Friday, February 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:
THE EDUCATION OF OUR LEADERSHIP
“Great! Now what?”
That’s what a newly-elected Elder said to me a couple of years ago after the Annual Congregational Meeting that year. It can be a bit of a mystery if you haven’t already gone through the process, so I thought I would explain what the folks who were elected Elders, Deacons, and Trustees at the Annual Meeting a few weeks ago have been doing and will be doing before they take up their respective ministries.
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First, being Presbyterians, there is an education process. The Reformed tradition, the theological tradition that traces its roots back to the Protestant cities of modern-day Switzerland (especially Geneva), has always seen education as a crucial element of faith formation in general and leadership development in particular. |
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In terms of ordained leadership, the Reformed leaders felt that the lack of education among priests in that era had caused many of the problems that required the Reformation to fix, particularly the lack of Biblical knowledge and the rise of superstitions around the sacraments, especially Communion.
As a result, they felt that education was crucial to the well-being of both the church and society. This is why Presbyterians in the United States have been so associated with public education, establishing high-quality colleges and universities, and so on. Therefore, they stressed the importance of education for anyone called to ordained leadership in the church.
Today, we continue to follow that commitment. For Ministers of Word and Sacrament like myself and Pastor Lindsey, that means graduating from an accredited institution of theological education that teaches us what we need to fulfill our responsibilities to preach the Word and administer the sacraments faithfully and well.
Elders are called to a different role: to come together through the Session, the governing council of a local Presbyterian congregation, and either make almost all of the decisions in the life of the church or delegate certain responsibilities to other groups and then supervise their work. Deacons are called to another crucial role: a ministry of compassion and justice in the congregation, which involves visiting those who are sick or unable to leave their homes easily, caring for those who are experiencing poverty or other injustices, and so on.
And while Trustees are not ordained, they play a vital role in overseeing the stewardship of our congregation’s major resources like our church facilities and our endowments and other invested funds. All of these roles have particular training that they pick up once they are office, but all of them require a common foundation in the theological commitments and values of our tradition and the practices and processes by which the church is governed. That is the education that our recently-elected officers have been undergoing this month.
Following their education, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) requires the current Session to “examine” the officers-elect on their faith and knowledge before deciding whether to approve them for ordination. That language can sound a bit intimidating, but it always ends up being a real highlight of the year for everyone involved because it is an opportunity to talk deeply about some of our most important commitments and most meaningful experiences in our own faith journeys and our life together as a congregation. That will happen at the end of this month.
Once the Session has approved the candidates for ordination, we hold a service of ordination and installation during the worship services on a Sunday in March. But we will talk more about that when the time comes!
In the meantime, please keep the officers-elect in your prayers as they prepare to take up the ministries you have called them to undertake, and please offer some prayers of thanksgiving to those leaders who are completing their terms of active service in March.
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: Measuring Down 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: UPDATED PROTOCOLS
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Everyone over the age of 2 is required to properly wear a mask covering the nose and mouth; double masks or N95 are recommended.
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Everyone eligible is expected to be fully vaccinated, which now means the initial course of vaccination plus a booster, if you are attending any in-person events at the church.
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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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SOUPER BOWL OF CARING: EXTENDED! |
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We are still accepting donations of canned tuna and chicken, and your financial contributions, through this Sunday.
Collections for cans and checks will take place in the Rotunda and Narthex; for checks and
in the memo area.
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SUNDAY’S FELLOWSHIP & FORMATION HOUR: UPDATES
Hearts N Minds, our adult ed class, will not meet this week. It will meet again on Sunday, February 27 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom only.
Watch for details about Sunday, March 6 when we will have new information about the Fellowship & Formation Hour.
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“Bethlehem Is No Home for Hate”
Recently, not only nationwide but in the Lehigh Valley, we have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of hate speech and literature being circulated by the “Patriotic Front” and other white supremacist groups and individuals. Our Jewish friends, in particular (and the list could also include our Black, Muslim, and Hispanic neighbors, among others) fear not only verbal abuse but actual violence from others who claim to be the only “true Americans.”
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In response to this development, the local chapter of the NAACP and the Mayor’s Community Advisory Board, with the endorsement of the Bethlehem Interfaith Group, have launched a “Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley Are No Home for Hate” campaign, and have asked residents of the Lehigh Valley to weigh in by signing a petition to this effect. |
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We invite you to show your support for this effort by signing the petition, either online (https://chng.it/DpnLJ95q) or in person following Sunday worship. Let’s show our community that Bethlehem is, indeed, “no home for hate.”
