Christ Lutheran Church

10/21/2026

The Narrative Lectionary moves us to the story of David and Bathsheba. It's a familiar story. And it gets worse the longer you reflect on it. Because it's not just a story about one man in a powerful position taking advantage of a woman without power, it's a story that has happened far too often and continues to happen to this day. What can we learn about it and what does God have to say? Let's take a stroll through 2 Samuel 11 and 12 and Psalm 51.

Based on 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27; 12:1-9; Psalm 51:1-9 I didn’t even it make past the first verse, which reads, “In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle…”  The verse continues from there telling the situation around battles and David remaining in Jerusalem.  Essen...

10/20/2026

This Sunday we celebrate Reformation Sunday and will talk about the church always being made new. We'll also invite PA ALF-CIO President Angela Ferritto to come share a temple talk about the relationship between the labor movement and faith communities - something else that is always being made new. Come worship at 10:30am. We are located at 124 S. 13th St, Harrisburg.

10/19/2026

What happens when our words say one thing and our actions say another? In Joshua 24, the people of Israel loudly promise to serve the Lord while their idols are still in their pockets. We all know that gap, in politics, in the church, and at home. Let's wrestle honestly with that gap and with the violence in the book of Joshua that so often gets skipped over, from the conquest of Canaan to today’s Christian nationalism. Let's tell the story and deal with it, while also telling the story of how God shows up and acts.

You can listen to the audio via this link -
https://christlutheranharrisburg.podbean.com/e/2000yearsago/

And you can read the manuscript via this link -
https://pastormatthewbest.com/sermon-about-2000-years-ago/

What happens when our words say one thing and our actions say another? In Joshua 24, the people of Israel loudly promise to serve the Lord while their idols are still in their pockets. We all know that gap, in politics, in the church, and at home. Let's wrestle honestly with that gap and with the vi...

10/15/2026

We're looking to hire a Church Secretary. It's 12 hours a week at Christ Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, PA. You can check us out at www.christharrisburg.org. If you want to know more, please reach out to Pastor Matthew at the email in the post.

10/14/2026

The Narrative Lectionary moves us all the way from the account of the Israelites at the Red Sea escaping the empire, to Joshua reminding the Israelites about their history. And it includes the famous declaration Joshua makes at the end of his life about his faithfulness to the Lord. So what does this mean for us today? Let's take a stroll through the Scripture to find out. The reflection is based on Joshua 24:1-26.

Based on Joshua 24:1-26 The Narrative Lectionary moves us way ahead in the story of Scripture from the confrontation at the Red Sea all the way to Joshua’s final official act.  But the beauty of this is that it is a recounting of the story of Israel, including the confrontation at the Red Sea. ...

10/13/2026

Many thanks to Nora and Ellie Gott for sharing their musical talents with Christ Lutheran Church on Sunday. They sang with powerful, moving songs and stunning voices!

10/12/2026

As we turn to Exodus 14 and the story of the Israelites at the Red Sea, we hear how Israel is confronted with two impossible challenges - the sea and the empire. Death looks certain. And in the midst of that, God shows up and flips the script defeating the evil of empire and the evil of chaos. The sermon is based on Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29.

You can listen to the sermon at this link - https://christlutheranharrisburg.podbean.com/e/betweenarockandahardplace/

And you can read the manuscript at this link -
https://pastormatthewbest.com/sermon-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place/

As we turn to Exodus 14 and the story of the Israelites at the Red Sea, we hear how Israel is confronted with two impossible challenges - the sea and the empire. Death looks certain. And in the midst of that, God shows up and flips the script defeating the evil of empire and the evil of chaos. The s...

10/08/2026

This Sunday we welcome Nora Gott who will be sharing her singing talents at Christ Lutheran for worship. Worship is at 10:30am.

10/07/2026

We move to the story of the Israel at the Red Sea in Exodus 14. There's a ton to explore in this story. Ultimately its a story of an unexpected result, where God flips the script of the strong survive. The refection is based on Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29

Based on Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29 Last week we looked at the retelling of the Passover story with portions of chapters 12, 13, and 15. This week we are in the middle of the story when Israel is at the Red Sea.  We know how the story ends, so let’s focus on a few points in […]

10/06/2026

Want to have fun? And learn a little Spanish in the process? Then come to Christ Lutheran Church's Bilingual Bingo Bash. It's taking place on Saturday October 24, from 3-7pm at Christ Lutheran, 124 S. 13th St, Harrisburg, PA. Everything else you need to know if on the image below. Come and have fun, and bring a friend or two. We look forward to seeing you there.