About Us

Our mission, and values

Our Mission

Called and empowered by Word and Sacrament and shaped by diverse traditions, we gather as a community of believers in Jesus Christ.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we proclaim faith in our crucified and risen Lord and Savior.

Our mission in this time and place is to invite all people to share our faith in Jesus Christ. Our responsibility includes ministering to the needs and concerns of this parish and those of our neighbors in the urban community.

We believe that it is essential for all who are committed to this mission to participate actively in worship, prayer, education and congregational life. We are called to celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ through the stewardship of our time, talents and gifts.

Our Journey

St. Michael Lutheran Church has been a cornerstone of faith in Harrisburg for generations, founded in 1844 as a German Lutheran church, serving the large German-speaking population in Harrisburg at the time. The services were in German, and the efforts in outreach and in service were primarily geared toward German immigrants to the area. Our earliest Constitution stated,

"Services shall be held in German so long as grass grows green in the world, if demanded by three members." Our first building was on Second St. in Harrisburg. Sold in 1906, the second and current church was built in its current place on State Street.

We've changed a bit since 1844. We no longer have regular services in German. Our membership has grown beyond our German roots to become a congregation of people of diverse backgrounds and roots. In the midst of our beautiful diversity, we come together under the same Gospel, the same Christ. The Christ that brought people together in 1844 brings us to this place today.

In 2001, we became a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, affirming our commitment to being a church that is open and affirming of LGBTQIA+ people. This move formalized our long-held belief that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. And that, to quote the Apostle Paul, "nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

So Long as Grass Grows Green, a history of St. Michael, was written for our 150th anniversary.