At 711 Seventh Ave in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Faith United Church of Christ is known for a welcome stated plainly in its motto: "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." Its vision is to share God's love through Christ in worship, teaching and outreach. The church's life connects meaningful worship and music with learning, monthly fellowship, prayer and practical support for mission partners in Altoona and beyond.
No Matter Who You Are: Sunday Morning at Faith
Sunday's rhythm begins at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School. One class welcomes people of all ages, and its curriculum broadens their perspective on the Bible and on how God calls people into life and ministry. Worship begins at 10:45 a.m. at 711 Seventh Ave. As the service begins, those gathered greet one another with the church's welcome.
Music in worship includes both contemporary and traditional selections. Faith livestreams worship on its YouTube channel. Prayer is woven through the service, including prayers for the world, its people, the nation, leaders and critical matters in society. A Fellowship Hour follows worship.
Finding the Church from I-99
From I-99, take the 17th St exit. Turn right onto W 6th Ave, turn left at 7th St and take the first left onto 7th Ave. The church is located on the left.
Faith Fellowship: Community Learning and a Noon Meal
On the second Wednesday of each month, Faith Fellowship brings men and women together at 10:00 a.m. The group seeks to broaden awareness of the community and of the role of Jesus' disciples in the world. Meetings may include field trips or speakers invited to share their programs, and the group then shares a noon-time meal together. Faith Fellowship is also the missionary arm of the congregation.
Choir and Bell Choir in the Worship Life
Claire White serves as church organist and music instructor. The church's Choir and Bell Choir offer good and meaningful musical opportunities for people who want to take part in the church's musical life. Their work supports a worship life that includes both contemporary and traditional music.
Confirmation Instruction for Young People
Young people are encouraged to meet with the pastor for confirmation instruction when their parents determine that they are ready to take responsibility for their own baptismal vows. Faith baptizes infants in its tradition. At the "age of accountability," young people are instructed more deeply in the meaning of the sacraments. In this way, the congregation's practice includes both infant baptism and deeper teaching for young people as they assume responsibility for their faith.
Five for Five and Mission Work Close to Home
Faith participates intermittently in the United Church of Christ's "Five for Five" special offerings. Its recurring pattern includes:
- One Great Hour of Sharing - March
- Strengthen the Church - June
- Neighbors in Need - October
- Christmas Fund - December
- Our Church's Wider Mission - throughout the whole year
Faith also participates in local missions as needs become apparent, including Toasty Toddler, Stuff the Bus, Hoffman Home, Altoona Food Bank and Homewood Homes. Faith Fellowship supports this local mission involvement, linking the congregation's monthly fellowship life with service to Altoona and the wider church.
God Is Still Speaking in Altoona
"God is still speaking" is both one of the church's mottos and the name of a national United Church of Christ effort. The effort encourages churches to become more inviting and welcoming congregations and to make themselves better known throughout their communities. Faith uses the phrase as a standard for how it strives to live in faith.
Another motto comes from Jesus' High Priestly Prayer: "That they may all be one" (John 17:21). Faith's vision brings these convictions together: the church is called to share God's love through Christ in worship, teaching and outreach.
Prayer at the Center of Faith
Faith maintains a prayer chain ministry and uses a calling chain to inform people about others in crisis during extreme emergencies. The church also seeks to support people facing difficulty, loneliness and other issues in their lives. During worship, the congregation encourages prayer for the world, its people, the nation, leaders and critical matters in society. Prayer is at the center of who its people are as people of faith.
What Faith Affirms
Faith's beliefs are expressed in the form of a doxology addressed to God as eternal Spirit and God of Jesus Christ. It affirms that God calls the worlds into being, creates persons in God's own image, seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin, and judges people and nations by righteous will declared through prophets and apostles. Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Savior, has shared humanity's common lot, conquered sin and death and reconciled the world to God. The Holy Spirit creates and renews the church, binding faithful people of all ages, tongues and races in covenant. The church is called to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, serve others, proclaim the gospel, resist the powers of evil, participate in baptism and eat at Christ's table. The promise held out is forgiveness of sins, fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, God's presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life.
Leadership and the Consistory
Pastor John L. Emig leads the congregation. Raised in Connecticut, he was educated at Ursinus College and Lancaster Theological Seminary and has served in ministry for 47 years. He participates in Conference and Association Ministries, is married to Beverly, is a father and grandfather and enjoys reading.
The Consistory is the congregation's official board, addressing both administrative and spiritual matters. Elders and deacons meet once a month with the pastor to oversee the life of the church and respond in faith to matters that come before the congregation.
At Faith in Altoona: Welcome, Learning and Service
Faith's life follows a practical rhythm: people are welcomed wherever they are on life's journey, taught to see God at work in Scripture and community, gathered in worship that joins contemporary and traditional music, and involved in service. In Altoona, that rhythm takes shape through Sunday School at 9:30, worship at 10:45, Faith Fellowship on the second Wednesday, monthly Consistory work, prayer and music ministries, and support for missions near and far. At the center of it all, Faith United Church of Christ seeks to share God's love through Christ in worship, teaching and outreach.