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Friday, October 14, 2022 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES
9:00 a.m. ‘Holy Ground’ Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall
(in person only)
11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, and audio via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: A STEP FORWARD
This Sunday we are shifting our worship schedule to two services: a Traditional Worship Service at 11 a.m. (not 11:15 a.m.!), and a Contemporary Worship Service at 9 a.m. This shift is not a return, though, but a step forward into a new worship opportunity. As I’ve mentioned previously, we have redesigned the Contemporary Service to a “coffeehouse” format. So what does that mean?
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Well, first let me back up a step or two before I answer that. In predominantly white Protestant churches in North America, traditional worship has generally had the ethos of a classical music concert: people dress relatively formally, attendees generally remain in silence (aside from specific times for singing and responsive prayers), etc.
“Contemporary” worship largely arose in reaction to those traditions, and has often had the ethos of a rock music concert: people dress very informally, attendees react more emotionally in the service (especially during music), etc.
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However, what both of these styles have in common is two things. First, worshippers themselves play a largely prescribed and passive role in the service, aside from singing. They listen to the sermons and prayers being led from up front, but they do not have the opportunity to respond or participate directly other than through silent attentiveness.
Second, both styles are primarily oriented towards adults and often make little effort to truly engage children and youth in age-appropriate ways.
Some would argue that rock-based contemporary worship is more engaging to young people, but rock music in general has declined significantly as a cultural force in the last couple of decades, while hip-hop has become the dominant popular music in terms of sales, influence, and creativity, so if we were designing worship primarily around generational music preference, we’d probably have to start a hip-hop service!
And this tracks with our own feedback about contemporary worship at First Pres, which has been overwhelmingly that people are more motivated by the informality of worship in general than rock-based worship music in particular.
Those two challenges in how we’ve been doing worship here are what has led us to attempt a new experiment in worship, which is a different kind of contemporary worship: “coffeehouse” worship. Coffeehouses are a prime example of what is known as “third places” in sociology: home and work are the first two places in society, and have prescribed roles and structures in many ways.
A “third place,” though, is a more relaxed environment, a welcoming and informal space where people can be in community with others either passively (gathering in the same space but not interacting) or actively (meeting up with friends or connecting with new people for conversation). It’s not a coincidence that Starbucks grounded its business model in third place theory!
Coffeehouse worship, then, will order itself around this idea of being a third place, a welcoming and informal space where people can be in community not only with one another, but with God. Like a coffeehouse, the worship space will be designed around tables rather than theater-style, and people are welcome to get up and move around as they see fit (especially children!).
The service itself will be both intergenerational and interactive in its approach: while there will continue to be a sermon, each service will have an opportunity for people of all ages to engage the Scripture and sermon themselves, whether through small group conversation, individual reflection, or creative response. We will have contemporary worship music, but will strive for a wider range of styles, and will be using primarily acoustic instruments rather than electric.
We will also be striving to make the language of the service accessible to people of all ages, and to reduce our reliance on needing to be able to read in order to fully participate in the service. We will celebrate a simplified version of Communion, as that is simultaneously a multisensory experience and a sacred act of community that children often appreciate even better than adults. And, of course, we will have coffee available throughout the service!
I am very excited about this next step forward in our worship life together, and I hope you will make a point of joining the experiment at some point, even if your primary preference is traditional worship.
And for those of you who do participate regularly in “Holy Ground,” as we have named the 9 a.m. service, please let us know what your reactions and ideas are as we move forward, so we can continue to refine the service to be as faithful and engaging as possible.
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
John 15:4-16
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: Fruit that Will Last: An Abiding Faith by The Rev. J.C. Austin
- 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 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 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions.
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We offer nametags for folks te; please clearly PRINT your first name.
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BETWEEN SERVICES: HOSPITALITY TIME – AND MORE!
All are welcome to connect at our Hospitality time starting at 10 a.m. (between the two services), in Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a beverage and snack, and fellowship with other members, friends and guests.
Creating Faith: Intergenerational Faith Formation
Kids of all ages (including adults who are kids at heart) are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall during the Hospitality time between services for Creating Faith, a simple time together for a story and craft that will nurture our faith and engage our creativity. We’ll begin by 10:15 a.m. and wrap up by 10:45 a.m. Feel free to bring your Hospitality drink and snack over to our tables!
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INQUIRERS SEMINAR UPDATE
We heard from the folks ready to join us for the Inquirers Seminar that this Sunday, October 16 doesn’t work for most of them.
We’ll reschedule for a date in November. If you’re interested and would like to be included on that scheduling email, please let Lindsey know (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org).
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HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED: NEW TIME!
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Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet in person only, in Room 178 (across from the Old Chapel, on the ground level) beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays. It will conclude at 10:40 a.m. (You are welcome to slip out of the Contemporary service early to attend this program, if you would like.) Everyone is welcome to attend!
For this class: we will take a first look at Wendell Berry's small book, Blessed Are the Peacemakers. We will discuss the Introduction and Berry's selections from the Gospel of Mark, pages 1-22.
You do not have to do the reading to attend and participate. If you do not have access to this book and cannot do the reading, you are invited to read Matthew, chapters 5, 12 and 25 for this Sunday.
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Written in 2005, Berry's comments remain relevant today. "How could a large segment of the Christian community ignore the bold and direct teachings offered by Christ and recorded by the authors of the Gospels? How could a community founded on 'peaceableness', become a community encouraging war on its neighbors?" | |
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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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Monday’s program, “Oliver Wendell Holmes” will be presented by Malcolm Gross, attorney and constitutional law scholar. Next week, October 24, we will enjoy “When the West Started Appreciating This World” by Frank Stone.
Join us for Hospitality at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, followed by the program at 10 a.m. All are welcome and there is no cost or pre-registration.
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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. Please let us know if you are planning to attend (appropriate for middle school and older): online sign-up or call 610-867-5865. | |
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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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SAVE THE DATE…
There are two events coming on Sunday, November 13 at 4 p.m. that may be of interest to you:
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The Sanctuary at First Pres will be the setting for “Vespers”, a special musical event featuring the Saint Tikhon Choir, and vocalists from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts. Ticket information will be available soon.
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The Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) will sponsor a “Service of Thanksgiving” at Congregation Brith Sholom, 1190 West Macada Street. This will be a special celebration featuring music, readings, and messages. Watch for more details.
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STILL TIME TO SUPPORT THE CROP WALK!
Thank you to all who have supported this year’s CROP Walk Against Hunger. Some of you walked (below right, some of the walkers warm up) and others made donations. As of this writing, First Pres has collected donations of over $1500 – but there’s still time to give.
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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 between worship services. 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. | |
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We’re grateful for your participation, whether it has been in person, purse, or spirit, as we work together with friends and neighbors to end hunger “one step at a time.” | |
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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).
NEW DATE: Our Handbell Choir will start this Tuesday, October 18 from 6-7 p.m. Those 12 and older are welcome – no musical experience needed!
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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
- 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9:00 a.m.: “Holy Ground” Contemporary service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
- 9:45 – 10:40 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Room 178; all are welcome
- 10:00 a.m.: Hospitality & Intergenerational Faith Formation, Fellowship Hall
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11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; below, to join us online
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE AT 11:00 AM
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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 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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