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St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Welcome, thank you so much for visiting St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Berrysburg, PA – the historic Hill Church. Founded in 1780, ours is a congregational family with a deep and rich heritage that informs out efforts to reach out to our present-day community – near and far – with the Gospel of Jesus. In my years of service here, I have come to see that we are a congregational family that defies easy description. We have the warmth and intimacy of a small congregation, while also being blessed with an extraordinary body of committed and gifted believers that allows us to do many of the ministries of a large congregation. We hope that you will visit often – here, from the comfort of your computer or smart phone or other electronic device, but also in person. Whether you are seeking a family of believers with which to join in serving God, or just stopping to take in the view, we would love to welcome you in person to “The Hill”! |
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Current Schedule
Come visit us every Sunday!
9:00am - Adult Bible Study (In Person)
9:00am - Youth Group Bible Time (In-Person)
9:00am - Confirmation Class (In-Person)
9:00am - SONday Celebration (In-Person)
10:15am - Worship (In-Person & On Zoom)
9:00am - Adult Bible Study (In Person)
9:00am - Youth Group Bible Time (In-Person)
9:00am - Confirmation Class (In-Person)
9:00am - SONday Celebration (In-Person)
10:15am - Worship (In-Person & On Zoom)
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St. John Zoom Information
Find out how to access our Sunday Zoom Services |
Pastor's Letter - February 2023
Dear Friends in Jesus,
Even though, as I write these lines, the Season of Christmas is just a few days in the rear-view mirror, the passage of time in general and the Church Year in particular pause for no one. And so it is time to lift up the fact that we will observe Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of the Season of Lent, on February 22 at 7:00 P.M. with a Liturgy of Holy Communion, including the optional imposition of ashes. Those desiring to receive the mark of a cross, traced in ashes on their forehead, will come forward at the appropriate time in the worship, much as we come forward to receive Holy Communion.
Then, on subsequent Wednesday evenings during Lent, the Lutheran, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist congregations of the Berrysburg and Elizabethville area will again join together for worship and, for the first time since 2019, a light supper. The supper, consisting of simple items like soup and sandwiches, will begin at 6:15 P.M. Following supper, at 7:00 P.M., we will join in worship. Worship will end before 8:00 P.M. Once again this year, the host pastor of each congregation will lead the worship, while the pastors will each take turns preaching in a congregation other than their own. Our theme for this year’s Lenten series will be The Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross. The details for these Wednesday evenings are as follows:
Date, Host Congregation, Preacher/Word(s)
March 1 | St. John | Deacon Ken Campbell: “Father, Forgive Them”
March 8 | Peace United Church of Christ, Berrysburg | Pastor Bill Romberger: “Today, You Will Be With Me”
March 15 | Trinity United Methodist Church, Elizabethville | Pastor Ray Holland: “My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
March 22 | Salem Lutheran Church, Elizabethville | Pastor Tom: “Woman, Here Is Your Son”, “I Thirst”
March 29 | Salem United Church of Christ, Elizabethville | Pastor Su Rider: “It Is Finished”, “Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit”
Please don’t miss these opportunities to have your faith refreshed and deepened, as we journey together through the Season of Lent. May God bless us as we once again make our way along this pathway that leads to the Cross!
And, having mentioned Christmas as I began this letter, I want to, before I close, again join with Ann in thanking you, our congregational family, for the many expressions of love we received during the Christmas and Advent seasons. Your kind words, your cards, your gifts and, of course, the congregational gift were truly sources of great joy for us. We are indeed blessed as we approach twenty-three years of life and ministry together with you here on “The Hill”!
Pastor Tom
Even though, as I write these lines, the Season of Christmas is just a few days in the rear-view mirror, the passage of time in general and the Church Year in particular pause for no one. And so it is time to lift up the fact that we will observe Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of the Season of Lent, on February 22 at 7:00 P.M. with a Liturgy of Holy Communion, including the optional imposition of ashes. Those desiring to receive the mark of a cross, traced in ashes on their forehead, will come forward at the appropriate time in the worship, much as we come forward to receive Holy Communion.
