Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 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)

IMPORTANT UPDATES:

• This is an abbreviated newsletter - we are sending the Traditional bulletin for Sunday, plus a request to sign up to serve as lector for the coming weeks and a couple of other reminders.

• The church offices, building and Preschool are closed for the holiday and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 6. See details below about making your 2025 pledge, and end of year donations.

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



Traditional Worship Service (4 pages)

CAN YOU SERVE?

We are looking for volunteers to serve as lectors (readers) for both of our services.

This is a great way to be involved in worship life of our church. If you are interested and have questions, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

BODY N SOUL   

Body N Soul, our intergenerational faith formation group, will not meet this Sunday.

They will meet on Sunday, Jan. 5, between services (10:10 – 11 a.m.) in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!

HAVE YOU MADE YOUR 2025 PLEDGE?

As we come towards the end of the calendar year, we urge you to submit a financial pledge to support the mission and ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem in 2025, if you have not already done so.

The year 2025 will be an important and impactful one for us as a congregation in so many ways, and your pledge at this time will help make sure we get off to a great start.

You can request a paper pledge card if you need one by contacting us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org. You can also download a pledge card from our website here:  fpc-bethlehem.org/give.

_________

END OF YEAR DONATIONS TO FIRST PRES

Thank you for considering an end of the year donation, to take advantage of tax credits. You can make those donations on our website, fpc-bethlehem.org/give by Tuesday, Dec. 31, or via check.

If paying by check, we ask that you mail your donation so that it is postmarked by Tuesday, Dec. 31. If you wish to drop off your donation, you may do so on Monday, Jan. 6 between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to the Main Office. Your payment should be dated prior to Dec. 31, 2024. Thank you for supporting FPCB!

NOTE: If you ordered pledge envelopes, we expect them to be shipped directly to you in the next few weeks. If you do not receive them by Jan. 5, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

ADVENT COLLECTION IS STILL UNDERWAY! 

We are collecting items for two local organizations, Turning Point and Northeast Community Center.

Collection boxes are in the North Link, Kirk Center entrance, and by the south entrance.

We can really use donations for Turning Point!

Turning Point: NEW ONLY

mens boxers and basic clothing (sweats, T-shirts, etc.) [all sizes]; 

boys underwear (4T-14); toddler clothes (boys and girls); 

womens underwear, PJ’s and leggings (S-XL) and ankle socks

Northeast Community Center

pancake mixes (using water), syrups, canned soups (pop top lids are best), cereals and oatmeal

PRINT THE FLYER

LOOKING AHEAD...

Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Friday, Jan. 3: Building/offices/Preschool closed for the Christmas/New Year holiday (reopening on Monday, Jan. 6)

Sunday, Dec. 29: 9 a.m. – Holy Ground service; 11:15 a.m. – Traditional service

Sunday, Jan. 5: 9 a.m. – Holy Ground service; 11:15 a.m. – Traditional service

Sunday, Jan. 19: 12:15 p.m. – Strategic Mission Planning Committee Update, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, Feb. 16: 10 a.m. – Combined Worship Service; 11:30 a.m.: Annual Congregational Meeting; 12:30 p.m.: Boy Scout Pasta Lunch

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)
• 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:

CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY: The building and offices will be closed between Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 5 – reopening on Monday, Jan. 6. The Preschool is closed and will also reopen that day. 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.