Friday, May 16, 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: 

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

Grace and peace to you,

This Sunday, we find ourselves immersed again in the early Christian church as written about in Acts. The struggles of this new community of faith to define itself, to passionately discuss who can belong and who can’t (really?), to think about what one must do or profess before they can belong, and how to define this new community of faith is head-spinning! I can’t help but feel for the leadership as they navigated these passionate discussions.

But aren’t they more than discussions for the folks involved? For many this is a matter of theological urgency – these are matters of importance because for many participating in the discussion – it’s about how one can experience salvation.

I fear that what we often do is identify ourselves by telling people what we aren’t or pointing over to sects of Christianity that we are all too eager to define. What might happen, I wonder, if we first figured out our identity as people wearing the mantle of Christian?

Lots to explore this Sunday! Come and see!

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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

Traditional Worship Service (4 pages)

HEARTS N MINDS ADULT ED CLASS: JOIN US ON SUNDAY

We will discuss chapter three, pages 59-88, including some wisdom from poets Mary Oliver and Emily Dickinson; a suggestion that even the little things we do to confront racism and political unfairness may be ‘enough’; and the idea that the Ku Klux Klan can be toppled by laughter will be considered.

BODY N SOUL: CELEBRATE WITH US!

All church members and friends are welcome to join us this Sunday for a time of celebrating the growth and learning that took place this year. We will meet in Fellowship Hall between the morning services for a joyful sing along, led by Ted Rewak, and celebration.

THIS TUESDAY, MAY 20: STRATEGIC MISSION UPDATE

After you vote in the local Primary Elections this coming 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.

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

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOUR INPUT: K GROUPS

Are you in K Group? Would you like to be in a K Group? Do you have absolutely no idea what a K Group is? We want to hear from you!

“K” is short for koinonia (pronounced “koin-on-EE-uh”), a Greek word that denotes close fellowship. K Groups are small groups that meet for fellowship, support, study, service and whatever else each group decides to do.

K Groups have a long history at First Presbyterian, and it is time to check in with our existing groups and see if there is interest in forming new ones.  So, whether you are in a K Group or not, we are asking everyone to fill out our short survey - online, below - and we will also have paper copies at the Sunday services.

HI NEIGHBORS: A GREAT SPRING SERIES!

Many thanks to all who came out to support our Hi Neighbors program during this spring series of programs.

A special thank you to our hospitality crew of Donna Knepp and Ruth Willis - they, along with Susan, made sure our attendees enjoyed coffee and treats each week.

We’ll be back in September with a fall series of new programs. If you’d like to be on our mailing list, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

SUMMER WORSHIP BEGINS IN A WEEK

We will begin our summer schedule of worshipping together at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary on Sunday, May 25. 

This will also be the last Sunday that Rev. Suzanne Trump will be with us, and she will be preaching. We will follow worship with a wonderful (provided) brunch, to which all are invited! 

• Provide simple treats for about 40-50, such as: grapes, clementines or cut-up fruit; cheese and crackers; easy-to-eat baked treats (homemade or purchased) like cookies, mini muffins, bars, or granola bars.
• Get the beverages, cups and napkins, ice, and coolers out of the church kitchen and set them up (we typically serve lemonade, iced tea and water – these are provided).
• Return items to the kitchen and clean up (tables will be provided and taken down).

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. 

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.

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

• peanut butter crackers
• instant oatmeal flavor varieties - 10 pack/box
• 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 21 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. 

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:

The building and offices will be closed on Monday, May 26 for the Memorial Day holiday.

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.