For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.
Matthew 18:20
At Schoeneck Moravian Church, we are focused on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for members and visitors alike. Our goal is to foster a sense of community and belonging. Essentially, our aim is to make everyone feel loved and valued as part of our faith community, whether they are new to Schoeneck or have been attending for years.
Our greeters and ushers demonstrate Christian hospitality by warmly welcoming everyone who walks through our doors. We continue to build a friendly faith community by offering many different ways to learn about and express our faith as well as to serve God, Schoeneck, and our community. We have several small groups dedicated to fellowship that involve getting to know one another, service opportunities, and friendships that enrich our lives. And finally, we hold social events that bring our church family together.
We are committed to being a cross–generational church in which older and younger people are given opportunities to get to know and learn from each other. As the body of Christ, we need relationships with people from all ages and stages of life to effectively grow. We also believe that laughing, eating, and serving together as a church family will nurture unity and love within our body of believers. Hospitality and fellowship opportunities play a vital role in church members getting to know each other and grow together in Christian love. In turn, the congregation grows closer as a body of Christ.
Hospitality Ministry
Coordinators – Sharon Schuler & Marianne Sweitzer
The Hospitality Ministry works to support the other ministries of the congregation by preparing and serving food for congregational celebrations and other special events. Their work includes planning menus, shopping, setting up the facility, cooking, serving, and cleaning up. It is one of those committees that does its job so well that you could almost forget it is there!
Whenever we have a fellowship social after church, there is always hot coffee, cold lemonade, and yummy goodies to partake in as we catch up with one another. The Hospitality Ministry coordinates the details when we have one of our delicious covered–dish luncheons. And when those we love enter into our Lord’s more immediate presence, the Hospitality Ministry ensures grieving loved ones are cared for with consideration and compassion by calling the congregation together for food and companionship. It is the team that rejoices, renews, and reaches out to all. The good cheer and warmth shown through their smiles, food, and welcoming hugs is a beautiful reminder of God’s spirit working in our midst.
Those who participate in this ministry enjoy the fellowship of one another as they prepare foods to nourish the souls of others. It is not uncommon to hear a lot of laughter as they work.
The Hospitality Ministry is always open to new members! You can come to as many or as few events as fits your schedule. Watch the newsletter or bulletins for event announcements — just join us in the Church Kitchen or contact one of the coordinators through the Church Office.
Snack ‘N Yak Fellowship
A time for fellowship and socializing with delicious snacks and beverages takes place on occasion after our worship services. Named Snack ‘N’ Yak, it’s a wonderful chance to reconnect with fellow church members, welcome visitors, or delve deeper into the themes discussed during the service. We even have our own mascot, named Snickle Fritz!
Generally, the Hospitality Team hosts these gatherings by offering beverages and light snacks, but occasionally Snack ‘N Yak will be presented pot luck style.
Fellowship Groups
Schoeneck’s fellowship groups are small, intentional gatherings of church members and friends designed to foster deeper relationships, spiritual growth, and mutual support. These groups meet regularly, sometimes at locations outside the church, and provide a space for Bible study, prayer, discussion, sharing of life experiences, laughter, and fun. They are a key way for individuals to connect with others in the church, grow in their faith, and experience community.
The following groups gather for regular meetings and fun activities designed to promote fellowship, friendship, and discipleship. The leaders in each group are dedicated to loving and discipling those under their care. If you are interested in starting a new fellowship group, please contact Pastor Ian or any member of the Board of Elders.
Little Lambs
We are currently in the process of developing a fellowship group for our youngest Schoeneckians — infants to 6 years old! We want to get our little ones together for fun, fellowship, spiritual formation, and outreach activities. BUT WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
For example, we could meet one Sunday afternoon a month following worship for social events or supervised play — with games, crafts, music, and more. During the summer we could enjoy day trips in the area and Vacation Bible School. Children can grow their mission heart through group service activities. We want kids to have a blast and learn how to live like Jesus.
We hope you and your Little Lambs will join us! Please send your thoughts, ideas, questions, and comments to [email protected].
Junior Youth Group
Co-Leaders: Courtney Schnyderite & Lanie Yaswinski
Be part of a group of kids that is welcoming, accepting, and loves to have fun! The Junior Youth Group welcomes all kids in 2nd through 6th grade. Friends are always welcome, and we invite younger siblings to join us for some activities. We meet about once a month to have fun and learn to “Live God’s Love” and “Be the Church” by reaching out and serving our church and wider community.
We are actively seeking tasks to help out with at Schoeneck and to serve our larger community. Please contact us if you have any suggestions!
Our Junior Youth Group participates in plenty of fun activities and service events! Past activities include: Making Valentines for our homebound members, pizza party, roller–skating, sharing a taco party for the residents of Safe Harbor Easton, participating in Youth Sunday, made chocolate goodies for Father’s Day, helping to trim candles for the Christmas Eve services, finding our way through Mazeilla, pumpkin carving, baking Christmas cookies for our homebound members, and Christmas Caroling.
Senior Youth Group
Leaders: Allene & Mike Rampulla
The Senior Youth Group is open to Yoothz in 7th through 12th grade (and their friends!) and meets approximately twice a month throughout the year. We don’t meet regularly in the summer months so youth members can attend Camp Hope. We get together for fellowship, event and schedule planning, community service, discussions around important topics and events that impact today’s young people, to participate in the worship life and ministry of our congregation, and of course food and fun.
Schoeneck is blessed to have a strong youth program and leaders, and a congregation that does everything it can to mentor, involve, and support our youth. Come join us! Youth groups are like anything: the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. Youth are encouraged to come to all the meetings.
The Spider Web Social in late October/early November each year is a favorite family activity sponsored by the Senior Youth. We truly enjoy donating a Christmas tree to Moravian Open Door in New York City and helping the residents decorate both it and the day room. We also host an Easter Egg Hunt for the families and friends of Schoeneck. Each year we plan a very lively and creative worship experience for Youth Sunday in the spring.
Past activities include: Bake sales, movie nights, collecting school supplies for Esperanza Bethlehem, making and serving a meal at Safe Harbor, our famous Bible–A–Thon, serving as Dieners for the New Year’s Eve Lovefeast, sleepovers at the church, rock climbing, collecting sheets and blankets for Moravian Open Door, Souper Bowl Sunday, and much more!
Young Adult Ministry
Schoeneck is currently in the process of reimagining our Young Adult Ministry to better meet the needs of people between the ages of 18 to 30ish. We want and need your input! We value you as part of our church family and want to know what YOU need from US.
We want to create a community that feels like family. We believe in building a supportive and welcoming environment where you can be yourself, receive prayer and encouragement, and build lasting friendships. We’ll build connections through worshipping together, fellowship activities, and service opportunities.
For more information, please click here. Please send your thoughts, ideas, questions, suggestions, and comments to [email protected].
Women’s Fellowship
Coordinator – Gloria Floyd
All women of the church are invited to our monthly get-together, usually one Wednesday of the month at 11:00 am. (Watch the newsletter and Facebook/Instagram for the exact date each month.) We usually meet in the Fellowship Hall, but occasionally we will meet at a restaurant for lunch. Our time together starts and ends with devotions, and we take turns bringing snacks as we share our joys and concerns with one another.
Manly Moravian Men of Schoeneck
The Manly Moravian Men of Schoeneck get together each spring to cook the Easter Breakfast for the congregation.
We would like to get together more often to carry out service projects at the church and help people in need in the community, while also promoting social interaction and fellowship among the (manly) men of Schoeneck. Men’s fellowship activities encourage us to get to know, support, learn from, and help one another. This group would be open to men of all ages (18+ to older adults) at Schoeneck.
If you are interested in participating in something like this, please speak with Pastor Ian, Mike Rampulla, or Brian Dishong.
Church-Wide Fellowship Events
Schoeneck Moravian Church strives to bring together church members and friends from all age groups and with diverse interests, and enable stronger personal relationships, through a variety of church–wide events.
Some of these events include the annual Birthday Social, Mother’s Day Tea, Father’s Day Breakfast, Rally Day Festivities, and an Advent Workshop hosted by the Christian Education Ministry. The Senior Youth Group hosts an Easter Egg Hunt and Spider Web Social each year. Other activities have included church picnics, Fire Pit fellowship, game nights, movie nights, and more.
Watch the bulletins, newsletters, and our social media accounts for announcements of future events you and your family and friends can participate in!
