Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 Newsletter

For Sunday – Special Schedule!


11:15 a.m.: Combined Worship Service

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

12:30 p.m.: Catered Community Luncheon

(Fellowship Hall)

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: BUILT BY SAINTS


Grace and peace to you,

This Sunday, we hope you will come celebrate with us as we dedicate our 2026 pledges and commemorate our 150th anniversary. Our theme for these past weeks has been “Faithful Past, Hopeful Future: Built by Saints, Called to Serve.” 

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Sue Pizor Yoder this Sunday as our guest preacher. Sue has a long history with us and is one of the Saints who has helped build who we are today. She will be preaching from Matthew 16:24-26 with her sermon, “Letting Go and Holding On.” As we think about our past and our future, what do we need to let go of and what do we need to hold on to? And how do we see that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the ones guiding us as we reflect on these questions?

I know you have heard me, and you have heard Pastor Lindsey say that ‘God is not done with us yet.’ God has moved us through 150 years so why would we think that our 151st year won’t also be guided by God? 


You have seen throughout this season the impact we have had through our special Wednesday stewardship emails. Those impacts have been made possible - and will continue to be made possible -by the Saints of this church.


This includes the Saints of the past, the Saints of the present, and the Saints of the future, so long as we continue to discern God’s desires for us and our community, faithfully following Jesus, and being guided by the Holy Spirit.


Come and worship with us at our one Combined service at 11:15 a.m. where we will dedicate our pledges for 2026, that will help us continue to make the impact we have had. Then join us after for a celebratory lunch, with fellowship and a short program in Fellowship Hall!


Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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

Combined Worship Service (5 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY, NOV. 9: ONE SERVICE AT 11:15 AM

We will be celebrating Stewardship Sunday and FPCB’s 150th anniversary in a Combined Service at 11:15 a.m. (Hearts N Minds adult ed class meets at 10 a.m. in the Parlor; the Body N Soul intergenerational group will not meet.) 


For Stewardship Sunday: If you donated to FPCB in 2025, you are on our list to receive a stewardship packet. These were mailed out two weeks ago (look for a colorful turquoise envelope).

Additional forms are available in the Narthex, and you can access the letter, pledge form and suggested giving chart on our website (download and print): fpc-bethlehem.org/give.


As part of Stewardship Sunday, you will be given an opportunity to bring your 2026 pledge forward (if you sign up online or already sent it in, we’ll have a card for you to complete to add to the pledge basket).

After the service, all are invited to a catered Community Luncheon – there will be vegetarian and gluten-free options. We hope you will plan to join this special celebration at which time we’ll celebrate our wonderful 150 year history!

Volunteers Needed: Anniversary Luncheon

We’d love some extra hands to help with setup and clean-up for Sunday’s 150th Anniversary Luncheon! If you’re able to assist, please email Lindsey so the team has a headcount for helpers. 

The setup group will gather on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. to get the tablecloths and décor situated before worship begins at 11:15.

HEARTS N MINDS MEETS SUNDAY: NEW MINI-SERIES CONTINUES

BODY N SOUL: RETURNS ON NOV. 16

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. 

YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND...


The families of Roger Farber and Norma Treichler have extended an invitation to attend the memorial services of their loved ones.


Roger Farber: Friday, Nov. 7: 1-2 p.m. calling hour in the Narthex; 2-3 p.m. memorial service in the Sanctuary; 3-4 p.m. reception in Fellowship Hall


Norma Treichler: Saturday, Nov. 8: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. memorial service in the Sanctuary; 12 – 2 p.m. reception in Fellowship Hall

ALSO: A time of remembering Russell Miserendino will be held at Josie Miserendino’s home on Saturday, Nov. 22. Drop by any time after 12 noon for food and beverages, and to share memories of Russ. All are welcome: 58 E Wall St., Bethlehem. 

HAVE YOU NOTICED...

Assembling the kits for the luminaria - which number in the thousands - requires a massive amount of sand, paper bags, and candles, and volunteers to assemble them. Which also requires a great deal of space!

So for the next month we will be hosting their volunteers as they undertake this gigantic effort that will not only light up our community on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 13, but serves as a significant fundraiser for New Bethany.

CHANCEL CHOIR PARTICIPATES IN ALL SAINTS SERVICE

Vocalists from First Presbyterian joined those from Cathedral Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen's in Wilkes-Barre at a special All Souls mass at Nativity this past Sunday.

The mass featured Faure's Requiem, which you can enjoy in this video of the service.

THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT!

SCOUTING FOR FOOD DRIVE

HI NEIGHBORS: A SPECIAL FINALE

The program begins at 9:30 a.m. with a social time in the Kirk Center Rotunda, followed by the hour-long presentation at 10 a.m. 


Many thanks to everyone who has supported this long-time ministry of our church over the past several weeks! We will be back with a new series in the spring.

SUPPORTING YOUTH FACING HOMELESSNESS



Saturday, Nov. 15
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
First Presbyterian Church – Fellowship Hall


As part of the Conference of Churches' Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, they are partnering with FPCB to co-sponsor a workshop on Mental Health Challenges for Children and Youth Facing Homelessness, featuring a lineup of mental health professionals and educators who work regularly with this vulnerable population.


We'll be looking at the demographics of this issue in the Valley, hearing about current challenges and opportunities, and discussing in which the community as a whole can support their efforts.


All are welcome to attend. To register by Saturday, Nov. 8: mental-health.ppjr.org

ALL ARE WELCOME: SACRED RHYTHMS VIDEO SERIES

LAST CALL: PRESCHOOL POINSETTIA AND WREATH SALE


Orders are due by this Sunday, Nov. 9 and items will be available for pick up on Tuesday, Dec. 2. We will do a later offer for you to purchase poinsettias for our Christmas Eve services.

LOOKING AHEAD…

Sunday, Nov. 9 
10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor    
11:15 a.m. – Combined Service in the Sanctuary and livestreamed – Pledge Sunday and 150th anniversary celebration (followed by a provided community luncheon)

Wednesday, Nov. 26

7 p.m. – Thanksgiving Eve worship service in the Sanctuary and livestreamed

Sunday, Dec. 14

9 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class    

10 a.m. – Combined Service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed


Tuesday, Dec. 16

7 p.m. – Longest Night service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed

Sunday, Dec. 21
4 p.m. - Christmas Joy Concert, featuring a "Sing-Along Messiah", in the Sanctuary

Wednesday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve candlelight services in the Sanctuary and livestreamed
4 p.m. - Intergenerational service

7 p.m. - Candlelight service

Sunday, Dec. 28
10 a.m. – Combined Service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed   

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)
• 10:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
• 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)
• 12:30 p.m.: Celebratory Community Luncheon (catered), Fellowship Hall - all are welcome


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.