Author: St Johns Admin

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. –2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Farewell

It is hard to believe that, in a few short weeks, you, the people of St. John’s, and your ministry to our neighbors in the Richlandtown area will continue without me! In the past four years, we have witnessed together joys and griefs, achievements and challenges. We have started new ventures and celebrated old traditions. It has been a joy and privilege to begin my journey as a new pastor in your midst – to worship God, to grow in faith, and to serve our neighbors by your side.

Peace and Love

In these three final verses, Paul bids the church in Corinth farewell. Much of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians contains urgent appeals to return to the principles that Paul taught them while he still lived among them; however, here, Paul’s final words are ones of peace, grace, and love. Live in peace with one another, show your love to one another, and embrace the grace of God. We live in tense times where peace, grace, and love can be hard to find, but it is my abiding prayer as I prepare to leave that these three blessings from God will pursue you even in the midst of challenges and trials.

Drive-By Goodbye

Since we will not be able to gather in person during this time to celebrate our journey together, you are invited to say your farewells at a drive-by goodbye on Saturday, August 15th from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Activity Center.

May God be with You All

Thank you again for the honor of being your pastor. May God continue to walk with you and may the blessing of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you always!

In Christ, Pastor Kat

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” –Matthew 13:44

Mysterious Stories

This month, we hear Jesus teaching in parables. This may seem like a weird teaching technique, since parables are often difficult to understand. But, strangely, this is kind of the point. Parables are supposed to be a little mysterious, because Jesus is teaching us about mysterious things! Why do some people readily receive God’s Word while others do not? What will happen at the end of time? What is God’s kingdom really like?

Buried Treasure

Jesus does not answer these questions with long explanations but instead tells stories with images from the daily lives of his audience. But – there’s a twist! Often, the images that Jesus describes have some unexpected element. For example, why would someone who has found treasure in a field promptly bury it again? And what does this have to do with the kingdom of heaven?

Faithful Questions

A life of faith is often beset by unanswered questions and persistent mysteries. This month, I invite you to step into the unknown with me! Wonder how God works through us despite our shortcomings in the words of Paul in Romans. Weekly musical meditations will be posted on Facebook on Thursdays. Puzzle over the parables as Jesus teaches the disciples. Weekly worship videos are posted on our website and Facebook on Sundays. See page 5. Submit your faithful questions to Pastor Kat for mutual reflection. Questions will be posted online Monday and discussed Wednesday starting July 8th. See page 4.

We Make Way for God

God is mysterious and sometimes confusing, but God continues to work in and through us to do God’s work in the world. Let us explore together the mysteries of faith!

In Christ, Pastor Kat

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” –Genesis 18:11-14

Old, Advanced in Age

One of many changes brought on by social isolation is the presence of children at home during daytime hours. Hearing the children in my neighborhood playing outside brings me joy. It also reminds me that my childhood is only retreating further into the past! Even at the relatively young age of thirty-two, I experience moments where I, like Sarah, feel that certain opportunities in life have passed me by. Will I ever be as happy and carefree as I once was as a child?

Shall I have pleasure?

Right now, as many of us continue to be cut off from family and friends and from favorite social activities like eating out, watching sports, making music, and attending parties, it can feel as if all the pleasure in life is gone. Whether you are bored out of your mind or rushed off your feet, you may feel that there is no space for true joy.

Is anything too wonderful?

God finds ways to bless us even in the most difficult circumstances. Even in old age, Sarah and Abraham are blessed with a child. How might God be blessing you? Join us for the following opportunities to consider how God is with you.

Embrace God’s grace conveyed in the words of Paul in Romans. Weekly meditations will be posted on Facebook on Thursdays.

Revel in God’s wonders revealed to the family of Abraham. Weekly worship videos are posted on our website and Facebook on Sundays. See page 5.

Connect to God’s love through community and prayer. Weekly prayer sessions will be hosted online at 12 PM on Tuesdays starting June 9th. See page 4.

