We're a church with deep roots.  SSPC was the first congregation west of the Susquehanna River and the Word was first preached here in 1734.  While we love and respect our tradition, we're not stuffy or hidebound.  Inscribed into our spiritual DNA is a driving passion for innovation in worship and action in discipleship. 

What you'll probably notice first is that we are a warm church family.  Four generations can and often do worship together on any given Sunday.  Like any family, we love to eat together and serve together.  Sometimes we even fuss with one another, but we're committed to walking and growing in faith together.  And there’s always room in this Christian family for other folks looking for help, healing, and hope!

Now for the nitty-gritty details:

What should I wear for worship?

Wear whatever makes you comfortable and honors God and the people around you.  Some folks wear jeans, others prefer jacket and tie and dresses for women.  It’s totally up to you.

Is there a nursery? 

If you need nursery care for your child age infant to 3 years old, please contact the church office during the week so that arrangements can be made.  Please call the church office at 717-766-0204, Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4 pm. 

Children in Worship?

Absolutely.  Children are always welcome in all our worship services.  If they get fussy during the Traditional service, you can always step into the chapel where the service is simulcast.  Just ask an usher and they’ll take you there. 

In the Gathering, our informal worship service held in the Chapel, children are welcome to sit at the back around tables where age-appropriate activities are available.  Food and coffee and other refreshments are also available at the back throughout this service.

Where to go?

Traditional worship services are held in the Meeting House.  It’s a beautiful historic worship space with outstanding acoustics.  In this service we sing traditional hymns and our Sanctuary Choir and Bell Choir often perform. Ask someone around you and they’ll tell you the story of how it was reconstructed in the 1920s using only hand tools.  The service is roughly an hour long.

The Gathering is what we call our informal worship service.  It’s held in the Chapel.  The best place to park for this service is in the large lot just outside the gym, at the opposite end of the building complex from the Meeting House.   This service features our excellent praise band, along with our Intergenerational Choir, playing more recent praise songs, as well as an interactive, Powerpoint sermon. This service is roughly an hour long as well.

Sunday Christian Education is offered for all ages between the worship services from the Sunday following Labor Day through early June.  Classes for children and youth are held in various classrooms.