On Balmville Road in the northern reaches of Newburgh, New York, a stone-and-clapboard sanctuary has anchored a Presbyterian congregation for more than 180 years. Union Church, a member of the Hudson River Presbytery, has watched the surrounding neighborhood change and grow, and it continues to welcome anyone seeking spiritual growth. The congregation identifies its calling plainly: to serve and worship God, to preach God's word, and to share God's love with each other, both within the community of Union Church and in the wider community. That call is lived out in a 10:30 AM Sunday service, an organ-led traditional liturgy, a food pantry that opens its doors every other week, and a network of partnerships with local mission projects.

Sunday Worship at 10:30 AM

Worship is the heart of life at Union Church. The congregation gathers every Sunday at 10:30 AM, both in person and online. Those who can come to the building fill the pews of the sanctuary; those who cannot make the drive can join from home on the church's YouTube channel. A printed bulletin is available in the pews each week, and a text bulletin is published online so that worshipers at home can follow along.

Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month and on major church holidays. A Fellowship Hour follows the service, and members are warmly encouraged to stay. Childcare is offered in the nursery adjacent to the sanctuary, so parents can fully take part in the service while younger children are cared for nearby.

For anyone joining from home, online worship bulletins and weekly reminders are emailed out. Signing up to receive them is as simple as emailing the church office at NewburghUnionChurch@gmail.com.

The Shape of the Service

The Order of Worship at Union Church follows the traditional Reformed shape that has shaped Presbyterian congregations for generations. Members are gently invited to stand where able, and a reminder to turn off phones opens each service.

The flow begins with a Prelude, often a classical organ work, followed by Welcome and Announcements and a responsive Call to Worship adapted from the Psalms. Different Sundays feature different Psalms: Psalm 78 ("Give ear, O my people, to my teaching"), Psalm 105 ("O give thanks to the Lord"), Psalm 114 ("When Israel went out from Egypt"), Psalm 86 ("Incline your ear, O Lord"), Psalm 139 ("O Lord, you have searched me and known me"), Psalm 116 ("I love the Lord"), and Psalm 124 ("If it had not been the Lord who was on our side") are all in recent rotation. An Invocation asks for the presence of the Holy Spirit to join the gathered worshipers.

An Opening Hymn leads into the heart of the liturgy. A Call to Confession reminds the congregation that God knows our sins before we name them, and that forgiveness is offered to those who ask. A Prayer for Understanding follows, often acknowledging the gap between what we try to do and what we actually do, and asking for the courage to live differently. A moment of silent personal confession gives space for private prayer, and an Assurance of Forgiveness proclaims that, through Christ's death and resurrection, all who seek are saved.

The Gloria Patri is sung ("Glory Be to the Father"), followed by a Hymn of Praise. The Passing of the Peace is an exchange of greetings, and an Affirmation of Faith is spoken together. The Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Brief Statement of Faith, and the Declaration of Faith of 1977 each appear across the year. Recent services have included declarations such as: "We trust in God. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God's image male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community."

A Prayer for Illumination opens the scripture readings. Lay readers, in addition to the preacher, bring the word forward: Vivian Thain, Mary Whidden, Libby Syzmanowicz, Dan Olson, Debby and Paul Hill, Brittany Hannon, Cathy McCarty, Rob Ferguson, Theresa Cotanche, and John Safran all serve in this role. The readings are usually threefold: an Old Testament passage or Epistle, a second New Testament passage, and a Gospel reading from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. A sermon follows, then Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer in its traditional form ("Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...").

The Tithes and Offerings come next. After an Offertory, the congregation sings the Doxology ("Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"), and a Prayer of Thanks asks God's guidance in the use of the gifts. A Hymn of Parting ("God Be with You" or "Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing") precedes the Benediction, which is often a brief, sometimes playful, line. One service closed with Martin Luther's quip, "If you are not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there." Another sent worshipers out with the line from Matthew 22, "Go out into the world in peace. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself." A Postlude on the organ closes the morning.