God Makes a Way

Even in this time of isolation, God makes a way for us to experience the abundance of his love! I pray that God’s blessings will be made apparent to you this month.

In Christ, Pastor Kat

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

Jesus said to the disciples, “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” –John 14:18-20

Orphaned

I am sure that you experience days of doubt, frustration, even of feeling abandoned or orphaned by God during this difficult time of living with the effects of the coronavirus, COVID-19. I am sure that there are Sundays that you long to be in God’s house, to receive God’s presence in the bread and the wine, to see the faces of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Leaning on God

This Easter season, we are embracing the theme of leaning on God. Whether we are feeling sad about all that’s happened in the past few weeks, anxious about what is happening in the present, or uncertain about what will happen in the future, God continues to be our rock, steadying us in the midst of the storm.

“I am coming to you”

There are a variety of opportunities to connect to God’s presence this coming month: Lean on the witness of the Psalmists, who put our feelings into words. Weekly musical reflections are posted on our Facebook page on Thursdays. Lean on the promises of Christ, who speaks words of comfort to the disciples. Weekly worship videos are posted on our website and our Facebook page on Sundays. See page 5. Lean into the calling of God, who leads us into the future. Weekly Bible study is hosted online at 7 PM on Wednesdays throughout May. See page 4.

God is in You!

In this time when we are physically apart from one another, God continues to come to us and to dwell in us wherever we are: in our homes, at work, and on the road.

In Christ, Pastor Kat

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” –Matthew 28:5-7

“He is Not Here”

The women went to the tomb Easter morning expecting to find the body of their beloved friend, Jesus of Nazareth, who had been killed on the cross. They certainly did not expect to find the tomb empty. Faithful Christian around the world come to church during Holy Week expecting to find fellow followers of Christ worshipping and celebrating Jesus’ death on the cross and his rising from the grave. They certainly would not expect to find the church empty.

Good News

Who could have known that an empty tomb would be such good news? – that after dying on the cross, Jesus would conquer death and walk once more on earth to deliver the good news to his friends and followers? Who could have known that an empty church would be such good news? – that to protect the most vulnerable (“the little ones” as Jesus calls them) by staying at home, we would learn to worship and communicate the good news of Jesus in a whole new way online?

Knowing Jesus in a New Way

Just as the women came to know Jesus in a new way after he was raised from the dead, we too are coming to know Jesus and to experience his presence in Christian community in a new way during these strange and sometimes unsettling times as we live apart. Celebrate Holy Week and Easter with us this year in a new way. See page 3 for details. Whether via mail, phone, or online chat, may we continue to proclaim the message: “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”

In Christ, Pastor Kat

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

[Jesus said to the disciples:] “I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment…. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. –Matthew 5:21-24

Anger

Ours is not a culture that handles anger well. Many of us, especially women, are taught that it is unseemly to be angry and that, should we feel anger, we should hide the feeling – cover it up and bite our tongue. Others of us become consumed by the feeling and find ourselves losing control and saying or doing things that we soon regret. Few of us are taught constructive ways of expressing anger or of uncovering the hurt beneath our anger.

If you are angry…

In this scripture, Jesus acknowledges that anger is a natural part of the human experience and one that has the potential to break apart relationships and community. Jesus is not foolish enough to think that anger will ever be eliminated among his followers. Instead, he counsels us on what to do.

Reconciliation

How many of us put off apologizing after we lose our temper due to pride or fear? According to Jesus, resolving the conflict caused by our anger is urgent. Here, reconciliation takes precedence over worship. At the beginning of most of our worship services, we pass the peace. This is a time when many of us joyfully greet our brothers and sisters whom we may not have seen for a week; however, this can also be a powerful time to reconcile if we have been angry with someone.

…then come and offer your gift

The urgency of Jesus’ call has only increased in today’s political environment of division and conflict. May we be ambassadors of God’s peace in a world in desperate need of the gift of reconciliation.

