Christmas Eve
2025-12-24 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Come Celebrate the Birth of Christ!
All are welcome to attend our festive worship services on Christmas Eve! We hope you will find them music and spirit-filled!
Wednesday, December 24
Our 4:00 p.m. service is a calming and reflective daylight worship service; the conclusion of the service will be carols & candlelight.
Our 6:00 p.m. service is family focused with decorations and a message for our youth, but all ages are sure to enjoy the service!
Worship Service will take place outside on Stratton Street.
Our 8:00 p.m. service is a traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service with choirs and music for the festival celebration.
Worship Service will be Livestreamed to our YouTube Channel.
All worship services are candlelight. Holy communion will be shared at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. services. Hot cocoa will be shared at the 6:00 p.m. service.
Come and See! Come and celebrate the Birth of Christ at St. James. We’d love to share the Good News with you!
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.
Stratton Street will be blocked from York Street to Zerfing Alley for a safe worship space for the 6:00 p.m. outdoor service. The church parking lot will be accessible by way of Middle Street to Stratton to Zerfing Alley. Please navigate through town accordingly.

Christmas Morning
2025-12-25 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | St. James Worship Space, 109 York Street, Gettysburg
Come to a relaxed Christmas Morning worship service.
The Birth of Christ is the reason for the season!
We will also have light refreshments and coffee for a time of Fellowship at 9:30 a.m.

Lessons & Carols
2025-12-28 10:00 - 11:00 | St. James Worship Space, 109 York Street, Gettysburg
Christmas cheer & celebrations continue on Saturday & Sunday, December 27 & 28 with our Lessons and Carols Worship Services.
Worship on Saturday, December 27 at 5:30 p.m., or come Sunday morning, December 28 at 10:00 a.m. There will be no Sunday School on Sunday, but we will have a lite fellowship at 9:30 a.m.
Hear familiar bible stories and sing favorite carols and this relaxed and welcoming worship.

New Members Class
2026-02-08 12:00 - 14:00 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Have you been attending St. James and loving our worship? Have you made some new friends in the pew or in Sunday School?
Do you feel like you’re ready to learn more about St. James and what it means to be Lutheran?
You’re invited to the New Members Class to get to know St. James on a deeper level! Pastor Andrew & Pastor Libby will lead the class, along with information from other members of staff and the church. Lunch will be provided by our Evangelism Committee.
All who are interested in learning more about St. James are invited to attend a New Member Class & Lunch. We’ll discuss what it means to be Lutheran, the Lutheran liturgy and worship style, the committees you can get involved with, and our passion to reach out and serve the community at large.
Our Mission: We respond to God’s abundant grace by being hearers, proclaimers, and doers of the Word.
Our Vision: Forgiven and invited to live and to love like Jesus.
This is just a great opportunity to learn more about the church; there’s no pressure to officially join in membership….We’re simply happy that you are happy to be here!
You can speak with Pastor Andrew or Pastor Libby if you plan to attend, or simply RSVP below.
One thing we will ask you to complete is a Prospective Member Form (one for each person in your household). This form is long but it collects all of the information for our database, and to learn more about you. If you are ready to share this information, you can do this at any time.
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to of Email

Email *Number of People Attending *select number123456Names of people coming with you.Is there anything else you'd like to tell us? Any food allergies?Submit

Volunteer to Make Fastnachts
2026-02-14 - 2026-02-17 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Volunteer to make fastnachts! February 14-17, 2026
St. James Lutheran Church, kitchen & dining room (a.k.a Fastnacht Central!)
St. James has a long tradition of making Fastnachts three days prior to Ash Wednesday. People throughout Gettysburg and Adams County enjoy this pre-Lenten delicacy.
Fastnacht sales support our Youth’s workcamp fund.
Won’t you join us in making fastnachts? There is a task for all people, of all abilities and talents! Here’s our process where we need lots of helpful hands!

Measuring
Mixing
Rising
Rolling
Cutting
Rising
Frying
Drying
Sugaring
Boxing

Sign-Up to Help Make Fastnachts!
Volunteer Slots are:

Saturday, 2/14

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (dough prep & rolling)

Sunday, 2/15

5:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (frying)
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (dough prep & rolling)

Monday, 2/16 (ALL TASKS!) (PSA – kids are off from school for Presidents’ Day!)

