Welcome to Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church. Below are answers to common spiritual and theological questions asked by people in Hazleton and the surrounding Luzerne County area.

Looking for a Non-Denominational Church in Hazleton or Luzerne County?

When people search for a non-denominational church in Hazleton and across Luzerne County, they are often looking for an approachable, authentic spiritual home: a place free from cold bureaucracy, national church politics, or rigid pretense. Many who seek a non-denominational setting have grown weary of dead institutional tradition or shifting cultural trends, and simply want an unpretentious environment where the Bible is taught clearly, Jesus is exalted, and visitors are welcomed into a warm, down-to-earth community.

At Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church, we strive to for authentic, Bible-centered Christianity. While we are a confessional Presbyterian congregation, we offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere focused on what matters most: expository Bible preaching, simple and reverent worship, and genuine Christian fellowship. Instead of relying on worldly gimmicks or institutional stiffness, we provide a stable, friendly environment where neighbors from all backgrounds can study God’s Word, grow in grace, and find a true church family.

What does the Bible say about cremation vs burial

While the Bible does not explicitly command burial over cremation, Scripture consistently points us to the hope of the resurrection. Historically, Christians favored burial because placing a body in the ground serves as a visual picture of a seed planted in expectation of new life (1 Corinthians 15:42). However, God’s power to resurrect His people is not restricted by how a body is laid to rest (John 11:25). On the last day, Jesus Christ will raise all believers, transforming our earthly bodies into glorious, eternal bodies. Whether a person is buried or cremated, nothing can prevent the Lord from fulfilling His promise to raise the dead. Ultimately, our confidence rests not in the condition of the grave, but in Jesus’ victory over death and the sure promise of life everlasting (1 Cor 15:54-56).

Are there Reformed Presbyterian churches in Luzerne County, PA?

Yes. Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA) is located in southern Luzerne County at 680 Roosevelt Street in Hazleton, serving families across the Wyoming Valley, Freeland, Drums, Wapwallopen, Nescopeck, Wilkes-Barre and beyond. If you are searching for a Presbyterian church in Luzerne County, it helps to know that not all Presbyterian churches hold to the same doctrine or worship practices.

Unlike mainline Presbyterian denominations (such as the PCUSA), Hazleton RPC belongs to the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA)—one of the oldest confessional Protestant bodies in North America. We hold unreservedly to the full authority and inerrancy of Holy Scripture, subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith, preach expository sermons directly from the Bible, and practice a cappella Psalm singing in accordance with historic Reformed worship.

If you live in Luzerne County and are seeking a reverent, Bible-believing church family where Jesus Christ is exalted and the Gospel is faithfully proclaimed, we warmly invite you to join us for worship this Lord’s Day at 11:00 AM.

What Is the Difference Between Catholic and Presbyterian Communion?

When comparing Roman Catholic and Presbyterian theology, the nature of the Lord’s Supper reveals a profound divide in how we understand Scripture, the sacraments, and the person of Christ. Roman Catholic doctrine insists on Transubstantiation. That is the teaching that the bread and wine literally transform into the physical body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus. Holy Scripture and the Reformed tradition reject this as not only lacking biblical support, but as theologically and physically impossible. Because Jesus physically ascended into heaven and sits bodily at the right hand of the Father until He returns (Acts 3:21), His human body cannot be physically localized on thousands of earthly altars simultaneously. Confounding Christ’s physical body in this manner overthrows the very nature of a sacrament, which relies on physical signs to point to spiritual truths. In contrast, Reformed Presbyterians affirm that while the bread and wine remain truly bread and wine, Christ is genuinely present to believers spiritually through the Holy Spirit as they partake by faith.

This error regarding the elements directly fuels a flawed view of the worship service itself. Catholic dogma defines the Mass as an ongoing, unbloody sacrifice re-offered to God by a priest to appease divine wrath for the living and the dead. Scripture flatly contradicts this by declaring that Jesus offered one single, perfect sacrifice for sins for all time and then sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12–14). To claim that Christ must be repeatedly offered up on an altar diminishes His triumphant declaration on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Because Christ is our sole High Priest and the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the Lord’s Supper is not an altar of sacrifice administered by an earthly priesthood, but a holy covenant meal where a redeemed community gratefully commemorates Christ’s finished redemption.

