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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 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. KAREN KINNEY: 
A MORE INTENTIONAL LENTEN SEASON


Grace and peace to you,


On Ash Wednesday, we entered the Season of Lent, a time where we are invited to be intentional and reflective about our relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. As in past seasons, we are using material from A Sanctified Art, and the theme is Tell Me Something Good.

And so, over these next weeks, we will explore and seek to embody some of the core tenets of Jesus’ ministry: radical inclusion; surprising joy and hospitality; his great love for God and neighbor; making the impossible, possible; protection and care for the vulnerable; a ministry rooted in justice, mercy and faithfulness; inspiring us to act; and deep forgiveness. We will remember too that all of these core tenets, all of his mission and ministry were revealed through nonviolent means.

What practices might we create and embody as we explore these stories? How might the season of Lent become even more intentional about more deeply seeking who we are as a community of faith living out these core tenets? Lots to think about.

This Sunday, we will explore the surprising way a tiny, tiny mustard seed becomes a super unruly and super big bush that provides protection for those who find comfort in its branches, and how ordinary water becomes extraordinary wine as Jesus’ first miracle. What do these stories of unexpected surprises of God’s great love and mercy, of God’s great gifts to us mean to us? What might it mean to those we invite into the community of belonging? How might we embody the unexpected surprises the good news brings to us as a Lenten practice?

Lots to think about and explore.

This Lent we are also providing creative and contemplative space for you. In the Chapel you will find several ways to reflect and be contemplative – there are opportunities to reflect on images and artwork, opportunities to journal or walk a finger labyrinth or sketch. In Room 206, there are many ways for you to express creativity – watercolors, crayons, colored pencils, markers, sketch books or try some pipe cleaner or pom pom art.

These rooms will be open during the weekdays when the church is open (Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and on Sunday mornings. If you are coming to a committee meeting or rehearsal, feel free to stop ahead of time. Those are your spaces – there is no right or wrong to how you want to reflect.

Blessings,
Pastor Karen

TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT on 8.5" x 11" paper:

Traditional Worship Service (5 pages)

ANNUAL MEETING AND BYLAWS UPDATE


A Town Hall has been organized for this Sunday, Feb. 22 immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service to answer questions, etc. about the proposed bylaws. On Sunday, March 1 immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service, Session has approved another meeting of the congregation and corporation for the specific purpose of a second read and vote on the bylaws. This meeting will also be offered on Zoom; contact us to get the link.


If you cannot attend this Sunday’s Town Hall, questions and suggested changes can be directed to bylaws@fpc-bethlehem.org.

LENTEN STUDIES: DEVOTIONAL AND DAILY STUDY

Beginning with Ash Wednesday and continuing through the Second Sunday of Easter, we invite you to engage with this weekly devotional that follows the scriptures.

Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Lenten devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices.

HEARTS N MINDS: MEETING ON SUNDAY

BODY N SOUL: WILL RETURN THIS SUNDAY

The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will meet this Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in Room 216. Everyone is welcome to attend.

LECTORS NEEDED!

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

PCUSA Special Offerings would like to thank this congregation for supporting the Giving Tree this past Christmas.  Altogether we purchased $2935 worth of goods, either online or in person, for the people of the world who are in need of a hand up.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: BES DINNER

FOOD DONATIONS: A YEAR-ROUND INITIATIVE

With the need so great – and no discernable relief in sight – we are extending our food collection to a year-round initiative, and designating a different recipient each month.

For February our donations will go to the HOPE Food Pantry at Northampton Community College’s Bethlehem campus.

Thanks for your support of these efforts to feed our neighbors!

LOVE CHOCOLATE? SUPPORT THE PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER!

YOU’RE INVITED: INTERFAITH RAMADAN DINNER

The Lehigh Dialogue Center, 1500 Linden St., Bethlehem, has extended an invitation to the community to attend its annual Interfaith Ramadan Dinner on Sunday, March 1 at 4:45 p.m.

The invitation reads, “Come together to share a meal, learn from one another, and celebrate the spirit of community.” Please RSVP by Monday. 

LOOKING AHEAD…

Sunday, Feb. 22

9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall

10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor

10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216

10:15 a.m. – Hospitality Time, Fellowship Hall

11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

12:15 p.m. – Town Hall, Sanctuary (to address questions about the bylaws)

Sunday, March 1 – Communion Sunday

9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall

10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor

10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216

10:15 a.m. – Hospitality Time, Fellowship Hall

11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

12:15 p.m. – Congregational Meeting (second read of the bylaws and vote), Sanctuary 
 and via Zoom (contact us for the link)

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 - SPECIAL SCHEDULE

• 9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall
• 10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
• 10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216
• 10:15 a.m. – Hospitality Time, Fellowship Hall
• 11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)
• 12:15 p.m. – Town Hall, Sanctuary (to address questions about the bylaws)

 
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.

CARE CONCERNS AND HOSPITAL VISITS: If you are hospitalized, please tell the hospital our church code is 724. Also, please call the church office at 610-867-5865 to let us know as the hospitals do not always collect this information.  After hours, for emergency pastoral concerns, call 610-674-0005.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Send to prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org or call 610-867-5865 and leave a message.