Throughout the month of October, we will be collecting animal food, pet toys, pet litter, leashes, and other supplies to be donated to the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley. Donations can be placed in the bin at the church from October 1 through October 20. Thank you for caring for all of God’s creatures!
Blessing of the Animals
Bring your furry, feathery, or four-legged friends to church for a special pet blessing! On Sunday October 2 at 12:15 PM, join us outside (in front of the main doors) for a brief “Blessing of the Animals” service. We’ll offer your beloved pet some prayers of blessing… as well as some delicious treats! Help pass on the blessing by bringing a donation of pet food or pet supplies to benefit the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley.
Celebrated each year near the Feast of St. Francis (the patron saint of animals, according to some Christian traditions), the Blessing of the Animals provides the opportunity to ask God’s blessing over the pets who are truly part of our families. For more information, please contact the pastor.
Charge Conference – Save the Date
Our annual charge conference — the annual business and ministry celebration meeting with the District Superintendent — will take place in our Wesley Church sanctuary on Sunday October 2 at 1:00 PM. This will be a group charge conference, and we will welcome United Methodists from other local churches on this day. All are invited to attend, and those who are formal members of the church (including youth who have recently been confirmed) are permitted to vote.
Youth Group: WetFest 2022 RESCHEDULED
Due to COVID exposures, we are rescheduling the date for Wet Fest. We look forward to seeing everyon next Saturday, September 17, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM. For more info, please contact Brian (Wesley’s Youth Leader). Thanks for your understanding, and see you at Wet Fest!
What to expect:
- To be welcomed by friendly youth leaders and fellow teens
- To be introduced and included in group activities
- To get drenched playing all sorts of cool water games
- To eat good food
- To hear about other upcoming events throughout the year
What to bring:
- Swim suit (or clothes that can get wet)
- Towel
- Change of dry clothes
- Friends!
- Your completed Wesley Church Youth Group Consent Form (contact Brian if you need a copy)
Please RSVP by Thursday September 8 by emailing Brian (Wesley’s Youth Leader). We are excited to see you, to make positive memories together, and to kick off the year right by making church youth group a priority. See you at Wet Fest!
Fall “Faith Crawl” with Bethlehem Interfaith Group
The Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) is planning its third Faith Crawl, in which bus travelers will visit three houses of faith on southside Bethlehem. The Faith Crawl will take place on Sunday September 18, 3PM – 6PM. There is no charge to participate, but a donation of $5 or more is requested to cover the cost of the bus.
To register, sign up online or call First Presbyterian Church at 610-867-5865. Registration deadline is September 11.
This fall’s Faith Crawl tour will include:
- St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church — a congregation that is transitioning to a new ministry
- Packer Chapel at Lehigh University — a campus ministry in a diverse interfaith setting
- St. John AME Zion Church — the first and oldest African-American congregation in the Lehigh Valley
When registering, participants can also order a signature navy blue BIG t-shirt for $10 each (payable at the first tour stop: St. John’s Windish — 617 E 4th St., Bethlehem). For more info, contact BIG.
Announcing the “Year of the Table”
Tables are sacred spaces. Tables are places where we say grace, experience grace, and receive grace. Around tables, we build relationships and forge long-lasting connections. At Christ’s Table, we receive the grace-filled gifts that nurture our spirits and sustain our lives.
This year at Wesley Church, we’re celebrating the “Year of Table.” Throughout the coming year, we plan to provide various opportunities for us to gather around tables (strengthening our relationships) and to gather at Christ’s Table (deepening our faith). As we plan activities, make decisions, or launch ministries, we’ll be asking two key questions: How does this bring us closer? How does this take us deeper?
We hope you’ll join us in many ways at many tables as we seek to strengthen our relationships and deepen our faith in this “Year of the Table!”