News of Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
March 2013
Welcoming The Rev. Tony Pompa
Celebrating our full communion with the Episcopal Church
in America, Central is pleased to welcome the Rev. Anthony
R. Pompa, Dean and Rector of Cathedral Church of the
Nativity in Bethlehem, to its pulpit on Sunday, March 3, at
both the 9 and 11 a.m. services. Pastor Tony is no stranger to
our congregation, bringing greetings as we shared together in
celebrating their 150th anniversary with Lovefeast last spring.
“Say
Cheese” A Quick Picture Is Needed!
Is there someone in the congregation whose name you just
cannot remember? Have you heard a name but cannot place
it? Help us all to get to know each other better by getting
your picture taken - and in a much easier format this year!
Before and after the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, March 24,
Central member and professional photographer, Lisa Arnold
will be in the West Rooms of the Sanctuary to take a quick
picture. We’ll just need you to confirm your directory
information and get one or two shots of you (and your
family) - like a passport picture. There will be no pressure
to buy the picture nor multiple shots or scenes.
On March 24, come to the West Rooms anytime between
10-10:45 a.m. or right after the 11 a.m. service. We will
be serving light refreshments after church as you wait.
Pictures will again be taken on Sun., April 21 and Sun.,
September 8.
If you live at a distance or cannot get to church, please
consider submitting a picture to Pastor Janel. Digital is
preferred but we can scan a good quality picture too. Help
our congregation get to know each other better through your
participation in our pictorial directory!
Lenten Retreat
Join us for a Spiritual Retreat for women on March 23,
at 9 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. at Christian Spring Estate. Women
of Central Church are invited to come and take your place
in the sanctuary of women. Celebrate life’s goodness and
brokenness in our stories and discover prayer in poetry, color
and form. Contact Emily Wallace for additional details
610-730-5821 or [email protected].
9 a.m. in the Old Chapel
11 a.m. in the Sanctuary
March 3 - Third Sunday of Lent
Sermon: The Rev. Tony Pompa
March 10 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
Sermon: The Rev. Janel R. Rice
March 17 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
Reception Sunday
Sermon: The Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon
March 24 - Palm Sunday
Confirmation Sunday
Sermon: The Rev. Janel R. Rice
March 31 - Easter Sunday
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service
Sanctuary/God's Acre (weather permitting)
9 a.m. - Old Chapel Worship
Sermon: The Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon
10 a.m. Scripture Egg hunt, Church Green
Refreshments in the C.E. Building
11 a.m. Triumph Service, Sanctuary
Sermon: The Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon
See page 2 for a full schedule of Holy Week worship.
Spring Organ Concert
Becky Owens will present a Spring Organ Concert
on Sunday afternoon, March 3 at 3 p.m. in the Central
Moravian Church Sanctuary. Favorite organ pieces
included on the program will be the famous Toccata and
Fugue in d minor by J.S. Bach, Carillon de Westminster
by Vierne, and Toccata by Widor. There is a $10
suggested donation at the door to support Concerts at
Central.
The Belfry
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Upcoming Events At Central!
Lenten Series Continues This March:
"Why Church? A Pastor's Personal View"
During this year's Lenten series, our Bethlehem Area Moravian (BAM)
pastors will rotate through the churches sharing their views on why the
church is important to them and the community. What makes the church
a vital part of our world and how do we all make that possible? Meet,
worship with, and learn from our BAM pastors as we all discover what
church means for us, through the shared thoughts of our BAM clergy.
We will begin with a meal together at 6 p.m. in the Christian Education
building of Central and then start our program at 7 p.m. in the same
space. Our schedule is as follows:
March 6: Rev. Chris Giesler, Edgeboro Moravian Church
Choirs (dinner)
March 13: Rev. Rhonda Robinson, Esperanza for Bethlehem
Youth Fellowship Group (dinner)
March 20: Rev. Marge Hassler, West Side Moravian
Busy Workers (dinner)
"The Seven Last Words Of Christ"
The evening of Good Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m., is a time for quiet
contemplation, prayer, and meditation as this service focuses us on
the last words of Jesus. Based on the reading "Poem After The Seven
Last Words" by Mark Strand, our worship will be filled with time of
silence, poetry and hymns in the beauty of the Old Chapel. The poem
was originally commissioned by the Brentano String Quartet for reading
during their performance of Haydn’s masterpiece, The Seven Last Words
of Christ. Join us in the Old Chapel.
