Friday, September 5, 2025 Newsletter



For Sunday - Communion 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: THE MYSTICS

Grace and peace to you,

Experience is one of the four ways in which we can come to know God directly, deepening our knowledge of our own relationship with God. The other three are tradition, reason and Scripture. The four together are known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.

These include the Apostle Paul, Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, Meister Eckhart, Thomas Merton, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Howard Thurman, John Muir, Cynthia Bourgeault, Richard Rohr, and Morton Lauridson. 

These mystics have taught us that through silence, prayer, music, nature, prose and poetry we can have a deep experience of God. The hope is that we both recognize those experiences and accept them as valid in our lives. That we accept them as a way to connect to the heart and soul.

These kinds of mystic experiences connect us to the heart and teach us to be present to God in every part of our everyday life. Brother Lawrence, who lived in the 17th century, taught that in everything we do from washing dishes to cleaning the house to cooking, to tending the garden, we should acknowledge the presence of God – that God was present in all the things we do. 

Here is a quote from his book — The Practice of the Presence of God: ‘We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed. And it is not necessary to have great things to do. I turn my little omelette in the pan for the love of God.

The writings and practices of Christian mystics give us tools, if you will, to help us – things like contemplative prayer, journaling and other forms of writing like prose and poetry, listening to music, walking a labyrinth, working with a spiritual director, creating art – there are many, many such practices. 

This series will explore four ways to experience God, focusing on eight to nine ancient and contemporary Christian mystics. We will offer a resource table where you will find books and information about various practices including spiritual direction. 

The series will last the entire month of September and here is what we will be focused on each Sunday:

Sept. 7: What is mysticism and how might it be transformative in our own lives? We will explore some of the stories of transformation from Brother Lawrence, to Teresa of Avila to the Apostle Paul with his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. How do encounters with the Holy change us?

Sept. 14: How does music provide an experience of God for us? We will explore the music of Hildegard of Bingen and Morton Lauridson. 

Sept. 21: How does nature provide an experience of God for us? We’ll look at St. Francis of Assisi, Ilia Delio and John Muir as we think about how we are connected to God through nature. John Calvin wrote that to know nature is to know God and to know God is to know nature. Thomas Merton wrote that "nothing has ever been said about God that hasn't already been said better by the wind in the pine trees." How can we see a sunrise or a sunset or a flower growing through a crack in the sidewalk and not think of God? Of having our breath taken away by something we see in nature?

Sept. 28: How does reading and writing prose and poetry help us experience God? We’ll explore the work of Howard Thurman and other contemporary writers.

Come and see! Come and explore! Come and practice presence!

Blessings,

Pastor Karen 

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

Summer Worship Service (5 pages)

COMMUNION SUNDAY



If you join us in online worship on Sunday, you are welcome to prepare your own elements to participate in Communion: a bread or bread-like item (cracker, bagel, pita, etc.) and grape juice, wine or water.

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. The designated spaces along that drive are for handicapped only – you must display proper registration to use those spaces. Thank you!

FPCB MINISTRY FAIR COMING ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 14

On Sunday, Sept. 14, we hope you’ll join us after Summer Worship for Lemonade in Fellowship Hall. At this time we will also present a special FPCB Ministry Fair.

This will also offer a snapshot of upcoming programs and events for the fall, so make plans to attend! 

Not able to join us? We’re working on a way to share the Ministry Fair information on our website, and for you to contact us via email if you’re interested in any of these opportunities. Watch for more details!

INQUIRERS SEMINAR: COMING ON SEPT. 21

Our next Inquirers class will meet on Sunday, Sept. 21. 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

FALL LECTOR SIGN-UP

We’re looking for lectors to serve at our fall worship services, beginning on Sunday, Sept. 21. 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

All are welcome for a special gathering. Jo-Ellen Darling and Mike Jendzeizyk took a trip to the Isle of Iona and other parts of Scotland in June (which ties into the Hearts N Minds book discussion of JP Newell’s Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World). You are invited to enjoy some light refreshments (scones will be involved) and then Jo-Ellen will share her thoughts:

It will make the time together richer if you submit questions ahead of time; please send to info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

HI NEIGHBORS WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY, SEPT. 15

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.

The first session will feature Andrea Zaia, CEO of the National Museum of Industrial History, who will give an overview of NMIH, and introduce a documentary and panel discussion by the Women of Bethlehem Steel. *This first program will run from 10-11:30 a.m. (all others are one hour long).

**NOTE** For this fall we're looking for someone (or a couple of someones) who would commit to making the coffee for the group. It does not need to be for every week; we can work out a rotating schedule. If interested in helping in this way, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

Click the link for the one-page schedule.

JOIN US FOR LEMONADE ON THE LAWN

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, and we'll have a paper sign-up form at the Sunday service.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR: “Sacred Rhythms” Series

CALLING ALL VINTAGE CARS!

We’ll have a lot more information coming but wanted to get the word out to those with vintage cars:

The event will run from noon-4 p.m. on our front lawn, and will also feature live music and food trucks. If you have a vintage vehicle and would like to participate, please register here: bit.ly/46sPPvl

INTERESTED IN HOUSING ADVOCACY?

It will be held in FPCB’s Kirk Center from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Please register here: bit.ly/4njkFgI; it is free and open to the public.

From the organizers: “Through prayer, storytelling, and strategic action, we’ll explore how faith and community can shape policies that uplift families, protect dignity, and build legacy. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just beginning your journey, your voice matters. Together, we’ll cast a vision where every person has a safe, stable place to call home. Come ready to be inspired, equipped, and connected. Because when we stand up together everybody wins.”

CALLING ALL FUTURE SCOUTS!

The Boy Scout Troop FPCB sponsors, Troop 302, is hosting an open event for anyone interested in finding out what the Boy Scouts are all about.

NEWS FROM OUR PRESCHOOL

Our Preschool has put out a request for school supplies – if you are so inclined to help, a list of suggested items is available, below. There are collection tubs available at the south and east entrances, and in the North Link until Sunday, Sept. 14.

PRINT THE SUPPLY LIST

LOOKING AHEAD…

Sunday, Sept. 14:

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

   10 a.m. – Summer Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestream)

   11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Ministry Fair, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, Sept. 21:

   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:

   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

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

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:



Child care will be available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.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

• 9:45 - 11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)
• 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn, social time for all, front of church

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.