About
Us 
Worship at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 10:45 a.m. Sundays (in summer, 9:30 a.m.)
Blessing Bags
Volunteers have filled one-gallon storage bags with personal-care
items
plus a card with a prayer and the church's name and address. They
are
available in the lounge and in the social hall. They are to be
gifts to people
in need -- presented by you as a random act of kindness.
Take one or two of these bags
with you in your car. If you see someone
who seems down and out and needs a lift,
give him or her one of the
bags.
First Lutherans on an outing
A Summer Worship
Service Outdoors
First Lutheran Church serves
the Johnstown community from the heart of the city. Weekly worship
celebrations of Word and Sacrament are held Saturdays
at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:45 a.m. (at 9:30 a.m. June-August). The service is broadcast at 8 p.m.
Monday on Atlantic Broadband Cable Channel 9.
Our membership
comes from every geographical, social and economic dimension of Greater Johnstown.
This diversity both strengthens the church and provides leadership through
a broad range of community interests. Above all else we are God’s people,
responding to his call in Christ, dedicating our lives to Him.
As a faithful extension of the body of Christ, First Lutheran welcomes you to share the ministry of God's people.
An elevator and other facilities for the physically challenged were added, making the church barrier-free. Renovation continues as necessary to preserve the building and provide resources for ministry. A chapel was razed in 2013-14 because of deterioration and high maintenance costs. Members are contributing toward creation of a park in its place. The majestic Skinner 3,000-pipe organ was rededicated in 2013 after extensive renovation.
The commitment to
maintaining these facilities reveals the solid faith, dedication and stewardship
of our members. This stewardship extends beyond our own walls. First Lutheran
played major roles in the creation of Camp Sequanota in 1947 and the Allegheny
Lutheran Home in 1949.
Our
History
First
Lutheran Church was organized in 1832. The first building was dedicated
on Ascension Day in 1834. The present edifice was erected in 1922 after
a disastrous fire destroyed the previous building. The present structure
sustained damage in the floods of 1936 and 1977.
Congregation Council.
Front row, from left: Jennifer Hartland, Sally
Winder, Fawn Slonka,
Thomas Roberts (president), Blanche Cramer, Jody Kirk
(secretary); back row: Calvin Anderson,
James Hargreaves, Rob Abele, William
Hargreaves, Richard Schrott, Barry Critchfield (treasurer).
Below: Carol Allison (vice president),
right, during installation by Pastor Lynne.
Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and preparation for Ash Wednesday
Souper Bowl Sunday
Members
brought canned goods for the Allegheny
Lutheran Synod's
campaign to collect more than 40,000 items for needy
people.
Some of the kitchen crew for the New Day Thanksgiving dinner hosted by
First Lutheran.
Susan Dietz and
granddaughter Katie make mountain pies for a reception after a Sunday
morning church service.
Member contributions completely paid for dozens
of plants as memorials or honors in a newly created garden park.
Pastor Lynne and Bishop Michael
Lynne O’Shea
was installed as pastor of First Lutheran by Allegheny Synod Bishop
Michael Rhyne. Pastor Lynne is originally from Massachusetts and has two daughters and
several grandchildren in the Boston area.
Outing on the Ghost Town Trail, Dilltown
God's work, our hands
Members
of the congregation hold placards representing nonprofit
organizations for
which dozens of First Lutherans volunteer.