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What's the easiest route to the church?
Some people have said that the hardest part about going to Centre Church is actually getting there the first time. We are located on the corner lot where Freeman Hollow Rd and Route 850 West intersect about 3 miles west of the village of Loysville. For your convenience, a link to MapQuest is available on the Directions page.
From New Bloomfield: Take Rt. 274 west to Loysville. From Loysville, follow Rt. 850 to Centre Church. About 2 miles west of Loysville, be sure to turn right on Rt. 850 over the bridge. The church is about 1 mile from the bridge. Drive time is about 20 minutes.
From Carlisle: Take Rt. 74 north over the mountain at Waggoner's Gap. Turn left at the stop sign in Alinda onto Rt. 850 traveling west to Landisburg. Follow Rt. 850 to Centre Church. About 2 miles west of Loysville, be sure to turn right on Rt. 850 over the bridge. The church is about 1 mile from the bridge. Drive time is about 45 minutes.
From Harrisburg: Take 81 south to Wertzville Road exit. Bear right. Stay on the main road (Sunnyside Drive) up and over the mountain at Sterrett’s Gap. Take Rt. 34 north through Shermans Dale where it will join with Rt. 850. Stay on Rt. 850 to Centre Church. About 2 miles west of Loysville, be sure to turn right on Rt. 850 over the bridge. The church is about 1 mile from the bridge. Drive time is about 1 hour.
Where should I park?
Centre has a large unpaved lot adjacent to the Church, located right on the grounds. Handicapped parking is available next to the entrance ramp to the left of the main entrance.
Which door do I use?
The good news is that it doesn’t really matter. All the doors are unlocked on Sunday mornings.
Easiest way into the Sanctuary is by way of the double doors that face Freeman Hollow Road. This is the main entrance to the church, and it will take you into the lobby area (narthex). It’s also the best door to use if you’re going to Sigler Hall downstairs.
Easiest way for handicapped accessibility is to take the ramp to the left of the double doors. The ramp goes up the side of the Christian Education wing and enters the back of the building. Walk down the hall way to the entrance to the Sanctuary.
The double red doors under the bell tower are no longer used as an entrance, but if you join us for Christian Education at 9:30 you will hear the bell ring to signal the beginning of Sunday School.
What happens in worship?
A Sunday morning worship experience at Centre is uplifting and traditional. During the school year, the worship leaders and choir members wear robes. At the service, there are usually three hymns sung with organ accompaniment. There’s a time to ask for forgiveness of sins, and to hear an assurance of forgiveness. You’ll hear a story just for children, who are invited to come forward and sit on the steps at the front of the Sanctuary. A passage or two is read from the Bible – usually there are readings from the Old and the New Testaments. One of the choirs will sing, and sometimes a guest soloist performs. The pastor reads scripture and preaches a sermon. An offering is collected, and prayers are said. The entire service takes about an hour.
Sometimes there is a baptism or new members join. About every other month, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. On these Sundays the service might last a bit longer, perhaps an hour and fifteen minutes.
How should I dress?
There is no “dress code” – wear what’s comfortable to you. You’ll see men in suits, open-collared shirts, khakis and sweaters, and ladies in pants or skirts or dresses. Many of our youth and children wear jeans, or shorts in the summer time. Your presence is welcome, regardless of what you wear. The sanctuary is not air conditioned so, especially in the summer time, it bears repeating: wear what is comfortable.
My kids aren’t used to sitting in worship. Help!
While we understand that kids can be restless if they have to sit for a long time, we welcome and encourage them to take part in the entire worship experience. After all, worship is for the entire family of God – including grown-ups. Kids who like to read or color can pick up a children’s bulletin at the entrance to the Sanctuary, and use those activities and the supplied crayons to keep their hands busy as they listen to the words and music. We suggest using the children’s bulletins about half-way through the service, right before the sermon. The early part of the service has lots of movement, singing and activity that can be interesting and engaging to kids (of all ages). Bulletins are prepared for two age groups: ages 3-6 and ages 7-12.
If you have babies or children younger than four, a nursery is available across the hall from the Church Office, down the hall on the same side as the rest rooms.
Am I allowed to take communion?
Any person who has been baptized is welcome to participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. You don’t have to be Presbyterian or even a member of any church. There is no age requirement. At communion, we remember Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, and how Jesus gave his life for each one of us -- so that we will have life even after death.
At Centre, we have communion about once every other month. The “elements” (bread and grape juice) are usually brought to you as you sit in your pew. It is our custom to eat the bread as soon as we are served, but to hold on to the cup and drink it together. A little rack with round holes can be found on the pew ahead of you (near the hymn books). It’s for holding the small juice cups when they’re empty.
We do two special communion services each year. The second Sunday in July, we hold an outdoor worship service, when we celebrate the Lord’s Super. We also have a Maundy Thursday service, where we share a meal and remember Jesus’ last night with his disciples. This service is held the Thursday night before Easter. At both of these services, the bread and grape juice are served by intinction. You will break off a small piece of bread from the larger loaf and dip it into the grape juice and then immediately eat the dipped bread.
Do I have to be a member to participate in activities?
No – all programs and activities on Sunday morning and throughout the week are open to anyone who would like to attend. Each week’s activities are listed in weekly bulletin. Many of our programs are listed on this web site as well
What about Sunday School?
At Centre, we have Christian Education for all ages, from wee ones in the nursery, to two adult classes on Sunday morning. To get to most Sunday School classes, enter the main doors and turn left at the top of the stairs. Down that hall way, you will find Sunday school classes for children. The Junior/Senior High class meets down stairs in Leukel Hall, the small dining room. One adult class meets downstairs in Sigler hall, the large dining room. The other class meets in the Sanctuary. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions once you are inside the building. Anyone will be glad to help you.
Who do I contact to ask a question?
Pastor Arlene is in the office on Thursdays. But you can leave a message anytime at 717-789-4571. Leave a message and we will get back to you quickly. Or, feel free to send an email.
On Sunday mornings, ask anyone for help. We are a friendly congregation and we will be happy to assist you.
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