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Friday, August 8, 2025 Newsletter
For Sunday
10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service
(in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY:
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
Grace and peace to you,
We are in week three of our six-week sermon series focused on the Book of Revelation. What is being unveiled as we go through this series - remember revelation and the Greek word from which it is translated apokalypsis means unveiling?
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Week three examines chapter five of the book which features a tightly sealed scroll that sits in the right hand of God, a deep sadness that no one seems to be worthy to open it, the mention of a lion but no visual to accompany it.
In fact, the lion mentioned becomes a lamb in John of Patmos’ vision. And, not just any lamb but one with seven horns and seven eyes!
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Then, the 24 elders and four creatures we were introduced to last week break out into another who is worthy song, followed by millions of angels singing a who is worthy song!
What in the world is happening? How are we to make sense of all of this? Is there a deeper meaning that this vision held for John and the churches he spoke to? Is there a deeper meaning for us?
Come and see this Sunday! Come and explore together in community what this might mean for us?
Blessings,
Pastor Karen
| | STUDY THE BOOK OF REVELATION WITH PASTOR KAREN | | |
If you would like to do a deeper dive into the Book of Revelation, Pastor Karen is leading an online discussion every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., through the end of August.
The series started three weeks ago but you don’t need to have attended the previous sessions.
| | | All are welcome; use THIS LINK to attend via Zoom. | | |
INQUIRERS SEMINAR THIS FALL
Pastors Lindsey and Karen are working on getting a group of newcomers together in the fall 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, and lunch will be provided. It would begin around 12:30 p.m. and be done no later than 3:30 p.m. We are looking at the following Sundays as possible options - Sept. 21, Oct. 5, or Oct. 12.
If you’re interested, please reach out to Lindsey (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org) and let her know which of those dates work for you!
| | HEARTS N MINDS ANNOUNCES FALL READ | | |
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, has announced the book the attendees will be reading during the fall session. Classes are tentatively scheduled to begin on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Parlor.
The book is entitled The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness by Father Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in CA.
Many of you will remember how powerful his Barking to the Choir was, a previous read.
For more information: info@fpc-bethlehem.org
| | | VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LV PRIDE EVENT ON AUG. 17 | | |
The Lehigh Valley Pride Festival is coming up on Sunday, Aug. 17 at Bethlehem's SteelStacks from 2:00-7:00 p.m.
As in previous years, we are sharing booth spaces with other Lehigh Presbytery churches, so we need FPCB volunteers to come help with temporary tattoos, a photo booth, and an information table. You can sign up using the link below; please scroll down to the slots labeled “FPC Bethlehem Volunteer.”
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We are helping with setup and covering the first half of the festival (2:00-4:30 p.m.). As of press time, we only needed to cover a couple more slots.
This is always a wonderful opportunity to share God’s love and affirmation with the LGBTQ+ community, so we hope to see you there! (Wear your FPCB T-shirts if you plan to volunteer!)
| | SUPPORTING OUR CHURCH WITH YOUR GIFTS | | |
Last Sunday we heard from Tiahnna DalPezzo, the recipient of the Barry Brandt Memorial Scholarship, expressing her gratitude and the positive impact the scholarship has had on her education.
She is pictured, center, with her mother (left) and sister (right).
| | | Linda Robertson also shared information about different ways to support First Pres financially. Those looking for additional information should contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org. | | |
St. Luke's Hospice is planning a special service honoring loved ones on Saturday, Aug. 16 at
11 a.m. in our Sanctuary. It will be followed by a butterfly release on our front lawn.
First Pres families and friends are invited to attend.
| | | JOIN US FOR LEMONADE ON THE LAWN | | |
Our popular social time is offered after our 10 a.m. service, on the front (west) lawn as weather permits – otherwise we’ll meet in Fellowship Hall.
As we did last year, we are looking for small groups and families to step forward to host these events. Thanks to the Women’s K Group for serving as our hosts this Sunday.
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NOTE: We are in need of volunteers for the next several weeks. You can sign up using the link below, or on the paper form available on Sundays.
Basically, you will need to:
- 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).
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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.
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HI NEIGHBORS WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY, SEPT. 15
Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, will be back with a new ten-week series on Monday, Sept. 15.
The presentations are free and open to the public, and feature an interesting array of topics such as history, local culture, music, and current events. We appreciate the efforts of Susan Wolf, our volunteer program coordinator, for her diligence in securing such interesting speakers!
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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.
For this fall we're looking for someone (or a couple of someones) who would commit to making the coffee for the group. If interested contact us at
info@fpc-bethlehem.org.
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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 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.
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THIS SUNDAY - COMMUNION SUNDAY
- 9:45 - 11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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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:
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, Acting Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; LTodd@fpc-bethlehem.org
Brenda Robinson, Bookkeeper: ext. 211; BusinessOffice@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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