Friday, April 25, 2025 Newsletter



For Sunday

9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service

 (in person in Fellowship Hall)

11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service

       (in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)

A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:

THE COMMON GOOD

Three weeks ago, I was invited to attend Mayor Reynolds’ annual State of the City address. It’s an event that I’ve been to before, and one that always leaves me proud of our community and our leaders. This year, that was even more the case!  

All of you know that your life is richer when you’re connected to other people. That when you have a mission that’s about creating something that’s not just about yourselves, you feel more like you’re part of a community.

We do big things in Bethlehem: we build steel mills, we build steel stacks, we build greenways, we build community centers, we build new parks, we build new trails, we build new small businesses. We also build things that you can’t see: doors that need to open for everybody, we build families, we build people that care about each other.

People say, “I want my kid to have it better than I had.” Around here we say, “We want every kid to have it better than we had.” We say, “We want your kid to have it better than you had.”

Friends, that is the common good. That is kinship. That is koinonia. That is beloved community.

This week in worship, we meet some of the disciples a bit later on resurrection day, and we walk alongside them (and incognito Jesus) for awhile. Together, we consider how to be disciples and how we are called to build community even in the midst of unimaginable circumstances. It is good to remember that we don’t walk alone!

With gratitude and blessings for the journey,

Lindsey

P.S. If you’d like to see the State of the City address, you can watch it online HERE.

Traditional Worship Service bulletin will be sent on Saturday

HEAR HOW OUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Last fall, FPC-Bethlehem made a grant of $5000 from the McKnight Memorial Scholarship Fund to Lafayette College’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. 

This spring, the college's ASB program took 11 students and two staff/faculty partners to Catalina Island for conservation work. The team worked in the Island's Botanical Gardens preparing pathways for visitors, and tackled invasive plant removal to create a healthier ecosystem. 

Their final few days were spent clearing trails around the island and exploring the town. It was also an educational opportunity for students to learn more about how communities are connected and disconnected from conservation work happening around them. 

Come and hear more about their experience this Sunday, April 27 at both services as students join us for our Minute for Mission time. Four students will be attending our 9 a.m. service and five at the 11:15 a.m. service. We are excited to hear how our support made a difference.

HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED CLASS: JOIN US ON SUNDAY

BODY N SOUL: INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH FORMATION

YOU’RE INVITED: A SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONVERSATION

Our friends at the Lehigh Dialogue Center (who hosted the Iftar dinner at First Pres during Ramadan) have invited us to an exciting opportunity to deepen our friendship and our understanding of one another’s traditions this Sunday, April 27, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Respect Graduate School, 2200 Industrial Drive.

This won’t be an academic discussion as much as a chance to talk about how our faith traditions shape our lives, and to learn about one another’s “lived religion.” We hope you can join us!

FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE  

Standing at the Crossroads: A Conversation about Discernment 

Saturday, May 3 

9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

We seek to know what is not clear. Our hope: to step out confidently, moving from darkness to light. Yes, from doubt to clarity. Yes to an understanding of our path. Oh Lord, my anxious soul seek peace. 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LEHIGH VALLEY FUNDRAISER 

Now fielding TWO TEAMS

She Nailed It! is an all women, nail-hammering, relay competition and one of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley's signature fundraising events! 

We’re excited to announce that First Pres has added a second team, FPCB Nailing for the Neighbors: Deb Philpotts, Joanne Kelhart, Pam Swank and Cindy King. They’ll be competing against the team of Donna Taggart, Allison Masters, Tracy Samuelson, and Polly Beste.

With the addition of the second team, our church needs to raise a minimum of $3,000 by the end of the month (thank you! so far we’ve raised over $1,500).

To support our teams - and HabitatLV - you can make a gift online using the button, below. You can also write a check to the church with She Nailed It! on the memo line. 

HI NEIGHBORS: ANOTHER GREAT PROGRAM COMING

On Monday, May 5, we’ll hear from Aaron Weisberg of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, the AAA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. He’ll give a preview of the 2025 season. 

LOOKING AHEAD

Sunday, May 11: Rev. Keith Brown Memorial Tree Dedication 

You are invited to join us in the Memorial Garden immediately following the 11:15 service on Sunday, May 11, to dedicate a redbud tree and plaque to honor the memory of Rev. Keith Brown. His mission and ministry, spanning 31 years here at FPC, focused on building relationships within and beyond the church. As we honor his memory, may we continue to build those interconnections of all kinds.

Sunday, May 25: Summer Worship Schedule Begins 

We will begin our summer schedule of worshipping together at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Sunday, June 1: Lemonade on the Lawn Begins 

Our popular social time will be offered after our 10 a.m. service, on the front (east) lawn as weather permits – otherwise we’ll meet in the North Link. As we did last year, we will be looking for small groups and families to step forward to host these events. Watch for a sign-up, coming soon.

ANOTHER SPECIAL CONCERT BY CONCORD CHAMBER SINGERS

The Concord Chamber Singers will take the stage with the Charter Arts Touring Choir this Sunday, April 27 for a special presentation, "From Grief to Hope: Rutter Requiem and Howell's Four Anthems (I and III)." It will be offered at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Tickets are available for purchase online ahead of the concert at the link, below. They will also be available at the door for cash, check, or credit card. Seating will be first-come, first-serve the day of the concert.

Visit ccsingers.org to learn more and purchase tickets.

EASTER JOY!

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:



Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. -12:15 p.m. this Sunday morning; please ask an usher for directions.

Your children are a joy in our worship services, and should the need arise, “kid bags” are available for their use while they are visiting. They are in the Narthex.

We offer nametags for folks to wear – these are for everyone! You can pick up as you enter the worship space; please clearly PRINT your first name.

THIS SUNDAY

• 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service, Fellowship Hall – in person only
• 10 – 11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
• 10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational faith formation, Fellowship Hall – all are welcome
• 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)

WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom.com (meeting #: 868 2214 2960; passcode: OO-Beth)



CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:

Regular office hours are Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Many of the office staff are working remotely for some of the time, so please make an appointment if you need to see someone specific. The answering service (610-778-7003) can take your urgent pastoral concerns, 24 hours a day. 

IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Look for updates on our website (fpc-bethlehem.org), Facebook page, and WFMZ (channel 69 and wfmz.com). We will also put the info on our church phone message, 610-867-5865.