A Lutheran Congregation on West Cherry Street
Palm Lutheran Church sits on the northwest corner of Cherry and Railroad Streets in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, where Lutherans have worshipped under variations of the name since 1845. Today it serves as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), within the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Members and visitors gather each Sunday at 10:00 AM for Holy Communion, preceded by Sunday Church School at 9:00 AM. Palm is known for its liturgical worship in the Lutheran tradition, a robust music program anchored by a pipe organ, and a deep commitment to local outreach through the Caring Cupboard, a monthly Noon Meal, and partnerships with organizations such as the Phoenix Youth Center.
A Lutheran Presence in Palmyra Since 1845
Lutherans have been part of Palmyra since the town's earliest days. The town's founder, John Palm, worshipped at Bindnagle's Lutheran Church north of town between 1776 and 1799. As the area grew, Lutheran and Reformed worshippers joined to create the first "Palm" church, and in 1845 Palm Evangelical Lutheran Church was constructed in the 700 block of West Main Street. A second congregation organized by area Lutherans in 1890 led to the construction of St. John's Lutheran Church on North College Street in 1891.
Both Palm and St. John's grew for three decades. Palm built a new church on the northwest corner of Cherry and Railroad Streets in 1911, on a portion of its current site. In 1925 a synodical realignment merged the two congregations into Palm United Lutheran Church. Additional property was purchased adjacent to Palm, and a three-story education building was erected in 1929 to serve the larger congregation.
More change came in the 1960s. In 1962, four national Lutheran bodies merged to form the Lutheran Church in America, and Palm United became Palm Lutheran Church. The congregation voted in 1963 to build a new sanctuary, which was dedicated in 1967 under the pastorship of Gerhard Dietrich. The expansive new sanctuary features stained glass windows designed with Dietrich's input, and some in the congregation still insist that one of the windows bears a likeness of the pastor. In 1969, the old Palm sanctuary was removed and replaced with a small prayer chapel.
As another four decades passed, Palm undertook a major building project in 2013. The 1929 education building and the 1969 prayer chapel were demolished, and a fully handicap accessible education building was constructed in their place. Three cornerstones are preserved on the property to honor Palm's history: the 1845 stone from Palm Evangelical Lutheran Church, the 1891 stone from St. John's Lutheran Church, and the 1910 stone from Palm United Lutheran Church.
Holy Communion at 10:00 AM on Sunday
Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at 10:00 AM. Palm congregation is committed to the historic liturgy of the western church, and the service follows the Lutheran tradition supported by a rich variety of musical styles and settings.
Worshipers are welcomed into the narthex for fellowship before the service. There is always room for the youngest children at every service, and "activity bags" for families with small children are available in the narthex for use during worship. As worshipers enter the nave, quiet time is set aside for reflection and meditation before the liturgy begins. Brief announcements from the pastor call attention to the Sunday or occasion in the church year and supplement announcements printed in the bulletin.
The liturgy opens with the Order for Confession and Forgiveness, after which the pastor greets the people gathered around songs of praise and prayer. Sacred texts of scripture are read and proclaimed in preaching and song, affirming God's steadfast love in Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Saint Paul's words frame the moment: "faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).
All baptized Christians are welcome to share in the Holy Communion. An usher will invite worshipers from their pew to proceed to the altar. Wine may be received from a common cup or from an individual glass. Those with dietary restrictions may receive the fullness of Christ's presence by receiving either the bread or the wine. The sacrament brings forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation.
At the conclusion of the liturgy, God's blessing sends the congregation out to spread the love, forgiveness, and life of Christ to all people. Visitors are invited to place the visitor card from the Welcome Packet in the offering plate or to sign the guest book in the narthex, and to meet others for conversation and fellowship afterwards.
Sunday Church School and Confirmation
Sunday School classes meet at 9:00 AM, ahead of worship. Children from Pre-K through high school, along with several adult classes, gather to learn the stories of the Bible and explore how faith shapes daily life. As Palm describes it, "Sunday School is where many people begin to feel like they are truly part of their church family. It's where our children begin lifelong friendships and we, as adults, find meaningful relationships we might not have expected to find."
