She was also able to use her love of music by playing in the Sunday Night Alive band, doing many duets with Gloria Snyder, playing for the Youth Club choirs under Gloria’s direction, and playing in a flute/harp/piano trio on Christmas Eve.


First Presbyterian Church members are living God’s love in all kinds of ways. Two of them are Mike and Gwen Loomis, who have been active in a variety of ministries. Here’s their story, in their own words.


We rejoined FPC Allentown about 12 years ago and quickly became involved again with our church family. Gwen joined several choirs (Chancel, Cantate Domino, and Opus Voce), and I served as elder, trustee, chair of a PNC, member of two Mission Study Groups and various committees.


Upon my return, I asked Jeff Aiken if it would be all right if I started a men’s small group ministry here, and he approved. With Steve Simmons’ help, the Saturday Men’s Group was started. An adult Sunday morning class was also started, as well as a Wednesday evening men’s group. When Tony Sundermeier arrived, we started the Wednesday morning Men’s Discipleship Group. Several annual men’s retreats and seminars were also organized.


Gwen quickly found that working with the high school youth was her passion, and she was involved with Sunday night fellowship, was a Youth Choir Tour chaperone, served as a Confirmation Class adviser, and has been to two work camps, along with many fall and winter retreats.


We also had the joy of hosting a high school Bible study group in our home once a week for five years, because several youth expressed a real desire for a Bible study of their own. We were happy to provide a place for this, and those nights are some of our most precious memories.


I am currently serving as a Stephen minister, helping those who are hurting by walking alongside them as they journey through their difficulties. I am blessed to be working with such a special group of other Stephen ministers. Gwen is a “sock angel,” providing many pairs of socks every month for Bill Townsend’s wonderful ministry for the homeless.


One of the many benefits of what we do is forming the relationships we have made in our church family. Trough Gwen’s experiences with the youth, she’s met many parents who have become good friends. I know that both of us feel that our faith has grown deeper through our service, and we have been blessed beyond measure with the relationships we have made. Serving in any capacity in our wonderful church certainly is a way to become rooted in our community!


“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with


whatever gift each of you has received.” —1 PETER 4:10


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