Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 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: LISTENING FOR UNDERSTANDING

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Happy Autumn! Welcome to the beautiful rich colors of the fall season. For some reason, Autumn makes me want to clean my house, get some new clothes, and assess how the year is going up to this point. Assessing the year seems like a worthy pursuit as the days become cooler and shorter and I take some time to recharge my batteries.

Blessings,

Suzanne

FOR THIS SUNDAY

Galatians 5:16-6:2

• Sermon: Witness with With-ness by Rev. Suzanne Trump
• We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org

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



Traditional Worship Service (4 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 29

• 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
• 10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (see more info, below)
• 10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Fellowship Hall (see more info, below)
• NEW TIME - 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org
• 12:15 p.m.: Congregational Meeting, Fellowship Hall (this meeting will be recorded; if you would like a link to the recording, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call 610-428-9649)

FOR SUNDAY: BODY N SOUL - INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH FORMATION

Intergenerational faith formation builds community across generations, providing a space and structure where persons of all ages can learn from each other. Through biblically-based storytelling, small group conversations, interactive group activities, and opportunities for individual contemplation, participants encounter God’s word and explore how it is active in today’s world.

The Body N Soul class will be exploring the curriculum Current: Seeking Peace Together. Divided into four segments, this curriculum explores the topics: Peace with God, Peace Within, Peace with Others, and Peace with Creation. Each week introduces a new story from the Old or New Testament that illustrates God’s shalom.

Body N Soul meets weekly between services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall and continuing through December. All are welcome!

DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE? 

NOMINATIONS DUE SUNDAY, OCT. 13

It’s time to begin the important process of nominating appropriate candidates for Elders, Deacons, Trustees and members of the Nominating Committee.

Please submit your nominations by Sunday, Oct. 13.

Everyone nominated will be contacted to confirm they are eligible to run and asked if they accept the nomination, before their name appears on the ballot. The elections are held in conjunction with our Annual Meeting in January.

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 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.

The Nominating Committee members are charged with identifying candidates for Elders, Deacons, Trustees, 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.

Trustees oversee all financial and property matters in the church including the budget, building renovations and repairs, planned giving, and investment funds. Trustees will meet monthly and members will also serve on one additional committee, such as the property or finance committee, which also generally meet monthly. The term for Trustees is three years.

Thank you for supporting this important process!

LET’S END HUNGER: ONE STEP AT A TIME!

September is #HungerActionMonth, so it’s a good time to make plans for the next Bethlehem Area CROP Walk.

You're invited to join some 300,000 walkers representing more than 700 teams from around the country in supporting hunger initiatives locally and around the world (25% of funds raised are kept for local hunger programs). 

For more information, including a map of the route, and to register for or make a contribution to the walk, use this link, below. Thanks for your support!

PLEASE JOIN US AT THE ANNUAL ‘BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS’

All are welcome to participate in the 6th annual “Blessing of the Animals” event offered on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m.

This is a free event. If interested, participants are invited to bring donations of pet food and supplies that will be shared with the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley.

We can also use several volunteers for this event - to assist with set-up, greeting, blessing of the animals, and clean-up. If you can help, please contact us at 610-867-5865 or info@fpc-bethlehem.org. Thanks for considering!

TRIVIA & TACO TUESDAY: COMING ON TUESDAY, OCT. 8

FPCB folks and friends are invited to meet at The Clubhouse Grill (400 Illick’s Mill Road) on Tuesday, Oct. 8 for dinner (optional – starts at 6:00 p.m.) and trivia (7:00 p.m.).

HI NEIGHBORS SPEAKERS PROGRAM: JOIN US ON MONDAY!

For this Monday we will turn our sights to the beginnings of modern-day Bethlehem when we hear from John Gallagher about Archibald Johnston. He was instrumental in bringing together the two separate boroughs of South Bethlehem and Bethlehem, and became the new city’s first mayor. John will also share the story of the renovation of Johnston’s former home, the Archie Project.

Hi Neighbors has been bringing interesting programming to our community for many decades. The new series builds on that legacy with nine new presentations, coordinated by volunteer Susan Wolf. The complete schedule is available here (and if you’re on our mailing list, you should have received the schedule in the mail).

All are welcome – no registration fee or sign-up needed. Just come and bring your friends!

SAVE THE DATE: DISCIPLESHIP RETREAT

On the Way: Making Tracks Toward Home 

Saturday, Oct. 26: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Lunch provided

All are welcome! Please register at bit.ly/3zokAVL by Monday, Oct. 21: a donation of $10 is requested that can be paid at the door.

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 (see more info, above)
• 10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Fellowship Hall (see more info, above)
• NEW TIME - 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org
• 12:15 p.m.: Congregational Meeting, Fellowship Hall (this meeting will be recorded; if you would like a link to the recording, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or call 610-428-9649)

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.