*Be sure to read to the end - if you see "View entire message" at the bottom,

click that to see the rest of the newsletter.*

Friday, March 20, 2026 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: MERCY AS A PRACTICE

Grace and peace to you,


We continue our journey through Lent to Holy Week. On this fifth Sunday in Lent, we take up what it means to practice mercy. Merriam Webster defines mercy as: compassion, leniency, or restraint (as in imposing punishment) shown especially to an offender or to one subject to the power of another while the Biblical definition of mercy is similar: the compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one's power to punish or harm.

In her commentary on this week’s Scripture, Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dial writes this: “It’s not that I think practicing mercy is particularly easy. I doubt Jesus would talk so much about forgiveness and mercy if it were easy—God tends to repeat what we struggle to listen to. No, mercy is brutal… mercy makes no sense. It is not logical, or equally beneficial. Mercy does not make us money or make us look good. 

“But mercy is what makes us God’s own. The receiving and extending of mercy in the most awful and improbable of places is what makes me know that God is still at work in this world. Mercy is a practice of hoping and knowing that there is more than the thing that hurts us—more than the thing that haunts us. This, too, is how mercy is part of God’s justice, for God’s justice is God’s joy”.

Mercy, justice, forgiveness – such hard topics to wrap our heads around and yet that is what we will hope to do on Sunday! Come and see, come and explore in community.

As we approach Holy Week, I wanted to share with you our service schedule:

Sunday, March 29: Palm Sunday with Pastor Lindsey preaching at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.


Thursday, April 2: Maundy Thursday/Good Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall


A service that takes us through Jesus’ last day from the Last Supper to his death on a cross. We will provide you with a list of churches conducting a Good Friday service as well as a take-home devotion. See the sign-up information (below) for food items you can bring as we will prepare trays of food for each table. This service will be in person and live-streamed.


Saturday, April 4: Compline Service in the Sanctuary at 8 p.m. 


This service of reflection will be in person in the Sanctuary and live-streamed.

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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

Traditional Worship Service (5 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY


BRINGING EASTER GREETINGS: Will you make some time on Sunday to sign Easter cards that will be available in Fellowship Hall the next two Sundays? These will be shared with our church members who are unable to attend services and activities at the church building.


HOSPITALITY HOUR: Join us for good connection between our two Sunday services – 10:15-11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. We can also use some volunteers to help us prepare goody bags for the Easter Egg Hunt – meet in the big kitchen. And if you need help with your submission to “Our Stories in Pictures and Words,” there will be help available.

INTRODUCING: NEXT CHAPTER INITIATIVES



As introduced on Sunday, Feb. 15, a congregational Next Chapter Team was formed by Session at their Feb. 23 meeting for the primary purposes of:

There will also be ongoing work with Pennrose, the real estate developer, to review site concepts, address other predevelopment tasks, and solidify ground lease agreement terms. (That will be a longer process which likely won’t be complete until sometime in 2027.)

For the sake of a smooth transition, some members of the Strategic Mission Steering Committee have agreed to continue in this Next Chapter Team work (Donna Taggart, Don Robertson, Belle Marks, and Bud Newton). Others are focusing on different leadership roles to support related transitional tasks, including the Mission Study (Kim Miner and Bob Hunsicker), and ongoing service on the Finance Committee (Jim Halkins) and the Property Committee (George Bickford), which we envision as the key organizing group for moving-related logistics.

Additional staff will join the Next Chapter Team to ensure that we are able to leave this space well and that all facets of church life and operations can be accommodated by our temporary location. Those staff members include Dave Macbeth, Kevin Konczyk, and Carol Burns.

There will be many needs for volunteer support from church members, so we’ll continue to provide updates on the Next Chapter Team’s work and on opportunities to help with the transition!

_______

There has also been a Preschool Next Chapter Team formed to work parallel to the congregational Next Chapter Team. Their immediate focus is also on finding a new space.

That group is led by Co-Chairs Lisa Todd (Preschool Director) and JoAnne Turcotte (Elder). Other team members include: Kristina Grum (Preschool Staff), Becky Beller (Preschool Staff), Jen Black (Preschool Parent), Pam Phillippe (FPCB Member), and Phil Clauser (FPCB Finance Committee).

Lisa and JoAnne will share updates from that group’s work, as well!

_______

We are working to have a Next Chapter Team Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page available on the church website in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that announcement as another place to track progress. Remember you are welcome to submit your questions to nextchapter@fpc-bethlehem.org.

JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY: MISSION STUDY


As we prepare to transition from our current church building, we recognize that our faith is deeply intertwined with the space where we have worshipped, served, and gathered. To honor this history, the Mission Study Committee invites all church members to participate in “Our Stories in Pictures and Words.”

We are asking you to share one image (past or present) that represents a “sacred intersection” of your life with First Pres, along with some words that capture its importance. You can see some samples here: firstpresbethlehem.smugmug.com, and we’ll have some to share at Sunday worship.

As part of this project, join with others for a time of discussion on Saturday, March 21 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall or on Zoom (bit.ly/4lrkosh).

We'll gather in small groups to reflect on your feelings about our spaces and the loss we are facing. You can bring your picture and share what it means to you - or you can also get help to take your photo and share your story. If you have already submitted it, or are not ready to share – please come anyway! 

