*Be sure to read to the end - if you see "View entire message" at the bottom,

click that to see the rest of the newsletter.*

Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 Newsletter

For 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)

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: LIVING AN ACTIVE FAITH


Grace and peace to you,

This Sunday, the fourth in our stewardship series, focuses on our core value of living an active faith and our Mission Study theme of being a more mission-active community of faith. I am reminded of these verses from James 2:14-26, where the author reminds the readers/hearers that faith not put into action, faith without works is a dead faith. It does no good to have faith if you ignore the needs of your siblings.

This community of faith does a lot of putting faith into action – of living out its core value of having an active faith: We believe faith is not simply a set of beliefs, but a way of life.

How might this community of faith draw on its own gifts, talents and experiences to become advocates on justice issues? What might they be? What works of charity should continue or be born? How does this community of faith want to live out its faith in action not just words? What monies will support this continued living, active, mission-oriented faith?

For 151 years, this community of faith known as First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem has lived an active faith through good and challenging times. We will celebrate our 151st anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 15 in several ways.

First, our one service at 11:15 a.m. includes a dedication of our pledges to support these core values and Mission Study themes we have explored over these four weeks. After worship, we will gather in Fellowship Hall for a catered lunch so that we can be together and celebrate this milestone. We will see how our 1,510 Acts of Service have accumulated since last November.

Then at 4 p.m., we will gather again in the Sanctuary to witness a program of music and reflection which we are calling Beautiful Memories: A Celebration of Music and Place.

A 100+ person choir has been assembled and former pastors Rev. JC Austin, Rev. Sue Pizer Yoder, Rev. Ruth Santana Grace, Rev. Bill Hess and Dr. Sally Brown will offer reflections as we express gratitude for all that the congregation and 2344 Center Street have made possible over 69 years. We hope you will attend this celebration of music and place and the memories gathered.


Blessings,
Pastor Karen


See more information about the Sunday, Nov. 15 schedule below

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



Traditional Worship Service (5 pages)

FOR THIS 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)
• 12:30 p.m.: Tour of Christ UCC Church, 75 E. Market St., followed by optional tours of the Bethlehem Co-op Market (see article below)

CHRIST UCC VISIT: THIS SUNDAY, NOV. 8

You may park at Heron Funeral home (across the street) or on the street nearby. Handicap accessible parking is available right on the curb by this entrance on Market St.

Greeters will welcome you inside and point you toward the stairs or elevator down to Eberts Hall (their fellowship space) where we’ll gather and begin.

We look forward to introducing you to our nesting place and our UCC friends!

AND ANOTHER SPECIAL INVITE FOR THIS SUNDAY

While we’re in our new neighborhood, you’re invited to stop by the soon-to-be-opened Bethlehem Co-op Market at 250 E. Broad St. after you visit Christ UCC. 

First Pres is an organizational (and founding) member-owner, and many in our congregation are household members-owners. We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to see and learn more about this new community resource!

SPECIAL SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, NOV. 15

We will be celebrating Stewardship Sunday in one Combined Service at 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary (Hearts N Minds adult ed class meets at 10 a.m. in the Library [room 210]; the Body N Soul intergenerational group will meet at 10:10 a.m. in Room 216). The service will also be livestreamed on our Facebook page and our website.

These were mailed out this week (look for a colorful lime green envelope). 

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

As part of Stewardship Sunday, you will be given an opportunity to bring your 2027 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. We hope you will plan to join this special time to gather as a community.

Blessings & Memories: A Musical Celebration of Place

All are welcome to join us as we celebrate with gratitude the gift of FPCB’s current space, and the mission and ministry this place has made possible. 

Other choral groups including Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Concord Chamber Singers, Charter Arts Touring Choir, and friends from the greater musical community will join us, to bring over 100 voices, lifted in celebration and gratitude!

This event will be held at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on our Facebook page and website. A video will be available to view on our website.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: NOV. 15 LUNCHEON SETUP

Ahead of our Sunday, Nov. 15 special schedule: on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1:00 p.m., we’ll be setting up Fellowship Hall and preparing for the celebration luncheon we’re hosting on Sunday, Nov. 15 after our one 11:15 a.m. service. In worship, at lunch, and for the afternoon Blessing & Memories event, we’ll be joined by former FPCB clergy, so it will be a full, meaningful day! If you’re able to help, please email Lindsey (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org). It shouldn’t take more than an hour.

We’d also be grateful for folks to help with clean-up following the luncheon on Sunday, so consider staying for that if Saturday setup doesn’t work for you.

You can also sign up to bring a dessert to share (for 8-10 people): volunteersignup.org/478BY. We’re grateful for the help bringing this gathering to life!

HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED CLASS

Hearts N Minds, our adult ed class, will meet this Sunday from 10-11 a.m. in the Library (room 210). All are welcome to join in the discussions.

The first book they are reading is Holy Envy: Finding God in The Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor, which is available new or used online. 

BODY N SOUL INTERGENERATIONAL CLASS

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).

OUR NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM


On Sunday the congregation met to elect new elders, deacons, and nominating committee members. We thank them for stepping up to serve! 

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

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?


For all you ‘green-thumbers’ out there: we’re offering a special opportunity to you to supplement your landscape, and provide a new home for a part of First Pres.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CROP WALK!

Many thanks to all the walkers and donors who participated in this year's Bethlehem Area CROP Hunger Walk.

HI NEIGHBORS: OUR LAST FALL PROGRAM

Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, provides opportunities to learn new and interesting things each week. This past Monday we had over 70 in the audience who enjoyed a musical program by the Champagne Flutes – and learned about the many variations of this instrument! 

The program for this Monday 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.

PRESCHOOL POINSETTIA AND WREATH SALE

Oh my! It's time to order poinsettias and wreaths from the annual Preschool sale.

Orders are due by Thursday, Nov. 19 and items will be available for pick up on Wednesday, Dec. 3. We will do a later offer for you to purchase poinsettias for our Christmas Eve services.

FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS

ALL ARE INVITED…

The Bethlehem Interfaith Group – of which First Pres is a member – extends an invitation to its annual Gratitude Celebration, for an interfaith Thanksgiving service filled with joy and gratitude.

It will be offered in our Sanctuary on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m., followed by a time of fellowship after the service. Christians, Muslims, Jews and Baháʼí will all gather to share readings and music in a spirit of gratitude.

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

• 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)
• 12:30 p.m.: Tour of Christ UCC Church, 75 E. Market St., followed by optional tours of the Bethlehem Co-op Market (see article above)


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.