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Friday, August 19, 2022 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICE
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
10:00 a.m. Summer Worship in the Sanctuary
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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MESSAGE FROM THE LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: It Takes a Village
It has been a couple weeks since we gathered to celebrate Mursal, Baz, and the family’s new addition for the Baby Shower. Our team is still working on Thank You notes, but since there were a few gifts that weren’t identified, I want to take a moment to express our gratitude… both mine and the family’s.
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The way that this congregation keeps stepping up to meet their needs and make them feel welcome as our neighbors and friends is such an incredible gift! This is one of the most meaningful, truly relational ministries I’ve been part of, and I sure hope each of you are proud of the important work this church is doing. This is us being Christ’s hands and feet for those most in need!
And I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this work in some way or another - no matter how small a part you think you may have played, we are learning just how true it is when people say “It takes a village.”
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I also thought I’d offer some updates about the Afghan Family Support Team’s work since Baz, Mursal, Taib, and Bahar arrived in late January. Here’s an overview by the numbers:
- 13 members make up the Afghan Family Support Team, including a couple folks who are friends of church members or neighbors of Baz and Mursal
- 400+ volunteer hours spent shopping for groceries, at doctor and dentist appointments, running errands, and building relationships
- About $16,500 raised from the congregation, friends of the church, Baz and Mursal’s neighbors, and other church partners
- Plus a $15,000 matching grant from the St. Andrew’s Fund of our Endowment
- Over $6,000 spent so far to subsidize rent, cover monthly utilities, and meet basic needs before Baz began working
- 4 birthdays celebrated: Baz and Taib have July birthdays; Mursal and Bahar’s are in August
- 105 letters written to our Congressional representatives in support of the Afghan Adjustment Act!
We have some smaller numbers still to come…but BIG tasks ahead:
- 1 (family-of-five) vehicle to purchase
- Our budget is $15,000-20,000 thanks to your generosity and the Endowment matching grant, so we’ll be able to get them something that will last a good long while!
- 1 baby on the way, likely on/before September 20
- 1 new job to find for Baz (with a higher wage once they have a vehicle)
- 2 First Days of School (2nd Grade for Taib in August, Head Start Preschool for Bahar in September)
We couldn’t do this without all of y’all! And we’re getting a bit of good press about this important ministry: I recently did an interview for Presbyterians Today about creating change in our community and had the chance to share some of our story. Once the story is out, we’ll be sure to share it!
Forward together, dear ones. (Not one step back!)
Blessings and many, many thanks,
Lindsey
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Luke 10:1-11
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: Partners on the GO! by The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
- We post the video of each week’s
services and sermon text and audio
on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
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FOR SUNDAY MORNING
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The Building Reopening Task Force has issued a new guideline: they encourage that people wear masks, especially if they are in a high risk category, as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others.
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Child care will be available from 9:45-11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions.
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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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JOIN US AFTER SUNDAY WORSHIP | |
Our popular “Lemonade on the Lawn” social time is offered after our 10 a.m. Summer Worship service.
Stop by the front lawn for a cool drink, snack, and fellowship. We’ll head into the North Link in case of bad weather.
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- Every Sunday we encourage you to look for the table at Lemonade on the Lawn, where you can sign cards for our friends who are sick or hospitalized.
- If you have excess garden bounty to share, we’ll have a table available for you to put it out – and others to take what they can use. Give and get!
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DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE?
As a congregation, we will soon be embarking on the important process of selecting our next group of leaders. Over the next few weeks we will be introducing you to the various positions that will be available, and meet some of our current leaders.
Elders
Elders comprise the Session of the Presbyterian Church which is, in essence, the decision-making body of the church. They recommend and approve all program and policy implementation and modifications in the church. Elders serve a three year term and the Session meets monthly; Elders generally serve on one or more committees, which also usually meet on a monthly basis.
Current Elder JoAnne Turcotte says, “I found this quote spoke to me: ’Elders are the designated leaders of the church, and the flock is entrusted to them by God. They are not to lead for the pay or the reward but because of their desire to serve and shepherd the flock.’
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“Being an Elder is a large commitment - one of time and mental energy, but I am proud to be entrusted with being a part of our Church’s leadership.
“Although I have been a member of our congregation for over 35 years, I have never felt more involved and connected to our other church members. It has been such a blessing for me.”
