Myerstown United Church of Christ

306 West Main Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067-1023 | Phone: (717) 866-5252 | Sunday Services: 8am, 10:30am

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Church Vision & Mission

Myerstown United Church of Christ is a vibrant community of faith that is host to the living Christ. We are trying to be real and honest about who we are. Our trust is that Jesus works with real people and transforms them into persons who reflect his image. As we are being transformed we are also looking for ways to impact the community and world with the message and love of Jesus Christ.

The Mission of our congregation is to RISE:

Relate to God through worship, prayer and study.

Invite others to be Christ’s disciples.

Serve Christ in the community and the world.

Encourage and support one another in the faith journey.

More information regarding the United Church of Christ, can be found at www.ucc.org.

From Our Pastor, Rev. Dr. Tom Lush

"What is your only comfort in life and in death?" is an important question at Myerstown United Church of Christ. This question expresses the level at which our daily lives and our Christian faith intersect. We see ourselves as pilgrims on a faith journey. Sometimes that journey is along the rough roads of difficult decisions, struggling relationships, serious illness and disillusioning events. Looking at the struggles of our lives and at the evil in the world we often ask, "Where is our comfort?" or "Who can help us?" The answer that gives us hope as it did for our ancestors in the faith over many centuries is this: "That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ." Our faith,

our hope, and our strength lies in our trust that we are claimed and loved by Jesus Christ. Because Christ is present with us, and at work in our lives, we have purpose in the present and hope for the future.

You are invited to join us in our faith journey of living with and for Jesus Christ. We are real people who are sometimes "messed-up" and we know that we live in a "messed-up" world. Our experience and belief confirm that Jesus is a real and reliable presence who reorders the messes and brings wholeness both to our lives and to the world.

Sacraments

We practice two Christian sacraments: baptism and Holy Communion. The sacraments are a visible sign of the invisible work of God in our lives.

Our tradition is to baptize infants. The baptism of the infant is the recognition that God is the primary actor in the work of salvation. God claims the child as God’s own. Parents model the faith journey of being Christ’s disciple. The congregation shares as the extended faith family in raising the child in the knowledge of God. At confirmation the child affirms the covenant with Christ and commits to listening to, and responding to, the Holy Spirit. Adults and children who are of the age of discernment who have not been baptized as infants are baptized on the profession of their faith.

Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of each month and on other special Sundays in the church year. We trust that Christ is present at the Communion table and that his life flows into our lives with true effect. That is, we believe that at

the Communion table we enter into a mystery whereby the living Christ impacts our lives in ways that are beyond our understanding. The method by which we receive this sacrament is pew communion on the first Sunday of each month and coming forward for intinction on all other Sundays. Communion is also frequently celebrated at mid-week vespers services where the method is always intinction. Visitors who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are welcome to share at the Table with us.

How We Work

Membership in the congregation is open to any baptized Christian who professes Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Those desiring to become members should worship, learn, and share with us over a period of time. Membership may then be explored by attending a class that is offered periodically by the pastor.

Our form of government is congregational which means that decisions are made by the vote of this congregation. An elected council of members meets monthly to conduct the business of the congregation and to ensure that the mission of the congregation is upheld. Various committees and tasks groups also assist in carrying out the mission of the congregation.

Church History

The church cornerstone was laid Good Friday, April 14, 1854. The building was completed and dedicated September 30, 1855.

German and English services were given until 1918. On Communion Sunday the morning worship was in German, the evening service in English.

An annex was built in 1900 and a three manual pipe organ was installed. The organ was the Roosevelt organ built for Robert H. Coleman, the Iron King.

Two new wings were added in 1919. In 1963, a west wing was added. Throughout the years additions and remodeling has been done to the building.

Throughout the church are displays, in various cabinets, of artifacts from the very beginning of the formation of the congregation. A quilt given to The Rev. Dr. Wolff, first resident pastor, from the congregation is on permanent display through the generosity of the Wolff Family. Books recording the earliest memories and transactions are in the archives, along with photos of confirmation classes and church activities.