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Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 Newsletter

For Sunday - Special Schedule

10 a.m.: Combined Worship Service

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


Followed by a Congregational Meeting 
(in person in the Sanctuary, and available via Zoom)

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: WE ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS


Grace and peace to you,


As I wrote in last week’s pastor message, this Sunday sees the start of our stewardship season which will last until pledge Sunday, Nov. 15. The Stewardship Team came up with the following theme: Our Unfolding Journey: A Season of Gratitude. We settled on gratitude as the idea that connects our past with our future – being thankful for what has been, while also looking ahead to what is possible.

This Sunday we lift up our Mission Statement: To welcome an inclusive and joyful community of Christ’s followers into actively exploring how God’s gracious love gives meaning to our lives and faith, and inspires us to address the needs of our changing world. Through our learning, service, and grateful worship, God fills us with purpose, compassion, courage, and love.


We are lifting up our Core Value of Christ-centered as its partner: In everything we do, we strive to follow Jesus Christ faithfully through the authority and insight of God’s Word and Spirit, to imitate Christ in how we treat others.


These are foundational statements to our witness as Christ-followers. They form the foundation of who we are as a congregation. Our scripture this Sunday attests to what a church foundation really is – and it isn’t the building. It is the people. We are the living stones drawn to the one living stone that serves as the cornerstone of our faith and action: Jesus Christ. 


While Christ is our cornerstone foundation, we are the building blocks that make up a spiritual temple and create a spiritual home for all who need a place to belong. We are individually and collectively the temple of God and God is present in each of us.

Do we believe that? Do we trust that God is the one breathing life into our living stones that make up our foundation of faith and trust and love? Do we trust that God is still the One guiding us on this unfolding journey? What gratitude practice might we adopt to remind us of this?


So many questions! This Sunday, come and see, come and explore together! Remember – one service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. See you then!


Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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



Traditional Worship Service (4 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY

• 9:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child care available (ask the ushers to direct you to the location)
• 10:00 a.m.: Combined worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on website and Facebook page)
• 11:15 a.m.: Congregational meeting, Sanctuary (in person and available via Zoom; contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org for the link)

TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR THIS SUNDAY


The Bethlehem Running Festival has scheduled a Half Marathon race that will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday morning. You may want to check the course map at runbethlehem.com/course-maps to inform your travel for that morning (scroll down to the Half Marathon map).

NO CLASSES THIS SUNDAY

Neither of our classes will meet this Sunday due to our special schedule. Both will resume on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Hearts N Minds, our adult ed class, will meet from 10-11 a.m. in the Library (room 210). They are reading Holy Envy: Finding God in The Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor, which is available new or used online. All are welcome - you do not need to have read the material to participate in the discussion.

All are welcome to join Body N Soul, our intergenerational class, which will meet next on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 10:10-11 a.m. in Room 216. Come join us! All generations have something to contribute.

SUPPORTING OUR WEEKLY SERVICES

Would you like to support our worship services? We have two ways to do that.

We are looking for volunteers to serve as lectors. If you are comfortable reading scripture aloud in front of our congregation, this is the opportunity for you! We encourage you to check this online sign-up form and choose a service and date: bit.ly/3Uo0i8W (there is also a paper sign-up form available in the Narthex on Sundays).

EXPLORE TRANSITION, IDENTITY, AND BELONGING AT FPCB:

A PhotoVoice Research Opportunity


Are you interested in reflecting on our congregation’s current journey? You are invited to participate in a community-based participatory research study co-led by researchers from the Lehigh University and FPCB PhotoVoice Project. 

What to Expect:


• What You’ll Do: Participate in two guided focus group sessions during October. Take photos representing the challenges and opportunities you see during this time of transition at FPCB, then share and discuss them.
• Time Commitment: No more than five total hours of engagement across the month of October.
• Who Can Join: Individuals who attend FPCB and want to share their perspective on the transition that we are undertaking.
  