Invite A Friend To Central’s Great Sabbath Lovefeast
Share this wonderful worship experience at Central with friends and
neighbors by inviting them to join us for the Great Sabbath Lovefeast at
3 p.m. on March 30. Held on the Saturday between Good Friday and
Easter Sunday in remembrance of Jesus’ day of rest in the tomb and the
hope of His resurrection, Central’s Great Sabbath Lovefeast provides
warm fellowship with a spiritually enriching musical respite from the
more solemn experience of the rest of Holy Week.
Visitors will be invited to take home a free gift and receive information
about Central. Our pastors will be available to greet and show our
visitors around on a tour. coffee mug with information about Central in
remembrance of their worship experience. Special invitations will be
available in our bulletins in mid-March.
Holy Week and Easter
Palm Sunday Worship
March 24 - Confirmation
9 a.m. Old Chapel
11 a.m. Sanctuary
7 p.m. Evening Worship - Sanctuary
Readings for Holy Week
March 25, 26, 27
7 p.m. Sanctuary
Maundy Thursday
March 28 - Holy Communion
7 p.m. Sanctuary
Good Friday
March 29 - Holy Communion
10 a.m. Old Chapel
Crucifixion Service
2:15 p.m. Sanctuary
Seven Last Words
7 p.m. Old Chapel
Great Sabbath Lovefeast
March 30 - 3 p.m. Sanctuary
Easter Sunday
March 31- 6:30 a.m. Dawn Service
Sanctuary and God’s Acre
9 a.m. Old Chapel Worship
10 a.m. Scripture Egg Hunt
Church Green
11 a.m. Sanctuary Worship
Youth Needed
Youth - help us prepare for
Easter’s Sunrise Service by
decorating God’s Acre with
hyacinths Saturday, March 30
at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast will be
provided.
The Belfry
A Memoir Legacy
On Sunday, March 10, the Comenius Forum, will
feature Dr. Bob Burcaw, Professor Emeritus of English
at Moravian College speak on “Remembrances of
Things Past: You and Your Memoir Legacy.” Join us
after church at 12:30 p.m. in the Old Chapel. We will
discuss a memoir writing class at Central too. Light
refreshments will be provided as we begin.
Spring Rummage Sale
The annual Spring Rummage and Bake Sale will be
held on Saturday, March 23, at Schoeneck Moravian
Church, in Nazareth from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The
rummage sale features childrens and adult clothing,
housewares, toys, books, and furniture.
Join Us In New York City!
Join us on Saturday, April 20, at 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
as we visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum
and the 9-11 Memorial.
You'll be able to have lunch in one of many eateries
in the Little Italy/Chinatown area. Cost for the trip is
$40 (includes bus, museum cost, bus driver's tip).
Sign-up sheet is available in the church office
610-866-5661. Checks should be made payable to
Central Moravian Church (with Social Action trip in
the memo line).
- Joan Carson, Social Action Committee.
Lay Visitors Welcome
Would you like to bring the joy and hospitality of
our congregation to a member or friend who can't
get to church? Our lay visitors would welcome
you to receive a name (or two) of someone who
would like a friendly visit a few times a year, as
well as cards, phone calls, etc. Please talk with
a pastor or Miriam and David Devey for more
information. If you know of someone who would
like a visit, please contact us as well!
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Camp Hope Welcomes Children
And Youth This Summer
Experience a time of learning, community and fun as
your children meet other Moravians at Camp Hope!
Completed Grades 1-2, June 30 - July 2
Completed Grades 3-4, June 23-29
Completed Grades 5-6, July 7-13
Completed Grades 7-8, July 21-27
Completed Grades 9 - age 21, Aug. 4-10
Swimming Camp, completed grades 3-6,
July 28-August 3
Fishing Camp, completed grades 7-11, June 23-29
There is a BAM scholarship available for anyone in a
Bethlehem Moravian congregation of $100 and Central
will provide additional scholarships up to $100 per
child. Camp is very affordable with these scholarships!
Please talk with Pastor Janel to register or visit www.
camphope.org for more information. If you choose to
register with Camp Hope directly, please indicate that
you qualify for a Central and BAM scholarship.
