Ministries & Support

Our church offers a mid-week Communion service on the Wednesday following a non-Communion Sunday service. This service is a non-musical, devotional service that begins at 6pm and usually lasts about 15 minutes. Our church feels Communion is an important and vital aspect of our religion and offers this opportunity for those who want “the bread of life” more than twice a month as offered in our Sunday services. This service is perfect for those who work on Sundays, couldn’t make it to church when Communion has been offered, those who want additional opportunities for this divine meal, and others who prefer a more intimate service setting. 

Please check back for the many opportunities to attend church with us in December.

The Prayer Chain

If a member has a situation that they feel requires concentrated prayer, they can contact a member of the Prayer Chain.  After the call has been taken by the captain, that person will then call the next person on the chain.  That person will relay the prayer request to the next person and so on.  Every prayer request is considered personal and private.  If the requester wants the information to be shared or if the requester wants Pastor advised of the situation, the captain will make that known when passing on the request. For more information on the Prayer Chain, or to contact the appropriate individual, please contact the church office at 440-466-2473.

Stephen Ministries

At this time we do not have a Stephen Ministers program. Stephen Ministers care for members facing difficult times.  More than 10,000 congregations from more than 100 Christian denominations have a Stephen Ministry, however.  Stephen Ministers provide confidential pastoral care to all those experiencing divorce, grief, hospitalization, discouragement, and other life difficulties.  If you are in need of guidance or care, please contact the church office at 440-466-2473. If you, as a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church would like to re-start our Stephen Ministries program, please call the office to volunter

Senior Outreach

On the first Wednesday of each month, a number of parishioners along with Pastor get together at the Rae-Ann facility to hold a non-communion service for the residents there.  Pastor leads the service while the St. John’s parishioners help the residents follow along and sing.  The services last about a half an hour. Everyone is invited to join us for these worship events. Call the church office at 440-466-2473 for times and event locations.

Geneva Area Food Pantry/Produce Giveaway

 The Geneva Area Food Pantry is a Geneva Ministerial Association supported food pantry to assist anyone from the Geneva Area City School District who qualifies financially,  that may need emergency food.  This includes Austinburg, Geneva, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Trumbull and Harpersfield.  It is supported by local churches and by donations of food and money from generous residents.  On average, the pantry serves 10-20 families each day that it is open.  The USDA stipulates that a three day food supply be given to anyone in need, however the Pantry tries to supply more than that. The Pantry serves on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1pm to around 3pm.  Since the Pantry operates with appointments, many times, the Pantry may close early. The staff consists of volunteers.  Some food is purchased from Country Neighbor in Orwell through the Cleveland Food Bank. Food is also purchased locally supporting the Geneva and Saybrook Giant Eagle Stores.  Many local churches and individuals donate food and money monthly which helps the Pantry purchase non-donated food items. The Pantry participates each year with the United States Postal Service during their “Stamp Out Hunger” event.  St. John’s is a great supporter of the Food Pantry by donating money, plastic bags, food and many volunteers. St. John’s hosts the Mobile Food Pantry program on the Second Saturday of each month from April – October each year. This event, also run by many volunteers from St. John’s, helps distribute free produce to residents living in the Geneva Area City School District. Food is brought in by box truck from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, sorted, and distributed starting at 9am. Those wishing to receive the produce are asked to bring a piece of identification each time they come to the event.  The event is such a huge success it is usually finished by 10:00am. If you would like more information on receiving assistance from either of these Food Pantry programs, please contact the Geneva Area Food Pantry at 440-466-5500 or you may contact the church office at 440-466-2473.

Thrivent Financial

Thrivent Financial is a faith-based, not-for-profit membership organization of nearly 2.5 million members.  They are a Fortune 500 financial services organization offering a wide variety of products and services from insurance to financing, from financial planning to investments.  Their mission is to improve the quality of life of its members, their families and their communities by providing solutions that focus on financial security, wellness and caring for others.  Their original vision is to be the organization Lutherans, Lutheran congregations and Lutheran institutions seek first when pursuing financial goals, however, due to the demand of the public, Thrivent is now open to everyone! Thrivent brings together a combined 185 year history of two fraternal benefit societies of Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood and draws upon the experience of rich heritage of each.  The organization has the resources and tools to make a difference in the lives of their members and their families, faith communities and beyond. You can become a member of Thrivent Financial by purchasing a financial product through a Thrivent representative.  The local Thrivent Office is located in Concord, Ohio at 9930 Johnnycake Ridge Road, #5c. You can reach them at 440-354-5611. Thrivent Financial has several programs that supports the churches and the community, through their Action Team programs. For more information about Thrivent Financial  financial products, log onto www.thrivent.com. or give the local office a call!

Lutheran Bible Translators

St. John’s was honored to sponsor and support missionary John Strasen, a long-time member of St. John’s.  Before John retired, he was a member of Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT).  He spent many years working in Namibia, Africa trying to get the New Testament translated into the “heart language” of the Dhimba people. Currently, thanks to many including John, the Dhimba Language New Testament is complete and has been distributed to the Namibia community.  John worked many hours translating, proof-reading the text and getting it into correct type-set form. He often told us of the eagerness of Namibia residents to learn more about Jesus, even walking all day to get to the nearest Bible study location. If would like to support this ministry or learn more about their work, contributions and questions can be sent to: Lutheran Bible Translators PO Box 2050 Aurora, IL 60507.

The Sharp Family is currently in Uruguay and St. John’s is proud to have supported them for over 3 years now. You can follow the Sharp family through their newsletter, in emails, and with Facebook. They have been blessed with major support and thus, have expanded their facilities, ministries, and services. God be praised!