First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA

Pastor pouring wine from the flagon into the chalice

Children in front of the chancel rail singing the Hokey Pokey in the church sanctuary, being led by an adult in the church pew.

Choir singing in the choir loft

Pastor welcoming us to the Lord's Table for Holy Communion.

World Communion Sunday -- the Hokey Pokey -- being One as the Body of Christ -- Lord Increase Our Faith -- prayers around the world -- wonderful choir

If you missed any of that, hear & view it again at: youtu.be/erzMm-WYjiQ?...

#UnitedChurchOfChrist #WorldCommunion #Worship #HokeyPokey #Hamburg

YouTube video by United Church of Christ World Communion Sunday - Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson

🌍 Today we celebrate World Communion Sunday, a day where we lift up our diversity and connection through faith with churches around the world!

🙌🏾 Enjoy this special message from Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, GMP/CEO, UCC.

with: @globalministries.bsky.social

youtu.be/JSDjga-JuNw?...

This year's celebration will include prayers from Christian churches throughout the world.

At a time when so much seeks to divide us, we come to the table that unites, the Lord's Table, as we celebrate with Christians throughout the world, in our oneness in Christ, on Worldwide Communion Sunday on October 5, 2025 at 10:15am.

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/world...

First UCC is now offering a new secure online giving feature!

Create a log-in by Friday, October 31, 2025 and be entered into a drawing for a 1787 Restaurant gift card.

To create a log-in go to: secure.myvanco.com/L-ZXAW/home

Learn more about this new option at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/donate-1

CROP Walk — First Reformed United Church of Christ, Hamburg, PA Help Fight Local and World Wide Hunger

The CROP Walk to fight hunger (on Sunday, Oct 12)
is just around the corner, sign up to support our CROP Walk Team today.

We are tentatively planning on providing team t-shirts for those who sign up by Oct 5 (remember to provide your shirt size).

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/crop-...

Youth on High Ropes Course

Youth on High Ropes Course

Youth on High Ropes Course zipline

Two of our Youth Group's adult leaders ascending the climbing wall.

A great time was had by all, as our Youth Group participated on the High Ropes Course, Zipline, Cube, and Climbing Wall at Blue Mountain.

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/high-...

#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #Hamburg #Zipline #HighRopes #YouthGroup

Sanctuary decorated for Harvest Home

Wheelbarrow in front of a cross with harvest home decorations.

Harvest Home

Thank you to everyone who donated food and funds to help fight local hunger. Thank you to all who decorated, and thank you to all who are helping to deliver the food donations.

Details at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/pent-...

Youth about to begin to play music

Children's sermon taking place on the chancel steps

Choir singing in the choir loft with pianist playing

Pastor preaching with Harvest Home decorations and donations of food.

God Is My Help on Harvest Home Sunday

Thank you to everyone who donated food & funds to help fight hunger.

If you missed worship, listen to the wonderful music of Madelyn, Bennett, Ana, & the choir, and sermons from Ann Marie & Pastor Ben by clicking on this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11UP...

A photo of the outside of the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. with people entering and exiting.

Bus Trip to Washington D.C.

First UCC is organizing a bus trip to visit the Holocaust Museum.

Seating is limited based on the capacity of the bus. Registration is due by Oct 10

Details at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/holoc...

#HamburgPA #HolocaustMuseum #UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC

Pastor sitting on the chancel steps with children for the children's sermon in front of the Lord's Table. The pastor is holding a wallet in one hand and a handful of cash in the other.

The Last Worship Service of the Summer

"Which would you rather have, a handful of money or friends?"
Hear more at: youtu.be/eFsmZjbCfjU?...

#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #ChristianWorship #Hamburg #Stewardship

A group of people standing in front of the Helping Harvest van at the 2024 Crop Walk

CROP Walk
Sunday, October 12, 2025 at Gring's Mill

Join and/or support our CROP Walk Team to help fight local and worldwide hunger.

Click on this link to join our First UCC Team: events.crophungerwalk.org/crophungerwa...

Click on this link for more info: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/crop-...

High Ropes Course — First Reformed United Church of Christ, Hamburg, PA Youth Group High Ropes Course

High Ropes Course

Our Youth Group is going to the High Ropes Course at the Blue Mountain Ski Resort on Sunday, September 28.

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/high-...

Harvest Home — First Reformed United Church of Christ, Hamburg, PA Harvest Home 16th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday School / Bible Study & Worship

Harvest Home

We are celebrating Harvest Home on Sunday, September 28 during the 10:15am worship service. Bring your nonperishable food items on or before September 28.

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/pent-...

Photo of teens from the youth group in front of a red barn

Youth Group

This Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 6:00PM

Details at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/youth...

