Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous meets at St. Paul’s every Monday and Wednesday at 7:01 p.m. and again on Fridays at 8:01 p.m. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, or if you want help to quit drinking, you are welcome to attend.
Additional meetings and local AA information can be found at the Harrisburg Intergroup website. The local AA Hotline number is (717) 234-5390. The hotline offers general information about alcoholism and local meetings and is manned by AA volunteers.
More extensive general information about AA and recovery from alcoholism can be found at the National website.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is a group of baptized, worshiping, communing members of the congregation who are responsible for the preparations necessary for corporate worship. The responsibilities of the members include caring for the worship space, its furnishings, linens, vestments, paraments, appointments, and the sacramental elements and vessels.
Members also prepare the worship spaces for all liturgies and corporate rites including baptisms, funerals, weddings, and installations along with weekly Saturday and Sunday worship. Membership is open to both men and women.
Christ’s Spirit fills us with thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. If you would like to serve in this special ministry, please contact the church office.
Bible Studies
We meet at 1pm on Tuesday afternoons through the end of May and are currently studying the book of Acts with plenty of discussion on how the church has related and can relate to other faith traditions. We discuss topics as they arise with humor and humility.
The fellowship is encouraging, and neither preparation nor Bible knowledge are needed to fully participate in the group. And no worries, if you prefer not to read out loud, we respect that. The hour goes very quickly. Please join us!
Christian Education Ministry
Promises made at baptism, either by parents and sponsors or by the newly baptized, call us to be disciples who learn about the love and grace of God through scripture, the confessional statements of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and faith practices. The primary opportunity for Christian Education is through Sunday Church School, Confirmation Ministry and Bible Study Groups.
Music Ministry
Music has always been a rich tradition in Lutheran worship. The congregation is an integral part of worship, as the people sing the liturgy and hymns which speak to the liturgical season and the scripture lessons for the day.
Choirs lead and enrich the worship life of our faith community. Everyone who loves to sing is welcome to join a vocal choir. Everyone who loves the sound of bells is welcome to join the Bell Choir.
Choirs for Worship
Our Minister of Music, Joyce Gerstenlauer, leads the Choirs with inspirational songs of praise, following the liturgical seasons, to enhance our worship experience.
The Adult Choir consists of adults and teens. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7:15PM, September through May. If you are interested in joining the Choir, please contact our Minister of Music, Joyce Gerstenlauer.
The Children’s Choir meets at the beginning of Sunday School, singing and playing rhythm instruments, and participates in worship every few weeks.
Handbell Choir
Handbell Choir Director, Victoria Wonders, leads a vibrant rehearsal by teaching bell techniques and rehearsing special music and hymn accompaniments for worship. We use both handbells and chimes as the music selection suggests.
The Bell Choir consists of youth through adults, with rehearsals on Wednesdays at 6:30PM. If you are interested in joining the Handbell Choir, please contact our Bell Choir Director, Viki Wonders.
Outreach & Social Ministry
Making Christ known to all people is a priority of the mission that we proclaim and share. The Outreach Committee meets regularly to plan for both “in-reach” & “out-reach.” We seek ways to keep our membership connected with one another with planned activities and events, as well as ways to be a positive and friendly presence amongst our neighbors in the community.
The Outreach Committee can be reached by email here.
Property Ministry
The Property Ministry Team meets regularly to deal with the issues surrounding our buildings.
The team is looking for anyone in the congregation that has talents in areas in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc. who would not mind volunteering their time on an as needed basis to the church.
For more information, please contact Ron Colvin.
Quilting Ministry
A group of dedicated volunteers gathers every Thursday, 9:00AM to 10:30AM, September to May, to sew tie knot style quilts for Lutheran World Relief (LWR). The quilts are blessed on Harvest Home Sunday, celebrated the second weekend of November. We also give thanks and recognize those who have shared in this ministry during the past year.
This ministry donates just over 200 quilts each year to LWR for distribution to people all over the world who are displaced because of natural disaster, political and civil unrest and famine. Join this ministry to connect with a caring group who makes Christ known with beautifully sewn quilts.
Materials such as old sheets (either full or large), bed spreads, mattress pads, or electric blankets are reused to make new quilts. Please place your donations outside the quilt closet in Fellowship Hall.
Please contact Yvonne Sebestyen to let her know you’re joining this ministry.