Welcome to the Sunday Sermons podcast of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown We hope you'll join us each week by setting aside a few moments to take a prayerful breath and listen to God's Word. Check out First Presbyterian Church of Allentown online at https://fpcallentown.org/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/firstpresbyterianchurchofallentown
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Join the Rev. Taylor Hall from First Presbyterian Church of Allentown as he leads a 3-part series on the Bible, Theology and the LGBTQ+ Community.
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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. (l…
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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 scri…
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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 Sun…
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Join us as guest preacher and church member Janine Carambot Santoro preaches a Sermon entitled "Divine Wisdom for a Hungry World". As well as a our Children's Sermon from Pastor Taylor featuring "Jesus Feeds the 5000" from the Spark Story Bible. And, as you go about your day, think on this: In what ways has the idea of scarcity prevented us from sh…
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Join us as Pastor Taylor Hall preaches a Sermon entitled "No More Walls". As you go about your day, think on this: What dividing walls can you focus on tearing down in this season of your life? Check out the whole sermon, as well as this week's scripture readings: Ephesians 2:11-22 and Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 (Read by Bob Martin) Join us Sunday morning…
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Join us as Pastor Carter Lester preaches a Sermon entitled "A Prayer for All of Us". As you go about your day, think on this: What words in Paul's prayer for us are words we especially need to hear and hold on to? What gets in the way of us recognizing the length, breadth, and depth of God's love for us - or for others? Check out the whole sermon, …
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Join us as Pastor Carter Lester preaches a Sermon entitled "A Thorn in the Flesh". Some key takeaways from this sermon include: Whatever Paul’s thorn in the flesh might have been, most of us have had a thorn in the flesh in our lives. Fear and loneliness, confusion and doubt, physical pain, emotional heartache, or some form of disability – they are…
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Join us as guest preacher and friend of the church Rev Susan Gilbert Zencka preaches a Sermon entitled "On the Edge of Despair and Hope". Some key takeaways from this sermon include: “Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up.” -- David W. Orr God doesn’t expect us to do what we can’t do, but God does expect us to do what we can—and that makes a di…
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Join us as Pastor Carters preaches a Sermon entitled "Let Us Go Across to the Other Side". As you go about your day, think on this: Think about a time of change when you had to "go to the other side." How did you experience God's presence in the midst of that transition? Were you able to recognize that Jesus was in the boat with you? Check out the …
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Join us as long-time FPCA Member Pam Weiss preaches a Sermon entitled "Get Up and Walk the Talk". Some key takeaways from this sermon include: Stop thinking that you don’t matter. Get up and walk. You do matter, and it is through Jesus that you can now know the love and mercy of God that offers healing and wellness, and a new life. Stop thinking th…
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Join us as Pastor Taylor preaches a Sermon entitled "Naked in Shame / Clothed with Grace". Some key takeaways from this sermon include: But God asks the two, “Who told you that you were naked?” Not why! But “Who told you?” Because God knew the two were always naked. They were created naked. And God and humankind felt no shame in their nakedness bec…
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Join us as Pastor Kathryn preaches a Sermon entitled "An Amazing Inclusive Truth". Some key takeaways from this sermon include: "If I ever saw a title that summarized the bible in two words, I think LOVE WINS would be those two." "Peter, the Apostle, might have thought that God changed God's mind about the Jewish law; when in fact, God changed Pete…
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Join us for this last week's sermon, preached by Pastor Carter, entitled "The Geography of God". This sermon was preached on May 26, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown at our 11:00am Worship Service in the Sanctuary. [0:20] - Scripture Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17; 26-27 (Linda Boyle) [3:35] - Sermon: "The Geography of God" (R…
