Here's what to expect:
New to St. Michael?
Location
118 State Street
Harrisburg, PA
Service Time
Sundays,
9:00am
Lot & Street Parking Available
Parking
What to WEar
Whatever is comfortable
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When you arrive...
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Park in on of our lots or on the street.Â
Enter the building through the glass doors on Adams Alley or the right door on State Street. Doors open about 30 minutes before services.
Coffee and Fellowship are in the fellowship hall on the ground level.
The sanctuary is on the second floor, which can be accessed by stairs near each entrance. Or by an elevator near the State Street Entrance.
During the service...
As you enter the worship space, an usher will greet you and give you a bulletin. It contains most of what you need for worship. Large print bulletins are available.
Sit anywhere in the sanctuary. There's no assigned seated. Sit up front, in the back. Up in the balcony. Wherever feels most comfortable.
We practice an open table. Everyone is welcome to receive communion. From the youngest to the oldest. If you choose not to take communion or if you prefer that your child not yet take communion, the pastor will offer a blessing.Â
Follow along, using your bulletin. No experience needed. Every word, every time to stand or sit, and every response is printed in the bulletin. You will only need to use the hymnal for the hymns. Expect music, scripture, a sermon, and communion every week.Â
Frequently Asked Questions...
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There's no dress code - or typical way people dress. We have folks who wear their "Sunday best". We have folks who come to worship in shorts and a t-shirt. There's no right way to dress for worship. It is what is most comfortable for you.
Worship leaders generally wear albs (white/ off-white robes), often tied at the waist with a cincture (a rope-like belt). Once the basic attire of the Mediterranean world, the white alb becomes a symbol of baptism and the identity we all share. The cincture is more practical: it keeps us from tripping on the robe. These simple garments put aside personal style and point instead to our shared work of leading worship together.
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The Pastor wears a stole with the alb/cincture, a symbol of ordained ministry as a pastor. It can represent the "yoke" of Christ (Matt 11:29-30) or the towel of service Jesus uses (John 13:4). The Pastor may also wear a chasuble - a poncho-like garment over top the stole and alb. Like the alb, the chasuble was once a basic garment - almost a traveller's coat - in the Mediterranean world. Over time it became associated with the celebration of Communion, symbolizing the love of God that covers all (1 Peter 4:8) — and it still carries a sense of travel, a reminder that we carry the Gospel with us.
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For special services, you may see leadership wearing a cassock (a tighter-fitting black robe) and/or a surplice (a loose white overgarment worn over top of it).Â
Accessibility matters to us. Our building predates modern accessibility standards, but we've made upgrades over the years to welcome everyone as fully as we can.
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Mobility:
The glass doors on Adams Alley are accessible using walkers and wheelchairs. Inside the fellowship hall, there is a ramp that will lead toward the elevator. The sanctuary and balcony levels are accessible by that elevator. Inside the sanctuary, no steps are needed for most people. For those serving in a worship role, one step will allow folks into the chancel (the very front of the church with the altar).
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Hearing:
The sanctuary does not have a built-in sound system, but personal amplifiers are available -- just ask an usher and they'll get you set up.Â
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Sight:
We offer large-print bulletins that include the entire service (including the hymns). Â
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If you have accessibility needs that we haven't addressed here, please reach out. We want to do what we can to make worship possible for as many as we can.
Our service is traditional. Some might call it "High Church". Our worship follows the liturgy from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. It uses the same shape of prayer, scripture, song, and sacrament that congregations have shared for generations.Â
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You do not need any experience to worship with us. Every part of the service (with the exception of the hymns) is printed in the bulletin. You join us in singing and in the responses. Or you can just listen and follow along.
Our services follow the same general format:
First, we're gathered together by the Holy Spirit. In the Gathering portion of the service, you can expect hymns and songs. We also generally together confess our sin and receive God's forgiveness. This is an invitation to lay down whatever we're bringing into this space and giving it to God.
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Second, we hear the Word of God. This comes to us in reading scripture, in preaching, in song (yes, we like to sing!). We also lift up prayers for our community and the world.
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Third, we gather for a meal - Holy Communion (or the Eucharist). ALL are welcome at this table. Whether you are young or old. Whether you're a lifelong Christian or just curious about what this is all about. It is Jesus' table -- not ours. And we're his guest.Â
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Finally, we end with a Sending portion. Fed by Word and by Sacrament, we are sent with prayer and song back out into the world that God so loves in service to our neighbor.
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Our ministry is supported through the generous giving of members and visitors. We have a box in the rear of the sanctuary to collect donations and offerings. We do not "pass the plate" during worship. Giving is always welcome, but it is never a requirement to worship with us or to be part of our community. Donations can also be made online, using the button below.
Yes. We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation -- publicly and intentionally welcoming to LGBTQ+ people and their families. Not as an exception but as who we are.Â
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LGBTQ+ folks serve at every level in this congregation - in worship, on council, and even as our pastor.Â