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Friday, Oct. 10, 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
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: 150 YEARS OF SAINTS
Grace and peace to you,
You are a saint!
Hmmm… how do you hear that? I immediately jump to – oh no, not me! I’m not a saint, for sure. Or maybe you think about the saint perched on one shoulder telling you what good to do, with the devil on the other telling you – eh – don’t worry about it.
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But a saint in the Christian tradition is anyone who is a follower of Jesus, and isn’t that all of us? We may consider ourselves unlikely saints, but if we follow that tradition, well then, we are all saints. And, as we celebrate our 150th anniversary this year, we can honestly say we follow a long lineage of saints at First Presbyterian Church Bethlehem. Imagine – 150 years of saints to celebrate!
And celebrate we will, as we move into our stewardship season that honors our 150 years and looks to the future.
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Our stewardship theme this year is Faithful Past, Hopeful Future: Built by Saints, Called to Serve. What stories of our faithful past do you have? What makes you hopeful for our future? How have you seen saints, including yourself, building our mission and ministry? Where do you feel called to serve?
Over these next weeks we will explore this theme in worship, thinking about these questions as well as the characteristics of saints. How do saints express gratitude, even during suffering? How do saints persevere in hard times? How do saints take risks and exhibit courage? Finally, how are saints generous in loving God and neighbor? And where have you seen those characteristics in the saints of this community of faith?
I was fascinated to read about one such saint in the 125th Anniversary Booklet: Reverend George W. Musgrave, a prominent Presbyterian minister and former moderator of the General Assembly, who in 1877 discovered the tiny two-year-old church on Union Street and envisioned a more suitable building for the growing congregation.
Through his financial and personal support, and his faith in their future, he helped them purchase lots and erect a large building with stained glass windows and room for a Sunday school. In all, Dr. Musgrave gave approximately $8,000 (more than $253,000 in today’s dollars!), as well as inspirational encouragement when both were needed most. Talk about risk-taking, courage, and generosity to enable our church to better serve our neighbors!
Who are the saints you recall? Let’s explore together!
Blessings,
Pastor Karen
| | HEARTS N MINDS MEETS THIS SUNDAY | | |
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet this Sunday, Oct. 12 at its regular time from 10-11 a.m. in the Parlor. All are welcome; you do not need to do the reading to participate in the class.
The book is entitled The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness by Father Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in CA. Please read chapter five.
In this chapter, “Air of a Richer Kind”, we will explore how Father Greg and the staff gently work to read the “Do Not Enter” sign around the homies’ hearts and encourage them to choose wellness. No one else can do that for them.
| | | The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will meet between the two Sunday services from 10:10 - 11:00 in Room 216 in the South Wing (follow the signs). | | The theme for study this fall is “Seeking God Together.” Together we will seek God through bible stories, creative expression, movement, and fellowship. | | | The curriculum provides age appropriate activities from preschool to adult, with time for connection across generations. Faithful seekers of all ages are welcome to join each week. | | |
FALL LECTOR SIGN-UP
We’re looking for lectors to serve at our fall worship services! One person is needed for each service: the 9 a.m. Holy Ground service in Fellowship Hall, and 11:15 Traditional worship in the Sanctuary.
This is a great way to participate in the ministry of our church – if you’ve not done it before, we’re glad to provide coaching. You can sign up on the paper form available at the Sunday services, or use this easy online sign-up form: bit.ly/45CoRC8
| | If you’re interested in checking out our Hand Bell group,
Chancel Ringers, they begin rehearsals again on Tuesday, Oct. 14
at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Newbies welcome! | | HI NEIGHBORS: START YOUR WEEK! | | |
Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, continues with its interesting presentations.
They are free and open to the public, and feature a wide array of topics such as history, local culture, music, and current events.