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JoAnne is pictured, second from right, with Jack Walker, The Rev. Sue Bennetch and Marie Rosenthal.
The elders serving alongside JoAnne are Jan Bickford, Jennifer Cole, Jim Halkins, Rich Hjorth, Kari Keyock, Dan Magocs, Kim Miner, Chris Moravek, Al Philpotts, Steve Samuelson, Donna Taggart, and Gail Watts.
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HELPING HANDS PLANS NEXT TRIP | |
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The Helping Hands Care Team of Lehigh Presbytery has scheduled a mission work trip to New Bern, NC, from Saturday, October 29 – Saturday, November 5.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the recovery efforts after hurricanes and flooding caused extensive damage to the churches and homes in that area. It takes years for areas to recover from these storms and every “helping hand” makes a difference in the lives of people who lost so much.
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There are no specific skills or experience required, other than to be flexible and provide whatever help is needed. There are jobs for every skill level and we have experienced volunteers to help train you. We do, of course, welcome those with plumbing, electrical, roofing, and dry wall installation skills.
As previous volunteer Leslie Pohl (pictured) writes
“We are looking for folks to join us on the trips. No skills are required, but you will need to try new things and use big person toys. For this you'll be greatly rewarded. Sense of accomplishment and pushing your boundaries will be the reward. Meeting new friends and seeing other parts of our country are a given. The best part is that you'll be helping the folks that really need it.”
The cost is $250.00 per person and participants must register by Thursday,
October 6. Partial scholarships may be available from First Pres.
If interested in participating, or in getting more information, and/or in scholarship information, please send an email to info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at
610-867-5865.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
To make it easier to connect with ways to help in our community, we’ve created a new website page with listings of FPCB and community volunteer opportunities, like these:
- “We’ve Got Your Back” backpack event (Saturday, August 20)
- Lehigh Valley Pride event volunteers (Sunday, August 21
- Hi Neighbors Coordinator
- Donegan Elementary School mentors (starts in October)
We’d also like to add additional organizations, or specific volunteer tasks. If you have any to share, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at the church office, 610-867-5865.
fpc-bethlehem.org/volunteer
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LOOKING AHEAD…
Sunday Servic
For Sunday, August 28 and Sunday, September 4 we will continue with our Summer Worship schedule – offering one service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. We will keep you apprised of any changes in that schedule, as those plans are firmed up.
Faith Crawl
The Bethlehem Interfaith Group is planning its third Faith Crawl, in which bus travelers will visit three SouthSide houses of faith. The event is planned for Sunday, Sept. 18 from 3-6 p.m. and there is no charge to participate, although a $5 donation is suggested.
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Registration: All participants must register using the easy online sign-up form.
You can also call the First Pres office to register everyone in your party.
The tour will include:
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St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church, with a presentation on a historically ethnic congregation and how it is transitioning to a new ministry.
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Packer Church at Lehigh University, for a presentation on campus ministry in a diverse and interfaith setting.
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St. John A.M.E. Zion Church, for a presentation on ministry in the first and oldest African-American congregation in the Lehigh Valley.
Those with mobility issues can contact BIG at info@bigbethlehem.org or call the First Pres church office at 610-867-5865.
Hi Neighbors
Our popular weekly series – featuring presentations on a wide variety of topics – returns on Monday, September 19. Sue Pizer Yoder will kick things off with “Us/Them Mentality Must Go: Making Neighbors Out of Strangers.” There is a fellowship time at 9:30 a.m. with the program at 10 a.m.
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POSITIONS AVAILABLE
We currently have these employment opportunities available at First Pres - if you know of someone who might be interested in additional information, please have them contact us at HR@fpc-bethlehem.org.
- Pastoral Associate (part-time)
- Director of Early Childhood Education (full-time)
- Coordinator of Extended Care (part-time)
- Assistant Coordinator of Extended Care (part-time)
- Two Preschool teacher positions (part-time)
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UPDATED: 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. We contact the hospitals on weekdays to get that information. If you enter the hospital on Friday-Sunday, you can contact Phil Fair at prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org to keep us up to date.
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
- 9:45 – 11:30 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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10 a.m.: Summer Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; below, to join us online
- 11 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn hospitality time
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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 Summer Worship 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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TUESDAYS: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Crafters, Room 408 (everyone welcome)
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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