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Friday, July 10, 2026 Newsletter
For Sunday
10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service
(in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
THE PURPOSE FOR GATHERING
Greetings friends,
This Sunday and next, we continue our preaching and worship series on discipleship practices while Karen enjoys a much-needed vacation.
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Each of the discipleship practices we’ve explored respond to the Mission Study, which will help guide the future of our shared ministry; the three themes that emerged from that work highlight our congregation’s hopes for becoming more relational, mission-active, and community-integrated.
The pair of sermons to come are inspired by The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, a book I recently read by Priya Parker. Our faith tradition calls us to fellowship and hospitality, but what does it mean to do that work well? Do we slow down to reflect on the purpose for gathering and plan with intentionality?
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Our first Art of Gathering sermon this week looks to John 6:30-35 and Acts 2:42-47 for inspiration about the kind of Soul Food we long for when we gather: authenticity and connection.
We’ll also welcome Diane and Larry Elliott as new members of FPCB.
It is good to be God’s people together!
Lindsey
| | FOR THIS SUNDAY: ONE OR BOTH! | | |
After our worship service, you have two opportunities to connect. We’ll have tables set up in the Narthex for anyone who would like to discuss the morning’s sermon (pictured).
You’re also invited to our Lemonade on the Lawn social time: weather permitting, we’ll meet on the West Lawn (otherwise in the North Link).
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For this Sunday (and until further notice), child care during worship service will be offered in room 216 (ask the ushers to direct you).
Thank you to the Hunsicker family for hosting Lemonade on the Lawn this Sunday. Please consider taking a Sunday slot! See more details below.
| | If you’re a gardener with extra bounty to share, we invite you to bring it to Sunday worship – we’ll have a table set up at Lemonade on the Lawn where you can put it. Available for others to take, no charge! | | | Anything left over will be donated to New Bethany, along with other produce harvested from the CommUNITY Garden located on our campus. | | |
SUMMER WORSHIP HELP: CHILDREN'S SERMON SIGN-UP
We'd love to have some other voices lead our children's sermons during summer worship. You'll get the scripture readings and theme info in advance, and we can also provide suggestions or ideas, if you'd like! Please see the sign-up list and volunteer for an upcoming Sunday: volunteersignup.org/hj4yy.
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On Saturday, Aug. 15 we will host an Assembly of the Mountain Laurel Presbytery.
And we could use some help to make sure our guests have a great experience. We are looking for a couple of folks to direct the visitors to the correct parking spaces. The shift runs from 9-10:30 a.m.
If you can help, please use this ONLINE SIGN-UP FORM.
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CAN YOU HELP?
The Deacons are in search of folks to serve as drivers for those who need assistance getting to medical or other appointments, grocery shopping or other things that come up.
If you are willing to do so, please email info@fpc-bethlehem.org as we build a list of folks willing to drive. If there are specific times and days you are not available, that would be helpful to know. Thanks for your consideration!
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A NEW OPPORTUNITY: SITTING WITH THE PSALMS
Sundays: Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
Church Library
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Gail Watts, Janet Bickford, Jo-Ellen Darling, Mike Jendzeizyk, Ginny Smith and Richard Smith invite you to join with them in the Church Library on Sundays in August, as we open ourselves to the inspiration and wisdom that the Psalms have for our lives.
Sometimes it’s easy to simply say the words of the Psalms we have known. What if we discovered that, as prayers, the Psalms relate directly to our concerns and cares, guiding us in finding consolation as God’s Word speaking into our lives?
| | | We hope you will join us in sitting with a different Psalm each Sunday in August. An open heart and a willing spirit are all that are needed. | | SUNDAY CONNECTION: LEMONADE ON THE LAWN | | |
Our popular social time will be offered after our 10 a.m. service, beginning this Sunday, on the front (west) lawn as weather permits – otherwise we’ll meet in the North Link.
NOTE: We really depend on small groups and families to step up to host these events, and we have several more weeks to fill.
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Basically, you will need to:
• Provide simple treats for about 40-50, such as: grapes, clementines or cut-up fruit; cheese and crackers; easy-to-eat baked treats (homemade or purchased) like cookies, mini muffins, bars, or granola bars.
• There is a bin near the ice maker in the kitchen area marked “Lemonade on the Lawn” that has what you need. There are also coolers in this area. Get the provided beverages (lemonade and iced tea) from the refrigerator (with the Lemonade on the Lawn sign), and ice from the ice machine.
• Return items to the kitchen and clean up (tables will be provided and taken down).
It doesn’t have to be a “formal” group, like a K group, committee, or the choir – it can be a family or group of friends. We thank the Mission Strategy team for hosting this week.
Thanks for considering this request! If you have any questions, let us know and we’ll connect you with a ‘veteran.’ You can use this online form to sign up (bit.ly/42TDejr), and we'll have a paper sign-up form at the Sunday service.
| | FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS | | For the month of July we are once again supporting the Summer Harvest Food Drive, a four-county initiative that last year secured 6000 pounds of donations. There are dozens of locations to donate, including FPCB – this year’s goal is to share 10,000 pounds with almost 20 local food pantries. Let's beat our last year total of 660 pounds! | | | |
We encourage you to visit their website at summerharvestfooddrive.com where you can see a list of requested items, how you can volunteer, and how to make financial contributions. The collection carts and boxes are by the south entrance, in the North Link, and by the Kirk Center entrance.
Organizers say that an easy way to help is to engage with their Facebook and Instagram accounts (@summerharvestfooddrive) – please consider liking / commenting / sharing their posts to help them reach even more folks. Thank you!
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A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
Linda Robertson and Judy Smullen filed this sweet story -
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Sonia Frey met Richard Redfield at a First Presbyterian square dance. That chance meeting led to a first date (after her mom gave permission) and to celebrating a 56th wedding anniversary this year.
Sonia grew up in our church; her parents, Woodrow and Miriam Frey, were members when the church was still on North Street.
Richard was a freshman at Lehigh University when he decided to hop on the bus that took college students to this dance. Sonia was 16, attending Liberty High School (Class of 1966). After their college graduations, Richard had a long career in government service. In his retirement, he served as a church musician.
| | | On June 29, during a visit to Bethlehem, they stopped in the office to ask if they could peek at the Sanctuary where the Rev. Lloyd Ogilvie married them. Our volunteer receptionist Judy Smullen sent Linda Robertson along to commemorate the visit with a photo. | | FOR YOUR CALENDAR: FAMILY FUN! | | |
Rep. Steve Samuelson and his team are organizing their annual Community and Senior Fair, this year to be held at First Pres. Plan to stop by the Kirk Center on Thursday, July 23 between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for this free, family-friendly event.
There will be a lot of community organizations on hand to share information, and free haircuts and visits with the firefighters and mounted police for the little ones.
| | | You’re also encouraged to bring a donation for the Summer Harvest Food Drive. | | |
Send us your news and photos to share:
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
WEDNESDAY 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 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. this Sunday; they will meet in room 216.
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
- 9:45– 11:15 a.m. – Child care available in room 216
- 10:00 a.m. – Summer worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on website and Facebook page)
- 11:00 a.m. – Lemonade on the Lawn (west lawn) and post-service discussion opportunity (Narthex)
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.
| | 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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