Friday, March 5, 2021 Newsletter
COMMUNION SUNDAY SERVICES
ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. Traditional (also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
Fulfilling an important role that has been anticipated and prepared
As I write these words on Thursday, March 4, it is the three-year anniversary of my “installation” as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. In the Presbyterian Church (USA), there are two types of pastors for congregations: temporary and installed.
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Temporary is more or less what it sounds like: someone who is engaged as a pastor for a congregation on a year-to-year basis through a contract that is approved by the Session. Here at First Pres, Pastor Sue Bennetch is a pillar of our pastoral care ministry, but she is technically “temporary” because her contract is renewed annually by the Session, which fits her own preference at this point in her ministry. |
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What’s interesting is that the alternative to “temporary” is not “permanent,” or even “indefinite,” but “installed.” I have to admit, for a long time I did not like the language of being “installed.” It sounded too much like being a dishwasher: you install it by just putting it in place and hooking up the connections, and then you let it go to work!
But I have come to appreciate it for a couple of reasons. First, it avoids the pitfalls of permanent (which is obviously never going to be ultimately true, no matter how long a person serves), and indefinite (which sounds like it’ll probably last a while, but you never really know). And second, installing something carries the sense that it both “fits” and fulfills an important role that has been anticipated and prepared.
The details of that role, and particularly how we fulfill it, are not always anticipated or prepared; certainly, I did not expect my role here when I was installed to include preaching to a camera in an empty room on Sunday mornings for months on end! But the emphasis on purpose rather than permanence is both more helpful and more faithful, I think.
Both our new associate pastor, Lindsey Clifton, and I are installed pastors. Lindsey began her work among us this week and is already making an impact in her ministry. I encourage you to make a point of welcoming her and praying for her as she completes the transition of her life here to the Lehigh Valley.
As a reminder, the purpose of creating the pastorate to which she will be installed (probably in early summer) is to provide the primary pastoral leadership in three crucial areas:
1) Engagement, meaning the ways in which we connect with people beyond the current membership of the church and help them to explore their own faith in both thought and action;
2) Mission/Outreach/Justice, meaning the ways in which we serve those in need and work to promote God’s justice, mercy, and peace in our community and world; and
3) Discipleship/Christian Formation, meaning the various ministries of faith development and education in the church, but particularly with children, youth, and their families.
Obviously, it is not Lindsey’s job to “do” these ministries, but rather to help catalyze and expand and support our ministries in these areas as individual members and as a congregation. As a full-time associate pastor, she will also share fully in the ministries of pastoral care and worship leadership, including weddings and funerals, and will preach periodically, as well.
So, as I celebrate the third anniversary of my installation here at First Pres, I am grateful for your vision and enthusiasm and support in calling Lindsey to join us in ministry here, and look forward to her installation later this year!
Grace and Peace,
JC
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Scripture lesson:
Click the link to read the verses
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· This week's sermon: Stuck Together by Rev. J.C. Austin
· We post each week’s sermon
(audio and text) on our website:
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday
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COMMUNION SUNDAY
This Sunday we will celebrate Communion at both services.
If you would like to participate, please prepare your elements: a bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel, etc.) and drink (grape juice, wine or water).
Pictured: The Swank house (with Maeve)
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LENTEN CHALLENGE
We hope you are participating in the Lenten Challenge, offered by the Discipleship Committee. It’s not too late to get engaged!
1 – Use the Lenten calendar to record daily acts of kindness – given and received
2 – Use the Lenten bingo card (adult and kid versions)
3 – Check out this week’s Spotlight newsletter to see what some of our friends are doing! Please consider sharing your own stories of kindness - given and received - to info@fpc-bethlehem.org. Photos and/or words are welcome - you can be anonymous if you'd like!
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WELCOMING LINDSEY!
Monday, March 1 finally arrived – Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton’s first day of her new call with FPCB!
She has been spending the week getting settled in, and making the rounds of Zoom gatherings to start meeting our members. Including her first staff meeting on Monday, when she got a Covid-style “Welcome” from her new colleagues (that’s her in the top row, center).
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- Sunday, March 14: ‘Meet and Greet’ hospitality hour following the 11 a.m. church service
- Wednesday, March 17: Lindsey will present at the Lenten Supper
- Friday, March 19: Game Night!
- Sunday, March 21: Lindsey will be preaching during both services
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We are looking forward to the warmer weather when we can once again gather outdoors. Lindsey’s installation will be scheduled for early summer. Stay tuned for more details! |
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LENTEN SUPPER SERIES
We are getting a good response to our Lenten Supper Series! We will continue it every Wednesday through March 24, offered via Zoom (online and “phone only”).
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The Discipleship Committee has arranged for an interesting line-up of presenters, under the umbrella topic of “Worship: Praising and Enjoying God Together”.
You are welcome to join the Zoom at 6:00 p.m., for 30 minutes of fellowship time (you can eat your supper online with others or just enjoy the conversation).
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The program begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs for an hour – if you have not already joined in, please sign in before 6:30 so we can start on time.
March 10: “Christian Worship: A Cross-Cultural View” by Jim Stahl and Janet Stahl
March 17: “Worship Matters: Engaging Worship as an Embodied Spiritual Practice” by Lindsey Altvater Clifton
March 24: “Exploring the Art(s) of Preaching” by J.C. Austin
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 893 3839 7818 followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again.
