Members of St. John's work together with nearly 5 million others in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to proclaim God's saving grace through more than 1,500 early childhood education programs (including St. John's School), more than 250 K-12 schools, 28 colleges and universities (including nearby Muhlenberg College) and eight seminaries. Within the United States and the Caribbean there are nearly 300 parent social service corporations with many more subsidiaries,and 145 camps and retreat centers. There are over 250 missionaries and volunteers serving in 50 countries, including Pastor Stephen Deal whose service in Costa Rica is partially sponsored by St. John's, and more than 100 active duty armed forces chaplains, many serving overseas.
Some ELCA Links to try:
Social Statements Government Advocacy Ethics
The Middle East Stand With Africa Youth and Young Adults
At St. John's we seek to serve with others who confess and proclaim the Gospel, including our 170 sister ELCA congregations in the Philadelphia area. By joining together, we make possible the work of our eight local ELCA sponsored social ministry agencies including Lutheran Children and Family Services, Lutheran Settlement House, Martin Luther Silver Springs School and Kencrest Centers. Through our offerings to the ELCA, we contribute to the umbrella alliance called Lutheran Services in America (LSA). The organizations that comprise LSA delivered $3.2 billion in services last year and form the largest social service delivery system in the United States.
Community volunteerism is promoted at St. John's via the efforts of our Thrivent Financial for Lutherans branch. Thrivent is the nation's largest fraternal benefit society with over 3 million members who engage in service and fundraising for local charitable causes.
Members of St. John's work together with over 60 million Lutherans worldwide to assist those suffering from hunger, disease and poverty through the efforts of the Lutheran World Relief organization and the Lutheran Disaster Relief Fund. Last year over $20 million in contributions was made by the ELCA to help those most in need around the globe.
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park offers programs for its members living in the Blue Bell area at St. John's. Shabbat services are held the fourth Friday of each month, along with occasional adult education seminars and social opportunities. Religious classes for elementary aged children are conducted on Monday and Thursday afternoons in St. John's school.
Stagecoach Theatre Arts School holds classes for children ages 6 to 16 at St. John's each Saturday morning during the school year. Students work in age groups and participate in one hour classes in acting, singing and dancing. StageCoach is dedicated to providing quality education in the performing arts which prepares students not only for the stage but also develops self-confidence, articulation and communications skills.
Aerobics, yoga and Tai Chi classes are regularly held in St. John's Fellowship Hall. Call the church office for a schedule of upcoming sessions.
Membership in St. John's branch of the Women of the ELCA (WELCA) is open to all women in the community. Katie's Ladies monthly programs offer opportunities for learning, Bible study, service and fellowship. Like many Lutheran congregations, the women of St. John's have been active in providing quilts, clothing and toiletries that are distributed worldwide by Lutheran World Relief. Members also share their time and talents through service programs at local Lutheran social agencies like the Artman Lutheran Home.
St. John's Youth Group membership is open to all middle and high school students. Meetings are held monthly on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. SJYG special activities are also scheduled monthly and focus on fellowship and service to the community. To find out what's going on locally for, by and about our young people, visit the synod youth site. Senior high members of the Group and their advisors recently participated in the 2009 national Lutheran youth gathering in New Orleans.
Young adults in the congregation benefit from our Charles Schlipf Mission Endowment scholarships for students attending Lutheran related colleges. Currently, several members of the congregation are enrolled at Susquehanna University and Gettysburg College.
Enjoy the latest edition of our award winning magazine, The Lutheran. Copies of this month's magazine are always available in St. John's Great Room at the Hospitality Center.
Preview upcoming offerings of the official radio program of the ELCA, Grace Matters. The show is aired at 7:00 a.m. each Sunday morning by WNTP, 990 AM. Tune in to the ELCA's "unofficial" radio program, Prairie Home Companion at 6 p.m. on Saturday nights and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon on WHYY FM 90.9 to hear the latest happenings among "God's Frozen People" at Lake Wobegon Lutheran Church!
Consult your TV listings to find the channel and times that the ELCA's television outreach to kids and their families is broadcast: Davey and Goliath has entertained several generations of children with its unique blend of humor, faith and family values.
