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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 16m

To give credit to the photographer, the second photo is by Jerome Palmer.

First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 43m

To give credit to the photographer, the first photo in the above was taken by David Bacon. His original article and photo can be found at: www.facebook.com/share/p/15SX...

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Reposted by First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA

First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 6h

Inviting your prayers for Rev. Jorge Bautista, a UCC pastor hospitalized after being shot in the face by a "pepper round" at close range, while peacefully protesting.

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Minister & President of the UCC posted a response at:
www.facebook.com/share/p/14NV...

Photo of border agent shooting UCC pastor, the Rev. Jorge Bautista in the face with a "pepper round", while peacefully protesting.
Photo credit: David Bacon

Photo of border agent shooting UCC pastor, the Rev. Jorge Bautista in the face with a "pepper round", while peacefully protesting.

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 6h

🙏

Reposted by First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA

United Church of Christ @unitedchurch.bsky.social · 6h

“The escalation of aggression against peaceful protestors is another reflection of the cruelty & lack of regard this current administration has for the constitution & law. No one is safe from tyranny.”

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

Photo credit: David Bacon

Photo of a border patrol officer shooting pepper spray at the face of a peacefully protesting UCC clergy member. Photo by David Bacon.

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 6h

Inviting your prayers for Rev. Jorge Bautista, a UCC pastor hospitalized after being shot in the face by a "pepper round" at close range, while peacefully protesting.

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Minister & President of the UCC posted a response at:
www.facebook.com/share/p/14NV...

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 23h

Youth Group

Next meeting this Sunday, October 26 at 6pm

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

Photo from our Youth Group's High Ropes Course adventure at the Blue Mountain Resort

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 2d

We are inviting candy donations for our Halloween Trunk or Treat (Oct 30 & 31). You can bring candy this Sunday or during office hours.

If you are bringing a decorated vehicle, let us know ahead of time, so we can plan a space on the lot.

Thank you for your support in our community outreach.

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 2d

Congratulations!

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Reposted by First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA

United Church of Christ @unitedchurch.bsky.social · 2d

🎉 Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC's GMP, elected as the next president of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) at its 27th General Council!

Delegates elect Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson as WCRC president - WCRC

On Wednesday, about 400 delegates to the World Communion of Reformed Churches’ 27th General Council elected the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, general minister and president of the United Church of ...

wcrc.eu

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 3d

Reformation Sunday - October 26, 2025

During 10:15am worship we will be celebrating our Reformation roots.

During 9:00am "Coffee, Tea, & Thee" Bible study we will be looking at the roots of Halloween & All Saints Day

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/wired...

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/refor...

Trunk or Treat - Frankenstein's Monster & Bride

First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 5d

Evangelism & Church Growth Workshop - Monday, October 20, 2025 at 6:00pm

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

Youth & adults posing for a picture, standing on the chancel steps in the sanctuary

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 5d

First UCC and St. John's Lutheran of Hamburg, PA are teaming up to offer a free community meal with wonderful desserts at St. John's, 99 Church St, Hamburg, PA on Sunday, Oct 19, 2025 from 4-6pm.

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/free-...

#HamburgPA #UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #LutheranChurch

An awesome spread of wonderful desserts, being served by caring, helping people

Church members lovingly serving delicious meatball sandwiches

Church members helpfully serving an assortment of sides

The pastors of our two churches: Pastor Ben Motz of First UCC and Pastor Mark Jensen of St. John's Lutheran Church

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 5d

Unfortunately, we had technical difficulties with our live stream this morning, requiring a reboot near the beginning of the worship service, which resulted in about 10-15 minutes of the beginning of worship not being recorded. Our apologies to those joining us virtually.

First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 5d

Welcome New Members

This morning we welcomed 9 new members into the faith & family of Frist UCC.

We heard the parable of the "unjust judge," a message on moral reasoning, doing what is good, right, & just, & persisting in prayer.

Pastor Ben gave kids candy brains.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=97pf...

Pastor Ben showing youth a Bible during the children's sermon

Choir singing in the choir loft, with Ana on the piano

A picture of the church chancel with nine Bibles and nine membership certificates on a table ready to be handed out to our new members

Pastor Ben offering the Benediction from the chancel

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 8d

Update: There are now 9 new members planning to join the church on Sun, Oct 19! We look forward to welcoming each of you into membership!

