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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Pastor Ben giving the sermon from Hawk Mountain
Ethan reading the opening prayer from a field
Pastor Ben preaching from Hawk Mountain
James reading the scriptures
Pastor Ben took the opportunity presented by the snow day to preach about the Sermon on the Mount from Hawk Mountain!
Thanks to all who participated!
You can watch today’s snow day service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=uyhu...
#SundayService #SermonOnTheMount #UCC #HamburgPA #HawkMountain
The imposition of ashes
The imposition of ashes
The imposition of ashes
The children’s sermon
At tonight’s Ash Wednesday service, Pastor Ben shared the message that while we fell short of God’s Will for us over the past year, God chooses to respond with grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness.
You can watch tonight’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=vthB...
#AshWednesday #UCC #HamburgPA
Our new members, Paula, Kelsey, Adam, Herbert, and Emma Jean, joining the Church
Pastor Ben after accepting the call to become our full-time Pastor
The Children’s Sermon
The Church Choir
It was an exciting Transfiguration Sunday at First UCC! The congregation voted to call the Rev. Dr. Ben D. Motz to be our full-time Pastor and he accepted! We also welcomed five new members!
You can watch today’s service here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQpa...
#TransfigurationSunday #UCC #HamburgPA
Ordaining new Elders and Consistory members
Ordaining new Elders and Consistory members
Pastor Ben giving the sermon
The children’s sermon
After all the snow, it was wonderful to be able to come together to worship this morning! During the service, Pastor Ben ordained our new elders and deacons.
You can watch today’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=iI0A...
#UCC #SundayService #HamburgPA #UnitedChurchofChrist
Pastor Ben teaching why we burn the palms
Pastor Ben demonstrating the burning of the palms
Pastor Ben demonstrating the burning of the palms
Pastor Ben demonstrating the burning of the palms
This morning during Sunday School, Pastor Ben explained why we burn last year’s Palm Sunday palms to make the ashes for this year’s Ash Wednesday worship service. Pastor Ben and Sunday School attendees braved the cold so he could demonstrate the process.
#UCC #SundaySchool #Palms #HamburgPA
Lighting the candles
Children’s sermon
Children’s sermon
Children’s sermon
On this first Sunday after Epiphany, Pastor Ben shared that Jesus fully walks with us and demonstrated to the children how sin makes a mess using items from his refrigerator.
You can watch today’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=BzOj...
#UCC #worshipservice #HamburgPA
Children’s sermon
The youth presented a skit about the Three Wise Men
Pastor Ben reciting the Gospel
The church choir
On Epiphany Sunday, Pastor Ben shared a message about New Year’s resolutions and our continued growth within our faith. The youth also shared a skit about the Three Wise Men.
You can watch the service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=73Ch...
#EpiphanySunday #WorshipService #HamburgPA #UCC
Pastor Ben sharing “The Legend of Christmas Tinsel”
Kaliannah O’Reilly singing “What A Wonderful World”
The Church Choir singing
The lector reading
On the first Sunday after Christmas, Pastor Ben shared “The Legend of Christmas Tinsel” and Kaliannah O’Reilly sang “What A Wonderful World.”
You can watch yesterday’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iyx...
#UCC #Christmas #SundayService #HamburgPA #UnitedChurchofChrist
The choir performing while the candles were lit
Lighting the Advent Candles
Pastor Ben reciting the Good News
Pastor Ben reading “The Crippled Lamb” by Max Lucado
At our first Christmas Eve service, Pastor Ben recited the New Testament Gospel and shared the story of “The Crippled Lamb” by Max Lucado.
We hope to see you at our 11 PM service. You can also watch the 7 PM service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=q8GM...
#UCC #ChristmasEve #HamburgPA
Last night we held our 70th Annual Candlelight Service. To celebrate this special anniversary, Candlebearers from years past returned to help us share the light of Christ.
You can watch last night’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=uRLR...
#UCC #candlelightservice #HamburgPA #Christmas
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we lit the candles for joy and love. It was with great joy and love that we watched as the Children & Youth performed their Christmas Program.
You can watch today’s service at: m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx-F...
#UCC #FourthSundayofAdvent #HamburgPA #SundayService
The lighting of the Peace candle, the second candle of Advent
Two new members joining the church
The children’s sermon
Extinguishing the candles
On this second Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle for peace and welcomed two new members to our church family!
You can watch today’s service at: m.youtube.com/watch?v=9pFX...
#UCC #SecondSundayofAdvent #HamburgPA #SundayWorship #UnitedChurchofChrist
Inviting you to worship with us on the 2nd Sunday of Advent at First UCC in Hamburg.
Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 10:15am.
Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/adven...
#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #HamburgPA #Advent
This morning we lit the first candle in our Advent wreath as we are reminded this season to prepare for the threefold coming of Christ.
Hear the music and this morning's messages at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=411D...
#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #FirstSundayOfAdvent #HamburgPA #SundayWorship
Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service
Wednesday, November 26 at 7:00pm
In-Person & Live Streamed
Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/thank...
#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #HamburgPA #Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingEveWorship
Crown of Thorns to Crown of Righteousness on Christ the King Sunday
The sanctuary was alive with music, with a wonderful prelude, choir anthem, & offertory; & remembering Jutta with a bell ringing tribute.
Go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC2a...
#UCC #UnitedChurchOfChrist #HamburgPA #ChristTheKing
Thank you to everyone who helped make our annual Christmas Bazaar so awesome this year!
We had a terrific turnout, wonderful vendors, delicious treats, and great fellowship.
www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/chris...
#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #HamburgPA #ChristmasBazaar
