Hill Top United Methodist Church - Pittsburgh

03/29/2026

What a fun day at our annual Easter Egg Hunt! Thanks to all the kids, adults, and helpers who made it work. A blessed Easter to everyone. 🌈 ✝️

01/24/2026

We will be CLOSED this Sunday! Stay safe.

At this point, the weather forecasts are unanimous: the heaviest snow of the coming storm will be hitting right in time for church.

We hate to cancel worship, but in the interest of safety, we will be closed this Sunday, January 25th. Stay warm and safe!

01/21/2026

Keep an eye on the South Hills Partnership page and sign up for Flocknote updates to ensure you know if we have to close for inclement weather!

As you know, Pittsburgh is projected to get anywhere between zero and seventeen feet of snow this weekend.

As you prepare for church on Sunday, we will announce if there will be closures or changes. That would be posted here on the South Hills Partnership page.

If you are signed up for Flocknote, you will receive a text message and email telling you of the cancelation.

If you are not signed up for Flocknote or if your information needs to be updated, please do so by texting SHPUMC to 84576 or visiting shpumc.flocknote.com.

No post, email, or text means that we will be OPEN... but that you should make the safest decision for yourself when deciding whether to travel to church.

12/17/2025

Peace. Community. Carols. Candlelight.

This Christmas Eve, join your neighbors at Hill Top UMC (Allentown) for a 7:00 PM service. Find a moment of stillness and a message of hope in the heart of the Hilltop as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Whether you’re a lifelong neighbor or visiting for the first time, come as you are. We can't wait to see you.

12/12/2025

Today is the monthly Fresh Fridays food distribution! If you could use it, stop by beginning at 2pm this afternoon, in the old St. John Vianney parking lot.

Join us for our final Fresh Fridays of 2025 this Friday, 12/12, starting at 2pm while supplies last at 206 Allen Street! 🍎

11/25/2025

Today we installed Allentown's 2025 Christmas tree!

Make sure you come and join us for Light-Up Night to usher in the season, this Saturday from 5:30-7pm.

11/18/2025

We know the Wesleys, but Methodism is only half of United Methodist heritage!

We are also descended from the German-speaking United Brethren in Christ and Evangelical Association—who founded the Arlington Avenue EUB Church, one half of what is today Hill Top UMC.

You can read more about Brethren founder Philip Otterbein here.

On this date 212 years ago (Nov. 17, 1813), Philip William Otterbein, a co-founder of the United Brethren of Christ, died.

Otterbein, a German-speaking pastor in the Pennsylvania/Maryland area, was a longtime friend of Francis Asbury and, at Asbury's invitation, attended the Christmas Conference. It was at this conference when the Methodist Episcopal Church was founded.

When Otterbein died, Asbury led the memorial service for his friend. "Forty years have I known the retiring modesty of this man of God," Asbury wrote in his journal, "towering majestic above his fellows in learning, wisdom, and grace, yet seeking to be known only of God and the people of God."

Otterbein is buried on the site of the church he served for nearly 40 years, which was soon after renamed The Otterbein Church, and later became The Historic Old Otterbein United Methodist Church.

Learn more about Otterbein and his importance to The United Methodist Church at the link: https://www.umc.org/en/content/a-founding-brethren-facts-for-united-methodists-about-otterbein

10/30/2025

SNAP (food stamp) benefits will lapse in November due to the government shutdown. If you'd like to assist in the midst of this need, there are a few options: first, you are welcome to donate canned goods or other nonperishables (pasta and sauce are always in high demand, as well as ready-to-eat meals) to the free food pantries at Spencer and Fairhaven.

Additionally, Abiding Missions in Allentown is requesting contributions for their weekly Thursday food distribution:

"We are anticipating an increase in requests for food assistance and an increase in attendees at our weekly Neighbor Makers Pantry.

To prepare for this increased need, we are requesting additional donations of the following:

-Canned soups (pull tab cans preferred)
-Canned prepared meals (SpaghettiOs, etc)
-Chef Boyardee meals

We are specifically requesting these items for a couple of reasons. First, these are items that do not require any additional ingredients to prepare. Second, these are items that are shelf-stable. Third, these are items that can be safely eaten even if they are not heated. These foods are extremely popular because they can be eaten without requiring access to a refrigerator or microwave."

10/27/2025

Happy Halloweek! We had a wonderful time this Saturday at Trunk or Treat. Thanks to all who joined us, including our friends from District 3, Cornerstone Care, the Eagleburger Band, Death Comes Lifting, and Mary, Queen of Peace Parish.

Trunk or Treat is always a highlight of our year!

10/21/2025

It's nominations season, when we choose our church leadership for the coming year!

Ever felt confused about what all our roles are? This video should help!