Because the Lord’s Supper is a sacred covenant meal, Scripture strictly warns against partaking unworthily and commands spiritual self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28). For this reason, Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church practices Session-controlled Communion. Out of deep pastoral love for souls and a solemn duty to honor Christ’s institution, our elders shepherd the Lord’s Table, admitting those who have been interviewed by the Session, have made a credible public profession of faith in Christ alone, and are members in good standing of an evangelical church. Because Roman Catholic doctrine denies the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work, practicing Catholics are not admitted to the table. Far from an act of ill will, this careful fencing protects individuals from eating and drinking judgment upon themselves while upholding the integrity of the Gospel. We warmly invite any visitor desiring to partake in the future to meet with our elders, and we welcome all to join us each Lord’s Day to hear the true Gospel faithfully proclaimed.

Is the Assumption of Mary in the Bible?

While Christians rightly honor Mary as the blessed mother of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 1:48), the doctrine of her bodily Assumption into heaven is nowhere in Holy Scripture. The Bible is completely silent regarding the end of Mary’s earthly life, and God’s Word alone is given to us as the complete and sufficient authority for what we must believe (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Scripture clearly records the physical resurrection and bodily ascension of Jesus Christ alone as the victorious Savior (Acts 1:9–11, 1 Corinthians 15:20). It is Christ’s perfect sacrifice and resurrectio, not human tradition or extra-biblical dogmas, that guarantees eternal life for all who trust in Him (John 6:40). At Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church, we rejoice in the absolute sufficiency of God’s written Word and invite you to explore the rich, unshakeable truths of Scripture with us.

Is Praying to St. Ann Biblical? What the Bible Says About Intercession and Prayer

While we can respect the memory of faithful Christians throughout history, Scripture teaches that prayer is a unique act of religious worship reserved for God alone (Matthew 4:10). The Bible explicitly declares that “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Because Jesus suffered and rose again for us, every believer has direct, immediate access to “approach the throne of grace with boldness” without needing human or saintly intermediaries (Hebrews 4:16). Christ is our perfect, living High Priest who “always lives to make intercession” for His people (Hebrews 7:25). At Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church, we rejoice that you can pray directly to God the Father through Jesus Christ today with full confidence that He hears you.

How Are We Saved? What the Bible Says About Faith Alone vs. Works

Many people carry the heavy burden of wondering whether they have done enough good works to earn God’s favor or secure their salvation. Yet Scripture clearly proclaims that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace received through faith alone, “not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). While good works are the necessary and joyful fruit of a living faith (James 2:18), they are not the cause or cost of our justification before God (Romans 3:28). Because Christ fulfilled the law and paid the debt for sin completely on the cross, believers can rest in the steady assurance that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). At Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church, we invite you to discover the true peace and freedom that come from trusting solely in Christ’s finished work.

Is Praying to Mary and the Saints Biblical? What Scripture Says About Prayer

While honoring faithful believers throughout history is good, Scripture teaches that prayer is an act of worship reserved for God alone (Matthew 4:10). The Bible explicitly reveals that “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5), meaning we do not need secondary human intermediaries to reach God. Through Jesus, every believer has direct, confident access to approach the throne of grace at any time (Hebrews 4:16). At Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church, we rejoice in the glorious truth that Christ hears your prayers directly and intercedes for you perfectly (Hebrews 7:25).

When Churches Close in Hazleton, PA: What the Bible Says About the True Church

Losing a cherished church building brings deep grief, especially when generations of family history were built within its walls. Yet Scripture shows that God’s true Church is not made of brick and mortar, but is composed of believers who “like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5) with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). While physical doors close, “the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8) under Christ, who remains “head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22). At Hazleton Reformed Presbyterian Church, we warmly invite you to find a welcoming, Bible-centered spiritual home where Christ is faithfully proclaimed.

What should I expect on my first visit to Hazleton RPC?

The building is located in a residential neighborhood of Hazleton. Although we have a very small parking lot, you may find it simpler to park on the street. Parking is usually open within 100′. The congregation meets at 11am, with very few arriving before 10:45. Through the front door, bathrooms are to the right, worship is straight ahead. You’ll be greeted by friendly hosts, who will help you find a seat.

Worship includes acapella singing from the ‘Book of Psalms for Singing,’ found in the pews. Sing along! The service is filled with Scripture reading, expository preaching and prayer. Lord’s Supper and Baptism occasionally. We do not add fun and games to the worship of King Jesus.

After worship, most weeks feature a time of Christian education/’Sunday School’, followed by a fellowship lunch. Everyone is welcome! Though we sleep in and worship at 11, it is not uncommon to stick around for fellowship till after 3pm.