“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

~ Zechariah 9:9


Palm Sunday (4/2) begins Holy Week. On this day, we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey as the crowd laid palm branches on the ground before him. We will celebrate with a Blessing of the Palms and then having a Palm Sunday Parade where we will wave palm branches and sing praises to honor Jesus as king. And together with Jesus, we will turn our faces towards Jerusalem and prepare to journey with him to his day of Resurrection!


“And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”

~ Luke 22:15


Just as Jesus celebrated the Passover/Seder meal with his disciples, this year we will be doing so on Maundy Thursday (4/6). This will not be a full Passover meal, but a simplified version where we will partake of bitter herbs/greens and salt water just as our Jewish siblings in faith do when they celebrate the Passover.


This is an interactive service that includes intergenerational participation. We would love to have people of all ages join us, especially children who can participate in the service. In one section of the service, there are a few scripted questions that a child would ask to a parent, and the parent will have a scripted answer to give. The questions and answers help the kids to learn about the Passover tradition, and why we tell the story of Passover centuries later still. Also, there is a time in the service when matzah will be hidden in the worship area, and the children will get to search for the matzah.


“Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’”

~ Luke 22:19-20


The service concludes with gathering around the table to celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. The Passover meal and service is a beautiful way to commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. As have communed at the table, we then prepare to journey with Christ to the Cross.


“Christ bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.”

~ 1 Peter 2:24


Easter Egg Hunt (4/8) Come one, come all! The First Reformed Church of Bethlehem's Sunday School class is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt from 1:00-3:00 pm. We are Egg-static for a day of fun and laughter! Bags will be provided for the children to fill and, once full, they may go enjoy some light refreshments that will be available.


Good Friday (4/7) Worship invites us to remember Christ’s death on the Cross. We are called to reflect on the suffering that Christ experienced in his death for the atonement of our sins. We somberly remember Jesus’ last moment and words he spoke as he prepared to take his final breath.


We will not be having a Good Friday Service at FRCB; however, there will be an ecumenical Good Friday Service at Riverview Baptist Church at 7:00 pm in Ravena.


“He is not here; for He is risen …”


Easter Sunday (4/9) - At Sunrise, we will gather at the tomb in the cemetery, and then again at our usual worship time of 10:30 am, to joyfully celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Together on Easter morning, we will proclaim the good news of the resurrection, “Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!” In doing so, we are reminded of the blessed gift that we receive in Christ’s death and resurrection – the gift of salvation – the gift of new life in Christ. Together we will praise God singing:


“Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!”


We hope you will come join us in person or online for our Holy Week Services and Easter/Resurrection Day Celebration!


4/2 Palm Sunday at 10:30am

4/6 Maundy Thursday – Time to be determined

4/7 Good Friday at the Riverview Baptist Church at 7pm

4/8 Holy Saturday (no services)

4/9 Easter Sunrise Service and Easter Service at 10:30am

 

*If you would like to learn more about the Passover/Seder Meal, visit https://www.faithward.org/passover-taste-of-redemption/.

Sunday Worship begins at 10:30 a.m.  Masks are optional within the church building.  If desired, you may attend in the privacy of your car parked in our parking lot.


We have peeled off the magnificent 2022 results of $22,336 to start a new year for the Renovation Fund Drive. To coin a baseball phrase, we have rounded second base and are heading for home with achieving loan pay-off by 2025. We can only ask...give what you can, as every little bit helps toward reaching our 2023 goal of $20,000!  Thank you and let’s pray for another great year!!

If you would like to receive a box of weekly giving envelopes, please call the office at 518-767-2243.  Using these envelopes allows our treasurer to be able to credit your donations at the end of the year for tax purposes.


Online offerings may be made on-line via Tithe.ly and the Give button below. These donations will be deposited directly into the church bank account. You have the option to give to either the General or Renovation Fund. Both Tithe.ly and the church will record your donations.


Tithe.ly deducts a small fee per credit card transaction (2.65% plus $0.30). You have the option to cover these fees, if you wish. You may also choose to have Tithe.ly automatically donate for you weekly or monthly.


As always, thank you for your generosity.

We are looking for the owner of what appears to be someone’s class ring from 1932. It was recently found in the sanctuary, and we would love to find the rightful owner! Inside the ring, there are engraved initials which will be kept secret at this point for identifying purposes. If this belongs to you, please contact the church office.

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We're looking for someone to assist the Pastor, the Consistory, volunteers, and staff in various administrative duties related to the church and its ministry. To provide a ministry presence to all who enter the church.  We are seeking a trustworthy, ministry minded, friendly, creative, detail oriented, professional applicant.


PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 


COMMUNICATION

  • Answering office phones, checking messages, and bringing a welcome presence in the office. 
  • Oversee social media presence, email, and print - not only maintaining but creative innovation for maximum impact. 
  • Publicity about special events and services, as necessary
  • Pick up and distribute mail daily


SUPPORT OF CHURCH MINISTRY

  • Preparation for Sunday worship and special services including bulletins, inserts, and monthly newsletter
  • Maintain and coordinate church calendar
  • Maintain building and pavilion use schedule
  • Ensure equipment and supplies are in place for both facility maintenance and ministry
  • Initial contact with vendors
  • Maintain bulletin board displays
  • Support the ministry teams in their work (sign-ups, ordering materials, communication, event promotion and more) 


REQUIREMENTS

  • Familiarity with church life and culture and compatibility with Reformed doctrine
  • Experience as an Administrative Assistant
  • Friendly and professional demeanor
  • Ability to meet deadlines with quality work
  • Willingness to learn and innovate
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, social media platforms (or willingness to learn) 
  • Maintain church databases, directory, and necessary church records not under another’s responsibility
  • Perform other tasks and duties as requested by pastor, consistory or staff
  • This position requires flexibility, confidentiality, and the ability to work both independently and with teams
  • Must be able to manage multiple projects and problem-solve


COMPENSATION

  • This position is paid monthly and receives a W-2 each year  
  • Position is paid on an hourly rate


SCHEDULE

  • Office Hours required are Monday through Friday o Office Hours can be negotiated with the Pastor and Consistory. The roll has flexibility in hours.
    • Office is closed on certain holidays which is based on the RCS School Holiday Schedule
    • 15-20 hours per week


We are prepared to train the right candidate to ensure our mutual success. On the job training over time is to be expected of the administrative assistant as well. If interested, please send your resume and a letter sharing why you think you would be a great fit for this position to either the church address or email.

  

First Reformed Church of Bethlehem

Attn: Consistory

38 Church Road

Selkirk, NY 12158