Tax Assistance Available
The IRS has compiled a list of available assistance for
taxpayers who need assistance filing their federal tax
returns. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program,
or VITA, assists low-to-moderate income individuals,
generally those making less than $49,000 annually,
who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Find a VITA
site near you at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/FreeTax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers by
entering your zip code or talk with a Pastor for further
assistance.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly, or TCE, is a program
that provides free tax assistance to individuals over 60
years old. You can find the closest location at the same
site provided above. The military also has a strong
VITA program that assists military members and their
families. Military personnel can locate the nearest VITA
site by contacting the military Legal Service Locator
athttp://legalassistance.law.af.mil/content/locator.php.
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The Belfry
The Belfry
Our apologies to the History Committee and Pulpit
Flowers Committee for omitting their reports from
our Annual Report.
History Committee
Established in 2007, just after the 200th anniversary
celebration of the construction of Central Church, the
History Committee has just completed its sixth full year
of work. 2012 was most definitely “The Year of the
Putz” for the committee, as members researched, wrote,
edited, and designed a lovely volume to commemorate
the 75th anniversary of this wonderful Central tradition
just in time for Christmas. The publication of The
Moravian Christmas Putz: Bethlehem Moravians Tell the
Story of the Birth of Christ would not have been possible
without Vangie Sweitzer’s lively text, Nancy Rutman’s
stunning design, Mary Jo Hill’s and Paul Peucker’s expert
fact-checking and other editorial assistance, and Carol
Reifinger’s skillful support in identifying funding.
To help launch the Putz book, we took Vangie’s inspired
suggestion and arranged for tours of some of Central’s
members’ wonderful home putzes. June Griffiths,
Marge Rowland, Hank Naisby, and Priscilla Schueck
worked quickly and tirelessly to put these tours together.
Those who were lucky enough to attend saw three very
different, but equally delightful home putzes, as well as
Central’s own. We were very grateful to Jody Trostle,
Deb Leyshon-Brandt, and AnneMarie and Jim Whildin
for opening their homes and putzes to the congregation.
The documentation of our remarkable architectural
history continued to be a focus for the committee. In
2012, with support from the Trustees and the on-going
capital campaign, Jeffrey Long began the project to create
an architectural records survey of the Old Chapel—a
complete record of photography and drawings that will
be permanently on file at Central and at the Moravian
Archives. The project is well underway. Another
project, spearheaded by Barry Pell, is the development
of architectural history informational panels for Central’s
buildings. The first one has been completed for the
Church Office Building, and it is on display at 73 West
Church Street. Next on the list are the Old Chapel and
the Christian Education Building.
Central’s artifacts have also been an area of interest and
concern for the committee. On September 23, in honor of
Central’s History Month, the committee sponsored a brief
historical moment during the worship service to showcase
some of the historical seating from our past, including
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one of the original benches from the earliest days
that had been discovered in the attic. The return of
our objects loaned to Winterthur this year has raised
again the issue of where our things can be most
safely stored—and this will on our agenda in the
coming year.
- Diane Shaw, Chair
Committee members: Sandi Gebhart, June
Griffiths, Mary Jo Hill, Jeffrey Long, Pat
McAndrew, Hank Naisby (Elder representative),
Richard Pearce (Trustee representative), Barry Pell,
Paul Peucker, Marge Rowland, Nancy Rutman,
Priscilla Schueck, Bart Shaw, Vickie ZieglerThompson
Pulpit Flower Distribution
288 Bouquets were distributed to 13 different
institutions by the good works of 42 delivery
people during the year. We have a very dedicated,
loving, and helpful congregation who are eager
to visit hospitals, nursing homes and the homebound. The Committee who prepares the flowers
for distribution are Dorothea Lovis, Nina Schaffer,
Cheryl Tubio, and others. We three are most
grateful for the members who appear in the Sacristy
each Sunday, willing to visit our shut-ins. Many
thanks to a wonderful congregation!
