First Presbyterian Church Allentown

Rev. Liz Heinzel-Nelson, Executive Director of our mission partner, Villages in Partnership (VIP), preached on a snowy January 19th service. VIP is a faith based nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate extreme poverty in rural Malawi. Liz co-founded VIP after she and her family stepped away from serving Allentown (New Jersey) Presbyterian Church to live and serve in Malawi for one yea...

The Rev. Stephanie Anthony joins us for a special combined Worship Service this Sunday as we prepare to welcome her as our new Lead Pastor starting in March. Today's scripture readings are Isaiah 43:1-7 & Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (Read by Moufid Khoury in Arabic, Nelson Rabenold in English, and Abraham Pa Cawi in Chin) If you'd like your very own Star Word for 2025, stop by the church office, or re...

Life often unfolds in ways that surprise us, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. How have you felt God's presence when your life took an unexpected turn? This Epiphany Sunday, we conclude our Advent and Christmas journey with a sermon that looks forward. Join Pastor Taylor as we embark on the road of a new year, exploring the unexpected paths and detours in a message titled "The Road Isn't Str...

Join us this Christmastide as we look at the way Wisdom impacts us and our faith. The sermon, entitled "Wisdom's Ways" is the penultimate sermon in our series " Words for the Beginning " inspired by " A Sanctified Art" . Today's scripture readings are 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, 16 & Luke 2:41-51 (Read by Nelson Rabenold) Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visit  fpcallentown.org/sun...

Merry Christmas! In a special Christmas Eve message Pastor Carter continues our Advent Season sermon series, inspired by "Words for the Beginning" from A Sanctified Art ; reminding us this week that "Loves Knows Your Name". Checkout the sermon as well as the Christmas story read narratively by Pastors Taylor Hall, Kathryn Foster and Carter Lester. Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visi...

What dream of God might you have a part to play in during this season of your life? This week Pastor Carter continues our Advent Season sermon series, inspired by "Words for the Beginning" from A Sanctified Art ; reminding us this week that "Hope is Worth the Risk". Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: Luke 1:46-55 & Matthew 1:18-25 (Read by Rev. Bobbie McGare...

Reflect on what it means to have a "with-us" God. If you have experienced a time of isolation, from God or others, what practices might help you break free from that isolation? How can you support others experiencing loneliness and isolation?  This week Pastor Kathryn continues our Advent Season sermon series, inspired by "Words for the Beginning" from A Sanctified Art ; reminding us this wee...

You are a beloved child of God. When do you doubt this truth? What helps you remember that this is true? This week Pastor Taylor kicks off our Advent Season, inspired by " Words for the Beginning" from A Sanctified Art. The first sermon in the series reminds us that " You Are a Blessing " Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings:  Isaiah 43:1-7 & Luke 1:26-38...

For what do you want to thank God this morning? Join us as Pastor Carter wraps up our Autumn sermon series on "Fruits of the Spirit", focusing this week on Gratitude. Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings:  Deuteronomy 8:7-18 and Philippians 4:4-7, 10-13 (Read by Kathy Matthews) Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visit  fpcallentown.org/sun...

What are the gifts that God has given to you to share with others in this season of your life? What is one way you can use those gifts to bless someone in this church family or your community this week? This week we welcome guest preacher, and new Shared General Presbyter for Lackawanna and Lehigh Presbyteries Rev. Denise Pass, who joins us to deliver a wonderful sermon entitled "Merging Into One"...

Think back on a difficult decision you made in the past with God's help: how did God give you the wisdom you needed? Join us as Pastor Carter continues our sermon series on "Fruits of the Spirit", focusing this week on Wisdom. Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: 1 Kings 3:5-12, 16-28, Colossians 1:9-10 & Matthew 7:24-27 Join us Sunday morning's in p...

Consider Jesus' model of humanity? What adjectives would you use to describe his humility? Who has modeled some of those characteristics for you and how? Join us as Pastor Carter continues our sermon series on "Fruits of the Spirit", focusing this week on Humility. Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings:  Mark 10:35-45 & Philippians 2:5-11  (Read b...

