A Congregation on Penn Avenue
Bausman Memorial United Church of Christ sits at 1064 Penn Avenue in Wyomissing, where Sunday mornings begin at 9:30 with a worship service that has carried this neighborhood through generations. The congregation describes its service as traditional with an informal feel, anchored by sermons rooted in the Bible that aim to connect with the present day. Members gather in the sanctuary, and the service is also livestreamed on YouTube and on Facebook so that those at home or away can join in. Worship bulletins for recent Sundays are posted online, allowing anyone who misses a service to follow along.
Music at the Center of Worship
Music shapes almost everything that happens inside the sanctuary, and the music ministry invites volunteers of all ages to participate. The Chancel Choir, made up of singers from high school age through adult, leads worship on Sunday mornings and at special services throughout the church year. Rehearsals take place most Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., with Sunday morning rehearsals at 8:30 a.m. when needed.
The Bausman Bells handbell choir rings in worship once a month and rehearses most Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Newcomers are welcomed warmly, and no prior experience is necessary; the director will show new ringers exactly what to do.
Beyond the regular ensembles, solo, duet, and small ensemble singers and instrumentalists are scheduled throughout the church year, with many summer Sunday solo opportunities available. Children also sing as a choir on select Sundays during the school year, rehearsing as needed with the help of Sunday School parents. All of these groups are directed by Sharon Luyben, the church's Minister of Music.
Christian Education and Sunday School
The spiritual nurture of children is a stated priority of the congregation. Sunday School runs during the school year from September through May and takes place during the worship hour. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade begin the service in the sanctuary with their families, then walk to their classrooms following the Children's Message. Parents are asked to pick up their children from their rooms at the conclusion of the service.
The curriculum introduces the basics of the Christian faith, the central place of Jesus Christ in that faith, and the word of God as revealed in Scripture, while building relationships that nurture faith for years to come. In the summer months, when Sunday School is on break, activity bags are provided so children can stay engaged while remaining with their parents in the sanctuary.
Care for the Youngest Worshippers
A staffed nursery is available every Sunday morning from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. for infants and young children from newborn through kindergarten. The church hires part-time Nursery Attendants who supervise play, attend to diapering and toileting, and communicate with parents throughout the morning. The position reports to the Head Usher, the Nursery Coordinator, and the President of Consistory, and applicants must complete Pennsylvania background clearances before beginning work.
Visiting for the First Time
First-time visitors are greeted with a relaxed atmosphere. The church invites people to come as they are; on any given Sunday you will see everything from casual wear to more formal clothing. Children of all ages are welcome in worship, and activity packets are available for use during the service.
Parking is available along Penn Avenue, Trent Avenue, and Belmont Avenue. Three entrances serve the building: the main entrance on Penn Avenue, an ADA-accessible ramp on Trent Avenue for those who need step-free access, and a side entrance on Belmont Avenue. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and can be reached at 610-375-9790.
Reaching Out Across Berks County
The congregation supports more than thirteen local ministries that together touch the lives of over 163,000 people in Berks County and surrounding communities. Knit hats, pounds of food, and other regular offerings have become a visible expression of faith over the years, with the congregation continually seeking to heed God's call to love its neighbors.
The church is also developing an intentional partnership with Hannah's Hope Ministries, an organization that helps single mothers move from homelessness to stable, confident, independent living with their children. Members are invited to imagine together what God is calling the congregation to do next, both locally and beyond.
Supporting the Work of the Church
Gifts to Bausman Memorial can be made online, by texting "Bucc" to 73256 and following the link to a secure giving page, by mail to the church office at 1064 Penn Avenue, in person during worship or regular office hours, or through a planned legacy gift. Designated checks support particular ministries, while undesignated gifts go directly to the General Operating Fund.
The Faith Legacy program invites members to prayerfully consider endowing the future of the church. Through endowment funds, donations in memory of deceased members, and faith pledges, the principal is retained while a portion of the interest and dividends can be used to support the church's ministry in coming years. Every gift, the church emphasizes, is a gift of the heart given with a reverent spirit, and gifts of all sizes are welcome.