- Cheryl Tubio
Revised Birth and Baptism
Vital Statistics
BirthsBaptisms
Bryce Charles
Bryce Charles
Aidric Conroy
Lou Delaport
Cassia Dever
Mosiah Derso
Madision Jezick
Evan Fretz
Henry Jones
Kaylyn George
Gabrielle Kintzer
Madison Jezick
Annie Lamberton
Gavin Kret
Beverly Wood
Annie Lamberton
Madeleine Williams
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The Belfry
a church mouse report
From Pew To Pulpit . . .
hello
and easter greetings
and it doesn’t happen often but easter is in march this
year
and we may have snow for the sunrise service
and even daylight savings time begins in march this
year
and the sunrise service will be really early
and even spring begins in march
and it will be quite cool for the sunrise service
and yet the faithful will join in the church
and on this most joyful day shout the lord is risen
and the lord is risen indeed
and sing hail all hail victorious lord
and joyful we with one accord hail you as our risen lord
and later process to god’s acre with trombones
mellowing the crisp air
and join with the spirits of those who have gone to the
joy of their lord
and sing grant me to lean unshaken upon your
faithfulness till i from this earth am taken to see you
face to face
and we all share in the blessing of risen christ
and he was dead
and is alive forever and ever
and loves you
and so do i
Dear Sisters and Brothers of Central,
It is both an honor and a joy to share with you
from the perspective of a member of the pastoral
staff of this blessed and beloved congregation. I am
choosing to entitle my reflections this month “From
Pew to Pulpit”.
Serving as a pastor of Central Moravian Church is
my seventh ministry location since ordination as a
Deacon in the Moravian Church in 1983. We offer
thanks to God for the privilege of service and the
opportunity to respond to God’s call. This is the first
time I am moving from being a sitting member of a
worshiping community to being a standing member
of the leadership team. I think I like it!
In some ways, I am comforted by the thought that
I had a fairly good grasp of the extent of our mission
and ministry before receiving the call to serve. Even
a hobo knows the wisdom of running alongside the
train before hopping on.
In more ways, I am inspired by memories of the
warm welcome and genuine love and care offered
by so many members of the congregation, past and
present. We have a rich heritage. We have an even
richer capacity to be a blessing to others—many of
whom are within arms length of where we sit.
In most ways, I am overwhelmed with gratitude
for the outpouring of love and support as Shelia
and I start this journey with you. The January 20th
installation service and reception that followed far
surpassed our expectations and we are most grateful.
My sincere thanks to my colleague, Pastor Janel, to
my two immediate predecessors, Pastor Carol and
Pastor Doug, to the Joint Board and all lay leaders of
the congregation, to a phenomenal staff, an inspiring
music ministry, and a very dedicated Sacristan
Corps. Special thanks to each member or friend of
Central who faithfully responds to God’s invitation
to fill the jars. Every talent, every gift has a place
and time for expression and is deeply appreciated.
Thank you ....
We would like to express our thanks for the wonderful
support our mother, Anna Wiegner, received from so
many members of Central Moravian Church during
the last years of her life. The visits, assistance with
transportation, and thoughtful gifts made her life easier
and richer as her world became smaller. It was certainly
a demonstration of the meaning of a church “family.”
-Tom and Allen Wiegner
Best wishes for a blessed Lenten season,
Pastor Hopeton
The Belfry
Musical Notes
Rebecca Owens, Director of Music
[email protected]
The Central Handbell Ensemble
under the direction of Jeanne
Bednarik, rehearses on Sunday
evenings in the Kleiner Saal. If you
are interested in ringing, contact
Jeanne Bednarik at 610-974-8332.
Central Moravian Brass Choir
under the direction of Caitlin
Worrich, plays the second Sunday
of every month at the 11:00 a.m.
worship service, and will play
on Sunday, March 10. If you are
interested,
contact Caitlin Worrich at
[email protected].
Music Committee Meeting:
Tuesday, March 5 at 6 p.m.
Llyena Boylan, Chair
The Old Chapel Organ Update
All is well with the Old Chapel
Organ project! Many new digital
sounds have been chosen and the new
pipes have been ordered, but there
is a slight delay for the beginning of
the project since the pipes won’t be
ready until late May. In many ways,
this is an answer to prayer as there
is no pressure to have everything
finished by Easter! This also allows
a few more months for the organ
fund to earn additional interest. It
is our hope that the new organ
will be in place by the end of May
and the project complete by early
June. We are blessed to work with
two wonderful companies (Walker
Technical Company and Emery
Brothers) who are accommodating of
our busy Old Chapel schedule. “Stay
tuned” for next month’s Old Chapel
Organ Update.
Moravian Music Festival
coming soon...July 14-20, 2013
Central Moravian Church will be the
site of the 24th Moravian Music
Festival, held every four years
and sponsored by the Moravian
Music Foundation. The Festivals
are opportunities for music lovers
to gather and enjoy learning new
music, presenting concerts, and
worshipping together.