Music and the Organ

Music at Union Church is built around the pipe organ, with John Coates as the steady hand at the console. He plays the preludes, postludes, and offertories, and his selections draw from a wide range of composers and eras. Recent preludes have included works by Aaron Williams ("Come, We That Love the Lord"), Gilbert M. Martin ("Harvest Fanfare"), Silas J. Vail ("Close to Thee"), William H. Monk ("Abide with Me"), Franklin Ritter ("Meditation for Worship"), Dietrich Buxtehude ("Now We Pray unto Thee"), Adolph Hesse (Prelude in F Major), and even Ludwig van Beethoven ("The Glory of God in Nature"). Postludes have ranged from J. Christopher's "Wondrous Love" to Dwight Liles and Niles Borop's "Proclaim the Glory of the Lord" to Ernest W. Schurtleff's "Lead on, O King Eternal."

Hymns are drawn from what the bulletins refer to as the "Red Hymnal." The congregation sings long-time favorites: "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing," "Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound," "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "How Great Thou Art," "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty," "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise," "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken," "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and "Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated," among many others. On Communion Sundays the service includes "Come, Share the Lord" or "Let Us Break Bread Together" before the elements are received.

Music at Union Church is not only the organ. The service of August 23, 2026 included an offertory sung by Nancy Mann with John Coates on guitar and John Safran on percussion. The choirs and soloists of the congregation are an active part of Sunday morning.

Communion at Union Church

The Lord's Supper is central to the life of the church. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of each month and on major church holidays, all as part of the regular 10:30 AM service. The order of Communion begins with a Communion Hymn ("Come, Share the Lord" or "Let Us Break Bread Together"), followed by an Invitation to the Table, a Great Prayer of Thanks, the Words of Institution, and a Prayer of Conclusion. On some Sundays a Communion Procession follows, with the congregation singing "Sing Alleluia to the Lord" as the elements are distributed.

Theresa Cotanche frequently serves the elements. Vivian Thain, ordained as a Deacon in February 2026, also assists with the liturgy and reading of scripture.

Pastoral Leadership

James Phillips is the regular preacher at Union Church. His name appears on most of the recent Orders of Worship, and he writes the congregation's recurring "Musings" reflections, which appear on the church's blog. In one recent piece, written around the 25th anniversary of 9/11, James reflected on the different ways that people process trauma: "I've learned over my lifetime is that there is no right way to live through trauma. When we suffer personal traumas or lose someone close to us, we all process that differently." He offered to be available to anyone who needed to talk, encouraged professional support where needed, and reminded readers of the Psalms: "I am worn out from my groaning... The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer."

Samantha DeLena has also preached at Union Church. Her sermon of August 2, 2026, "Wrestling, Waiting, and Being Fed by Grace," reflected on the feeding of the 5,000 and the church's call to compassion. She also serves as a writer of Call to Worship and prayer texts.

The diaconate is an important part of Presbyterian polity at Union Church. Vivian Thain was ordained as a Deacon in February 2026, a milestone for the congregation. Theresa Cotanche serves as a Deacon as well, and is a frequent scripture reader, assists with communion, and helps lead worship. Deacons in the Presbyterian tradition take responsibility for the church's ministry of compassion and service, especially to those in need.

The Food Pantry

One of the most active ministries of Union Church is its food pantry. The pantry opens every other week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and is open to anyone in the community who needs food.

Alongside food, the pantry accepts donations of clothing, bedding, and towels. All clothing must be washed and in good condition, free of holes, tears, or stains. Bedding of any size is welcome, as are lightly used towels. The church has asked that donors refrain from bringing baby strollers, car seats, cribs, or any large baby items. Hospital commodes, wheelchairs, and other convalescing equipment are not accepted, as they require different handling.

The pantry is supported by volunteers who sort donations, stock shelves, and serve neighbors. The church office is the contact point for anyone interested in joining the team.

