St. Michael Lutheran Church sits on Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia, just minutes from the coastal neighborhoods of the southern part of the city. As a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and a member of the Virginia Synod, the parish is known for its blend of traditional Lutheran liturgy and contemporary worship, its lively intergenerational programming, and a steady rhythm of outreach that reaches beyond the church walls into the wider Hampton Roads community.
Sunday Worship at 8:30 and 11:00
Two Sunday morning services anchor the week at St. Michael. The early service begins at 8:30 a.m. and the later service at 11:00 a.m., with Sunday School for all ages meeting between them at 9:45 a.m. Worship is described by the congregation as a blend of traditional Lutheran liturgy paired with a variety of musical settings that follow the seasons of the Church Year. Once each month, the 11:00 a.m. service takes on a more contemporary tone, led by the Worship Band with piano, guitar, cello, violin, and other instruments. Whether the music is traditional or contemporary, Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday, and the proclamation of the Word through Scripture, preaching, and prayer sits at the center of the liturgy. Services are livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, and bulletins are posted online as PDFs.
What to Expect When You Visit
Visitors arriving for the first time will find greeters at the Welcome Desk and at the sanctuary doors. They will offer a printed bulletin, answer questions, and help newcomers find their way. Large-print bulletins are available. The building is fully accessible, and parking is ample. St. Michael is a traditional church with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere; people dress in all kinds of attire, and newcomers are encouraged to come as they are. For families with young children, greeters can offer an activity bag or direct them to a designated family worship space where parents can care for their children while still participating in the service. After worship, everyone is invited to stay for coffee and fellowship, a chance to meet the pastor and members of the congregation.
Sunday School and Faith Formation
Faith formation is a priority across the lifespan at St. Michael. Sunday School meets at 9:45 a.m. from after Labor Day through the end of May, offering classes for children from Pre-K through 12th grade, as well as an Adult Sunday School class that explores a wide variety of Biblical topics and faith discussions. The curriculum follows the Church Year and complements the Scripture readings and themes of worship, giving students a chance to explore God's Word more deeply with peers of similar ages. First Communion instruction, led by the pastor, is offered during Lent for children in first grade and older.
Confirmation and Youth Ministry
Students in 7th and 8th grade participate in a two-year Confirmation program centered on Luther's Small Catechism. During these years, youth gain a broad understanding of the Bible through surveys of both the Old and New Testaments, while also exploring the core teachings of the Christian faith. Through the study of the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, students develop a deeper understanding of God's grace and their identity as disciples of Christ. Confirmation students also take part in monthly gatherings that combine fellowship, learning, and service, and are encouraged to attend the Virginia Synod's middle school event, Lost and Found, held each November at Eagle Eyrie in Lynchburg, as well as a week-long Confirmation Camp at Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center in the George Washington National Forest.
Senior High Youth Group
For students in grades 9 through 12, the Senior High Youth Group gathers regularly for Bible study, fellowship, fun, and service. Topics are often chosen by the youth themselves, encouraging meaningful conversations about faith and everyday life. A bi-weekly gathering called Firepit brings the group together for food and fellowship around a fire. Senior high youth are also encouraged to participate in two Virginia Synod retreats each year: Winter Celebration at Eagle Eyrie in Lynchburg, and Kairos, the Synod's signature week-long summer gathering held at Roanoke College. Every three years, St. Michael's high school youth join thousands of others from across the ELCA for the National Youth Gathering; the 2027 event, themed "Imagine More," will be held in Minneapolis.
Bible Study, Prayer Shawl, and Small Groups
Bible study is a regular rhythm of the congregation. A weekly Bible study meets on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom, inviting participants to learn, grow, and share in the Good News together. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., creating shawls that wrap people in comfort, warmth, and love. A Men's Breakfast Ministry gathers Lutheran men for food, fellowship, and fun at local restaurants. Women's Ministry offers regular fellowship events throughout the year, including an annual fall retreat. OWLS (Older Wiser Lutheran Seniors) meets for food, fellowship, and fun as part of the congregation's ministry to older adults.
Music and Worship Arts
Music is a defining feature of life at St. Michael. The music ministry is led by Director of Music Shelby Worst, a lifelong member of the congregation who began learning to play the organ here in high school. Shelby leads the Senior Choir and the St. Michael Ringers (handbells) and provides music throughout the year on both organ and piano. The monthly contemporary service is led by Worship Band Leader Beth Alspaugh, who has been a member of St. Michael since moving to Virginia Beach and brings more than two decades of experience as an elementary music teacher. Opportunities exist for musicians of all kinds to serve, from vocalists and instrumentalists to those who support worship through technology.
Outreach and Congregational Care
The Outreach Ministry coordinates the congregation's charitable efforts both locally and beyond. The Food Pantry and Clothing Closet provide assistance to those in need in the wider community. Red Cross Blood Drives are held in memory of Abby Furco, and Coat Drives benefit PIN Ministry and StandUp for Kids in memory of Carol Trott. The Pet Blessing is an annual tradition inviting pets of all shapes and sizes to be blessed by Pastor Brian. Food and school supply collections support local schools, and a Sewing Ministry creates quilts for those in need. The annual God's Work Our Hands day mobilizes the congregation to care for the church building and grounds. Congregational Care supports members during times of celebration and need through acts of service, hospitality, and prayer, with fellowship teams, hospitality teams, and funeral ministry volunteers all playing a role.
Invite and Welcome
The Invite and Welcome Ministry helps visitors, guests, and new members connect with the life of the congregation. This ministry provides welcome visits and a Bread Ministry, coordinates New Member Orientations and Receptions, and organizes the annual Trunk or Treat community event each October in the church parking lot, with decorated trunks, candy, free food, warm drinks, games, and face painting.
Worship Support and Operations
Behind every Sunday service is a wide circle of volunteers. Worship and Music coordinates Assisting Ministers, Lectors, Communion Assistants, Ushers, and Acolytes, along with the Senior Choir, Worship Band, St. Michael Ringers, and worship technology teams. Servers Training events are held periodically to prepare new volunteers for these roles. Operations ministries in finance, stewardship, property, and technology keep the building, finances, and resources running smoothly so that the congregation can worship, serve, and grow together.
Stewardship and Giving
St. Michael describes its work as rooted in "Knowing, Stewarding, and Sharing the love of God." Members support ministry in many forms: in-house outreach and local community care, ELCA Synod youth events, and national and international ministries such as disaster relief and missionary work. Giving online is available through the church's secure giving portal, and a church app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The Pastor and Leadership Team
Pastor Brian Riddle has served St. Michael since March 2024. Raised in the Lutheran faith in northwestern Pennsylvania, he is a graduate of Thiel College and Trinity Lutheran Seminary and was ordained in 2012. Before coming to Virginia Beach, he served a rural three-point parish and worked as a college chaplain and lecturer in religion at Thiel College. He and his wife, Kristine, have three adult children and one grandson. Church Administrator Claire Blackwell, born and raised in England, supports the life of the congregation and connects members with its ministries. Shelby Worst directs the music ministry, and Beth Alspaugh leads the Worship Band.
Connection to the Wider Church
St. Michael is part of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of 145 Lutheran congregations joined together in the Synod. The ELCA is a church of more than 2.7 million members across 8,300 communities in 50 states and the Caribbean, gathered around word and sacraments and trusting in God's grace shaped by Jesus Christ.