Friday, June 3, 2022 Newsletter
COMMUNION SUNDAY SERVICE
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
NEW! 10:00 a.m. Summer Worship in the Sanctuary
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT
This Sunday is Pentecost, the Christian holiday celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit to Christ’s disciples, just as he promised would happen, and which effectively created the Christian church as a movement.
It’s a dramatic story that takes place in the second chapter of the book of Acts in the New Testament, and it begins with the sentence, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.” In other words, the original disciples of Jesus had gathered in the same place, which was notable because they had spent most of the time after the resurrection of Christ in different places, scattered about as some hid in fear of the authorities who had executed Jesus, while others tried to return to their ordinary lives from before they started following Jesus.
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But on this day, they had all gathered together, perhaps to celebrate Pentecost itself. Pentecost is actually a word that got used by some Greek-speaking Jews to refer to the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which functioned as both a harvest festival and a celebration of the gift of the Law to Moses; Shavuot is still celebrated by Jews today for that.
In any case, while the disciples were gathered in one place, the Holy Spirit descended on them, and they began pouring out into the streets to preach the gospel.
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This is the first Pentecost since 2019 that we as a congregation have been able to gather together in one place, and it will be a joy to do so! We are going to celebrate Pentecost at First Pres in two particular ways.
First, remember that we are literally gathering in one place for a single Summer Worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. We encourage you to wear something red, referencing how the Spirit appeared over the gathered disciples on Pentecost like tongues of flame, to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit not only to the early church, but to us here at First Pres in guiding and energizing us as a congregation.
Second, I hope you will stick around after worship for the first of our “Table Talk” gatherings. Once each month during June, July, and August (in place of Lemonade on the Lawn hospitality time), we’ll gather for food and fellowship, and enjoy learning more about our Afghan family and their experiences. They will join us for this first Table Talk gathering and we’ll hear their remarkable, moving story.
We’ll provide a halal meat entree, bread, and drinks. We’d love for you to bring either a salad or dessert if you’re able. (If you aren’t able to do so, please join us anyway!) We’ll gather in the shade out front for our time together (or in Fellowship Hall if it’s raining).
So: Pentecost Sunday will be a special day at First Pres, and I hope you will be a part of the celebration! I look forward to being with you on Sunday and experiencing the Spirit move in and through us!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: A Real Blowout by
The Rev. J.C. Austin
- 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
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THIS SUNDAY IS COMMUNION SUNDAY:
If you would like to participate at home,
please prepare your elements – bread or a bread-like item
(cracker, pita, bagel, etc.) and grape juice, wine or water.
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FOR SUNDAY MORNING
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We have begun our new schedule of one Summer Worship Service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. It will also be available via livestream on our Facebook page and on our website.
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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.
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*UPDATED* MASK PROTOCOLS
As a reminder, anyone who is not fully vaccinated and boosted must properly wear a mask when in the church building.
The local transmission rate is currently increasing. Therefore, although we are not requiring masks, we strongly encourage that people wear masks as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others.
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JOIN US SUNDAY FOR OUR FIRST “TABLE TALK"
Following worship on this Sunday, June 5, please join us for our first Table Talk of the summer!
Once each month during June, July, and August (in place of Lemonade on the Lawn), we’ll gather for food and fellowship, and enjoy learning more about our Afghan family and their experiences. They will join us for this first Table Talk gathering and we’ll hear their remarkable, moving story.
We’ll provide a halal meat entree, bread, and drinks. We’d love for you to bring either a salad or dessert if you’re able. (If you aren’t able to do so, please join us anyway!) We could also use some help with set-up and clean-up; if you’re able to help please email Lindsey at lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org.
We’ll gather in the shade out front for our time together (or in Fellowship Hall if it’s raining). You can save the dates for our other Table Talk sessions, as well: July 10 and August 7. We hope to see you there!
Lemonade on the Lawn - the hospitality time following the 10 a.m. service - will return next week.
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LOOKING FOR YOUR HELP – AND GOODIES
Services for Lou Molnar will be held in our Sanctuary on Saturday, June 11 at 11 a.m. A light luncheon will be served afterwards.
If you can assist by bringing a dessert, please drop off in the main kitchen (by Fellowship Hall) on Friday, June 10, between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (use the Kirk Center doors to enter the building). You can also bring on Saturday morning by 10 a.m. Desserts should be in disposable containers, and single-serving items – like cookies and bars – are best.
We could also use set-up help on Saturday morning, beginning at 10 a.m., and clean-up assistance after the luncheon. If you can help with any of these, please drop us a note at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message on the church phone,
610-867-5865.
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TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME – IRONPIGS STYLE! |
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We’re introducing our Afghan family to baseball and celebrating Pride Night with a church outing to the IronPigs game on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $11 and include $2 of food credit.
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Lindsey will take cash or checks made out to the church on the night of the game, and she’ll email the group to coordinate distributing tickets in advance. Please RSVP to lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org by this Sunday, June 5 to attend.
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MARCH FOR OUR LIVES LEHIGH VALLEY |
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Join others from the Lehigh Valley in the fight against gun violence at the March for Our Lives on Saturday, June 11 at Payrow Plaza, from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
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DO YOU KNOW OUR NEXT NEW EMPLOYEES?
We are currently looking to fill three positions – contact us at HR@fpc-bethlehem.org for more information.
The first two positions are part-time, year round openings that begin in August. Hours are Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. until no later than 6 p.m. (days school is in session).
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Extended Care Coordinator; qualifications: Teaching Certification in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education, with 2+ years experience
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Assistant Extended Care Coordinator; qualifications: preferred Teaching Certification in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education
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Facilities Associate II (part-time; average hours per week: 25): cleans building areas; sets up for events; maintains church grounds; performs routine maintenance
Thanks for your help in spreading the word about these opportunities.
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CALLING ALL CRAFTERS!
Sewers and knitters and quilters and painters and floral arrangers and anyone interested in fun and fellowship - all are welcome to join the weekly sessions offered on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
No experience necessary! Materials supplied!
We'll meet in Room 408 - bring along your lunch and share your inspiration! Contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org with any questions.
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CHURCH OFFICE UPDATE
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 is unlocked between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Thursday, and on Sunday mornings.
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SAVE THE DATE
The next outing of our "Lunch Bunch" is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15 at noon at Illicks Mill Park - all are welcome to bring your bag lunch and enjoy some fellowship.
More details to come!
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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
- 9:45 – 11:30 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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10 a.m.: Summer Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; below, to join us online
- 11 a.m.: Table Talk gathering/meal on the front lawn
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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 Summer 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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TUESDAYS, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Crafters, Room 408 (everyone welcome; bring your lunch)
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
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