Friday, July 7, 2023 Newsletter
SUMMER WORSHIP
10:00 a.m.
In the Sanctuary
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
Greetings FPCB Friends,
It’s a bit hard to believe we’re into July already! 2023 is clipping along rather quickly
In the months since our Annual Congregational Meeting in January, the Strategic Mission Steering Committee has been hard at work identifying community needs and exploring opportunities for using our resources to make a difference on those issues, through partnerships and projects that would also deepen our congregational vitality and move us toward greater financial sustainability. The possibilities are numerous and exciting!
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Next Sunday, July 16, we’ll host our second monthly educational gathering about the community needs and local nonprofit partners working to address them. Instead of a “Lunch & Learn,” this month will simply be a “Linger & Learn.”
We received feedback last time that the early hour and additional time to get everyone through the potluck line precluded some folks from staying, so we’re trying a slightly different format this month. We’ll simply stay put in the Sanctuary and begin our conversation following the postlude at the close of worship.
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Our July conversation partners will share more about transitional housing - housing support for folks moving out of housing insecurity and homelessness to more permanent, stable housing. We’re thrilled to have two fabulous Executive Directors joining us: Lori Sywensky from Turning Point Lehigh Valley and Alisa Baratta from Third Street Alliance.
Next month, we’ll have guests who can offer more context on the challenges and opportunities regarding affordable childcare. Save the date for that session: Sunday, August 13. The Steering Committee will continue to offer monthly opportunities for engagement and updates into and through the fall: September 10, October 8, and November 19.
In September, we’re excited to share some case studies from other faith communities who have undertaken similar community impact/financial sustainability projects to widen our collective imaginations about what’s possible!
By October and November, we expect to be facilitating conversations with the congregation and wider community about possibilities specific to FPCB. Most importantly, we have heard your desire for regular connection and communication as this work moves forward, and we are committed to doing so!
With such critical ministry and work ahead, this Sunday we’ll pause to reflect on the importance of sabbath and real rest to sustain us - individually and together - for the marathon journey of bringing our hopes and visions into reality. To whom much has been given, much is expected. So we need to pace ourselves and remember to take deep breaths along the way.
It is good to be God’s people, friends. I’m so very excited about the possibilities for transformation and renewal ahead of us!
Blessings, dear ones.
Lindsey
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This week’s sermon: Real Rest by the Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
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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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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
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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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THE SUPPORT CONTINUES!
Two weeks 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.
As of today we have collected $2,035 from generous people. Thank you! If you are able, will you help whittle away at the $4,465 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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DINNER & A SHOW: KINKY BOOTS |
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We’ve made plans to see the Lehigh Valley premiere of the hit Broadway musical, Kinky Boots, at the Pennsylvlania Playhouse on Friday, July 28. All are welcome!
For those interested, we’ll first gather for dinner at The Clubhouse Grille, 400 Illick’s Mill Road (next to the Playhouse) at 5:30 p.m. Each person pays for their own meal.
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The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $22 each. (If you do not go to dinner, meet at the theatre at 7:15 p.m.)
You can pay for your tickets beforehand (to the church office) or the night of the show; make checks payable to FPCB and put “play” in the memo line.
The deadline to register to attend is Friday, July 21. If you’d like to attend, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 and include: your name, how many tickets, if you’re going to dinner, and if you need handicapped seating at The Playhouse.
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CHILD CARE HELP NEEDED
Our Sunday morning Child Care program is hiring! We are looking for workers to provide care during Sunday morning worship services, to kiddos infant to age 5. Knowledge about littles, and experience working with them is a plus.
The summer shifts run from 9:45-11:15 a.m.; from September-May it is from 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (in the summer the workers are paid for the full 3.5 hour shift).
Clearances are required (the church will pay for these), and they must be at least 18 years old. The starting pay is $14, and employees cannot be church members.
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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
- 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:
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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