FAQ

Answer: A first time visit to any new place can be bewildering. Our Sunday morning worship service is casual and runs from 10 AM until approximately 11 AM. You can expect to be greeted and welcomed. You can expect the presence of children and a congregation engaged in ministry to its members, community, and the world. Announcements that detail the life of the congregation and celebrations of the church family are offered as we gather, a musical prelude prepares us for worship, the service follows and includes scripture, prayers, 10 to 15-minute sermon, hymns, and Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month. We are a friendly, welcoming congregation — easy to get to know and eager to invite others into the ministry we offer. 

Answer: At present, volunteers of our Ladies Aid program offer childcare on the first and third Sunday of the month during the months of September thru May. This program is available to children ages 2 years through 5th grade. In the future, we do hope to expand this service to include all Sundays during the school year. 

Answer: We do offer a teen youth group program. In the past, our teens have participated in such activities as white water rafting trips, Gettysburg bike tours, synod conventions and seminars, routinely scheduled basketball/volleyball/dodgeball afternoons at Camp Hebron, Christmas caroling to the elderly, serving at local soup kitchens, collecting food items for local Food Banks, service projects for the church, and over-night events at the church. The youth group is open to all teens in 6th thru 12th grade. Currently, the youth program is working toward reorganizing with a new volunteer youth advisor to be named soon. 

Answer: A list of the various committees, all of which welcome volunteers, may be found on this website under the tab Get Involved. To volunteer for most of the committees, please call the church phone number at 717-362-4597 and leave a message requesting that the chairperson of your preferred committee contact you with meeting and project information. For the Ladies Aid committee, all ladies of the church are considered members of the organization. How much you wish to participate in their projects and activities is up to you. Either leave a message on the church phone or simply attend one of their monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the church. 

Answer: You are welcome to inquire of volunteering with any member of the church and they will be happy to assist you in finding a volunteer opportunity that best suits you. You may also simply call the church office at 717-362-4597 and leave a message of your desire to help. 

Answer: The Ladies Aid organization oversees the altar flower donations. A sign-up sheet is available in late December through early January for all those wishing to donate flowers for any given month.

Answer: The Ladies Aid organization oversees the sponsorship of communion bread and preparation. A sign-up sheet is available in late December through early January for all those wishing to prepare the communion and supply the bread and wine for any given month. 

Answer: For weddings, funerals, and baptisms, it is best to call the church office at 717-362-4597 and leave a message for the pastor to contact you. If you are also requesting a funeral meal, the pastor will forward your contact information to the appropriate Ladies Aid member that handles funeral meal requests. The Ladies Aid is also responsible for scheduling the social hall for baby showers, birthday parties, etc. An events calendar is available to record the date of your upcoming event. Policies concerning the use of the social hall can be obtained from the Ladies Aid member who contacts you concerning your event. 

Answer: As a member of the church, and therefore the body of Christ, we encourage you to worship regularly, contribute as you are able, and participate according to your gifts. 

Answer: There are many Lutheran denominations in the United States. Messiah is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran church body in the United States. Our Messiah congregation is a politically diverse congregation, but puts all differences in such thinking aside to focus on the one uniting message of Jesus Christ – to love and serve everyone.

Answer: It serves the gospel of Jesus Christ within our congregation and the church-wide body. A monthly offering for Lutheran Missionary work is also collected during Sunday School and is given to the ELCA missionary fund.