CONTENTS 2


3 4 5


6 8


9


Calendar of Events Pastoral Reflections Living God’s Love


Guide to Greening Creation


Youth Choir Tour


Barker Society Celebrates


New Church School Model


10 Playground Update 11 Q&A: Roger Drayer


Got an Idea for Tidings? Tidings bears witness to the ministries of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, offering stories and perspective on our efforts to live God’s love for the common good of our community and the world.


Got a story idea that illuminates how the Spirit moves in our congregation? Contact Rich Laliberte at tidings@fpcallentown.org.


For other inquiries about Tidings, please contact Caley Oels in the church office, at 610-395-3781, ext. 11, or caley.oels@fpcallentown.org.


On the cover: Participants in First Presbyterian Allentown’s Youth Choir Tour to Boston gather at First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, Conn., where the choir sang during worship.


Back cover: Te church is distinguished by its walls of stained glass and exterior lines that many interpret as fish shaped, lending the building the nickname “Fish Church,” though the choir was told the architect didn’t intend a fish theme, just a modern design.


2


10–14 15


16–22 18


20


Calendar of Events


July 2017 4


5


Independence Day Church building and office closed


High School Mission Morning (Wednesdays throughout summer)


Vacation Bible School Yard Sale


High School Work Camp


Middle School Mission Morning (Tuesdays throughout summer)


Story Time in the Garden (Thursdays throughout summer)


August 2017 4–6 12


13 18


High School Beach Retreat


End-of-Summer Youth Ministry Celebration


Children’s End-of-Summer Celebration


Tween Pool Party


Did you know a Presbyterian Signed the Declaration of Independence?


John Witherspoon, minister and educator, arrived in Princeton in 1768 to be president of the College of New Jersey. A delegate to the Continental Congress, he was the only active minister to sign the Declaration of Independence, 1776. —The Presbyterian Historical Society www.history.pcusa.org


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