*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, Jan. 23, 2026 Newsletter

10:00 a.m.: Combined Worship Service – ONLINE ONLY

(livestreamed on Facebook and website)


The Annual Meeting is postponed until Feb. 1

**SCHEDULE CHANGES**

Due to weather conditions we are changing Sunday’s 10 a.m.

worship service to ONLINE ONLY – 
join us on our Facebook page or the website Watch page.


See below for the revised plans for the Annual Meeting 
and Boy Scout Pasta Luncheon fundraiser.

Please stay safe!

A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: LEARNING FROM THE PAST


Grace and peace to you,

10 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed 

10:10 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class

11:15 a.m.: Combined worship service (in person and livestreamed)

12:15 p.m.: Annual meeting (in person and on Zoom)

12:45 p.m.: Boy Scout Pasta Fundraiser Luncheon


This Sunday we are exploring the story of Jesus calling his first four disciples, Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. I have often focused on the “Follow me and they did!” aspect of this story asking the question – would we do the same? 


But in a recent conversation, the concept of Sankofa came up. Sankofa is a concept derived from the Akan people of West Africa that highlights the importance of learning from the past to build the future. In Akan language, the African proverb expressing the concept is expressed as, “so wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki,” which translates in the English language to, “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot.” In other words, what in our past that was good do we not want to forget – what do we want to take with us. 

That led me to think of this “Follow me and they did!” in a different light. What in their past prepared them to say ‘yes’ to Jesus’ invitation? What skills and experiences as fishermen, as family men, as men who likely knew Scripture from their past led them to move forward in what was most certainly an uncertain future? Perhaps they remembered Psalm 27 and the first verse:

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The Lord is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything? (Common English Bible)

Perhaps they did feel Jesus was the light that they needed to follow through the darkness of the days – it wasn’t easy being a fisherman under the thumb of the Roman Empire. What do we need to remember to move forward in the light of Jesus’ invitation to follow him? What do we need to remember and hold onto to become fishers of people – carrying the light of Jesus to every place we inhabit and people we encounter? What do we want to take with us as we follow Jesus? Can we remember that the Lord is our light and salvation and that we need not fear anyone or anything? Let’s explore together.

A special note: Please save the date of Sunday, Feb. 15 for a called congregational meeting and combined worship service to hear and act on a presentation from the Strategic Mission Steering Committee. Worship and the meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, and lunch will be provided afterwards. 

Blessings, 

Pastor Karen

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

Combined Worship Service (3 pages)

BYLAWS CHANGES - WILL BE PRESENTED ON SUNDAY, FEB. 1


At its July 2025 meeting, the Session appointed a small team to review the church’s governance structure. The team members are Rich Gorton (current chair of the Trustees and president of the Corporation), Joanne Kelhart (past chair of the Trustees), and Ted Masthay (current member of Session). One of the tasks of the team was to review the bylaws of both the congregation and the corporation. 

The team will do a brief presentation on changes made and the reasoning behind them, but since it is a first read, they will not take questions. Questions and suggested changes can be directed to bylaws@fpc-bethlehem.org. 


A Town Hall has been organized for Sunday, Feb. 22 immediately following the 
11:15 a.m. service to answer questions, etc. On Sunday, March 1 immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service, Session has approved another meeting of the congregation and corporation for the specific purpose of a second read and vote on the bylaws. 


Copies of the proposed bylaws will be distributed to those attending the Annual Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 1. If you will not be present that day, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org, and we will email you a copy of the bylaws or you can call the church office to request a copy be mailed to you (if you leave a message: state your name clearly and repeat your phone number).

BOY SCOUT PASTA LUNCHEON FUNDRAISER – MOVED TO FEB. 1

You’ll also see the Boy Scouts participating in our Traditional service that day, as ushers and lector, for Boy Scout Sunday.

A SPECIAL DAY: SUNDAY, FEB. 8


After the 11:15 a.m. service, we’ll gather in Fellowship Hall for a simple Souper Bowl Sunday luncheon to raise awareness about local hunger relief efforts and to collect funds for our area nonprofit partners.


The meal will consist of soup and bread/crackers (and dessert, of course!). We’re looking for some volunteer cooks and those to set up/clean up: use this ONLINE FORM to sign up.

The concert is part of Jim’s course, Master (Certificate) at the Academy for Biblical Storytelling, which is part of the Network of Biblical Storytellers. The program will last about two hours, with a short intermission – all are welcome!

HEARTS N MINDS: NO MEETING ON SUNDAY

Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, is not scheduled to meet this Sunday. They will gather at their regular time of 10 a.m. in the Parlor on Sunday, Feb. 1. All are welcome! 

Continuing through Feb. 8, they will be sharing the book How Then Shall We Live, by Wayne Muller. Participants do not need to purchase the book unless they desire.

BODY N SOUL: NO MEETING ON SUNDAY


The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will not meet this Sunday. They will meet again on Feb. 1 at 10:10 a.m. in Room 216. 

Our response to God’s greatness can take many forms. Sometimes we marvel at the incredible beauty of creation, or give thanks and celebrate joyfully. Other times we cry out to God to confess our sins. We will explore how our God responds with love and forgiveness.

LECTORS NEEDED!

K GROUP "APPY HOUR" UPDATE

The “Appy Hour” gathering for K Groups that was scheduled for last Sunday had to be postponed due to the weather.


A new date has not yet been set – stay tuned for updates!

SUPPORT THE PRESCHOOL BOOK FAIR

FPCB members are welcome to attend - another option is to shop online beginning on Monday, Jan. 26: Book Fair Homepage

These are kids books only, both hard cover and soft cover. How about planning ahead for gifts for the little ones in your life - donate some to the Little Libraries around town - or consider a donation to "Share the Fair" (which you can do on the book fair homepage), which provides funds to any FPCB Preschooler who can use help to buy some books.

FOOD DONATIONS: A YEAR-ROUND INITIATIVE

Collection carts are located in the North Link and at the south entrance. We can accept non-perishable food items (no glass, please – and pop top cans are welcome) as well as personal care items for all ages. Thanks for your support of these efforts to feed our neighbors!

LOOKING AHEAD…

Sunday, Jan. 25 - Stay home!

10 a.m. – Combined Worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

Sunday, Feb. 1 - Annual Meeting and Boy Scout Sunday

10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor

10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216

11:15 a.m. – Combined worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)
12:15 p.m. – Annual meeting (in person and via Zoom)

12:45-2:30 p.m. – Boy Scout pasta lunch fundraiser (see article above)

Sunday, Feb. 8 - Souper Bowl Sunday

9 a.m. – Holy Ground contemporary service, Fellowship Hall

10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor

10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216

11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

12:15 p.m. – Souper Bowl Sunday luncheon, Fellowship Hall (see article above)

1:30-3:30 p.m. – Storytelling Concert by Jim Stahl, Fellowship Hall (see article above)


Sunday, Feb. 15

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Combined Worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed) – this service will include an update from the Mission Steering Committee

12 – 1:30 p.m. – Luncheon, Fellowship Hall

THIS SUNDAY

• 10:00 a.m.: Combined worship service - ONLINE ONLY (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.