About Us
Our History
In 1898 within parishioner’s homes, three families founded what was to become St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Geneva. Our first official church building was (and still is) located on West Main Street, State Route 20 in Geneva, across from the Geneva UHHS Hospital from timber cut from the parishioner’s farms and transported by horse drawn wagons. Our church legally organized in 1915 in accordance with the beliefs of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
St. John’s members continue their commitment to spread God’s Word in the Geneva area, from our present church building at 811 South Broadway, Geneva that was built using river rocks from the Grand River in 1964.
Along with its forefathers, todays members of St. John’s share the same Savior – Jesus Christ! It is this Savior that makes the members of St. John’s brothers and sisters in Christ, whether those members are brand-new or long-standing, single or married, poor or wealthy, elderly or young! By Baptism into Christ and through faith in Him, we truly are all part of God’s family.
Our Church motto “Come Join Us As We Grow in Christ” is not just our motto, but our sincere wish!
What To Expect
In order for you to know what to expect, we provide this overview of our worship service experience.
First, you need to find the church. Click here to get directions to the church! The parking lot is behind the church and you enter through the rear door to your left. There is always someone there to greet you and answer any questions that you may have.
Children’s Sunday School begins at 9:15 a.m. and Adult Bible Study begins at 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study is led by our Pastor and is rather informal. Coffee is provided. You can bring your own bible, but NIV bibles are provided. The adult bible class and children’s Sunday School both end around 10:15 a.m. The adult bible study is a great way to meet some of our members and get to know them better. On any given Sunday, there are about fifteen to twenty people present for the adult class. We also conduct bible study on Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. You can contact Pastor Schroeder for more information if interested at 440-466-2473.
Church services begin at 10:30 a.m. and follow the Missouri Lutheran Church Order of Service as found in the Lutheran Service Book of 2006. Our nursery is temporarily closed due to Covid protocols. Worshippers tend to wear whatever they are most comfortable in. You will see anything from suits and ties to sport shirts and slacks for the men, while the women wear anything from slacks and a blouse to skirts or dresses. Children dress comfortably. Communion is usually celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month. We practice “close(d)” communion which means that those who are not confirmed in the Missouri Lutheran Church are asked to talk with the Pastor several weeks prior to first taking communion. The order of worship is found in the bulletin as well as in the Lutheran Hymnal. In the very front of the hymnal are suggested prayers that you may want to use before and after the service. You will be asked to sign the guest register at the end of the service but, no one will call on you in person or by phone unless you request it. Also, you will not be asked to stand up during the service and introduce yourself. It is the responsibility of our members to support the church so guests are not expected to contribute to the offering but, may do so if they wish.
Our church offers a mid-week communion opportunity on the Wednesday AFTER a non-communion Sunday worship service. This brief devotional service is a non-musical, prayer oriented, service offering communion to our members. The service begins promptly at 6pm and lasts about 15 minutes. This service is perfect for those coming home from work, those who may have missed a communion Sunday, or those who wish to take communion on a weekly basis. Please contact the church office for more details or if you have questions about this service.
We also conduct special services during the religious holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, as well as weekday services during the season of Lent. Check the church calendar on this web site for more information.
St. John’s is actively involved in community outreach programs and we also support various missionary projects. You will find us very friendly and we truly provide a family atmosphere. You can feel free to get involved in as much or as little as you have time for and are comfortable with.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I become a member of St. John’s?
Membership is open to anyone who has been confirmed in the Missouri Lutheran Church. We hold adult classes for prospective members as needed. These usually consist of six weeks of meetings, one evening per week for a few hours. Prospective members then participate in a short service in front of the congregation during a regular church service. If you are already a member of a Missouri Lutheran Church, you may have your membership transferred to St. John’s. Check with your local Pastor for instructions. Current members of St. John’s become voting members by signing the church’s Constitution at a meeting of the Voter’s Assembly.
2. Where can I go to find out more about what Lutherans believe?
Missouri Synod Lutheran Church – (http://www.lcms.org)
Martin Luther and his teachings – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther)
Lutheran Hour Ministries (http://www.lhm.org)
3. Is St. John’s handicapped accessible?
Partially. Outer doors are push button operated for wheel chairs but, the restrooms are not easily wheel chair accessible at this time as the doors do not have automatic openers.
4. Do you provide a nursery for young children during the church service?
Yes, this service is provided to worshippers free of charge but is temporarily closed due to Covid protocols.
5. Can anyone take communion?
No. St. John’s practices close(d) communion which is open to members of the church who have been confirmed in the Missouri Lutheran Church faith or those who have met with the Pastor several weeks prior to taking communion.
6. Is the Pastor open to office visitations if I am a non-member?
Call the Pastor at 440-466-2473 and he will be happy to discuss this with you.
7. Can I obtain food, clothing or money directly from St. John’s?
No, but St. John’s does help with the area food distribution programs offered by other agencies.
8. Is the Pastor available to perform weddings or funerals for non-members?
Generally the answer is no. However, special circumstances may exist where the Pastor would be willing to do so. This generally happens when it is requested through a member. Contact the Pastor for more information.
9. Does St. John’s provide day care during the week?
No, we do not have a day care program, but we do offer preschool classes. For more information, click here!
10. Can I rent the church for my private event?
No, St. John’s Church is not available for rental use by the general public but, our athletic field is available for approved community activities.