Perched on the rise above East Main Street in New Holland, Pennsylvania, Saint Stephen Reformed Church has marked the local skyline since 1732. The congregation calls itself "The Beacon on the Hill," borrowing the image of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:14-16 about a city that cannot be hidden. Nearly three centuries after its founding, the church continues to gather twice each Sunday for worship, to teach its children and youth in Sunday school classes that meet across the hall, and to host Bible studies and prayer meetings that bring its members together throughout the week.
A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America
Saint Stephen is a member church of the Presbyterian Church in America, the denomination sometimes summarized by its own motto: Faithful to Scripture, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission. The congregation confesses the Westminster Confession of Faith together with the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms as the most faithful summary of scriptural teaching. Ordained officers of the PCA take a solemn vow to receive these documents as a system of doctrine taught in Holy Scripture, while always acknowledging that the Bible itself, in its sixty-six books, is the one infallible and preeminent authority for faith and life.
The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed are also used in worship from time to time as historic summaries of the Christian faith. The preaching at Saint Stephen centers on verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture, and the congregation's ministries all aim at teaching and proclaiming the Word.
Sundays at Saint Stephen
A typical Sunday begins with a brief season of prayer in Zwingli Hall from 9:00 to 9:15 AM. The morning worship service follows at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary. The order of service is traditional, with a Christ-centered liturgy that weaves together prayer, Bible reading, congregational singing of the great hymns of the faith, and expository preaching. The Lord's Supper is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month during the morning service, and on the third Sunday of each month during the evening service.
Children are welcomed into the service. The congregation encourages parents to bring even the youngest among them, valuing the sounds of little voices during singing and the recitation of the Lord's Prayer as part of covenant life. A staffed nursery for infants and toddlers is provided during the 9:30 AM service on every Sunday except the first, when children are especially invited to remain in worship to observe the Lord's Supper in preparation for becoming communicant members. Parents who need a quieter space may use Zwingli Hall across from the sanctuary, where a live feed of the service is available along with a small play area.
Sunday school for all ages follows the morning service in Zwingli Hall. On the first Sunday of the month, however, the entire congregation gathers for a combined Snack and Chat fellowship in place of classes. The teaching combines topical series with studies of books of the Bible, and every class is shaped by a commitment to biblical fidelity, gospel proclamation, and discipleship from belief to maturity.
Evening worship is held at 4:00 PM and is described as seeking the same balance of solemnity and joy as the morning service. After the evening service, the youth ministry hosts a one-hour gathering from 5:00 to 6:00 PM with snacks, occasional meals, and games ranging from Spikeball and hockey to board games.
Children's Ministry from the Nursery Up
Saint Stephen's children's ministry exists to draw children closer to the living God. Its aims are stated plainly: to foster a firm knowledge of the whole counsel of God through persistent prayer, to communicate the gospel in word and deed both within the church and in the community, and to assist parents in the Christian nurture of their children without ever taking the place of the family. Every volunteer working with children has been screened, has cleared a background check, and has received child protection training.
The nursery serves children from birth through age three. Sunday school for infants through fifth grade meets after the morning service with age-appropriate lessons that incorporate music, crafts, and hands-on activities to reinforce the truth and grace of Scripture. On the first Sunday of the month, when children remain in worship to witness the Lord's Supper, no staffed nursery is offered.
Youth Ministry for Grades Six Through Twelve
The youth ministry is open to all teens in grades six through twelve and meets each Sunday during the Sunday school hour. Teaching alternates between topical lessons addressing the challenges of the present culture and studies that walk straight through books of the Bible. The stated twofold mission of the ministry is to reach the youth of the surrounding community with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to equip them with a practical understanding of the unchanging Word of God for an ever-changing culture.
Six foundations guide the program: clear biblical teaching, gospel proclamation, the practice of discipleship, integrated ministry that keeps teens part of the life of the whole church, a friendly and welcoming culture, and a high view of the parents' role as the primary disciple-makers in the home.
