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Friday, May 3, 2024 Newsletter
For Sunday
9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
in Fellowship Hall (in person only)
11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service in the Sanctuary
Communion Sunday
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: AFFIRMING OUR FAITH
Last Sunday in the Traditional service, we used an uncommon source for the Affirmation of Faith, which is a standard element of traditional worship. It was a selection from the Confession of 1967, which is one of the documents in the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Confessions (more on that below!). So I thought this would be a good time to revisit a part of the worship service that is standard but perhaps not thought about regularly by our Traditional worshippers, and less familiar but interesting to our Contemporary worshippers!
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In general, contemporary worship services avoid unison responses and prayers because of the inherent formality of such things, and contemporary services are intentionally less formal in structure and style.
However, Reformed Christianity, of which Presbyterians are a part, has often used unison responses as a way of ensuring that the congregation is actively engaging in worship rather than simply observing the clergy.
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The Affirmation of Faith is a particularly important Reformed worship practice because of our emphasis on theology as a means of pursuing the knowledge and understanding of God and our faith in God. By making that affirmation in unison, it allows the congregation as a whole to respond to hearing God’s Word in the reading and preaching of the Scriptures; that’s why it always follows closely on the sermon.
The specific affirmations we use, then, are usually from the Book of Confessions, the theological statements of various church councils throughout the ages that together make up the official theological standards of the Presbyterian Church (USA). So, different selections from different confessions (which is a traditional term for theological statements made by church councils) are used that speak to the themes of the day’s Scripture lesson and sermon.
However, when we are celebrating Communion or Baptism, we generally narrow the choices. For Communion, we generally use either the Nicene Creed or a Biblical citation as our Affirmation of Faith. The Nicene Creed is the most universally accepted theological statement in worldwide Christianity, so using it with Communion is a way of holding up the church’s essential unity, especially when (ironically) the practice and theology of Communion.
Second, when we are celebrating a Baptism, we always use the Apostles’ Creed. That document is very common in Western Christianity but not Eastern Orthodoxy, which is why the Nicene Creed is preferred for Communion.
But the Apostles’ Creed is also specifically written for Baptism: in fact, it was originally responsive! Rather than simply reciting it, a candidate for Baptism would say it responsively to answer questions. The officiant would say, “Do you believe in God?” and the candidate would respond, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” Questions about Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit would follow, and the rest of the Creed would be used to respond.
This is also why we use the Apostles’ Creed when new members are welcomed in worship and when leaders are ordained, installed, or commissioned, because all of those acts include a reaffirmation of baptismal vows.
So, if the Affirmation is something that is new to you, or if you simply haven’t given it a lot of thought, take a moment in traditional worship to consider what Affirmation is being used in that service and why, so that your own worship experience may be more meaningful and our common worship can be strengthened by both faith and understanding!
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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- This week’s sermon: Abiding, In and Out 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:
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COMMUNION SUNDAY
If you are worshipping from home and would like to participate in Communion you can prepare your own elements: bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel) and grape juice, wine or water.
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NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING SET FOR THURSDAY, MAY 23 |
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The next Community Meeting to share updates on the “Building Community” initiative will be Thursday, May 23 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. This will be an open house-style event, held outdoors – so wear comfortable walking shoes (in case of inclement weather, we’ll meet indoors). |
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See your design feedback reflected in a revised campus concept and learn more about the next steps of the planning and design process. For additional information, we encourage you to check out the updates at fpc-bethlehem.org/campus-vision.
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LOOKING AHEAD: WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGE
Beginning on Sunday, May 19, we will begin offering one worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
On that Sunday we will gather after worship for a celebration luncheon to honor our Afghan refugee family, on the successful completion of their green card process! We’ll have more details to come on this gathering.
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OUR SPRING CLEANING SALE IS COMING: SATURDAY, MAY 18
Preparations for our big Spring Cleaning Sale on Saturday, May 18, are in full swing – many thanks to the energetic volunteers who stepped up to help with the initial sorting and tossing. They made a big dent in a big job!
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We’re now looking for additional volunteer help for Wednesday evening, May 15, and Thursday, May 16 to help us ‘stage’ the selling area (putting items out for display, and tagging them for sale).
On Friday, May 17 we’ll offer a “Preview Sale” for church members, Preschool families, and volunteers.
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And then our big sale will be in the Kirk Center (rain or shine) from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Doing some spring cleaning of your own?
We’re offering you an opportunity to bring your own items for sale – you can reserve an outdoor space for $10 (table provided) or $5 (bring your own table). These will be located on the east lawn; you must staff your own table, and remove all unsold items. (The sale date is rain or shine.)