And if you’re not a writer: Let us know (info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865) and we'll connect you with a volunteer who will interview you and take down your words.

Please let us know if you plan to attend (info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865).

LENTEN STUDIES: DEVOTIONAL AND DAILY STUDY

Beginning with Ash Wednesday and continuing through the Second Sunday of Easter, we invite you to engage with this weekly devotional that follows the scriptures.

Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Lenten devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices.

We will also provide a weekly list of questions (print copies will also be available at Sunday services), and a daily reading on our Facebook page.

FOR OUR MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE

We’re looking for items like hummus, grapes, dates and other simple foods, plus set up and clean up help. Please use this easy online sigh-up form: volunteersignup.org/WTLE9

HEARTS N MINDS: CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION

BODY N SOUL: ALL ARE WELCOME!

You have your choice of a hydrangea ($25), tulip ($12) and daffodil ($12), and you can specify “in honor of” or “in memory of”.

Special envelopes will be available in the Narthex and on the Fellowship Hall info table, or you can use the one in your pack of envelopes (or call the church office).

K GROUP GATHERING: APPY HOUR COMING ON SUNDAY

All current members of K Groups as well as anyone wishing to know more about this program are invited to “Appy Hour” – a gathering over beverages and appetizers – this Sunday, March 22 from 2-4 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

"WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?"

By Steve Simmons

Most of us can answer this question by going to the fridge and choosing from among the many food options available. But for too many of our neighbors the answer is “Nothing” or, at best, “Not enough.” 


At present, 10 to 15% of Lehigh Valley residents, many of them children, experience food insecurity as a daily reality. Over the next two weeks, there are two actions we as Christian citizens can take to help tackle this problem:

BREAD FOR THE WORLD

This Sunday and next after worship, we’ll be receiving Bread for the World’s annual Offering of Letters addressed to our elected representatives in Congress. Last year’s offering helped to pass a Congressional bill this past February that restored more than $5 billion in global food aid that had been cut from the federal budget for 2026.

This time we’ll concentrate on several pressing issues, including full funding for SNAP benefits, which are scheduled to be cut by 20% (some $186 billion) over the next ten years – the largest such cut in history. The offering will also lift up other vulnerable groups like low-income families with infants and young children, and the one in three college students who face food insecurity on a regular basis. In this way, we can speak up for those who don’t have a choice about where their next meal is coming from.

You can access additional information, sample letters, and helpful tips using this link (scroll down to “Downloadable Tools”): bread.org/offering-letters/. We’ll collect letters after worship, but if you wish to send yours out individually, please let us know – contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865. That way we’ll know how many we as a congregation have generated. Please include your name and address on the letters and envelope, whether you drop them off to us or mail yourself.

BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

If you would like more information, and to sign a petition for this purpose, follow this link: bit.ly/3Ps4DVW

Thanks in advance for your help in following Jesus’s call to share God’s abundance with neighbors in need. It makes a difference!

HI NEIGHBORS: OFF TO A GREAT START!

Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, kicked off the new spring series of programs on Monday. Close to 60 neighbors were on hand to hear about the Bethlehem Mounted Police. 

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.

FOOD DONATIONS: A YEAR-ROUND INITIATIVE


Many thanks for the generous donations that continue to be given for our year-round food collection! Sadly there are so many neighbors who are in need of food – for the March collection, the donated items will go to Northeast Community Center’s Choice food pantry (pictured). Their program serves over 300 families a year.

LOOKING AHEAD… EASTER EGG HUNT FUN!

Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Festival (10-11:30 a.m.)
Saturday, March 28 (rain date: Saturday, April 4)

Join the fun as a volunteer – we can use help with our many hands-on activities like the bean bag toss, dot painting, and temporary tattoos! Check the opportunities here: bit.ly/3PjxbAN

This family-friendly event is open to all. The event will begin in the Kirk Center and include face painting, temporary tattoos, a photo booth, and other hands-on activities. Then we’ll head outside for age-specific egg hunts (including one for adults!).

Your memories of Easter Egg Hunts may include a mad dash to the hidden eggs, with the biggest and fastest kiddos getting the most “loot.”

Others are needed to help that day – for set up and clean up crews, and folks to manage the hands on activity stations. Use this easy online sign up:

CONSIDER JOINING THE NEXT HELPING HANDS TRIP


The next Helping Hands volunteer trip is scheduled for the week of April 11-18 (Saturday to Saturday). The group will be traveling back to New Bern, NC, to address the damage from recent storms and floods. Work is typically done on housing repairs and upgrades - all skill levels are needed!


For more information and details about cost (assistance is available), contact Carol Bennicoff at cabenn@ptd.net.

BACH CONCERT - NEXT SUNDAY

Get all the details for the Bach Choir's spring concert, "Saint John Passion" - Sunday, March 29 in our Sanctuary.

YOUR FRIENDLY PARKING REMINDER!

To ensure everyone’s safety, we work closely with first responders to make sure they can get to us quickly in case of an emergency.


That’s why we are reminding you to park in designated spaces only, especially in the drive area in front of the church building.


Spaces in that area are handicapped only and marked in blue.


If you don’t have a visible handicapped designation, 
DO NOT PARK in front of the building.

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

• 9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall
• 10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
• 10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216
• 10:15 a.m. – Hospitality Time, Fellowship Hall
• 11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

 
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.

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.