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Tuesday, 2/17

2:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. (all tasks!)
6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (sell & clean up)

As you can see, this is a big task to take on, but lots of fun and there’s something for everyone! If you need have any questions, please speak with Kyle Smith, Adam Michael or any member of the youth committee or fastnacht crew (aka the Smith Family).
PLACE YOUR ORDER OF FASTNACHTS

Order Fastnachts
2026-02-15 - 2026-02-17 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Fastnachts are Back!
Enjoy the best fastnachts Gettysburg has to offer!
St. James Lutheran Church is continuing its long-time tradition of making from-scratch, old fashioned fastnachts.
We round up over 100 volunteers to make these pre-Lenten delicacies over a three-day period. All proceeds benefit St. James Youth Group.
Fastnachts are $10.00 a dozen. And pick-up will take place in the white garage located on Zerfing Alley (turn onto Zerfing Alley from Stratton Street).
When you place your order you will need to identify the day and time-frame in which you would like to pick up your fastnachts.
Sunday, February 15 (8:00 a.m. – noon)
Monday, February 16 (3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, February 17 (5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)
If you have any questions about placing an order, you are welcome to contact the church office (717-334-2012).
ORDER FASTNACHTS

Valentine Concert
2026-02-15 16:00 - 18:00 | St. James Worship Space, 109 York Street, Gettysburg
Valentine Benefit Concert: Love Songs from Classical to Contemporary
Come and hear a wonderful Valentine Concert by local St. James Superstars: Jesse Holt & Friends!
They have put on a Valentine Performance for a number of years, and you certainly don’t want to miss it!
Performances by: Jesse Holt, David Chapman, Suzanne Hubbard, Elaine Schade, Gretchen Carlson, Todd Izydorski, and Kirby Scott, to name a few.
This is a free concert & open to the community! A free-will offering will be collected and donated to the St. James Early Learning Center’s 35th Anniversary Fundraiser.

Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

Ash Wednesday
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00 | St. James Worship Space, 109 York Street, Gettysburg
Wednesday, February 18
7:00 p.m. – Full Liturgy with Holy Communion
Livestreamed to our YouTube Channel.
Prepare your hearts and minds for the Season of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday.
On Ash Wednesday we begin our forty-day journey toward Easter with a day of fasting and repentance. Marking our foreheads with dust, we acknowledge that we die and return to the earth. At the same time, the dust traces the life-giving cross indelibly marked on our foreheads at baptism. While we journey through Lent to return to God, we have already been reconciled to God through Christ. We humbly pray for God to make our hearts clean while we rejoice that “now is the day of salvation.” Returning to our baptismal call, we more intentionally bear the fruits of mercy and justice in the world.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love.
Psalm 51:1
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner & Worship
2026-02-25 17:15 - 19:30 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Come & Worship. Come & Prepare this season of Lent.
We will enjoy a time of fellowship at 5:15 p.m. in the dining room each week. Soup and bread will be provided by various Sunday School classes and committees.
Then at 6:30 p.m. we will gather in the worship space for our Unfailing Light mid-week worship services with messages shared by congregation members.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.
~ John 13:34-35
These words from Jesus come to us on Maundy Thursday – the night Jesus is denied, betrayed, arrested, and abandoned before going to the cross. To love one another is the mark of the Christian – that which shows who Christians are, that describes their life. This Lent we hear what it means for those in our family of faith at St. James to “love one another.”
Wednesday – February 25
Wednesday – March 4
Wednesday – March 11
Wednesday – March 18
Wednesday – March 25
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

Lenten Lunch & Learn
2026-03-01 12:15 - 13:30, 2026-03-08 12:15 - 13:30, 2026-03-15 12:15 - 13:30, 2026-03-22 12:15 - 13:30 | St. James Lutheran Church Library, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325, United States
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Lenten Series
As people of faith, we ask ourselves deep questions about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Who are we called to be within the space where our civic life and faith intersect? Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings invite us into this struggle as we determine our next best step in a broken and imperfect world. In this series we experience Bonhoeffer’s call to go deeply into the question of who Christ is for us as we seek to love our neighbors. Based on a rich curriculum offered to congregations from LAMPa (Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania) written by Dr. Lori Brandt Hale of Augsburg University and the President of the International Bonhoeffer Society, we will explore 4 modules:
Sunday, March 1: Lesson 1: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life
Sunday, March 8: Lesson 2: It’s About the Neighbor
Sunday, March 15: Lesson 3: Faith is Worldly
Sunday, March 22: Lesson 4: Taking a Stand
We hope that you will join us for this BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES as we allow Bonhoeffer’s words to encourage a deepening of our own journey of discipleship and faithfulness.
Time: 12:15 immediately following the second service to 1:30
Location: St. James Library
Your Facilitator: Amy Duncan, member of St. James
Please feel free to contact Amy with any questions you might have: duncan744@verizon.net

