Our Faith

What we believe: A faith founded on the Good News


Our Core Belief: 

At the heart of everything is our belief, based on scripture and reason, that we are saved by God's grace alone, through faith in Jesus alone -- not by anything we do as no one is good enough or can be good enough. To believe this and have this as the core of your faith is to be evangelical. What is this based on? There are so, so many passages or verses in the Bible that show this to be true but here are a few: God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son (John 3v16) to suffer the consequences for every sin that has, is and will ever be committed (Isaiah 53) so that anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died and rose again for their sin, is saved by His mercy alone.


The Bible

The Bible is the norm for faith and life -- the standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged. The Bible was inspired by God but no where does the Bible claim to be quoted by God, word for word. The Bible is God's word for people in past cultures and histories so our task is to interpret the Bible together with the guidance of the Holy Spirit into today's times. We read the Bible through the "lens" of the Gospel, meaning we know that all the prophecies and laws and promises, find their fulfilment in Jesus and whatever Jesus says supersedes all else. 


Who is welcome?

Our Church believes that God's grace is open to all, regardless of background, gender, citizenship, political ideology, race, etc. We do not believe that being a part of the LGBTQ community is a sin. All are welcome here!


Holy Communion?

Anyone who has been baptized and believes the words of Jesus, "This is my Body," and  "This is my Blood," is welcome to share in Holy Communion with us. We do not believe that the bread and wine change into the physical body and blood of Jesus but rather that Jesus body and blood, representing his sacrifice and offer of mercy and forgiveness are in, with and under the bread and wine. A basic illustration is a $100 bill. The paper, the money itself is not worth much at all, maybe a few cents. However, there is a promise on the bill that states it is worth $100. We believe and trust this promise therefore the paper is worth the promise. It is the same with Holy Communion and Baptism. Jesus promised mercy and forgiven and more and this is the real value of the sacraments. We physically receive forgiveness and communion with Jesus and each other. 


We are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

For more information about the ELCA, please visit their website at https://www.elca.org/ about/what-we-believe 

Mission and Values

OUR MISSION: Who we are, and what we do.

Marked with the Cross of Christ forever,
We are claimed, gathered and sent for the sake of the world.

VALUES: Why we are who we are, and why we do what we do.


We are a church:

• that belongs to Christ. here is a place for you here.
• whose unity is in Jesus, who gathers us around word and sacrament.
• that believes Jesus is God’s “Yes” to us. Our lives can be a “Yes” to others.

• that believes God is calling us into the world – together.
• that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.
• that is a catalyst, convener, and bridge builder.
• that is energized by lively engagement in our faith and life.
• that is deeply rooted – and always being made new.


OUR VISION: How we do things.
We, Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, are disciples of Jesus Christ; a community of faithful people who, by God’s gift of grace alone, are free to orient our lives around Jesus’ commandment to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.


  • With love for our neighbors WE SERVE compassionately by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, strengthening the weak, and defending the vulnerable in e­fforts
    of justice and peace.
  • With our hearts WE CARE genuinely. Providing comfort and support to those who feel sick, lonely, broken, excluded, bullied, or ashamed.   
  • With our soul WE WORSHIP joyfully. With roots in tradition, we are made new in our experience of God’s presence among us in music, preaching, prayer, communion and baptism.
  • With our minds WE LEARN purposefully; …finding direction for our lives and support for our moral values as we grow in discipleship of Jesus.


Centered on God’s love for all people we endeavor for our church to be a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven where imperfect people are perfectly loved, welcomed and where all people matter to God. In consort with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we are doing God’s Work with Our Hands.

We Serve, Care, Worship, & Learn: Our vision

OUR VISION: How we do things.

We, Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, are disciples of Jesus Christ; a community of faithful people who, by God’s gi of grace alone, are free to orient our lives around Jesus’ commandment to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

  • With love for our neighbors WE SERVE compassionately by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, strengthening the weak, and defending the vulnerable in e orts of justice and peace.

  • With our hearts WE CARE genuinely. Providing comfort and support to those who feel sick, lonely, broken, excluded, bullied, or ashamed.

  • With our soul WE WORSHIP joyfully. With roots in tradition, we are made new in our experience of God’s presence among us in music, preaching, prayer, communion and baptism.

  • With our minds WE LEARN purposefully; nding direction for our lives and support for our moral values as we grow in discipleship of Jesus.

    Centered on God’s love for all people we endeavor for our church to be a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven where imperfect people are perfectly loved, welcomed and where all people matter to God. In consort with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we are doing God’s Work with Our Hands.


Our Church History


1812 Began meeting under Henry A. Muhlenberg in private homes.

1818 Lutheran congregation was granted permission to use the existing Reformed Church in Sinking Spring for worship and its burial ground.

1854 Lutheran and Reformed congregations formally agreed to joint use of the building, sharing all expenses equally. Congregations met on alternate Sundays.

1896 Lutheran and Reformed congregations terminated the agreement and separated. Lutheran congregation received $2,500 and a parcel of land to the west.

1899 Consecration of the first organ.

1906 Electrical fixtures replaced gas lights.

1912 Steam heating system installed.

1925 Extensive interior renovations resulted in the removal of the central pulpit and communion table in favor of the) current arrangement. Also, a Tellers-Kent pipe organ was presented to the congregation by W.W. Webber in memory of his mother.

1959 Groundbreaking held December 20th for educational building.

1960 Christian education buildings constructed to the rear of the church. Cornerstone laid on September 18th and dedicated on December 18th. A chancel rail and kneeling facilities added to sanctuary.

1961 St. John’s celebrates 150th anniversary in October.

1973 Schlicker organ dedicated June 3rd.

1987 Celebration of 175th anniversary on October 18th.

1988 Summit Avenue parking lot dedicated.

2011 Casavant organ is installed.

2012 St. John's celebrates 200 years!