Friday, March 11, 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. J.C. AUSTIN: CALLED TO SERVE
This Sunday, we will be ordaining Elders and Deacons and installing them to office. Ordination and Installation Sunday is always a highlight of the year for me personally; it is the culmination of literally months of conversation, prayer, discernment, and training for both those being ordained and for the Congregational Nominating Committee, which begins its work every fall in seeking out those whom God is calling to serve in an ordained capacity in this congregation.
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One of the hallmarks of the Presbyterian Church is that the members of the church elect their leaders, and nothing can interfere with that.
The Session does not have a role in either nominating or electing leaders for the church; it only supervises the actual ordination and installation process once those leaders have been nominated and elected by the congregation.
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I, as the pastor of the church, am an ex officio member of the Congregational Nominating Committee, which means that I can advise the committee as needed, but have no power to choose or block anyone for nomination; in fact, I do not even get a vote! So those being ordained today were called by God and this congregation to serve as Deacons and Elders, and they have answered that call with a willingness to serve and spent the time between the Annual Congregational Meeting and now in training to serve.
As we prepare to ordain and install people this Sunday, I think it’s important to pause for a moment and remember what ordination means in the Presbyterian Church and what these offices, in particular, are charged to do.
For six or seven years, I served as the Visiting Professor of Presbyterian Governance at Union Theological Seminary in New York City (which is a fancy way of saying that I taught a course in Presbyterian government, or “polity,” that is required for people seeking ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament!).
In my teaching, I used to always tell my students that ordination in the Presbyterian Church is to service, not to status; people who are ordained are not any more important or holy or powerful than anybody else in the life of the church, they have simply been called to serve to particular service because of their gifts, skills, and personal ministries.
And our ordination “hierarchy” is horizontal, not vertical; Ministers of Word and Sacrament are no more ordained than Deacons or Elders, they just fulfill a different function: preaching and teaching the Word and administering the sacraments.
Elders could also be called Ministers of Governance and Discipline in that sense; their function is to come together in councils to make decisions about the mission and ministry of the church and to cultivate a sense of mutual respect and care in the life of the congregation. Deacons could be called Ministers of Compassion and Justice in the same way; their role is to ensure that those who are experiencing poverty, illness, or other such needs are cared for, and to help the congregation address systemic problems that lead to such experiences.
Finally, it’s important to note that ordination is for life. Once you are ordained, you remain an Elder or Deacon until you die. That’s because God’s gifts and calling never expire; the only thing that changes is how we engage them. So we install people to particular terms in office (usually three years at a time), but even when those terms expire, people are still called to live out their ordination vows in their ministry within the congregation, even though they aren’t currently sitting on the Session or the Board of Deacons.
So: be sure to offer your blessings and support to those being ordained this Sunday, and your thanks to those who are completing terms on Session or the Board of Deacons, as we all continue to move forward into God’s greater calling to us as a congregation in the coming months.
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: Listen Up 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 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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BEING ORDAINED ON SUNDAY
Elders: Jan Bickford, Jennifer Cole, Jon Conrad, Jim Halkins , Daniel Magocs, Chris Moravek, and Donna Taggart
Deacons: Alesia Dietrich, Yvonne Green, and Jane Mackie
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HOSPITALITY TIME ON SUNDAY
We’re excited to offer Hospitality Time between our two worship services! You’re invited to join us in Fellowship Hall for coffee and a few refreshments starting at
10:00 a.m. This is simply a time to build relationships and connect with one another… what a gift!
Folks are welcome to unmask while seated and eating or drinking, but are asked to remain masked otherwise. We’ll also have a table for kids of all ages (including grown-ups who are kids at heart) to create faith together while enjoying a story and related craft. Hope you’ll join us!
