Hamilton Park United Church of Christ (UCC)

What are services like?
We look forward to welcoming you to HPUCC! What's the worship service like? Our ushers are available throughout the service towards the back of the sanctuary to answer questions or provide directions you may need. There are hearing assistance devices in the narthex and pew pads by the pews closest to the sanctuary entrance. When you enter the sanctuary, sit wherever you like - there are no assigned seats here! The bulletin, which lists the order of the worship service, should be pretty easy to follow. But don’t worry if you have questions, those gathered around in the pews (as well as the ushers) welcome the opportunity to help. If there is something that you aren’t comfortable participating in during the service, that is fine, we welcome everyone as they are and individuality is encouraged. How does Hamilton Park UCC celebrate Holy Communion? HPUCC celebrates communion on the second Sunday of the month and at other times on special occasions. At HPUCC, everyone is welcome to take part in communion - members, non-members, adults, and children whose parents feel they are ready. But if someone doesn’t feel comfortable taking part, that's fine too. Typically, we serve communion through passing trays among the pews and partaking all at once (in recognition of our unity with one another and with Christ). Each tray contains either wine and juice or bread with a gluten free option in the center. There are other ways we commune, such as intinction or kneeling, but when we do, we try to communicate clearly in the bulletin about what to expect. How do I find my way around? During the week, the main door by the accessibility ramp has a doorbell beside it. From there, the person who answers the door can guide you. On days we hold a worship service in our worship center/sanctuary, the large doors that face Maple Avenue will be unlocked. Upon entering, you will be greeted by an usher who will hand you a bulletin and invite you to find a seat in our sanctuary. If you need the accessibility ramp, enter through the main door, go through the second doorway and turn right to go down the hallway to be greeted by an usher who will had you a bulletin and invite you to find a seat. Besides this information, we hope the map below might be helpful. What should I wear? People wear whatever they're comfortable wearing as we gather for worship. You'll see people in suits, dresses, jeans, and shorts all worshiping together. A UCC ad explains this so well: "God doesn't care what you wear to church and neither do we." What is available for children? Nursery service for babies through six years of age is available during worship following a children’s message. Sunday School for children aged 4 through sixth grade is held on Sunday morning at 8:30 am. Both the classrooms and nursery are located through our main entrance door (by the accessible ramp) to the left and down the hall. A Bible Study, held in Maugan’s Chapel, is open to everyone from seventh grade through one hundred years plus at the same time. For other information about children at HPUCC, please see “Children at Hamilton Park UCC.” After a service, is there time for fellowship? We gather each week for fellowship and refreshments in our narthex outside our sanctuary. This is a great way for us to get to know one another. Where are the restrooms? This is perhaps the most important information we can provide. We have several bathrooms located throughout the building. The bathrooms closest to our sanctuary are outside the side door, down the hall on the right. One bathroom at that location is a family friendly restroom (anyone can use it) with a diaper table. Though not specifically ADA compliant, this bathroom is intentionally laid out to make it ADA friendly. Another bathroom is located directly below our sanctuary (through the narthex, down the steps to the right). Where do I park when coming to your church? Parking is available in front of our church on the street as well as on one of two paved parking lots (one located across the street from the municipal building and another directly behind our building off the alley). What if I have more questions? There are ushers during every service that are available to answer any questions, or you may contact the church office at 717-397-9791 or [email protected] or browse our website at: hpucc.org or our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hpucc/

What is the community like?
We are a semi-small church community that is known for its welcoming atmosphere and our commitment to justice and care for those around us.

What if I'm not a Christian?
It doesn't matter what it is that you believe or what background you have, we come from many backgrounds and beliefs and together, we weave our story together to make a family.