Highlights include:
• Monday night organ concert
by Becky Owens
• Tuesday night concert by
Tim Zimmerman and the
King’s Brass
• Wednesday night
performance of the Easter
Cantata by E. W. Wolf
• Thursday night
performance by the Festival
Band at Foy Hall conducted
by Allen Frank
• Friday night concert of
favorite anthems.
There are several ways
to participate in this festival.
All are welcome to attend the
concerts (tickets will be available
for the King’s Brass Concert in
late spring.). We are also looking
for volunteers to help in many
different capacities – please stay
tuned for next month’s Musical
Notes for additional volunteer
information!! All are welcome
to register for this Festival as a
singer or as band player.
For more information
on tuition, schedules, and
registration forms, email Becky
Owens.
Children & Youth
Opportunities in the Moravian
Music Festival
Activities for children entering
grades 1-5 are an exciting feature
of this Festival. Coordinated by
Myra Jones, our children will
enjoy a Bible school program
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in our own Christian Education
Building, including a new musical
to be performed on Friday afternoon
in Peter Hall of Moravian College,
and a variety of outings and
activities including a visit to the
Crayola Factory. Contact Becky or
the church office for a Children’s
Registration Form. Thanks to
great support from Bethlehem
Area Moravians and the United
Brethren’s Church of Staten Island,
there is no tuition charged for the
children’s program. (For those
interested, meal costs are also
partially subsidized by these grants.)
Youth entering grades 6-12 may
choose to participate in the adult
Festival Chorus or Band, or as space
permits, in the Children’s Program
as singers/teen assistants. All are
invited to participate in the “Festival
Youth Group” which will meet six
times for youth-friendly activities
during the week including a Sunday
night pizza party and a post-concert
celebration on Friday night.
Youth participants should come
to the Festival with an adult
responsible for their welfare
during the week. Thanks to great
support from BAM and the United
Brethren’s Church of Staten Island,
there is no tuition charged for
youth participating in the Moravian
Music Festival. Central Moravian
Church has several young adults/
college students who would love
to participate in this Moravian
Music Festival, but the tuition for
adult registration is $300. If any
member would be interested in
providing a scholarship towards
their registration cost, please contact
Becky Owens.
The Belfry
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The Belfry
NON–PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
March 2013
PAI D
Permit No. 495
LEHIGH VALLEY, PA
Central Moravian Church
73 West Church Street
Bethlehem PA 18018
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Phone: 610-866-5661 Fax: 610-866-7256
Email: [email protected] Website: www.centralmoravianchurch.org
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
Closed for Lunch 12-12:30 p.m
Pastoral Staff:
Hopeton Clennon
Janel R. Rice
Facilities Administrator:
Mike Wall
Music Staff:
Rebecca Kleintop Owens
Richard T. Miller
Youth Ministry:
Garritt Fleming
Rebecca Schoeneberger
Administrative Assistant:
Cynthia Gibson
Financial Secretary:
George Mowers
Sexton:
John Geier
Moravian Women March Meetings
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4 & 5
Group 6
Group 7
1st Wed., Mar. 6
2nd Tues., Mar. 12
2nd Wed., Mar. 13
2nd Mon., Mar. 11
3rd Thurs., Mar. 21
2nd Sun., Mar. 10
12:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
10:00 a.m.
73 W. C. R.
C.E. Nitschmann
Maria Prochnau
Chapel LL
73 W C.R.
73 W. Parlor
The Belfry Deadline
Articles for the April
Belfry are due in the church
office by March 5.
Moravian Women Board Meeting will be Monday, March 25,
at 1:30 p.m. in the Church Office Conference Room
Church Journal
Have You Started Your Spring Cleaning?
In Memoriam:
January 12 - Mary Jane Schuler
January 15 - Anna Wiegner
January 18 - Kess Webster, Jr.
The Busy Workers will be combining their annual Plant Sale
with an “Attic Treasures Sale” on Saturday, May 11 at the
C.E. Building. If you have toys, games,books, housewares,
tools, kitchen gadgets, furniture, holiday decorations, etc. that
are lightly used but no longer needed (and that you would be
willing to donate), please save them for the Busy Workers.
Sorry, we cannot take clothing (that's for Cynthia's Boutique!),
stuffed animals or electronic items. Information on where and
when to drop off items will be available soon. Thanks!