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SUNDAY’S FELLOWSHIP & FORMATION HOUR: FOR THIS WEEK
Hearts N Minds, our adult ed class, will meet this Sunday, in person, from 9:45-11 a.m. (note the new start time) in the Children’s Center, room E3/4. Each week during Lent, we will ponder two-three brief articles describing the meaning of Lent.
Newspaper columnists, diarists and other writers often have strong reactions when they reflect on the ‘church practices’ of their childhood; how their personal beliefs cast doubt on the ways of the world; the difficulty believers have when life gets in the way, and what it requires to be a member of a faith family.
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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.
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ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING - THROUGH EASTER
The first Presbyterian Special Offering, One Great Hour of Sharing, ends with Easter on April 17.
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During Lent, we celebrate that God connects with us through Jesus’ resurrection. It connects us with those who have the least. One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is about those who Jesus connected with, the Bible says, those oppressed, in need, have loss or are lacking. |
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Each gift to OGHS supports its Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program and its injustice program, Self-Development of People.
Learn more through the pamphlets in the Narthex and Kirk Center. Envelopes are available there. Checks can be made out to: FPCB with One Great Hour of Sharing on the memo line or through our giving link on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org/give).
If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.
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LENTEN SERIES: THE LENTEN WILDERNESS JOURNEY
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.: March 23 and April 6
In person and via Zoom
Lent presses us to consider Jesus’s wilderness experience. A wilderness where safety and comfort are taken away. His journey forced a wrestling with God; yes, even a tussling with tempters. For Jesus, it was a place of loneliness: a time of questioning, and self-doubt. As modern-day pilgrims, we too have our own lament, with struggles that leave us vulnerable and exposed.
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For two more Wednesday evenings - March 23, and April 6 - come gather with fellow wanderers who are called to follow Jesus.
This Lenten practice will also express our heart’s own lament of struggle, yet remind us of a God who hears us and never fails to continually seek out and gather us in.
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Join us to appreciate Lenten scriptures and secular readings which serve as guideposts in our larger spiritual journey. We offer a Lenten practice that expresses our hearts to a God who hears our lament out of the fullness of all that we are. Each Lenten session invites quiet contemplation, group discussion and fellowship, seeking new ways to find strength to go where Jesus leads us.
The in person classes will be held in classrooms in the Children’s Center – use the back (east) parking lot to enter through the Kirk Center doors and you will be directed.
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To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3MnQByz
- To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 817 4968 707, then press # and then # again.
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HI NEIGHBORS INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS: COMING MONDAY!
Hi Neighbors is back and in person again this Monday, March 14. Everyone is welcome to attend our session in Fellowship Hall, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with a hospitality time. The program begins promptly at 10 a.m.
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For this Monday we’ll hear about “10 Scams” from Danielle Moore of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Scheduled for Monday, March 21: another exciting “armchair travelogue” with Bob and Madeline Brown, to “Visit the English Rivera”.
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CAN YOU HELP? NEW “JOB SHARING” SHIFTS AVAILABLE
This past week we began staffing the church office with our dedicated group of volunteer receptionists. We currently have two open shifts available - on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Typically our volunteers sign on for an every-week shift, but we are putting out the call to see if anyone is interested in taking two shifts a month (every other week). Let us know if this (or an every week shift) interests you – please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865. Thanks for considering this way of serving our church!
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Preschool is currently registering students for the 22-23 school year, but spaces are limited for children ages 2-4.
The program is also in need of an Assistant Extended Care Coordinator for their after school program. Hours are 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., and this is a year-round position. A degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education is required.
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For more information on either opportunity, contact Laura Hawk, Preschool Director, at lhawk@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-2956. |
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CHURCH OFFICE UPDATE
The Building Re-Opening Task Force has reinstated our volunteer receptionists staffing the office. 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 is 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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NEW TIME! 9:45 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, in person and via Zoom (details above)
- 10 a.m.: Hospitality Hour, Fellowship Hall
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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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TUESDAYS: 6 p.m - NO Handbell Rehearsal this week
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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