Service of Healing Set For Tonight In Explosion Aftermath

Area clergy will hold a worship service for healing and hope tonight at 7 for the people and neighborhoods affected by last week’s gas explosion in Allentown.

 The service will be held at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 1421 Turner St., Allentown. It had been planned for the senior center at Gross Towers, but has been relocated in anticipation of a large turnout.

 Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski will have a role in the service. 

 Also, a time of testimony is planned to allow neighbors and first responders to share some of their experiences.

 At the end of the service, a “free will offering” will be collected; it will be directed to the relief fund established by KNBT Bank. 

 Those participating in tonight’s service include:

* St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 1421 Turner St. Allentown; the Rev. Maritza Torres Dolich, pastor.

* First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 Tilghman St., Allentown; the Rev. Tony Sundermeier, pastor and head of staff.

* Faith Evangelical Free Church, 6528 Hamilton St., Lower Macungie; Joe Henseler, senior pastor.

* Salem United Methodist Church, 1401 Linden St., Allentown; the Rev. James Anderman, pastor.

* New Bethany E.C. Church, 224 N. Sixth St., Allentown; the Rev. Gus Al-Khal, pastor.

 Many members of the churches reside in the neighborhood where last Wednesday's blast occurred. Five people were killed in the explosion on 13th Street in Allentown. Many families also were displaced in the ensuing fire, and several homes damaged. 

"Our hope is that by rallying around our neighbors who have lost loved ones; who have lost their homes; and who have lost a sense of security and peace, we can collectively move through this tragedy covered in God’s love and grace,” said Sundermeier in a prepared release.

Also, in the release, Dolich said: “Our goal is to bring people together so that we can present to God our deepest grief and heartache as well as our hope-filled longing for healing in the midst of this terrible tragedy.”