Our Story and History
Established in 1793, St. John’s is a community and family centered church built on the solid rock of Christ. We are a congregation with close ties to our region and its people, drawing members from Gibraltar, Birdsboro and beyond. Originally part of a union church with St. John’s UCC, our current building along the Schuylkill River opened in 1965. We have come far, and done so much, and through the power of God, we will continue to grow in our ministry in Christ. The future history of St. John’s is yet to be decided by the words and actions of its members. God bless us in this mission.
St. John’s is an NALC member congregation that holds a traditional Lutheran service using the Lutheran Book of Worship each Sunday at 10:15 am and offers Sunday School for children and Bible Study for adults. Beginning in June and through August worship services begin at 9:15am.
About the NALC
The NALC is a fast-growing Christian church in the Lutheran tradition, uniting more than 141,000 Lutherans in more than 420 congregations across North America. The NALC embodies the theological center of Lutheranism in North America and stands firmly within the global Lutheran mainstream.
We are a church family committed to the authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. In keeping with the Lutheran Confessions, we believe all doctrines should and must be judged by the teaching of Scripture.
The NALC has embraced four core values which shape our common life: Christ Centered, Mission Driven, Traditionally Grounded, and Congregationally Focused. We are a church centered on the unique Gospel of Jesus Christ, animated by missions and evangelism, grounded in the 2,000-year tradition of Christian faith, and organized chiefly to serve our congregations.
A renewed Lutheran community moving forward in faith, the NALC is focused on living out Christ’s Great Commission to go and make disciples in North America and around the globe. We invite you to learn more about our church family.
We confess the apostolic faith in Jesus Christ according to the Holy Scriptures. We affirm the authority of the Scriptures as the authoritative source and norm, “according to which all doctrines should and must be judged” (Formula of Concord). We accept the ecumenical creeds and the Lutheran Confessions as true witnesses to the Word of God.
We affirm the ecumenical creeds and the faithful witness of the Church across time and space. We endorse the form and practices of the universal Church that are consistent with Scripture, particularly the office of the ministry and the tradition of worship under Word and Sacrament. We seek dialogue and fellowship with other Lutheran churches and with faithful Christians of other confessions.
We believe that the mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel and to make disciples for Christ. We believe that making disciples — in our congregations, in our communities and nations, and around the world — must be a priority of the Church in the present age.
We strive to be a church that is organized to facilitate the ministries of local congregations in a posture of servanthood and a spirit of partnership, through the provision of resources, connections and information.
The current members of the Church Council include:
The Church Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God, the Lutheran Confessions and the faith and practice of the NALC.
The members of the Church Council except the pastor(s) shall be elected by majority vote at the annual meeting of the congregation. They shall serve terms of two (2) years or until their successors are elected. Their terms shall begin on the Sunday immediately after the meeting at which they are elected. Newly elected Church Council members shall be installed at worship on any Sunday after the date they assume office. Members shall be eligible to serve no more than two full terms consecutively.
Amongst the members of Church Council up to 2 can be Junior Council Members, to serve up to 2 consecutive one (1) year terms. Junior Council members would be confirmed youth through 12th grade.
The Christian Education Committee shall provide opportunities for growth in Christian faith and education in the Holy Scripture and the Lutheran heritage through study and interaction with persons of all ages.
The Property Committee is responsible for the maintenance, protection and preservation of all property of the congregation.
The Worship and Music Committee shall assist the Church Council in seeing that church services are conducted regularly in accordance with the liturgy of the NALC and other non-traditional liturgies approved by Church Council. The Committee shall supervise the entire music program, including choirs, music, instruments, and personnel as directed by the Church Council.
The Stewardship/Finance Committee shall be responsible for promoting the expression of Christian faith in daily living, for teaching the members of the congregation the value of giving time, talent and money. This committee shall establish an ongoing stewardship program, maintain data on the individual talents and interests of congregation members, and provide growth opportunities for lay ministries. This committee is also responsible, along with Church Council, for supervising and administering all financial affairs of the congregation, including the preparation of a budget, receipt of income, payment of expenses, and payment of salaries.
The purpose of this committee is to extend Christian compassion and helpfulness to the ill, the aged, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned, and in general, to persons of all ages in need of aid in body or spirit. This committee also has the further purpose of addressing the social needs within our local community in order to bring the light of the Gospel upon critical problems. In order to accomplish our mission, the Social Ministry Committee will develop and implement programs to accomplish these goals.