Friday, February 25, 2022 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
11:15 a.m. Traditional*
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON |
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For the people of Ukraine,
for refugees and the loved ones they leave behind,
for transgender and non-binary kids in Texas,
for LGBTQ+ youth in Florida.
For an end to violence of all kinds,
for peace and flourishing for all creation.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
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Friends, this may be the shortest Pastor’s Letter to date, but I confess that I don’t have many words as we watch all manner of harm unfold in the world around us. Given my own experiences as a queer person and the deep love many of us already have for Baz, Mursal, Taib, and Bahar (our Afghan refugee family), this week’s headlines have felt particularly poignant.
I suppose feeling a deep tug toward mostly wordless prayer and an aching reminder of human mortality and fragility is appropriate given that we’re approaching Ash Wednesday and the start of our Lenten journey next week. Nonetheless, I hope in joining our heavy hearts together for worship this Sunday, we might be reminded again of the hope and promise of God’s new heaven and new earth.
Seek peace, dear ones. However you might need - with God, within yourself, and for others. And remember that all flourishing in mutual.
Blessings, friends,
Lindsey
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The Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) hosts a Community Peace Vigil on Sunday, February 27 at 3 p.m. via Zoom.
Join BIG in lifting up prayers for peace in Ukraine and around the world. All are warmly welcome to come together with people of diverse faiths to reflect on hope and meditate on peace.
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: The Sound of Silence by The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
- 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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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP: UPDATED PROTOCOLS
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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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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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SUNDAY’S FELLOWSHIP & FORMATION HOUR: FOR THIS WEEK
Hearts N Minds, our adult ed class, will meet this Sunday, February 27 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom only. We will conclude our series on 'A Christian America?' with a look at the rise of Christian Nationalism and what it portends for the relationship between church and state in the years ahead. There is no reading assignment – all are welcome, as always.
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To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3Iizxry
- To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 842 1225 8913, then press # and then # again.
Watch for details about Sunday, March 6 when we will have new information about the Fellowship & Formation Hour.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
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Wednesday, March 2: Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m.; in person in Fellowship Hall and livestream on Facebook and on our website
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Wednesday, March 9 & 23 and April 6: Lenten Wilderness Series from 7-8:15 p.m.; in person and via Zoom
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INQUIRERS CLASS:
COMING NEXT WEEK
If you’re a newcomer to FPCB and are interested in learning more about becoming a member of the church, you’re invited to join us for an in-person Inquirers Seminar on Sunday, March 6 from 2-5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
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This will be an opportunity to meet other newcomers, to learn more about First Pres, our theological commitments and spiritual practices, and to consider whether you are being called into ministry partnership here alongside us. This is a required first step before joining the church, and we’ll need a headcount to make sure we have enough materials. Please email Lindsey ( lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org) to sign up! |
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DISCIPLESHIP SERIES: What Does It Mean to Confess the Faith Today?
Thanks to all who joined us for this series of discussions. If you would like to view the three sessions: bit.ly/3HLeYDU
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HI NEIGHBORS: COMING SOON!
Hi Neighbors - our popular weekly speakers' program - is back and in person beginning on Monday, March 7.
For our opening program we’ll enjoy some wonderful animal photographs by John Cordes, the chaplain at Kirkland Village. We’ve also scheduled presentations to help you avoid scams, as well as more of our popular “armchair travelogues.” And the Bethlehem Mounted Police will visit our Preschool in the spring, which we’ll participate in.
Watch for more details to come!
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“Bethlehem Is No Home for Hate”
Recently, not only nationwide but in the Lehigh Valley, we have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of hate speech and literature being circulated by the “Patriotic Front” and other white supremacist groups and individuals. Our Jewish friends, in particular (and the list could also include our Black, Muslim, and Hispanic neighbors, among others) fear not only verbal abuse but actual violence from others who claim to be the only “true Americans.”
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In response to this development, the local chapter of the NAACP and the Mayor’s Community Advisory Board, with the endorsement of the Bethlehem Interfaith Group, have launched a “Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley Are No Home for Hate” campaign, and have asked residents of the Lehigh Valley to weigh in by signing a petition to this effect. |
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We invite you to show your support for this effort by signing the petition, either online (https://chng.it/DpnLJ95q) or in person following Sunday worship. Let’s show our community that Bethlehem is, indeed, “no home for hate.”
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING BAZ, MURSAL & FAMILY
We’re incredibly grateful for monetary donations to help us meet the ongoing needs of our Afghan refugee family - Baz, Mursal, Taib, and Bahar. If you are willing and able to make a contribution, you can do so online through the church’s “Give” page or with a gift on an upcoming Sunday.
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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.
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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.
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Administrative Coordinator (new title): 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. |
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Also: coordinate facility use requests with Facilities Maintenance Team to ensure all stakeholder needs are met; and maintain an accurate and current church member database.
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 reinstate our volunteer receptionists staffing the office, beginning this Monday, February 28. However, please continue to 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.
The South entrance door will now be unlocked between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Thursday, and on Sunday mornings.
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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
- 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: 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 will be staffed with a receptionist, beginning Monday, February 28. 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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