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Friday, March 27, 2026 Newsletter

For Sunday - Palm 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: MOVING WITH JESUS


Grace and peace to you,


This Sunday, we enter Holy Week waving our palms and joining the parade and the action as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. Palm Sunday has much to teach us at both services (9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.). 


We follow Palm Sunday with Maundy Thursday where we will gather in Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. to remember Jesus’ last day, beginning with his own Passover supper with his beloved disciples, to his walk to the Mount of Olives and his time of prayer in Garden of Gethsemane where we will witness his betrayal and arrest. 

This year, we are inviting you to sign up to bring food items like hummus, cheese cubes, grapes, dates and figs, nuts or other items, with the church supplying bread and crackers (regular and gluten-free) and water. Please use this easy online sigh-up form: volunteersignup.org/WTLE9

You will be offered a take-home devotion for Good Friday which focuses on Jesus’ last word of “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” For those not attending on Thursday, the devotion will be available for you to pick on Sunday.

For those who will not be able to pick it up in person, who would like the devotion, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-5865 and we will send it to you. We will also provide a list of churches offering Good Friday services.

On Holy Saturday, we will offer a Compline Service. The ancient office of Compline derives its name from the Latin word completorium, meaning 'completion'. It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. A fitting service as we contemplate Jesus’ death and what it might mean to us (remember those at the cross had no idea about the Resurrection to come!).

This service will be offered at 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on our Facebook page and website.

Then on Easter Sunday, we celebrate that out of death has come resurrection. More about that next Friday.

Holy Week is an opportunity for us to move with Jesus through that last week, experience the highs and the lows, what betrayal and grieving feel like. What does it mean to deny Jesus? What does it mean to fellowship with Jesus? And, what does it mean to wait for Jesus? I pray that each of us will have a meaningful Holy Week.

Blessings,

Pastor Karen

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

Traditional Worship Service (4 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY


BRINGING EASTER GREETINGS: Will you make some time on Sunday to sign Easter cards that will be available in Fellowship Hall on Sunday? These will be shared with our church members who are unable to attend services and activities at the church building.


HOSPITALITY HOUR: Join us for good connection between our two Sunday services – 10:15-11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY: MISSION STUDY

It has been such a pleasure reading the stories that have come in, sharing memories in pictures and words. You can see them in our DIGITAL ALBUM and we’ll also share some samples at Sunday worship. Pictured: Bob Hunsicker shared this image of a young granddaughter Anna.

Sacred Space: The physical building and community of faith are indeed sacred spaces. People treasure what has come out of this space in the past, in the present, and what the future impact will be. Carrying our memories and relationships forward is what matters most.

The Mission Study team will be considering ways we can do just that, perhaps in the form of an oral history project and digital collections.

A 'Fight-For' Congregation: The congregation fought to stay together, and we continue to fight for each other and our mission, even as we leave one space for another. This congregation sees itself as one committed to each other.

Varying Emotions: There is both pain and grief, and gratitude. There is resignation and sadness at needing to sell the building. There is gratitude for what has been and there is trust that we are being guided elsewhere.

Our next phase of work includes small group discussions centered on discovering the congregation’s hopes, dreams and visions for near-term and far-term mission and ministry.

We are currently reaching out to existing committees and organized groups, and our at-home folks. Towards the end of April, we will host a time to gather those in small groups who have not been able to attend any other session.

Please save the date of Sunday, May 17 (the day we begin one combined service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary) for worship, lunch and then a community gathering to find the common threads in the congregation’s hope for the future.

LENTEN STUDIES: DEVOTIONAL AND DAILY STUDY

Beginning with Ash Wednesday and continuing through the Second Sunday of Easter, we invite you to engage with this weekly devotional that follows the scriptures.

FOR OUR MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE

We’re still looking for folks to donate items like hummus, grapes, dates and other simple foods, plus to do set up and clean up help. Please use this easy online sigh-up form: volunteersignup.org/WTLE9

You’re Invited: Preschool Easter Chapel

Tuesday, March 31 at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary

HEARTS N MINDS: CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION

BODY N SOUL: ALL ARE WELCOME!

BnS is continuing the series Seeking God Together with a unit exploring the topic of “God Above Us.” Through bible study, crafts and interactive games, this set of lessons is a reminder of the greatness and mystery of God. 

HI NEIGHBORS: OFF TO A GREAT START!

Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, offered an interesting program about the long-running Easton Farmers Market on Monday. About 50 people came out on a cool, rainy morning.

The Hi Neighbors presentations are free and open to the public, and feature an interesting array of topics such as history, local culture, music, and current events. 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. 

FOOD DONATIONS: A YEAR-ROUND INITIATIVE


Many thanks for the generous donations that continue to be given for our year-round food collection! Sadly there are so many neighbors who are in need of food.

For this Sunday we’ll conclude the March donation, collecting items for Northeast Community Center’s Choice food pantry (pictured). Their program serves over 300 families a year.

LOOKING AHEAD… EASTER EGG HUNT FUN!

Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Festival (10-11:30 a.m.)
Saturday, March 28 (rain date: Saturday, April 4)

Join the fun as a volunteer – we can use help with our many hands-on activities like the bean bag toss, dot painting, and temporary tattoos! Check the opportunities here: bit.ly/3PjxbAN

This family-friendly event is open to all. The event will begin in the Kirk Center and include face painting, temporary tattoos, a photo booth, and other hands-on activities. Then we’ll head outside for age-specific egg hunts (including one for adults!).

Your memories of Easter Egg Hunts may include a mad dash to the hidden eggs, with the biggest and fastest kiddos getting the most “loot.”

CLOSINGS FOR EASTER HOLIDAY: Preschool will be closed Thursday, April 2 through Monday, April 6. The building and offices will be closed on Monday, April 6; all will reopen on Tuesday, April 7.

CONSIDER JOINING THE NEXT HELPING HANDS TRIP


The next Helping Hands volunteer trip is scheduled for the week of April 11-18 (Saturday to Saturday). The group will be traveling back to New Bern, NC, to address the damage from recent storms and floods. Work is typically done on housing repairs and upgrades - all skill levels are needed!


For more information and details about cost (assistance is available), contact Carol Bennicoff at cabenn@ptd.net.

BACH CONCERT - THIS SUNDAY

Get all the details for the Bach Choir's spring concert, "Saint John Passion" - this coming Sunday, March 29 in our Sanctuary. This is a ticketed event.

YOUR FRIENDLY PARKING REMINDER!

To ensure everyone’s safety, we work closely with first responders to make sure they can get to us quickly in case of an emergency.


That’s why we are reminding you to park in designated spaces only, especially in the drive area in front of the church building.


Spaces in that area are handicapped only and marked in blue. 

DO NOT PARK in any spaces marked in YELLOW.

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 - PALM SUNDAY

• 9 a.m. – Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall
• 10 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor
• 10:10 a.m. – Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216
• 10:15 a.m. – Hospitality Time, Fellowship Hall
• 11:15 a.m. – Traditional worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed)

 
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: 

CLOSINGS FOR EASTER HOLIDAY: Preschool will be closed Thursday, April 2 through Monday, April 6. The building and offices will be closed on Monday, April 6; all will reopen on Tuesday, April 7.


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.