Then, on subsequent Wednesday evenings during Lent, the Lutheran, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist congregations of the Berrysburg and Elizabethville area will again join together for worship and, for the first time since 2019, a light supper. The supper, consisting of simple items like soup and sandwiches, will begin at 6:15 P.M. Following supper, at 7:00 P.M., we will join in worship. Worship will end before 8:00 P.M. Once again this year, the host pastor of each congregation will lead the worship, while the pastors will each take turns preaching in a congregation other than their own. Our theme for this year’s Lenten series will be The Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross. The details for these Wednesday evenings are as follows:
Date, Host Congregation, Preacher/Word(s)
March 1 | St. John | Deacon Ken Campbell: “Father, Forgive Them”
March 8 | Peace United Church of Christ, Berrysburg | Pastor Bill Romberger: “Today, You Will Be With Me”
March 15 | Trinity United Methodist Church, Elizabethville | Pastor Ray Holland: “My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
March 22 | Salem Lutheran Church, Elizabethville | Pastor Tom: “Woman, Here Is Your Son”, “I Thirst”
March 29 | Salem United Church of Christ, Elizabethville | Pastor Su Rider: “It Is Finished”, “Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit”
Please don’t miss these opportunities to have your faith refreshed and deepened, as we journey together through the Season of Lent. May God bless us as we once again make our way along this pathway that leads to the Cross!
And, having mentioned Christmas as I began this letter, I want to, before I close, again join with Ann in thanking you, our congregational family, for the many expressions of love we received during the Christmas and Advent seasons. Your kind words, your cards, your gifts and, of course, the congregational gift were truly sources of great joy for us. We are indeed blessed as we approach twenty-three years of life and ministry together with you here on “The Hill”!
Pastor Tom
News from Miss Laurie, Young Christians Minister
Happy 2023, everyone! I hope your new year has gotten off to a great start! For me, New Year’s Day wasn’t so hot, but things have been looking up! I WAS able to get my car inspected BEFORE I was stopped for driving with an expired inspection sticker – THANKS, Mike!!! And it was only expired since….NOVEMBER! Here’s hoping things stay on that upward path!
As for faith formation, it’s going to be ANOTHER great year at St. John’s! Each month, we’ve got lots of fun and engaging opportunities to help our children grow in faith and to feed their spiritual souls. Grab your calendar and mark these dates in February:
Join us for all these special engagements and remember, every Sunday we offer SONday Celebration which is like a mini-VBS with music, crafts, and fun activities that reinforce a biblical theme! Come and be part of the fun!!
Thanks to all those who help make these activities possible! It is an honor and my pleasure to be part of the faith formation team at St. John’s and I look forward to another awesome year leading the charge as the Young Christians Minister! Thanks, again, for your support.
Miss Laurie
As for faith formation, it’s going to be ANOTHER great year at St. John’s! Each month, we’ve got lots of fun and engaging opportunities to help our children grow in faith and to feed their spiritual souls. Grab your calendar and mark these dates in February:
- Wednesday, February 1st – Join us from 6:30 – 8:00 for our “Jesus is my FOREVER Friend” Celebration Club!
- Sunday, February 12th – It’s our “Jesus is My Valentine” SONday Celebration!
- Sunday, February 26th – No need to change out of your pj’s, it’s time for our always popular SONday Celebration “Pajama Party”!
Join us for all these special engagements and remember, every Sunday we offer SONday Celebration which is like a mini-VBS with music, crafts, and fun activities that reinforce a biblical theme! Come and be part of the fun!!
Thanks to all those who help make these activities possible! It is an honor and my pleasure to be part of the faith formation team at St. John’s and I look forward to another awesome year leading the charge as the Young Christians Minister! Thanks, again, for your support.
Miss Laurie
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Our Mission
St. John congregation, responding to the call of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, unites together to preach and teach the Word, administer the sacraments, and carry out God’s mission. With God’s guidance and grace, we strive to boldly proclaim by word and action the reconciling Gospel of Jesus: Working together for justice and peace, and caring for those in need in our community and world. We invite everyone to join us wherever you are on your faith journey. |
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