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DISCIPLESHIP OFFERING: THREE-PART SERIES
Wednesday: Feburary 23
7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom
The Discipleship Committee will conclude its three-part series, What Does It Mean to Confess the Faith Today? on Wednesday, February 23 – there is no class this coming Wednesday. If you would like to view the two previous sessions: bit.ly/3HLeYDU
“Jesus is Lord.” For Christians, that was the first and foundational confession of faith, and it’s just as relevant today as it was in the first century. In affirming the lordship of Christ, we deny the claim of any other person or thing to exercise ultimate power and authority over us. In our concluding session on confessing the faith today, we will look at two theological statements, the Declaration of Barmen (1934) and the “Reclaiming Jesus” document of 2020, considering what it really means to be a faithful follower of Jesus now.
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You’re invited to join Lindsey Altvater Clifton and Steve Simmons as we consider what confessions are, what they do, and what they can mean for us today.
- To join online for the video class, use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3aeqLLD
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- To join on the phone for audio only, call 929-205-6099, then enter the meeting ID: 385 500 4307, then press # and then # again.
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING BAZ, MURSAL & FAMILY
We’re incredibly grateful for monetary donations to help us meet the ongoing needs of our Afghan refugee family - Baz, Mursal, Taib, and Bahar. If you are willing and able to make a contribution, you can do so online through the church’s “Give” page or with a gift on an upcoming Sunday.
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However you make your gift, please label it “Refugee Family Support” so that it can be accounted for and allocated correctly.
It would also help our finance office if your designated gift is made separately from any regular offerings.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
Wednesday, March 2: Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m.; in person and livestream
Wednesday, March 9 & 23 and April 6: Lenten Wilderness Series from 7-8:15 p.m.; in person and via Zoom
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HELP US FILL THESE OPEN POSITIONS
A growing church means growing our staff – if you know of anyone who might be interested in any of these positions, please have them contact us at HR@fpc-bethlehem.org. These are summaries of the job descriptions.
Administrative Coordinator (new title): to run an effective, smoothly working administrative operations office. 20-25 hours per week. These are a few of the responsibilities: manage/coordinate church calendar of activities and facility use with sensitivity to multiple stakeholders; coordinate facility use requests with Facilities Maintenance Team to ensure all stakeholder needs are met; and maintain an accurate and current church member database.
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Sunday Child Care: an additional hourly childcare worker for the church's childcare room on Sunday mornings from 8:30-12:00 each week. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must have (or obtain) current clearances (criminal background check, child abuse clearance, FBI fingerprint certification).
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Facilities Associate II: to care for church facilities, equipment and grounds. The Facilities Associate II cleans building areas, configures facility for events and assists event participants when needed. Maintains grounds and performs routine mechanical maintenance. Reports breakdowns or major problems. Average hours per week = 25. Three to six month’s related experience or training required.
Preschool Administrative Assistant: to support the Director of our Preschool and Extended Care. The position requires 25 hours per week, with some core and some flexible hours. Because we offer summer learning programs, the position requires availability year-round. HS diploma required, but Associate’s Degree in business, education or related field preferred.
Some of this position’s responsibilities include helping the Director to: prepare and organize enrollment paperwork, answer phones, take messages; maintain substitute teacher list and contact them when needed; collect tuition and enter all receipts/expenditures and deposits into the church’s financial system.
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HI NEIGHBORS: COMING SOON!
Hi Neighbors - our popular weekly speakers' program - is back and in person beginning on Monday, March 7.
For our opening program we’ll enjoy some wonderful animal photographs by John Cordes, the chaplain at Kirkland Village. We’ve also scheduled presentations to help you avoid scams, as well as more of our popular “armchair travelogues.” And the Bethlehem Mounted Police will visit our Preschool in the spring, which we’ll participate in.
Watch for more details to come!
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CHURCH OFFICE UPDATE
The Building Re-Opening Task Force has decided to suspend our volunteer receptionists staffing the office, for the time being. Please 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to Covid restrictions the building's South entrance is only open for Sunday morning worship; it is locked at all other times. You will need to enter the building using the Kirk Center (northeast) entrance (or the person you are meeting with can let you in the South entrance).
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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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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 office is not currently staffed with a receptionist. The building's South entrance is locked during the week so you will need to use the Kirk Center (northeast) entrance (or the person you are meeting with can let you in the South entrance).
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.
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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