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Friday, October 7, 2022 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICE
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
10:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: Envisioning God’s dream
This past week, I was delighted to be one of two guests of Indiana University’s Lake Institute of Faith and Giving at a national ecumenical symposium in Texas, on how churches can and should be transforming the use of their property to make a bigger impact for their mission.
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This is not a new question, but it is one of increasing urgency in North America, particularly after COVID. Some churches have significant property but have declined to the point that the church itself only gathers a handful of faithful saints on Sunday mornings, but does little else. Other churches, like us, still have vitality, resources, and the capacity for greater growth and impact, but the cost of the property in terms of time, energy, and money is significant, while the impact of the property for the gospel, in its current usage, is not what it could be. | |
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It would be hard to overstate how exciting and insightful this symposium was in general, but particularly for us in terms of First Presbyterian of Bethlehem. It was an extraordinary cross-section of participants, for starters: pastors and theologians, yes, but also property developers, urban planners, sociologists, investment professionals, and more.
Second, every single person with whom I talked had essentially the same reaction when I told them about our history and resources and context at First Pres. It’s perhaps best summed up by one person who told me, “the question isn’t what you can do; the question is what are you called to do. Because with what you have, you can do almost anything.”
There will be much more to say about these issues and possibilities in the coming months as the church leadership is engaging them with renewed intentionality after COVID. But for the moment, I want to invite you as the whole congregation to spend some time considering one of the most important questions that I heard raised during my time at the symposium.
One of the presenters was a pastor describing her work in Seattle, and she said one of the most important shifts in our approach to church property is from problems to possibilities. One of the best ways to do that, she said, is when we stop focusing on questions like, “how can we fix this leaky roof?” and start focusing on asking, “what is God’s dream for this neighborhood?”
She reminded us that Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbors, and so to love our neighbors we need to figure out how to love our neighborhood, and our property is one of the greatest resources we have to do that.
So, as you drive or walk around Bethlehem in the next few weeks, I want to invite you to keep that question close in your mind and heart: “what is God’s dream for this neighborhood?” I don’t mean coming up with projects, like a food bank or a literacy program; those would be ways to build God’s dream, not the dream itself.
No, ask yourself, “what is God’s dream for this neighborhood?” In other words, what would this neighborhood look like, feel like, be like if it fully embodied God’s dream for it? I wonder what you would say? I wonder what our neighbors would say if we asked them?
Because that is the missional question that we then begin to try to answer with our plans and our ministries and, yes, our property. And as you start to find some potential pieces to that puzzle, I hope that you will share them with each other and with me to help us continue to discern how we are called to love our neighbors as a congregation in this time and place.
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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FOR SUNDAY MORNING
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The Building Reopening Task Force encourages people to 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.
- Join us after worship for Lemondade on the Lawn, our hospitality time.
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PLANS FOR NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16
As we announced last week, the Session has elected to return to two worship services on Sunday, beginning next week, on Sunday, October 16.
The Traditional service will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be offered in the Sanctuary, both in person and livestreamed on our Facebook page and on our website.
A Different Kind of Contemporary Worship - Holy Ground
On Sunday, October 16, we will begin a new way of doing contemporary worship together at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. This service will be modeled after a “coffeehouse” experience. What does that mean?
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Well, first, it is informal in dress and feel: jeans, shorts, sandals, or whatever else you are comfortable in
is welcome; fresh coffee is available throughout the service; and movement during the service is
expected and encouraged.
Second, it is interactive. That means singing, of course: our contemporary worship band will be leading us in worship songs with mostly acoustic instruments.
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But it also means a more interactive approach to worship, with opportunities to respond to the sermon through small group discussion, individual reflection, prayer, or creative arts, as you feel led.
Finally, it is intergenerational. We are designing this service specifically for people of all ages in terms of language, music, and worship elements, so that families of all ages and configurations can be fully engaged by the service.
Come and see what Holy Ground is like, starting October 16!
(NOTE: Because of the nature of this service, it will only be offered in person [no livestream available].)
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INQUIRERS CLASS
If you are interested in learning more about the Presbyterian faith, and First Pres specifically - perhaps with an eye toward becoming a member - you are invited to participate in our next Inquirers Class.
This in-person session will be offered on Sunday, October 16 from 2-5 p.m. Those interested are asked to contact Lindsey at lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org.
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DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE?
It’s time to begin the important process of nominating appropriate candidates for Elders, Deacons, Trustees and members of the Nominating Committee.
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If you have someone you would like to nominate (or yourself), there will be printed nominating forms available in the Narthex (outside the Sanctuary).
You can also use this online form.
Please submit your nominations by this Sunday, October 9.
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HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED: ALL ARE WELCOME!
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet in person only, in Room 178 (across from the Old Chapel) beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays. Everyone is welcome to attend!
For this Sunday, Steve Simmons will walk us through the centrality of the table in Christianity (from house churches in the first century to dinner churches in the 21st), about Jesus' eating with "tax collectors and sinners," etc.
We will think about this: should the ‘table’ be the symbol of Christianity more than the ‘cross’. You are asked to read this brief article, Passover, the Jewish Holiday for Gentiles.