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner & Worship
2026-03-04 17:15 - 19:30 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Come & Worship. Come & Prepare this season of Lent.
We will enjoy a time of fellowship at 5:15 p.m. in the dining room each week. Soup and bread will be provided by various Sunday School classes and committees.
Then at 6:30 p.m. we will gather in the worship space for our Unfailing Light mid-week worship services with messages shared by congregation members.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.
~ John 13:34-35
These words from Jesus come to us on Maundy Thursday – the night Jesus is denied, betrayed, arrested, and abandoned before going to the cross. To love one another is the mark of the Christian – that which shows who Christians are, that describes their life. This Lent we hear what it means for those in our family of faith at St. James to “love one another.”
Wednesday – March 4
Wednesday – March 11
Wednesday – March 18
Wednesday – March 25
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner & Worship
2026-03-11 17:15 - 19:30 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Come & Worship. Come & Prepare this season of Lent.
We will enjoy a time of fellowship at 5:15 p.m. in the dining room each week. Soup and bread will be provided by various Sunday School classes and committees.
Then at 6:30 p.m. we will gather in the worship space for our Unfailing Light mid-week worship services with messages shared by congregation members.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.
~ John 13:34-35
These words from Jesus come to us on Maundy Thursday – the night Jesus is denied, betrayed, arrested, and abandoned before going to the cross. To love one another is the mark of the Christian – that which shows who Christians are, that describes their life. This Lent we hear what it means for those in our family of faith at St. James to “love one another.”
Wednesday – March 11
Wednesday – March 18
Wednesday – March 25
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner & Worship
2026-03-18 17:15 - 19:30 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Come & Worship. Come & Prepare this season of Lent.
We will enjoy a time of fellowship at 5:15 p.m. in the dining room each week. Soup and bread will be provided by various Sunday School classes and committees.
Then at 6:30 p.m. we will gather in the worship space for our Unfailing Light mid-week worship services with messages shared by congregation members.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.
~ John 13:34-35
These words from Jesus come to us on Maundy Thursday – the night Jesus is denied, betrayed, arrested, and abandoned before going to the cross. To love one another is the mark of the Christian – that which shows who Christians are, that describes their life. This Lent we hear what it means for those in our family of faith at St. James to “love one another.”
Wednesday – March 18
Wednesday – March 25
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

Lenten Mid-Week Dinner & Worship
2026-03-25 17:15 - 19:30 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Come & Worship. Come & Prepare this season of Lent.
We will enjoy a time of fellowship at 5:15 p.m. in the dining room each week. Soup and bread will be provided by various Sunday School classes and committees.
Then at 6:30 p.m. we will gather in the worship space for our Unfailing Light mid-week worship services with messages shared by congregation members.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.
~ John 13:34-35
These words from Jesus come to us on Maundy Thursday – the night Jesus is denied, betrayed, arrested, and abandoned before going to the cross. To love one another is the mark of the Christian – that which shows who Christians are, that describes their life. This Lent we hear what it means for those in our family of faith at St. James to “love one another.”
Wednesday – March 25
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

Palm Sunday
2026-03-29 | St. James Worship Space, 109 York Street, Gettysburg
Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.
We are an Easter People. Come & Worship at St. James for the beginning of the Holy Week Journey.
Palm Sunday Festival Services
Saturday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 29 at 8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
The 8:15 a.m. service is livestreamed to our YouTube Channel.
Palms are give to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Guy E. and Sarah A. Raffensperger by their children and spouses.
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

Easter at St. James
2026-04-04 - 2026-04-05 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Easter at St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, PA
Come and Celebrate the Risen Christ!
“The last enemy to be destroyed is death,” Paul writes. Today Christ is risen, and we gather together with astonishment and joy. Christ is risen, and we have been set free from the bonds of death. Christ is risen, and we are forgiven. Christ is risen, and with the women at the tomb and Peter, we are amazed. Let us rejoice: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Worship Services
Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Sunday at 8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30 a.m. for youth in the church building.
The 8:15 a.m. worship service will be livestreamed on our YouTube Channel.
Getting to St. James
For your convenience, a small parking lot is available at the rear of the church, off Zerfing Alley. There is also handicap accessible parking spaces and a ramp into the rear entrance of the church. An elevator is available in the building as well.
Parking meters line York, Stratton and Middle Streets. Street parking is free on Sundays until 1:00 p.m.
The Gettysburg Parking Garage is within walking distance of the church as well.

