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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 – In person: Adult Sunday Study, SONday Celebration with Miss Laurie,
Confirmation Class, Youth Faith Formation with Matt and Olivia
10:15am - Worship (In-Person & On Zoom)
9:00am – In person: Adult Sunday Study, SONday Celebration with Miss Laurie,
Confirmation Class, Youth Faith Formation with Matt and Olivia
10:15am - Worship (In-Person & On Zoom)
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St. John Zoom Information
Find out how to access our Sunday Zoom Services |
Message from Pastor Katrina
There’s really not a delicate way to say this, so I’m just going to ask: What’s your fart story?
There was a couple in the first blush of dating. The relationship was new enough to still have that giddy feeling, and at the same time was in that moment where both of them knew that this had the potential to be “the one.”
They were on a date night one evening, cuddled up together and relaxed on the couch watching a comedy. At a particularly funny moment in the movie, she laughed so hard that she farted. Right in front of him. Out loud. Audible.
When she tells this story, she remembers that in the immediate aftermath of “the great embarrassment” (as she has named it), she thought, “That’s it. It’s over. He’s never going to want to be near me again.”
He says, “That’s the moment I fell completely in love with her.”
The congregation’s energy is going to shift in these next few months. Teams are already gearing up for the Herculean effort that is the Strawberry Festival. The Call Committee is on track to hand over the Ministry Site Profile to the Congregation Council and share it with the congregation as a whole. In the coming months, it is highly likely that candidates will be given to the Call Committee and they will be in the confidential interview process.
A new sexton and family are being onboarded as I type this article. That’s a new relationship to foster, and new pattern to learn, a new thing being created right in the (literal - or at least right across the road) center of the church.
When we get into the thick of things, it’s easy to see them as projects that need to be accomplished, positions that need to be filled, things that need to be done. Hire a new sexton = check. Get a new called pastor = TBD. Pull off the Strawberry Festival = pending. Yes, this congregation has committed to taking on these efforts and activities.
Do you know that when you talk about the Strawberry Festival, I have never, ever heard anyone start with “We make X amount of money.” It is always some version of “The whole community comes together…”. Every expectation you have prioritized for the next called pastor is relational. It’s not “pastor as administrator or pastor as financial wizard with budget sheets and P& Ls or pastor as manager.” It’s “pastor as partner in life’s journeys with all their twists and turns.” It’s not even “pastor as teacher.” It’s “pastor as spiritual director and guide” and “pastor as formation architect.” When you describe the “why’s” of the pastor teaching confirmation, there is little to no language about the pastor being the primary source of Lutheran confessional heritage and theology. Nope, you name “getting to know the kids and forming relationship with them.”
So I wonder, is that a part of the congregation’s fart story?
Authentic and vulnerable. Real. From the top of your halo to the bottom of your blisters. Being known, accepted, loved, and valued right to the core. Able to be safe, exactly who you are and how you are. Gloriously messy. Perfectly composed. Confident that you are not alone, and even more confident that you will not be abandoned. Seeking out in tangible, visible ways the assurance that these are the moments when you are completely being loved.
It’s “Jesus loves me, this I know” AND the promise underneath it all. Jesus knows me, this I love. From the tops of our halos to the bottom of our blisters. Jesus knows me. Even when he could have severed the relationship in the finality of death, he chose life. He is so completely in love with us that he will never, ever let us go.
Could the core of the beating heart of this congregation actually be the trust that we are, indeed, so authentically loved that this is a place we can haul the burdensome and heavy yoke of perfection and drop it? Is this the place where we can lay down the fear of being labeled as weak when what we are is actually brave enough to be vulnerable?
Beloved community, the way we treat ourselves and each other is the surest glimpse into the heart of the congregation. This much I know, and of this I am confident…
Jesus knows us, and this is love.
PK
There was a couple in the first blush of dating. The relationship was new enough to still have that giddy feeling, and at the same time was in that moment where both of them knew that this had the potential to be “the one.”
