Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
PRESIDING BISHOP: The Rev. Eizabeth A. Eaton
St. John's Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across all 50 states and the Caribbean.
We trace our roots back through the mid-17th century, when early Lutherans came to America from Europe, settling in the Virgin Islands and the area that is now known as New York. Even before that, Martin Luther sought reform for the church in the 16th century, laying the framework for our beliefs.
The ELCA was formed through a merger of three Lutheran churches in 1988. They were The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America.
Now 30 years later, the ELCA is a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus Christ’s name throughout the world.
PRESIDING BISHOP: The Rev. Eizabeth A. Eaton
St. John's Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across all 50 states and the Caribbean.
We trace our roots back through the mid-17th century, when early Lutherans came to America from Europe, settling in the Virgin Islands and the area that is now known as New York. Even before that, Martin Luther sought reform for the church in the 16th century, laying the framework for our beliefs.
The ELCA was formed through a merger of three Lutheran churches in 1988. They were The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America.
Now 30 years later, the ELCA is a church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus Christ’s name throughout the world.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod (NEPA)
BISHOP: The Rev. Christopher deForest
St. John's Lutheran Church is a member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod (NEPA) in Region 7 of the ELCA. Our congregation is a member of the Northern Lehigh Mission District, along with other local congregations in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
The word "synod" comes from a Greek word meaning “to travel a common road, to walk together.” The congregations, people, and ministries in our expansive geographical region here in Northeast Pennsylvania support one another in ministry for the sake of Christ's Gospel. Our synod currently includes 250+ Congregations, 3 Synod-Authorized Worshipping Communities, 9 Mission Districts, and over 119,000 people.
PARTNER SYNOD: Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA
GLOBAL COMPANION CHURCHES:
Evangelical Church of The Augsburg Confession in Slovenia
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania — South-Central Diocese
Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Saxony — Loebau-Zittau Parish
United Evangelical Lutheran Church (Argentina/Uruguay)
BISHOP: The Rev. Christopher deForest
St. John's Lutheran Church is a member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod (NEPA) in Region 7 of the ELCA. Our congregation is a member of the Northern Lehigh Mission District, along with other local congregations in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
The word "synod" comes from a Greek word meaning “to travel a common road, to walk together.” The congregations, people, and ministries in our expansive geographical region here in Northeast Pennsylvania support one another in ministry for the sake of Christ's Gospel. Our synod currently includes 250+ Congregations, 3 Synod-Authorized Worshipping Communities, 9 Mission Districts, and over 119,000 people.
PARTNER SYNOD: Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA
GLOBAL COMPANION CHURCHES:
Evangelical Church of The Augsburg Confession in Slovenia
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania — South-Central Diocese
Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Saxony — Loebau-Zittau Parish
United Evangelical Lutheran Church (Argentina/Uruguay)