**IMPORTANT MESSAGE**

We are watching the weather for Sunday, so we will make a decision as soon as possible if our schedule needs to change.

Be sure to check for updates before heading out!

It will be shared on our website, Facebook, phone message, WFMZ, and we will send an email message.

Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 Newsletter



For Sunday

9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service

 (in person in Fellowship Hall)

11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service

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

A MESSAGE FROM REV. SUZANNE TRUMP: 

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

Greetings Friends,        

I am officially back at work and doing well since my knee replacement last month. Everything is going as I had hoped, and I am looking forward to getting back to golf in the spring. Thank you for all the prayers, the check ins, and the well wishes. I felt your support and strength each step of the way. I look forward to seeing you soon.

And that choice matters when it comes to faith. Seeing our own abundance makes it easy to share with others. If we operate from a scarcity mode, we tend to limit our sharing because we are afraid that we won’t have enough. Given the current questions in Washington regarding humanitarian aid we are at a key moment to determine if we will operate out of abundance or out of scarcity. And this applies to both aid within the United States and for other nations. 

As a Lutheran, I feel personally attacked by the comments made by individuals that Lutheran Social Services is a money laundering program and should not be funded. Other religious organizations have since been attacked as well. I can quote statistics that one in fifty Americans has benefited from programs that Lutheran Social Services provides but it really comes down to whether we live with a generous heart or a scarcity mindset.

As you ponder your glass as half full or half empty, I invite you to join us for worship this weekend when we will hear a story of the abundance of fish provided by Jesus. May we all prayerfully consider our response and act accordingly.

In Peace,

Suzanne

WE WILL SEND YOU THE CORRECT BULLETIN ON SATURDAY

AFTER SUNDAY’S TRADITIONAL SERVICE: CHURCH-WIDE INFO MEETING

The Strategic Mission Steering Committee offered an Update this past Sunday. A recording of the presentation is being created; if you would like us to email you the video, please drop us a note at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

FOR NEXT SUNDAY: SPECIAL SCHEDULE

We will have a special schedule for next Sunday, Feb. 16.

11 a.m. Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation 

At this meeting the congregation will elect its new slate of leaders: elders, deacons, trustees, and the Nominating Committee. Nominees’ information will be shared in next week’s newsletter.

12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Pasta Luncheon Fundraiser offered by Boy Scout Troop 302 in Fellowship Hall

The menu will include three pasta dishes, salad, bread, drinks and dessert. Suggested donation is $12 for adults, and $6 for kids 10 and under. Take out is available.

For 500 years, the imperial Roman Catholic Church made every effort to destroy Celtic Christianity in Britain. Bishops tried to impose the authority and hierarchy of Roman Catholicism, but it remained alive among the people of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, even spreading into Europe. John Scotus Eriugena found sanctuary in the court of King Charles of France. Eriugena led a school there in Aachen in Gaul. He was the best-known “scotus vagans”, a wandering merchant of wisdom, and despite centuries of condemnation by the Roman Catholic Church, his writings and wisdom remain.  

All are welcome to join discussion leader Betsy Simpson as she guides us in learning about John Scotus Eriugena.

BODY N SOUL  

For the month of February, Body N Soul will be exploring the practice of prayer. Prayer relies on our belief that God cares for us and hears us. Through bible stories and activities for all ages, this intergenerational group will consider how prayer is a central spiritual practice for followers of Christ and how it shapes us and our place in the world.

The group meets on Sundays from 10:10 -11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!

GET YOUR PAINT BRUSHES READY: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR A WORK DAY

All hands on deck for two upcoming Saturday work days: Feb. 15 and March 15. Come anytime between 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; lunch will be provided. We will be focused on interior painting.

If you can help, please drop us a note at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED: BES DINNER ON TUESDAY, FEB. 11

FLOWERS ARE ON OUR MINDS…

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:



• Child care will be available from 8:45 a.m. -12:15 p.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

• 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
• 10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
• 10:10-11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational faith formation, Fellowship Hall
• 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org

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 office and building WILL be open on Monday, Feb. 17; the Preschool will be closed on Friday, Feb. 14 and Monday, Feb. 17. 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.