Christ Church, United Church of Christ
200 S White Oak Street, Annville PA 17003
717-867-1641
About United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the U.S., the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world. The UCC is a church of firsts, a church of extravagant welcome, and a church where "…they may all be one" (John 17:21).
Since 1957, the United Church of Christ has been the church of firsts, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. Together, we live out our faith in ways that effect change in our communities. The UCC's many "firsts" mean that we have inherited a tradition of acting upon the demands of our faith. When we read in Galatians: "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus"—a demand is made upon us. And so we were the first historically white denomination to ordain an African-American, the first to ordain a woman, the first to ordain an openly gay man, and the first Christian church to affirm the right of same-gender couples to marry. We were in the forefront of the anti-slavery movement and the Civil Rights movement. Our response to the demands of our faith is woven into the history of our country.
Worshiping With Us
For those of you who are new to Christ Church and would like to join us for worship, please read the document below for some useful information:
History of Christ Church Annville
Learn more about the history of Christ Church Annville
PASTOR'S MESSAGE
Roller Coaster
According to Wikipedia, A roller coaster is a type of amusement ride that employs a form of elevated railroad track designed with tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions. People ride along the trail in open cars, and the rides are in amusement parks and theme parks around the world.
I think this explains the entire world. These last few months are challenging our emotions. Honestly, not only those that live with physical and mental illness but all of humanity is experiencing feelings that either we are not familiar with or hidden to remain whole. We, as humans, should not be ashamed of our emotions but honor and experience our feelings. Less Brown quotes, “one should ask for help not because you are weak; however, ask for help because you want to remain healthy.”
Here we are in perhaps another month of social Isolation. May is usually a month that Mothers Day is when the family wants to take mothers out to dinner, and flowers are tokens of love. Then graduation from school is the launching of graduates to taking their rightful place into society.
However, two truths exist out here one is of broken hearts, and the other is burning courage. It is not just the tragedy of what happened that hurts, but the gaping hole of all that could have happened but won’t.
Amid a pandemic, our lives are taking on new meanings. We are using different techniques to live and communicate with each other. Our existence is changing with unforeseen twists and turns that can lead to anxiety, displeasure, and actually disillusionment. When our lives contain unanticipated effort, we hope for it all to be well, and when all seems to be well, we yearn that it all will continue for as long as possible. While we as human beings are diverse in countless ways, we all have undergone sudden moments of unpredictable disappointment, and we all have felt the torrential surge of despair. For our new normal is like a roller coaster. Deep within us, we know that this will pass the roller coaster of emotions; however, it will one day end; hopefully, life will make us stronger and more resilient.
However, in a fantastic turn of events, perhaps if we are still enough, we will welcome a new way to move an old path. Instead of traveling alone as collaborators, we will embrace the remarkable new life that is awaiting us, and no matter what the conditions, we have nothing to fear and everything to embrace. Yes, we must remain smart in our actions for ourselves, families, and friends.
As we altogether look to the future and admire what it all may bring, we can know the roller coaster ride of emotions because the journey will cease. Importantly we must remember God continues to do the same for us here and now.
As collaborators, let us grasp the prophecy of God’s abiding presence, believe the comfort and challenge that arrives with it, and, together, may we move onward into a mysterious destiny with enthusiasm that all will undoubtedly be well.
Pastor Tony Fields, Sr.