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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 Newsletter
For Sunday - Communion 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
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
EXCITING RECOGNITION
Greetings, friends!
I’m thrilled to be able to share some exciting news with you this week -
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Our Building Community: Housing Vision Plan - the final concept developed through our community-engaged work alongside our partners at COLLABO - has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association with their 2025 Plan Award!
This was one of only four total awards this year recognizing plans or projects in the state, and ours was the only housing plan to be selected. (The other award-winning work focused on walking trails and improvements to public transit.)
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We received powerful letters of support for award consideration from the Lehigh Conference of Churches, Lehigh University’s Small Cities Lab, Community Action Development Bethlehem, and two members of Bethlehem City Council: Kiera Wilhelm and Hillary Kwiatek.
On Monday, Oct. 13, an audience of more than 300 planning professionals from all over Pennsylvania gathered in Harrisburg as our Strategic Mission Steering Committee Co-Chairs, Don Robertson (left) and Donna Taggart (center), accepted the award on the church’s behalf, alongside Vanessa Alvarez Diaz from COLLABO.
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(I was certainly there in spirit, but I had to be en route to Little Rock that morning to serve on the faculty for a recently ordained clergy cohort with the Board of Pensions’ CREDO program.)
Following the award ceremony and luncheon, multiple planning professionals approached our team to hear more about our process, which speaks to its innovation and potential impact elsewhere.
I continue to be so incredibly proud of our Steering Committee and our congregation! This award from the statewide organization of planning professionals is an honor, and it points to the exceptional quality of the faithful work we have done with and for our community.
That work continues to inspire our partnership with Foundry Commercial in seeking the right partners for redevelopment, and we are grateful for the congregation’s ongoing enthusiasm for bringing our physical resources into greater alignment with our community’s needs and living more fully into our values, mission, and ministry!
Fittingly, this week in worship we’ll be exploring how courage and risk-taking undergird our faithful past and give us momentum toward our hopeful future. Onward together, saints!
In Christ,
Lindsey
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COMMUNION SUNDAY
If you would like to participate while worshipping online,
you are invited to prepare your own elements:
a bread or bread-like item such as a cracker, bagel, pita, or muffin,
and grape juice, wine or water.
| | Your reminder for Saturday night - we want to see you in church on time on Sunday!
Turn your clocks back one hour! | | |
FOR NEXT SUNDAY, NOV. 9: ONE SERVICE AT 11:15 AM
We will be celebrating Stewardship Sunday and FPCB’s 150th anniversary in a Combined Service at 11:15 a.m.
Hearts N Minds adult ed class meets at 10 a.m. in the Parlor; the Body N Soul intergenerational group will not meet.
After the service, all are invited to a Community Luncheon – all food will be provided, and there will be vegetarian and gluten-free options. We hope you will plan to join this special celebration!
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STEWARDSHIP PACKETS: IN THE MAIL!
If you donated to FPCB in 2025, you are on our list to receive a stewardship packet. These were mailed out last week (look for a colorful turquoise envelope) – if you did not receive one, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865.
You can also access the letter, pledge form and suggested giving chart on our website (download and print): fpc-bethlehem.org/give.
As part of Stewardship Sunday, you will be given an opportunity to bring your 2026 pledge forward (if you sign up online, we’ll have a card for you to complete to add to the pledge basket). Pledge forms are on the info table.
| | HEARTS N MINDS MEETS THIS SUNDAY: NEW MINI-SERIES BEGINS | | |
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet this Sunday, Nov. 2, at its regular time from 10-11 a.m. in the Parlor. All are welcome – even if you did not attend the first of these three sessions.
Last Sunday, Janet Stahl began a three part series using Biblical storytelling to explore the topic of reaching out to strangers.