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ADULT ED PRESENTATION: “HONOR YOURSELF”
Please join Cristy Mette, business entrepreneur and creator of the Joyful Self Wellness Center, on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m. as she discusses the “5 Steps to Your Joyful Self”. The focus of this session will be on “Step 1: Honor Yourself”.
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Joyful Self was created to provide a safe place to explore personal development through workshops focusing on healing the mind, body, and spirit. In “Honor Yourself”, you will be reminded that all healing begins with loving yourself first.
We will discuss self care: what it is and how you can implement it in your life. Now is the time to begin your healing journey one step at a time! So dress comfy, find a quiet space in your home, bring a journal, a bottle of water and join us online via Zoom at bit.ly/2OrLfsx.
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ORGAN CONCERT: NEW DATE
NOTE: We announced an incorrect date for this event – it will be presented on Sunday, March 28 (Palm Sunday).
Organist Bryan Holten will present a special concert in our Sanctuary that you can enjoy from home via Facebook Live.
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It will be offered on Sunday, March 28 beginning at 4 p.m. At the conclusion of the concert, you can join Bryan via Zoom for a ‘meet and greet’ session.
More details to come about this exciting opportunity
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FAMILY VIRTUAL GAME NIGHT: TONIGHT! |
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We had a great time - and a nice crowd of all ages - the last time we gathered for a Family Game Night!
So the Congregational Life Committee has scheduled another one for tonight (March 5) at 7 p.m. – on Zoom.
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We’ll play Scattergories, which is a fun-for-all-ages game in which you choose items to go in specified categories – easy for everyone to do (“name a fruit that starts with the letter ‘L’”). Each player should have paper and something to write with.
To join via phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 885 9291 7782 followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again.
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Our friends at Congregation Brith Sholom have extended an invitation to their virtual Community Pre-Passover Model Seder, scheduled for Sunday, March 14 at 4 p.m.
The Discipleship Committee encourages us to consider participating in this opportunity to learn more about the Jewish holiday of Passover – the Feast of Freedom. The Haggadah and its ancient wisdom will be explored from slavery to freedom – and reflecting on its meaning in this time.
To participate, call 610-866-8009 for login details. You will also need this list of ingredients you will need to participate.
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HEARTS N MINDS: ADULT EDUCATION CLASS
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The Hearts N Minds adult ed class has begun exploring The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending the Bible Has Made us Unable to Read It by Peter Enns.
For this Sunday, Steve Simmons will lead the class on the topic “Seminary Confidential”. Please read Exodus: Chapters 1, 2 and 3, and Joshua: Chapter 2.
If possible, finish reading Chapter 3, “God Likes Stories”, in the Enns’ book (pages 100-130). We will discuss the second half of the chapter the following Sunday.
Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450
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To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again. |
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SUNDAY SCHOOL: TWO OPTIONS TO ENJOY |
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We are pleased to offer two Sunday School options for families! Gather with other families on Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:45 a.m. for a Zoom session; you can also do “anytime” Sunday School with a prerecorded series of videos on our website.
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This week's story is from the book of Luke 2: 25-35: “Simeon Waits for the Messiah”. Patience is waiting until later for what you want now. When you have to wait, remember God is with you.
Meeting ID: 928 9221 9682 / Password: 369116
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HI NEIGHBORS: COMING ON MONDAY |
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Hi Neighbors is FPCB’s popular speaker series where adult learners of all ages hear presentations on a wide variety of interesting topics.
This Monday, March 8, author, archivist and historian Martha Capwell Fox will make a presentation on “The Silk Industry in Easton: 1890-1990”.
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Many people living in our region today remember, or are descended from, women who helped support their families by working in the silk mills. For the first half of the 20th century, virtually every community in the Lehigh Valley, large or small, had at least one silk mill. Even after the industry moved into the South, and later to Asia, many mills survived by making synthetic goods alongside silk.
From 1913 until 1930, more silk goods were produced in eastern Pennsylvania than anywhere else in the world. The silk industry offered the first industrial jobs for women, and in fact moved into the Commonwealth largely because of its human resources rather than its natural ones. The story of how and why silk played a large role in our region’s history will be told with photographs that span the 20th century, including some that were taken in the last silk mill to operate in Allentown.
Meeting ID: 880 1333 6329
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 880 1333 6329 followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – press the # key again.
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DO YOU NEED A RIDE?
If you have an appointment to get the Covid vaccine and need a ride, please let us know. You can call the church office (610-867-5865) and leave a message, or send an email to deacons@fpc-bethlehem.org with your name, phone number, the date of your appointment and the time. We will be in touch to make the necessary plans.
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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: WEDNESDAY at noon**
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Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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CALENDAR
THIS SUNDAY - COMMUNION SUNDAY
- 9:00 a.m.: Contemporary Worship service via Facebook Live and on our website
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9:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds – see more information above
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10:15-10:45 a.m.: Sunday School via Zoom – see more information above
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11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service - see instructions in blue box, below, to join us online, and in the yellow box to join us via phone
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FOR THIS SUNDAY: : Worship with us “Live” on Facebook
To watch “live”- as it happens:
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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
- 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
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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the 11 a.m. Traditional service
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 955 325 387, 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)
- 7 p.m.: Lenten Supper Series; see more information above
ALL OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS AND GATHERINGS ARE CANCELLED AT THIS TIME unless offered online (see listings on our Facebook page under “Events”)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO: The office staff is working remotely and checking email and voicemail daily. 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
Cristy Mette, Administrative Operations Manager: ext. 228;
Andrea Barbehenn, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956;
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