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HI NEIGHBORS MEETS MONDAY
Our popular weekly series – featuring presentations on a wide variety of topics – is open to all interested adults. Come and learn with us!
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For Monday, October 10, we will enjoy “TV Tunes: Classic Themes from The Golden Age of Television” by Tom Repasch.
The Fellowship time begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the program at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Programs are free; no registration is required.
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LET'S GATHER: EXPERIENCE 'THE GAME OF RENT'
For an increasing number of Americans, “home sweet home” is not a promise, but a problem. Daily we hear about soaring housing costs, evictions, foreclosures, and other causes of housing insecurity in our communities.
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On Sunday, October 23, following the Traditional service, we invite you to gather in Fellowship Hall for a light lunch and conversation on an issue that confronts countless neighborhoods and families here and across our country. (We'll have more details next week about the lunch and other logistics.)
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We’ll play and discuss The Game of Rent, a board game-style simulation designed to promote productive conversations about affordable housing. In the words of its creators, “using local data (we’ll be using a version specially designed for the Lehigh Valley) and the luck of the draw, the Game helps build empathy and awareness around housing issues.”
We will conclude by considering what we and other concerned citizens can do to help alleviate the current housing crisis in our community.
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THE ANNUAL CROP WALK IS COMING…
Since 1969, millions (literally!) of Americans have participated in Church World Service/CROP walks around the country to raise funds for hunger relief at home and around the world. On Sunday afternoon, October 9, our church will again partner with congregations in Bethlehem and around the Lehigh Valley to make this a banner year.
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You’re invited to participate either by walking yourself or by sponsoring our team financially. To give online, go to bit.ly/3BCIQjR, click on “Donate,” and type in “First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem”; we’ll also gladly accept payment by cash or check, payable to “CWS/CROP,” by mail or during hospitality hour following worship. | |
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As noted on the Church World Service website, “The ongoing war in Ukraine, on top of the pandemic and other disasters is causing a global food crisis. Millions are on the brink of famine. The CROP Hunger Walk and the funds we raise will feed the hungry through CWS.
When you join this movement to raise funds and donate, these gifts will provide life-saving support like emergency food along with the seeds, tools and programs that will help families feed themselves in the future.” Note that 25 percent of the funds raised will be retained for hunger-related ministries in our own area.
We invite you to participate as families, small groups (like clubs, neighbors, K Groups), or individuals. Two of our K Groups will be walking at Housenick Memorial Park (off Linden Street, across from Josh Early) this Sunday, October 9 at 1:00 p.m., and you are welcome to join them; or you may choose another time and venue as you wish.
We do ask that all donations be made online or received at the church by October 31, so that we can send them on to CWS.
We’re grateful for your participation in the past, and hope you can join us in person, purse, or spirit again this year, as we work together with friends and neighbors to end hunger “one step at a time.”
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A NIGHT OUT: DINNER & A SHOW
If you like to eat, and you like to go to the theatre, we have an evening for you! “Dinner & A Show” will include a before-the-show meal at the Clubhouse Grill (optional), followed by a performance of the hilarious whodunit, Deathtrap: A Thriller in Two Acts at the Pennsylvania Playhouse (the venues are next door to each other on Illick’s Mill Road).
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We have enough folks to make our group, and you can RSVP through this Sunday evening at 5 p.m.
This event will be held on Friday, October 14 and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. We also need to know how many would want to meet for dinner (time TBA).
With the group discount for the show, our tickets will be $20 each.
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Please let us know by completing this short online form if you’d like to attend the show only, or both dinner and the show – we’ll be in touch about what time dinner will be and how to pay for your tickets. | |
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Chancel Choir has begun – they meet on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Choir Room behind the Sanctuary (use the South entrance). Those with some choral experience are welcome (age 14 and older).
Our Handbell Choir will start this Tuesday, October 11 from 6-7 p.m. Those 12 and older are welcome – no musical experience needed!
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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS ala Noah's Ark
Rainy skies could not dampen the resolve of these owners to have their pets blessed at our 5th annual event. Many thanks to all who came out, and to Jennifer Cole for sharing these photos!
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Macaroni the Bearded Dragon | |  |
Jane Masters and Phyllis Walker | | |
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
- 8:30 a.m. - Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Room 178 - everyone welcome!
- 9:45 – 11:30 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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10 a.m.: Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; below, to join us online
- After Worship: 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 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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MONDAYS: 9:30 a.m. - Hi Neighbors informational program, Fellowship Hall (everyone welcome)
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
The Rev. J.C. Austin, Pastor/Head of Staff: ext. 213, JAustin@fpc-bethlehem.org
The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Associate Pastor of Formation and Justice; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries: ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Maintenance Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Pam Marth, Administrative Coordinator: ext. 228; email: PMarth@fpc-bethlehem.org
Carol Burns, Communications Manager: ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org
Tracy Lescynski, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; TLescynski@fpc-bethlehem.org
Marianne Zarillo, Finance (interim); ext. 210; MZarillo@fpc-bethlehem.org
Cindy Matthews, Bookkeeper; ext. 211; CMatthews@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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