Spring Worship & Picnic at Camp Nawakwa
2026-04-12 10:00 - 15:00 | Camp Nawakwa, 1033 Nawakwa Road, Biglerville, PA, 17307
All are welcome to our Spring Worship & Picnic at Camp Nawakwa
Sunday, April 12
Worship at 10:00 a.m. in their Lower Camp Assembly Hall
Lunch immediately following worship in their Dining Hall
We will gather for worship in their assembly hall and worship space. Then we will gather for lunch in the dining hall. Chicken, baked beans, and water will be provided. Please bring a dish to share (indicating so in the RSVP form below), as well as plates and utensils for personal use.
Camp Nawkwa is located at 1033 Nawakwa Road, Biglerville, PA 17307. Please note that cell service can be spotty in Upper Adams, so you might want to take some notes from your GPS before you head north.
We will have parking attendants to greet and guide you once you arrive at Camp Nawakwa. We will have parking available closer to the assembly hall & dining hall for those with walking concerns. We will ask all others to use the parking spaces by Zinn-Tozer Lodge. Please refer to the property map.

NOTE: There will be NO SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES AT CHURCH on 4/12.
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I/We plan to attend worship at Camp Nawakwa.Yes, looking forward to it!No, sorry, can't attend.Coming for church, but can't stay for lunch.Morning plans, but will see you for lunch!I plan to bring .... to share at lunch. (Thank you!)side dish / something hotsalad / something colddessertOtherAnything else you'd like to share with us....Submit your RSVP

Common Ground Recovery Worship Service
2026-06-01 18:30 - 19:30 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
The First Monday of the Month
6:30 p.m. in the Music Room
Common Ground is a
Gathering of people connected to 12-step recovery
and anyone who seeks wholeness in their lives.
Everyone is in recover from something.
In early 2024, members of St. James traveled to Wyomissing, PA to attend a Common Ground Recovery Worship Service. The group really felt that there was a need & purpose to share this unique worship opportunity at St. James. Common Ground originated in Wyomissing, and Pastor Tom Scornavacchi has had numerous conversations with Pastor Andrew and has graciously shared their worship service bulletin and other resources to help plan Common Ground Gettysburg.
We are excited of this new worship opportunity at St. James Lutheran Church and hope to see you at this monthly worship service!
Common Ground Gettysburg has their own Facebook page. Be sure to like & follow!
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.

VBS :: Snowball Mountain Challenge
2026-06-08 09:00 - 2026-06-12 11:45 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
Challenge Accepted: With God, I Am Strong!
Come on a cool & challenging VBS with St. James & Christ Lutheran!
VBS will take place at St. James Lutheran Church, but is a coordinated and team effort with Christ Lutheran!
Kids will become Challengers, gearing up for frosty games, snowy surprises, and hands-on lessons about resilience and faith. Guided daily by Ollie the Arctic Seal, who is reporting on the events, Challengers aren’t just playing games; they learn to draw strength from their faith through powerful stories of courage and hope. With a unique winter games theme filled with snowboards and ski lifts and solid theology at its core, this year’s VBS delivers joy and meaning in equal measure, teaching kids “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Register Youth for VBS
Volunteer to Help at VBS
Getting to St. James
A small parking lot is available at the rear of the church, off Zerfing Alley. Parking meters line York, Stratton and Middle Streets.
Our facility is handicapped accessible.
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!

Common Ground Recovery Worship
2026-06-08 18:30 - 19:30 | St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
The First Monday of the Month
6:30 p.m. in the Music Room
Common Ground is a
Gathering of people connected to 12-step recovery
and anyone who seeks wholeness in their lives.
Everyone is in Recovery from something.
In early 2024, members of St. James traveled to Wyomissing, PA to attend a Common Ground Recovery Worship Service. The group really felt that there was a need & purpose to share this unique worship opportunity at St. James. Common Ground originated in Wyomissing, and Pastor Tom Scornavacchi has had numerous conversations with Pastor Andrew and has graciously shared their worship service bulletin and other resources to help plan Common Ground Gettysburg.
We are excited of this new worship opportunity at St. James Lutheran Church and hope to see you at this monthly worship service!
Common Ground Gettysburg has their own Facebook page. Be sure to like & follow!
Directions & Parking Availability
St. James is a Reconciling In Christ congregation; All are Welcome!
Our facility is handicapped accessible. Please click the link above for additional information.