Bingo

Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 2:00PM

Pre-registration is strongly recommended as spots are limited.

Details at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/bingo...

🕯️ "The UCC strongly condemns acts of violence, & continues to call for a renewal of civil discourse in our communities. We mourn with those who mourn, longing for a time when violence shall no more be heard in our land..."

-Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, GMP, UCC

👉🏾 Full statement: bit.ly/3JZFfUO

A prayer for peace

You can find and share Prayers for Peace on the UCC website at: www.ucc.org/all-prayers-...

This Sunday is Just Peace Sunday: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/pent-...

Candle

9/11 Prayer posted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Prayerfully Remembering 9/11

Father Mychal Judge, Roman Catholic priest, NY Fire Dept chaplain, & the first known casualty on 9/11, recited this prayer daily:

"Lord, take me where you want me to go.
Let me meet who you want me to meet.
Tell me what you want me to say,
And keep me out of your way."

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: What's Next Series: Remember Yourself as a Sacred Creator. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. This series began prior to the 2024 election cycle and is designed to help educate us around the big questions of our faith. To live into the Still Speaking G-d, we are the embodiment of who and what ...

🖼️ Join poet, artist, and Creative Formation practitioner, Ally Markotich, as she shares her story coming back to creativity.

🎨 Bring a pencil and some color (markers, colored pencils or paint) as Ally guides us through a simple 4-step visual prayer process to awaken insight.

👇🏾 Register:

'Strength is at the table': PA UCC churches celebrate 300th anniversary of German Reformed communion - United Church of Christ This year marks the milestone 300-year anniversary of a predecessor tradition of the United Church of Christ. In 1725, the German Reformed Church held its

This is the 300th anniversary of the German Reformed Church, a predecessor tradition of the UCC.

“The first communion reminds us that the church’s strength has never been in numbers, wealth, or power. Its strength is at the table.” –Rev. Bill Worley, PA Southeast Conf. Minister

👇🏾 bit.ly/47wquCP

Children sitting on the sanctuary floor with the pastor while receiving a blessing for them and their backpacks.

Children sitting on the floor in the sanctuary listening to the children's sermon.

Choir members singing in the choir loft.

The pastor pouring wine into the chalice during Holy Communion.

This morning we shared in: Rally Day, the Blessing of the Backpacks, Grandparents Day Prayer, Choir Singing, Children's Message, Sermon "Pick Up My What?", and Holy Communion.

You can still hear the message and the prayers on our YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNZ0...

300th Anniversary of the First Communion to be served in a Reformed Church in the New World - the beginnings of what is now the United Church of Christ

Saturday, Sept 20, 2025 at 1:00pm at Falkner Swamp UCC in Gilbertsville

Details: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/300th...

Evangelism & Church Growth Workshop — First Reformed United Church of Christ, Hamburg, PA Free workshop open to all members, as we learn strategies for church growth

Evangelism & Church Growth Workshop - tomorrow - Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 6:00pm.

More details at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/evang...

Remembering Beth Heckart — First Reformed United Church of Christ, Hamburg, PA Saturday, September 6, 2025 9:00AM - Visitation 10:30AM - Funeral

In loving memory of our sister in faith, Beth A. Heckart

Saturday, Sept 6
Visitation at 9:00AM
Memorial Service at 10:30AM

At Leibensperger Funeral Home in Hamburg

Details at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/beth-...

God of Hope and Healing, We pray that your comforting presence is felt by those in Afghanistan and the surrounding area who are mourning immense loss caused by the Earth's unsettledness. Let your guiding love move the world to action in collective care. May the world know your restorative, jubilant promise of tomorrow's light. In hope and healing, we pray, Amen.

🙏🏾 We pray that your comforting presence is felt by those in Afghanistan and the surrounding area who are mourning immense loss caused by the Earth's unsettledness.

In hope and healing, we pray, Amen.

YouTube video by First Reformed UCC Hamburg PA "All Invited to God's Banquet" - Sunday Morning Worship 10:15am August 31, 2025

Did you hear the awesome music shared by Liz and James this past Sunday?

If not, you can still hear their music and experience the rest of the worship service on our YouTube channel by clicking on this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0ZK...

Goats on green grass with chairs within a pen.

The Hamburger Festival is happening today! Back by popular demand, the snuggling goats are here!

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/hambu...

Come visit us today during the Hamburger Fest! We are serving up our famous Hamburgerr Barbeque!

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/hambu...

Read Rev. Shari Prestemon's reflection "Remembering Hurricane Katrina 20 Years Later:" www.ucc.org/remembering-...

with: @globalministries.bsky.social