The programs begin at 9:30 a.m. with a social time in Fellowship Hall, followed by the hour-long presentation at 10 a.m. A lively question-and-answer period is included.
| | | For Monday’s program, learn about The Life and Times of Frank Lloyd Wright from popular presenter Tom Repasch. Click the link for the one-page schedule. | |
WE NEED VEHICLES! TRUNK OR TREAT COMING ON OCT. 18
We’re planning a big community event: a Trunk or Treat celebration on Saturday, Oct. 18 from noon-4 p.m. (raindate: Saturday, Oct. 25).
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This event is free and open to the public, and will feature decorated vehicles with treats to hand out to the kiddos, along with games and activities.
We’ll also offer food trucks and live music by FPCB’s contemporary ensemble (from noon-1 p.m.).
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We are providing an opportunity for groups and individuals affiliated with FPCB to participate (like K groups) – please consider how you can help make this event a success!
We’re also asking vintage vehicles to participate – they do not need to be decorated and we can provide candy for them to give out – please share this info with your friends who may have older vehicles!
Those interested in participating (both with vintage vehicles and those affiliated with FPCB), please register here: bit.ly/46sPPvl. Contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 for more information.
We're also looking for a few volunteers to help with hospitality tasks - check out this online sign-up; we'll also have a paper sign-up form available on Sunday.
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FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY: ANNUAL CROP WALK IS COMING
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Bethlehem CROP Hunger Walk, as we join teams from around the United States in combating hunger both locally and globally.
This year's walk will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19.
| | For the first time, our churches will also be joined by members of other members of the Bethlehem Interfaith Group and teams from local colleges and universities, making this a truly community-wide event. We’ll begin with a pizza lunch at Central Moravian Church at 1:00 p.m., with the walk itself beginning at 2:00 p.m. | | | |
With hunger both nationally and globally on the increase, we need both “boots on the ground” and generous sponsors to make this year’s walk a success.
READ MORE...
| | NEXT HELPING HANDS TRIP COMING IN NOVEMBER | | |
The Helping Hands group from our Presbytery will be traveling again to New Bern, N.C. This trip will be Nov. 1-8 (Saturday – Saturday).
They always welcome new folks to help. All levels and types of skills and experience are welcome – the primary focus is on cleaning up/repairing homes damaged by storms.
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AWAKENING THE SAGE WITHIN
Saturday, Oct. 25
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
395 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem
Today, most people approaching elderhood can expect to live another 20-30 years. How do you want to live those years? Sage-ing (also known as Spiritual Eldering or Conscious Aging) is a model for engaging the elder years more deliberately, joyfully, and compassionately.
During this interactive workshop, you will be introduced to Sage-ing concepts including life review, forgiveness work, and issues surrounding mortality.
Click HERE more information and to register.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
Sunday, Oct. 26
9 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
11:15 a.m. – Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestream)
12:30 p.m. – Congregational Meeting, Sanctuary and via Zoom
We will also do one Combined Service on these two Sundays:
Sunday, Nov. 9 at 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary – Pledge Sunday and 150th anniversary
celebration (followed by provided community luncheon)
Sunday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
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Send us your news and photos to share:
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
THURSDAY at noon**
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And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
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Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
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If you don’t have a Facebook account, go to our website to view the service - click on "Watch" at the top and then the "Watch the Service" button
- Please check in with a comment so we know you’ve joined us!
- Captions are available on our livestream, for those who would like to use that feature
To watch a video – available after the services have aired: Visit our website archives
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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.
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THIS SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground contemporary service (in person in Fellowship Hall)
- 10:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
- 10:10 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216 – all are welcome
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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.
| | FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM | |
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Karen Kinney, Transitional Pastor/Head of Staff; KKinney@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Associate Pastor for Justice and Community Impact; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries; ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Crook, Director of Church Administration; ext. 210; DCrook@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Carol Burns, Communications Manager; ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org
Lisa Todd, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; LTodd@fpc-bethlehem.org
Brenda Robinson, Office Manager: ext. 211; BusinessOffice@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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