Friends, with cooler temperatures coming our way, we are blessed to be able to turn on the heat in our homes and lay our heads on a warm pillow at night. Others are not as blessed to be able to find warmth and shelter in these ways. BES is able to help them,

Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering will open November 15. We know it will be a challenging season for our street neighbors and for our volunteers with Covid-19 still in our midst. If you are able to donate to the shelter in any way – with hands and feet and hearts or even with a monetary donation; or if you would like more information on the work of the shelter, please take a moment to visit the Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering Facebook page, visit its website at bethlehememergencysheltering.org or call 484-379-6694.

St. Thomas UCC worship 10/25

It seems as though there is sooooo much that surrounds us today – good stuff and stuff that makes our souls weary. We all have different ways of handling the ‘soooo much’ stuff. No matter what works for you or what tools you use to navigate through it all, remember to be good to yourself and to others.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lxMNgzN0tW2f9uuHiYM3eK029Eo8N2gV/view?usp=sharing

What a lovely day the Lord has created for us! Be blessed in whatever you do within it!

St. Thomas UCC worship 101820

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JkOfUh62RcuVSR3A6H8nopunl8v1Ok0t/view?usp=sharing

Sounds easy – showing hospitality to others; sometimes more challenging in a pandemic.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in. (Matthew 25: 35)

Kudos to St. Thomas UCC (Bethlehem) for raising funds for the Bethlehem Area CROP Walk for Hunger!  Thank you for your dedication to this worthy effort!

St. Thomas UCC worship recording 10/11/20

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qvjiy02JfOqa3cG0OXvpUYpF2b5OTm0O/view?usp=sharing

Christians around the world celebrated the Sacrament of Communion today on World Communion Sunday, in the spirit of unity. I am sure I was not the only one who longed for this simple act of sharing a meal with others. Truly a blessing.

St. Thomas UU worship service 10/4

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gVDQ6YdFWN8nj51X03j-olDBgOXxUFUC/view?usp=sharing

I am not at the beach, but I heard this expression this morning and it has stuck with me: In the waves of change, we find direction. Don’t be afraid to try something new this week!

St. Thomas UCC worship service 9/27

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ARdb3UzoZTZ32RB6jE3uAYOBAeuNIMSR/view?usp=sharing

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall” – Oscar Wilde

Sort of seems that way to me today…there was no parade or breaking news at the precise time this new season began this morning (9:34am)…it quietly arrived. This official first day of autumn is a beautiful one. I love autumn and all that it holds – both the beauty and the melancholy of its treasures. I am taking a moment from a busy day to celebrate the changing of the seasons. I hope you do, too.

It was a great weekend to be outdoors, especially if cooler weather is your thing. Officially, fall begins on Tuesday. We have just experienced a preview! Be kind to one another this week. No matter what season we are in, kindness works for everyone.

St. Thomas UCC worship service recording 0920

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x6xWLVFWWqALxvezBeZn7IPm6qaKX9Ax/view?usp=sharing

Let this be your thought for the week ahead: There are huge possibilities hidden in plain sight.

St. Thomas UCC worship recording for September 13. May your day be blessed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18KDhq39uztinDt-xNKoaWjHFod11ta03/view?usp=sharing

It is Labor Day weekend – already! Whatever your plans are – one more family trip or relaxing at home, the weather promises blue and sun-filled skies! It does not sound too complicated, does it? Yet, underneath the canopy of beautiful skies, lies a world with many complicated issues these days. If we consider the minor prophet’ Micah and his words (Chapter 6, verse 8 – what God requires of us), we can make a difference. They are: to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Let’s open our eyes and not be blind to seriously working on these things to make the world a better place.

St. Thomas UCC worship podcast Sept. 6:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uYjgy9O8ED6m62V9n_UKM5xde-OhX_k1/view?usp=sharing