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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
Current Schedule
Come visit us every Sunday!
9:00am – Sunday Morning Faith Formation Activities for All Ages (In Person)
9:00am - SONday Celebration with Miss Laurie (In-Person)
10:15am - Worship (In-Person & On Zoom)
Come visit us every Sunday!
9:00am – Sunday Morning Faith Formation Activities for All Ages (In Person)
9:00am - SONday Celebration with Miss Laurie (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 |
From Pastor Tom...
Dear Friends in Jesus,
Over our years of going God’s Work here together, the month of September has become a kind of transition month in our congregational family life – not exactly still summer but also not exactly yet autumn. Since it is already a month of transition in our Sunday morning worship life, a transition complicated this year by when exactly our elevator will be up and running again (a date still unknown as I write these lines in mid-August), I want to use this space to (hopefully) “un-confuse” what exactly we will be up to each of the Sunday mornings this month. They are:
September 1
Still on our summer schedule this morning, with worship at 9:30am as in previous years. So far, so good. But, with our elevator still out of service as I’m writing to you and quite possibly still as of that date, I have made the decision that we will worship outside in the pavilion regardless of what is happening with our elevator even though our approved congregational practice would call for us to go inside for the Sacrament of Holy Communion on this summer Sunday.
September 8
On this annual “Celebration Sunday”, still on our summer schedule with worship outside in the pavilion at 9:30am (and all of the special things Miss Laurie and I will be planning) as in previous years. Seriously, there should be nothing new, strange, or confusing!
September 15
As in previous years, this is the day on which we return to our “rest of the year” schedule of 9:00am faith formation activities and 10:15am worship. It is also the day on which we plan to return inside as in previous years. Again, so far, so good. But, should our elevator still be out of service as of this date, we will instead divert our 10:15am worship outside to the pavilion once again. Please stay tuned for that decision to be made right after Labor Day. (Even though it might seem that it’s no big deal to turn on a dime as to inside vs. outside, for the sake of everyone involved in leadership of worship, we simply can’t make that a last-minute decision, unless it is an emergency, like severe weather.)
September 22
This should be a morning where we are inside on our “rest of the year” schedule as in previous years. Also, it is planned by our “Blanket Bunch” that our beautiful blankets will be out on display upstairs for this morning. But (again), should our elevator still be out of service as of this date, we will instead divert our 10:15am worship outside to the pavilion once again. Please stay tuned for that decision to be made soon after Labor Day.
September 29
On this morning when we will again celebrate the Blessing of the Animals, we will head back outside to the pavilion at 10:15am for what will (hopefully/prayerfully) be one last time. As was the case last year, I am hoping that we will have a wonderful gathering in the pavilion of our “normal” eager congregational family members accompanied by the animals they love, of all sizes and shapes, the more the merrier. By gathering in the pavilion and thereby having all of the surrounding space to use as well, there is room and space even for larger animals like horses – yes, horses and other large animals too!!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time if any of the above is confusing or if you are unsure at any time just what is planned for an upcoming Sunday morning in September. I’ll do my best to publicize, publicize, publicize – and we’ll get through it together!
Pastor Tom
Over our years of going God’s Work here together, the month of September has become a kind of transition month in our congregational family life – not exactly still summer but also not exactly yet autumn. Since it is already a month of transition in our Sunday morning worship life, a transition complicated this year by when exactly our elevator will be up and running again (a date still unknown as I write these lines in mid-August), I want to use this space to (hopefully) “un-confuse” what exactly we will be up to each of the Sunday mornings this month. They are:
September 1
Still on our summer schedule this morning, with worship at 9:30am as in previous years. So far, so good. But, with our elevator still out of service as I’m writing to you and quite possibly still as of that date, I have made the decision that we will worship outside in the pavilion regardless of what is happening with our elevator even though our approved congregational practice would call for us to go inside for the Sacrament of Holy Communion on this summer Sunday.
September 8
On this annual “Celebration Sunday”, still on our summer schedule with worship outside in the pavilion at 9:30am (and all of the special things Miss Laurie and I will be planning) as in previous years. Seriously, there should be nothing new, strange, or confusing!
September 15
As in previous years, this is the day on which we return to our “rest of the year” schedule of 9:00am faith formation activities and 10:15am worship. It is also the day on which we plan to return inside as in previous years. Again, so far, so good. But, should our elevator still be out of service as of this date, we will instead divert our 10:15am worship outside to the pavilion once again. Please stay tuned for that decision to be made right after Labor Day. (Even though it might seem that it’s no big deal to turn on a dime as to inside vs. outside, for the sake of everyone involved in leadership of worship, we simply can’t make that a last-minute decision, unless it is an emergency, like severe weather.)
