Friday, October 3, 2025 Newsletter

For Sunday – NEW SCHEDULE!


10:00 Combined Worship Service

       (in person in Fellowship Hall, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: UNITED IN A DIVIDED WORLD


This Sunday, we celebrate World Communion Sunday, a tradition that began at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh under the leadership of its pastor, Dr. Hugh Thomson Kerr. Kerr's goal was to bring churches together in a service of Christian unity, highlighting their interconnectedness. It was slow going to get other churches to observe the day. 

I fear that too many feel this hope for interconnectedness is false hope. How are we ever to achieve unity in diversity when there is so much desire for conformity in too many of our Christian communities? Too many of our communities of faith want us to think alike, look alike, be alike.

Our sermon title asks this question: How can we be one in a divided world? Well we can’t, because our humanness gets in the way, but God can make us one. Do we trust God enough to make us one? Do we trust that if we open wide our hearts and minds to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit we can be one in our divided and diverse world? Is conformity the goal, or is interconnectedness the goal? To work for and pray that we be connected to one another through Love and Divine Energy, and for the Holy Spirit to weave among us – all of us.

I am reminded of a story by Thomas Merton: “In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness, of spurious self-isolation in a special world. . .

“Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts where neither sin nor desire nor self-knowledge can reach, the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God’s eyes. If only they could all see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way all the time. There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed… But this cannot be seen, only believed and ‘understood’ by a peculiar gift.”

And, that gift only God can give. What if we began to pray for this kind of unity in a divided world? Could we be like Merton? Let’s explore together this Sunday and then celebrate afterwards with a heritage potluck brunch. Bring a dish that is special to you and connect through words, music, food and fellowship. See you Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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

Combined Worship Service (6 pages)

PARKING ALERT!

We also want to remind you that the space immediately in front of the west doors (by the portico) marked with yellow lines is a fire lane, and no parking is ever allowed. 

There are no parking spaces in front of the church building except the marked handicapped spaces – to use, you must display proper registration to use those spaces. Look for our new signs - thank you!

FOR SUNDAY:


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

10 a.m.: Combined Worship Service, Fellowship Hall and livestreamed

11:15 a.m.: Community Potluck, Fellowship Hall

If you are worshipping from home, you can participate in communion by preparing your own elements: bread or bread-like item (cracker, bagel, etc.) and grape juice, wine or water.

HEARTS N MINDS MEETS - NEW TIME!

BODY N SOUL: NO MEETING THIS WEEK

The theme for study this fall is “Seeking God Together.” Together we will seek God through bible stories, creative expression, movement, and fellowship. The curriculum provides age appropriate activities from preschool to adult, with time for connection across generations. Faithful seekers of all ages are welcome to join each week. 

FALL LECTOR SIGN-UP

We’re looking for lectors to serve at our fall worship services! 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

THROUGH OCT. 5: PEACE & GLOBAL WITNESS SPECIAL OFFERING

The Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through this special offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world. The funding is used in this way:

If you receive a packet of pledge envelopes, there is a special envelope for this offering. Envelopes are also available on the info tables at each worship service.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR: “Sacred Rhythms” Series

HI NEIGHBORS: START YOUR WEEK!

For Monday’s program, learn the origin story and development of automobiles through the ages, and the interesting story of Fordlândia, Henry Ford’s failed attempt at a South American rubber plantation. Al Ruozzi of the America on Wheels Museum is our presenter.

Click the link for the one-page schedule.

KIRKLAND VILLAGE FALL FESTIVAL & BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

WE NEED VEHICLES! TRUNK OR TREAT COMING ON OCT. 18

We’re planning a big community event: a Trunk or Treat celebration on Saturday, Oct. 18 from noon-4 p.m. (raindate: Saturday, Oct. 25).

We are providing an opportunity for groups and individuals affiliated with FPCB to participate (like K groups) – please consider how you can help make this event a success!

We’re also asking vintage vehicles to participate – they do not need to be decorated and we can provide candy for them to give out – please share this info with your friends who may have older vehicles!

Those interested in participating (both with vintage vehicles and those affiliated with FPCB), please register here: bit.ly/46sPPvl. Contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 for more information.

FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY: ANNUAL CROP WALK IS COMING

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Bethlehem CROP Hunger Walk, as we join teams from around the United States in combating hunger both locally and globally. 

This year's walk will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19.

With hunger both nationally and globally on the increase, we need both “boots on the ground” and generous sponsors to make this year’s walk a success. 

READ MORE...

NEXT HELPING HANDS TRIP COMING IN NOVEMBER

Questions? Contact Carol Bennicoff at helpinghands@lehighpresbytery.org.

AWAKENING THE SAGE WITHIN 

Saturday, Oct. 25

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
395 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem

Today, most people approaching elderhood can expect to live another 20-30 years. How do you want to live those years? Sage-ing (also known as Spiritual Eldering or Conscious Aging) is a model for engaging the elder years more deliberately, joyfully, and compassionately. 

During this interactive workshop, you will be introduced to Sage-ing concepts including life review, forgiveness work, and issues surrounding mortality. 

Click HERE more information and to register.

LOOKING AHEAD…

Sunday, Oct. 26

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

  10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor 

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

  12:30 p.m. – Congregational Meeting, Sanctuary and via Zoom

We will also do one Combined Service on these two Sundays:

Sunday, Nov. 9 at 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary – Pledge Sunday and 150th anniversary
celebration (followed by provided community luncheon)

Sunday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

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

• 9:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
• 9:45 - 11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 10:00 a.m.: Combined Worship Service, Fellowship Hall (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)
• 11:15 a.m.: Community Potluck, Fellowship Hall - if you're so inclined, bring a family heritage dish to pass (but not to worry, we'll have plenty!)

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.