All children's classes use the Spark Lectionary curriculum, which ties weekly lessons and Bible stories to the Lutheran lectionary so that the Gospel lesson children hear in Sunday School is the same one they hear in worship. Activities, discussions, and prayers are age-appropriate for each classroom. Toddlers through Pre-K are taught by Kathy Meyer; kindergarten through second grade by Linda Williams; and third through fifth grade by Mandy Gettle.
Confirmation is a two-year program of instruction for seventh and eighth graders, based on Scripture and Martin Luther's Small Catechism. Students explore the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion using the Faith Inkubators curriculum. The class is taught by Craig Meyer and Pastor Carl. High school youth meet in the Youth Room under the leadership of Michael Williams, the youth director.
Adults have several options. Parents of Little Lutherans, led by Dexter and Rachel Daubert, meets in the room adjacent to the Pre-K room. A separate video-based adult discussion group, led by Scott Thomas, gathers in the conference room and centers on the day's lectionary.
Music That Nurtures Souls
Palm's Music Ministry has long been a source of spiritual nurture. The sanctuary's pipe organ anchors worship each week, supported by piano, bells, voices, and a variety of instruments. As the church describes it, "Whether it is the delicate sound of a soft flute soaring above the organ or the power of a full brass ensemble complementing our magnificent pipe organ, we are fortunate to have so many people offering their time and talent to enrich the worship experience."
The Sanctuary Choir of adults sings each week except during the summer, and they step back on the third Sunday of each month so that choir members can volunteer for other activities. The choir's repertoire ranges from traditional to modern compositions, often accompanied by instrumentalists.
A five-octave Bell Choir made up of high schoolers and adults plays the prelude or offertory once each month from October through May. The group is limited to thirteen players, and openings can occur at any time. Interested musicians should contact Holly Gainor, the Director of Music.
Instrumental music is used throughout the year, often featuring Palm's brass and tympani players. Instrumentalists interested in offering a solo or joining an ensemble are encouraged to reach out to the music director.
Christian Ministries and Care for the Community
Palm's ministries extend well beyond the church walls into the wider community.
The Social Ministry group, in cooperation with the Caring Cupboard, provides monthly Noon Meals in the multipurpose room, prepares food packages at Easter for families in Lebanon County, sends care packages to college freshmen, and coordinates Palm's Little Angels Project, hurricane relief efforts, health and sewing kits, and Thanksgiving packages for those in need in Palmyra.
The Shawl Ministry knits and crochets prayer shawls to share God's love and comfort with people during illness, surgery, grieving, or other difficult circumstances. The ministry is open to all who knit or crochet, whether or not they are members of Palm.
The Sewing Group makes blankets for Lutheran World Relief using a "knot and tie" method that requires no previous skills. The blankets are collected every October and shipped overseas.
Stephen Ministry provides one-on-one caregiving that addresses the spiritual needs of those experiencing a change in life that causes anxiety or concern. Palm is in covenant with Stephen Ministries International, through which Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders receive extensive training in Christian caregiving and confidentiality. Stephen Ministers make a two-year commitment to serve, beginning with sixty hours of training.
The Teddy Bear Ministry places a small bear at the end of each pew in the nave. Each one carries a tag that reads, "This bear has sat among the congregation of Palm Lutheran Church during worship services. It has heard God's Word of grace and mercy and prayers for healing and comfort. It has been loved and soaked in God's love. Now it comes to you to share these blessings." Visitors and members are welcome to take a bear to someone in need of a sign of God's love and comfort.
Palm also hosts the Phoenix Youth Center during the school year. The center, a nonprofit supported by United Way of Lebanon County and Palmyra - A Caring Community, serves students in third through eighth grades with Homework Club, Recreation Sessions, Summer Tutoring, clubs, and special events. School year hours are Monday through Friday, 2:45 to 5:00. Students must register to attend.
The Caring Cupboard, one of Palm's key community partners, is a local food pantry where Palm volunteers on the third Saturday of each month from 9:00 AM until noon. Eight to ten volunteers assist with duties such as bagging, greeting, and receiving.
On the third Thursday of each month at noon, Palm's Social Ministry, in cooperation with the Caring Cupboard, prepares and serves a free meal to all who attend in the church's multipurpose room.