First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 9d

Thank you to everyone who walked in the CROP Hunger Walk this past Sunday to help fight local & worldwide hunger. Thank you for your donations, totalling $380 for our team so far.

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/crop-...

#HelpingHarvest #ChurchWorldService
#Cropwalk
#UCC
#UnitedChurchOfChrist

A team photo at one of the locks at Gring's Mill, and the midpoint for our 5 mile walk.

Walking along the Tulpehocken Creek trail

First UCC of Hamburg Walking Team posing for a photo in front of the Helping Harvest van.

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 9d

Welcoming new members into the faith and family of our church on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 10:15am.

More info about this Sunday at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/pent-...

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 9d

The music and singing were tremendous and the cake was delicious too. God is so good!!

First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 9d

Our esteemed UCC General Minister and President Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson brought a message of inspiration, hope, and gratitude for the witness of our spiritual ancestors. She also celebrated communion with Rev. Frances Chester, pastor of Falkner Swamp.

First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 9d

Clergy and laity from across the Commonweath joined together at Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC in Gilbertsville on Sunday, Oct 12, 2025 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the first communion of the German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania (Oct 15, 1725).

See more at:
www.facebook.com/share/p/1AcL...

Clergy and laity from across the Commonweath joining together in the sanctuary of Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the first communion of the German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania (Oct. 15, 1725).

Clergy who had joined together for the worship service at Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC church to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the first communion of the German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania (Oct. 15, 1725).

Our esteemed UCC General Minister and President Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson brought a message of inspiration, hope, and gratitude for the witnesa of our spiritual ancestors. She also celebrated communion with Rev. Frances Chester, pastor of Falkner Swamp.

The Rev. Frances Chester, pastor of Falkner Swamp, who, along with the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, presided over Holy Communion.

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Reposted by First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA

United Church of Christ @unitedchurch.bsky.social · 11d

🙏🏾 "God of All Peoples, receive our commitment to learn & work for justice with our Indigenous siblings. Reveal the gifts, graces, & harms present, & hold us to these commitments even when accountability becomes uncomfortable."

-Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson

🙌🏾 Take action: https://ow.ly/8zC250XaLqS

Indigenous People’s Day is identified as a time for raising awareness and acknowledging the gifts and graces of Indigenous people in our communities.

It is a day for honoring the traditions, histories, and cultures of the first peoples of this land who lived in North America well ahead of the arrival of settlers.

It is an opportunity for acknowledging the injury and harm caused by settlers to land and people.

A time for repentance and repair, advocacy, seeking justice, and reconciliation.

This is also a time for action.

In the United Church of Christ, commitments to indigenous justice are held and yet ours is a mixed experience with Indigenous peoples.

Included is dominance over indigenous communities, participation in boarding schools, and our ongoing commitment to decolonizing the church, which also includes paying attention to what colonization has meant to Indigenous people.

While Indigenous People’s Day focuses on Indigenous people in North America, Indigenous people around the world are suffering.

Poverty, discrimination, lack of health care, lack of education, and the high rates and risk of violence experienced especially by Indigenous women: these also invite our attention and care.

Prayer: God of All Peoples, receive our commitment this day to learn and work for justice with our Indigenous siblings.

Reveal to us the gifts, graces, and harms that are present, and hold us to these commitments even when the accountabilities become uncomfortable.

Guide us by your Spirit to healthy relationships and solidarity with Indigenous communities in support of their continued struggle for justice.

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 12d

Thank you to all who joined with us in worship this morning.

Back by popular demand, Mrs. Kathy Jachowski was our guest preacher this morning.

If you missed Kathy's or Sue's meaningful sermons, or the wonderful music of Tyler and Marilyn, visit us at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tQ3...

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First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 12d

Thank you to all who participated in today's CROP Walk, and all those who donated to help fight local and worldwide hunger.

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

#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #HamburgPA #CropWalk

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Reposted by First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA

United Church of Christ @unitedchurch.bsky.social · 15d

📣 We hope you'll join us on the new date of this webinar, 10/13 @ 3:30 PM ET!

🎵🎶 Rev. Marshela Salgado-Solorio shares how her congregation promotes various forms of art in worship, from art shows to the Theology of Broadway, [Pop]Culture, Banned Books & more!

Register: https://ow.ly/r9wR50X9b4U

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