About Saint John's UCC Emmaus

About	THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST That They May All Be One The origin of the United Church of Christ, while one of the youngest Protestant denominations, had its beginnings in the 16^th century Reformation period in Germany and Switzerland. The German settlers who came to Pennsylvania years before the Revolutionary War brought with them the faith which they had learned from men like Zwingli, Calvin, and Luther, leaders of the Protestant Reformation. Also, present in the denomination is the heritage of the Pilgrims and Puritans with their English culture who came to seek religious freedom in America and founded Congregationalism. On June 25, 1957, the blending together of these different traditions brought into being the United Church of Christ. The denomination has approximately 1.8 million members throughout the United States and its programs are given guidance through its General Synod which conducts biennial meetings. The United Church of Christ has the oldest missionary society in America and has missionaries in many areas of the world. Moreover, education has been a top priority from the founding of Harvard College in 1636 to the present time. Locally educational institutions include Cedar Crest College, Franklin and Marshall College, Ursinus College and Lancaster Theological Seminary. Hospitals and homes for the elderly and children assume an important role in the life of the Church in ministering to those persons who need to be institutionalized. Phoebe Home and Bethany Home are serving many elderly persons and children in the immediate area. SAINT JOHN’S CHURCH HISTORY St. John’s Church history dates from January 1, 1876, when 60 people of the Emmaus community gathered at the then established Moravian Church to organize as St. John’s Reformed Church. On November 12, 1882, in union with St. John’s Lutheran Church, the first church building was dedicated at Third and Green Streets. That union church relationship continued for almost 42 years. On May 24, 1924, St. John’s Church dedicated a large gothic structure at North and Fourth Streets and the union with St. John’s Lutheran congregation was dissolved. The beauty and grandeur of the new building then as well as today makes possible a setting for meaningful worship of Almighty God. Moreover, on July 10, 1927, bell chimes were installed in the belfry and dedicated to call forth the people for worship. March 17, 1962, was a memorable day in the life of St. John’s Church when the most modern facilities attainable were dedicated allowing for graded classes of Christian Education and for fellowship. On October 26, 1986, the rebuilt Austin Organ was rededicated. The instrument was enlarged and improved so as to provide for a better quality of music. A special congregational meeting was held on April 18, 1999 at which time the congregation voted in favor of a major renovation project. The three-year campaign to fund the $1.9 million proposed renovations, named “Building on Faith for Tomorrow”, began on January 16, 2000. On that day, the congregation gathered at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Allentown for worship, brunch and the kick-off program. While the above were noteworthy accomplishments, the growth in membership of the congregation to over 1225 members today is more significant and speaks well of the professional staff and members who over the years have been providing the leadership. SAINT JOHN’S MISSION STATEMENT We, The members of St. John's United Church of Christ, Emmaus, rooted in God's Love, faithful to Jesus Christ, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, are called: To worship and glorify God. To continue to work together to share our faith and love with people. To both teach and bear witness to the good news through our daily living. U.C.C. STATEMENT OF FAITH We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify: He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death. He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself. He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him. Amen.




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