Each year we serve over 16,000 free meals here on our downtown campus. Partnering with other “Meals for the City” churches, we ensure that men, women, and children can enjoy free meals, 2 days a week, all year round. We reach out to those overcoming addiction by hosting six 12-step programs each week, including AA, NA, & SA and many more programs and events for our community.
First Reformed United Church of Christ of Lancaster, an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, first gathered in 1729. Its earliest members were German, Swiss and French settlers who built the First church in Lancaster in 1736. Today our congregation is a diverse group of spiritual travelers joined together by our belief in God and our continuing commitment to put the city first in our ministry.
The mission of First Reformed Church UCC is to fulfill our vision as we:
*Celebrate God’s Open and Affirming Love for ALL people.
*Nurture the Spiritual Growth of all ages.
*Serve the marginalized of our society.
A Sanctuary For ALL
We are intentionally and un-apologetically inclusive of ALL people and declare ourselves Open and Affirming (ONA), the phrase The United Church of Christ uses to communicate our intentional and unconditional inclusion of people of different color, sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, no matter who you are with, no matter how you identify, you are welcome here at First Reformed, United Church of Christ.
An extravagant welcome awaits you!
When you join us for worship, you’ll be warmly greeted at the doors of the sanctuary by one of our members. In the pew, you’ll find a welcome packet that gives you more information about First Reformed. Children are welcome to sit with their parent or guardian until they are dismissed for children’s church. Following worship, all are invited to enjoy light refreshments, fellowship, and an opportunity to get to know each other.
Celebrating the “Still speaking God”
Our worship service begins with an organ prelude…a time to silently reflect, to pray, and to anticipate the next hour. The service includes singing hymns, reading scriptures, an inspiring sermon by Pastor D., confessing our faith, prayers, an anthem by our choir, and an organ postlude. After the service, you’re invited to join us for refreshments and conversations in fellowship hall.
The Reverend Devin Bryant Jeffers, affectionately known as Pastor D. is the Lead Pastor at First Reformed United Church of Christ of Lancaster. He is a life coach, ordained minister, motivational speaker, and spiritual advisor. Pastor D. has served in ministry for over 25 years in the capacities of Praise and Worship Leader, Youth and Young Adult Pastor, Executive Pastor, Pastoral Assistant, and Interim Pastor.
We believe the church’s mission is to change lives — individually, systemically and globally. We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God’s grace. We believe God’s continuing testament. We are committed to hearing God’s ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today. We affirm the responsibility of the church in each generation to make the Christian faith its own in reality or worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God.
