Welcome from Pastor Patrick Curley

“St. John’s Luthran Church”

  By Pastor Patrick Curley

                Notice something missing?  No, not cooler weather.  Look up… at our newsletter heading.  The word “evangelical” is missing from our congregational name.  I’m curious if you noticed, though?  Not all Lutheran congregations place “evangelical” in their official name but it is, in fact, the historical name of our Church body since the Reformation.  As such, I suggested we put it back in all our official publications and signs, etc, at St. John when I came as the new pastor in 1997.  But this had more to do with real evangelism than historical accuracy or something for to be truly “evangelical” means to proclaim the Gospel.  In both word and deed, I wanted our congregation to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to our friends and neighbors.

                I hope by now you’ve gotten used to saying and hearing “evangelical” whenever you think of St. John (we still have some of our members say “St. John’s” – apostrophe “s”, instead of “St. John”, but that’s a lesser matter).  And I trust we have the Lutheran part down, too, although I remember someone once made a sign at my former congregation, Redeemer, and misspelled “Lutheran”; “Luthran” is how it read until some kid walking by noticed and told our secretary.  How many members drove by that sign and didn’t notice the error (it faced away from my window, eh-hem)? 

                But these are just words, right?  Maybe. If we share our faith in word and deed and are mindful of those who don’t believe in Jesus, then we are evangelical even though it may not be written in our official name.  And if we believe we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection alone as God’s true Word says, then we are true heirs of the Reformation even though we may spell it wrong sometimes.  We are Christ’s Church, not St. John’s.  John was a disciple of Jesus as are we.  Jesus alone is the Head of the Church here and everywhere.  So even if it were “St. John’s Luthran Church” instead of as it is “St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church”, may it be that we continue to challenge ourselves and grow in real mission outreach, Christ-centered worship and fervent study of God’s Word.  May it be that we lift high the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord.

                There is some talk about changing our denominational name of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to something including “evangelical” and maybe “American” somewhere in the new name.  Old names die hard, though.  What would we think of changing St. John to… oh, I don’t know, maybe… St. Patrick or something?  Wouldn’t go over with everyone, would it.  We like St. John.  It’s our name for almost 100 years.  I don’t know what will happen at the synodical convention next year. I only hope we will always have a sincere zeal for reaching the lost with Christ’s Gospel, a faithful confession of Scripture’s truth and purity and a Spirit filled heart  for Christ who leads us in all things-- no matter what our name. 

                Hope you’re enjoying summer.  See ya’ Sunday!