Free Community Sausage & Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9-11am

More info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/free-...

The Children’s Sermon

The lector reading the scriptures

The acolyte extinguishing the candles

Pastor Ben preaching

Even if our prayers aren’t always answered the way we think they should be, God is always there. He never abandons us.

You can watch this morning’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=lN1N...

#SundayService #ThirdSundayOfEaster #UCC #HamburgPA

Hamburg Mayor George Holmes cutting the ribbon to signify a new beginning for our church

As Pastor Ben’s Installation is a new beginning for our church, we held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the end of the service. Thank you to the Honorable George Holmes, Mayor of Hamburg, for cutting the ribbon.

#InstallationService #UCC #HamburgPA

Pastor Ben during the Rite of Installation

Consistory President Cindy Adams giving a speech

All of the Clergy who were present at today’s service

The Rev. Joseph Motz offering the sermon

This afternoon, Pastor Ben was officially installed as the minister of our church. We are so excited that he is here and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for our church!

You can watch this afternoon’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=pZyu...

#InstallationService #UCC #HamburgPA

Today we celebrated Holy Humor Sunday with a theme of “Jesus by the Seashore.” The congregation was encouraged to wear their best looks for the boardwalk. There were jokes and decorations galore!

You can watch today’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=HA9s...

#HolyHumorSunday #HamburgPA #UCC

Holy Humor Sunday
“Jesus By the Seashore”

Sunday, April 12 at 10:15am

More at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/holy-...

Holy Humor Sunday

Sunday, April 12 at 10:15am come casually dressed for our “Jesus By the Seashore” themed Holy Humor Sunday, as we hear about Jesus appearing to the disciples along the shore of Galilee after the resurrection.

More at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/holy-...

‘It’s time for the church to be courageous’: Minnesota Conference lawsuit gains clergy access to those detained by ICE - United Church of Christ On Friday, a federal district court ruled that faith leaders must be granted entry into the Whipple Federal Building near Minneapolis to offer pastoral

📰 A lawsuit filed on behalf of MN Conference UCC and others has successfully granted faith leaders access to those who have been detained by ICE and are being held in the Whipple Building outside of Minneapolis.

👉🏾 Read more in UCC News: https://ow.ly/p6Z650YEsy0

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Meet the Nominee. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Ahead of the special meeting of General Synod Thirty-five which will take place on May 9, this is an opportunity to meet the nominee for the position Associate General Minister, Love of Church. General Synod Assistant Moderator Susan Cartmell and Search Committee Chair Rev. Cean James will introduce the nominee, Rev. Jennifer Sowell, who will then offer some remarks. The majority of the time is dedicated for Q&A with the nominee.

🙏🏾 Join us for a "Meet the Nominee" virtual event ahead of the special meeting of General Synod 35 (on May 9th).

✨ The nominee for Associate General Minister, Love of Church, Rev. Jennifer Sowell, will offer some remarks, followed by time for Q&A.

👇🏾 Register

The decorations are beginning to go up, as we get ready for Holy Humor Sunday.

Check out all the decorations, experience the humor, and grow in faith on Sunday, April 12 at 10:15am.

More info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/holy-...

#UCC #UnitedChurchOfChrist #HamburgPA #HolyHumorSunday

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The ribbon and scissors are ready for Sunday afternoon's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/insta...

The communion table with the lily cross in the background

The children competing in the egg-cellent Olympics during Sunday School

The cross with flowers in front

Happy Easter to all! It was a blessing to worship with all of you today.

You can watch the recording from our 10:15 AM service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=BLjd...

#EasterSunday #UCC #HamburgPA #SundayService

Wooden cross adorned with small white flowers beside text wishing a joyful Easter and proclaiming Christ is risen on a light blue background.

🙌🏾 Happy Easter!

Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!
May this Easter bring joy, hope & fresh inspiration.

He is risen! At our sunrise service, we lit the Paschal Candle and brought the light of Christ back into the Sanctuary. If you couldn’t join us at sunrise, we hope you’ll join us at our 10:15 am service. Happy Easter!

#EasterSunday #SunriseService #UCC #HamburgPA

Installation of the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Motz as the New Pastor of First UCC in Hamburg will be on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00pm

RSVP by Mon, Apr 6 at 610-562-2593 or Office@HamburgFirstUCC.org to help us prepare sufficient food for the fellowship time.

Details: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/insta...

Members of St. John’s Lutheran Church who participated in the Cross Walk

The Cross Walk making its way through town

Participants in the Cross Walk

Participants in the Cross Walk

Thank you to all who attended the Northern Berks Ministerium’s Cross Walk and Good Friday service. One of the joys of the Lenten season is coming together to worship as a community.

You can stream yesterday’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=C6R-...

