Friday, August 4, 2023 Newsletter
SUMMER WORSHIP - COMMUNION SUNDAY
10:00 a.m.
In the Sanctuary
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. SUZANNE TRUMP: MIRACLES HAPPEN
Greetings to you brothers and sisters in Christ,
This Sunday in worship we will hear the story of the miracle of the feeding of more than five thousand people with two fish and five loaves of bread. It is an awesome miracle story that is found in all four gospels, and we will hear Matthew’s account. Don’t you just love a good miracle????
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Can you imagine with me sitting on the great big grassy area listening to Jesus teach and heal. The weather was just perfect around the water and the people were listening and watching intently. Alas, it was getting a bit late, around supper time. Everyone rushed to hear Jesus, and no one knew it would go for so long. Who thought to bring food???
As the disciples are starting to panic, someone notices that a young boy had two fish and five loaves of bread and before you know it, everyone is eating. Jesus blessed the young boy’s food and suddenly there is enough, more than enough for everybody. And after they are done eating, there are still twelve baskets of leftovers!!!!!
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Absolutely amazing. Great story, right? And it is our story too. Ok, we don’t get to sit on the lawn and listen to Jesus teach and see him heal. And we are not likely to see a miraculous amount of food come from a simple offering of two fish and five loaves of bread. But together we can. Can what, you ask? Come on Sunday morning or tune in online to find out. Miracles still happen!!!!!!
Blessings,
Suzanne
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This week’s sermon: Together We Can by the Rev. Suzanne Trump
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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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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday
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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
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This Sunday is Communion Sunday. If you are worshipping 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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Child care will be available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.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.
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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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SPECIAL MUSIC FOR YOUR SUNDAY |
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During Sunday morning’s worship we are scheduled to hear from guest vocalist Alex Perry.
On Sunday afternoon he and David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries, extend an invitation to anyone interested to enjoy an informal concert at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary.
Maestro Alex Perry is an American tenor and voice teacher originally from Kingston, NY. He graduated from the Crane School of Music and Boston University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in music education.
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He also studied voice with David Pittman-Jennings and Maestro Franco Bertacci. Alex’s work with Bertacci culminated in being awarded maestro status due to his expertise in bel canto technique and vocal training of young singers in various musical genres.
In addition to having his own voice studio, Alex has taught in several institutions and was the director of the Performing Arts Institute at Dutchess Community College. Alex continues to perform in the Concord Chamber Singers in Bethlehem, PA, and is an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Maestro Perry resides in Easton, PA with his pregnant wife and daughter, where he still actively teaches voice lessons.
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AFGHAN FAMILY FUNDRAISING UPDATE: THANK YOU!!
With your help, we have reached our $6,500 fundraising goal to cover the legal fees associated with our Afghan family’s green card application! We are so very grateful for your support.
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This week, we also learned that Baz, Mursal, Taib, and Bahar have been granted asylum! That approval will be added to their green card application, and it helps ensure a positive outcome for them regarding permanent residency. We look forward to celebrating with the whole church once that process is complete! |
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LEMONADE ON THE LAWN
Everyone is enjoying our social time, “Lemonade on the Lawn” offered on Sundays after our service.
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We are looking for other groups or families to take on the hosting duties. Basically, you will need to provide a few treats to eat and to get the beverages, cups and napkins, ice, and coolers out of the church kitchen. Clean-up is as simple as returning those items to the kitchen.
We have openings for August 20 and 27, and September 3.
It doesn’t have to be a “formal” group, like a
K group or the choir – it can be a family or group of friends.
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It’s easy to sign up on this online form or call the church office at 610-867-5865. We’ll also have a paper sign-up form at each event. |
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ANOTHER GREAT 'LUNCH BUNCH' GATHERING!
Since everyone had such a great time at the last event, another has been scheduled for Thursday, August 17 at Water St. Park, 90 W. Water St. in Hellertown. The parking is much better and the walkways are flat. All are welcome!
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AN INVITATION FOR YOU – FROM STEVE SIMMONS |
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I'd like to invite you to a rollout for our new book, Hear Me Out: Six Questions on Belonging and Belief, at Wesley United Methodist this Monday, August 7, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. In addition to some general schmoozing time, we'll have some "stations" representing the various questions in the book and some (painless) activities that people can do individually as they move around. We'll have refreshments, some very brief presentations, and mostly time to circulate and chat. We'll also have copies of the book available for purchase.
I hope you can join us! If you plan to come, please RSVP to me at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 so that we will know how many to plan for.
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CHILD CARE HELP NEEDED
Our Sunday morning Child Care program is hiring! We are looking for workers to provide care during Sunday morning worship services, to kiddos infant to age 5. Knowledge about littles, and experience working with them is a plus.
The summer shifts run from 9:45-11:15 a.m.; from September-May it is from 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (in the summer the workers are paid for the full 3.5 hour shift).
Clearances are required (the church will pay for these), and they must be at least 18 years old. The starting pay is $14, and employees cannot be church members.
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BIG OFFERS 'MUSIC OF FAITH & HOPE' EVENT
Neighbors from across the Lehigh Valley are invited to gather for the Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG)’s "Music of Faith & Hope" on Thursday, August 10 from 4-5 p.m. at Payrow Plaza, 10 E. Church St. (next to City Hall). This space is also set up as Stadtplatz for Musikfest.
All are welcome to enjoy this celebration of music and word from numerous faith traditions - including opportunities for an audience sing-along.
Singers from Congregation Brith Sholom and Am Haskalah, and an Ecumenical Choir representing seven Christian congregations will present musical selections. Respect Graduate School will also offer a Muslim contribution to the program.
This is a free event, open to the public. Please help us spread the word!
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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
- 9:45-11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestream on Facebook Live and our website
- 11:15 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn, our after-worship connecting opportunity – all are welcome!
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (NEW! 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
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