A member congregation of the Lower Susquehanna Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
WELCOME
A member congregation of the Lower Susquehanna Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Greetings in the name of Christ!
The community of St. Matthew welcomes you and invites you to join us as we gather to worship, learn, and serve. St. Matthew is a place where you can experience God’s love and learn what it means to be sent forth to bring God’s love into the world. We help one another apply faith to daily living and strive to serve our brothers and sisters locally and globally. At St. Matthew, you will find passionate people who are having fun serving our living Lord. Please feel free to call me any time or join us for worship, Bible study, or any time of service and fellowship.
God’s peace be with you,
Pastor Robin Fero
(717) 394-9607
Please click here to read St. Matthew’s Statement of Welcome, Affirmation and Full Participation.
Location
St. Matthew is located in the Grandview Heights neighborhood, just north east of the City of Lancaster. Entrance is on Pleasure Road, plenty of parking!
Worship Times
SATURDAY EVENING
5:00 p.m.
SUNDAY MORNING
10:00 a.m.
Leadership
St. Matthew Staff
left to right:
Reverend Robin Fero, Pastor
Sue Feldmann, Director of Music
QUICK LINKS
Closing the Gap - Together
At the annual congregation meeting in November, it was shared that if just half of our giving units increased their weekly giving by $6, we could make significant progress toward closing the current budget gap.
If you are able, please consider whether this small increase might be possible. Together, these gifts support the ongoing ministry and mission of our congregation.
Thank you for your continued generosity and faithfulness.
Beauty For Ashes
This Lent, we invite you to journey through Beauty for Ashes, a devotional from the ELCA Homeless and Housing Justice Network. These reflections offer hope, honesty, and God’s promise of renewal in the midst of life’s broken places. May these daily readings guide you in prayer, compassion, and faith as we walk together toward Easter.
Access the devotional here.
Community Businesses Giving Back
When you eat at Park City Diner or Knight and Day Diner, simply mention St. Matthew at checkout. A percentage of your bill will be donated to our church, and we receive quarterly checks through their community program.
Enjoy a meal, support a local business, and bless our church — all at no extra cost to you!
Church Leadership
“The Congregation Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Church in America” (C12.04. Constitution for St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lancaster, Pennsylvania).
Please pray for your Congregation Council as they listen, lead, and serve.
A 2026 Update on Charitable Giving
As many begin gathering tax documents and preparing to file returns, this time of year often brings renewed attention to charitable giving and how it is reflected on tax forms. While the change described below does NOT affect the tax returns currently being filed, it is helpful to be aware of what is coming next year.… Currently, charitable contributions are deductible only if a taxpayer itemizes deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040. Beginning with tax year 2026, individuals who do not itemize may deduct up to $1,000 in cash contributions to qualified charitable organizations ($2,000 for those filing jointly).
While generosity is rooted in gratitude and faith rather than tax considerations, this change may be helpful information as you plan your giving.
As always, please consult your tax professional for guidance about your specific situation.
“Come and Worship the Lord”
by Hal Hopson
February 15, 2026
“Light of Glory”
by Joseph M. Martin
February 15, 2026
Merciful God, accompany our journey through these forty days. Renew us in the gift of baptism, that we may provide for those who are poor, pray for those in need, fast from self-indulgence, and above all that we may find our treasure in the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Game Day!
Sunday, March 15
11:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun afternoon of games, pizza, puzzles, and fellowship — and help us celebrate Sammy Sweitzer’s birthday! Bring a favorite game to share or play one of ours.
March 28 and 29
On Palm Saturday and Sunday, we enter Jerusalem with Jesus as he heads into the Holy City. This marks the beginning of Holy Week, when we learn more about Jesus and his love for us. We are not inactive bystanders. Jesus continues to invite us into the way of the cross, and in the process, we learn more about ourselves as well.
April 2
On Maundy Thursday, April 2, at noon, you are invited to sit in the sanctuary and listen to the words of Jesus at the Last Supper. We will share communion at that time and will strip the altar and chancel area together, preparing for Good Friday, Jesus’ death.
April 3
On Good Friday, April 3, there are identical services at noon and 7:00 p.m., featuring readings of the stations of the cross and hymn singing.
April 4 and April 5
On Saturday, April 4, during our regular 5:00 p.m. service, we will celebrate aspects of the Easter Vigil, including the lighting of the Pascal candle. We will also celebrate Affirmation of Baptism.
Then, of course, on Easter Sunday morning, April 5, we will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in traditional fashion.
What does it mean to be a Reconciling in Christ partner congregation?
It means we are an OPEN and AFFIRMING congregation so when we say “all are welcome,” we really mean it. We strive to live that out in our actions as well as our words. We publicly and humbly commit to do what it takes to truly be a sanctuary filled with warmth, love, understanding, safety, respect, and care for all who enter here.