#GoodFridayService #CrossWalk #HamburgPA

First UCC Hamburg, PA
Sunday, April 5
6:30AM - Easter Sunrise Worship
9:00AM - free continental breakfast
9:00AM - Easter activities for children and youth
10:15AM - Easter Worship Service

On April 12, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, we will be celebrating Holy Humor Sunday at 10:15AM

A group of people with a large wooden cross in front of First UCC.

A group of people with a large wooden cross in front of St. John's Lutheran Church.

Good Friday - April 3, 2026

Cross Walk at 11:00am
Worship Service at 12:00noon

We invite you to join us as we carry a wooden cross through the streets of Hamburg, in witness, remembrance, and thanksgiving of Christ carrying the cross to Calvary.

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

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser - Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 8-11am at First UCC to help the Hoffert family, whose home was destroyed in a fire.

Breakfast is $10 per person. There will be raffle baskets available and baskets are being accepted.

More info: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/fire-...

Altar with black paraments and candles

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:30pm

We begin in the social hall with a light meal and worship, followed by Holy Communion. We conclude worship with a Service of Tenebrae in the sanctuary.

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

Picture of altar prepared for Tenebrae

Holy Week, Easter, & Holy Humor Sunday

Thursday, April 2
Maundy Thursday - 6:30pm

Friday, April 3
Good Friday - 11:00am

Sunday, April 5
Easter Sunrise Worship Service - 6:30am
Continental Breakfast - 9:00am
Youth Activities - 9:00am
Easter Worship - 10:15am

Sunday, April 12
Holy Humor - 10:15am

Today we held a collection for One Great Hour of Sharing.

During the Sunday School hour, the children got to put their donations in a special bank that was designed and built by members of the congregation. A good time was had by all and we raised money for a really great cause!

#OGHS #HamburgPA

Pastor Ben blessing the palms

The baptism

The children’s choir singing

The acolyte lighting the candles

It was a busy Palm Sunday at First UCC! We had the traditional blessing of the palms, a baptism, and the children’s choir sang.

You can watch today’s service here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y60T...

#PalmSunday #HolyWeek #SundayService #UCC #HamburgPA

Palm Sunday - March 29, 2026

9am - Adult Bible Study and Youth Sunday School

10:15am - Worship - with: Children's Choir, Infant Baptism, OGHS Disaster Relief Aid Ministry, & Blessing of the Palms, with everyone being able to take a blessed Palm branch home

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/palm-...

The Children’s Sermon

Pastor Ben giving the sermon

The Children’s Sermon

The lector reading the announcements

On the fifth Sunday of Lent, our New Testament lesson was John 11: 1-45, the story of Lazarus. Tears are a sign of great love. Great love brings great grief. Every life is precious in God’s sight.

You can watch the service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=IWw-...

#UCC #SundayService #HamburgPA

The 2026 Climate Hope Art Contest - United Church of Christ Last year's winning artwork register your church For the fourth straight year, we are conducting a Climate Hope Art Contest. The theme this year is “A

⏰ Reminder: The Climate Hope Art Contest is open for entries until March 20th!

🎨 Children and youth are invited to create art inspired by “A Future with Hope.” Submit your drawing, painting, or coloring!

Learn more: www.ucc.org/the-uccs-2026-climate-ho...

The acolyte lighting the candles

The children’s sermon

Pastor Ben preaching

The choir singing

On this Laetare Sunday (the fourth Sunday in Lent), Pastor Ben taught that we should show God’s love, grace, inclusion, and hope when faced with challenges, differences, and imperfections.

You can watch today’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=bVCA...

#FourthSundayInLent #HamburgPA #UCC

Guest preacher Mrs. Kathy Jachowski giving the sermon

The children’s sermon

The church choir

The lector reading announcements

On this third Sunday in Lent, we were joined by guest preacher Mrs. Kathy Jachowski. At the well, Jesus teaches us how to see as grace sees. May we learn to see as Christ sees.

You can watch today’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=cR0x...

#UCC #SundayService #ThirdSundayInLent #HamburgPA

Pastor Ben giving the sermon near a prop campfire

The Children’s Sermon

The Lector reading announcements

Communion

We apologize to anyone who experienced technical difficulties while watching our service this morning. The sound starts at 15:27 in the recording. We hope you’ll join us for the 2nd part of the service!

You can watch here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=PUPJ...

#UCC #SundayService #Lent #HamburgPA

Staying Awake in the Garden of Gethsemane - Afternoon Lenten Worship Service - Thurs, Feb 26, 2026 YouTube video by First Reformed UCC Hamburg PA

Staying Awake in the Garden of Gethsemane

You can view this special Thursday afternoon Northern Berks Ministerium community Lenten worship service at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFUR...