Worship With Us - Central Moravian Church

Gathering Together in Faith

Worship is vital to our community of faith. We gather to praise God and hear the message of God’s amazing love as we pray, sing, and reflect on Scripture. Moravians often say, “There is no Christianity without community,” and at Central, we are a community that not only worships together but provides a loving welcome to all.

Our sacristans are a corps of dedicated volunteers who prepare our spaces for worship and welcome us, often working behind the scenes. Our collectors help take the offering each Sunday and often serve as fire watchers on Christmas Eve. If you are unable to join our community in person, consider our livestreamed worship service at 11 a.m., or watch the recording later on Central’s YouTube channel.

Wherever you are in your journey of faith, you are welcome at Central Moravian Church. We are reminded that worship is only one part of our covenant to live as God’s people. Our “Moravian Covenant for Christian Living” is a foundational document of membership in the Moravian Church that points us to carrying out our worship and faith in how we live and witness in our everyday life.

Sunday Worship Schedule

Worship

9 a.m. in Old Chapel and 11 a.m. in Sanctuary

Sunday after Labor Day-Sunday before Memorial Day

Summer Worship

10 a.m. in Sanctuary (single service)

Memorial Day-Labor Day

Old Chapel

Built in 1751 after the Moravian community outgrew its first worship space in the Gemeinhaus (now part of the Moravian Museum), this intimate, 180-seat space has served our community ever since. Today, the Old Chapel hosts our 9 a.m. regular-season worship services featuring the Chapel Choir, as well as weddings, memorial services, and special concerts. Families with children frequently attend this service. Following the children’s message, young people may be dismissed for free play with our preschool teachers or to attend the Children’s Choir rehearsal. Sunday School for all ages begins at 10 a.m. in the Christian Education building at 40 W. Church St.

Sanctuary

Constructed between 1803 and 1806, the Sanctuary hosts our 11 a.m. regular-season worship and 10 a.m. summer worship. With seating for more than 1,000 people, the Sanctuary also serves as a venue for numerous community and Moravian partner events, including programs with Moravian Academy, Moravian University, ArtsQuest, and the Bach Choir. The Church Choir, the Brass Ensemble, the Bethlehem Area Moravian Trombone Choir, and various instrumentalists and soloists provide special music throughout the year. The Sanctuary is also available for weddings, memorial services, and other church events, and features a newly installed, green-energy heating, cooling, and ventilation system.

Lovefeast

The Moravian Lovefeast is one of the Church’s most cherished traditions. While not a sacrament, it is a beautiful, intentionally inclusive celebration of fellowship. During this service, the congregation shares a simple, symbolic meal — typically a sweet sugar bun and coffee or juice — served and enjoyed in the pews during worship. This custom traces its origins back to the “agape” (Greek for unconditional love) meals of the early Christian Church. The modern tradition was revived in the 18th century under the leadership of Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a pivotal leader of the renewed Moravian Church. Following a deeply moving communion service on August 13, 1727, the community experienced a powerful spiritual awakening that forged a diverse, divided group of people into a unified family with a shared purpose. Today, Lovefeasts are celebrated during special occasions, holy days, and milestones in the life of the congregation. It remains a warm, welcoming invitation for all people to gather, break bread, and experience the simple joy of Christian community. Lovefeasts and Communion in a Moravian church follow a treasured tradition: a Singstunde, or song service. A Singstunde is a service composed of many hymns, often only a verse or two, reflecting a central theme.

Lovefeast services for 2026-27

Sunday, August 9 – Lovefeast on the Church Green

Sunday, September 27 – 9 a.m., Children’s Love Feast

Sunday, November 8

Sunday, November 29

Thursday, December 24 – 1 p.m., Children’s Christmas Eve

Sunday, January 10

Saturday, March 27 – Great Sabbath Saturday

Sunday, May 9

Sunday, August 15

Baptism

Baptism is one of the sacraments of the Moravian Church, representing a covenant promise among God, the congregation, and the person being baptized. Therefore, except in emergencies, baptisms are held during regular worship services. For the baptism of infants or children, Central Moravian Church requires that at least one parent or guardian be a member, as the congregation pledges to nurture and love the child as they grow in faith. For a deeper understanding of our traditions, read more about the sacrament of baptism.

Communion

Communion is the second sacrament of the Moravian Church. In the Moravian tradition, a pastor or elder serves each congregant, and everyone waits to partake together—first receiving the bread, then the cup—in remembrance of Jesus’ life and death. Followers of Jesus, regardless of their church affiliation, are invited to receive the sacrament. Gluten-free wafers are available. Children are welcome to receive Communion provided they have an age-appropriate understanding of the sacrament. Please speak with a pastor if you have any questions.

Communion services for 2026-2027

Sunday, August 9

Sunday, October 4

Sunday, November 15

Sunday, December 13

Sunday, January 3

Sunday, February 14

Maundy Thursday, March 25

Good Friday, March 26 (morning service)

Sunday, May 16

Sunday, July 4

Sunday, August 15

Music

Music is a cornerstone of our worship services. Whether you experience the beauty of an 18th-century Moravian chorale, a modern hymn, or a choir anthem, we embrace the words of our spiritual forefather, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf, who believed the truest language for a heart’s religion is song. While our liturgies change from week to week, our messages always strive to connect Scripture to contemporary life.

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