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benmotz.bsky.social
@benmotz.bsky.social
49 followers 20 following 35 posts
Designated-Term Pastor of First Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA
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Wise men still seek him.

Join us on Sunday, January 4 at 10:15am, when our youth will share a skit for the arrival of the wise men.

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/epiph...
January 2, 2026 at 6:54 AM
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Thank you to everyone who helped through the church to make this Advent and Christmas season a blessing in lives of others.
December 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM
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On the first Sunday after Christmas, Pastor Ben shared “The Legend of Christmas Tinsel” and Kaliannah O’Reilly sang “What A Wonderful World.”

You can watch yesterday’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iyx...

#UCC #Christmas #SundayService #HamburgPA #UnitedChurchofChrist
Pastor Ben sharing “The Legend of Christmas Tinsel” Kaliannah O’Reilly singing “What A Wonderful World” The Church Choir singing The lector reading
December 30, 2025 at 12:02 AM
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Thank you to all who joined us for the midnight Christmas Eve worship service.

You can view the midnight service at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UL_...
The acolyte lighting the Christ candle in the advent wreath. The pastor breaking the bread for Holy Communion. Lights dimming in the sanctuary for the candlelight portion of the service. Candles lit for the candlelight portion of the service.
December 29, 2025 at 12:43 AM
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Merry Christmas!
December 26, 2025 at 12:50 AM
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At our first Christmas Eve service, Pastor Ben recited the New Testament Gospel and shared the story of “The Crippled Lamb” by Max Lucado.

We hope to see you at our 11 PM service. You can also watch the 7 PM service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=q8GM...

#UCC #ChristmasEve #HamburgPA
The choir performing while the candles were lit Lighting the Advent Candles Pastor Ben reciting the Good News Pastor Ben reading “The Crippled Lamb” by Max Lucado
December 25, 2025 at 3:02 AM
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Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24 at 7PM & 11PM.

Candlelight with “Silent Night”, Christmas Carols, Communion, Birth Narrative, and more...

7PM info: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/chris...

11PM info: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/chris...

#ChristmasEve #Candlelight #UnitedChurchOfChrist
December 24, 2025 at 2:47 AM
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Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24 at 7PM & 11PM.

Candlelight with “Silent Night”, Christmas Carols, Communion, Birth Narrative, and more...

7PM info: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/chris...

11PM info: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/chris...

#ChristmasEve #Candlelight #UnitedChurchOfChrist
Lighting the Christ Candle during the candlelight service. Christmas tree in the church sanctuary. Advent wreath is the church chancel with decorations and lights along the chancel rail. Nativity in the church chancel with lights and decorations on the chancel rail.
December 23, 2025 at 2:59 AM
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Last night we held our 70th Annual Candlelight Service. To celebrate this special anniversary, Candlebearers from years past returned to help us share the light of Christ.

You can watch last night’s service here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=uRLR...

#UCC #candlelightservice #HamburgPA #Christmas
December 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
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On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we lit the candles for joy and love. It was with great joy and love that we watched as the Children & Youth performed their Christmas Program.

You can watch today’s service at: m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx-F...

#UCC #FourthSundayofAdvent #HamburgPA #SundayService
December 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
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Children & Youth Christmas Program is this Sunday, December 21 at 10:15am.

70th Anniversary of the annual Candlelight Service is this Sunday, December 21 at 6:30pm.

See more at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events
December 19, 2025 at 1:01 AM
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Children & Youth Christmas Program

Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 10:15am

The youth have been practicing and the sanctuary is set for our Annual Children & Youth Christmas Program. They look forward to sharing with you this Sunday.

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/adven...
The chancel of the sanctuary set up for the Children & Youth Christmas Program
December 18, 2025 at 2:19 AM
benmotz.bsky.social
hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA @hamburgfirstucc.bsky.social · 16d
Candlelight Service

Our 70th annual Candlelight Service will be this coming Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 6:30pm.

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/candl...

Pictured below is our rehearsal, as we prepare to share in this service of worship with you.
December 18, 2025 at 2:26 AM
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Children & Youth Christmas Program

Our youth are very excited to share with you the Christmas message this Sunday, December 14 at 10:15am.

We hope to see you Sunday, for their message to bless your season.

Info: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/adven...

Pictures: youth practicing their lines.
Youth practicing lines for Christmas program, tables and chairs in front of the youth, and a stage with presents behind the youth. Youth practicing lines for Christmas program, tables and chairs in front of the youth, and a stage with presents behind the youth.
December 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
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On this second Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle for peace and welcomed two new members to our church family!

You can watch today’s service at: m.youtube.com/watch?v=9pFX...

#UCC #SecondSundayofAdvent #HamburgPA #SundayWorship #UnitedChurchofChrist
The lighting of the Peace candle, the second candle of Advent Two new members joining the church The children’s sermon Extinguishing the candles
December 8, 2025 at 12:27 AM
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Inviting you to worship with us on the 2nd Sunday of Advent at First UCC in Hamburg.

Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 10:15am.

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/adven...

#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #HamburgPA #Advent
December 3, 2025 at 2:00 AM
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Wishing you warm greetings from First United Church of Christ in Hamburg, PA on this snowy day.

www.hamburgfirstucc.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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This morning we lit the first candle in our Advent wreath as we are reminded this season to prepare for the threefold coming of Christ.

Hear the music and this morning's messages at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=411D...

#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #FirstSundayOfAdvent #HamburgPA #SundayWorship
November 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
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Thank you to everyone who came out to help decorate the sanctuary for Advent & Christmas.

We look forward to sharing with all the hope, peace, joy, love, & light of Christ this season, which begins with lighting of our Advent wreath this Sunday, Nov 30 at 10:15am.

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events
November 30, 2025 at 2:12 AM
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Pausing to Give Thanks

Thank you to everyone who came together this evening to give God thanks!

Thank you to everyone who helped make our annual Thanksgiving Eve worship service possible.

View the worship service at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aZp...

#ThanksgivingEve #ThanksgivingWorship #UCC
November 27, 2025 at 2:31 AM
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Thanksgiving Eve

We hope that you will join us for our Thanksgiving Eve worship service tonight, Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 7:00pm.

If you are unable to attend in person, the worship service will also be live streamed.

Info at: www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/thank...
Cornucopia with various vegetables, fruits, and nuts pouring out, and the title "Thanksgiving Worship"
November 26, 2025 at 4:13 PM
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Wishing everyone a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
November 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
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Crown of Thorns to Crown of Righteousness on Christ the King Sunday

The sanctuary was alive with music, with a wonderful prelude, choir anthem, & offertory; & remembering Jutta with a bell ringing tribute.

Go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC2a...

#UCC #UnitedChurchOfChrist #HamburgPA #ChristTheKing
November 24, 2025 at 12:43 AM
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Congratulations and blessings to the Rev. Bob Turner and the congregation of Community UCC, Reading, PA on the installation as Rev. Turner as pastor and teacher!

It was good to gather with fellow colleagues and the congregation in mutual covenant, support, and celebration!
Rev. Dr. Benjamin Motz and the newly installed Rev. Robert Turner
November 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
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Thank you to everyone who helped make our annual Christmas Bazaar so awesome this year!

We had a terrific turnout, wonderful vendors, delicious treats, and great fellowship.

www.hamburgfirstucc.org/events/chris...

#UnitedChurchOfChrist #UCC #HamburgPA #ChristmasBazaar
November 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM