Friday, June 30, 2023 Newsletter
SUMMER WORSHIP - COMMUNION SUNDAY
NEW TIME! 10:00 a.m.
NEW LOCATION! In the Sanctuary
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
REFLECTING ON OUR REFLECTIVE TIME
At this point, we are about one month into our Summer Worship schedule and format. It seems like a good time to invite you to send in any thoughts you have on both what you appreciate about it and what you might want to do differently.
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As you may recall, this is the second summer that we have done an intentional “Summer Worship” schedule and format; this year, we incorporated some of the feedback we got from last year, but as an “Experimental Church,” we are always looking into what the next iteration of something should be.
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Perhaps the most notable change is the inclusion of the Sermon Response time this year. This is a standard part of the 9 a.m. Holy Ground service during the year, and probably the element of that service that has gotten the most positive feedback.
This stands to reason, as research on the worship preferences of Millennial and Gen Z Christians consistently states that what they want most from a worship service is not a particular style of music, but an informal atmosphere and an interactive dynamic to the service; they do not want to simply be talked and/or sung to for the duration of the service, which is typical of both traditional worship and the kind of contemporary service that relies on a rock concert ethos.
It is thus no surprise that we have seen an influx of people to the 9 a.m. service over the past year who are under 40 years of age. Given all that, we wanted to incorporate it in Summer Worship both to preserve that element for the 9 a.m. attendees and to give the traditional service attendees a chance to experience it.
While the Sanctuary is not the best physical space for this experience, we felt it was still worth the attempt. So, we are looking for feedback on that part of the service in particular, regardless of which service you normally attend during the year.
This Sunday, however, we have decided to forego the reflective part of the service in order to accommodate the celebration of Communion in the service. We plan to do the same on Communion Sundays in August and September, as well.
But if you can give us timely feedback on the Summer Worship Service now, we may incorporate your thoughts into services later in the summer. We are especially eager to hear from those of you who ‘attend’ our livestreamed service, to know how we can make that experience more meaningful for you.
So I invite you to respond quickly and thoughtfully, and I look forward to reading your responses!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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This week’s sermon: The Gospel According to Ted Lasso: Moving Towards Better? by the Rev. J.C. Austin
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We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday
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This Sunday is Communion
If you would like to participate from home you can prepare your own elements:
bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita or bagel, etc.), and grape juice, wine or water.
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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
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NEW TIME! Child care will be available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. this Sunday morning; please ask an usher for directions.
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Your children are a joy in our worship services, and should the need arise, “kid bags” are available for their use. They are in the Narthex.
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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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LEMONADE ON THE LAWN
Join us after worship for our social time, “Lemonade on the Lawn” – everyone is welcome to come and connect.
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We are looking for other groups or families to take on the hosting duties. Basically, you will need to provide a few treats to eat and to get the beverages, cups and napkins, ice, and coolers out of the church kitchen. Clean-up is as simple as returning those items to the kitchen.
It doesn’t have to be a “formal” group, like a
K group or the choir – it can be a family or group of friends. It’s easy to sign up on this online form or call the church office at 610-867-5865. We’ll also have a paper sign-up form at each event.
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Above right: In the spirit of our “Ted Lasso” sermon series, Pat Stanek baked up some ‘Biscuits with the Boss’ as a special treat. |
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If you (or someone you know) is graduating this spring,
please share their name, school, and degree (if applicable)
610-867-5865. We’ll recognize them in a future worship service
and in the newsletter.
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WE ARE GRATEFUL!
A week ago we asked you to consider making a gift to defray the approximately $6,500 our Afghan refugee family needs as it officially begins the Green Card application process. Two days later, generous people put $1,000 in Sunday’s collection plate. Thank you! If you are able, will you help whittle away at the $5,500 the family still needs. All gifts are most welcome.
If you’re able to make a gift in support of this critical step toward permanent residency, please label your gift “Refugee Family Support.” You can give on Sunday, in the mail or donate online at fpc-bethlehem.org/give with the same designation.
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OUR FAITHFUL RECEPTIONISTS
We are so blessed to have a committed group of volunteers who have been staffing our main office receptionist desk – some for over five years!
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On a recent early summer day we gathered to say thank you and enjoy each other’s company.
We could use one or two more volunteers, primarily as substitutes when our regular volunteers are not available.
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The shifts are from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 12:30-4 p.m. (if you can’t commit to the entire shift, we can work with that). The workload is light so if you'd like to read, do handcrafts or puzzles, you are more than welcome.
Plus the co-workers are delightful, and the ‘pay’ is immense gratitude for assisting with this important work!
From left: J.C. Austin, Norma Ferguson, Evelyn Kuserk, Froy Thompson, Jackie Byrnes, Carol Burns, Jane Masters, and Suzanne Trump (not pictured: Linda Filipovits and Judy Smullen)
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FLOWERS ARE ON OUR MINDS… |
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We appreciate the donation of flowers for use in our Sunday worship services. This is a wonderful way to honor a loved one, or their memory.
Please sign up for your requested date using the form in the Narthex (or you can call the church office at 610-867-5865).
We will order the flowers on your behalf. The cost is $75, payable to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem; send your payment to the Finance Office or use the flower envelope that is with the sign-up form.
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CELEBRATING EID AL ADHA
On Wednesday, we were pleased to be able to host about 100 guests who are affiliated with the Afghan refugee program through the Bethlehem Area School District. They were celebrating Eid al Adha, or "Feast of the Sacrifice,” which is the second and the largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr).
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It honors the obedience and devotion of Abraham to sacrifice one of his sons, either Ishmael or Isaac, as an act of obedience to God's command. However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, God provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son's place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually sacrificed.
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Part of their meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed.
Thanks to Al and Deb Philpotts, and the Engagement Committee, for helping to make this great event happen.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
All are welcome to enjoy this performance by the Artefact Choral Scholars, a special intensive choral experience, coming on Sunday, July 16 at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary.
The concert is part of the choral scholars’ weeklong immersion experience here at First Pres.
This experience for local high school choral musicians is supported in large part by the Jared L. Wily Memorial Fund for High School Choir Ministries.
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CARE CONCERNS AND HOSPITAL VISITS
If you are hospitalized, please tell the hospital our church code is 724. Also, please call the church office at 610-867-5865 to let us know as the hospitals do not always collect this information. After hours, leave a message or call our answering service at 610-778-7003.
PRAYER REQUESTS...
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Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for the 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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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
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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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THIS SUNDAY - COMMUNION SUNDAY
- 9:45-11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestream on Facebook Live and our website
- 11:15 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn, our social time – all are welcome; front lawn (in case of bad weather, inside in Fellowship Hall)
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:
The church office and building will be closed on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. The Preschool will be closed Monday, July 3 – Friday, July 7, and reopen on Monday, July 10.
Regular office hours are Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Many of the office staff are working 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.
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Look for updates on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org), Facebook page, and WFMZ (channel 69 and wfmz.com). We will also put the info on our church phone message, 610-867-5865.
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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