To learn more or to sign up, please use this online form or contact the church office at info@fpc-bethlehem.org by Monday, Oct. 19. 


Please note: This independent research project is separate from the recent FPCB Mission Study. It is intended both to be used by our congregation and for broader research purposes including publication and presentation of the collected data.

CAN YOU USE A RIDE?

Medical Appointment Driver Assistance


If you are in need of transportation to an upcoming medical appointment, the Deacons’ driver assistance program may be able to help. Church members contributing to this ministry provide rides to ensure you get to your appointments safely and stress-free.

If you need a ride, please contact the church office as far in advance as possible so we can pair you with a driver. Below is a quick checklist of the details to have ready when you call or email:

• Passenger Name and Contact Info: Best phone number (and email, if applicable) to reach you.
•  Date of Appointment: The exact day of the week and date needed.
•  Appointment Time: The scheduled time of your appointment.
• Estimated Duration: How long the appointment is expected to last (or estimated pickup time for the return trip).
• Destination Address: Full name of the medical facility, building/suite number, and street address.
• Pickup Location: Your home address (or location where you will be picked up).
• Special Assistance Needs: Let us know if you use a walker, need help getting from the door to the car, or have any mobility considerations.

Contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 (if you call and must leave a message, just give your name and number and say you’d like to arrange for a ride – you don’t need to leave all these details on the message).

TIME FOR THE ANNUAL CROP WALK: SUNDAY, OCT. 18



Here’s a way you can help address the growing hunger issues, both locally and globally: this Sunday’s Bethlehem CROP Hunger Walk. 

Historically, 25% of the funds raised have been retained locally for agencies that provide food assistance to neighbors in need – this year’s walk will support Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, Essentials Café, Freezer Ministry and Garden Gatherers at East Hills Moravian Church, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Conference of Churches and New Bethany.

You can register to walk or to donate by clicking on this link (bit.ly/4jnmIBm), or by stopping by the registration table in Fellowship Hall after Sunday worship. We’re very close to hitting our goal of $2200 – but the need is great, so let’s try to better that!

Bethlehem Interfaith Group: 2026 Faith Crawl

Leaves from and returns to Congregation Brith Sholom: 
1190 W. Macada Road, Bethlehem

Please RSVP by Sunday, Oct. 25 and fill out the registration form for EACH person.

Email info@BIGBethlehem.org with questions or accommodation requests.

HI NEIGHBORS: YOUR WEEKLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, is your opportunity to learn new and interesting things each week. Last week we got a good overview about how local farmers and advocates are building a stronger, healthier community with better local food access for all.

FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS

They have specifically asked for cereal, juices, beans, rice, peanut butter, jelly, canned vegetables, canned soups, canned fruit, microwavable mac and cheese, cheese board/snack items, crackers, snacks for children, Clorox wipes, and tissues. 



Thanks for considering how you can help!

ELECTION DAY IS COMING: HAVE YOU MADE YOUR PLAN?


Voting is an important part of being a citizen in our country, and we’re here with a reminder of deadlines to be aware of:


• Monday, Oct. 19: Last day to register to vote
  
• Tuesday, Oct. 27: Deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Deadline to return your mail ballot. It must be received by your county by 8 p.m.
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day (polls are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

• Vote in person at your local poll
  
• Request a mail-in ballot that you will mail (it must be received by the county by Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m., so allow plenty of time for the mail)
  
• Request a mail-in ballot that you will drop in a designated ballot return location (NOTE: you must return your ballot yourself)


If you need a ride to the poll or to your designated ballot return location, contact the church office at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 and we will help arrange that.


For more information: vote.pa.gov

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:

Child care will be available from 9:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. this Sunday; ask the ushers 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 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child care available (ask the ushers to direct you to the location)
• 10:00 a.m.: Combined worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on website and Facebook page)
• 11:15 a.m.: Congregational meeting, Sanctuary (in person and available via Zoom; contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org for the link)


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.

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.