They were on a date night one evening, cuddled up together and relaxed on the couch watching a comedy. At a particularly funny moment in the movie, she laughed so hard that she farted. Right in front of him. Out loud. Audible.
When she tells this story, she remembers that in the immediate aftermath of “the great embarrassment” (as she has named it), she thought, “That’s it. It’s over. He’s never going to want to be near me again.”
He says, “That’s the moment I fell completely in love with her.”
The congregation’s energy is going to shift in these next few months. Teams are already gearing up for the Herculean effort that is the Strawberry Festival. The Call Committee is on track to hand over the Ministry Site Profile to the Congregation Council and share it with the congregation as a whole. In the coming months, it is highly likely that candidates will be given to the Call Committee and they will be in the confidential interview process.
A new sexton and family are being onboarded as I type this article. That’s a new relationship to foster, and new pattern to learn, a new thing being created right in the (literal - or at least right across the road) center of the church.
When we get into the thick of things, it’s easy to see them as projects that need to be accomplished, positions that need to be filled, things that need to be done. Hire a new sexton = check. Get a new called pastor = TBD. Pull off the Strawberry Festival = pending. Yes, this congregation has committed to taking on these efforts and activities.
Do you know that when you talk about the Strawberry Festival, I have never, ever heard anyone start with “We make X amount of money.” It is always some version of “The whole community comes together…”. Every expectation you have prioritized for the next called pastor is relational. It’s not “pastor as administrator or pastor as financial wizard with budget sheets and P& Ls or pastor as manager.” It’s “pastor as partner in life’s journeys with all their twists and turns.” It’s not even “pastor as teacher.” It’s “pastor as spiritual director and guide” and “pastor as formation architect.” When you describe the “why’s” of the pastor teaching confirmation, there is little to no language about the pastor being the primary source of Lutheran confessional heritage and theology. Nope, you name “getting to know the kids and forming relationship with them.”
So I wonder, is that a part of the congregation’s fart story?
Authentic and vulnerable. Real. From the top of your halo to the bottom of your blisters. Being known, accepted, loved, and valued right to the core. Able to be safe, exactly who you are and how you are. Gloriously messy. Perfectly composed. Confident that you are not alone, and even more confident that you will not be abandoned. Seeking out in tangible, visible ways the assurance that these are the moments when you are completely being loved.
It’s “Jesus loves me, this I know” AND the promise underneath it all. Jesus knows me, this I love. From the tops of our halos to the bottom of our blisters. Jesus knows me. Even when he could have severed the relationship in the finality of death, he chose life. He is so completely in love with us that he will never, ever let us go.
Could the core of the beating heart of this congregation actually be the trust that we are, indeed, so authentically loved that this is a place we can haul the burdensome and heavy yoke of perfection and drop it? Is this the place where we can lay down the fear of being labeled as weak when what we are is actually brave enough to be vulnerable?
Beloved community, the way we treat ourselves and each other is the surest glimpse into the heart of the congregation. This much I know, and of this I am confident…
Jesus knows us, and this is love.
PK
News from Miss Laurie, Young Christians Minister
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April showers have brought May flowers!! What beautiful spring weather we’ve been having! It’s just hard to believe May is here and we’re looking to the end of our school years, graduations, and Memorial Day – the unofficial start of summer! Time sure does fly.
Before we say goodbye to spring, mark your calendars for these fun celebration activities:
Miss Laurie VBS Registration is Open!
❄️🏔️Join us for an exciting week of faith, fun, and adventure at this year’s Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS: Find Your Strength in God! Kids will enjoy engaging Bible stories, music, games, and activities as we discover the strength God gives us each day. VBS will be held July 27–31, with a special Movie Night & Closing Celebration on Friday, and we’ll wrap up the week with our Voices & Vittles Program and covered dish lunch on Sunday, August 2. 👉 Sign up today using the link: VBS Registration Form All are welcome—invite your friends and neighbors! |
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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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