A NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR

Greetings,

This past Sunday we heard the quote by David Livingston, “If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice.”  That wonderful Scotsman gave his life to the fulfillment of the Great Commission – to go to the ends of the earth to baptize, make disciples, and to teach what Jesus’ taught.

Bethlehem is not at the “end of the earth,” but I find it an honor to drive to the Lehigh Valley several times each week to fulfill the Great Commission. Our Church Officer Training, which began last month, has been an especially delightful time for all of us to grow in discipleship. We have listened to moving testimonies of how we have come to faith in Jesus Christ. We have explored the basic principles of the Reformed faith as well as Presbyterian polity. Lastly, we have started to consider how we will be organized as a Session and a Board of Deacons. I wish you all could have experienced the passion, the dedication, and the hope that was present in our sessions each week.

We have wonderful days ahead. This Sunday we will reflect on passages from the Sermon on the Mount and our Lord’s comment, “But I say unto you!

On Feb 19, we will welcome the Rev. Jack Haberer to the pulpit and we will have a time of Q & A following the service. Jack was recently installed as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian, Allentown. He has extensive national experience in the recent history of denominational issues gleaned from his time as editor of Presbyterian Outlook.

On February 26, we will ordain and install our officers as we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday.

On March 12, we will welcome the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson – what an honor and privilege it will be to have him with us!

During Lent we will reflect on the sermon series, “Beneath the Cross of Jesus.” After Lent we will consider “Jesus’ Parables About Priorities.”  

Making disciples – that is what it is all about! This is not a sacrifice – it is an honor to have such a commission from our Heavenly King.

Pastor Bill Hess

BOXED OFFERING ENVELOPES AVAILABLE

Boxed offering envelopes will be available for pick up this Sunday at the following times and places:

• Narthex:  8-8:30 a.m.
• Fellowship Hall:  9:30-10 a.m.

Single envelopes will also be available from the ushers but will no longer be inserted into the bulletins.

If you are unable to pick them up and would like to have your envelopes mailed, please contact Ginny Shunk at 610-865-1948 or Fredginny@aol.com.

LENTEN DEVOTIONALS

Lenten Devotionals will be available for pickup the next three Sundays, Feb 12, 19 and 26.

This year’s new Lenten devotional, Meeting Jesus, by Jodi Craiglow invites us to join 47 biblical figures — one for each day of Lent — who encounter Jesus during his earthly life and ministry. Speaking in first-person conversational form, these characters tell us “in their own words” what they’ve seen and learned. They draw us in to share their joys and struggles, and help us understand Jesus in a newer, richer way. The narratives are rounded out with a daily Scripture reading and short prayer.

Meeting Jesus is perfect for congregations, families, and individuals.

KOINONIA GROUP NEWS

For all those wishing to join a Koinonia group, sign ups will be held after worship during hospitality time in Fellowship Hall the next four Sundays, Feb 12, 19, 26, and March 5.

A member of our Koinonia committee will be available to talk with those who wish to find out more about the value and experience of deepening their faith in this way. New groups will start the week of March 5. Groups will meet for 8 sessions, twice a month into June. Everyone is welcome to sign up.

For more information or questions, please contact Gail Watts at gnwatts848@gmail.com or 570-449-8791.

JACK HABERER TO PREACH ON FEB 19

Rev. Jack Haberer, Lead Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown will preach on Sunday, February 19.

Jack is well known in the denomination of the PC(USA), having served on several denomination-wide committees and task forces, most notably the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church from 2001- 2006.  He has served two long-time PC(USA) pastorates as Head-of-Staff in Houston, Texas, and Satellite Beach, Florida, and most recently (as he says) as an “unintentional interim” Head-of-Staff in Naples, Florida.

In addition, Jack has been the Editor-Publisher of The Presbyterian Outlook, Richmond, Virginia, for nine years and is the author of three books, Living in the Presence of the Spirit (2001), God Views: The Convictions That Drive Us and Divide Us (2001) and It’s Complicated: A Guide To Faithful Decision Making (2016). He received his bachelor's degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, N.Y., his Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass., and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.

A reception in Room 178 and question-and-answer time in the Chapel will take place following our worship service. Pastor Haberer will discuss and provide updates about denominational news and issues.

CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12:

• Worship Service, 8:30 a.m., in the Sanctuary
• Hospitality in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service
• Hearts and Minds Adult Education, 10 a.m., in Room 400

• Choir Practice, 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the Choir Room

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18:

• Mary Faith Carson Memorial Service, 11 a.m., Central Moravian Church

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19:

• Rev. Jack Haberer preaching
• Hospitality in Room 178 immediately following the service
• Reception with Jack Haberer, 10 a.m., in the Chapel
• No Hearts and Minds Adult Education class this week

NORTHEAST MINISTRY FUNDRAISER

Please join friends of Northeast Ministry for a Pancake Breakfast Buffet on Sunday, February 12, from 12 - 2 p.m., hosted by East Hills Moravian Church.

This year’s breakfast will feature guest chefs including FeFe from the Iron Pigs and a Silent Auction of original artwork by the youth who attend the After School Homework Club program.

Ticket prices are:  Adults $10, Children (6-12 ) $6, and children 5 and under free.  For information or to purchase tickets, please contact Northeast Ministry at 610-691-3355 or nembethlehem@gmail.com.

AN IMPORTANT MISSION OPPORTUNITY 

The Helping Hands Care Team of Lehigh Presbytery is planning a mission work trip to Sumter, S.C., on March 18-25, to assist with the recovery efforts after heavy rains and flooding caused extensive damage to the churches and homes in that area. This will be their third trip to South Carolina.

Volunteers are needed to help with the reconstruction. No specific skills or experience are required, other than to be flexible and provide whatever help is needed. Of course, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and dry wall installation skills are always welcome.

Volunteers will be staying at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 West Liberty Street, Sumter, SC and are asked to bring sleeping bags.  Elevated air mattresses, showers and bathrooms available on site. Meals will be provided. Travel will be by rented passenger vans.

Cost is $175.00 per person and volunteers must register by March 6, 2017.

Click the following links for more information and a registration forms.

Trip flyer

Registration-Skills form

If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the Presbytery office by phone at 610-391-9020 or email office@lehigh presbytery.org.

HI NEIGHBORS 

INFORMATIVE PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN

The spring semester of Hi Neighbors begins on Monday, March 6. Fellowship time with coffee and refreshments will start at 9:15 a.m. followed by two separate programs, one from 9:45-10:45, the second from 11-11:45.  

People come from all over the Lehigh Valley and from a variety of faith persuasions to learn something new, listen to music, and make new friends.  Programs cover a variety of topics and are selected to entertain and inform listeners.  Last Fall, we had Penny Levens, a music therapist;  State Senator Lisa Boscola; and Kassie Hilgert, the President of ArtsQuest to name a few.  Our own, Bob Brown, has presented videos of his extensive travel.

All are welcome and there is no cost or pre-registration required.

This program has enriched many adults on Monday mornings since 1977.  It is staffed by volunteers and is supported by First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.

The program committee is busy working on the schedule, which will go out on February 18. Stay tuned.

PER CAPITA HELPS ADVANCE OUR FAITH

Providing a dish to a pot luck dinner or gas money given for a road trip with friends are two images to help us understand how our annual per capita dollars, or shared proportional giving, contributes to the larger good of serving Christ through our local PCUSA presbytery, Synod and General Assembly.

As FPBC PCUSA, we have been direct recipients of their help this past year.  We have a lot to thank them for!

If you are willing and have the means to cover your own per capita for 2017, our "dish" or "gas money" in the amount of $28.76 per individual or $57.52 per couple will be received with much gratitude.  Checks may be made out to Lehigh Presbytery, designating per capita.

CARE CONCERNS AND HOSPITAL VISITS

If members of the FPCB-PC(USA) congregation are hospitalized and would welcome pastoral and hospital ministrant visitors and/or prayers, please contact Ginny Shunk at 610-865-1948 or at Fredginny@aol.com

At this time there is no way for hospitals to distinguish between the two congregations associated with our church.

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“Friendship, generosity, deep caring for each other and openness to the world are the marks of a growing community.”     Submitted by Ralph Laurita

CONNECT WITH US

For questions, or to listen to or download one of our past sermons, please visit: www.fpcb-pcusa.org

Pastor Bill Hess can be reached at: Bill.Hess@FPCB-PCUSA.org

David Macbeth can be reached at:  David.Macbeth@FPCB-PCUSA.org

You can also connect with us on Facebook.