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This Pentecost, we heard God's word in 3 languages, as well as a special treat from our youth. Join as we celebrate the birthday of the Church. [0:20] - Prayer for Illumination & Scripture Reading (Bob Martin, Afaf Khoury, and Abraham PaCawi) [4:15] - Faith Formation Class sings "Thanks God!" [6:20] - Sermon Join us Sunday morning's in person or on…
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Pastor Taylor and the youth of FPC Allentown led worship on May 12, 2024. Check out the sermons & children's sermon here, but we also encourage you to watch both services over on YouTube if you missed them: [0:20] - Prayer for Illumination & Scripture Reading (Lexie Simmons) [1:55] - Children's Sermon (Pastor Taylor) [11:22] - Tommy Gilchrist's Ser…
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Tune in to this last week's sermon as Pastor Carter preaches about "The Dreaded 'J' Word". What is the J-word? Listen to find out! Scripture Readings: Psalm 98, John 15:9-17 Liturgist: Bruce Gunn Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester The sermon was preached on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown during our 11:00am service in th…
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Listen this week as Pastor Carter and Pastor Taylor team up to preach on the story of Phillip and Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40) Scripture Readings: Acts 8:26-40, Isaiah 53:7-9 Liturgist: Landon Kemp Children's Sermon: Rev. Taylor Hall Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester The Children's Sermon & Sermon were preached on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at First Presbyt…
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Join Pastor Carter as he preaches his sermon entitled "I Am the Good Shepherd" on the 23rd Psalm and a portion of John, chapter 10. This sermon was preached on April 21, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown's 11:00am worship service. Liturgist: Bob Martin Scriptures: Psalm 23, John 10:11-18 Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester…
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Join us as Pastor Kathryn preaches her sermon entitled "Eastertide: Fear & Reality". Scripture Readings: Luke 24:36-43; Psalm 4:4-8; Acts 3:17-19 Liturgist: Bobbie McGarey Preacher: Rev. Kathryn Foster "Charlotte's Web" Audio clip used by permission under CVLI License.By FPC Allentown
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Join us as Pastor Taylor wraps up our Lenten & Easter sermon series "Wandering Heart" with the final sermon entitled "Here's My Heart". Scripture Reading: John 21:1-19 Preacher: Rev. Taylor Hall Please forgive the audio, there was some technical glitches during our Worship Service at both the 8:45 and 11am services, the audio has been pieced togeth…
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Wandering Heart: And I Hope (Easter Sunday)
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He is Risen, Alleluia! Join us for our Easter Sunday message, and part of our Sermon Series: "Wandering Heart: And I Hope". Scripture Readings: Luke 24:1-12 Liturgist: Kathy Matthews Children's' Sermon: Rev. Taylor Hall Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester Preached on: March 31, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown (11:00am Service) Music cre…
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Wandering Heart: Streams of Mercy (Maundy Thursday Meditation)
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For Maundy Thursday, Pastor Carter continued our Lenten sermon series "Wandering Heart" with a special meditation entitled "Streams of Mercy". Scripture Reading: Mark 14:12-25 Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester Music credit: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - as performed by Shane JensenBy FPC Allentown
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Join us as Pastor Taylor continues our Lenten Sermon Series: "Wandering Heart" with a sermon entitled "Songs of Loudest Praise". Before that, Pastor Carter leads our your on a march, shouting "Hosanna!". Scripture Readings: John 12:12-16 Liturgist: Bill White Children's' Sermon: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester Preacher: Rev. Taylor Hall Preached on: March 2…
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Join us as Pastor Carter continues our Lenten Sermon Series: "Wandering Heart" with a sermon entitle "Teach Me". Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:9-16, Matthew 18:15-35 Liturgist: Kim Ceccatti Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester Music credit: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - as performed by Shane Jensen…
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Join us as Pastor Carter continues our Lenten Sermon Series: "Wandering Heart" with a sermon entitle "I'm Fixed Upon It". Scripture Readings: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Matthew 16: 21-26 Liturgist: Anne Ferrera Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester Music credit: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - as performed by Shane Jensen…
