GREETINGS FROM OUR PASTOR

Have you been caught up in the controversy over how to greet one another at this time of year? Do you say, “Happy Holidays,” or do you say, “Merry Christmas?”

It must be our sinful nature that causes us to fight over something that is meant to be a joyful salutation. Beginning on Thanksgiving Day my Mother would answer the phone, “Happy Holidays.” She continued saying this all the way through until New Year’s Day. For her, it was a cheerful (and she did say it with a most joyful expression) greeting that included everything from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. I am confident that back then she did not have in mind Hanukkah or Kwanzaa – but people knew that at this time of year my Mother was a happy lady – and she was eager to spread the good cheer.

Now it is time, however, to focus on what is most important – the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord! The incarnation remains a mystery in so many ways. Theologians will continue to reflect on its numerous meanings until the Lord returns. There is one meaning that matters for me – the understanding that God so loved this weary, broken world that He sent his only Son, Jesus, not to condemn or destroy the world, but to save it! The birth of Christ in me and in you is the reason for our celebration. Not that we simply come to believe in Him – for even the demons believe – but that we strive to follow Him in all that we say and do.

I will let you in on a little secret. More times than not, I cheerfully say, “Merry Christmas.”

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Bill

First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem PCUSA

2344 Center Street - Bethlehem

We warmly welcome you to celebrate

Christmas Eve

with

Rev. Dr. Bill Hess

The Hill to Hill Brass Quartet

David Macbeth

First Presbyterian Bethlehem PCUSA Chancel Choir

The loose plate offering received at our Christmas Eve service will be divided equally between the FPCB-PC(USA) Deacon Fund to help members in need and Second Harvest Food Bank. We hope you will consider giving generously to help these funds. Thank you very much. 

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE BELIEVE

CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24:

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service, 7:30 p.m., in the Sanctuary

• No service. Please join us for our Christmas Eve service at 7:30 p.m.

• Communion Worship Service, 11:30 a.m., in the Sanctuary

IN MEMORIAM ~ LORETTA FAIR

We are all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Loretta Fair on December 15 and offer love and condolences to her husband, Phil, children Eric and Becky and their families. 

Loretta Martin Fair (1943 - 2016)

Loretta Martin Fair, 73, of Bethlehem, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016, in Moravian Village. Loretta was the wife of Phillip W. Fair and they celebrated their 50th anniversary on August 6 of this year. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, January 22, 1943, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Theodore and Ethel (Jackson) Martin.

Loretta graduated from Glen Rock High School in 1961, attended Juniata College, and later transferred and graduated from Russell Sage College in New York with a B.S. degree in Biochemistry. She went on to receive a M.A. in teaching from Lehigh University in 1966. She taught biology in Pen Argyl High School from 1966-69, then sacrificed her career to stay home and raise two children. After 11 years, she returned to teaching at Northeast Junior High School from 1980-82, before having a full career at Freedom High School, teaching Biology, Anatomy and Genetics from 1982 until she retired in 2004.

Following retirement, she continued to serve the community by volunteering and teaching regularly at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center in Slatington where she introduced children from throughout the Lehigh Valley to the joys and importance of science. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem (PCUSA) where she taught Sunday school, mentored youth and served as a Stephen Minister. Her interests included birds and wildlife, open water swimming on Crystal Lake on Cape Cod, walking, reading and infusing her grandchildren with an unequaled sense of joy and love. Loretta was a unique woman; intelligent, loving, caring and sensitive in ways that defy words.

Survivors: She is survived by her husband, Phillip Fair; daughter, Rebecca Fair, wife of Martin Zug of Maclean, Virginia; son, Eric Fair, and wife Karin Fair of Bethlehem; grandchildren, Madeline, Calvin and Amelia Zug, and Carl Fair; sisters, Theodora Penny Martin and Frances Martin Doell. She was preceded in death by her youngest sister, Christine J. Martin.

Services: A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11 a.m. in First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA. Arrangements, Pearson Funeral Home, Bethlehem.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Lehigh Gap Nature Center, P. O. Box 198, Slatington, PA 18080, or Friends of Crystal Lake, 128 Monument Road, Orleans, MA 02653. Online condolences may be sent to pearsonfh.com.

CONNECT WITH US

For questions, or to listen to a past sermon, 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.