ALERT! We have lots of old hymnals! We’ll put them out in the North Link on Sunday – if you’d like to take one/many, you are welcome. If you won’t be coming to the building on Sunday, contact the church office and we’ll get one to you.
Have You Donated/Gifted Items to FPCB?
We are also mindful that there are many items that have been gifted to the church over the years. So we are issuing an invitation to any families who have made such donations (e.g. furniture, wall décor, special books, etc.) to contact us if you’d like to pick up those items – you can contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or
610-867-5865. (Unfortunately we can’t provide transport but can help you get items to your vehicle.) Otherwise those items will be made available to sell.
To volunteer and/or reserve your own space for the sale day:
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HEARTS N MINDS FOR THIS SUNDAY
The Hearts N Minds adult education class will meet this Sunday, gathering from 9:45 - 10:40 a.m. in room 212 (note the new location). If you attend the 9 a.m. Holy Ground service, you are welcome to leave early to attend this class.
The group will discuss Fr. Richard Rohr's Falling Upward, “The Shadowlands” (pages 127-136). All are welcome to attend – you do not have to have done the reading to enjoy the discussion.
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HI NEIGHBORS: ANOTHER INTERESTING PROGRAM |
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Last week was another great program - we had 60 foiks in attendance!
All are welcome for our next program on Monday, May 6: Janie Hecker from Lehigh Valley Therapy Dogs will bring her Greater Swiss Mountain dogs for a presentation on “Therapy and Service Dogs.”
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A social time begins at 9:30 a.m. and the free program starts at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Here’s the full schedule of programs that run through Monday, May 20 (the field trip on May 13 is now full). |
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JOIN US MONDAY: SUPPORT THE ‘SHE NAILED IT!’ FUNDRAISER
She Nailed It! is an all women, nail-hammering, relay competition and one of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley's signature fundraising events! For the first time, our church has a team of women raising funds and competing - Donna Taggart, Kari Keyock, Tracy Samuelson, and Lindsey Clifton.
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The nail-hammering competition will be held this Monday, May 6 at Dimmick Park in Hellertown. It is a fun community event with food trucks, beer tents, and raffles!
We hope lots of FPCB folks will show up to enjoy it and cheer on our team! Tailgating for the event starts at 1 p.m., and the competition begins at 4 p.m. You are welcome to join us at our RV – look for it in the parking lot.
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Thanks to those who are supporting our team – “FPCB Hammering for Housing” - and HabitatLV! |
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PRESCHOOL BASKET RAFFLE COMING NEXT WEEK
Our Preschool is offering a big basket raffle beginning on Friday, May 10 - be sure to get your tickets for these fun prizes!
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Tickets will be sold on Sunday morning (May 12) in Fellowship Hall. Cash only: 1 for $1; 6 for $5; or 15 for $10.
Pictured is a basket filled with “Spa Day” goodies which includes a gift card for a one-hour massage. Other baskets include family game night, summer fun, gardening, sports, children's book baskets, arts and crafts, “support local” basket, Crayola basket which includes two free passes to Crayola Factory, and more fun-filled baskets!
WITH A REMINDER that you are welcome to attend the Preschool Spring Fling on Friday, May 10 from 10 a.m.-noon on the East Lawn and in Fellowship Hall.
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Picnic food, hands-on activities for all ages, and fun - hope to see you! |
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PASTORS TO VISIT KIRKLAND VILLAGE ON TUESDAY |
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Our three pastors – (from left) the Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, the Rev. Suzanne Trump and the Rev. J.C. Austin – will be at Kirkland Village next Tuesday, May 7, at 2 p.m. for a “Meet & Greet” with residents and friends.
It will be held in the Auditorium, and all are welcome to attend. Come and enjoy a time of fellowship and updates from First Pres!
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A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEER RECEPTIONISTS
They are here, faithfully, day in and day out – our team of volunteer receptionists are the welcoming faces and voices of First Pres!
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On Monday we took a break to gather at an informal lunch with staff, to thank them – we are grateful to Judy Smullen, Froy Thompson, Linda Filipovits, Evelyn Kuserk, Jane Masters, Susan Oechsle, and Norma Ferguson for their good and faithful efforts on behalf of our church community. |
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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 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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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
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Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.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 while they are visiting. 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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THIS SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship service, in-person in Fellowship Hall
- 9:45-10:40 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Room 212 – all are welcome
- 10:10-10:45 a.m.: Current: Seeking Justice Together!, an intergenerational faith formation offering, Fellowship Hall – all ages are welcome!
- 11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship service, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook and on our website
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (meeting #: 868 2214 2960; passcode: OO-Beth)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
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.
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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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