St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Allentown, continues to put the “WOW” in mid-week worship service.

“WOW,” as in “Worship On Wednesdays,” is a long-running outdoor worship service held during June, July and August in the St. Timothy Church Worship Center pavilion, across the street from St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 140 S. Ott St., Allentown.

The sun shone brightly as the service began at 6:45 p.m. July 8 with music by the praise band, The Blend from The Barn Faith Community, which holds services at 2132 S 12th St., Suite 203, Allentown.

The week’s community organization charity recipient was Family Promise of Lehigh Valley with its Executive Director Roslyn Kuba saying to the crowd, “Our goal is to make sure every child has a home.”

The sermon, “The Family of God,” given by the Rev. Dr. Joanne Marchetto, Pastor of The Barn, included a Bible reading from Acts 8:26-39. “Family is what gives us a sense of community,” Rev. Marchetto said.

The program included prayer and those attending sang along to hymns and contemporary gospel music played and sung by The Blend.

“We’ve been doing this for over 10 years,” Rick Focht, St. Timothy Church “WOW” coordinator, told a reporter for Lehigh Valley Press. “We have a different music group each week,” said Focht.

“It’s to connect with our community,” St. Timothy Church Pastor Maritza Torres Dolich said to The Press.

The 7 p.m. July 15 “WOW” was to feature the Union Lutheran Praise Time, Schnecksville, with speaker Pastor Gordon Camp. The community organization benefit was The Mule Community Cabinet at Muhlenberg College.

The 7 p.m. July 22 “WOW” features Marked by Grace, St. Mark Lutheran, Allentown, with speaker Pastor Brian Riedy, Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church. The community organization benefit is Church Hunger Ministry, Catasauqua.

The 7 p.m. July 29 “WOW” features Worship Team, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Allentown, with speaker Rector Dale Grandfield. The community organization benefit is Refugee Community Center.

The 7 p.m. Aug. 5 “WOW” features the JCS Band, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, with speaker Pastor Maritza Torres Dolich. The community organization benefit is Second Harvest Food Bank.

The 7 p.m. Aug.12 “WOW” features the Grace Notes Gospel Big Band, with speaker Pastor Bud Daneker. The community organization benefit is Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank.

In the event of inclement weather, the program is held in St. Timothy Church.

Information: https://sttimothylc.org/