Welcome to St. John’s in Jim Thorpe

Sunday Church School 9:15 AM † Sunday Church Service 10:30 AM

Please See Below for Worship Services and Special Events
319 South Avenue,
Jim Thorpe
570-325-4255

stjohnheights@ptd.net

Our Mission

To share God’s love in Christ in word and deed to a world in need.

Every Sunday

Worship and Holy Eucharist
10:30 AM on Sundays

Listen on AM radio station WLSH 1410 or listen LIVE at WMGH 105.5 FM

New Sunday School Year

9:15 a.m. to 10:15 every Sunday
Nursery through Senior Youth Group

Special events throughout the Sunday School year include:

Halloween Party
Annual Christmas Pageant
Winter Fun Event (sledding party)
Movie Time
Palm Sunday Breakfast, Hymn Sing and Craft Fun
Easter Day Egg Hunts
Church picnic at Memorial Park

Please note: You need not be a member of St. John’s to bring your children (child) to Sunday School

From the Pastor’s Study

I am composing this article from my newly renovated “study,” which was converted from being an all seasons room to my man cave to my study when I began to serve as your rostered pastor more than two years ago. A leak in our roof from the winter’s ice build up resulted in some ceiling damage. So, following a new roof, the ceiling was repaired and repainted. That resulted in moving a desk into the room and replacing my rocker with a desk chair. Yes, I know, now you could say, “He’s off his rocker,” and you would be correct. I’m still rearranging things and wondering where I placed them.

I want to share some thoughts with you that I shared at a recent Church Council meeting. As a United Methodist pastor, connectionalism was an important word for me. Recently, I have been hearing that word also from my Lutheran colleagues and bishops. Even though Lutherans are more congregational than Methodists, we are still connected to each other. We are not independent congregations.

One way we’re connected is through bishops. We are the home church of our own Bishop Sam Zeiser. He has recently moved back to Pennsylvania (Gettysburg) from Tennessee and will be our Thanksgiving Service speaker on Sunday, November 22, with a luncheon to follow.

At our Synod Assembly I was privileged to vote for a bishop for the first time in my ministry. Our bishops serve a six-year term and may be re-elected. Bishop Christopher deForest, who you may remember came to our church to dedicate our new carpeting, was not re-elected, however. I attended his farewell service at the end of August and nearly missed it, because I had forgotten my phone and missed a turn. We pray God’s blessing upon him wherever he will serve in the future.

On October 31, Reformation Day, our newly elected Bishop Jennifer Dee will be installed at First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem. She is the first woman to be elected by our synod, and will be installed by our ELCA Presiding Bishop Curry.

Bishops may not have much to to do directly with our local congregational daily life, but they help set a tone for ministry and remind us of our connection to each other, to the world’s needs, and to Christ. We look forward to her ministry among us.

Reformation Sunday, October 25, at our 10:30 am service we will be welcoming new members and dedicating our new banners. It should be a special day for us. I hope to see you in worship.

Blessings,