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Friday, April 24, 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: THE GOD WHO SEES ME

Grace and peace to you,

This Sunday, we will explore Hagar’s story. You might recall that last week, Abram was promised descendants, but years go by in this wilderness journey and Sarai does not become pregnant. So Sarai “gives” her Egyptian slave girl, Hagar, to Abram to be his wife (remember, there were multiple wives and concubines in those days). Hagar conceives and taunts Sarai so Sarai treats her cruelly, driving her out into the wilderness. This is a really difficult story because in reality Hagar has no choice in the decision to “give” her to Abram. 

Later in Chapter 21 we will pick up Hagar’s story as she again runs to the wilderness afraid she and the son she bears will die. And again, the Lord’s messenger will find her and give her what she and her son need to survive. Moreover, promises are made to Hagar and her son to make him a great nation. Hagar’s wilderness journey has led her to a journey full of hope, promise and the assurance of God’s presence. 

What can we learn from Hagar’s story about being seen, but perhaps more importantly, seeing as El Roi sees – beyond the things like labels, disgust, disapproval, mistrust – that we put on others or are put on us? What can we learn about trusting God in our greatest moments of despair – when all seems lost and nothing can be recovered? What can we learn about seeing and serving those who are despairing or being scapegoated? 

Come and see. Come and explore.

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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

Traditional Worship Service (3 pages)

COMING UP: This Sunday, April 26


HOSPITALITY HOUR: Join us for good connection between our two Sunday services – 10:15-11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. 


VISIONING SESSION: See the following article for details about a session held after the Holy Ground service.


CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: We will hold a very brief Congregational meeting after the 11:15 a.m. service, to elect two new Elders to complete unexpired terms (Jim Halkins for a one-year term and Phil Fair for a two-year term).

It will also be available via Zoom; please request the Zoom link by contacting us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org. See more info, below.

MEET OUR TWO NOMINEES

SHARING YOUR HOPES AND VISION: MISSION STUDY


SCHEDULING UPDATE: We have two more visioning sessions in which you can take part! They are open to anyone who wants to attend. This Sunday immediately following the 9 a.m. service, we will hold one - meet in the North Link.

At 2 p.m., we will host a Zoom session. Please email info@fpc-bethlehem.org to RSVP (let us know which one). If you can’t make one of those, we are happy to have a phone conversation or send you a survey. Your voice is important!

We continue to be grateful for your participation! The conversations have been rich and informative. Nearly 100 of you have joined in!

We hope to share with you that day what we have heard from you about what you wish to let go of, what you want to hold onto, where you think God is guiding us, and what might a person three years from now look for in a church that we aren’t providing. We also hope to share with you some information about the needs of the community and the congregation.

In the meantime, you are encouraged to review the growing numbers of hopes/dreams that are going up on the visioning wall located in the North Link. What are others hoping and dreaming?

NEXT CHAPTER UPDATES

We have two Next Chapter teams: one for the Preschool relocation, and another for the church relocation.

The Preschool's most recent update from Preschool Director Lisa Todd:

We have had lots of suggestions coming in and it is very much appreciated! We still have a few churches we are waiting to hear back from, and several commercial spaces to investigate.



Here is the latest update regarding Presbyterian Senior Living negotiations:

The Next Chapter Preschool team is working hard to explore options and determine possible resources. We are all fervently hoping to have some clarification by the end of the month. Suggested spaces are welcome! Please contact Lisa at ltodd@fpc-bethlehem.org.

The church team's update from Pastor Lindsey:

• The team visited our second prospective temporary location for the congregation yesterday.

• Session meets on Monday, April 27, and we hope to bring them our recommendation at that time on which location is the better fit.

• With Session approval of that recommendation, we will begin discussing more specific plans for space-sharing and prospective terms for a lease agreement with the host church.

• Our temporary location will be shared with the FPCB congregation as soon as possible. Please understand that the leadership team of our proposed partner church may also need some time for internal dialogue, communications planning, and formal approval before we are able to do so.

• As these logistical details come into focus, it will help our facilities staff and Property Committee continue to solidify processes and timelines for addressing what to do with all our current physical resources.

HEARTS N MINDS: CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION

Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet on Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Parlor. All are welcome to participate.

For this week, we will focus on pages 108-132 of HOPE: A User’s Manual. “Hope” needs to become ‘an ethic’, something we need to live into. We will examine the idea of doing ten things a day.

BODY N SOUL: ALL ARE WELCOME!

The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will meet on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in Room 216. Everyone is welcome--no reservations or advanced preparation required. 

Based on scripture and brought to life through movement and crafts, Body N Soul offers opportunities for seekers of all ages to grow their faith and build intergenerational community. 

NEW TIME: SHE NAILED IT! FUNDRAISER FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY


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! These funds will help build and repair homes for our neighbors.

Last year we fielded two teams, and took home the trophy for raising the most funds.

We’ve set an ambitious goal to raise $2,500 - you can make a gift online using this link: bit.ly/3PVSb13. You can also write a check to the church with She Nailed It! on the memo line.

NOTE: As of press time we are at less than half of our goal. Thank you for considering how you can help!

HI NEIGHBORS: MORE INTERESTING PROGRAMS!


This past Monday at our Hi Neighbors speakers program, the audience of over 65 folks enjoyed an interesting program by Melody Engel. She shared her adventures on a Kenyan safari she took last December.

FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS

You continue to answer the call for food and personal care items that we share with our neighbors – thank you!

They can also use feminine care products, soaps, shampoos and conditioners, plus toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Collection carts are located in the North Link and at the south entrance. Let’s fill those carts! 

FOR YOUR SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT

The Concord Chamber Singers will present their spring concert on Sunday at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary. This is a ticketed event at 4 p.m. Sunday in our Sanctuary. For more information: ccsingers.org.

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

• 9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall
• 10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
• 10 a.m. – Visioning session; meet in the North Link (please RSVP to info@fpc-bethlehem.org)
• 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)
• 12:30 p.m. – Congregational meeting to elect two new Elders (brief); Sanctuary and via Zoom (contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org for the Zoom link)

 
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.