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Friday, July 5, 2026 Newsletter

For Sunday - Communion 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: 
VENTURING OUT TOGETHER


Grace and peace to you,

This Sunday, we take up the idea of being sent out as a spiritual practice of discipleship/apostleship. 

I firmly believe that we are all called by God to some form of missional work whether that be what we do for a profession, or how we care for family and friends, or some type of volunteer service. We are all called to put our faith into action. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

But it is the instructions that get me every time – you are lambs going out among the wolves! Don’t take a wallet or a change of clothes or even sandals – don’t take food! In other words, you who are being sent are vulnerable and defenseless – how is your faith now? 

Yet even in their vulnerability and defenselessness – Jesus gives them a code – May peace be on this house and if there is a shared response in the affirmative that God’s peace is indeed in this house – that is the house where you will form your base of operations. There you will receive sustenance, but you will also give sustenance. One can imagine the stories the disciples heard and shared. If peace isn’t there or folks aren’t ready to receive the message, that isn’t on you – so shake the dust off and go on your way. The kin-dom is still near and available to all, but perhaps they just aren’t ready to receive it. 


I wonder if we can do that – go out into the world in pairs (not alone – we are always supported) and deliver the good news in whatever way we are gifted to do so. How might we practice this notion of being sent? How might we practice the proclamation: “God’s kin-dom has come upon you”? Or “May peace be upon this house.” How might we say that in our modern way of speaking?

Come and see! Come and explore this Sunday in community!


Blessings,
Pastor Karen

AND A SPECIAL INVITATION TO BEGIN TOMORROW – SATURDAY, JULY 4


On another note, a friend and prayer partner, Joseph Zito, has set up a 24-hour prayer website. He is hoping that folks will sign up for 30- or 60-minute slots beginning tomorrow (Saturday, July 4), and going forward. Here is information including the website. I have signed up for a 30 minute slot.

My hope is to start there -- with one full day -- and then see where God takes it. Maybe He brings more people into it. Maybe the prayer time becomes so meaningful that some of us choose to sign up for another 30 minutes. Maybe several of us sign up for the same 30 minutes daily. Until eventually we've got a community of people praying 24/7.


We'll be kicking this off tomorrow - the 4th of July. As we observe 250 years of independence, it feels especially appropriate to set aside time to remember our dependence upon Him. It's a day when many of us will be focused on celebration, family, and rest. My invitation is simply this: prioritize God for 30 minutes, or even one hour.  

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

Summer Worship Bulletin (6 pages)

FOR THIS SUNDAY: ONE OR BOTH!

We will celebrate communion in Sunday’s service. If you are worshipping from home, you can prepare your own elements: bread or a bread-like item (cracker, pita, bagel, etc.) and grape juice, wine or water.

For this Sunday (and until further notice), child care during worship service will be offered in room 216 (ask the ushers to direct you).

Thank you to the “Nameless K Group of 12” for hosting Lemonade on the Lawn this Sunday. Please consider taking a Sunday slot! See more details below. 

NEW! SHARING THE BOUNTY

Anything left over will be donated to New Bethany, along with other produce harvested from the CommUNITY Garden located on our campus.

SUMMER WORSHIP HELP: CHILDREN'S SERMON SIGN-UP 


Do you consider yourself to be young-at-heart? Do you enjoy connecting with our younger members? Do you like playful, intergenerational moments in worship? 


We'd love to have some other voices lead our children's sermons during summer worship. You'll get the scripture readings and theme info in advance, and we can also provide suggestions or ideas, if you'd like! Please see the sign-up list and volunteer for an upcoming Sunday: volunteersignup.org/hj4yy.

WE'RE HOSTING...

CAN YOU HELP?


The Deacons are in search of folks to serve as drivers for those who need assistance getting to medical or other appointments, grocery shopping or other things that come up. 


If you are willing to do so, please email info@fpc-bethlehem.org as we build a list of folks willing to drive. If there are specific times and days you are not available, that would be helpful to know. Thanks for your consideration!

SUNDAY CONNECTION: LEMONADE ON THE LAWN

Basically, you will need to:

• Provide simple treats for about 40-50, such as: grapes, clementines or cut-up fruit; cheese and crackers; easy-to-eat baked treats (homemade or purchased) like cookies, mini muffins, bars, or granola bars.

• There is a bin near the ice maker in the kitchen area marked “Lemonade on the Lawn” that has what you need. There are also coolers in this area. Get the provided beverages (lemonade and iced tea) from the refrigerator (with the Lemonade on the Lawn sign), and ice from the ice machine.

• Return items to the kitchen and clean up (tables will be provided and taken down).

It doesn’t have to be a “formal” group, like a K group, committee, or the choir – it can be a family or group of friends. We thank the Mission Strategy team for hosting this week.

Thanks for considering this request! If you have any questions, let us know and we’ll connect you with a ‘veteran.’ You can use this online form to sign up (bit.ly/42TDejr), and we'll have a paper sign-up form at the Sunday service.

A CAMPUS UPDATE THAT’S COMING

The Facilities Team has begun a project to move the smaller shed that is currently inside the Preschool playground, to a new, temporary location on the northeast corner of our campus. So you may see some activity, and that’s what is in progress.

In other property news, the proceeds from our recent Indoor Yard Sale currently total around $6,000. Many thanks to all who volunteered for this very successful sale – and to those who shopped!

FOOD DONATIONS: SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS

For the month of July we are once again supporting the Summer Harvest Food Drive, a four-county initiative that last year secured 6000 pounds of donations. There are dozens of locations to donate, including FPCB – this year’s goal is to share 10,000 pounds with almost 20 local food pantries.

We encourage you to visit their website at summerharvestfooddrive.com where you can see a list of requested items, how you can volunteer, and how to make financial contributions. The collection carts and boxes are by the south entrance, in the North Link, and by the Kirk Center entrance.

Organizers say that an easy way to help is to engage with their Facebook and Instagram accounts (@summerharvestfooddrive) – please consider liking / commenting / sharing their posts to help them reach even more folks. Thank you!

PRESCHOOL ANNOUNCES OPENINGS FOR FALL

Contact Lisa Todd at ltodd@fpc-bethlehem.org or 610-867-2956 to schedule a tour.

OUR IMPACT…

FOR SUNDAY’S IN-PERSON WORSHIP:

Child care will be available from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. this Sunday; they will meet in room 216.

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 - COMMUNION SUNDAY


• 9:45– 11:15 a.m. – Child care available in room 216
• 10:00 a.m. – Summer worship service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on website and Facebook page)
• 11:00 a.m. – Lemonade on the Lawn (west lawn) and post-service discussion opportunity (Narthex)

 
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.

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.