Welcome!

We’re delighted you’ve found our website and we’d love to welcome you in person when that time comes. In the meantime we hope you will take the time to learn more about our faith community by browsing through the site. Here are answers to a few of the most common questions newcomers may have. If there’s something we didn’t address, we invite you to contact the church office if you have a question or concern.
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Where is the church building located?

Our church building is located at 2344 Center Street in Bethlehem, PA. We are south of the Macada Street intersection, and north of Dewberry. Get a map and directions.

What to expect

Our sprawling lawn and large building might feel a bit intimidating, but we are a warm community of faith with inclusive, Christ-centered commitments and an expansive welcome.  We are a smaller congregation than you might think, with around 30-40 people of all ages in ‘Holy Ground’, our Contemporary worship, and over 100 folks at our Traditional service on any given week (with more worshipping via our livestream).

We celebrate intergenerational relationships and invite children, youth, and families to bring their full selves to worship and faith formation, to fellowship and mission.  Squirmy kiddos and shy youth will find friendship among our older adults as we all learn and grow alongside one another.

What to wear for worship

If you’re worshipping digitally, you can wear whatever you like! For our outdoor services, you should dress comfortably for the weather.

For indoor worship, you’ll find folks in coats and ties as well as jeans and sandals. However you choose to dress, please feel comfortable joining us as we worship the God who always sees us as we are.

Where to go / Parking

If you are planning to attend Contemporary worship or an event in our Kirk Center, we recommend traveling to the back (east) side of our property to use that parking lot.

If a Traditional worship service or event in the Sanctuary is your destination, you can park in any of the lots on the south side of our campus (the ones you see as you enter). You can enter the main front doors under the portico, or use the ramp to the north of that entrance. You may also enter through the building’s south entrance, or park in the back and use the ramp.

For meetings, classes and other events, use the south parking lot and south entrance unless signs direct you elsewhere.

You will find handicapped accessible spaces available along the front (west) side of the church building, and in the back (east) parking lot as well. The church is accessible to wheelchairs, and has elevators to access all floors. Our greeters will be happy to help you!

 

Bus transportation

There is a LANTA bus stop at our front entrance on Center Street. Currently, routes 327 and 217 offer service to our location. Check their current schedule.

What about the kids?

We are eager for children and youth to learn that the church is a place for them – where they belong, are loved, have friends, and contribute right alongside grown-ups.

During both services, we offer childcare for our littlest ones (up to Pre-K) if adults need space to worship on their own.  From preschool and up, we want kiddos to start experiencing and learning to worship with the wider community.  We offer physical spaces in our services for quiet engagement and guided learning. 

What we believe

First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem is a member of the Lehigh (PA) Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This article is an excellent summary of Presbyterian history and beliefs.

How do I become a member?

Visitors and guests are always welcome to participate fully in the life and worship of this community, and if you are interested in joining our church family, we rejoice in the opportunity to recognize our commitment to one another in a relationship united in Jesus Christ.

Please contact us if you are interested in more information.

Let's Connect!

 

Mail:

2344 Center Street
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Contact Us:

610-867-5865
info@fpc-bethlehem.org

Media Inquiries:

Carol Burns
Communications Manager
610-867-5865, ext. 238

Email Us:

Senior Pastor/Head of Staff: The Rev. J.C. Austin
Associate Pastor for Justice and Community Impact:
The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
Pastoral Associate for Formation and Compassion:
The Rev. Suzanne Trump
Director of Music Ministries: David Macbeth
Director of Church Administration: David Crook
Weekday Preschool Director: Tracy Leszcynski
Rentals/Facility Usage: Carol Burns
Facilities Maintenance Manager: Kevin Konczyk

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