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Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 Newsletter
For Sunday - Communion Sunday
9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service
(in person in Fellowship Hall)
11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service
(in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: HOPEFUL EXPECTATION
Grace and peace to you,
This Second Sunday of Advent, we again explore hope and fear from the perspective of John the Baptist – not the John of the wilderness, but the John who sits in prison put there by Herod of Antipas (one of last week’s King Herod’s sons).
| | Here is a snippet from Matthew 11: When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” (verses 2-6). | | | |
Notice that Jesus doesn’t mention that captives will be freed from prison! What must John have felt not hearing those words? Was John’s own ministry worth the risks he took, worth him sitting in prison? Was Jesus’ ministry worth it, knowing he ended up crucified? Are any of our good works worth it, if we don’t see the results in our own lifetimes?
These are questions I have pondered over the last five decades of my life as I think about my own ministry and actions trying to make my corner of the world a better place to live. Has it been worth it? My answer sometimes depends on the day – but should it? Does what we do in the name of Love make a difference? Do we fear that it doesn’t, while at the same time hoping it does?
Come and explore those questions in community this Sunday. Come and see. Come and be.
Blessings,
Pastor Karen
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FOR SUNDAY
A couple of things for you for Sunday: for those who are not involved with Hearts N Minds or Body N Soul, you are welcome to come to Fellowship Hall for a hospitality time between 10:15 – 11 a.m. Stay after the Holy Ground service, or come early for the Traditional service – all are welcome!
We also have Christmas cards for you to sign – there are in the North Link, and will be sent to our church family members who are unable to get to the building for services and events.
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FOR SUNDAY, DEC. 14: A SPECIAL SCHEDULE
We hope you’ll join us for the Third Sunday in Advent (Sunday, Dec. 14) when we’ll be on a special schedule.
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Both Hearts N Minds adult ed and Body N Soul intergenerational faith formation class will meet at 9 a.m. We’ll then offer a Combined Worship Service at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall – it will also be livestreamed on our Facebook page and website.
After that service we hope you’ll stay for our Holiday Goodie Exchange! Please bring a favorite sweet or savory holiday treat to share (cookies, kiffles, fudge, homemade Chex Mix, sausage balls, pigs in a blanket, etc.).
| | | We’ll enjoy good fellowship and warm holiday beverages along with our other goodies, and any leftover treats can be shared among the group to take home and enjoy! (And please plan to stay whether you have something to share or not.) | | |
HEARTS N MINDS: A NEW BOOK TO DISCUSS
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet this Sunday, Dec. 7 at the regular time of 10-11 a.m. in the Parlor. All are welcome!
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They will be discussing The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass. She explores the nature and meaning of "economics," contrasting the reciprocal gift economy of the natural world with the market economy that relies on extraction and accumulation for wealth and security.
Don Robertson will lead the discussion of the first three chapters. For the remaining weeks of Advent, Don, Judy Smullen and Betsy Simpson will share a different way to consider how to live/survive: a different type of economic model.
| | | Reminder: For Sunday, Dec. 14, the class will meet at 9 a.m. due to the combined worship service at 10 a.m. | | BODY N SOUL: RETURNS THIS SUNDAY | | |
The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will meet this Sunday between the two Sunday services from 10:10 - 11:00 a.m. in Room 216 in the South Wing. They will meet at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14.
During the four weeks of Advent, Body N Soul participants will explore the topics of hope, peace, joy, and love through bible stories, songs, crafts, and conversation. Each week we will build a new piece of our Advent wreath focusing on how each topic connects to self, family, community, and our world.
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Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Advent devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices (in order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing the link or posting it on social media).
We have print copies of the devotional availble for those who need them. Please contact us or 610-867-5865; tell us if you will pick it up or if you need it mailed (along with your name and complete mailing address).
| | | We are also sharing daily “Advent breath prayers” on our Facebook page (@firstpresbethlehem). These are posted by 9 a.m. each morning. | | A WONDERFUL TRADITION: GIVING TREE | | |
Stop by the North Link to peruse the annual Giving Tree, and its opportunities to help our neighbors, both domestically and internationally.
The ornaments represent tools and supplies for people who need a hand up.
Choose an ornament or several, put the ornament in the basket, give your check (made out to PCUSA, not FPCB) or cash to the Mission volunteer and know you have done good in the world.
Rather do it online? On the “FOR THOSE ORDERING ONLINE” form, please put your name and the amount purchased – visit the online catalog to complete the transaction.