Men's and Women's Fellowship
The men's ministry gathers around the conviction that men grow closer together as they grow closer to Christ. A men's Bible discussion group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in Lower Bachman, facilitated by Alan Dinning. A men's morning Bible study meets at 7:00 AM every other Tuesday in the same room, with coffee and donuts. A monthly men's breakfast is held at 8:00 AM on the first Saturday of each month in Zwingli Hall, typically centered on a short presentation followed by table discussion.
The women's ministry exists to foster relationships among the women of Saint Stephen and the surrounding community, to encourage and build one another up in the faith, and to serve each other, the church, and the community. Three women's Bible study groups are offered: a Monday evening group meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 PM twice a month, a Tuesday morning group from 9:30 to 11:30 AM twice a month, and a Tuesday morning group meeting weekly from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. A quarterly women's breakfast gathers in Zwingli Hall four times a year, with formats that vary from guest speakers to activity-based fellowship.
Bridge Ministry and the Wider Community
The Bridge Ministry is the church's outreach effort to connect the congregation with the greater New Holland area through service, fellowship, and the sharing of God's Word. Drawing on texts such as "let your light shine before others" from Matthew 5:16 and the call to "love your neighbor as yourself" from Mark 12:31, the ministry seeks to build relationships and offer practical support as a bridge between need and provision.
Programs under the Bridge Ministry include the periodic offering of Financial Peace University, a partnership with CrossNet to develop deeper community connections, and a Hospitality Team that aims to ensure every visitor feels the warmth of Christ. The Financial Peace University class meets on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Zwingli Hall, with free childcare offered and scholarships available for the course fee.
St. Stephen School of Music
Saint Stephen also operates a school of music that offers private lessons on piano, organ, and flute for beginners through advanced students. All music teachers are members of the church, but students do not need to share the congregation's faith. A Musikgarten class for children ages three through seven is held on Thursdays at 4:30 PM and has limited availability. Lessons and classes are filled on a first come, first serve basis and billed directly by the teachers.
Wednesday Prayer on Zoom
The congregation keeps a weekly prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM on Zoom. Lasting roughly forty-five minutes, the gathering is described as a chance to see each other face to face and to lift up prayer requests. A list of prayer requests is shared in advance; requests may be sent to Anita or to Pastor Nathan ahead of time. When Sunday morning services are cancelled, the same link connects members with Pastors Drew and Nathan at 9:30 AM for a brief time of fellowship, a devotional, and prayer.
The Pastoral Team
Dr. Andrew J. DiNardo serves as Senior Pastor. A Philadelphia sports fan who grew up in South Jersey, he came to faith in 1988 and went on to study at Philadelphia College of Bible (now Cairn University), complete an M.S. in Christian Counseling, and serve at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia under Philip Ryken and Rick Phillips. He later earned his Master of Divinity, was ordained, and served as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Coral Springs for twelve years before coming to Saint Stephen. He also holds a doctorate from the Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies.
Nathan Titus serves as Assistant Pastor, assisting with worship services, overseeing the Prayer, Children, and Youth ministries, and preaching at the Sunday evening service. Ordained and installed in 2026, he holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biblical Studies and Worship Arts from Lancaster Bible College and a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies from Knox Theological Seminary, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Doug Wimer serves as Music Director and Organist. Dr. Stuart Sacks serves as Pianist and Jocelyn Crosby as Flutist. Dr. Timothy Zimmerman Witmer is Pastor Emeritus. The pastoral team is supported by an administrative assistant and a bookkeeper in the church office.
Livestream, Bulletins, and Sermons
Sunday morning and evening services are livestreamed on YouTube, with recordings posted afterward for those who cannot attend in person. A full archive of bulletins goes back several years, and sermons are organized by series, scripture, topic, season, and speaker. Recent series include a verse-by-verse walk through the Gospel of Mark, a study of Deuteronomy, and the parables of Jesus, all shaped by the conviction that the Word of God advances the Kingdom by his own power as believers faithfully proclaim and receive it.
Visiting Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen sits at 249 East Main Street in New Holland, Pennsylvania. Visitors can expect warm greeters at the door, a worship service that reverently and joyfully honors God through prayer, singing, Scripture reading, and preaching, and the freedom to come dressed in whatever is most comfortable. A Welcome Center near the entrance is staffed by greeters who can answer questions and help first-time visitors find their way.