Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 Newsletter



For Sunday – NEW SCHEDULE!

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. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: CALLED TO LOVE AND SERVE

Dear ones,

I am incredibly grateful for your care and support following my grandmother’s passing last week. For all the prayers, emails, cards, and hugs. For holding my family close and letting me get teary as the grief comes and goes. Thank you. It means so very much to me.

I wonder who in your life might have nurtured your faith or planted some spiritual seed that eventually took root? How are you nurturing your own faith now? What of God’s love are you sharing with others?

For each of you and the gifts you share with this community, we give thanks! For those who have helped us grow in faith, we give thanks! For the promise that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ, we give thanks!

Deep gratitude, friends.

Lindsey

FOR THIS SUNDAY

Luke 15:1-10

• Sermon: Finding God by Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
• We post the video of each week’s services and sermon text on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org

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



Traditional Worship Service (4 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 15

• 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
• 10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (see more info, below)
• 10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Fellowship Hall (see more info, below)
• NEW TIME - 11:15 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)

THIS SUNDAY: BODY N SOUL - INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH FORMATION

Intergenerational faith formation builds community across generations, providing a space and structure where persons of all ages can learn from each other. Through biblically-based storytelling, small group conversations, interactive group activities, and opportunities for individual contemplation, participants encounter God’s word and explore how it is active in today’s world.

This fall, the Body N Soul class will be exploring the curriculum Current: Seeking Peace Together. Divided into four segments, this curriculum explores the topics: Peace with God, Peace Within, Peace with Others, and Peace with Creation. Each week introduces a new story from the Old or New Testament that illustrates God’s shalom.

Body N Soul meets weekly between services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall beginning Sunday, Sept. 15 and continuing through the end of the year. All are welcome. Want to learn more about the fall curriculum? Check out sample materials and visit with members of the class during Lemonade on the Lawn this Sunday.

LOOKING FOR LECTORS

It's that time when we put out a call for volunteers to serve as lectors (readers) in our worship services. This is a great way to become involved in the worship life of our church.

Beginning on Sunday, Sept. 15, you can choose from the 9 a.m. Holy Ground (contemporary) service or the 11:15 a.m. Traditional service. Use the easy online sign-up, below.

DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE?

This week we continue to learn more about the leadership roles in our church. Although it seems early to begin, as a congregation, we will soon be embarking on the important process of selecting our next group of leaders.

The Trustees oversee all financial and property matters in the church including the budget, building renovations and repairs, planned giving, and investment funds. Trustees meet monthly and members also serve on one additional committee, such as the property or finance committee, which also generally meet monthly. The term for Trustees is three years.

JOIN US FOR THE LUNCH BUNCH!

NEW: If you’d like to carpool to the park, gather in the church building’s south parking lot at 11:30 a.m.

LET’S END HUNGER: ONE STEP AT A TIME!

September is #HungerActionMonth, so it’s a good time to make plans for the next Bethlehem Area CROP Walk.

You're invited to join some 300,000 walkers representing more than 700 teams from around the country in supporting hunger initiatives locally and around the world (25% of funds raised are kept for local hunger programs). 

For more information, including a map of the route, and to register for or make a contribution to the walk, use this link, below. Thanks for your support!

A NEW SERIES OF HI NEIGHBORS PROGRAMS: STARTING SEPT. 16

We're excited to kick off the fall series of Hi Neighbors programs this Monday, Sept. 16. Come and learn the fascinating – and tasty – history of Josh Early Candies, a regional favorite for 120 years. (Treats too!)

The complete schedule is available here (and if you’re on our mailing list, you should have received the schedule in the mail).



All are welcome – no registration fee or sign-up needed. Just come and bring your friends!

LAST CALL: SUPPORTING OUR PRESCHOOL

The FPCB is invited to help support the start of the new school year for our Preschool. As you are able, if you are in a position to donate any of these items (by this Sunday, Sept. 15), it will be appreciated!

Donation tubs are located in the Narthex, and near the south entrance and east entrance doors. 

JOIN THE GATE COMMUNITY’S BOOK CLUB

The Gate Community Church is offering a Book Study for Faith After Doubt that is open to all. It will run for four more Wednesdays: (NEW) Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, and Nov. 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Chapel.

It’s not too late to join in! Use this link to sign up:

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

• 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 9 a.m.: Holy Ground Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
• 10-11 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor (see more info, above)
• 10:10 – 11 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Fellowship Hall (see more info, above)
• NEW TIME - 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:

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.