A Mission Congregation on Old Fallston Road
Holy Communion Lutheran Church sits along Old Fallston Road in Fallston, Maryland, a single-level building surrounded by parking in northern Harford County. The congregation began in 1983 as a mission congregation and still carries the energy of those beginnings. With about 400 members and around 130 people in worship on a typical Sunday, the parish is large enough to support a full music program, a children's ministry, and a youth program, and small enough that new faces are noticed and greeted.
The motto - "Reaching out to share Christ's Love" - shows up on the bulletin, on the music ministry's mission, and on the work the parish does for neighbors in need. Holy Communion is a member congregation of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a national body of roughly 4.8 million members across more than 10,500 congregations in the United States and Caribbean.
Pastor Ernie Lehr III and the Staff
Pastor Ernie Lehr III arrived at Holy Communion in 2020 as a vicar, finishing his Master of Divinity at United Lutheran Seminary. After graduating in May 2022, the Call Committee and Church Council presented him to the congregation, and on July 6, 2022, the parish voted to call him as full-time pastor. He and his wife, married in 1992, have three children and share their home with three big dogs and a bearded dragon. Before seminary, Pastor Ernie served as a part-time youth minister at St. Michael's Perry Hall for more than a decade and worked for the Maryland Department of Transportation as the statewide manager for motorcycle safety.
Heather Henderson leads the youth ministry. A charter member of Holy Communion, she works during the week as a human resources director at a civil engineering firm that designs bridges and highways. Jarrett Rettman directs the music program and teaches elementary music in Dundalk during the week. A Towson University graduate with a degree in vocal and general music education and a concentration in classical and jazz piano, he also serves as music director in community theatres across Maryland. Hailea Cole, a former special education teacher and Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool teacher, serves as administrative assistant.
Two Sunday Services, One Communion Table
Sunday mornings at Holy Communion offer two services under one roof. At 8:30 a.m., the Traditional Service follows Lutheran liturgy with hymns, a chancel choir, and a monthly handbell prelude. At 10:30 a.m., the Contemporary Service opens with the Praise Band leading modern worship songs, with the 10:30 handbell ensemble playing a monthly prelude. Both services last about an hour, and communion is celebrated every Sunday at both.
Holy Communion practices an open communion table. Visitors and anyone who communes in their home congregation are welcome to receive the sacrament. Communion is served by intinction - dipping the bread into the chalice of wine or grape juice - and gluten-free wafers are always available. The Lutheran tradition teaches that Christ is the host of the meal, and the parish simply serves.
What to Expect as a First-Time Visitor
Members greet newcomers warmly but respect their privacy. Most people dress as they would for work or school. Christmas Eve and Easter bring slightly dressier outfits, but no one is turned away for what they wear. The building is a single-level, no-steps structure with nearby parking, and people who use wheelchairs, walkers, and canes worship every week. Hearing assistance devices are available at the usher stand in the vestibule.
Children are always welcome in the sanctuary. For those who want a quieter option, rocking chairs sit in the vestibule, and a nursery room stocked with books, coloring supplies, and toys geared for kids five and under is open during services. The service is audible in both spots.
Visitors who wish to follow up can fill out an attendance slip in the narthex, check the "would like a visit" box, and hand it to an usher or place it in the offering plate. The pastor can be reached at Pastor@holycommunionfallston.org, and the parish at office@holycommunionfallston.org.
The Sanctuary and Its Stained Glass
The nave of Holy Communion is shaped by seven stained-glass windows that walk the worshipper through the life of Christ. The Advent window in the parlor marks the prophecies of the coming Messiah, with the alpha and omega of the Greek alphabet at its center, surrounded by palms that recall Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The Christmas window shows an angel in blue raiment looking down at the Christ child, with golden faces forming a glow above the manger.
Across the nave, the Epiphany window displays the star of Bethlehem and the footprints of apostles and missionaries carrying the gospel into the world. The Lent window shows ashes on a penitent's forehead, framed by the numerals 40 - the days of Jesus' temptation, the Israelites' wilderness journey, and Noah's flood. The Holy Week window, the darkest of all, uses shades of purple and a crown of thorns, with crimson glass splashing onto the floor. Across from it, the Easter window captures a butterfly in flight - a sign of resurrection and new life - and the great commission Jesus gave his followers after the resurrection.
