Friday, March 1, 2024 Newsletter
For Sunday - Communion 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
(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)
|
|
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN:
THE STORY OF COMMUNION
This Sunday, as with every first Sunday of the month here at First Pres, we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion in the Traditional worship service. In the Presbyterian Church, like most Protestant churches, we observe two sacraments in the life of the church: Communion and Baptism (and we’ll celebrate a baptism next week!).
We believe sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ directly, as attested in Scripture. So while we have great respect for rituals like confession, marriage, ordination, etc., we do not consider them sacraments the way the Roman Catholic Church does.
|
|
As we continue in our Lenten journey, this seemed like a good time to take a closer look at what we believe about Communion and how we incorporate it into our larger discipleship of Christ, both as individuals and as a congregation.
So here are the most common questions I get about Communion, along with some reflective answers.
Q: Do Presbyterians believe anything “happens” in Communion, or is it just symbolic?
|
|
|
Reformed theology (the tradition from which Presbyterians come) has always said that we don’t simply remember Jesus in Communion, but Christ is actually present in the sacrament each time we celebrate it. Instead of Jesus coming down to be physically present in the bread and wine, as our Roman Catholic friends believe, Reformed Christians believe that in Communion the Holy Spirit lifts us up into Christ’s presence through the bread and wine, feeding and strengthening us in spirit and in faith with Christ.
That is why you hear a lot of language in the communion prayers about God “pouring out” the Holy Spirit upon us and upon the bread and wine, so that we can be nourished spiritually on Christ. It’s also why those who are serving communion receive it themselves before they serve others; to be able to share something, you must first have received it yourself!
Q: What’s the difference between calling it the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist?
It’s really more of a distinction than a difference; each of those terms has a particular theological emphasis, but without excluding the others. “Lord’s Supper” emphasizes that it is Christ who initiated the sacrament and commanded us to do so, as well. “Communion” emphasizes that Christ is truly present in the sacrament; we are communing with Christ, not simply remembering him. And “Eucharist” is based on the Greek word for thanksgiving, so it emphasizes that we respond to communion with Christ with gratitude and joy.
Q: Why do we have Communion once a month? Shouldn’t it be more special?
Actually, John Calvin, the founder of the Reformed tradition, thought Communion was so important that we should celebrate it at least once a week! At the time of the Reformation, Roman Catholics generally only took Communion once a year; Calvin felt this was depriving most Christians of one of the most reliable experiences of God’s grace.
Recognizing that many would feel that once a week was too big of a leap from once a year, he proposed once a month instead, but even then the Session was only willing to approve four times a year. Calvin conceded defeat, but said that while he thought this was wrong, he hoped future generations would correct it. That took awhile, but in the 1970s Presbyterians and other Reformed Christians finally began rethinking their practices around Communion in light of early Reformation theology.
Again, most congregations felt once a week was too big of a leap, though some have done that. But once a month became a common practice so that Communion would feel like a regular and integral part of worship: a common meal to sustain us rather than a rare treat.
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
|
|
|
|
- This week’s sermon: Jesus Goes Rock Skipping by the Rev. J.C. Austin
-
We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
|
|
TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday:
|
|
Sunday is Communion Sunday
If you would like to participate in Communion from home,
you can prepare your elements: bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel, etc.) and grape juice, wine or water.
|
|
LENTEN SUPPER SERIES: EXPLORING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Wednesdays: March 6 and 13: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
This week’s topic: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” presented by Ginny Smith and Richard Smith
The core of Jesus’s message can be found in his many striking (and often perplexing) descriptions of “the kingdom of heaven,” a realm that is both within us and among us, in which the roles of the high and mighty and the low and humble are flipped, and in which the king reveals his glory by dying on a cross.
|
|
We have been exploring this extraordinary and world-changing kingdom as it is depicted in Matthew’s gospel, using a variety of activities including discussion, storytelling, and visual art (no talent required!).
Jim Stahl, Janet Stahl (right), Ginny Smith, Richard Smith, and Steve Simmons are our tour guides as we deepen our journey into Lent and look forward to Holy Week and Easter.
|
|
|
NOTE: We're looking for folks to bring salads and desserts, and to help with set up / clean up. Use this easy online sign-up.
