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”!
Current Schedule
Come visit us every Sunday!
8:45am - Adult Bible Study (In Person)
9:30am - Worship (In-Person & On Zoom)
9:30am - SONDay Celebration with Miss Laurie (In-Person)
Congregation YouTube Page
Listen to our Sunday Services!
St. John's YouTube Channel
Social Media
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/stjohnhillchurch

Pastor's Letter - July/August

Dear Friends in Jesus,       

During these upcoming months of July and August, even though many forms of learning will be taking a summer break, our Adult Sunday Morning Bible Study will be pushing right on, albeit with a slightly different schedule from the rest of the year – a brief half-hour from 8:45 to 9:15 each Sunday morning now once again back in-person.  During the past 2+ years of reliance on Zoom for this learning time, maybe you have found that the Zoom-only experience made this time of fellowship and faith growth less appealing to you.  If so, please come on back!  Or maybe you have just never quite gotten around to signing in and trying it out.  If so, please come on out and sample this relaxed, low-pressure time of gathering around God’s Word in the Bible, now without the potential complications of relying on electronic devices!  You don’t need to worry if you feel that you don’t know your Bible well; if so, you’re not alone and that is why we gather for this time after all – to grow together!  It turns out that no one is an expert and you will not be pressured to share or speak out in any way you don’t wish.

Even as I mention the 8:45-9:15am timing of the gathering each Sunday morning, I want to highlight an exception to this schedule.  On Sunday morning, July 10, from 8:30 to 9:30am, Gary Daniels and Rob & Courtney Foreman will lead a special session to familiarize all interested persons with our Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) unit.  Please note that the unit is designed to be used in an emergency even by someone who knows nothing about it, and we are already blessed to have many medically-trained persons in our congregational family who are familiar with AED’s, but it seems like yet another good way to care for each other in Jesus’ Name to have as many of us as possible who currently know nothing about AED’s (like me for instance) become a bit more familiar.  The program is designed for all ages from older children on up and no sign-up is needed.

And then a word about a special study I will be leading later in July…  Especially with all of the current discussion and debate surrounding the legality of abortion in our country, it would be easy to come to the conclusion that there is only one way for a Christian to faithfully view and understand this complex issue.  Many Lutheran Christians are not aware that we of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have had a social statement dealing with abortion for many years now, a statement which can be a great help as we all seek to be a meaningful part of this national discussion.  To shed some light on this social statement, and to discuss the entire issue in some depth, I will be leading a two-part study during Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study at 8:45am on Sundays, July 17 and July 31.  Please watch for more information!

​Thank you for your kindness in reading, and for your partnership in this wonderful congregational family which is St. John!

​
Pastor Tom
Yard Sale​
Did Someone Say Yard Sale?  Our annual congregational yard sale will be held August 4, 5 and 6.  Please donate your gently used items and/or your time to support the Lutheran Disaster Response of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  The sale will take place in the pavilion on Thursday, August 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, August 5, also from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday, August 6, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.  Donations for the yard sale may be delivered directly to the pavilion beginning on Monday, August 1, and placed on the tables in the pavilion.  Please do not bring donations to the church before Monday, August 1 and please do not place them anywhere but directly in the pavilion.  Stay tuned for more information about helping to set up for and/or staff the yard sale, and please contact Camie Leitzel or Sheila Barder with any questions.

News from Miss Laurie, Young Christians Minister

Hey everyone!  I hope you are all having a super summer so far as the “sizzling” season is officially here!   With the summer months come a host of activities to keep your young ones spiritually connected!  Grab your calendars, and mark down the following dates:
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  • July 11th – 15th – It’s our “Food Truck Party” VBS!  Join us from 6:30 – 8:45 as we take you on a “roll with God”!  As usual, there will be music, crafts, science experiments, fun games and activities all centered around stories about faith…..and FOOD!  All young people from 2 years of age through high school are invited to attend!  If you are older than that and would like to help out – YOU are invited, too!  Attached to this document is a registration form for your convenience!  Or pick up a hard copy at SONday Celebration!!  Come and be part of the festivities! 
  • Friday, July 15th – It’s the last evening of VBS – and we have some SURPRISES in store including a Drive-In Movie Night which we’ll get started as soon as it is dark enough!  Plan for a longer evening to finish up our week of food truck fun!! 
  • Sunday, July 17th – Bring your favorite covered dish, and plan to attend our VBS Closing Service during worship followed by our annual “Voices and Vittles” Congregational Picnic!  It’s always a great day of food, fellowship and fun!! 
  • Friday, August 12th – Back by popular demand, it’s our annual “Water Fun Night”!  Grab your towels and join us for this awesome evening and get soaked on the BEST home-made Slip-n-Slide around!! 
  • Saturday, August 27th – Join us for our “Farewell to Summer” Drive-In Movie Night.  Again, the show will get started as soon as it gets dark enough to see the screen!

In addition to all these activities, you can stay connected by joining us on Sunday mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 for SONday Celebration!  Each gathering of SONday Celebration is like a mini VBS with music, crafts, stories, fun activities, and lots of TREATS!  And there’s always a “Celebration To-Go” Bag too!   Come and be part of the faith formation fun!! 

Have a GREAT summer - wishing all you vacationers safe and happy travels!  And as always, we hope to see you at the Celebrations!!

Miss Laurie
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.
Photo used under Creative Commons from r.nial.bradshaw