|
*Be sure to read to the end - if you see "View entire message" at the bottom,
click that to see the rest of the newsletter.*
| | |
Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 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:
THE ELEMENTS OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Grace and peace to you,
This Sunday, we begin a new sermon series on leadership. At our Session meeting earlier this week, our devotion centered on members’ reflections of what leadership meant to them, thinking about 1 Peter 5:2-3.
| | |
They also thought about the characteristics a leader should have. They mentioned that leaders needed to have a spirit of humility which allowed them to have empathy.
Leaders needed to be active listeners, which required one to be vulnerable. Leaders needed to be reflective, thoughtful, project confidence and not ever ask someone to do something they themselves weren’t willing to do. Leaders need to lead by example.
| | | |
These characteristics provide a framework for servant leadership – a style of leadership that is Christ-centered, empathetic, humble, engages in active listening and where it is known that everyone has worth and value. It is leadership that evolves out of an ever-deepening relationship with God.
However, servant leadership in the church doesn’t mean being a doormat – something or someone that gets walked on over and over. Leadership should never be abusive. But elements of leadership that we tend to fear don’t need to get lost in this model of servant. Courage, power, acceptance, conflict and grace are all elements of servant leadership. We just don’t always think about that.
How would you define servant leadership and its characteristics? Do those qualities seem out of reach to you? Is there something that makes you feel servant leadership isn’t for you?
Over the next several weeks, we will explore leaders in the Bible from Joshua to Shiphrah and Puah, Pharaoh’s daughter and Moses, his mother and his sister. We will think about Peter and the disciples and Jesus. We will explore leadership from the context of using power for the good, resolving conflicts, accepting God’s call on our life, and grace.
We begin this week by looking at Joshua, Moses’ successor leader. What can Joshua’s story of assuming the leadership of a people after Moses’ death teach us about leadership that finds its anchor in relationship with God? Why does God tell Joshua three times to be strong and have courage? Are those too qualities of leadership? Come and see! Come and explore!
Blessings,
Pastor Karen
| |
FOR THIS SUNDAY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW | |
After our worship service, you have two opportunities to connect. We’ll have tables set up in the Narthex for anyone who would like to discuss the morning’s sermon.
You’re also invited to our Lemonade on the Lawn social time: weather permitting, we’ll meet on the West Lawn (otherwise in the North Link). Of course, you are welcome to do both!
We do not have a host for this Sunday’s social time! If you can take the lead on this – or even help with some donations and/or help with set up or clean up, it will be very much appreciated. You can use this online form to sign up (bit.ly/42TDejr) OR contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 by Saturday at noon. Thanks for considering!
For this Sunday (and until further notice), child care during worship service will be offered in room 216 (ask the ushers to direct you).
| | If you’re a gardener with extra bounty to share, we invite you to bring it to Sunday worship – we’ll have a table set up at Lemonade on the Lawn where you can put it. Available for others to take, no charge! | | | Anything left over will be donated to New Bethany, along with other produce harvested from the CommUNITY Garden located on our campus. | | |
YOUR ENERGY, GOD’S CALL! NOMINATIONS DUE NEXT SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
The FPCB Nominating Committee has begun its work to recommend a slate of Ruling Elders and Deacons that will be elected this 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 or Ruling Elder? Is it on a committee such as the Nominating Committee itself? Is it in an area no one has thought of?
These are the roles to be filled:
| | ELDERS comprise the Session of the Presbyterian Church which is, in essence, the decision-making body of the church. They recommend and approve all program and policy implementation and modifications in the church. | | | |
Elders generally serve a three year term and the Session meets monthly; Elders generally serve on one or more committees, which also usually meet on a monthly basis.
DEACONS are the caregivers of the church. They minister to the individual members through home communion and visits, hospital and prayer ministries, and providing support to those in difficult situations. Deacons serve a three year term and typically meet monthly.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS are charged with identifying candidates for Elders, Deacons, and the Nominating Committee itself. This committee usually meets three or four times each year; the term of service is one year, and a member may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
As you pray about this, you are invited to speak with any member of the Nominating Committee about where you see yourself serving, to self-nominate for one of the elected positions. You can also nominate another candidate; the Nominating Committee will assure that they are interested and qualified to run. You can send any questions to info@fpc-bethlehem.org and they will be forwarded to the committee co-chairs.
The deadline to provide nominations is next Sunday, Sept. 6. Forms are available in the Narthex, or you can use the online form.
The members of the nominating committee are: Allison Masters and Aileen Williams (co-chairs), and members Belle Marks, Pam Phillippe, Froy Thompson, Rebecca Gorton, and Sharon Smith. You can also talk to the representative from the Deacons: Evelyn Kuserk.
| | |
ALL ARE WELCOME: SITTING WITH THE PSALMS
Sundays: Aug. 30; 9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
Church Library
| | |
Thanks to Gail Watts, Janet Bickford, Jo-Ellen Darling, Mike Jendzeizyk, Ginny Smith and Richard Smith for leading this special summer series. You are invited to join them in the Church Library for the last session, as we open ourselves to the inspiration and wisdom that the Psalms have for our lives.
Sometimes it’s easy to simply say the words of the Psalms we have known. What if we discovered that, as prayers, the Psalms relate directly to our concerns and cares, guiding us in finding consolation as God’s Word speaking into our lives?
| | | VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SUNDAY'S PRIDE FESTIVAL | | |
We can still use a few volunteers for this Sunday’s Lehigh Valley Pride Festival at SteelStacks from 1:00-7:00 p.m. Like in previous years, we are sharing booth spaces with other Mountain Laurel Presbytery churches, so we need FPCB volunteers to come help with temporary tattoos, an information table, and cornhole game.
You can sign up using this link and indicate which part of the booth you’d like to help with: https://volunteersignup.org/JFLL9
| | | |
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!)
As a reminder, this is a free, family-friendly event that we encourage you to attend – it’s always a fun experience.
| | FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS | | |
For August we will be supporting the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley.
They have specifically asked for dry dog and cat food only. You can drop those donations at the south entrance and in the North Link.
Many thanks for considering how you can help feed our (furry) neighbors!
| | | LAST CALL: PRESCHOOL MUM ORDER TIME! | | |
It’s that time again – to order these colorful, vibrant mums for the Preschool fundraiser!
Your choice of red, orange, yellow, purple, and white – each 9” mum is $9.
The orders are due by this Sunday, Aug. 30 at
1 p.m., and you can pick them up starting on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
| | | |
LOOKING AHEAD: HI NEIGHBORS KICKS OFF ON SEPT. 14
Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, will be back with a new nine-week series on Monday, Sept. 14.
| | |
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!
| | | |
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.
Click here for a printable copy of the schedule - and please consider sharing it!
| | DO YOU KNOW A GOOD CANDIDATE?
Our Preschool program is hiring! If you know of someone who would be interested in a teaching position with our well-regarded program, please have them contact Lisa Todd, the Preschool Director. | | |
Send us your news and photos to share:
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
WEDNESDAY at noon**
* * *
And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
| | |
TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
-
Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
-
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
| | |
FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
Child care will be available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. this Sunday; they will meet in room 216.
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
- 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. - "Sitting with the Psalms" discussion group, Library - all are welcome
- 9:45– 11:15 a.m. – Child care available in room 216
- 10:00 a.m. – Summer worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on website and Facebook page)
-
11:00 a.m. – Lemonade on the Lawn (west lawn) and post-service discussion opportunity (Narthex)
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 church building (including the Preschool) will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day; we will reopen on Tuesday, 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.
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.
| | 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
| | | | |