610-867-5865.
|
|
END OF YEAR PLEDGE STATEMENTS
for those who have donated to FPCB
If we have an email address for you, your statement has been emailed to you.
If we don’t, your statement has been mailed to you. If you haven't received it yet, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865.
|
|
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: THROUGH EASTER SUNDAY
Millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. Please consider a gift to this important ministry.
|
|
Special envelopes are available at both worship services, and for those who have pledge envelopes, there is one in your packet. You can also donate online at fpc-bethlehem.org/give – be sure to write “One Great Hour of Sharing” in the notes field (under the payment information), or you can mail a check to the church’s Finance Office (with a note in the memo field).
|
|
|
BREAD FOR THE WORLD OFFERING OF LETTERS 2024
Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6: 9, CEB)
Bread for the World is a Christian citizens’ advocacy organization celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Founded by the Rev. Art Simon in 1974, Bread has been instrumental in successfully pushing for legislation to provide food security in the US and worldwide. Well-respected on both sides of the aisle, Bread staffers work closely with our elected representatives to draft and pass legislation on agricultural policy and food assistance.
|
|
One of Bread’s most effective tools in advocating for food security is its annual Offering of Letters, which our congregation will receive after worship on the Sundays through March 24 (Palm Sunday) as part of our Lenten discipline. The focus of this year’s offering is the congressional Farm Bill, which was scheduled for its five-year renewal in 2023, but which has yet to be approved. |
|
|
Major provisions of the bill include disaster assistance for farmers, rural development, conservation and environmental stewardship (think organic farming and biofuels), forestry management, and a wide range of nutrition assistance programs for food-insecure households, including SNAP, Meals on Wheels, and WIC (you may be surprised to know that at present 53% of the nation’s infants are WIC recipients).
With food insecurity on the rise in many parts of our country, it’s especially important that the Farm Bill be moved through Congress speedily. If it isn’t renewed, some programs will have their funding frozen at 2018 levels or cut further, and others will simply cease to exist.
You can use these links for more information on the Offering of Letters and a sample letter that you can customize with a personal message. We will have a table set up in the Narthex during Lent where you can pick up a printed sample letter, drop off your completed letters, and write handwritten notes (which are particularly effective).
We’ll forward them to our elected officials, as we join the 300,000 people who write, email, and call their members of Congress every year to speak up about hunger through Bread for the World. Thanks to you, it’s working!
|
|
NEW! INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH OFFERING FOR ALL AGES
The intergenerational faith formation group has begun exploring a new curriculum titled Current: Seeking Justice Together!
The curriculum includes materials and activities for ages from Preschool to adult, making this hour welcoming to all. Drop in as you are able, or join for the full series. The group meets in Fellowship Hall between the two services from 10:10 - 10:45 a.m.
|
|
HEARTS N MINDS MEETS THIS SUNDAY
The Hearts N Minds adult education class will meet this Sunday in the Parlor. We gather at 9:45 a.m. and end at 10:40 a.m. (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, chapter 4 (pages 53-63): “Order – Disorder – Reorder.” All are welcome to attend – you do not have to have done the reading to enjoy the discussion.
|
|
FLOWERS ARE ON OUR MINDS… |
|
Sanctuary Flowers: We appreciate the donation of flowers for use in our Traditional worship services in the Sanctuary. 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.
|
|
|
Easter Flowers: We are taking orders for flowers for use in our Easter services – you will have your choice of a hydrangea ($22), tulip ($11) and daffodil ($11). Special envelopes are available at the worship services, or you can use the one in your pack of envelopes (or call the church office).
You can take home the flowers you order. Orders are due by Thursday, March 14.
|
|
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! BES DINNER ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 |
|
FPCB volunteers will be cooking and serving dinner for the guests at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering on Wednesday, March 20.
We need volunteers to help cook, serve, clean up during and after the meal, and serve as shower monitor (which is just a simple check-in process).
