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Friday, April 10, 2026 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. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: 
FINDING OUR WAY


Greetings, friends!


We continue our Easter celebrations all the way to Pentecost (May 24). The Eastertide season, these 50 days from Easter through Pentecost, invites us to consider what it means to be people of the resurrection.

The vision for this series is to help us embrace the ways in which seasons of disorientation and change can still inspire us and deepen our faith as Easter people.

Wherever the path leads, it is good to journey together!

Blessings,

Lindsey

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

Traditional Worship Service (4 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY


HOSPITALITY HOUR: Join us for good connection between our two Sunday services – 10:15-11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

SHARING YOUR HOPES AND VISION: MISSION STUDY


The Mission Study Committee continues to work toward creating a comprehensive "self-portrait" of the congregation - assessing our theological identity, our spiritual health, and our communal goals. During the month of April we are inviting everyone in the congregation to share your hopes/dreams/visions for near-term and far-term mission and ministry here at FPC-Bethlehem. 



From K-groups to choir, Hearts N Minds and Body N Soul, we are in the process of meeting with existing groups to engage in a guided visioning process. We will also hold sessions immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service on Sunday, April 19 – if you plan to attend then, please email info@fpc-bethlehem.org to indicate your participation.

• Where is God leading this congregation?
• Imagine a person who will join this church three years from now. What might they be looking for that we aren't currently providing? 
• What dream/vision do you have for mission when we are in a right-sized church?

There are only two guidelines for the sessions:

1. The sessions are no-judgement zones – a safe place for you to express what you are dreaming and hoping. 
2. The responses, while they will be shared, are confidential – the notetakers will not place names by responses. 

Save the Date:

NEXT CHAPTER UPDATES

As we prepare to transition to new space, we have convened two "Next Chapter" teams: one for the Preschool, and one for the church.

Pastor Lindsey shares:

• The Mission Steering Committee continues to work with Presbyterian Senior Living to clarify the timeline for a potential closing date (late summer/early fall at the latest) and for Preschool move-out (depending on whether we’re able to identify a new location for them in the next couple of months).
  
• We will still be bringing any final agreements to the congregation for approval once they are complete, and we will make sure there is ample notice and communication about that meeting (likely late spring/early summer).

The Preschool team has put out a request for referrals to potential spaces for relocating. If you have any ideas, please contact Lisa Todd at ltodd@fpc-bethlehem.org.

AN OFFER FOR YOU – AND AN ASK

But before we do, we invite the congregation to come to the library any time the church is open before next Thursday, April 16, to see if you would like to take any books or materials.  

And anyone interested in helping to pack up the books for the sale is asked to come to the library on Thursday, at 9 a.m. (or anytime after) to give as much time as you can.

HEARTS N MINDS: CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION

BODY N SOUL: ALL ARE WELCOME!

The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will meet on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in Room 216. Everyone is welcome--no reservations or advanced preparation required. 

Based on scripture and brought to life through movement and crafts, Body N Soul offers opportunities for seekers of all ages to grow their faith and build intergenerational community. 

COMING: SHE NAILED IT! FUNDRAISER FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY


She Nailed It! is an all women, nail-hammering, relay competition and one of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley's signature fundraising events! These funds will help build and repair homes for our neighbors.


Last year we fielded two teams, and took home the trophy for raising the most funds.

We’ve set an ambitious goal to raise $2,500 - you can make a gift online using this link: bit.ly/3PVSb13. You can also write a check to the church with She Nailed It! on the memo line.

HI NEIGHBORS: BACK ON MONDAY

Hi Neighbors – our popular speakers program - returns on Monday, April 13, to hear about a new technology, “Virtual Reality” from Tarah Cicero and Stephen Sakasitz from Lehigh University. This is a very basic introduction for those who are not tech-savvy! 

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. 

FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS

To support their students and their families, many BASD schools have a food pantry that collects non-perishable food items as well as personal care products for all ages.


They tell us that popular items are single-serve macaroni and cheese and soups, as well as cereal and breakfast items (they have a lot of canned vegetables and pastas/sauce right now). They can also use feminine care products, soaps, shampoos and conditioners, plus toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Collection carts are located in the North Link and at the south entrance. Let’s fill those carts! 

EASTER MEMORIES

The Easter Bunny (aka Al Philpotts) paid a visit to the Donegan Elementary Mentoring program. PC: Deb Castellano

Easter morning celebrating, with fan favorite confetti wands! PC: Richard Smith

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

• 9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall
• 10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
• 10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216
• 10:15 a.m. – Hospitality Time, Fellowship Hall
• 11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

 
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.