Dear Community of FPCA
Do you dispute with God? Do you have a personal opinion about what you believe God is doing in the world that is argumentative? I think if you answered “yes” to that question you would not be alone. We are sentient beings, aware of spiritual things in the world, and have definite opinions about how things are going. I have found myself rather dismayed about certain situations, and wondered if God might have intervened to make things more equitable, merciful, loving or just. After all, isn’t God able to make things right when we cannot? Why do bad things happen to good people? Do good people always suffer because of entanglement with bad people?
As both Pastor Stephanie and Pastor Taylor will be away this Sunday, I will be leading worship and preaching on the third part of our summer series, “Disputing with God.” This week we contemplate the significance of Abraham as the patriarch chosen by God to initiate the covenant, the promise of God’s blessing to all the world. In this section, God considers, and takes responsibility for, the possible destruction of people living in two nearby towns, seemingly in direct opposition to the promise of blessing. Discussion between God and Abraham contemplates ideas of sovereignty, wickedness, mercy and righteousness, revealing the character of God in the exchange. Come on Sunday to listen and think about how a dispute with God reveals an honest, deeply engaged relationship that is good for humanity.
See you in church!
Minister for Pastoral Care
Watch LIVE on Sunday, or find recent worship services here!
English Language Worship
Kathryn Foster, preaching
Livestreamed & In-Person
8:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Scripture: Genesis 18:16-33
Special Music: Marilyn D’Agostino
Arabic Language Worship
Elias Hazim, preaching
Livestreamed & In-Person
9:50 a.m.
Chin Burmese Language Worship
Abraham Pa Cawi, preaching
In-Person – 12:30 p.m.
We Give Because Christ First Gave to Us
We give to support the ministries of First Presbyterian Church Allentown because we cannot imagine our lives without the life changing experiences that happen here.