Growing Spiritually through Service on Sumneytown Pike
Gwynedd Square Presbyterian Church stands along Sumneytown Pike in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, a stretch of road that has long drawn families from the surrounding North Penn communities. The congregation gathers around a simple tagline that says a great deal about who they are: "Growing Spiritually through Service." From its two Sunday morning services to its bi-annual Mission Weeks and a benevolence budget that touches dozens of nonprofits, the church has built a reputation for combining classic Reformed worship with hands-on outreach in its own backyard and far beyond.
Two Sunday Mornings, One Heart of Worship
Worship is the centerpiece of life at Gwynedd Square. Two services are offered each Sunday, both grounded in the Reformed tradition with scripture-based liturgy, prayers, and preaching intended to connect with everyday life.
An Early Service at 8:30 am is shorter and more intimate, featuring piano, drums, and singers lifting contemporary praise. The principal Worship Service at 10:00 am features the GSPC Choir and a blend of traditional and modern hymns accompanied by organ or piano. Light refreshments are served in the narthex afterward, giving congregants time to greet one another before heading into the week.
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at both services. The sanctuary itself is described as a spacious sacred place with large windows that frame views of the surrounding landscape, an intentional feature that the church notes helps worshippers feel connected to God's creation.
For those unable to attend in person, services are available via Zoom Webinar (ID: 848-6162-3783), with no video or audio of worshippers shown. Worshippers may also join by telephone at 929-205-6099.
Children and Youth at Every Stage
Gwynedd Square places a strong emphasis on welcoming children of every age. A peanut-free nursery is available for infants and toddlers through age two, with age-appropriate toys, comfortable nursing chairs, and the worship service piped in through the sound system.
Children in fifth grade and under are invited, after the opening of worship, to move to a classroom where they continue in age-appropriate worship in the Montessori tradition. Bible stories are told with hand-held manipulatives and craft supplies that allow young worshippers to retell the stories in their own words.
Sunday School runs from September through June at 9:00 am, with two class options: Discovery for younger children and Disciples for older youth. The youth ministry, led by Carol Wagenheiser, Youth Mission Coordinator, hosts mission-focused events throughout the year and culminates in a summer youth mission trip. Confirmation classes are offered for adults interested in learning about the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the essentials of the Reformed faith.
A Music Program that Fills the Sanctuary
Music is woven through the life of the church in several forms. The GSPC Choir, the Handbell Choir, and a Concert Band all contribute to the principal worship service. A Praise Team leads the Early Service with a more contemporary sound. Twice a year, the musical gifts of the congregation are showcased for the wider community: a Spring Community Concert each April features the choir, handbells, and concert band with a reception to follow, and a Christmas Concert in December brings the choirs and guest musicians together for an afternoon of seasonal music, capped by a festive dinner in Weber Hall.
Twice-Yearly Mission Weeks
One of the most distinctive rhythms at Gwynedd Square is its bi-annual Mission Week, held in late April or early May and again in late October or early November. For one week, members and friends of the church intentionally set aside time to volunteer with community service organizations or contribute donations. Hands-on opportunities are available for all ages, with options to volunteer in a group or individually, to travel to the mission site or work from the church, and to schedule around weekday, evening, or weekend availability. Past partner organizations have included Cradles to Crayons, Gemma Services, Garden of Health Food Bank, and Mitzvah Circle.
Local Outreach and a Wide-Reaching Benevolence Budget
Beyond Mission Weeks, Gwynedd Square maintains ongoing partnerships with a network of local nonprofits. Members regularly serve alongside Habitat for Humanity, the North Penn Valley Boys & Girls Club, Manna on Main Street, Cradles to Crayons, Gemma Services, Caring for Friends, and Keystone Opportunity Center.
The church's Benevolence Budget extends that reach further, supporting Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center, Chester Eastside, John Gloucester House, Heifer International, Hope Prison Ministries, Aid for Friends, Laurel House, Princeton Theological Seminary, the Upper Gwynedd Fire Department, the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale, and the Presbytery of Philadelphia itself.
Small Groups and Fellowship Across the Week
Beyond Sunday mornings, the church offers a wide array of small groups designed to build community. DIVAS (Divinely Inspired Victoriously Affirming Studies) meets on the third Monday of each month at Pizza Time Saloon for study and discussion. The Mary Martha Circle gathers monthly for Bible study using the Presbyterian Women's curriculum, along with fellowship and prayer. A bowling team plays at Earl Bowl from September through May. Monthly lunch groups meet at local restaurants, with a women's group on the first Wednesday and a men's group on the third Wednesday, both of which also take periodic field trips. Betsy's Book Club gathers every other month at Pizza Time Saloon for book discussion and fellowship. A Hiking Ministry takes to the outdoors on the fourth Saturday of each month from May through October, meeting in the church parking lot at 8:30 am for one-to-three-mile walks with a short devotional along the way.
Lifelong Learning for Adults
Adults at Gwynedd Square have several opportunities for ongoing formation. The Adult Forum meets on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm via Zoom, and a Wednesday morning Bible Study meets at the church at 10:00 am. For those curious about joining the Presbyterian Church, confirmation classes explore the essentials of the Reformed tradition and the life of the PCUSA.
The Seasons of the Church Year
The congregation marks the major seasons of the Christian calendar with special services. Ash Wednesday is observed with a Soup Supper in Weber Hall followed by worship with the imposition of ashes. Good Friday brings a reflective Tenebrae service with piano and choir, preceded by the soup supper. Easter is celebrated at two Sunday morning services. Advent is marked by a Family Day featuring mission activities, sanctuary decorating, and a pizza lunch. Christmas Eve includes an early afternoon service with the Praise Team and an evening candlelight service with the choir, with a third Zoom option at 10 pm for those who cannot attend in person.
Leadership and Pastoral Care
The Reverend Wonjae Choi has served as pastor of Gwynedd Square since 2019. A former Moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, she currently serves as Co-Chair of the Presbytery's Board of Trustees. She previously served as transitional pastor in the Presbyteries of Philadelphia, New Brunswick, and Lackawanna. An alum of Johns Hopkins University and Princeton Theological Seminary, she lives in Bucks County with her husband and two sons.
Baptism at Gwynedd Square is described as a memorable occasion of thanksgiving and hope. Parents wishing to have a child baptized are invited to contact the church office to speak with the pastor about arrangements, and the congregation vows to support parents in the spiritual nurturing of their children.
Getting Involved and Staying Connected
The church office can be reached at 215-699-9159 or by email at office@gwyneddsquare.org. Giving is available online through a dedicated giving page. Updates on events, concerts, blood drives, mission opportunities, and seasonal celebrations are posted throughout the year, with gatherings that range from a bus trip to an Iron Pigs baseball game to a Celtic music concert with Charlie Zahm, an annual rummage sale, and a Veterans Day celebration. A GSPC Anniversary Celebration each June, complete with a luncheon following worship, marks another annual milestone.