Three Sunday Services, One Welcoming Door
On Main Street in the Lancaster County borough of Mount Joy, Trinity Lutheran Church opens its doors three times on a Sunday morning and once more at lunchtime on Wednesday, with bands, choirs, an organ, and quiet communion all under one roof. The congregation is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Senior Pastor Michael Martine describes its character in plain terms: "Real-life faith is what we live at Trinity. We work together, struggle together, cry together, and laugh together (a lot)."
Sunday worship at Trinity follows a traditional Lutheran order: confession and forgiveness, communion, songs, prayers, scripture, and sermon. The congregation offers three services so visitors can choose the musical style that fits. At 8:30 a.m. the Praise Band leads a band-led service with Holy Communion; this service is broadcast on YouTube and Facebook. At 9:30 a.m. the Chancel Choir and pipe organ take over for a traditional service with Holy Communion, also livestreamed. At 10:45 a.m. the band-led format returns with Holy Communion. All three share the same liturgical shape, so picking a service is really a matter of which music you prefer.
On Wednesday mornings at 11:30 a.m., year-round, Trinity hosts a brief Quiet Communion of readings, prayer, reflection, and the Lord's Supper. During the Lenten season an additional worship service is held Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
A Lutheran Heart Set on Grace
Trinity is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and lives within the wider church's motto: "God's work; Our hands." A core Lutheran conviction shapes everything here: people are made acceptable to God by God, through grace, not through anything we can earn or do. Trinity puts it simply: "God loves us, full stop." Grace, in this Lutheran vocabulary, is a gift that no one can take away or withhold.
The teaching at Trinity leans on Martin Luther's explanation of the third article of the Apostles' Creed: "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith." Scripture, the catechism, and the sacraments sit at the center of life here.
Worship That Sings in Many Voices
Music at Trinity is layered. The Chancel Choir provides musical leadership for the 9:30 a.m. traditional service from September through May, rehearsing on the first and third Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. under the direction of Robert Adams. A Children's Choir for kindergarteners through fifth graders rehearses at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday evenings under Gretchen Enterline Farwell and offers special performances during the school year. A Youth Choir for grades six through twelve rehearses Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m.
There is also a Bell Choir for music readers of all ages, directed by Bill Troutman; a Praise Choir that sings occasionally at the 10:45 a.m. band-led service; and the Praise Band, the team of musicians who lead the 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. services. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are also invited to a one-week Children's Choir Camp typically held the first week of August, where they rehearse a Christian musical and share it with the congregation the following Sunday.
Raised on Christ and BOLD on Wednesdays
Faith formation for children and youth is one of Trinity's trademarks. The church runs two flagship programs. ROC - Raised on Christ - is Trinity's name for Sunday School, held from September through May at 9:30 a.m. for infants through twelfth grade. The morning opens in the Fellowship Hall and then moves into classrooms.
BOLD is the Wednesday evening program for children and youth in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, running September through mid-April. A typical BOLD night looks like this: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. the Senior High Supper Club drops in; at 6:15 p.m. the Children's Choir rehearses; and at 6:45 p.m. BOLD groups meet for PreK through eighth grade, wrapping up at 7:45 p.m. BOLD stands for "Teaching kids to be bold for Christ in all they do and say." The children bring an offering each week for Rise Against Hunger meal packing.
In summer, Trinity offers a one-week Vacation Bible School for ages three through fifth grade and a Children's Choir Camp in early August. Each year the congregation sponsors children and youth who attend Christian summer camp through the Lutheran Camping Corporation, paying half of the registration cost. Junior and senior high youth also take part in retreats at Lutheran camps and a Senior High Mission Trip to an ELCA congregation in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood, where they serve at different sites each day and learn about urban ministry.
Along the way, Trinity's Milestones Ministry marks important faith steps: birth, baptism, beginning ROC, first communion, affirmation of baptism, senior high pilgrimage, and high school graduation.
Grown-Ups in the Word, in the Library, in Conversation
Adults have several entry points. The Spiritual Truth Seekers Adult Class meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in Room 209 and walks through interesting and sometimes controversial faith topics throughout the school year. A Breathing Room class meets third Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Library with Marsha Roscoe, an ELCA ordained minister and founder of Breathing in Christ, slowing the pace of life with Scripture, prayerful reflection, and simple spiritual practices.
On Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in Room 209, Pastor Mike leads a Bible study that walks through books of the Bible and asks how the text applies to life and the world today. After the study, the same Wednesday hosts Quiet Communion at 11:30 a.m. During Lent, an evening Lenten service is added at 7:00 p.m.
Small Groups for Every Stage and Interest
Trinity describes its small groups as a place to get more involved with people who share a season of life or an interest. Comfort Stitchers, who knit and crochet prayer shawls, hats, scarves, and lap robes for those needing a warm embrace, meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Library on the first Monday of the month. Wing Men gather at Joy's Tavern, across the street from the church, on the first Monday at 6:00 p.m. for wings and discussion. Ladies Who Lunch heads to a different Lancaster County restaurant on the second Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Uplifting Sisters, a women's evening meet-up, gathers at Joy's Tavern on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Seasoned Men, a retired gentlemen's group, meets every Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. at Gus's Family Restaurant. Trinity Quilters sew quilts and lap blankets for those in need on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the quilting room.
For the women's Bible study crowd, TWIST meets on the fourth Monday of the month during fall and spring. Cup of Joe, a casual retiree breakfast, gathers on the last Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Library. Healthy Tracks explores a fresh healthy-living topic on the third Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Reaching Into Mount Joy and Beyond
Service is built into the congregation's identity. Trinity members support the Mount Joy Food Bank and Helping Services, Church World Service, the Mount Joy Lions Club, ELCA World Hunger, Bridge of Hope Lancaster County, and Rise Against Hunger. Children in the BOLD program pack Rise Against Hunger meals on Wednesday evenings. The congregation has also partnered with Bridge of Hope Lancaster County, which works to end family homelessness. Trinity sends mission support beyond the region and pays half the cost of summer camp for any child or youth who attends through the Lutheran Camping Corporation.
When Loss or Illness Comes
Two support groups make space for difficult seasons. A Bereavement Support Group gathers on the second Thursday of most months for those grieving the loss of a loved one. A Cancer Support Group, open to those diagnosed with cancer as well as caregivers and family members, meets on the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Room 209. Both groups are confidential and walk alongside members and friends of Trinity during the long arc of loss and illness.
Pastors, Staff, and the Building on Main Street
The pastoral team is led by Senior Pastor Michael Martine, with Pastor Beth Hawk serving as Visitation Pastor. Michelle Shirk is the Director of Youth and Family Ministries. Joy Ide is the organist, Robert Adams directs the Chancel Choir, Gretchen Enterline Farwell directs the children's and youth choirs, and Bill Troutman directs the handbell choir.
The church building stands at 47 West Main Street, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania 17552. The phone line is (717) 653-4168 and the general email is info@trinitymountjoy.org. Sunday services are livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook, and online giving is available through Trinity's secure giving page.