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Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 Newsletter
For Sunday
10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service
(in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)
11:00 a.m.: Congregational Meeting
(in person in the Sanctuary and via Zoom)
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NOTE: Next week’s newsletter for Friday, Aug. 21, will be a special,
we’re-on-vacation abbreviated version. If you would like anything included in it please send to info@fpc-bethlehem.org
by Monday, Aug. 17 at noon. Thank you!
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY:
CALLING OUR NEXT PASTOR
Grace and peace to you,
At its July 27 meeting, Session approved a recommendation from the Personnel Committee to instruct the Pastor Nominating Committee (once elected*) to search for a Designated Pastor for a three-year term. The Churches in Transition team of the Mountain Laurel Presbytery has also approved the position. Pastor Lindsey will remain as the Associate Pastor for Justice & Community Impact.
| | A Designated Pastor is a called (sometimes installed) position voted on by the congregation with annual terms of call established for each year of the designated period. For a three-year term, at the end of the second year, the Designated Pastor, Personnel, Session, and the congregation will begin to mutually discern whether the position will continue into a permanent installed call at the conclusion of the three years. This change will also require congregational approval. | | | |
A Designated Pastor for a three-year term is often used by churches going through transition and facing ongoing financial considerations, which certainly describes FPCB. This model is familiar to us; Rev. J.C. Austin’s call here began as a three-year designated position.
Over the next three to four years while nesting at Christ Church, FPCB can explore other pastoral models, clarify operating costs, and live out the Mission Study themes. All of this helps determine the pastoral leadership needed once the congregation returns to the campus.
Transition times are hard and one wonders when transition might end. But the truth is that as the world changes, so does the church.
As my interim ministry leader said over and over – all churches are in transition all the time. How the leadership and congregation adapt to that transition makes all the difference. This Designated Pastor position meets FPCB’s current leadership needs while also supporting the ongoing transition toward a vibrant, sustainable future.
Blessings,
Pastor Karen
*See below for additional information about electing the Pastoral Nominating Committee on Sunday.
| | MOVING TOWARD A NEW PASTOR CALL | | The Nominating Committee has completed its work on recruiting a slate of seven people for the Pastor Nominating Committee. Session has called a congregational meeting immediately following worship this Sunday (Aug. 16) for the purpose of electing the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). | | | |
A Zoom link will be provided for those members who would like to attend virtually. If you would like to attend this meeting via Zoom: please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org by Saturday at 6 p.m. so we can send you the link.
The seven people on the slate are: Kate Arrington, Janet Bickford, Bob Hunsicker, Bekah Masthay (who has resigned from the Nominating Committee), Kim Miner, Alex Mountain, and Judith Smullen.
We thank these seven for their willingness to serve. We also thank the members of the Nominating Committee who worked diligently to recruit this slate of nominees. They are Allison Masters and Aileen Williams (co-chairs), Pam Phillippe, Belle Marks, Froy Thompson, Becky Gorton, and Evelyn Kuserk, who serves as the Deacon representative.
| FOR THIS SUNDAY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW | |
After our Congregational meeting, you have two opportunities to connect. We’ll have tables set up in the Narthex for anyone who would like to discuss the morning’s sermon.
You’re also invited to our Lemonade on the Lawn social time: weather permitting, we’ll meet on the West Lawn (otherwise in the North Link). Thank you to Jane Masters and Donna Knepp for hosting Lemonade on the Lawn this Sunday. Please consider taking a Sunday slot, or bringing a treat to share on a future Sunday! See more details below.
For this Sunday (and until further notice), child care during worship service will be offered in room 216 (ask the ushers to direct you).
| | If you’re a gardener with extra bounty to share, we invite you to bring it to Sunday worship – we’ll have a table set up at Lemonade on the Lawn where you can put it. Available for others to take, no charge! | | | Anything left over will be donated to New Bethany, along with other produce harvested from the CommUNITY Garden located on our campus. | | A REQUEST AND INVITATION FOR TOMORROW (SATURDAY) | | |
For tomorrow (Saturday), FPCB will host the Mountain Laurel Presbytery meeting.
Even if you are not an elder commissioner (these folks are current Session members), you are welcome to attend the 10 a.m. meeting in the Sanctuary as a guest if you would like.
During worship (which follows), we are featuring a panel of four churches (including ours) who have or are in the process of using their buildings to fill community needs.
Come and see what a Presbytery meeting is like.
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Services for Nancy Becker
For anyone who is interested in attending Nancy Becker’s graveside service at Nisky Hill Cemetery tomorrow (Saturday):
Enter the cemetery at the Linden Street entrance; a Connell Funeral Home rep will direct vehicles to the gravesite. Please arrive by 10:15 a.m. for the 10:30 a.m. service.