Youth and Family
Palm's Youth Ministry is part of the Family Life Ministry and is designed for third through twelfth graders, with age-appropriate programming. The Palm Youth Group (PYG) is open to young people in sixth through twelfth grade, "regardless of religious affiliation, previous youth group experience (or inexperience), church experience (or inexperience), size, shape, color, or head size!" PYG meets on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, with pizza, games, fellowship, and faith formation.
Youth also take part in summer day trips and camps including Camp Kirchenwald, as well as regional events such as Winterfest and Alive, Alive. Michael Williams, the Director of Youth Ministry, can be reached at 717-265-6492 or youth.director@palmlutheran.org.
The Palm Quilters create baby quilts for baptisms at Palm Lutheran Church, so that every baptized baby receives one of their hand-made quilts. The Friendship Circle, which meets on the second Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM in the multipurpose room, gathers for programs with devotions, fellowship, and refreshments.
Vacation Bible School is held each summer for elementary-age children from Palm and the surrounding community, with activities, stories, crafts, games, and a light meal. Each summer the program centers on a different biblical theme, from the petitions of the Lord's Prayer to stories about people in countries around the world, with ethnic foods shared as part of the meal.
Mission Beyond Palmyra
Through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, Palm supports missionaries serving around the world, particularly Dr. Stephen and Bethany Friberg in Tanzania. The Fribergs have been partners in mission in Tanzania for twenty years. Stephen serves as a doctor and coordinator for ten medical clinics that serve nomadic Maasai people in remote areas, working with fifteen Tanzanian doctors. The clinics provide free immunizations, prenatal care, and contraception, and treat tropical diseases including malaria, tuberculosis, and trachoma. The largest clinic, in Mto wa Mbu, provides long-term treatment for over 1,000 HIV patients. Bethany works with sixty women in NAAPOK, an income-generation project involving traditional beaded artistry. Palm also supports Dr. Stephen and Jodi Swanson, ELCA Global Personnel based in Arusha, Tanzania.
Each month, Palm collects offerings for a designated charitable organization through the "Special Designated" offering envelope. Recipients rotate through the year and include ELCA Global Mission Fund, Social Ministry Easter Projects, LSS Disaster Fund, Caring Cupboard, Lutheran Camping Corporation, Youth Group, Steve Inners Music Scholarship Fund with LVC, Confirmation Camp, ELCA World Hunger Relief, Palm Social Ministry Thanksgiving and Christmas Projects, missionary support, and United Lutheran Seminary.
Beliefs and Identity
Palm Lutheran Church identifies as a confessing church that accepts the Athanasian, Nicene, and Apostles' Creeds as defining its life together, recognizing the triune nature of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The church testifies to an utter reliance upon God and acknowledges the gift of faith through grace. Palm affirms infant baptism and believes in the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Luther's catechisms are seen as models for daily living.
The church's vision is to be "so deeply and confidently rooted in the Gospel of God's grace that we are free to support and encourage all people to seek their full potential as Christians." The mission is to live as a community of faith empowered by Christ for witness and service, "asking God's guidance, strength, and love."
Visiting Palm Lutheran
Sunday Church School begins at 9:00 AM, and Holy Communion worship follows at 10:00 AM. Visitors are welcomed to join in fellowship in the narthex before the service. Activity bags for children are available, and there is always room for the youngest worshipers.
The church parking lot is off West Cherry Street to the side of the sanctuary. Additional parking is available along both sides of West Cherry Street in front of the church, or in the Palmyra Middle School parking circle across the street. Worshipers can be dropped off underneath the portico next to the side entrance of the sanctuary before parking. Limited handicap parking is available in the parking lot and on Cherry Street.
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and can be reached at 717-838-3311 or parish.secretary@palmlutheran.org. Videos of recent worship services are available on Palm's YouTube channel, and giving can be made electronically through an authorization form available from the church office. Shoppers can also support Palm through Amazon Smile and Giving Assistant at no additional cost.
Palm Lutheran Church is located at 11 W Cherry Street, Palmyra, PA 17078. The congregation is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lower Susquehanna Synod, in association with the Lutheran Camping Corporation, the Caring Cupboard, the Phoenix Youth Center, and Palmyra - A Caring Community.