by Carol Burns | Jan 20, 2023
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: ELECTING OUR LEADERS Friends, electing the leaders of this congregation is one of the most important actions that you can take as members. I want to thank the Congregational Nominating Committee for their outstanding work in...
by Carol Burns | Jan 13, 2023
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: ANSWERING THE CALL In two weeks, on January 29 immediately following a combined worship service at 10 a.m., we will be having our Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. It is...
by Carol Burns | Jan 6, 2023
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: CELEBRATING THE EPIPHANY Epiphany is often, at best, an afterthought among U.S. Protestant Christians. If you asked most people about the Twelve Days of Christmas, almost all of them would say something about the song that...
by Carol Burns | Dec 23, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: EMBODYING GOD’S LOVE At a recent church staff meeting, we began by sharing what Christmas traditions were so important to us that, if we didn’t observe them, it wouldn’t really feel like Christmas. One of the most common answers...
by Carol Burns | Dec 16, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US! Christmas is almost here! The busyness of the season is in full swing, I know, and that is certainly the case here at First Pres over the next few days. But in the midst of that busyness, I hope that you...
by Carol Burns | Dec 9, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE REV. J.C. AUSTIN: THE PRACTICE OF INTENTIONAL JOY Advent has become an increasingly unusual season in the Christian church because it stands in significant contrast to the way in which the general culture prepares for Christmas. In terms of our...