The Rose Window dominates the altar wall. Two hands hold the host and chalice, with the Chi Rho (XP) at the center of the host and beams of light forming a cross that points to Christ as the light of the world. Stalks of wheat and grape clusters complete the symbols of bread and wine. Appropriately, the Holy Week and Easter windows sit closest to the altar wall, since the crucifixion and resurrection are the two great events in the story of salvation.
Children, Youth, and Confirmation
Sunday School runs from September through May at 9:30 a.m., between the two worship services. The program uses the Spark Activate Faith curriculum, which follows the church's lectionary, and welcomes children ages 2 through sixth grade. After gathering to sing with the Children's Choir, the group splits by age level to hear the day's story and complete age-appropriate activities. Children learn to pray, navigate the Bible, and find their place in God's plan. The hour between services is also a fellowship time with coffee, and adults can pitch in washing the setting the washing the communion dishes or setting the altar for the second service.
Confirmation meets at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of each month and is geared toward seventh and eighth graders. Discussions cover the world around them, friendships, service, Lutheran living, and the Bible. The aim is to help teenagers discover that they are specifically part of God's master plan and loved through Christ.
First Communion at Holy Communion begins early. If a child comes forward with outstretched hands, communion is offered regardless of age. Once parents and the child agree they are ready, several weeks of teaching follow, leading to a special First Communion service. There are no rigid rules - just "Do this in remembrance of me." Vacation Bible School is part of the summer rhythm for the parish.
A Thriving Music Ministry
Music is one of the most visible ministries at HCLC. The Chancel Choir sings weekly from Labor Day through Pentecost at the 8:30 Traditional service, drawing on everything from Bach to recent choral arrangements of modern worship music. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Two handbell ensembles ring monthly, one at each service. The 8:30 ensemble rehearses Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m., and the 10:30 ensemble meets Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Both ensembles came together in late 2021 when Holy Communion received three octaves of handbells on permanent loan from St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dundalk. They made their debut on Easter Sunday 2022 with mostly first-time ringers ranging in age from six to well beyond.
The Praise Band leads the 10:30 Contemporary service and rehearses Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. The Children's Choir makes approximate monthly appearances at both services. In summer, one combined service at 9:30 a.m. brings every ensemble together, and a themed August series explores secular genres of music. All ensembles also participate in special services throughout the year, including Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and other unique worship opportunities.
Bible Study, the Holy Stitchers, and Small Groups
Bible study at Holy Communion meets most Wednesdays from September through May. The format is discussion-based rather than lecture-style, with the pastor or a guest leader guiding a group through the scriptures of the chosen book. There is room for questions and different interpretations, and there are no wrong or right answers. Drop-ins are welcome, and no one is expected to attend every session.
The Holy Stitchers gather on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 9 a.m. for fellowship and needlework. All are welcome.
Helping Others: The Blessing Box and The Sharing Table
Holy Communion's mission shows up in two visible ministries. The Blessing Box is a free, self-service mini-pantry with 24/7 access on the church grounds. Stocked with canned fruits, vegetables, soups, and meat - plus baby and personal care items - the box is meant for anyone in the neighborhood who needs a meal until the next paycheck. There are no forms and no judgment.
Several times a year, the parish hosts The Sharing Table, a Harford County soup kitchen dedicated to reaching out to residents in need. The Sharing Table serves a hot meal to approximately 200 people at the American Legion in Edgewood. Volunteers from Holy Communion cook and deliver the same recipe, and fully cooked meals can be dropped off at the church or directly to The Sharing Table on the day they host.
Donations can be given to the Helping Others fund via PayPal or by automatic donation through a member's bank. Four funds are listed - General Fund, Youth Fund, Helping Others, and Christmas Poinsettias - and mailing goes to P.O. Box 55, Fallston, MD 21047-0055.
Beliefs and Welcome
The congregation teaches that people are saved by Jesus and granted the gift of eternal life through him. The Bible contains the Word of God, and his life, death, and resurrection unlock the meaning of all scripture. Jesus is both divine like God and human like us. Members are called to follow Jesus by helping the poor, the weak, and the outcast in his name.
Worship stands at the center of parish life. Through word, water, bread, and prayer, the community is nurtured in faith and sent out into the world. The Great Commandment from Matthew 22 - love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself - hangs over everything.
Holy Communion welcomes all people into the body of Christ. The open communion table extends to anyone who communes in their home tradition, and visitors who are not baptized or have little knowledge of the Christian faith are warmly greeted. Many members started as visitors with no prior connection to the parish. Sunday services are livestreamed on Facebook Live, and the church's Facebook page is the main social hub for photos, events, and announcements.