Friday, July 11, 2025 Newsletter



For Sunday

10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service

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

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: PONDERING THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Grace and peace to you,

Today I am extending an invitation to you to explore the Book of Revelation with me, but first… Pastor Lindsey is back and will continue our study of Jeremiah the next two Sundays (July 13 and 20). This Sunday, she will preach on Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15. I encourage you to read it! Come and see, come and explore.

What questions arise for you? What really is the Book of Revelation all about – where is the hope and promise, what does the imagery mean, what can we learn about non-violent resistance? Let’s explore together. The sessions will last one hour. I hope you can join me. (Here is the Zoom link)

And, on another note, we have accumulated quite a collection of eyeglasses and water bottles. If you are missing either, please let us know – they are in the church office. We will try to reunite you!

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

The Sunday bulletin will be emailed on Saturday

EXPANSIVELY WELCOMING: NOT JUST A CATCHY SLOGAN

At a recent post-worship service discussion time, a conversation arose about how to be a welcoming congregation. Someone noted that it is not uncommon for homeless individuals to come to our building during worship or public concerts.

Aileen also noted that she keeps several of these in her car to give out when she comes across someone in need.

Thank you to this group for suggesting this welcoming gesture, and for those of you who can support it.

FPCB HOSTS 2025 ARTEFACT CHORAL SCHOLARS INTENSIVE

The students participating in this program will participate in Sunday worship, and then present a free concert at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary.

In collaboration with the Artefact Ensemble and First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, the third annual Artefact Scholars Summer Choral Intensive, an opportunity for 8th-12th grade musicians to work with professional vocalists, conductors, and composers, was held this week to provide an immersive learning experience.

The 2025 program faculty includes: 

• David Macbeth (FPCB Director of Music Ministries), vocal/choral faculty of Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, and artistic director of Concord Chamber Singers
• Tynan Davis, accomplished Broadway and jazz vocalist and Grammy® award-winning opera soprano
• Dr. Christopher Jackson, artistic director and conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem
• Timothy Parsons, Grammy®-nominated countertenor, and emeritus member of the Grammy®-nominated Choir of Trinity Wall Street.

We're proud to support this fine program!

YOUR ENERGY, GOD'S CALL!

The FPCB Nominating Committee has begun its work to recommend a slate of ruling elders, deacons and trustees that will be elected in the fall. So our question to you is this: what within the church energizes you and where do you sense God is calling you to serve? Is it as a deacon, ruling elder or trustee? Is it on a committee? Is it in an area no one has thought of!?

As you pray about this, you are invited to speak with any member of the nominating committee about where you see yourself serving and/or to self-nominate for one of the elected positions.

The members of the nominating committee are: Rich Hjorth (chair), and members: Phil Clauser, Judy Smullen, Steve Samuelson, Belle Marks, Sharon Smith and Pam Phillippe. You can also talk to representatives from the Deacons (Jane Masters), Trustees (Ginger Seifried), and Session (Linda Filipovits).

AVOID THE SUMMER SLUMP: USE OUR AUTOMATED PAYMENT SYSTEM

By Linda Robertson  

Perhaps you've heard about the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system of paying your pledges - ACH payments are direct transfers from your personal bank account to a target account, like First Pres'. No more checks, cash, or pledge envelopes!

Maybe you think no one uses that system - not so! Dozens of First Pres members use it successfully.

Not secure? ACH rigorously protects your information. They're easy to set up, and you can stop whenever you like. Best of all - our church receives a monthly influx of pledge payments, year round, helping us address cash flow issues and ensuring budgetary stability. To set up, visit our website at fpc-bethlehem.org/give. You can set up a recurring donation on a weekly or monthly schedule. Simply click the “Donate” button and enter your information.

You'll be asked for your bank account information (routing number and account number) and the gift amount. You then authorize First Pres to debit your account for that agreed-upon donation amount. Your giving schedule continues until you stop the process. 

Brenda Robinson, our FPC Bookkeeper, can help you with questions and guide you through this process. You can reach her at brobinson@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865, ext. 211. Thanks for considering ACH! 

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW PASTORAL MESSAGE NUMBER

We have transferred to a new phone number for emergency pastoral messages.

The new number is 610-674-0005. Again, this is ONLY for emergency messages to our pastoral staff, when the office phone is not staffed.

JOIN US FOR LEMONADE ON THE LAWN

• 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.
• Get the beverages, cups and napkins, ice, and coolers out of the church kitchen and set them up (we typically serve lemonade, iced tea and water – these are provided).
• 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. 

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, and we'll have a paper sign-up form at the Sunday service.

SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS: Summer Harvest Food Drive

Our donation bins are located at the south entrance, Kirk Center entrance, and in the North Link.

Among the other local location spots to donate:

• Blast Furnace Blues (free concerts) at the SteelStacks’ Levitt Pavillion on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19
• Northampton Community College’s Summer Theatre performances - check their show schedule at ncctix.org
• The Farm Market at NCC - Wednesdays from 10 AM - 2 PM (the Quad on the Bethlehem campus, 3835 Green Pond Road)
• numerous local libraries, banks and retailers

Visit summerharvestfooddrive.com for a complete list of donation locations, requested list of items, and a form if you’d like to volunteer. There is also a form for food pantries that would like to receive donations.

There is an ambitious goal to double last year’s collection amount – let’s see what we can do to help achieve that, to support our neighbors!

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:



Child care will be available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.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

• 9:45 - 11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)
• 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn, social time for all, front of church
• 4:00 p.m.: Concert by Artefact Choral Scholars, Sanctuary - free and open to all

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.