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!
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. 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