Friday, May 9, 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. KAREN KINNEY: A SENSE OF BELONGING

Grace and peace to you,

Some random thoughts and then a bit about Sunday. First, a huge shout out to all of our She Nailed It! participants, our inspirational leader – Lindsey Altvater Clifton - and all who came out to support Monday’s events, in what often was pouring down rain. 

Finally, we move to Sunday and the story of Philip, a leader in the early Christian church, who was also one of the seven men chosen to help address a case of justice indifference alongside Stephen. This week we will explore Philip’s experience with the Holy Spirit which leads him down a “desert” road and an encounter with an influential man from Ethiopia who is different from Philip in so many ways. 

Philip hears him reading scripture and at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, asks if he would like to know more. Philip teaches him about Jesus and baptizes him in a nearby body of water. And guess what, the baptism occurred without any statement of faith or belief, just a sense of belonging made possible through a conversation.

Where might the Holy Spirit be prompting us to engage someone in conversation without any expectation of believing or behaving, just an invitation to belong? Come and explore this Sunday, May 11.

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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

Traditional Worship Service (3 pages)

TWO IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FOR YOU

We're passing along two documents of interest:

1 - A letter from Paster Karen and Kim Miner, Chair of our Personnel Committee, regarding several upcoming staff changes.

LETTER

2 - A quick survey about our K Group ministry (paper copies will also be available on Sunday morning for you to complete)

SURVEY

Thanks for your attention to these two communications!

HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED CLASS: JOIN US ON SUNDAY

For Kindle users, the titles of these short sections are: Hope is What We Do, Hope is Outmatched, Hope is Enough, Hope Accepts and Refuses to Accept, Hope is Either On or Off, Hope Holds Things Loosely, and Hope is the Long View.

“It’s a paradox---each small task we do, whether it’s familial or societal, does not remake the world. It makes the present moment better, which is no small thing. But hope infuses those modest acts with meaning not just to alleviate present suffering, but with the audacious goal to construct a new world.” – M. Dana

BODY N SOUL: INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH FORMATION

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF FPCB PRESCHOOL!

You are invited to the FPC Preschool's 60th anniversary celebration and Spring Fling today (Friday, May 9) from 9:45 a.m. - noon.

A hot dog lunch will be provided along with sides and dessert. Raffle tickets will be available for your chance to win a basket, and tickets are cash only. THEY WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY ON SUNDAY, MAY 11 AND YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE RAFFLE THEN.

If you would like to donate a basket from your business or would like to donate an additional basket, please contact Tracy Leszcynski at preschool@fpc-bethlehem.org. Hope to see you there!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A HYMNAL TO USE AT HOME: You are welcome to take one, or contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 and we’ll get one to you.

HI NEIGHBORS: OUR LAST PROGRAM OF THE SPRING SEASON

This is our last program of the spring season. After the program, we’ll enjoy a complimentary pizza lunch.

Many thanks to all for supporting our spring series of programs!

LOOKING AHEAD

Sunday, May 11: Rev. Keith Brown Memorial Tree Dedication 

You are invited to join us in the Memorial Garden immediately following the 11:15 service this Sunday, May 11, to dedicate a redbud tree and plaque to honor the memory of Rev. Keith Brown. His mission and ministry, spanning 31 years here at FPC, focused on building relationships within and beyond the church. As we honor his memory, may we continue to build those interconnections of all kinds.

Tuesday, May 20: Strategic Mission Update

After you vote in the local Primary Elections on Tuesday, May 20, please make plans to join the Strategic Mission Steering Committee in Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. for a potluck meal and a church-wide update.

Sunday, May 25: Summer Worship Schedule Begins 

We will begin our summer schedule of worshipping together at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. See below to sign up to serve as a lector.

Sunday, June 1: Lemonade on the Lawn Begins 

Our popular social time will be offered after our 10 a.m. service, on the front (east) lawn as weather permits – otherwise we’ll meet in the North Link. As we did last year, we will be looking for small groups and families to step forward to host these events. Watch for a sign-up, coming soon.

CAN YOU HELP?

We’re looking for folks to serve as lectors for our 10 a.m. combined worship service, beginning May 25. 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: 

LET'S HELP SUPPORT A LOCAL FOOD BANK

• shelf stable milk (individual boxes)
• peanut butter cups or pouches
• tuna or chicken in pouches
• reduced sodium chicken noodle or vegetable soup in easy open cans (18.5 oz.)
• fruit in easy open cans or fruit cups (light syrup)

This drive is part of an event they're hosting on Wednesday, May 14 from 4-7 p.m. in the Meals on Wheels parking lot, 1302 N. Sherman St., Allentown. Enjoy an informational fair featuring local businesses and organizations, snacks, prizes, and tastings courtesy of Bar H, Sherman Street Brewery and Tolino Vineyards. 

A reminder that the US Post Office is sponsoring its annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive - to participate, put out non-perishable food items for your mail carrier to pick up. Thanks for considering these ways to support our neighbors!

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 - COMMUNION SUNDAY

• 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Service, Fellowship Hall – in person only
• 10 – 11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
• 10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational faith formation, Fellowship Hall – all are welcome
• 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.