Where might you be called to create new spaces of welcome? Consider both within and beyond our community of faith.  Join us as Pastor Taylor continues our sermon series on " Fruits of the Spirit ", focusing this week on Hospitality . Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: Genesis 18:1-10 & Hebrews 13:2 (Read by Jenny Lucas) Join us Sunday morning's in perso...

Join us as Pastor Carter continues his sermon series "Fruits of the Spirit", focusing this week on Generosity. Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: 2 Chronicles 31:1-8 & Luke 12:13-21 (Read by Linda Boyle & Pastor Carter) Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visit fpcallentown.org/sunday-worship for more details. For a text transcript of the sermo...

Join us as Pastor Carter continues his sermon series "Fruits of the Spirit", focusing this week on Justice. Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: Amos 5:11-12, 21-24 & Luke 4:16-21 (Read by Trish Brown) Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visit fpcallentown.org/sunday-worship for more details. For a text transcript of the sermon, please check it on th...

Join us as Pastor Carter continues his sermon series "Fruits of the Spirit", focusing this week on Patience. Unfortunately due to technical issues, the Prayer for Illumination and Scripture readings were not able to be included in the recording. See below for text versions of each: Prayer for Illumination Almighty God, give us ears to hear your story in these words of Scripture; give us eyes to se...

Join us as Pastor Carter continues his sermon series "Fruits of the Spirit", focusing this week on Temperance and Self-Control. Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: Proverbs 16:32, 25:28; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; Galatians 5:22-23 (Read by Bob Martin) Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visit fpcallentown.org/sunday-worship for more details. For a text transcrip...

Join us as Pastor Carter continues his sermon series "Fruits of the Spirit", focusing this week on Peace. Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visit fpcallentown.org/sunday-worship for more details. For a text transcript of the sermon, please check it on the FPCA Blog: blog.fpcallentown.org

Who has been an example of courage in your life?  What have you learned from their example? Reflect on this question as you go about your day, and join us as Pastor Carter Lester preaches a Sermon entitled "The Fruits of the Spirit: Courage". Due to some technical glitches on Sunday, we were unable to capture all of the Scripture readings. If you'd like, take a moment to read through Joshua 1...

Why do you call First Presbyterian Church of Allentown home? Reflect on this question as you go about your day, and join us as Pastor Taylor Hall preaches a Sermon for our "Fall Kick-off" worship service held on September 8, 2024, entitled "Welcome Home!" Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visit fpcallentown.org/sunday-worship for more details. For a text transcript of the sermon, pleas...

How have you seen God at work through your "work?" Reflect on this question as you go about your day, and join us as 6 of our members shared stories of " How have they have saught to serve God in their work? ", and " How have they seen God at work in their work? ". So come along as Kim Ceccatti, Andy Baranek, Dr. Laura Furge, Dr. Treasure Walker, Joel Hurley, and Kristi Smith share their stories o...

What in God's creation leaves you with wonder and awe? What does that teach you about God? Reflect on this question as you go about your day, and join us as Pastor Carter Lester preaches a Sermon entitled "Wonder and Awe". Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: Psalm 104: 1, 14-24; Matthew 6:25-34 (Read by Erica Simmons); and a portion of Psalm 8 (as part of the ser...

Join us as Pastor Carter Lester preaches a Sermon entitled "Putting on the Clothes of Kindness", during our Imago Dei worship service on August 18, 2024. Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: Colossians 3:12-17 & Matthew 11:28-30 (Read by Kim Ceccatti) and ending with a Litany of Affirmation following the sermon. (led by Lois Hensler) Join us Sunday morning's i...

Join us as Pastor Taylor Hall preaches a Sermon entitled "Bread for the Journey". As you go about your day, think on this: Think of someone who could use a word of encouragement or a small act of kindness. Intentionally reach out to that person this week and offer them "bread" for the journey. Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: 1 Kings 19:4-8; John 6:35, 41-51;...

Join us as Pastor Carter Lester preaches a Sermon entitled "What Is It?". As you go about your day, think on this: How have you received "manna," or daily bread, when you were struggling in a wilderness? Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 and John 6:24-35 (Read by Margaret Metzgar) Join us Sunday morning's in person or online, visit fpcallent...