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ALL ARE WELCOME: SITTING WITH THE PSALMS
Sundays: Aug. 16, 23, and 30
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
Church Library
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Gail Watts, Janet Bickford, Jo-Ellen Darling, Mike Jendzeizyk, Ginny Smith and Richard Smith invite you to join with them in the Church Library on Sundays in August, as we open ourselves to the inspiration and wisdom that the Psalms have for our lives.
Sometimes it’s easy to simply say the words of the Psalms we have known. What if we discovered that, as prayers, the Psalms relate directly to our concerns and cares, guiding us in finding consolation as God’s Word speaking into our lives?
| | | We hope you will join us in sitting with a different Psalm each Sunday in August. An open heart and a willing spirit are all that are needed. | | VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LEHIGH VALLEY PRIDE FESTIVAL | | |
The Lehigh Valley Pride Festival is coming up on Sunday, Aug. 30 at SteelStacks from 1:00-7:00 p.m. Like in previous years, we are sharing booth spaces with other Mountain Laurel Presbytery churches, so we need FPCB volunteers to come help with temporary tattoos, an information table, and cornhole game.
You can sign up using this link and indicate which part of the booth you’d like to help with: https://volunteersignup.org/JFLL9
| | | This is always a wonderful opportunity to share God’s love and affirmation with the LGBTQ+ community, so we hope to see you there! (Wear your FPCB T-shirts if you plan to volunteer!) | | SUNDAY CONNECTION: LEMONADE ON THE LAWN | | |
Our popular social time will be offered after our 11 a.m. Congregational meeting, on the front (west) lawn as weather permits – otherwise we’ll meet in the North Link.
NOTE: We really depend on small groups and families to step up to host these events, and we have two more weeks to fill: Sundays, Aug. 23 and Sept. 6.
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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.
| | MORE SCAMS TO BE ALERT TO | | |
The scammers are still at it - and now they've added texting to the mix.
So please be wary of any texts or emails that appear to come from First Pres staff. Even if the emails have an "@fpc-bethlehem.org" email address, do not respond to it!
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We've been alerted that someone with an 815 area code number is sending messages that look like they're coming from our staff - again, be mindful. If in doubt, ask!
Contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 if you have any questions or if you receive one.
| | FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS | | |
For August we will be supporting the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley.
They have specifically asked for dry dog and cat food only. You can drop those donations at the south entrance and in the North Link.
Many thanks for considering how you can help feed our (furry) neighbors!
| | | Quarterly giving statements were recently mailed out to those who have made pledges or donations to FPCB. If you did not receive yours, please contact Brenda Robinson, Office Manager, at brobinson@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865. | | PRESCHOOL MUM ORDER TIME! | | |
It’s that time again – to order these colorful, vibrant mums for the Preschool fundraiser!
Your choice of red, orange, yellow, purple, and white – each 9” mum is $9.
The orders are due by Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m., and you can pick them up starting on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
| | | DO YOU KNOW A GOOD CANDIDATE?
Our Preschool program is hiring! If you know of someone who would be interested in a teaching position with our well-regarded program, please have them contact Lisa Todd, the Preschool Director. | | |
LOOKING AHEAD: HI NEIGHBORS KICKS OFF ON SEPT. 14
Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, will be back with a new nine-week series on Monday, Sept. 14.
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The presentations are free and open to the public, and feature an interesting array of topics such as history, local culture, music, and current events.
We appreciate the efforts of Susan Wolf, our volunteer program coordinator, for her diligence in securing such interesting speakers!
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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.
We'll be sharing the specific schedule in next week's newsletter, so stay tuned!
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Send us your news and photos to share:
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
WEDNESDAY at noon**
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And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
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Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
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If you don’t have a Facebook account, go to our website to view the service - click on "Watch" at the top and then the "Watch the Service" button
- Please check in with a comment so we know you’ve joined us!
- Captions are available on our livestream, for those who would like to use that feature
To watch a video – available after the services have aired: Visit our website archives
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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.
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THIS SUNDAY
- 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. - "Sitting with the Psalms" discussion group, Library - all are welcome
- 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)
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11:00 a.m. – Brief Congregational meeting, Sanctuary (in person and available via Zoom – send an email to info@fpc-bethlehem.org to request the link)
- 11:30 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:
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.
| | FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM | |
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Karen Kinney, Transitional Pastor/Head of Staff; KKinney@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Associate Pastor for Justice and Community Impact; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries; ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Crook, Director of Church Administration; ext. 210; DCrook@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Carol Burns, Communications Manager; ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org
Lisa Todd, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; LTodd@fpc-bethlehem.org
Brenda Robinson, Office Manager: ext. 211; BusinessOffice@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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