Friday, Jan. 10, 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. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: BE THE CHURCH TOGETHER

Hi all, 

Despite the cold and snow, it’s good to be back in Bethlehem and getting into the swing of church things again! As we get our bearings in the New Year, there are several upcoming programs to highlight:

The following week, on Sunday, Jan. 26, we’ll hold an Inquirers Seminar for Newcomers and Prospective Members. This session is for folks who might like to learn more about our congregation and our denomination and/or those who may be considering the possibility of becoming members at First Presbyterian.  

We’re planning to gather after the 11:15 a.m. service (around 12:30 p.m.), and we’ll begin with lunch, which will be provided. The afternoon will be casual and conversational, and it will offer space to connect with other newcomers. We’ll be finished by 3:00-3:30 p.m. If you’re interested in attending, please let me know via email (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org) so we have a headcount for food!

Finally, if you’d save the dates for a couple of important February events—First, our next night to make and serve dinner at Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering is on Tuesday, Feb. 11. (The digital sign-up sheet for that is forthcoming!)

Second, please make plans to attend our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 16; we’ll have one worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by the Congregational Meeting and Boy Scout Pasta Lunch Fundraiser. More details to come!

As you see, there are many opportunities to connect in the coming weeks, and it is good to be the church together!

Blessings, dear ones,

Lindsey

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



Traditional Worship Service (5 pages)

CAN YOU SERVE?

We are looking for volunteers to serve as lectors (readers) for both of our services. You can use the easy online sign-up (below) or the paper form available at Sunday worship services.

This is a great way to be involved in worship life of our church. If you are interested and have questions, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

Each Sunday through March 30 (excluding Feb. 16), over nine chapters, we will be exploring through history, but primarily through spiritual teaching and practices, as Newell invites us to enter the Celtic way through Sacred Soul, Sacred Feminine, Sacred Flow, Sacred Song, Sacred Imagination, Sacred Earth, Sacred Matter, Sacred Compassion, and Sacred Journey. 

Please join us on Sunday as Ginny Smith introduces us to John Philip Newell’s book that gives us insights into how an ancient spiritual path is relevant to current events in our lives and this time in history when sacredness is being forgotten and the recovery of what is sacred is at stake. 

BODY N SOUL  

Body N Soul, our intergenerational faith formation group, meets this Sunday between services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall. The group shares stories, crafts, and conversation. All are welcome!

GIVING STATEMENTS COMING SOON

To help you plan for your taxes: the Finance Office will soon be sending out the 2024 Contribution Summaries – on or about Jan. 21. If we have your email address you will get an email statement; otherwise it will be mailed. Thank you for your continued support of FPCB!

SERVICES FOR JAMES TINTLE

The family of James Tintle, who passed away on Dec. 3, has extended an invitation to attend his memorial service tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 11) at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.

FLOWERS ARE ON OUR MINDS…

This coming Tuesday (Jan. 14), we’ll gather at The Clubhouse Grille for Tacos & Trivia (dinner at 6:00 p.m, trivia at 7:00 p.m.). Please RSVP to let us know you’re coming so we can reserve a table (dinner, trivia, or both)! You can call the church office or email us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

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:

CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY: The building, offices and Preschool will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20 in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. 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.