Friday, September 12, 2025 Newsletter



For 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: FINDING GOD IN MUSIC

Grace and peace to you,

This week, we continue our series focused on Christian mysticism, with special attention on music as a way of encountering the Divine. Now you may not think of the Biblical David as being a mystic, but, music, lyrics and dancing all play an important role in his relationship with God and others. 

A German Benedictine abbess, Hildegard was also a writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, visionary and a medical writer and practitioner! She is one of the best-known composers of sacred monophony (a musical texture that features a single, unaccompanied melodic line, played or sung by one or more performers in unison), as well as the most recorded in modern time. 

From early childhood, Hildegard’s spiritual awareness was grounded in “the reflection of the living light,” and that she saw all things in the light of God through the five senses: taste, sight, hearing, smell and touch. Hildegard showed great courage throughout her life – think of being a woman in the 12th century preaching to the public! 

Eternal light has been a watchword for Morten Lauridsen who said of his piece, Lux Aeterna [it] “is a very, very personal piece…It’s a meditation on enlightenment. I wrote it when my mother was dying, and I simply went through those Latin texts that all related to eternal light — and it brought me great comfort.”[1]

USC Thornton musicologist Nick Strimple has called Lauridsen ‘the only American composer in history who can be called a mystic, [whose] probing, serene work contains an elusive and indefinable ingredient which leaves the impression that all the questions have been answered.’ Listeners of his pieces often experience an emotional and spiritual connection to his works. 

Our spiritual practice for this week is to listen to a playlist that Dave Macbeth has prepared for us featuring both Hildegard of Bingen and Morten Lauridsen’s works. Our sermon for this week includes a conversation with Dave Macbeth. Come and see. Come and explore!

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

¹Link, accessed 9/10/2025 

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

Summer Worship Service (4 pages)

Prayer in Times of Violence and Fear

Almighty, all-merciful God,

through Christ Jesus you have taught us to love one another,

to love our neighbors as ourselves,

and even to love our enemies.

In times of violence and fear,

let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts,

so that we may not be overcome with evil

but overcome evil with good.

Help us to see each person in light of the love and grace

you have shown us in Christ.

Put away the nightmares of terror

and awaken us to the dawning of your new creation.

Establish among us a future where peace reigns,

justice is done with mercy, and all are reconciled.

We ask these things in the name

and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ From a collection of Prayers for Times of National and International Crisis and Tragedy, posted on the PCUSA website.

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

For this Sunday, 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! 

Look for information in these categories: Community Impact, Worship & Fellowship, Adult Faith Formation, and Intergenerational Life & Dream Table.

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

At a recent Minute for Mission we were pleased to hear from a Preschool parent, Laura Hoch. On Monday we began a new school year, and her presentation was an important reminder of the impact our Preschool has on students. 

This school year begins with a new director, Lisa Todd, and a new form of governance structure for the Preschool as we work to be more connected with this mission of the church. The Preschool Advisory Committee (consisting of Preschool staff, church members, the transitional pastor and a Session member who chairs it) began its work in August and already we have had great discussions and made important decisions. 

Thank you for the ways in which we have been supporting the Preschool already this school year with donations of supplies and ordering of mums! There will be many more opportunities to be connected. 

Laura’s remarks:

I was not expecting to be so touched by today’s service. I came in here planning to share a brief story about my son. However, I felt emotionally connected to your service. I am a mother and a school teacher, and Pastor Lindsey’s prayer about the upcoming school year gave me strength and confidence for the year ahead. Furthermore, it was a beautiful reminder of why we should lead young minds with kindness.

I’d also like to share how the impact of your church Preschool has been instrumental in my children’s understanding of faith. I have two sons: Jackson, who is a second grader at Asa Packer, and Hudson, who currently attends First Presbyterian Preschool. Both of my boys have attended First Presbyterian for the entirety of their Preschool years.

Let me share a little story about Hudson. Every night before dinner, we say grace, and one evening, just as we were about to begin, Hudson blurted out, “Dear God, thank you for our snack and our friends.” I was delighted - and taken aback - by the charming goodness he’s learning from school.

We are parishioners at Saint Anne’s, yet much of my sons’ understanding of Jesus has come through this Preschool. The impact of the teachers, Pastor Lindsey’s chats, and Mr. Ben’s songs have truly touched them.

In 2025, it’s so easy to become distracted. I truly appreciate the chapels that the Preschool holds for Christmas and Easter. In fact, Hudson seems to think he’s a Broadway star - he goes around asking people, “Are you coming to my show?” I love driving in the car and hearing him sing in his car seat, “I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart—Where? Down in my heart!”

I would like to thank the church Preschool for being pivotal in my children’s understanding of Jesus and kindness.

Rev. Dr. Ginny Smith spoke about the Spiritual Direction ministry during last Sunday’s Minute for Mission. You can read her remarks here:

HI NEIGHBORS: BACK ON MONDAY!

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).

Click the link for the one-page schedule.

LEMONADE ON THE LAWN: ONE LAST SOCIAL TIME

FOR YOUR CALENDAR: “Sacred Rhythms” Series

SAVE THE DATE: TRUNK OR TREAT COMING ON OCT. 18

We’re planning a big community event: a Trunk or Treat celebration on Saturday, Oct. 18 from noon-4 p.m. (raindate: Saturday, Oct. 25).

We’re asking owners of vintage vehicles to participate – we are also providing an opportunity for groups and individuals affiliated with FPCB to participate (like K groups); you do not need to have a vintage vehicle if you are affiliated with FPCB.

Those interested in participating (both with vintage vehicles and those affiliated with FPCB), please register here: bit.ly/46sPPvl. Contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 for more information.

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


And a reminder that for those who ordered mums: they will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday to pick up. We will contact you with times and location.

STAFF CHANGES ANNOUNCED

Pastor Karen has shared two staff changes. First, Lisa Todd has been named as the permanent Preschool Director.

In addition, Brenda Robinson has moved from her role as Bookkeeper to the newly-created position of Office Manager. In this position, she will maintain her bookkeeping duties, but will begin transitioning to add on administrative and human resource tasks.

Many of the administrative tasks are currently being handled by Carol Burns, who will have her time freed up to concentrate on the Communications Manager responsibilities. The transition is expected to occur over the next three months.

Congratulations to both Lisa and Brenda!

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)

Sunday, Oct. 26

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

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

  11:15 a.m. – Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestream)

  12:30 p.m. – Congregational Meeting, Sanctuary and via Zoom

We will also do one Combined Service on these two Sundays:

Sunday, Nov. 9 at 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary – Pledge Sunday and 150th anniversary
 celebration (followed by community luncheon)

Sunday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

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.: Ministry Fair (and Lemonade), Fellowship Hall - open to all

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.