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Join us as Pastor Taylor begins our Lenten Sermon Series: "Wandering Heart" with a sermon entitle "Praise the Mount". Scripture Readings: Psalm 19, Matthew 16:13-20 Liturgist: Kim Ceccatti, Rev. Barbara McGarey Preacher: Rev. Taylor Hall Music credit: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - as performed by Shane Jensen…
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Join us as Pastor Carter continues our Lenten Sermon Series: "Wandering Heart" with a sermon entitled "Rescue Me From Danger". Scripture Readings: Psalm 22:23-32, Matthe 14:22-33 Liturgist: Nelson Rabenold, Sophia Kim Preacher: Rev Dr. Carter LesterBy FPC Allentown
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Wandering Heart: Going into the Deep Water
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Join us as Pastor Carter begins our Lenten Sermon Series: "Wandering Heart" with a sermon entitle "Going into the Deep Water". Scripture Readings: Psalm 25:1-10, Matthew 5:1-11 Liturgist: Bob Martin Children's Sermon & Preacher: Rev Dr. Carter LesterBy FPC Allentown
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This sermon, entitled "When God Speaks Directly to Us" was preached on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. Also enjoy a fun telling of the story of Moses and the Burning Bush from our youth story bible, and a special song performed by our Faith Formation children. Scripture Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9,…
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This sermon, entitled "As One With Authority" was preached on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Mark 1:21-28 Liturgist: Anne Ferrera Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter LesterBy FPC Allentown
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Listen this week as Pastor Carter and Pastor Taylor team up to preach on Jonah 1-3. Scripture Readings: Mark 1:14-20, "Jonah and the Big Fish" (Spark Story Bible), and Jonah 3:1 - 4:2 Liturgist: Betty Jo Richards Children's Sermon: Rev. Taylor Hall Preacher: Rev. Dr. Carter Lester The Children's Sermon & Sermon were preached on Sunday, January 28, …
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Liz Heinzel-Nelson, Executive Director of our mission partner, Villages in Partnership (VIP), preached in both services and spoke during the Faith Formation hour. She talked about VIP’s efforts to bring clean water to villages in Malawi through the digging of wells. As I hope you know, our church has set a goal of paying for one well to be dug to s…
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How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Remember our Baptism
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Pastor Carter concludes our Advent and Christmas sermon series "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" The final sermon in the series encourages us to remember our baptism. Scripture Text: Isaiah 43:1-7, Luke 3:21-22 Liturgist: Bruce Gunn Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Carter Lester This sermon was preached at the 11:00am Worship Service at First Presbyterian Ch…
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How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Root Ourselves in Ritual.
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Pastor Taylor continues our sermon series for the Advent and Christmas season "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" The sixth sermon in the series reminds us that another way we rejoice in this world is by rooting ourselves in rituals. Scripture Text: Luke 2:21-38 Preacher: The Rev. Taylor HallBy FPC Allentown
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How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Make Room.
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During our Christmas Eve service, Pastor Carter continued our sermon series "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?". Let us rejoice together as we make room for the coming of our Lord. Preacher: The Rev. Dr. W. Carter Lester, Jr.By FPC Allentown
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How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Sing Stories of Hope.
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Join us as we continue with our Advent and Christmas sermon series "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" For the fourth Sunday in Advent, Pastor Carter reminds us that to help a weary world rejoice, we recount stories of hope. Scripture Text: Luke 1:46-55 Liturgist: Bob Martin Preacher: The Rev. Dr. W. Carter Lester, Jr.…
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How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Allow Ourselves to be Amazed.
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Pastor Kathryn continues our sermon series for the Advent and Christmas season "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" The third sermon in the series reminds us to allow ourselves to be amazed! Scripture Text: Luke 1:57-66, Psalm 126 Liturgist: Bruce Gunn Preacher: The Rev. Kathryn FosterBy FPC Allentown
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How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Find Joy in Connection.