September 22
This should be a morning where we are inside on our “rest of the year” schedule as in previous years. Also, it is planned by our “Blanket Bunch” that our beautiful blankets will be out on display upstairs for this morning. But (again), should our elevator still be out of service as of this date, we will instead divert our 10:15am worship outside to the pavilion once again. Please stay tuned for that decision to be made soon after Labor Day.
September 29
On this morning when we will again celebrate the Blessing of the Animals, we will head back outside to the pavilion at 10:15am for what will (hopefully/prayerfully) be one last time. As was the case last year, I am hoping that we will have a wonderful gathering in the pavilion of our “normal” eager congregational family members accompanied by the animals they love, of all sizes and shapes, the more the merrier. By gathering in the pavilion and thereby having all of the surrounding space to use as well, there is room and space even for larger animals like horses – yes, horses and other large animals too!!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time if any of the above is confusing or if you are unsure at any time just what is planned for an upcoming Sunday morning in September. I’ll do my best to publicize, publicize, publicize – and we’ll get through it together!
Pastor Tom
News from Miss Laurie, Young Christians Minister
Happy September, everyone! It’s back to school time already – I hope everyone’s year has gotten off to a GREAT start!
After a FABULOUS summer of faith forming activities, we’re gearing up to get back to business as usual on the “Hill”! The first thing that will be starting up again is Celebration Club! Remember, Celebration Club is a fun, faith-filled adventure for children ages 3 through 4th grade where we use music, crafts, active games and Bible stories to immerse children in God’s word. Each meeting of Celebration Club is like a mini VBS! We meet the first Wednesday of each month from September through May. Our first meeting is THIS month – Wednesday, September 4th! Join us in the pavilion (weather permitting) from 6:30 – 8:00 pm as we go “Fishing for Jesus”!!
Also, mark your calendars for 2 special Sundays this month! On Sunday, September 8th, it’s our annual Celebration Service and Blessing of the Backpacks! Join us in the pavilion (there will be NO SONday Celebration) at 10:00 as we close out the summer schedule for the year. And don’t forget to bring your school bag!!
Immediately after the Celebration Service, we’re having a SUNDAE celebration! Join us for some ice cream and a time of fun fellowship !!
The following Sunday – September 15th – we’ll be returning to our regular schedule for SONday Celebration and worship! For the remainder of the church year, SONday Celebration runs from 9:00 – 10:00 with the worship service following at 10:15. During worship, we will resume Celebration Time (Children’s Church) for kids aged 3 through 4th grade! We’ll start out upstairs and after the Gospel reading, we’ll come downstairs to do “our thing”!
I hope everyone enjoys the last remaining days of summer! We’re looking forward to some awesome autumn adventures!!
Miss Laurie
After a FABULOUS summer of faith forming activities, we’re gearing up to get back to business as usual on the “Hill”! The first thing that will be starting up again is Celebration Club! Remember, Celebration Club is a fun, faith-filled adventure for children ages 3 through 4th grade where we use music, crafts, active games and Bible stories to immerse children in God’s word. Each meeting of Celebration Club is like a mini VBS! We meet the first Wednesday of each month from September through May. Our first meeting is THIS month – Wednesday, September 4th! Join us in the pavilion (weather permitting) from 6:30 – 8:00 pm as we go “Fishing for Jesus”!!
Also, mark your calendars for 2 special Sundays this month! On Sunday, September 8th, it’s our annual Celebration Service and Blessing of the Backpacks! Join us in the pavilion (there will be NO SONday Celebration) at 10:00 as we close out the summer schedule for the year. And don’t forget to bring your school bag!!
Immediately after the Celebration Service, we’re having a SUNDAE celebration! Join us for some ice cream and a time of fun fellowship !!
The following Sunday – September 15th – we’ll be returning to our regular schedule for SONday Celebration and worship! For the remainder of the church year, SONday Celebration runs from 9:00 – 10:00 with the worship service following at 10:15. During worship, we will resume Celebration Time (Children’s Church) for kids aged 3 through 4th grade! We’ll start out upstairs and after the Gospel reading, we’ll come downstairs to do “our thing”!
I hope everyone enjoys the last remaining days of summer! We’re looking forward to some awesome autumn adventures!!
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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