking on the important process of selecting our next group of leaders.
The Nominating Committee members are charged with identifying candidates for Elders, Deacons, Trustees, and the Nominating Committee itself. This committee usually meets three or four times each year; the term of service is one year, and a member may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
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Says Nominating Committee member Judy Smullen (pictured, right, in front of a quilt she helped craft):
“Participating in the Nominating Committee gave me the opportunity to know a number of people in the church to a depth I had not before.
"Working with the other members was both a privilege and a pleasure - a privilege because I was contributing to the selection of the next generation of church leaders, and a pleasure because of the commitment and kindness of the people on the committee.”
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Joining Judy as lay committee members are Phil Clauser, Theresa Kelly, Allison Masters, Bekah Masthay, Liz Mountain, Steve Samuelson, and Tracy E. Samuelson. They are joined by elder Rich Hjorth (chair) and deacon Jane Masters; a representative from the trustees is yet to be named. | |
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LET’S END HUNGER: ONE STEP AT A TIME!
September is #HungerActionMonth, so it’s a good time to make plans for the next Bethlehem Area CROP Walk.
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The 39th annual event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 13, with registration at 1:00 p.m. near the Sand Island basketball courts, with a step-off time at 1:30.
Bikes, strollers, and canine companions are all welcome, and you can walk (run, jog, skip) one, two, or all 2.7 miles.
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You're invited to join some 300,000 walkers representing more than 700 teams from around the country in supporting hunger initiatives locally and around the world (25% of funds raised are kept for local hunger programs).
For more information, including a map of the route, and to register for or make a contribution to the walk, use this link, below. Thanks for your support!
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HI NEIGHBORS SPEAKERS PROGRAMS: JOIN US ON MONDAY!
We enjoyed a great kick-off to our fall series of Hi Neighbors programs this past Monday – over 55 folks in our audience learned all about the history of local favorite, Josh Early Candies. The tasty samples were fun too!
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For this Monday we’re excited to welcome Chief Adam Waterbear DePaul, who is the Chief of Education and Tribal Storykeeper for the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania. Chief Adam will share the history and culture of the Lenape, who are the indigenous people of eastern Pennsylvania.
We’ll start each session with a 9:30 a.m. Social Time in Fellowship Hall. An hour-long program follows at 10 a.m., focusing on topics like local history and culture, wellness, and technology.
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The complete schedule is available here (and if you’re on our mailing list, you should have received the schedule in the mail).
All are welcome – no registration fee or sign-up needed. Just come and bring your friends!
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SAVE THE DATE: DISCIPLESHIP RETREAT
On the Way: Making Tracks Toward Home
Saturday, Oct. 26: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Registration and leadership details to follow.
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A day of noticing; of paying attention, as we reflect on life’s many journeys. On the Way with twists and turns. We know, we doubt. We fear, we trust. Yet Making Tracks both long and small, we creep, we crawl. We sprint, we stall. Yet, Pilgrims all. Toward Home. Toward all that is Divine. Toward Love. Toward all that is the Whole. | |
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THANK YOU FROM THE PRESCHOOL!
Many thanks to everyone who supported the Preschool’s annual mum sale – a record-breaker! And to those who contributed supplies to the recent drive: your generosity is appreciated!
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JOIN THE GATE COMMUNITY’S BOOK CLUB | |
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The Gate Community Church is offering a Book Study for Faith After Doubt that is open to all. It will run for four more Wednesdays: (NEW) Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, and Nov. 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Chapel.
It’s not too late to join in! Use this link to sign up:
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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 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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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 while they are visiting. They are in the Narthex.
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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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THIS SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
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10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (see more info, above)
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10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Fellowship Hall (see more info, above)
- NEW TIME - 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (meeting #: 868 2214 2960; passcode: OO-Beth)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
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.
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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
Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Acting Head of Staff/Associate Pastor for Justice and Community Impact; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Suzanne Trump, Pastoral Associate for Compassion; STrump@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries: ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Crook, Director of Church Administration; ext. 210; DCrook@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Carol Burns, Communications Manager: ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org
Tracy Leszcynski, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; TLeszcynski@fpc-bethlehem.org
Brenda Robinson, Bookkeeper; BusinessOffice@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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