
Upcoming Events


UCC General Synod 35
35th Biennial General Synod of the UCC
July 11-15, 2025
Kansas City, Missouri & Live Stream
General Synod
General Synod is the national gathering of the United Church of Christ, where delegates from across the country, representing every UCC conference come together to meet, pray, worship, study, discuss, and vote on matters that effect our denomination.
Every two years, General Synod brings together faithful members of the United Church of Christ for inspirational worship, fellowship with friends (old and new), and public witness including through engagement with the business of the church.
In July 2025, we are excited to welcome thousands from across the country for General Synod 35 in Kansas City, Missouri – the barbecue capitol. Together, we will discern resolutions of witness, church structure, and function. We will celebrate our faith. And we will join in spirit-filled worship each day.
The Rev. Jennifer Butler
Keynote Speaker
The Rev. Jennifer Butler is a faith-based activist and author with a long history of working to build public attention for issues of faith and justice.
She is perhaps best known for her role in founding and leading the organization Faith in Public Life – a coalition of influential and diverse faith leaders that work toward a just, inclusive, and equitable country – from 2005 to 2022. Butler also currently serves as founder and executive director of Faith in Democracy, a new organization founded to organize a global response to autocracy and religious nationalism.
Click on this Keynote Speaker link for more information.
General Synod - Online
This General Synod 35 link will take you to the main page for General Synod information, where you will find:
+Live Stream link
+Resolutions
+Reports
+….and more



Evangelism & Church Growth Workshop
Free workshop open to all members, as we learn strategies for church growth

Faith Night at the Reading Phillies
Come on out to the ballgame and join us for a night of faith, fun, and fireworks!




Animal Crackers Vacation Bible School
Join us for day one of VBS!
Mon, Aug 4 to Fri, Aug 8


Knoebels Worship Service & Family Day
Knoebels Family Day
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Worship in the Church Sanctuary at 10:15 AM
Worship at Knoebels Amusement Part at 10:30 AM
Knoebels Family Day
Join us for a day full of faith, fun, and fellowship at the beautiful Knoebels Amusement Resort this August 10th! It's the perfect opportunity for the First UCC family to come together and enjoy a day that's as enriching as it is entertaining. We hope you will invite friends and family to share in the day. Here’s our plan for a fantastic day:
Event Schedule:
10:00 AM: Begin to arrive at the amusement park
10:30 AM: Worship Service at Pavilion Tent #4 (near the “Sklooosh” ride)
Start your day with us in a serene setting for an uplifting worship service.
11:15 AM: Luncheon
Join us right after the service for a luncheon at the Pavilion. It’s a great opportunity to relax, enjoy some delicious food, and chat with fellow church members.
12:00 Noon: Rides and Amusement
After lunch, the amusement park is yours to explore! Rides and concession stands open at 12:00noon, so you can enjoy everything Knoebels has to offer from thrilling roller coasters to family-friendly attractions.
The Water Park is open from 11:00AM to 6:00PM.
The Amusement Park closes at 8:00 PM.
Tickets for Youth
The Christian Education Committee is providing one $20.00 packet of tickets for each youth in our Sunday School and Youth Group who sign up by Sunday, August 3, 2025. The sign up sheet is on a table in the Auditorium (larger social hall); or you can sign up by contacting the church office; or signing up at a Youth Group meeting. Tickets will be handed out at the conclusion of worship at Knoebels, so you need to be present at the Knoebels worship service to receive your free packet of tickets.
We are receiving donations from the congregation for our youth activities fund to make these tickets available. For more information on sponsoring youth, please contact Lari Leiby or the church office.
More Details:
This is more than just a day out; it's a way to connect with each other outside the usual Sunday routine. We’re all about creating moments that bring us closer, and there’s no better place than Knoebels for a day of laughter and shared joy.
Where to Meet:
Knoebels Amusement Resort, 391 Knoebels Blvd, Elysburg, PA 17824
Pavilion Tent #4, Look for our signs near the Pavilions.
Worship in Hamburg in the Church Sanctuary
For those who would like to worship in Hamburg, we will still be having our regular 10:15 AM worship service in our church sanctuary this morning.
Pictures from previous years at Knoebels
















Rally Day & Blessing of Backpacks
Rally Day
Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday School & Worship
Holy Communion



World Communion Sunday
17th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday School / Bible Study & Worship


All Saints Sunday
21st Sunday after Pentecost
Prayerfully Remembering the Saints of Our Church
Sunday School / Bible Study & Worship











Youth Group Meeting
Youth Group Meeting
Sunday, June 1, 2025
6:00pm-8:00pm
Meet in Land Hall (smaller social hall)
Registration for the June 13-15 Patriot Days Encampment is due by our Sunday, June 1, 2025 meeting. At the beginning of this meeting we will be going over finalized details for the encampment.
Our Youth Group generally meets in the church's smaller social hall (i.e. Land Hall) two Sundays a month at 6:00pm.
The entrance to Land Hall are the doors closest to the church's parking lot (near the handicap parking spaces).
For more information about our youth group, please contact Mandy Zerr, Tom Seaman, Pastor Ben Motz, or the church office.

Ascension Sunday
7th Sunday of Easter
Paschal Christ Candle
Sunday School, Bible Study, & Worship





Fifth Sunday of Easter
New Commandment - Love One Another
Sunday School, Bible Study, & Worship


Good Shepherd Sunday
4th Sunday of Easter
Mother’s Day & Festival of the Christian Home
Sunday School / Bible Study & Worship



Youth Group Meeting
Youth Group Meeting
Sunday, May 4, 2025
6:00pm-8:00pm
Meet in Land Hall (smaller social hall)
Our Youth Group generally meets in the church's smaller social hall (i.e. Land Hall) two Sundays a month at 6:00pm.
The entrance to Land Hall are the doors closest to the church's parking lot (near the handicap parking spaces).
For more information about our youth group, please contact Mandy Zerr, Tom Seaman, Pastor Ben Motz, or the church office.

Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday School / Bible Study & Worship
Prayers of Remembrance for Marian Jane Novotnak, Jean Weller, & Edward W. Van Wert


Holy Humor Sunday
Childlike vs Childish Faith
2nd Sunday of Easter
Sunday School / Bible Study & Worship
