Advent Cross Connection
Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,
This edition of our newsletter greets you at a time of transition. Not only are we ending one church year and beginning a new one, there are other endings and beginnings occurring all around us. After many years of dedicated service to the church, Shelly Davies is ending her time with us as she and her family prepare a new beginning in Canada in the new year. Whitney Waters is ending her time as Office Assistant and beginning serving as our Office and Communications Manager. Chaplain Amy Wagner has ended her service with SpiriTrust Lutheran and begins a new chapter as Chaplain of WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. While times of transition can be a cause of stress and grief, they are also opportunities for growth and renewal.
The theme of Advent, the new season of the new liturgical year greets us with the following message from Jesus: Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)
This call is not meant to engender fear and anxiety, but rather hopeful anticipation. Keeping awake can sometimes be a challenge! The meaning undergirding this summons is being watchful and vigilant, giving strict attention. I think of my (really, Heidi’s) dog, Oliver. Most days (when we’re home) he sits in his special spot. From this vantage point, he is afforded full visual surveillance of our front yard. He keeps awake and vigilant for the first sign of the USPS van to park down the street. As the letter carrier makes his way to our porch, Oliver lets out a “gentle woof” of greeting.
The rolling around of the season of Advent once again can feel like a familiar and well-traveled occurrence by this point. Maybe sometimes we feel like we’re going through the motions.
Even as much around us is coming to an end and beginning in new ways again, we can participate in this time of transition with renewed attentiveness. Christ calls us to be vigilant and hopeful. Let us support one another as we greet the Advent of our God
in a time and place of God’s own choosing.
Come in your holy might, we pray,
redeeming us for eternal day;
defend us while we dwell below
from all assaults of our dread foe.
In Christ’s Love for you,
Pastor Christopher Frye
You can view or print this month’s newsletter with graphics by clicking here.
Keep scrolling to read text-only
Worship
Sundays and Special Days
Wednesday, December 3rd – @7pm – Advent 1 – Midweek Service – Mont Alto UMC
Sunday, December 7th – @10am – Second Sunday of Advent / Holy Communion
Wednesday, December 10th – @7pm – Advent 2 – Midweek Service -St. Luke
Sunday, December 14th – @10am – Third Sunday of Advent / Holy Communion
Wednesday, December 17th – @7pm – Advent 3 – Midweek Service – Scotland Fellowship Church
Sunday, December 21st – @10am – Fourth Sunday of Advent / Holy Communion
Sunday, December 21st – @3pm – Blue Christmas – St. Johns UCC – 1811 Lincoln Way, E Chambersburg
Wednesday, December 24th – @7pm – Christmas Eve / Holy Communion / Festival Service
Sunday, December 28th – @10am – First Sunday of Christmas / Holy Communion / Lessons and Carols
Weekly Worship & Study Opportunities
Sunday
8:45 a.m. Faith Formation classes
10 a.m. In-person and online worship
Tuesday
1 p.m. (1st Tuesday) @ Luther Ridge; worship
Wednesday
11 a.m. In-person worship
7 p.m. Zoom Prayer & Share online
6:30 p.m. Choir
Thursday
1p.m. (3rd Thursday) @Menno Haven; worship
Stewardship Report
Thank you! We are grateful for your generous giving to support St. Luke’s ministries & mission. Your contributions continue to grow our community.
| October 2025 | YTD 2025 | |
| Total Income | $52,014.16 | $373,713.89 |
| Total Expenditures | $33,313.48 | $347,705.07 |
| Net Income | +$18,700.68 | +$27,198.82 |
Outreach
Konde Diocese
St. Luke had the privilege of hosting Bishop Mwakihaba from the Konde Diocese in October, along with a group from Tanzania and other pastors from the Lower Susquehanna Synod and Chambersburg Conference, the evening was filled with great food, conversation, diocese updates, and renewed friendships.
Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Ministry Team welcomed a new member to the ministry team. Barbara Brown was commissioned as a Stephen Minister on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Congratulations Barb and thank you for your willingness to serve.
Memberships
New Members
In addition to our newly baptized, St Luke welcomed eight new members this fall.
Ed & Karen Shrader
Gary & Peggy Louder
Bruce & Kathryn Lemmon
Bill & Jaci Fix
COUNCIL Highlights—October 2025
– Nominating Committee: Brad Bolinger and JoAnn Wildeson
– 2 members are needed for council
– Council revised and approved the Spending Plan for 2026
– The Social Ministry and Outreach committees will be combined to form the new Faith in Action Committee.
– The Family and Youth Committee will be renamed the Faith Formation Committee with two working groups: Children and Youth and Adult Education
– The congregation welcomed Bishop Stephen Herr and his wife, Jill Herr to worship with us on November 9 (pictured above right).
End-of-Year Giving Reminder
Thank you for your faithful and generous support of our shared ministry! As the end of the calendar year is approaching, please note that all contributions intended for 2025 tax-year credit need to be received by the church office at 2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, no later than Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Your generosity helps sustain vital ministries within our congregation and across the Lower Susquehanna Synod and beyond. Together, we continue to share Christ’s love, serve our neighbors, and strengthen the Church for God’s mission in the world.
Calendar
Visit our online calendar for the most current updates to meetings, events, and services.
Connect
2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202
717-261-1213
[email protected]