Thank you for taking the time to find us online and for visiting our website. Our doors are open to everyone, and we would love to see you in person at one of our services or events. We also offer online streaming services if you wish to fellowship virtually.
At Paxton Presbyterian Church, we believe God calls us, as a body of believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to demonstrate God’s love in the world. We celebrate His love by moving forward in Christ’s work, always being open to change in obedience to His will through:
- Actively bringing people to Christ
- Being faithful stewards of God’s gifts
- Generously using and sharing all that we have
- Nurturing faith through inspirational worship, prayer and study of the Gospel
- Being compassionate to all
- Lovingly serving humanity in mission to the local and global communities
With an open-door philosophy, we encourage you to reach out to us if there are other ways we can better serve you and our community through God’s love. We always appreciate receiving feedback or answering any questions you may have.
Feel free to contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 717-561-0510.
Service Times
10:30 am
September through May
In person and Live Streaming
10:15 am
June through August
In person and Live Streaming
What to Expect
Paxton Presbyterian Church is a community of Christians proud to be in the Body of Christ. Founded in 1732, we feel deeply connected with our church’s history and our surrounding community. You will find an inviting and “down-to-earth” feel with our congregation who welcomes all to join us in the spiritual growth towards understanding God’s Word.
What We Believe
The Incarnate Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.” (John 1:1,14) Jesus Christ is supremely the Word of God. Having been separated by sin, the Word of God in Christ brings God and humanity together.
The Written Word
Scripture is how God communicates to us. It is scripture that tells us what God’s attitude toward sinful humanity is, and what God’s purpose is for us. Scripture, as the Word of God, is a source of the creative and redemptive power of God, which draws humanity into relationship with God. All the various acts of worship receive their significance as they relate to what God has done, is doing, and will do in Jesus Christ. In worship, therefore, it is essential for believers to hear the scriptures in order that they may near and obey Christ. As the scripture is read and heard, it not only recounts God’s gracious love for humanity, but also is a means by which God communicates and conveys gracious love to reader and hearer. Thus, the written Word points to the incarnate Word, and shows forth the presence of Jesus Christ in redemptive power.
The Proclaimed Word
The preaching of the Word is for the salvation of persons. The pastor is the instrument through whom the Word of God, incarnate in Jesus Christ, may be heard in the life of the church and in the lives of all present. Proclamation through the sermon is an act of worship through which Jesus Christ is manifested anew to the people of God, both in the promises the gospel makes to them and in the demands it lays upon them. The worshipers have a duty in preaching to become a means whereby God reconciles people, unites them more firmly in the body of Christ, builds them up in faith, and guides them in the Christian life, it must be rightly heard. As the pastor has obligations in sermon preparation, so the hearer must also prepare to listen responsibly.
The Book of Confessions makes up Part I of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Included are the following:
- The Nicene Creed
- The Apostles’ Creed
- The Scots Confession, 1560, Scotland
- The Heidelburg Catechism, 1563, Germany
- The Second Helvetic Confession, 1500’s, Switzerland
- The Westminster Confession of Faith, 1647, England
- The Shorter Catechism
The Larger Catechism
- The Theological Declaration of Barmen, 1934, Germany
- The Confession of 1967, U.S.A.
- A Brief Statement of Faith – Presbyterian Church, USA
What We Offer
Paxton provides more than just a worship service. We offer an outstanding music program and opportunities for members to share their talents with the congregation. Our Christian Education Ministry coordinates adult and youth church school as well as programs for children of all ages. Session Ministries and church groups plan seasonal events for the congregation and the community including Prayers in the Woods, summer concerts in the grove, a fall festival and Christmas events and activities. Paxton is a place for all ages and walks of life to join in fellowship while learning more about God and his Word.
Our Worship Service
Come dressed as you are. You will find our members attend comfortably dressing from shorts to coat and tie. Our worship service provides a structured experience where God is experienced through our talented musicians, singers, teachers, and servants. We offer both on premise services as well as virtual services through our movement of modernization.
The Sacraments
As a Presbyterian church, there are two sacraments that we follow:
- Baptism for which Paxton performs the baptism of infants, reminding us of the Covenant, or an adult’s profession of faith.
- Holy Communion which is celebrated at the beginning of each church season, about 9 times each year.
Accessibility
Large print bulletins and hymnals, and personal listening devices to assist during the worship service are available through a request to an usher.
There is an ADA compliant ramp from the parking lot into the main entrance. Inside the main entrance, there is an elevator that provides access to each level of the building. A portable ADA compliant ramp is also available at the porch side of the sanctuary as needed.