We’re just arriving…
What is your worship like?
How do I get to St. Thomas?
Where do I park?
Where do I enter?
What do I do when I arrive?
Will I be singled out?
Is there an offering?
How often do you have communion?
How should I dress?
Do you have nursery care?
What’s available for older kids?
Is the church accessible ?
About St. Thomas UCC
What is your faith like?
How many people go to your church?
My ancestors were came long ago. Do you have any records about them?
What does the church have to say about homosexuality?
About the United Church of Christ
UCC – Didn’t you do that commercial?
What about Mr. Obama and the UCC?
Membership
How do I become a member?
We’re not members, but… can we have our children baptized at St. Thomas?
We’re not members but…can we be married at St. Thomas?
What is your worship like?
Traditional in format – spirited in energy.
You can expect spoken responses, organ music, bell and vocal choirs, new and old hymns, scripture readings, prayers, and occasional special instrumentals.
The “good news” from the pastor keys on issues of life and faith, as we make every Sunday a celebration.
Services usually run an hour.
We offer two services, similary in style, every Sunday (8:15 & 10:45) (or 8:15 / 9:45 in summer).
How do I get to St. Thomas?
Pa. Rt. 39 - ½ mile east of Linglestown square, 2 miles west from Exit 77 I-81.
Where do I park?
We offer ample parking on site.
Our upper lot includes reserved parking for those with accessibility need.
Where do I enter?
Because we have eight entrance doors, it can be confusing!
From the main (lower) parking lot, look for beautiful leaded-glass doors.
From the upper lot (near the sanctuary), enter from east, south or west doors.
From Crist Hall lot (by the cemetery), enter at the ramped access.
What do I do when I arrive?
Come in! On Sundays, greeters at the doors offer welcome and directions if needed. Please ask.
Will I be singled out?
No. We begin our service with a time of mutual greeting and do not ask guests to identity selves.
Is there an offering?
An offering is an act of worship for those who consider St. Thomas their home. We teach and believe in biblical stewardship. As guest, your presence is a gift to us. You are not obliged to give unless you feel called to do so.
How often do you have communion?
First Sundays of every month at our early (8:15 DaySpring) service.
Communion is celebrated at both services on marked days (New Year, August, October World Communion) and church holy days (Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Maundy Thursday, Advent, Christmas Eve). The table is open to all persons (including children prepared by church and family) seeking the grace of Christ.
How should I dress?
Comfortably! Jeans or ties equally welcome.
Do you have nursery care?
Yes, for infants through age 4. The nursery is located next to the rest room area from the east side (organ side) of the Sanctuary.
The nursery is staffed by volunteers who take the safety and well being of our children very seriously.
What’s available for older kids?
We love having children in service and include a children’s message each Sunday.
At 10:45, we offer “Stepping Stones” (learning activity) for those age 5 and above.
After the message, we invite children to leave together to a room next to the nursery.
Is the church accessible?
Yes.
A power assisted lift to the sanctuary may be found in the south foyer (side nearest Rt. 39). (Park in upper lot)
A ramp provides access from the same area to the west side of the sanctuary. (Park in upper lot)
Another ramp provides access to Fellowship Hall.
New rest rooms in Crist Hall are ADA accessible.
What is your faith like?
We believe God is still speaking, doing new things.
God is ever in process of growing and changing us toward God’s holy creation.
St. Thomas church traces its history to the “Reformed Church” meaning our lives are constantly being formed and reformed by experience, revelation, and scripture.
Our history here goes formally back almost 220 years to 1791.
Our history with the body of Christ goes back to the time of Pentecost.
How many people go to your church?
We count 508 baptized and confirmed (professing) members.
You may expect to see between 60 to 120 worshipers at any one service.
My ancestors came here long ago. Do you have any records about them?
Yes, some. After 218 years, we have a big family tree. Visit our genealogy page on this website.
Hot topics: What does the church have to say about homosexuality?
We are a church that believes each person is created in the image of God, valued by God and loved by God.
We believe God calls each one of us to a journey of faith that is to be shared in the body of Christ.
We believe God gives each gifts for ministry to use in the community of the church.
UCC – Didn’t you do those commercials?
Yes. We are a church living Christ’s welcoming ministry.
“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
What about Mr. Obama and the UCC?
The UCC has about 6000 congregations nationwide, including St. Thomas, Linglestown, and Trinity UCC, Chicago (where Mr. Obama has been a member for twenty years). The UCC is a progressive, protestant denomination of 1.4 million members with a rich heritage from the Congregational, Reformed, Evangelical and Christian Churches. (Check out www.ucc.org.)
How do I become a member?
Membership means sharing the profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and sharing in full rights and privileges of the congregational life.
Worship with us a while. We welcome you to experience our community life events. We believe God’s Spirit will let you know when you are ready. When you are, just speak a word to the Pastor. Sometimes conversations or guided learning helps prepare for sharing the witness of the Good News.
We’re not members, but… can we have our children baptized at St. Thomas?
Baptism is a celebration of the wonderful gifts of God. In our tradition, baptism of infants and children marks their inclusion in the community faith and Christ’s claim upon their lives. We believe in the community of believers and expect parents also belong to the community.
We’re not members but…can we be married at St. Thomas?
Yes…there are qualifications, however, including fees, pre-marital conversations, and usage agreements.
It is important to arrange weddings at least a year in advance of the ceremony and to confirm your date with the church before other contracts are signed.