She will also present this same information, “Strangers are Potential Friends” at a free storytelling concert next Saturday, Nov. 1 from
4-7 p.m. at East Hills Moravian Church, 1830 Butztown Rd. (Click the image to print the flyer)
| | | The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will meet between the two Sunday services from 10:10 - 11:00 in Room 216 in the South Wing (follow the signs). They will not meet on Sunday, Nov. 9. | | 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. | | If you’re interested in checking out our Hand Bell group,
Chancel Ringers,
they have begun rehearsals on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Newbies welcome! | | |
YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND...
The families of Roger Farber and Norma Treichler have extended an invitation to attend the memorial services of their loved ones.
Roger Farber: Friday, Nov. 7: 1-2 p.m. calling hour in the Narthex; 2-3 p.m. memorial service in the Sanctuary; 3-4 p.m. reception in Fellowship Hall
Norma Treichler: Saturday, Nov. 8: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. memorial service in the Sanctuary; 12 – 2 p.m. reception in Fellowship Hall
NOTE: If you are available to help serve and/or clean up for the Farber reception, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or the church office at 610-867-5865.
| THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT! | | |
Thank you - we are still collecting photos from this fun event!
If you have any photos to share, you can upload them to this online gallery: bit.ly/3WRd7Gu.
We’ll share the gallery next week so you can enjoy all the excitement!
| | | VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: BES DINNER COMING ON WEDNESDAY | | |
FPCB will be cooking and serving dinner for the guests at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering on Wednesday, Nov. 5. We can use additional volunteers to serve as male shower monitors (a simple check-in process).
If you can help, please sign up online HERE.
Lindsey will be in touch with additional information a bit closer to the night we’re serving!
| | | The Boy Scout troop we sponsor is working on its annual Scouting for Food drive. In addition to picking up donations from homes on Saturday, Nov. 8, they will collect food here in our building (if you get a note at your residence that they’ll be picking up on Nov. 8, you can do that if you prefer). | | | Collection boxes for non-perishable items are by the south entrance and in the North Link; we will collect through Friday, Nov. 7. Please, no glass containers – and pop-top cans are appreciated! Thanks for considering this opportunity to help our neighbors. | | HI NEIGHBORS: START YOUR WEEK! | | |
Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, continues with its interesting presentations.
They are free and open to the public, and feature a wide array of topics.
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.
Our last two programs are especially noteworthy! For this Monday, Nov. 3 we welcome storyteller extraordinaire Charles Kiernan, who performs to become famed author and humorist “Mark Twain.”
| | | The last program of the fall series is on Monday, Nov. 10. Ron DeGrandis leads the Lehigh Valley Pops Orchestra in a one-hour concert for our musical enjoyment. Their program features a mix of popular music and show tunes, alongside classical pieces. **This gathering will meet in the church’s Kirk Center. | | ALL ARE WELCOME: SACRED RHYTHMS VIDEO SERIES | | |
Even if you have not attended any of the previous sessions, you are welcome to attend the remaining sessions in the series based on the “Sacred Rhythms” videos by Ruth Haley Barton. Each video session offers a teaching by the author and guidance on specific practices to open us more fully to God’s presence and action in our lives.
Weekly sessions are offered on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. and continue to Nov. 12, meeting in the Parlor.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
Sunday, Nov. 9
10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
11:15 a.m. – Combined Service in the Sanctuary and livestreamed – Pledge Sunday and 150th anniversary celebration (followed by a provided community luncheon)
Wednesday, Nov. 26
7 p.m. – Thanksgiving Eve worship service in the Sanctuary and livestreamed
Sunday, Dec. 14
9 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class
10 a.m. – Combined Service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed
Tuesday, Dec. 16
7 p.m. – Longest Night service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed
Sunday, Dec. 21
4 p.m. - Christmas Joy Concert, featuring a "Sing-Along Messiah", in the Sanctuary
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve candlelight services in the Sanctuary and livestreamed
4 p.m. - Intergenerational service
7 p.m. - Candlelight service
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Send us your news and photos to share:
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
THURSDAY at noon**
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And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
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Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
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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
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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.
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THIS SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground contemporary service (in person in Fellowship Hall)
- 10:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
- 10:10 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216 – all are welcome
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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:
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.
| | 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
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