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Friday, June 12, 2026 Newsletter

For Sunday


10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service

 (in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: 
CONVERSATION WITH A LOVING GOD

Grace and peace to you,

In her book Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism, Martha Reese writes this: “…I am clear that the only way to do ministry successfully, to lead a church or to live a life in today’s United States is to pray deeply.”^[1] She also writes: “Prayer is the way to stay in love with God. Prayer is the way individuals, small groups and congregations grow and become vivid. It is a habit, a discipline, but not discipline with a clenched jaw.”^[2]

How comfortable are you praying with others? Or is prayer a solitary practice for you? How did the disciples pray together? How did Jesus pray and what did he say about prayer to us? That is part of what we will explore this Sunday as we look at two passages: Matthew 6:5-15 (which includes the Lord’s Prayer), and James 5:13-18. The power of prayer cannot be underestimated but what makes prayer uncomfortable? 


Reese invites us to consider five suggestions about prayer^[3]:


1. A prayer life has two aspects – individual prayer and prayer with other people. These two facets of prayer are inseparable.
   
2. Trusting God for guidance is counter-intuitive. It is particularly tough for self-reliant Americans.
   
3. We need someone to help us learn prayer… prayer isn’t some sweet, nice, safe, naïve little activity to do in your flowery hat. It is crash helmet action for people who flip kayaks in raging spring rivers. If you want to begin to pray seriously, please find a guide who knows the spiritual currents before your kayak sideswipes boulders under the water’s surface.
   
4. We need discernment and accountability… we need practice, accountability to a group of Christians, and wise counselors to help us discern which ideas are nudges from God and how they should be acted upon. 
   

What are the ways we pray already? How do we not let corporate prayers become rote, devoid of meaning? What are the opportunities to pray together? Most Wednesdays at 1 p.m., there is a small team that comes together to pray for the church, for individuals, for anything or anyone the Spirit lays upon their heart. Is this something you might consider or maybe we think about having several prayer teams? Lots upon which to reflect!


Come and see. Come and explore this Sunday!


Blessings,
Pastor Karen

[1] Martha Grace Reese. 2008. Unbinding the Gospel : Real Life Evangelism. St. Louis, Mo.: Chalice Press, page 42.

[2] Ibid, page 46

[3] Ibid, pages 52-53

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

Summer Worship Bulletin (3 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY: ONE OR BOTH!

For this Sunday (and until further notice), child care during worship service will be offered in room 216 (ask the ushers to direct you).

Thank you to Cindy King and Barbara Burger for hosting this Sunday. Please consider taking a Sunday slot! See more details below.  

SUMMER WORSHIP HELP: CHILDREN'S SERMON SIGN-UP 


Do you consider yourself to be young-at-heart? Do you enjoy connecting with our younger members? Do you like playful, intergenerational moments in worship? 


We'd love to have some other voices lead our children's sermons during summer worship. You'll get the scripture readings and theme info in advance, and we can also provide suggestions or ideas, if you'd like! Please see the sign-up list and volunteer for an upcoming Sunday: volunteersignup.org/hj4yy.

NEXT CHAPTER UPDATE

From the Preschool's Next Chapter Team - reported by Lisa Todd, Preschool Director:

The Preschool inquired about two potential spaces recently. One was the old Christmas Barn, which already has a letter of intent, and an old St. Luke's building which is a little too far and needs too much renovation.

We are forming a group of Preschool staff, church members, and families for fundraising to help with moving and renovation costs.

Thank you to Donna Taggart who introduced us to a member of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. Our conversation helped to explore other resources, and we look forward to connecting with them.

We have expanded our search beyond five miles to generate more options. Any suggestions are welcome - please contact me!

On May 20, staff members from the Next Chapter team had a productive meeting with leaders and staff from Christ Church to continue clarifying available spaces and coordinating calendars.

We remain on track to move into Christ Church in January 2027.

As a reminder, there is no design work happening for FPCB’s new space at this time. The Mission Study needs to be completed to inform that planning work, and our focus remains on leaving our current building well.

Once we are settled at Christ Church, a team will be formed to conduct a thorough design process which will include congregational engagement and feedback.

Remember, you can direct questions to the Next Chapter teams at nextchapter@fpc-bethlehem.org.

And the Mission Study Team continues to write, and appreciates your prayers.

SUNDAY CONNECTION: LEMONADE ON THE LAWN

Basically, you will need to:

• Provide simple treats for about 40-50, such as: grapes, clementines or cut-up fruit; cheese and crackers; easy-to-eat baked treats (homemade or purchased) like cookies, mini muffins, bars, or granola bars.

• There is a bin near the ice maker in the kitchen area marked “Lemonade on the Lawn” that has what you need. There are also coolers in this area. Get the provided beverages (lemonade and iced tea) from the refrigerator (with the Lemonade on the Lawn sign), and ice from the ice machine.

• Return items to the kitchen and clean up (tables will be provided and taken down).

It doesn’t have to be a “formal” group, like a K group, committee, or the choir – it can be a family or group of friends. We thank "the Kitchen Crew" for hosting this week.

Thanks for considering this request! If you have any questions, let us know and we’ll connect you with a ‘veteran.’ You can use this online form to sign up (bit.ly/42TDejr), and we'll have a paper sign-up form at the Sunday service.

GETTING READY…

In anticipation of our move to Christ UCC Church at the beginning of 2027, we are doing some cleaning out! Even with all the items we sold at our two sales last summer, there are “still” many to be deleted from our inventory.

We’re gearing up for a big Indoor Yard Sale for next Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. The sale will be held in the Kirk Center (gym).

What you’ll find: shelving options, kitchenware, dishes, building materials, tools, crafting materials, fabric, and much more.

If you can help during any of these times, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865. 

This Thursday, June 18 we’ll offer a Preview Sale – open to FPCB members from noon – 6 p.m.; Preschool families are welcome to come by beginning at 4 p.m.

FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS


Most of us know Meals on Wheels for the weekday meals they deliver in our community (with a shout out to the members of our congregation who are, or have been, faithful volunteers!).

These are the items that MOW recommends: instant oatmeal packets; tuna or chicken pouches (no cans); low sodium soup (pull top); pre-packaged crackers; granola or fruit bars; individual fruit or unsweetened applesauce cups; 8 oz. shelf-stable milk boxes; individual cheerios cups; individual mac & cheese cups.



Thank you for considering how you can help! Collection carts are located in the North Link and at the south entrance. Let’s fill those carts! 

PRESCHOOL ANNOUNCES OPENINGS FOR FALL

Contact Lisa Todd at ltodd@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-2956 to schedule a tour.

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:

Child care will be available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. this Sunday; they will meet in room 216.

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 – COMMUNION SUNDAY


• 9:45– 11:15 a.m. – Child care available in room 216
• 10:00 a.m. – Summer worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on website and Facebook page)
• 11:00 a.m. – Lemonade on the Lawn (west lawn) and post-service discussion opportunity (Narthex)

 
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:


The Preschool Summer Splash program will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observation of Juneteenth.


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.