Join us for worship on Sunday at 10 AM!
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Worship This Week:
"A Ready Heart"
Matthew 13:1-13
Join Pastor Candy this week as she shares Wesley's pulpit
with Carmen O'Shea, Director of Pocono Plateau!
Learn more about our guest preacher here.
This month, the Power of One offering will benefit
camperships & summer camp ministries.
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What's happening this week...
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"Puppy Bowl" Donations - with a challenge from our bishop!
As a reminder, our Superbowl / Puppy Bowl donations (dry cat food, small bags of dry dog food) to benefit the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley are due this week, just in time for the big game. Helping vulnerable animals is motivation enough to give... but our bishop has added some extra motivation! Bishop John Schol writes:
We’ve been challenged. The United Methodists of Missouri and Kansas (Chiefs fans) have the audacity to challenge the good people of EPA&GNJ in conjunction with this Sunday’s Super Bowl. Apparently, they think their football team is better and that they can collect more food for area food banks than we can. The football game will be settled on the field. But we can demonstrate our commitment to help feed those who need food.
If we collect more food, they will send your bishop some Kansas City barbeque. If they collect more food, I will be sending... some Tastykakes and Philly Cheesesteaks. Fly Eagles Fly!!
Please bring in your donations on or before Sunday February 12. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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S'more Sunday
On Sunday February 12, we'll welcome Carmen O'Shea, Director of Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat Center, to join us for worship! Carmen will talk about the incredible things God is doing through camping and retreat ministries... and how we can get involved.
After worship, join us in the atrium for a little camp-themed fun as we celebrate "S'more Sunday" together! Roast some marshmallows, eat some s'mores, and enjoy good conversations with your church family.
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What's new in this edition of the Weekly E-news...
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Backpack Save-the-Date
This year, our annual "We Got Your Back" backpack festival will take place on Saturday July 29. Please mark the date in your calendars and watch your e-news for ways to support the backpack program through fundraisers, donation drives, volunteer opportunities, and more. For more information, please reach out via email.
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Candlelight Vigil for Ukraine
On Saturday February 25, join members of the Bethlehem Interfaith Group and representatives of local Ukrainian churches for a candlelight vigil marking the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. The vigil will take place at Payrow Plaza at 7:30 PM. All are welcome! Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine during this time.
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Tools for Ministry
Join the North District of the Eastern PA Conference for the annual Tools for Ministry program! This half-day training is designed to equip and empower volunteers in local churches to carry out powerful ministries in their church and communities. Tools for Ministry will take place on Saturday March 11 at Asbury UMC in Allentown. Check in begins at 8:30 AM, and workshops conclude by 12:00 PM.
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"The Chosen" Study: Mark Your Calendars
Several people have asked whether there will be a discussion group for Season 3 of The Chosen. Well, the answer is Yes! Sessions will start on Monday April 17 and will run through June 5. The time is 7:00-8:30, and it will be held in the parlor. If you have questions or are interested in signing up, contact Barbara Reimers (610-694-0767) or Wendy Arbushites (570-807-9428). You need not have participated in previous sessions as long as you have viewed Seasons 1 and 2. Study guides are already available for $15
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Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday February 22, join us for our annual observance of Ash Wednesday, the first day of the holy season of Lent.
- 12:30 PM: Service of Palm Burning (outside front doors)
- 7:30 PM: Ash Wednesday Blended Service (sanctuary)
The church labyrinth will also be available for prayerful walking on Ash Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Want a better understanding of the meaning of Ash Wednesday in our Christian faith? Click here to learn more.
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Wesley Youth Group
Join us for our upcoming Youth Group events:
Youth Winter Blast Overnight Retreat
Friday February 17 through Sunday February 19
(Pocono Plateau)
Come join us for a time of fun, fellowship, building our faith... and of course, food! Please email Brian (Wesley's Minister to Youth) with any questions, and to let us know you will be there!
 Wesley's Youth Group is open to all youth from 6th through 12th grade. |
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Helpers Needed for Labyrinth Setup
Each Ash Wednesday, our church labyrinth offers our congregation and community a powerful opportunity to enter the season of Lent through prayer. But setting up our labyrinth is a big job, one that requires many hands! If you would like to help with labyrinth setup on Sunday February 19 after worship, please contact Pastor Candy.
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Meals for BES
Help those who are experiencing homelessness by supporting the work of the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter (BES)! Once each month, we provide hot meals, monitor the shower schedule, and offer a loving presence to the guests of the shelter. We will be serving our next meal on Monday February 20. We'll be at the shelter from 4 PM to 9 PM, but shorter shifts are available to fit your schedule. To get involved, please contact our coordinator Becky Hess. |
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Lent Madness is Back!
There's still the time to join in the meaningful fun of Lent Madness! This program is a way to deepen your faith but also have some fun, as Lent Madness is for Christians who want to take their faith -- but not themselves -- too seriously. Visit the Lent Madness website to learn more about the program and to sign up for regular emails throughout the Lenten season. To participate in Wesley Church's edition of Lent Madness, please fill out your bracket with your predictions and return it to Pastor Candy by Tuesday February 21. The individual with the winning bracket will receive a special prize!
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Winter Book Club - Start our February Selection!
This winter, cozy up by the fire with some selections from our Winter Book Club! Grab a book, start reading, and join us for our remaining book discussions:
- Tuesday February 28 at 6:30 PM:
Kindred by Octavia Butler
- Tuesday March 28 at 6:30 PM:
Threading My Prayer Rug by Sabeeha Rehman
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Our Preschool is hiring!
Our Wesley's Circle of Friends Preschool is now hiring for the positions of:
Preschool teachers
Teacher aids
Work two, three, or five days per week, with a 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM schedule. Optional extended care shifts (as early as 8:00 AM and as late as 4:00 PM) are also available. Regular school year and summer school positions are now open! Early childhood education is preferred, but not required. Compensation commensurate with education and experience, starting at a minimum of $11.25 per hour.
Please send email of interest to: susan@wesleychurch.com
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Register for Summer Camp
It may be chilly or dreary outside right now, but in just a few months summer sun will be here! This summer, consider registering your child(ren) or grandchild(ren) for a life-changing, faith-forming week of summer camp at Pocono Plateau. Summer camp registration is now open! Visit the Plateau website to browse this year's camp offerings (including the GRAM & Me camp, directed by Pastor Candy!). Register by April 1 for a $25 discount.
If you would like to volunteer as a camp counselor, nurse, or facilities/property volunteer, please contact Pastor Candy for more information.
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Have something to add to e-news?
To include your ministry update or appeal in an upcoming edition of the Wesley Church e-news, please send the announcement to Pastor Candy. |
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Our Wesley Church Staff
Candy LaBar, Lead Pastor
Susan Matacavage, Church Administrator
Becky Graybeal, Director of Music
Deb Silliman, Director of Christian Education
Brian Graybeal, Minister to Youth
Keranie Whipple, Childcare Coordinator
Chris Perfetti, Director of Bell Choirs
Sharon Schultz, Financial Administrator
Debbie Ace, Housekeeper
Betty Killo, Housekeeper / Data Entry
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