Friday, August 29, 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: A BEAUTIFUL VISION

Grace and peace to you,

This Sunday we end our exploration of the Book of Revelation and what a journey it has been. What surprised you about Revelation? What has challenged you? What more would you like to learn?

If I could sum up the key points of Revelation, it would be these:

That way is to encourage his listeners/readers then and now to continue to be faithful witnesses to the lordship of God and Jesus, the Lamb. To be active witnesses in word and deed to God’s love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and grace. To embrace that resistance to evil is not futile, but necessary. It won’t be easy, and we will see suffering, pain, hardship along the way, but testifying about the God who so dearly loves us and includes all, is of utmost importance.

John’s vision ends with the beauty of the new heaven and new earth that God transforms out of the old. John sees the New Jerusalem city descending from heaven to earth and there is a river of life-giving water that flows directly from God and Jesus. There are trees of life-giving abundant food. There are people from every nation on earth coming together and God walks among them. What a beautiful vision!

And that is what we will end our series exploring – this vision. What does it mean for us today? How are we partners with God to bring that vision to life? Has God’s desire for us died? Or do we need to more fully embrace it? 

Come and see, come and explore! 

Pastor Karen

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

Summer Worship Service (5 pages)

INQUIRERS SEMINAR: COMING ON SEPT. 21

Pastors Lindsey and Karen will gather a group of newcomers together on Sunday, Sept. 21 for our Inquirers Seminar. It’s a casual, relational afternoon session to learn more about one another and more about FPCB. It’s also the first step for folks considering joining us as new members.   

The group will gather after our 11:15 service in Fellowship Hall (around 12:30 p.m.), and lunch will be provided. It should be done no later than 3:30 p.m. If you’re interested, please reach out to Lindsey (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org). 

HEARTS N MINDS ANNOUNCES FALL READ

FALL LECTOR SIGN-UP

We’re looking for lectors to serve at our fall worship services, beginning on Sunday, Sept. 21. One person is needed for each service: the 9 a.m. Holy Ground service in Fellowship Hall, and 11:15 Traditional worship in the Sanctuary.

This is a great way to participate in the ministry of our church – if you’ve not done it before, we’re glad to provide coaching. You can sign up on the paper form available at the Sunday services, or use this easy online sign-up form: bit.ly/45CoRC8

First Presbyterian Church has been involved in mentoring students at Donegan Elementary School in South Bethlehem for many years. The program has adapted over the years to meet the changing needs of the school and the students. Donegan volunteers are under the direction of the community school director, a position paid by Lehigh University. Deb and Al Philpotts coordinate our group. 

Typically we meet with our students on Thursday mornings before school starts. Mentors are paired with a student who would benefit from a one-on-one, regular interaction with a caring adult. The relationship grows with weekly interaction and often continues for years as the student progresses through the grades.

I’ve been involved for over ten years and have had several students. I currently am mentoring Skylee, who will be starting 3rd grade this year. I have known her since she started Kindergarten. She has come a very long way since the little girl who cried most of our beginning time together. Deb Castellano and I were honored to be invited to her birthday party this year at Skyzones, and we went. 

This has been a great experience, not only being with the kids but getting to know the other mentors. If this is where you might be able to share your love and support with a child, come talk with us. You are welcome to come “check us out” when we start back this fall. There is no shortage of kids who would love to spend time with you.

You can connect with Pam via an email to info@fpc-bethlehem.org. The program will start up again in October.

HI NEIGHBORS WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY, SEPT. 15

The programs begin at 9:30 a.m. with a social time in Fellowship Hall, followed by the hour-long presentation at 10 a.m. A lively question-and-answer period is included.

The first session will feature Andrea Zia, CEO of the National Museum of Industrial History, who will give an overview of NMIH, and introduce a documentary and panel discussion by the Women of Bethlehem Steel. *This first program will run from 10-11:30 a.m. (all others are one hour long).

**NOTE** For this fall we're looking for someone (or a couple of someones) who would commit to making the coffee for the group. It does not need to be for every week; we can work out a rotating schedule. If interested in helping in this way, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

Click the link for the one-page schedule.

JOIN US FOR LEMONADE ON THE LAWN

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.

NEWS FROM OUR PRESCHOOL Mum Orders are due on Sunday!

Our Preschool has put out a request for school supplies – if you are so inclined to help, a list of suggested items is attached to this newsletter. There are collection tubs available at the south and east entrances, and in the North Link until Sunday, Sept. 14.

PRINT THE SUPPLY LIST

LOOKING AHEAD…

Monday, Sept. 1 - Labor Day The offices, building and Preschool will be closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The offices/building will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2 and the Preschool will reopen on Monday, Sept. 8.

Sunday, Sept. 14:

   9 a.m. - Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor

   10 a.m. – Summer Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestream)

   11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Ministry Fair, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, Sept. 21:

   9 a.m. – Holy Ground Worship Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)

   10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (this is the regular class time)

   11:15 a.m. – Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestream)

   12:30-3:30 p.m. – Inquirers Class, Fellowship Hall (contact us to attend)

Sunday, Oct. 5:

   9 a.m. - Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor

   10 a.m. – Combined Worship Service, Fellowship Hall

   11 a.m. – Community Potluck, Fellowship Hall

   3 p.m. – Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) Faith Crawl (BethlehemInterfaith.org)

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

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:

The offices, building and Preschool will be CLOSED in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The offices/building will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2 and the Preschool will reopen on Monday, Sept. 8.

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.