Updated 1/4 to note postponement of St. Luke’s Halupki Dinner and 12th Night Concert due to expected inclement weather this weekend.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church invites the community to join us as we celebrate Christmas with a variety of services–from contemplative to jubilant. 

Christmas Eve begins with a Family Service at 5:00 p.m., as children and their families gather at a service of prayer, Scripture readings, and Christmas carols specially prepared for them. The Rev. Mary Kisner, Assisting Priest for Children, Youth, and Young Adults will lead this special worship service, which will include Holy Communion.

At 7:00 p.m., St. Luke’s Chancel Choir will join with the Rev. Dr. David Zwifka, rector, who will lead us and preach in a Festival Eucharist. After Holy Communion, all will pause to contemplate the coming of Christ in candlelight as we sing “Silent Night.”

Come at 10:30 for a recital of lovely Christmas music performed by local musicians; then at 11:00 p.m., all the stops come out as we celebrate the most traditional service of Christmas in “Midnight Mass.” Together, we’ll experience the exultation of Christ’s coming in the dark of night to be the Light of the World. This service, including the recital, will be webcast live on our YouTube Channel.

St. Luke’s will also offer a quiet but joyful Christmas Day service at 10:00 a.m. This service of Holy Communion is a beautiful respite from the hectic pace of the holiday. This service will also be webcast live on our YouTube Channel.

The interior of St. Luke’s as seen from the altar. (Brian Kutner)

For those who seek an alternative to the usual exuberant Christmas celebrations, we’re pleased to be partnering with Hope Episcopal Church for our “Blue Christmas” service this year, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 21. This event is geared toward those in mourning or otherwise in need of special comfort this season. Hope Church, 2425 Mountain Road, Manheim, is a warm and welcoming parish in an intimate country setting, a perfect venue for this peaceful service. St. James Episcopal Church and St. Thomas Episcopal Church, both of Lancaster, will be participating, and Father Zwifka of St. Luke’s will preach. 

If you have other plans for Christmas, you can always join us for one of our other special events: On Sunday, December 17, our Festival Choir will be featured in an Advent Evensong–a choral service without communion–at 6:00 p.m. To celebrate Epiphany, we will hold our “Heat the Church with Halupki” fundraising dinner on Sunday, January 14 (postponed from January 6) from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. followed by a Solemn Evensong at 6:00 p.m. Details on these and all St. Luke’s events and services are available on our website.

At St. Luke’s, all are welcome–no exceptions. We are happy to offer you a place to experience the wonder of Christmas surrounded by an open and loving community.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is located at the corner of Chestnut and South 6th Streets in historic downtown Lebanon, PA.

St. Luke’s has accessible parking and elevator access in the rear of the church. (Brian Kutner)

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