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POINSETTIA ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
NEW DEADLINE: SUNDAY, DEC. 7
Help us decorate the Sanctuary with beautiful, “double” poinsettias!
We suggest a donation of $20 for a poinsettia that you can take home
after the Christmas Eve service you attend. This is a lovely way to honor a loved one.
Special envelopes are available in the Narthex and
Fellowship Hall (there is also a poinsettia envelope in your pack of pledge envelopes).
If you need an envelope contact us at 610-867-5865 or info@fpc-bethlehem.org.
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HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT A YEAR-END GIFT?
Throughout the Advent and Christmas season, we witness incredible generosity from many people. In our congregation, we support food collections; gifts to the students and families of Donegan Elementary; taking the time to sign Christmas cards for our home-bound friends (in the North Link); stepping up pledges during the stewardship campaign; and the traditional tags on the Giving Tree.
Please consider a year-end gift to support the church’s mission, especially if you are still working to complete your 2025 RMD (required minimum distribution) for your IRA. Please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org if you need information about how to do that.
Our congregation is truly blessed to be a blessing to the wider community of Bethlehem. Thank you for your continued support of the least of them!
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UPDATE FROM THE STRATEGIC MISSION STEERING COMMITTEE
As was shared on Sunday during the Minute for Mission, the Strategic Mission Steering Committee continues to work with our pair of preferred redevelopment partners to fine tune the collaborative vision for our campus. We feel positive about how things are unfolding, and we are still working toward specific terms of an agreement.
While we had hoped to bring that to the congregation and Presbytery before the end of the year, given where we are in the process, it is now clear that it will be early 2026 before this is complete and ready for your consideration and approval.
We are committed to the timeliness of this process, and we want to make sure this is the best possible agreement for our future!
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NEW BETHANY LUMINARIA NIGHT
Our church will be joining households and organizations across the Lehigh Valley for New Bethany’s annual Luminaria Night on Saturday, Dec. 13.
If you haven’t yet purchased luminary kits through a Block Captain in your neighborhood, you’re invited to stop by the church, next Monday through Thursday (Dec. 8-11) from 3:00-6:00 p.m. You’ll want to enter through the Kirk Center doors - they are not sold in the church office.
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Each kit costs $15 and includes candles, paper bags, and sand for 10 luminaries. Cash, Venmo, or check (made payable to New Bethany) are the preferred forms of payment.
As we’ve done in previous years, the Boy Scout troop we sponsor will place luminarias along Center Street.
And you might enjoy this video from Lehigh Valley with Love that shows a ‘behind the scenes’ peek at this massive operation:
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A SPECIAL TRADITION: OUR CHRISTMAS JOY CONCERT
We are very excited to announce the details of this year’s Christmas Joy Concert, coming on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary.
It will feature George Frederic Handel’s “The Messiah,” a timeless Christmas tradition. This is also an opportunity for those in the audience to join in for select sing-along choruses.
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Joining our Chancel Choir will be the Concord Chamber Singers and the Touring Choir from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School, all under the direction of David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries here at First Pres. They will be joined by a 16-piece orchestra.
This is a ticketed event; First Pres folks are invited to buy tickets at the door for $20.
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Admission for the general public is $25, with tickets available at ccsingers.org. There is also a student rate of $10.
The concert will be livestreamed on the church Facebook page and website, with an opportunity for viewers to make an online donation.
This is a very special opportunity that we hope you will enjoy!
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FOOD DRIVE
We are now doing a year-round food drive. Donation boxes
are in the Narthex and by the south entrance. Thank you!
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WE'RE INVITED!
All are welcome to participate in the Bethlehem Co-op Market's annual Gingerbread House event. It will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 6-8 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall.
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Time to let your confectionary architectural skills shine at this popular event – you'll get all the fixings you need to create your own Gingerbread House!
When you register, you can choose to build it at the event ($15 per kit), or you can pick up your kit to create at home ($20).
This activity is fun for all ages and open to all.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
Sunday, Dec. 14
9 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
9 a.m. - Body N Soul intergenerational faith formation class, Room 212
10 a.m. – Combined Service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed
11 a.m. - Holiday Goodie Exchange in Fellowship Hall
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. THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT - see above article
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
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Send us your news and photos to share:
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
THURSDAY 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 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.
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THIS SUNDAY - COMMUNION SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
- 10 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor - all are welcome
- 10:10 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216 – all are welcome
- 11:15 a.m.: Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, 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.
| | 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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