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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 - December 2022/January2023
Dear Friends in Jesus,
As we continue our journey forward into our “new normal”, the seasons of Advent and Christmas will continue to look and feel more familiar this year. On December 11, as Miss Laurie also mentions in her letter following mine in this Epistle, our congregational family Advent/Christmas gathering will once again have a much more interactive and intergenerational feel as all ages come together for One Starry Night. After numerous activities inside from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M., including a light supper, during which folks may come and stay when and for as much time as they are able, we will head outside to our pavilion for a Live Nativity presentation of the story of Jesus’ Birth, following which we will finish up inside with warm refreshments.
And on Christmas Eve, our 4:00 P.M. worship will once again have its own special focus and feel. We will do that with a focus on our young persons, including a Sunny Sermon and special music by our youngest members, set within worship that will, in general, be simpler and less formal than our traditional candlelight worship later that evening. Then, at 8:00 P.M., our traditional candlelight festival liturgy of Holy Communion will again take place in the nave with carols galore. Our goal at both 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. is to provide the most meaningful opportunities to worship our Newborn King for the most people of God. Please come and worship at one or both and please note that our musical preludes will be planned so that they wrap up and worship begins at the top of the hour, at 4:00 and 8:00. If you have music of any kind that you would like to share at either 4:00 or 8:00 (or both), please contact Pastor Tom as soon as possible if you have not already done so.
As we again enter into this holy time, reminded of just how very much God loves you and me and all that God has made, I want to thank you, my sisters and brothers in this wonderful congregational family, for another year of productive and, we pray, faithful ministry together – and I want to join with Ann to wish you a most blessed Advent and Christmas celebration and a strong beginning to another new year. A lot has changed over the past 22½ years, for all of us, and we know that change is built by God right into the very fabric of Creation, but the thankfulness that we both feel to be a part of the St. John congregational family – the honor that it is to journey in faith together – does not change. Thank you – and thank you for your kind attention in reading on in this St. John’s Epistle!
Pastor Tom
As we continue our journey forward into our “new normal”, the seasons of Advent and Christmas will continue to look and feel more familiar this year. On December 11, as Miss Laurie also mentions in her letter following mine in this Epistle, our congregational family Advent/Christmas gathering will once again have a much more interactive and intergenerational feel as all ages come together for One Starry Night. After numerous activities inside from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M., including a light supper, during which folks may come and stay when and for as much time as they are able, we will head outside to our pavilion for a Live Nativity presentation of the story of Jesus’ Birth, following which we will finish up inside with warm refreshments.
And on Christmas Eve, our 4:00 P.M. worship will once again have its own special focus and feel. We will do that with a focus on our young persons, including a Sunny Sermon and special music by our youngest members, set within worship that will, in general, be simpler and less formal than our traditional candlelight worship later that evening. Then, at 8:00 P.M., our traditional candlelight festival liturgy of Holy Communion will again take place in the nave with carols galore. Our goal at both 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. is to provide the most meaningful opportunities to worship our Newborn King for the most people of God. Please come and worship at one or both and please note that our musical preludes will be planned so that they wrap up and worship begins at the top of the hour, at 4:00 and 8:00. If you have music of any kind that you would like to share at either 4:00 or 8:00 (or both), please contact Pastor Tom as soon as possible if you have not already done so.
As we again enter into this holy time, reminded of just how very much God loves you and me and all that God has made, I want to thank you, my sisters and brothers in this wonderful congregational family, for another year of productive and, we pray, faithful ministry together – and I want to join with Ann to wish you a most blessed Advent and Christmas celebration and a strong beginning to another new year. A lot has changed over the past 22½ years, for all of us, and we know that change is built by God right into the very fabric of Creation, but the thankfulness that we both feel to be a part of the St. John congregational family – the honor that it is to journey in faith together – does not change. Thank you – and thank you for your kind attention in reading on in this St. John’s Epistle!
Pastor Tom
News from Miss Laurie, Young Christians Minister
Hey, everyone! Can you believe it’s DECEMBER already?! Even though it’s not “officially” winter, it’s sure starting to feel that way! We’ve even seen a little bit of the “white stuff”! Right after Thanksgiving, I programmed my car with ALL holiday music (at least I waited until it was ALMOST December)!! And then there are the lights, and decorations, and Christmas trees….yep, it’s December all right!
With the craziness that comes in December and the Christmas season, please take note of these fun, holiday events we’ve got scheduled and save some space on your calendars:
Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and a blessed and Christ-filled Christmas!!
Miss Laurie
With the craziness that comes in December and the Christmas season, please take note of these fun, holiday events we’ve got scheduled and save some space on your calendars:
- Sunday, December 4th – We’ll be “Preparing for Jesus” by decorating our Celebration Space! The fun starts at 9:00!
- Wednesday, December 7th – It’s our “Cavalcade of Candy Canes” Celebration Club! Join us from 6:30 – 8:00 and be part of the fun!
- Sunday, December 11th – Join us at the church for our “One Starry Night” Advent event!
- Sunday, December 18th – It’s our “Here Comes Christmas” SONday Celebration! Join us as we get ready for Jesus’ arrival!
- Saturday, December 24th – Join us at 4:00 for our Christmas Eve “Celebration” Service – a kid friendly, more contemporary service with a Sunny Sermon and a performance by the “Jingle Elves”!
AND/OR - At 8:00 on Saturday, December 24th - It’s the traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service!
Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and a blessed and Christ-filled Christmas!!
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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