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Friday, June 26, 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: 
A COMFORTING, HEALING PRESENCE


Grace and peace to you,


As we continue in our worship series highlighting the practices of deeper discipleship and apostleship, this Sunday we look at healing as one such spiritual practice. Healing from a Biblical point of view is a holistic restoration of wholeness tending to the body, the mind, and the spirit of an individual or even a community. Rather than just the absence of disease, it represents a return to the state of well-being God intends for God’s beloved children. 

What might we learn about being healed and being healers from these Scriptures?

I invite you to read and reflect on these Scriptures as we move into Sunday. What within you needs healing, and what or who needs healing in our community, in our nation? We don’t often think of healing as a discipleship practice – it seems too far from reach, but how in what we do as mission and ministry efforts could be considered a way to provide healing? 


So many questions! Come and see! Come and explore this Sunday!


Blessings,
Pastor Karen

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

Summer Worship Bulletin (5 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 Mission Strategy Steering Committee for hosting Lemonade on the Lawn this Sunday. Please consider taking a Sunday slot! See more details below. 

NEW! SHARING THE BOUNTY

Anything left over will be donated to New Bethany, along with other produce harvested from the CommUNITY Garden located on our campus.

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.

WE'RE HOSTING...

GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE



The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is the highest council of the PCUSA. It is made up of commissioners from presbyteries, with teaching elders and ruling elders represented in equal numbers. Young Adult Advisory Delegates, Theological Student Advisory Delegates, and Partner Advisory Delegates also constitute the assembly. 

The General Assembly as an event occurs every two years. It includes the gathering of committees who recommend actions to plenary sessions, opportunities to break bread through shared meals, educational opportunities, moments of public witness, worship and more. 

The 227th General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is taking place through next Thursday. The assembly will be conducted in a hybrid format, with committee meetings held online and plenaries, worship, and events held in person at the Baird Center in Milwaukee.

To follow the news from GA, here are some websites:

For general information and to sign up for a newsletter: bit.ly/4a8sP7t

To create an account to follow the work and actions taken at GA: https://myga.pc-biz.org/

CAN YOU HELP?


The Deacons are in search of folks to serve as drivers for those who need assistance getting to medical or other appointments, grocery shopping or other things that come up. 


If you are willing to do so, please email info@fpc-bethlehem.org as we build a list of folks willing to drive. If there are specific times and days you are not available, that would be helpful to know. Thanks for your consideration!

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 Mission Strategy team 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.

UPDATES FROM NEXT CHAPTER AND MISSION STUDY TEAMS

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

The Preschool is very excited to have started collaboration with organizations that are helping us to move in the right direction.

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

From the church's Next Chapter Team - reported by Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton:


The Property Committee at Christ Church continues to work on a financial proposal for our space usage and nesting partnership. We hope to have that information to discuss and approve in the coming weeks.


At its meeting on monday (June 22), Session approved a recommendation from the Property Committee to use Dotta Auction Co., Inc. as the entity that will facilitate the appraisal and auction process of higher value items. We anticipate this process taking place toward the end of August, and we will certainly keep the congregation posted on the details as plans comes together.


Remember, you can direct questions to nextchapter@fpc-bethlehem.org.

From the Mission Study Team -

Now it heads to the Presbytery's Committee on Church Orders churches in transition group for their approval. Once approved there, we will share the study with all of you.

A CAMPUS UPDATE THAT’S COMING

The Facilities Team has begun a project to move the smaller shed that is currently inside the Preschool playground, to a new, temporary location on the northeast corner of our campus. So you may see some activity, and that’s what is in progress.

In other property news, the proceeds from the last weekend’s Indoor Yard Sale currently total around $6,000. Many thanks to all who volunteered for this very successful sale – and to those who shopped!

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 


• 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 Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3 in observation of Independence Day.


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.