Friday, August 15, 2025 Newsletter



For Sunday

10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service

       (in person in the Sanctuary, and livestreamed on Facebook and website)

A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: 

LIVING ‘EXPANSIVELY WELCOMING’

Greetings friends,

This Sunday we celebrate our second summer baptism and join with friends and neighbors from all over the region to celebrate Lehigh Valley Pride, as well! Really, I can think of no better pair of joys to lift up together.

Alongside our other three Core Values - Christ-Centered; Active Faith; Inquiring Faith - being clear and steadfast in our affirmation and celebration of LGBTQ+ folks sets us apart from many other communities of faith.

Parents of little ones in our Inquirers Seminar are often quick to make that observation and connection, offering gratitude for the fact that they know we’ll love their children no matter who they grow up to be or who they grow up to love. And if that isn’t a reflection of God’s expansive baptismal love and welcome for all of us, I don’t know what is!

Looking forward to splashing in the font again, and you can bet I’ll be wearing my church T-shirt and rainbow stole - I am so very proud of this community and our shared faith.

Blessings and gratitude abound,

Lindsey

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

Summer Worship Service (4 pages)

STUDY THE BOOK OF REVELATION WITH PASTOR KAREN

All are welcome; use THIS LINK to attend via Zoom.

INQUIRERS SEMINAR THIS FALL

Pastors Lindsey and Karen will gather a group of newcomers together in the fall for our Inquirers Seminar. It’s a casual, relational afternoon session to learn more about one another and more about FPCB. It’s also the first step for folks considering joining us as new members.  

The group will gather after our 11:15 service, and lunch will be provided. It will begin around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21 and be done no later than 3:30 p.m.  

If you’re interested, please contact Lindsey (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org).

HEARTS N MINDS ANNOUNCES FALL READ

SEE YOU AT LV PRIDE EVENT ON SUNDAY!

As in previous years, we are sharing booth spaces with other Lehigh Presbytery churches - this is always a wonderful opportunity to share God’s love and affirmation with the LGBTQ+ community, so we hope to see you there! (Wear your FPCB T-shirts!)

SUPPORT NEW BETHANY AT THEIR ANNUAL SOUPER DAY

Souper Day is New Bethany’s signature annual event - a meaningful gathering that unites community leaders, donors, partners and neighbors to reflect on local challenges and harness our shared power to create a lasting impact.

It will be held on Friday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. at ArtsQuest’s MusikCafe. 

This year, the focus is turned to a critical issue: food insecurity, which affects nearly 80,000 Lehigh Valley residents, including 23,000 children. A panel discussion will feature leaders and advocates working on the frontlines of this crisis. They’ll dive into the root causes of food insecurity and explore real solutions to ensure equitable access to fresh, nutritious food for all.

Panelists include:

• Kristen Wenrich, Health Director, City of Bethlehem

• Brandy Garofalo, Food Access Director, New Bethany

• Jeff Frank, Farmer, Liberty Gardens

• Dr. Rajika Reed, VP of Community Health, St. Luke’s University Health Network & New Bethany Board Member

For registration information: newbethany.org/event/souperday

WE'RE INVITED...

JOIN US FOR LEMONADE ON THE LAWN

NOTE: We are in need of volunteers for the next several weeks. You can sign up using the link below, or on the paper form available on Sundays.



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.
• Get the beverages, cups and napkins, ice, and coolers out of the church kitchen and set them up (we typically serve lemonade, iced tea and water – these are provided).
• 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. 

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, and we'll have a paper sign-up form at the Sunday service.

NEWS FROM OUR PRESCHOOL

Our Preschool has put out a request for school supplies – if you are so inclined to help, a list of suggested items is attached to this newsletter. There are collection tubs available at the south and east entrances, and in the North Link until Sunday, Sept. 14.

PRINT THE SUPPLY LIST

HI NEIGHBORS WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY, SEPT. 15

Our popular speakers series, Hi Neighbors, will be back with a new ten-week series on Monday, Sept. 15.

The presentations are free and open to the public, and feature an interesting array of topics such as history, local culture, music, and current events. We appreciate the efforts of Susan Wolf, our volunteer program coordinator, for her diligence in securing such interesting speakers!

If interested in helping in this way, contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

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 - COMMUNION SUNDAY

• 9:45 - 11:15 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
• 10:00 a.m.: Summer Worship Service, Sanctuary (in person and livestreamed on Facebook and our website, fpc-bethlehem.org)
• 11:00 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn, social time for all, front of church

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.