Friday, March 18, 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:
UPDATE ON MASK PROTOCOLS
Friends, as you know, we have had a Task Force advising the Session on protocols for managing the risk of COVID infection for almost two years at this point. Our congregation is blessed to have members who are experts in virology, public health, and medical science, and their wisdom and tenacity in guiding us through the pandemic has been invaluable.
This has not been an easy task by a long shot, as recommendations have shifted in multiple directions with new variants and new scientific insight on how the virus is spread (do you remember people wiping down their groceries with hand sanitizer at the beginning before we knew it didn’t spread through surface contact?).
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As you may know, the CDC recently changed its recommendations on masking. This, of course, was in response to the dramatic decline in the spread of the Omicron variant (the daily rate of new cases in Northampton County is now below 20; it was over 1,000 in mid-January!). Specifically, the CDC now says that masks are not necessary at this point in the pandemic for people who are fully vaccinated and do not have underlying high risk factors. |
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Accordingly, our Task Force met, reviewed the recommendations in light of our current context in Bethlehem, and determined that they could finally recommend to the Session to move the church to a “mask-optional” protocol for church activities, including Sunday worship. The Session has since voted unanimously to approve that recommendation. So: beginning on Sunday, March 20, fully vaccinated and boosted people may opt out of wearing a mask to worship or another other church activity, with only two exceptions.
The first exception is for the Preschool. The CDC is still recommending that children under 5 years old wear masks in public spaces, because there is not yet a safe and effective vaccine available for children under 5. Accordingly, all children and adults in the Preschool will continue to wear masks at all times until further notice. The second exception is for worship services that are expected to exceed 50% capacity of the Sanctuary (or Kirk Center). The Task Force and Session both felt that an unmasked “capacity crowd” in those spaces represented too high of a collective risk at this point.
I do want to emphasize that this is mask-optional. There are some people in our congregation who will feel more comfortable now that they do not have to wear a mask; there are some people who feel more comfortable continuing to wear a mask. For some of those, wearing a mask is the only way they can feel comfortable or even safe in attending worship in person. One of our congregation’s core values is that we are “Welcoming to All.” That means, in a mask-optional environment, we will respect and honor one another and the choices we make, regardless of our personal feelings on the matter.
Finally, the Task Force wants to remind us that we are able to make this change now because the circumstances of the pandemic have changed to allow it. Though none of us wants to think about this, I know, there could be a new variant that arises and requires us to resume more restrictive protocols, including a mask mandate.
If that happens, we will obviously make the appropriate announcements, and for now, we can all pray that the worst of the pandemic is finally and definitively behind us. But, as we have done for two years, we will make our decisions based on the best available scientific advice, and if that identifies a need to resume masking or other protocols, we will take that very seriously.
In the meantime, though, we can celebrate that, almost exactly two years after we went “digital-only” for our church life and ministry in the lockdown phase, we are in a position to make mask-wearing optional when we gather together. I am so grateful for the resilience and perseverance of this church community through so many hardships, and I look forward to seeing some of your full faces in worship on Sunday for the first time in a while!
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: Show, Don't Tell 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: NEW PROTOCOLS
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Anyone not fully vaccinated and boosted is requested to properly wear a mask covering the nose and mouth; double masks or N95 are recommended. Masks are optional for all others who are fully vaccinated and boosted.
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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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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!
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).
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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.
If participating from home: you may want to print these documents:
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IT’S TIME TO ORDER EASTER FLOWERS
You’re invited to celebrate Easter through the donation of flowers in honor or memory of loved ones, to brighten our worship spaces. You can take your flowers with you after attending service on Easter morning.
This year, we have three options available for the suggested donations listed:
Hydrangea: $20
Tulips: $10
Daffodils: $10
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You can place your order by using one of the flower order envelopes available in the church, or in your pack of envelopes, if you order them.
You can also send a check to the Business Office, Attn: Easter Flowers, First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18017.
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DEACONS CORNER
The Deacons are the caregivers of the church, ordained lay members of the congregation who are best described as the church’s ‘ministers of mercy.’ They minister to the individual members through home communion and visits, hospital and prayer ministries, and providing support to those in difficult situations.
They would like to remind everyone to contact them if a family member is in the hospital. The current hospital info system has been unreliable since Covid, and they are missing info when congregants are hospitalized. Also, home visits and home communion are now possible again.
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HI NEIGHBORS INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS: COMING MONDAY!
Hi Neighbors is back and in person again this Monday, March 21. 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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Bob and Madeline Brown will present “Visit the English Riviera” (right). We are sure you’ll enjoy this beautiful tour.
For Monday, March 28, we will hear from Tom Ropasch about the “Barnes Foundation and Museum,” an art collection and educational institution promoting the appreciation of art and horticulture, located in Philadelphia.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
- Saturday, April 9: Memorial Service and Reception for The Rev. Keith Brown (11 a.m. – Sanctuary and online)
- Sunday, April 10: Palm Sunday Services (9 a.m. Contemporary and 11:15 a.m. Traditional)
- Thursday, April 14: Maundy Thursday Service (7 p.m. – Sanctuary and online)
- Friday, April 15: Good Friday Service (8 p.m. – Sanctuary and online)
- Saturday, April 16: Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Fest (10 a.m. - noon)
- Saturday, April 16: Compline Service (8 p.m. – Sanctuary and online)
- Sunday, April 17: Easter Services (9 a.m. Contemporary and 11:15 a.m. Traditional
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CAN YOU HELP? NEW “JOB SHARING” SHIFTS AVAILABLE
We recently 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 one, 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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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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