Friday, April 9, 2021 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICES ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
9:00 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. Traditional*
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: Engaging the Biblical Witness
While the day of Easter is now behind us, we are in the season of Easter in the Christian calendar, which runs between Easter and Pentecost (May 23). The season of Easter, not surprisingly, focuses on celebrating the resurrection, and so the suggested Scripture lessons tend to be ones dealing with that subject, particularly when Jesus appears at different times to different groups of disciples.
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Pentecost, which takes place 50 days after Easter (the word “Pentecost” essentially means “fiftieth”), ends the Easter season and the Christian calendar returns to what is known as “Ordinary Time,” meaning a season without any particular theme or special significance; it will run until the beginning of Advent next fall. |
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As you may know, we typically follow the lectionary cycle of readings for Sunday worship here at First Pres. The lectionary is a schedule of readings that covers most of the Bible on Sundays over a three-year cycle. Obviously, when we are in special seasons such as Advent or Lent, the readings focus on the stories or themes that relate to that season.
In Ordinary Time, though, the readings tend to go more or less consecutively through different books of the Bible. So while that can be a helpful and meaningful discipline for digging deeply into particular sections of the Biblical witness, it doesn’t feel quite right in this “season” of the world that continues to be characterized by great uncertainty, transition, and fluctuation.
So: we’ve decided to do something both more creative and interactive after Pentecost, which is why I’m writing about this now, because I want to give you time to think about it and respond to it. We are going to do a sermon series after Pentecost entitled, “A Good Word,” in which the sermon each week will focus on Scripture that illuminates the meaning of a word that is particularly important for understanding and living out our faith.
Some may be very Biblical/theological themselves, such as “reconciliation,” “justice,” or “atonement.” Some may be words that describe important ideas that Scripture can help us unpack, such as “purpose,” “imagination,” or “vulnerability.”
So what we are asking you to do is think about a word or words that you would appreciate hearing a sermon about, and submit them to info@fpc-bethlehem.org anytime before Pentecost (again, May 23).
We probably can’t use every word, but we will focus on which words have the most independent submissions and go from there. We think this will be both a fun and an interesting way of engaging the Biblical witness after Pentecost, and we hope that you will want to be a part of it! In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to celebrate Easter with you in worship.
Grace and Peace,
J.C.
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Scripture lesson:
Click the link to read the verses
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· This week's sermon: Closer to Fine by
The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
· We post each week’s sermon
(audio and text) on our website:
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TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper for Sunday
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SUNDAY! JOIN US FOR OUR SPECIAL EASTER HYMN SING!
Music Director David Macbeth has planned another Hymn Sing for us, for this Sunday from 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Join us via Zoom, either digitally or phone (audio) only and let your voices ring!
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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THANK YOU FOR YOUR EASTER LILY DONATION!
We appreciate the generosity of these families:
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Virginia and Fred Shunk: In Memory of Genie Robson, and Shunk and Burkholder loved ones
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Frances Spicer: In Memory of her husband, Capt. Hugh J. Spicer, and infant children, Paul and Sandra
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Froy Thompson: In Memory of Dick Thompson
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Bill and Jean Velekei: In Loving Memory of their parents, Bill and Emma Velekei, and Sylvia A. Lutz
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Elena Helmuth: In Memory of her dear husband Ron, who died April 14, 2019
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Pamela Phillippe: In Memory of Michael Phillippe
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Lucinda McCarthy: Joyfully remembering their parents, Peg Bethmann, Bill Bethmann and Mike Lubenesky
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Patricia Woodward & Family: In Loving Memory of her uncle, Robert D. Woodward
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Jane Mackie: In Memory of Jean and Ken Hinson
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Al and Deb Philpotts: In Memory of Joan Balmer Tack (Deb’s mother) and Arline Frizzell Philpotts (Al’s mother)
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Amanda Czaplicki: In Memory of Delight Czaplicki
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Kim Hitchings: In Memory of Jeffrey James Hitchings
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Judith Smullen: In Memory of her parents
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Wendy and Dan Magocs: In Memory of their parents: Joseph D. and Ruth W. Dennison, and Doris and Vincent Fresoli
- Robert and Jean Hunsicker
- Ruth Willis
If you made a donation and we did not note it, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at 610-867-5865.
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NEW DISCIPLESHIP CLASS: Pray Without Ceasing
Wednesdays: April 21 and April 28 at 7:00 p.m. – via Zoom
Saturday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m. – outdoors on church grounds
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In three sessions together, you are invited to examine your experience with traditional and institutional prayer forms, while extending your knowledge and comfort with other lesser known prayer structures.
We invite you to recall your earliest memories of prayer, as well as the events of your present daily life, paying attention to God’s presence speaking to us through our day’s encounters and senses.
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Do these human interactions, memories of gratitude and intersections with the natural world constitute opportunities for unceasing prayer?
We will:
- Encourage opportunities for an expanded prayer life beyond the church sanctuary on Sunday morning.
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- Explore prayer as a wisdom tool in times of both calm and conflict.
- Envision the kitchen, the workplace, the golf course, the jogging trail and the nature walk as unique and appropriate temples for unceasing prayer in all its forms.
Barbara Brown Taylor in An Alter to the World suggests that: 1) prayer is more than my idea of prayer and 2) that some of what I actually do in my life constitutes genuine prayer.
May faith be strengthened by exploring the connection between the demands of our everyday humanity and our expanded understanding of unceasing prayer.
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 825 8975 9341 followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – press the # key again.
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Our presenter, Dr. Christopher Rice, is an associate professor of philosophy at Lynn University in Florida; his current research involves climate change ethics.
Meeting ID: 880 1333 6329
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 880 1333 6329 followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – press the # key again.
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HEARTS N MINDS: ADULT EDUCATION CLASS
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Hearts N Minds meets this Sunday to conclude its discussion of The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending the Bible Has Made us Unable to Read It by Peter Enns. Reading for this Sunday is chapter seven: “The Bible, Just As It Is.”
For Sunday, April 18 the class will begin a new book, Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus by Jim Wallis. All are welcome to join the discussion!
Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450
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To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 811 8422 0450, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – simply press the # key again. |
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NO ZOOM SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK
Join us for the Easter Hymn Sing!
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Although we won’t meet in person this Sunday, it’s a good opportunity to check out our online “anytime” Sunday School! Each week we provide a prerecorded series of videos and related resources that you can access on our website when convenient. |
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This week's story is inspired by Colossians 3:15. Peace: proving you care more about each other than winning an argument.
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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: WEDNESDAY at noon**
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Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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CALENDAR
THIS SUNDAY
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9:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult education class – see more information above
- 9:00 a.m.: Contemporary Worship Service, livestream on Facebook Live and our website
- 10:15-10:45 a.m.: NO Zoom Sunday School
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10:15-10:45 a.m.: Easter Hymn Sing – see more information above
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11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, virtual only - see instructions in blue box, below, to join us online, and in the yellow box to join us via phone
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FOR THIS SUNDAY: : Worship with us “Live” on Facebook
To watch “live”- as it happens:
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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
- 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
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*** NOTE THE NEW MEETING ID ***
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the 11 a.m. 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)
ALL OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS AND GATHERINGS ARE CANCELLED AT THIS TIME unless offered online (see listings on our Facebook page under “Events”)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO: The office staff is working remotely and checking email and voicemail daily. 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
Cristy Mette, Administrative Operations Manager: ext. 228;
Andrea Barbehenn, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956;
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