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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 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)
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. DR. WILLIAM HESS:
CHRIST CONTINUES TO REIGN
Greetings Dear Friends!
It pleases me to have been invited by your pastors, Lindsey and Karen, to share in the celebration of the 150 years of faithful ministry and mission at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem!
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I recall the many early Sunday morning drives up the Northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Two things kept me going – one, a deep and profound sense of call to serve at a pivotal time in the congregation’s history and two, the joy of worship and fellowship with the deeply committed saints of Bethlehem. The Lord willing and the crick don’t rise, Beverly and I look forward to that turnpike drive this Sunday, culminating in a reunion we have long hoped for!
This week we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. It marks the final Sunday of the liturgical calendar. We are reminded that while human governments may rise and fall, the reign of Christ is eternal.
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The message will be “A Theology of Hope.” The biblical passages will be Psalm 42:1-11 and Luke 9:51-55. The central point will be that biblical hope is not wishful thinking but the confident expectation that God’s promises will be fulfilled.
In October I enjoyed a week in London researching archeological evidence supporting the accuracy of Bible history. The British Museum is a goldmine of evidence of the places and the names recorded in our scriptures.
The capture of Samaria by the Assyrians in 722 BC, the capture of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians in 586 BC, and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD – the evidence is all there today in the British Museum in London.
Our affirmation is that as human governments have come and gone – Christ continued to reign, God has been on the throne, and the light has continued to shine in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!
Enthusiastic about being together again this Sunday!
Pastor Bill Hess
| | HEARTS N MINDS MEETS SUNDAY: BACK TO FATHER BOYLE | | |
Our adult ed class, Hearts N Minds, will meet this Sunday, Nov. 23, at its regular time from 10-11 a.m. in the Parlor. All are welcome; you do not need to do the reading to participate in the class. The book is entitled The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness by Father Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in CA.
On Sunday we wrap up our exploration of Father Greg and Homeboy Industries. We will think about how the homies are transformed by the community of love they find at HBI; how each one of us needs a redemptive community; and how Jesus invites us to joy over and over.
| | | LOOKING AHEAD FOR HEARTS N MINDS: The class will read the small but mighty The Serviceberry, by the author of the classic Braiding Sweetgrass for their Advent study, beginning Dec. 7. In February/March, they will return to one of Father Richard Rohr's books, The Universal Christ. | | BODY N SOUL: RETURNS THIS SUNDAY | | The Body N Soul Intergenerational Faith Formation class will meet this Sunday between the two services, from 10:10 - 11:00 in Room 216 in the South Wing. | | The curriculum provides age appropriate activities from preschool to adult, with time for connection across generations. Faithful seekers of all ages are welcome to join each week. | | |
YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND…
A time of remembering Russell Miserendino will be held at Josie Miserendino’s home tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 22). Drop by any time after 12 noon for food and beverages, and to share memories of Russ. All are welcome: 58 E Wall St., Bethlehem.
The family of Rev. Dr. Helen Cochrane invites you to attend her service tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 22): calling hour at 9 a.m., with the service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall.
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Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Advent devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices. Contact us for the link.
We will have print copies of the devotional available for those who need them.
Contact us and tell us if you will pick it up or if you need it mailed (along with your name and complete mailing address).
| | | We will also be sharing daily “Advent breath prayers” on our Facebook page (@firstpresbethlehem), beginning on Sunday, Nov. 30. These will be posted between 6 – 9 a.m. each morning. | | |
LET’S CONTINUE THAT SUPPORT FOR OUR NEIGHBORS…
The Preschool has kicked off a food drive for New Bethany, so please consider bringing donations for that one as well – sadly, the need is more urgent than ever, and will continue well into the future. Collection boxes are available at the south and Kirk Center entrances, and in the Narthex.
The children will conclude their drive at the Preschool Thanksgiving Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary – all are welcome to join them.
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YOU’RE INVITED
Soprano Madison Zahorsky will present a special recital, “3 Centuries of Art Song: An Afternoon of Brahms, Poulenc and Reed” on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary. This event is free and open to the public.
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POINSETTIA ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, DEC. 5
Help us decorate the Sanctuary with beautiful, “double” poinsettias!
We suggest a donation of $20 for a poinsettia that you can take home
after the Christmas Eve service you attend. This is a lovely way to honor a loved one.
Special envelopes are available in the Narthex and
Fellowship Hall (there is also a poinsettia envelope in your pack of pledge envelopes).
If you need an envelope contact us at 610-867-5865 or info@fpc-bethlehem.org.
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LOOKING AHEAD…
Sunday, Nov. 23
3 p.m.: Bethlehem Interfaith Group’s Gratitude Celebration, “Finding Joy Together” – Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 514 Third Ave. – 2nd floor (elevator available)
4 p.m.: Recital by soprano Madison Zahorsky, Sanctuary – all are welcome
Tuesday, Nov. 25
9:30 a.m.: Preschool Thanksgiving Chapel, Sanctuary – all are welcome
Wednesday, Nov. 26
7 p.m. – Thanksgiving Eve worship service in the Sanctuary and livestreamed
Saturday, Nov. 29
10 a.m. – noon: Hanging of the Greens, all around the church interior – volunteers welcome!
Sunday, Dec. 14
9 a.m. – Hearts N Minds adult ed class
10 a.m. – Combined Service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed
Tuesday, Dec. 16
7 p.m. – Longest Night service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed
Sunday, Dec. 21
4 p.m. - Christmas Joy Concert, featuring a "Sing-Along Messiah", in the Sanctuary. THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve candlelight services in the Sanctuary and livestreamed
4 p.m. - Intergenerational service
7 p.m. - Candlelight service
Sunday, Dec. 28
10 a.m. – Combined Service in Fellowship Hall and livestreamed
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Send us your news and photos to share:
info@fpc-bethlehem.org
**Deadline for the next newsletter:
THURSDAY at noon**
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And follow us on Facebook: @FirstPresBethlehem
Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICE
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Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
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If you don’t have a Facebook account, go to our website to view the service - click on "Watch" at the top and then the "Watch the Service" button
- Please check in with a comment so we know you’ve joined us!
- Captions are available on our livestream, for those who would like to use that feature
To watch a video – available after the services have aired: Visit our website archives
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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.
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THIS SUNDAY
- 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
- 9:00 a.m.: Holy Ground worship service, Fellowship Hall (in person only)
- 10:00 a.m.: Hearts N Minds adult ed class, Parlor – all are welcome
- 10:10 a.m.: Body N Soul intergenerational class, Room 216 – all are welcome
- 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.
| | FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM | |
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Karen Kinney, Transitional Pastor/Head of Staff; KKinney@fpc-bethlehem.org
Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Associate Pastor for Justice and Community Impact; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries; ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Crook, Director of Church Administration; ext. 210; DCrook@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Carol Burns, Communications Manager; ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org
Lisa Todd, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; LTodd@fpc-bethlehem.org
Brenda Robinson, Office Manager: ext. 211; BusinessOffice@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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