A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: PLEDGE DEDICATION SUNDAY For the last few weeks in worship, we’ve been exploring the mission priorities that the Session has identified for First Pres over the next couple of years: engaging new people and nurturing their faith and discipleship; ministry with children, youth, and...
As you know, this year our annual stewardship campaign is focused on the mission priorities the Session has identified for our congregation over the next few years, and on an ambitious and exciting plan to help us answer God’s call to us through those priorities. If you haven’t already received...
Focusing on our mission priorities This Sunday is the second week of a four-part sermon series focused on the mission priorities that the Session has established for First Pres over the next few years. We’re doing this series during this year’s stewardship season because the Session is also calling the...
A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: Possibility, abundance, and gratitude When I was in the process of preparing for ordination, I had to take a whole battery of tests and inventories to both evaluate my mental and emotional health and help with the discernment of the kind of ministry to...
A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: BUILDING OUR CAPACITY Last week I spent three days at the “Stewardship Kaleidoscope” conference of the Presbyterian Church (USA). I’ve taught and/or spoken at the conference since it was created about a decade ago, and it is still one of my favorite dimensions of...
A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY What unites us is greater than what divides us The first Sunday in October is celebrated by many different Christian denominations as World Communion Sunday. We observe World Communion Sunday as a way of lifting up Christian unity and the commonality...
A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: Recap of Congregational Meeting and Town Hall As you know, we held a Congregational Meeting last Sunday in which the congregation elected Polly Beste to an unexpired term on the Session and Sally Ross to an open term on the Congregational Nominating Committee. Please...
A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: An Inquiring Faith One of the four Core Values we have identified for First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem is having “an inquiring faith.” In one sense, that shouldn’t be a surprising value for Christians to have. As I mentioned in the sermon series I...
A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: Special Schedule on Sunday, September 22 The Session has called a special meeting of the congregation and corporation of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem for next Sunday, September 22, at 10 a.m. for three reasons. The first is to act on a report from...
A MESSAGE FROM REV. J.C. AUSTIN: Worshiping Around the Meal Table I’ve never been good about choosing favorites: a favorite movie, book, food, musician, etc. So much depends on my mood, season of life, and other factors. For me, it’s more like having a short list of things that are...
On Monday mornings from September to November, and March to May, our Fellowship Hall is alive with many adults. They come from all over the Lehigh Valley to learn something new, be entertained, and make new friends. Fellowship time with coffee and refreshments starts at 9:15 a.m. There are two...
NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: “How to Support LGBT Spirituality” Wednesday, May 8 6:30 – 8 p.m. in Fellowship Hall NOTE: You are welcome to come to the May 8 session even if you did not attend the one on May 1. Join in two lively and engaging presentations on supporting the...
As we did last year, we will be offering a Community Lenten Supper series, beginning Wednesday, March 13 through Wednesday, April 10. All are welcome. We’ll gather at 6 p.m. for a simple meal. This will be followed by a brief reflection, led by one of the pastors in our church, focusing...
Jim and Minnie McKnight were Presbyterian missionaries who served for 15 years prior to World War II in the Sudan region of Africa. Their family and friends established an endowed fund at First Presbyterian to honor the McKnights and to encourage individuals to participate in the life-changing experience of visiting...
HEARTS AND MINDS will start this year in room 400 with an examination of Quaker author Philip Gulley’s provocative and engaging classic, “If the Church were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus.” As Gulley notes, “It is apparent, after several millennia of experimentation, that the Ten Commandments we Christians all know and...
By Leslie Pohl FPCB Elder Imagine for a moment that you have to walk two hours just to get to a doctor’s appointment. Imagine for a moment that your children can’t go to school because you can’t afford their uniforms, books, or lunch. Imagine for a moment that your cataracts are so...
Thank you to everyone who attended our event! After a long, hard rain the skies cleared and we enjoyed beautiful sunshine and fellowship. SECOND ANNUAL: BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS Sunday, October 27* 4 p.m. Front Lawn Bring your favorite friend to receive a blessing (crated or leashed, please). Everyone is...