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Pastor Taylor continues our sermon series for the Advent and Christmas season "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" The second sermon in the series focuses on finding joy in connections. Scripture Text: Isaiah 40:1-11, Luke 1:24-45 Preacher: The Rev. Taylor HallBy FPC Allentown
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How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Acknowledge our Weariness
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Join us as Pastor Carter starts our advent series "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?", the first week reminds us that in the midst of a weary world, we must acknowledge our weariness. Scripture Text: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 & Luke 1: 1-23 Liturgist: Nelson Rabenold Preacher: The Rev. Dr. W. Carter Lester, Jr.…
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Join us as Pastor Kathryn Foster preaches her sermon from November 26, 2023; entitled "Who You Are Waiting For". Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 17: 14-20, John 18:33-37 Liturgist: Andy Baranek Preacher: The Rev. Kathryn FosterBy FPC Allentown
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Join us as Pastor Carter preaches his sermon from November 19, 2023, entitled "A Place to Park Our Brain". Scripture Text: Psalm 9:9-10, 18-20, Philippians 4:1-9 Liturgist: Bill White Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Carter LesterBy FPC Allentown
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Welcome to the conclusion of Pastor Taylor Hall's 3 part series on The Bible, Theology, and LGBTQ+ Community, from November 12th, 2023. Join Taylor as he returns back to last week's topic to tackle a few remaining verses, and then explores our history, traditions, and what Allyship looks like today.By FPC Allentown
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Join us as Pastor Carter preaches his sermon from November 12, 2023; entitled "What are you Waiting For?". Scripture Text: Amos 5:18-24, Matthew 25:1-13 Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Carter LesterBy FPC Allentown
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Join us as Pastor Carter preaches his sermon from November 5, 2023; All Saints Sunday, entitled "Thin Places". Scripture Text: Revelation 7:9-17, Matthew 5:1-12 Liturgist: Bruce Gunn Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Carter LesterBy FPC Allentown
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Welcome to part 2 of our 3-part mini-series on The Bible, Theology, and LGBTQ+ Community, from November 5th, 2023. The Rev. Taylor Hall explores and brings clarity to some of the commonly quoted verses in the Old and New Testaments. Join us next week for the conclusion to this series, when Pastor Taylor talks about History, Tradition, and being an …
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Intro, Why We Should Care, and Life & Love Before God: The Question of Biblical Authority
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Welcome to our 3-part mini-series on The Bible, Theology, and LGBTQ+ Community. In part 1, from October 29th, 2023, the Rev. Taylor Hall starts with a basic introduction, then explores "Why we should care" and "Life & Love Before God: The Question of Biblical Authority". Join us next week for part 2, when Pastor Taylor explores and brings clarity t…
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"We are imperfect people striving to live God’s love in the way of Jesus Christ." Join us as Pastor Taylor preaches this Reformation Sunday about FPCA's new Mission Statement, and how the Reformation wasn't a one-time thing. Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Matthew 22:34-46 Liturgist: Nelson Rabenold Preacher: The Rev. Taylor Hall…
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Conversations with a Skeptic: Who Needs the Church?
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Pastor Carter wraps up his "Conversations with a Skeptic" series with "Who Needs the Church?". It was preached on October 22, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 4:5-10, Colossians 3:12-17 Liturgist: Bob Martin Preacher: The Rev. Dr. W. Carter Lester, Jr.By FPC Allentown
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Conversations with a Skeptic: How Can You Rely on a Bible Which Has Such Disturbing Passages?
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Pastor Carter continues his "Conversations with a Skeptic" series with the penultimate sermon entitled "How Can You Rely on a Bible Which Has Such Disturbing Passages?". It was preached on October 15, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. Scripture Text: Psalm 119:97-105, 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Liturgist: Anne Ferrera Preacher: The Rev. Dr. W.…
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Conversations with a Skeptic: How Can You Believe in a Good God When There Is So Much Suffering in the World?
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Pastor Carter continues his "Conversations with a Skeptic" series with the third sermon entitled "How Can You Believe in a Good God When There Is So Much Suffering in the World?". It was preached on October 8, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. Scripture Text: Psalm 13, Romans 8:28, 31-35, 37-39 Liturgist: Debbie Palmer Preacher: The R…
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