Friday, June 28, 2024 Newsletter



For Sunday - INDOOR WORSHIP



10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service in the Sanctuary

(in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website)

AN UPDATE FROM THE SESSION

Dear FPCB Congregation,

At its stated monthly meeting on Monday evening (June 24), Session took some additional next steps to continue preparing for J.C.’s departure in late July.

Per Presbytery and Committee on Ministry guidance, Session has formed a five-person Transitional Pastor search team. This team will create the position description and conduct the search for a Transitional Pastor who will guide FPCB through the season of discernment and planning to come. Transitional Pastors have specialized training in leading through change, and that person will likely be with us for 12-18 months as we work through the steps to prepare for calling our next installed pastor.

The Transitional Pastor Search team is made up of three Elders (including two from the Personnel Committee), along with a Deacon and a Trustee. Those leaders are:

• Kate Arrington, Deacon
• Jon Conrad, Elder (Personnel)
• Linda Filipovits, Elder (Personnel)
• Rich Gorton, Trustee
• Ted Masthay, Elder

Session was attentive to selecting a group which has a balanced and diverse set of perspectives and experiences in terms of length of membership, age, gender, etc. In the coming weeks, that group will meet with our liaison from the Committee on Ministry (COM), Rev. Taylor Hall, to receive additional guidance and begin their work on a Transitional Pastor position description. 

We hope that document is approved by Session and COM and ready to post very soon after the conclusion of J.C.’s tenure. (Presbytery policy precludes us from beginning that search until then.)

The Personnel Committee is continuing to work on a leadership bridge plan to cover the span of time between July 28 and the start of the Transitional Pastor. That period will likely be somewhere between a few weeks and a few months, depending on how quickly a qualified Transitional Pastor candidate is identified and can begin. Personnel will have a leadership bridge plan for Session’s consideration and approval at the next stated Session meeting (July 22).

Finally, elders Kari Keyock and JoAnne Turcotte will serve as the planning coordinators for the event to celebrate J.C.’s ministry with us. That event will take place following worship on Sunday, July 28 which is J.C’s last day. Stay tuned for additional information about planning meetings and volunteer needs for that celebration!

We continue to be grateful for the words of support and encouragement from the congregation as we seek the Spirit’s guidance for the next chapter of life and ministry together!

In Christ,

FPCB Session

FOR THIS SUNDAY: INDOOR WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10 A.M.

We were planning to offer an outdoor worship service for this Sunday, but with an ‘iffy’ weather forecast we will worship indoors in the Sanctuary.

FOR THIS SUNDAY

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

• Sermon by The Rev. Cynthia Simmons
• 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: JOIN US FOR LEMONADE ON THE LAWN

Join us after worship for our social time, “Lemonade on the Lawn” – everyone is welcome to come and connect. If weather permits, we’ll gather on the west side (front) of the church building, otherwise in Fellowship Hall.

Thank you to “The Cookie Crew,” who are hosting on Sunday. We are looking for other groups or families to take on the hosting duties for future dates (the next two Sundays, July 7 and July 14 are open).

THANK YOU!

Many thanks to all who supported our second big sale, either by volunteering and/or shopping. With special gratitude to our Facilities team, who shouldered much of the hard work that went into this effort!

'SUMMER HARVEST FOOD DRIVE' COMING IN JULY

“Because our neighbors are hungry year round” and local food pantry inventories are traditionally low, First Pres will serve as a donation location for the Summer Harvest Food Drive. The collection will run through the month of July - boxes will be located near the main office, in the Narthex, and in the Kirk Center Rotunda.

We participated in the ‘beta test’ of this drive last August, doing a one-day pop-up collection, with a very generous showing. Let’s help our neighbors again!

SERVICES FOR CAROL FREEBAIRN

The family of Carol Freebairn, who passed away on Wednesday, has extended an invitation to attend these two events in her memory:



• Thursday, July 11 from 6 - 8 p.m., calling hour at Ashton Funeral Home at 14th and Northampton Streets in Easton
• Friday, July 12 at 3:30 p.m.,  memorial service at Kirkland Village with reception to follow 

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

• Monday, July 1 – Friday, July 5: Preschool closed; reopening on Monday, July 8

• Thursday, July 4: Church building and offices closed for Independence Day holiday; reopening on Monday, July 8

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, in-person in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook and on our website
• 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn gathering, front of the church – all are welcome!

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 church office, building and Preschool will be closed on Thursday, July 4 in observation of Independence Day, reopening on Monday, July 8. Preschool will be closed Monday, July 1 – Friday, July 5.

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.