Community Outreach in Newburgh and Beyond

Union Church's sense of calling extends well beyond its own building. The congregation supports local mission projects as a body and as individuals, and the church collects special offerings throughout the year for disaster relief and other mission projects announced in worship.

Three mission partners are named on the church's donation page. The first is Samaritan's Way, a local outreach ministry. The second is the Back Pack Program, which provides food for children over weekends and school breaks. The third is Habitat for Humanity, the well-known housing ministry.

The church also participates in cooperative work with the Hudson River Presbytery, the regional body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to which Union Church belongs. Disaster relief offerings and similar special collections are part of this wider connection.

Fellowship and Fundraisers: Bingo, the Thrift Sale, and the Fall Fair

Fellowship is woven into the rhythm of the week. After Sunday worship, the congregation gathers for Fellowship Hour, and members are warmly encouraged to stay. Beyond Sunday mornings, Union Church hosts "Bingo" on the last Friday of each month, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the evening. It has become a regular gathering spot for members, friends, and neighbors.

The Fall Fair is one of the congregation's biggest annual events. Described as "a time for pulling together and sharing as much as we can," the fair is a community effort that combines a holiday bazaar, crafts, food, and fundraising. Members contribute items, prepare crafts, and donate their time in the weeks leading up to the fair. Proceeds support the church's ministries.

A Thrift and Barn Sale supplements these efforts. Members donate gently used items, and the sale raises additional funds for the church's work. Volunteers are needed to help organize and run the sale.

Children and Families

Children are welcome at Union Church. Childcare is offered in the nursery adjacent to the sanctuary during Sunday worship, allowing parents to fully take part in the service while younger children are cared for nearby. The church also has volunteer opportunities for Sunday School teachers, and Sunday School is mentioned as one of the church's ongoing ministries, with the church office serving as the contact point for those interested in teaching or helping.

Prayer Requests and Pastoral Care

The church maintains a Prayer Team that receives and prays for submitted requests. Anyone can submit a prayer request online, including their first and last name, email, phone (optional), and the person they are praying for. Requests can be kept private or shared during worship as part of the Prayers of the People. The Prayer Team responds to submissions during regular office hours.

James Phillips has noted in writing that the church is available to those who need to talk. He has said, "If you need to talk to someone this week, please feel free to reach out to me or others here at the church. If you need professional support, please don't fear asking for it. If you need something, but you don't quite know what, try reaching out to God in prayer."

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to participate in the life of Union Church. Volunteer opportunities include the Food Pantry, Sunday School teaching, After Service Coffee Hour, the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Barn and Thrift Sale Helpers, Holiday Bazaar Crafts and Helpers, Dinner Events, and Other Special Events. The church office can connect interested individuals with current needs.

Planned giving and ongoing donations of food, clothing, and thrift items are also welcomed. The church's giving page lists opportunities to support the work financially, to donate food, to give toward the thrift and barn sale, or to set up planned giving.

Giving Online

Online giving is available through Tithe.ly, a trusted online giving platform. Gifts can be made by credit card or checking account. A 3% fee applies to online transactions, a detail the church makes transparent to anyone who gives this way. The link is on the church's donation page.

In addition to ongoing gifts, the church collects special offerings for disaster relief and mission projects throughout the year. These are announced during worship.

Visiting Union Church

Union Church sits at 44 Balmville Road in Newburgh, New York. The church office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Visitors and callers can reach the office at (845) 562-0954 or by email at NewburghUnionChurch@gmail.com. The mailing address is the same as the building address: 44 Balmville Road, Newburgh, New York 12550.

Worship begins at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings. Those who arrive early will find the sanctuary prepared, the red hymnal in the pew, and the bulletin ready. Those who cannot attend in person can find the service streaming on the church's YouTube channel, where recent Orders of Worship and sermons are also available. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of each month and on major church holidays.

Whatever brings a visitor to Balmville Road, they will find a congregation that has been doing this work for a long time, that loves its neighborhood, and that is glad to share what it has.