For Sunday – NEW SCHEDULE!

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. KAREN KINNEY: 

FINDING GOD IN THE WORLD AROUND US

Grace and peace to you,

Have you ever seen an amazing sunrise or sunset, and all of the sudden felt close to God? Or a waterfall, or a walk in the park, or tended to your garden, or even a flower growing up through a crack in the sidewalk? Nature provides so many opportunities for us to encounter God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. Sometimes when I walk on a windy day, I think of it as the Holy Spirit trying to get my attention.

So many Christian mystics have written about how nature helps us experience God’s presence and God’s love. This week we’ll learn about some of these mystics including St. Francis of Assisi, John Muir and Ilia Delio.

St. Francis saw the infinite love of God reflected in every creature and aspect of creation.

Known as the father of the national parks, John Muir was a Scottish-American naturalist whose writings expressed a deep spiritual reverence for the wilderness. His activism was driven by a conviction that nature was a holy place where one could find God. Some of his writing includes these quotes: 

• God's love is manifest in the landscape as in a face. - Cruise of the Corwin, P50

• One touch of nature makes all the world kin, and here were many touches among the wild Chukchis. - Cruise of the Corwin, P33

• There is “no synonym for God is so perfect as Beauty.”

• Every natural object is a “conductor of divinity.”

Ilia Delio is a Franciscan sister from Washington, D.C.: a theologian, author, and university professor who did her undergraduate work at DeSales University (then Allentown College). As a Franciscan sister, Delio is deeply influenced by St. Francis of Assisi's awe for the natural world and the humility of God hidden within it. 

This tradition informs her view that the path to mystical union is not a rejection of the world but a loving engagement with it, seeing the "face of God" in all creation.

What can we learn from these three about encountering God through nature? Come and see! Come and explore!

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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

Traditional Worship Service (5 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. Thank you!

THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY FAIR

STRATEGIC MISSION STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Pastor Lindsey shared this update during last Sunday’s minute for mission

The window for our call for offers process with Foundry Commercial closed on July 31, requesting proposals for how we might repurpose our building and campus while supporting our ministry.  

At its meeting on Sunday, Aug. 3, the Steering Committee easily came to a consensus on the top prospective partners. We are having initial conversations with those groups to fine tune their proposals to better reflect our vision for the building and campus in alignment with our mission and ministry. 

We still hope to have a recommendation for the congregation and Presbytery before the end of the year, and we will keep Session and the congregation updated as we are able during these next steps. Please remember that in this “quiet phase” of working toward a mutually agreeable contract, we won’t be able to share much since confidentiality is critical for successful completion.  

If there are any changes to the expected timeline or if there is anything else we can share, we certainly will do so! We welcome your prayers as these next steps unfold!

INQUIRERS SEMINAR: COMING ON SUNDAY

Our next Inquirers class will gather this Sunday, Sept. 21, and it’s not too late to plan to join us. It’s a casual, relational afternoon session to learn more about one another and FPCB. It’s also the first step for folks considering joining us as new members.   

The group will gather after our 11:15 service in Fellowship Hall (around 12:30 p.m.), and lunch will be provided. It should be done no later than 3:30 p.m. If you’re interested, please reach out to Lindsey (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org). 

HEARTS N MINDS ANNOUNCES FALL READ

Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet this Sunday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Parlor. All are welcome; you do not need to do the reading to participate in the class.

FALL LECTOR SIGN-UP

We’re looking for lectors to serve at our fall worship services, including for next Sunday, Sept. 28. 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

HI NEIGHBORS: OFF TO A GREAT START!

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.

Monday’s program will feature Lianne Greco, Director of the Delaware and Lehigh Valley Heritage Corridor, who will give an overview of the National Canal Museum in Easton. 

Click the link for the one-page schedule.

KIRKLAND VILLAGE FALL FESTIVAL & BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

If you’re willing to volunteer, please sign-up for a one-hour shift using this link: volunteersignup.org/HJP4K

FOR YOUR CALENDAR: “Sacred Rhythms” Series

SAVE THE DATE: 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’re asking owners of vintage vehicles to participate – we are also providing an opportunity for groups and individuals affiliated with FPCB to participate (like K groups); you do not need to have a vintage vehicle if you are affiliated with FPCB.

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. 

The original CROP Walk (which is often called the “granddaddy of charity walks”) was organized by high school students in Bismarck, ND and York, PA in 1969, and has grown to include more than 1300 walks nationwide. Last year, Lehigh Valley walkers raised almost $42,000; nationwide, contributions totaled $3 million.  

Historically, 25% of the funds raised have been retained locally for agencies that provide food assistance to neighbors in need. In 2025, we will be distributing funds to Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, the Lehigh Conference of Churches, Essentials Café, the Freezer Ministry at East Hills Moravian Church, and New Bethany. 

For the first time, our churches will also be joined by members of other members of the Bethlehem Interfaith Group and teams from local colleges and universities, making this a truly community-wide event. We’ll begin with a pizza lunch at Central Moravian Church at 1:00 p.m., with the walk itself beginning at 2:00 p.m. 

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. You can register to walk or to donate by clicking on this link (bit.ly/46QgOBd), or by stopping by the registration table in Fellowship Hall after Sunday worship.

Thanks in advance for supporting the CROP Hunger Walk, and for helping to eliminate hunger one step at a time!

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING THE PRESCHOOL MUM FUNDRAISER!

They will be in Fellowship Hall on Sunday; you can put your $9 payment (per mum) in the envelope (cash or check made to FPCB Preschool).

LOOKING AHEAD…

Sunday, Sept. 21 - NEW SCHEDULE!

   9 a.m. – Holy Ground Worship Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)

   10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (this is the regular class time)

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

   12:30-3:30 p.m. – Inquirers Class, Fellowship Hall (contact us to attend)

Sunday, Oct. 5 - World Communion Sunday

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

   10 a.m. – Combined Worship Service, Fellowship Hall

   11 a.m. – Community Potluck, Fellowship Hall (bring a favorite family heritage dish to share!)

   3 p.m. – Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) Faith Crawl (BethlehemInterfaith.org)

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 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)
• 9:00 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
• 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)
• 12:30 p.m.: Inquirers Class, Fellowship Hall

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.