Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church has stood on West Main Street in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, as a Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) congregation rooted in the small borough south of York. The church's mission, "strengthening individuals and families as we experience together the Promise and the Power of God's Love," shapes everything from its Sunday gatherings to its monthly outreach on the sidewalk out front.
Sunday Morning in the Sanctuary
Worship is traditional and held every Sunday at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary. The service is livestreamed on the church's Facebook page and YouTube channel for those joining from home. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, and a nursery is available most Sundays for families with little ones.
Three Christmas Eve services round out the year. At 5:00 PM, families gather for an interactive, kid-friendly worship with a nativity reenactment, Bible readings, carols, and candle-lighting. The 7:00 PM service is more traditional, with communion, candle-lighting, and anthems from the Youth and Adult Choir, and childcare is offered for children ages three and younger. At 10:00 PM the congregation gathers for the late, traditional Christmas Eve service of communion and candlelight.
Sunday School from Kindergarten Through High School
Christian education runs from mid-September through the end of May, with classes meeting from 9:00 to 9:45 AM, just before the 10:00 AM worship. Four classrooms serve four stages of growing up:
- Younger Youth - Kindergarten through third grade, meeting on the second floor in Rooms 409/410 with teacher Joy Meyer.
- Middle Youth - Fourth through sixth grade, meeting in Room 411 with Andrew Diehl.
- Jr. & Sr. High - Seventh through twelfth grade, gathering in the Youth Room with Kellie Jean.
Sunday school is paired with a youth ministry that includes its own choir, VBS, and a softball team. Vacation Bible School is offered seasonally, and youth are invited to participate in the annual Bridge Building Festival hosted by Building Bridges for Brianna, which honors a local life lost and brings the community together around mental health awareness.
Music Ministries: Choir and Bells
Music is woven into the life of the congregation. The combined Youth and Adult Choir, open to anyone in seventh grade through adulthood, rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the choir room on the top floor of the church. Members sing most Sundays during the 10:00 AM service based on availability, and they also lead music on Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday. Choir members sit with their families in the pews and come forward when it is their turn to lead a piece. Reading music is not required, attire is whatever you would wear to church, and the season runs from September through mid-May. Contact Pastor Patti to join.
A newer Bell Choir welcomes adults who would like to ring together. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings at 7:00 PM in the same top-floor choir room. The ensemble aims to ring roughly once a month during worship, and reading music is encouraged but not required. Joan Snyder coordinates the group.
Mid-Week Rhythms
The building stays busy between Sundays. On Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 AM, the Worship Hall fills for a video-led chair yoga session open to anyone who wants to stretch and breathe. A Sewing Group meets in the Sewing Room every Wednesday at 8:30 AM to work on shared projects. After choir practice on Wednesday evenings, the Prayer Group gathers at 7:00 PM; the group is open to anyone who would like to lift up needs and blessings, and drop-ins are fine. Bible Study meets on Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, currently working through 1 Timothy. Quilting and knitting projects round out the hands-on offerings for adults.
Free Bagged Lunch Handout on Main Street
Every second Saturday of the month, the congregation sets up tables on Main Street for the Free Bagged Lunch Handout. Volunteers begin assembling sandwiches and packing bags at 7:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, then move outside around 8:00 AM to hand lunches to anyone who pulls up. The event is free, open to the public, and is a visible sign of the "Stimulating Communities" value the church holds: encouraging community participation in the activities of the parish.
On the third Thursday of each month, Building Bridges for Brianna leads a QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) training in the building, teaching attendees how to recognize warning signs of suicide and connect people with help. There is a small fee to cover supplies and seating is limited.
Faith, Sacraments, and Outreach
The congregation's Statement of Faith describes baptized members responding in faith to the call of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, desiring to preach the Word, administer the sacraments, and carry out God's mission. Four core values shape the life of the parish: Spontaneous Compassion, Strengthening Families, Stimulating Communities, and God's Word in Action. E-giving is available online and through text giving, with donations processed by Vanco Services.
Christ Lutheran Child Development Center
Sharing the building at 126 West Main Street is the Christ Lutheran Child Development Center, a faith-based, nonprofit childcare program serving infants through school-age children. The CDC is a Keystone STARS 4 facility, recognizing high-quality early learning and professional standards. The center shares the church's address and offers a nurturing environment where children grow socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Families interested in enrollment can reach the CDC at christlutherancdc@gmail.com or (717) 244-4832.
Leadership and Getting Connected
Pastor Patti Bream leads the congregation. Sunday school teachers Kellie Jean, Andrew Diehl, and Joy Meyer direct the children's education ministry, and Joan Snyder coordinates the Bell Choir. A Church Council, chaired by President Scott Schneider with Vice President Amy Billet, guides the life of the parish alongside the pastor.
Office hours run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (the office is closed on Wednesdays). The phone number is (717) 244-2605, and the email is admin@clcdallastown.org. Prayer requests can be submitted online, and those who would like a pastor or member of the Care Team to follow up can contact the church office directly. Scouts (Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts), a softball team, and seasonal family gatherings round out the wide range of activities for every age at CLC.