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Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 Newsletter

For Sunday - Communion Sunday

9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service

(in person in Fellowship Hall)

11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service

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

Followed by a congregational meeting, in person and via Zoom

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY:

A CHURCH BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS


Grace and peace to you,


This weekend we observe the 509th anniversary of the Reformation, ushered in by Martin Luther tacking the 95 theses to the doors of the All Saints Church in Wittenberg. Luther was fed up with the then-church practice called papal indulgences – certificates for purchase that supposedly reduced or remitted punishment for sins. The wealthy could afford them; the poor could not. 

It is also All Saints Sunday where we recognize the saints of our church and of our lives. Remember for us, saint is defined as any living believer, meaning we are all saints. 

At our last Session meeting, I asked Session members to reflect on who had been an important part of their spiritual/faith journey. Answers included family members, Sunday School or confirmation teachers, other church leaders. There were wonderful stories about people who allowed them to express doubts and ask questions, who were interested in more than just their Bible knowledge, but also how faith was shaping them.

I ask all of us the same question: who has been an important part of our spiritual/faith journey? Who in our church’s past or present is an important person for you?

Finally, it is the third Sunday in our stewardship series where we lift the core value of having an inquiring faith, and the Mission Study theme of being a more relational church. Here is the language for both:

An Inquiring Faith

Following Christ’s example in Scripture, we believe that curiosity and questioning are essential practices of faith, and that some of our most important work as a congregation is helping each other to ask better questions about faith and life, and to seek more faithful answers together.

A More Relational Church

FPCB has a strong, historical grounding in small group, circle-based connection models through our K-groups. We seek to build on this tradition through thoughtful expansion to different types of groups (e.g., multigenerational or life stages; spiritual direction) and an intentional focus on welcoming newcomers into group engagement right from the start. Alongside this vision for church members, an expressed desire is to support compassionate spaces for mental health advocacy and recovery programs. Finally, we embrace the transformative power of gathering around the table where we envision living into the theology that God is truly present in our shared food and fellowship. 

How do all these relate: the Reformation, the saints in our lives, and our stated value of asking better questions about our faith and the way we live that out as a church built on relationships? Come and see! Come and explore together in community! See you Sunday!

Blessings,
Pastor Karen

The bulletin for Sunday will be sent to you tomorrow -
along with a reminder to set your clock back one hour!

FOR THIS SUNDAY - COMMUNION SUNDAY

• 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child care available (ask the ushers to direct you to the location)
• 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground contemporary worship service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed, Library (Room 210) – all welcome!
• 10:10 – 11:00 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216 – all ages welcome!
• 11:15 a.m.: Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on our Facebook page and website)
• 12:15 p.m.: Congregational Meeting to elect elders, deacons and nominating committee members, Sanctuary (in person and via Zoom; if you would like the Zoom link, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org)

FOR SUNDAY COMMUNION

If you are worshipping from home and would like to participate in Communion, you can prepare your own elements: bread or bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel) and grape juice, wine or water.

HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED CLASS

For this Sunday, please read chapter seven, “The Shadow-Bearers.” We will explore the tenets of Islam and why anti-Muslim attacks are rising. How do race, religion and social class get all mixed up in people’s minds? You do not need to have read the material to participate in the discussion.

BODY N SOUL INTERGENERATIONAL CLASS

All are welcome to join Body N Soul, our intergenerational class, which will gather on Sunday from 10:10-11 a.m. in Room 216.

Come join us! All generations have something to contribute.

SUPPORTING OUR WEEKLY SERVICES

Would you like to support our worship services? We have two ways to do that.

We are looking for volunteers to serve as lectors. If you are comfortable reading scripture aloud in front of our congregation, this is the opportunity for you! We encourage you to check this online sign-up form and choose a service and date: bit.ly/3Uo0i8W (there is also a paper sign-up form available in the Narthex on Sundays).

ELECTING OUR NEXT LEADERSHIP TEAM


This Sunday, Nov. 1 we will meet for a Congregational meeting after the Traditional service, for the purpose of electing new elders, deacons, and nominating committee members. It will be held in person as well as available on Zoom; if you would like the Zoom link, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.


The nominees include:

For Elders: Kate Arrington (class of 2028); Mark Ferguson, Norah Hooper, Evelyn Kuserk, and Janet Stahl (class of 2029)

For Deacon: Connie Gilbert (class of 2029); Pam Phillippe (class of 2028); Theresa Kelly (class of 2027)

For Nominating Committee: Becky Gorton, Wayne Kelly, and Deb Philpotts

HELPING HANDS PLANS NEXT TRIP

The Helping Hands Care Team has scheduled its next trip for Saturday, Nov. 7 – Saturday, Nov. 14 to New Bern, NC for a mission work trip. The group has worked in this area many times over the past five years, as there are still many families waiting for their homes to be repaired from 2018 storms.

The Helping Hands program is now being sponsored by First Pres. Donations are welcome; checks can be made payable to First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem - put "Helping Hands" on the memo line and return to the Finance Office.

HI NEIGHBORS: YOUR WEEKLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, is your opportunity to learn new and interesting things each week. We thank the folks from Good Shepherd who shared “The Latest Advances in Rehabilitation and the Effect of AI in Rehab Practices" at last Monday's program. 

For Monday we offer a special morning of musical entertainment, with a program by the Champagne Flutes. Their program is in honor of the USA’s 250th celebration. The program on Monday, Nov. 9 will be the last of the fall series, with Tom Repasch and “Coffee Talk: A Personal Look into the World’s Favorite Pick-Me-Up.” After the program you are invited to stay for coffee, provided by Joe by Schmo, and light refreshments.

FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS

Thank you for your generous donations this past month for the food pantry at Donegan Elementary School (where we have a group of volunteer mentors working with their students). As volunteer Al Philpotts said, “Impressive!” (this is just part of your contributions).

ELECTION DAY IS COMING: HAVE YOU MADE YOUR PLAN?


Voting is an important part of being a citizen in our country, and we’re here with a reminder that Tuesday, Nov. 3 is Election Day (polls are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.).

Even if you think you are already registered, you are encouraged to verify it by checking this website: vote.pa.gov

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FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:

Child care will be available from 9:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. this Sunday; ask the ushers 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 - COMMUNION SUNDAY

• 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child care available (ask the ushers to direct you to the location)
• 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground contemporary worship service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed, Library (Room 210) – all welcome!
• 10:10 – 11:00 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216 – all ages welcome!
• 11:15 a.m.: Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on our Facebook page and website)
• 12:15 p.m.: Congregational Meeting to elect elders, deacons and nominating committee members, Sanctuary (in person and via Zoom; if you would like the Zoom link, please contact us at info@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.

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.