In Christ, Pastor Kat

Empowered by the Spirit, we reach out in joy, witness God’s love, and help ourselves and our community live and grow. 

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church! 

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. –Matthew 4:18-20 

Follow the Leader 

What does it mean for us to follow Jesus? The children’s game “follow the leader” might come to mind. One person acts, and the rest must imitate. There’s not a whole lot of thought involved in this game, and, in fact, it can be ad- vantageous to turn off your critical brain and simply move instinctually. Following Jesus, however, is altogether different. 

Follow Me 

Peter and Andrew seem to spontaneously obey Jesus’ command to follow. Did they consider the price of leaving everything behind? Were they ready for the sacrifices on the road ahead? Did they fully understand Jesus’ mission and the path that he was walking? From their grumbling and confusion in later chapters, it would seem not. Sometimes, we too jump into God’s call without considering the road ahead, but, other times, we must stop and think about how our faith should inform our next step. 

Jesus, Our Leader 

In this season of Epiphany, the identity and teachings of Jesus will be prominent themes in our scripture read- ings. We will hear stories of Jesus’ divinity and calling being revealed, and we will hear sections of Jesus’ famous sermon on the mount about what it means to be his disciples. We will have plenty of opportunity to consider what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world. 

Leaders Following After Christ 

May we grow together this season as leaders who follow the example and teachings of Christ and who live into the grace and forgiveness that Jesus reveals in his identity and his actions. 

In Christ, Pastor Kat 

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” –Matthew 2:18-21

A Season of Visiting

For many, the holidays are a season of visiting. Families travel, sometimes great distances, to be with one another at this special time of year. Some folks must attend multiple holiday gatherings to be able to visit with different sides of their family. Here at St. Johns, we will be inviting some of you to visit with homebound members who can no longer attend worship. Visiting can remind us of the multiple ties of love that connect us with family and friends, but the coordination of schedules and travel can also be stressful!

Visiting Angels

This Advent, in the stories that we will read leading up to Christmas, visiting angels deliver news laden with potential stressors. Zechariah is suddenly saddled with imminent parenthood in his old age. Mary is faced with being shamed by her community for being pregnant outside of marriage. Joseph discovers that his fiancé is with child, and the child is not his!

Listening for God

Despite stressful news, each character receives an invitation to shrug off stress and be present with God. Zechariah’s loss of his voice offers an invitation to be still. Mary’s miraculous pregnancy offers an invitation to wonder at the mystery of God’s ways. Joseph’s dream offers an invitation to be at peace with his fiancé. We too need reminders to be still, to wonder, and to be at peace this Advent season.

Waiting for Christ

As we wait together for Christ’s coming, may God’s presence bless us with moments of stillness, wonder, and peace.

In Christ, Pastor Kat

Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

Jesus said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” –Luke 14:12-14

Set the Table

The community of St. John’s is known for its hospitality and love of food – from weekly fellowship gatherings to regular donations to the Quakertown Food Pantry, from bake sale spreads and walking tacos at the Annual Charity Block Party to ice cream and waffle treats at outdoor campfires. The people of St. John’s know how to set the table!

A Luncheon or a Dinner

In this passage from scripture, Jesus highlights the importance of hospitality not just as a way of currying favor with those whom we know or who have status, but as a way of serving those who may have nothing material to give us in return. Hospitality is about welcoming all to the table in the certainty that we will be blessed by the conversations and relationships that ensue.

Invitation

This month our Sunday services will be shaped around the theme, “Telling Our Mission Story.” We will reflect on who we are, what we do, and how we can invite our neighbors to join us in mission. We will practice inviting to local community members as well as past St. John’s members to join us for worship and brunch on November 24th.

Blessed

May we continue to widen our circle of community this month, knowing that we have been blessed by God’s abundant love and generosity and will be blessed by those God brings into our circle.

In Christ, Pastor Kat