Who We Are
Someone has said that this congregation is the perfect church for people who aren’t. We are a work in progress, individually and together. In our brokenness, struggles, and challenges, we encounter the grace and mercy of Jesus.
We believe God desires us to share the light of Christ with others.
Our Purpose
Sharing the light of Christ together and with the community beyond walls is our passion. Authentic worship, deeply rooted, is the central and most obvious action of our life together. We are named to proclaim and promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the community and in the world. We are sent to serve others in Christian love, empowered and transformed by the Holy Spirit.
About St. Luke
St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) Lower Susquehanna Synod, Chambersburg Conference. Our facilities are situated along the campus of SpiriTrust Lutheran Village of Luther Ridge, just off I-81 on route 997 (Black Gap Road). The congregation was chartered in 1894 in nearby Scotland, and has grown steadily over the years and anticipates similar growth into the future.
Our Staff
Christopher Frye
Pastor Frye loves being a pastor and sharing his experience of God’s transforming grace in Christ through preaching, teaching, and individual conversations of spiritual direction. Originally from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Pastor Frye was ordained in 1997 and has served congregations in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, and Fairfield, Pennsylvania, before accepting the call as Pastor to St. Luke in 2013. He holds a BA in Religion from Lebanon Valley College, studied at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and earned a Masters of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He completed his Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Chicago and Pastoral Internship at Dr. Martin Luther Church in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Prior to entering seminary, he worked as Administrator of College Collections at Lebanon Valley College. Pastor Frye and his wife Heidi have three children, Isabelle, Gabriel, and Rowan. He enjoys gardening, woodworking, going to the gym, having a sense of humor and good coffee.
You may contact Pastor Frye at 717-261-1213 or at [email protected]. His blog is willinghabitation.blogspot.com
Sherry Fahnestock
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100: 1-2
My name is Sherry Fahnestock and I serve as church organist, pianist and choir accompanist here at St. Luke.
I was baptized here at St. Luke as an infant. My family transferred their membership to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chambersburg when I was seven. It was there I had my first experience as a church musician – I served as accompanist for the children’s choir. In 1985 I was invited back to St. Luke as the church organist.
I studied organ and piano under Mrs. Ora Hare who was organist for Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Chambersburg.
I love to play the piano and while I enjoy many styles of music, classical music is my favorite. I also enjoy reading, spending time with my family and traveling with my husband, Steve. We have three grandsons who are keeping us young.
You may contact Sherry at 717-261-1213 or at [email protected]
Vicki Long
God has given me many blessings. I often pray that He brings people into my life who will help me grow in relationship with Him. What better place could I be!
Vanessa Hepfer
While Vanessa recently began serving as custodian for our congregation, she certainly is well-known as a faithful worshipper and active participant in the life of the congregation. She has been a member for many years. She grew up in Chambersburg and finds it rewarding to pursue her interest in local historical and genealogical research. Vanessa is actively engaged in the weekly rhythm of worship, fellowship, and service as she serves as acolyte, crucifer, lector, and assisting minister. She enjoys knitting, caring for her “four-legged children” – her dogs Molly and Dolly, and following the Baltimore Orioles.