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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 Newsletter

For Sunday - Special Schedule


10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Combined Worship Service

and Congregational Meeting

(in person in Fellowship Hall and via Zoom)


12:00 p.m.: Fellowship Luncheon (in person in Fellowship Hall)

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: 
TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY


Grace and peace to you,


As we approach this Sunday’s combined worship and congregational meeting, I wanted to offer a few thoughts.

First, this Sunday is known as Transfiguration Sunday, which features the story of Jesus taking Peter, James and John up the mountain, where they have an experience of divine encounter. Jesus is transfigured or transformed right in front of them, his clothes shining brighter than the most bleached white.

Then they see Moses and Elijah just hanging and talking with Jesus. Peter wants to build shrines for each of them, but is stopped cold in his fear-laden tracks when he, James and John hear a voice from heaven basically shouting at them: Listen to my Son the Beloved! 

And, if yes, how did it transform you – how did it change you? Were you able to look at situations differently because of this thin place way of experiencing God/Jesus/Holy Spirit? 


These experiences do change us – we are different after such an experience and I believe that Peter, James and John were different after this. The experience left them without words. The experience of seeing the shining bright light that Jesus became seeped into them – they too became light for the world. Were they perfect in shining that light? No, but the light and the divine encounter continued to transform them into leaders of mission and ministry beyond Jesus’ death and resurrection. 


Woven into experiencing this story through words, song and Scripture, will be the presentation from the Strategic Mission Steering committee regarding the future of our building and property. 


Some have asked whether we are voting the same day, and I want to remind everyone that in all of our updates and newsletter articles we have been transparent in saying we will hear and act on the same day. There are reasons for this: 


• The approval we are seeking at this time is for preliminary, nonbinding agreements; there will be subsequent congregational approval before anything is finalized.
  
• The information becomes public once it is shared with our congregation; the church and our proposed partners need to communicate about it with other stakeholders.
  
• Our congregation’s action also requires approval from Mountain Laurel Presbytery, and their upcoming meeting is on Saturday, Feb. 28.

What thin places might we encounter this Sunday? What fears might we let go of as we experience the transfiguration of Jesus, the transformation of the disciples and even, possibly, ourselves? How will we trust our divine encounters? 


The next story in Mark is of the man who has asked the disciples to heal his son but they are unable. Jesus, frustrated, reminds all around him that all things are possible for the one who has faith, which leads us to the oft quoted line: “I believe! Help my unbelief!” Or as another translation puts it – “I have faith! Help my lack of faith!”


May we allow ourselves to trust the thin places of our lives, individual and as this community of faith. 


Blessings,
Pastor Karen 


NOTE: The Combined service and congregational meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. until noon in Fellowship Hall. It will not be livestreamed; members who would like to attend via Zoom must request the link by contacting us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org. Immediately following the service, we will remain in Fellowship Hall for a provided luncheon.

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

Traditional Worship Service (3 pages)
Hymn Inserts (4 pages)

ANNUAL MEETING AND BYLAWS UPDATE


A brief presentation was made on Feb. 1 on the proposed bylaws changes and the reasoning behind them. Questions and suggested changes can be directed to bylaws@fpc-bethlehem.org. 


A Town Hall has been organized for Sunday, Feb. 22 immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service to answer questions, etc. On Sunday, March 1 immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service, Session has approved another meeting of the congregation and corporation for the specific purpose of a second read and vote on the bylaws. 

HEARTS N MINDS: NO CLASS THIS SUNDAY

They will conclude the discussion of the book How Then Shall We Live, by Wayne Muller. Participants do not need to purchase the book unless they desire. 

BODY N SOUL: WILL RETURN ON FEB. 22

The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will not meet this Sunday due to the special schedule. They will next meet on Feb. 22 at 10:10 a.m. in Room 216. Everyone is welcome to attend.

LECTORS NEEDED!

1,510 ACTS OF SERVICE


During our 151st year of ministry at FPCB, we are aiming to complete 1,510 Acts of Service before Nov. 14, 2026. That may sound like a huge number, but with an average of 125 people in worship most Sundays, that’s basically one Act of Service per person each month. And we know that y’all are service-minded people of faith, so we’re confident that we can reach this goal!

It doesn’t matter how small or large each Act of Service may be, just that we’re intentional about serving others - holding the door for someone with their hands full, volunteering with a nonprofit partner, helping a neighbor, offering a needed ride, donating unused clothing or household items, etc.

Track your progress at home with THIS CHART, and using the Heart Chart at the church building, too (located in the main hallway off the South Entrance, by the library)! 

Let us know if you’d like us to add your stickers to the Heart Chart each month if you’re unable to attend in person; contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865.

FOOD DONATIONS: A YEAR-ROUND INITIATIVE

With the need so great – and no discernable relief in sight – we are extending our food collection to a year-round initiative.

LOVE CHOCOLATE? SUPPORT THE PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER!

LOOKING AHEAD…

Sunday, Feb. 15

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Combined Worship service, Fellowship Hall (in person and via Zoom; you will need to request the Zoom link from info@fpc-bethlehem.org) – this service will include an update from the Mission Steering Committee

12 – 1:30 p.m. – Luncheon (provided), Fellowship Hall

Monday, Feb. 16

The offices and building will be open; Preschool will be closed in honor of Presidents Day.

Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Ash Wednesday

7 p.m. – Ash Wednesday Service, Fellowship Hall – in person and livestreamed


Sunday, Feb. 22

9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall

10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor

10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216

10:15 a.m. – Hospitality Time, Fellowship Hall

11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

12:15 p.m. – Town Hall, Sanctuary (to address questions about the bylaws)

Sunday, March 1 – Communion Sunday

9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall

10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor

10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216

10:15 a.m. – Hospitality Time, Fellowship Hall

11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

12:15 p.m. – Congregational Meeting, Sanctuary (second read of the bylaws and vote)

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:

Child care will be available from 9:45 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 - SPECIAL SCHEDULE

• 9:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Childcare available (ask ushers to direct you to location)
• 10 a.m. – Combined worship service and congregational meeting, Fellowship Hall and via Zoom
• 12 p.m. – Fellowship Luncheon, 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:

Monday, Feb. 16: The offices and building will be open; Preschool will be closed in honor of Presidents Day.



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.