If you’re interested in volunteering, please sign up online here or call the church office at 610-867-5865.
|
|
|
HI NEIGHBORS: BACK ON MONDAY, MARCH 18
We’re finalizing plans for our next series of interesting topics offered by our popular Hi Neighbors speakers program! All are welcome to attend – no registration or fees required.
We’ll be back on Monday, March 18 with a social time at 9:30 a.m. and the program starting at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Kicking things off will be a return visit by Dr. Micah Sadigh, who shared information about “Sleep” in a popular fall session – this time he’ll take a deep dive into “Dreams.”
Click the button for the complete schedule of programs that run through Monday, May 20 (no session on Monday, April 1) - with a special "field trip"!
|
|
BAKERS AND HELPERS NEEDED
We are looking for assistance for Sally Campbell's memorial service and reception on Saturday, March 9. The service is at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall.
If you can help with the donation of 2 dozen easy-to-eat cookies or bars, or can assist with set up or clean up, please use this online sign up form. |
|
GET YOUR HANDS IN THE SOIL
The Blank Slate Community garden located on the campus of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem is run and supported by a Penn State Master gardener team and wonderful volunteers from the community including those from FPCB.
|
|
This garden has a long history of early interfaith involvement in which it won state and international awards. The current garden focuses on garden education to answer and help volunteers not only in the community garden but their private gardens as well.
All the produce is donated to local food banks and kitchens to feed food insecure neighbors in the Lehigh Valley.
|
|
|
Most volunteers help at least once a month from April to September, although some work more often. Gardening skills are not a prerequisite since you will be able to ask questions and learn on site. Volunteers are also needed to deliver produce to local distribution centers (this can be a good job for someone who has access to a vehicle).
For questions, or to sign up, please contact Dr. Bob Yoder at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call the church office at 610-428-9649.
|
|
TAKE A ‘BEHIND THE SCENES’ TOUR OF OUR FABULOUS ORGAN |
|
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries here at First Pres, recently gave a behind the scenes video tour of the organ in our Sanctuary. Click the image (right) to see the massive – and complex – configuration of pipes, bellows, and much else that brings us beautiful music!
|
|
|
ANOTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY TO USE YOUR SKILLS
The Committee on Preparation for Ministry of Lehigh Presbytery needs interested laypeople who would like to help in the process of preparing people for ordained ministry in our churches. The committee meets as needed a few times a year. Folks who sit in the pews offer a very valuable perspective.
Thank you for prayerfully considering this signicant contribution to the greater church that you love. If interested, contact Rev. Angie Van Hise at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or the church office, 610-867-5865.
|
|
Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Festival
Saturday, March 23
(rain date: Saturday, March 30)
10-11:30 a.m.
Everyone welcome!
This family-friendly event is a great way to celebrate spring! The event will begin in the Kirk Center and include face painting, temporary tattoos, photo booth, and other hands-on activities.
Then we’ll head outside for age-specific egg hunts (including one for adults!).
|
|
|
HOLY WEEK: MARCH 24 - 31
All of the following services (except 9 a.m. on Sunday) are offered in person and via livestream on the church Facebook page and website:
-
Sunday, March 24: Palm Sunday (two services, at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary)
-
Thursday, March 28: Maundy Thursday (service at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall)
-
Friday, March 29: Good Friday Tenebrae (service at 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary)
-
Saturday, March 30: Holy Saturday Compline (service at 8 p.m. in Sanctuary)
-
Sunday, March 31: Easter Sunday (two services, at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary)
Save the Date:
You may want to get this date on your calendar – on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. there will be a special Discipleship retreat, “Through the Roof: And Other Moments with God.”
We invite you to participate in a retreat that will encourage spiritual nurturing: a day to refresh, to renew and to seek more clearly the many ways, both large and small, that we encounter God in our daily life. This will require a sign up so mark your calendars and watch for more details.
|
|
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...
|
|
Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
WEDNESDAY at noon**
* * *
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
|
|
TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
-
Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
-
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
|
|
FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
-
Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. this Sunday morning; please ask an usher for directions.
-
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.
-
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.
|
|
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 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor - 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 (NEW! 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.
|
|
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM |
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
