Nestled in the Endless Mountains region of Northeastern Pennsylvania, First Congregational Church of Harford formed in 1800. We are Congregational in our history. We are the oldest church in Susquehanna County, and we became a part of the newest mainline Protestant denomination when we joined the United Church of Christ (the UCC) in the late 1950s.

We are like every church. We struggle. We even squabble like Jesus’ disciples. In other words, we’re real. We follow the Word. We realize in our sin that we need to follow God by way of His Son, our Savior.

You call the worlds into being,
create persons in your own image,
and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will
declared through the prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior,
you have come to us
and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death
and reconciling the world to yourself.

You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,
creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ,
binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

You call us into your church
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to be your servants in the service of others,
to proclaim the gospel to all the world
and resist the powers of evil,
to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table,
to join him in his passion and victory.

You promise to all who trust you
forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
your presence in trial and rejoicing,
and eternal life in your realm which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.   

Amen.