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Single Parent Meet Monthly! Call the Church, 540-886-1500 For next meeting date, open to the public Single Parents Assistance Program |
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Single Parent Meet Monthly! Call the Church, 540-886-1500 For next meeting date, open to the public Single Parents Assistance Program |
Open Minds
OPEN DOORS
We invite you to come worship with us !
Our weekly service in the sanctuary generally follows the United Methodist liturgy. Faith is celebrated in fresh and relevant ways through times for praise, prayer, hearing God's Word and responding. Music is generally provided by our organist and Chancel Choir in a variety of styles, including classical, spirituals and contemporary. Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month.
Saint John's United Methodist Church was founded in the early 1950's as a result of residential growth in the north end of the city of Staunton. A group of persons from Central Methodist Church expressed a willingness to help form this new congregation. The Reverend Fletcher W. Swink served his first appointment as the pastor of this new church. The initial meeting was held in rented facilities on July 11, 1954 with 32 persons present. The number grew to 60 by October at which time the church was officially chartered. A permanent site was selected, and construction approval was granted on September 21, 1955. The first service was held in the new sanctuary on August 4, 1957 with construction and consecration of a new educational building in March of 1958. By June of 1958 membership stood at 253. Growth continued, and a new educational wing was added in 1968.
Through the years, there have been many dedicated, creative, and hard working people to participate and serve in all areas of the life of the church.
No talent has been too small to be used and appreciated. Saint John's United Methodist Church has always sought to express its love and concern for those persons in
need both in the local community and beyond. Saint John's PreSchool was added to our ministry in 1987.
No church can flourish and grow without loyal pastors and people who serve with faith. St. John's has been blessed! Fifteen pastors, including
our present pastor, the Rev. Steven Greer, established their place in our hearts as each has inspired, guided, and encouraged us in our witness to
God's greatness and love.
Marshall Kirby, Lay Leader
Rick Maryman, Organist & Choir Leader
JoAnn Watson, Secretary
Marshall and Lisa Kirby, Youth Program Coordinators
Jack Kibler, Church Council Chair
George Harris, Church Council Vice Chair
Fletcher W. Swink
1954-1958
Frank L. Baker
1958-1961
Elmore Brown
1961-1963
Samuel A. Stanley, Jr.
1963-1970
Edward A. Plunkett
1970-1971
Jenus G. Long, Jr.
1971-1975
Edward M. Ridout
1975-1979
Charles H. Walton
1979-1982
John H. Bartee, Jr.
1982-1985
Donald N. Fridinger
1985-1989
James R. Cooke, Sr.
1989-1993
W.S. 'Zig' Volskis
1993-1996
Donald W. Wilson
1996-1999
Richard H. Ecklund
1999-2002
Steven Greer
2002 -
Our Mission is to bring the WAY and the WORD of God to
everyone!
Baptism
The Bible is not clear about either the age of those to be baptized, the amount of water used or even the intrinsic meaning of the ritual. If baptism is defined as a celebration of a person’s acceptance of Christ, then only “Believer’s Baptism” (baptism of youth or adults) makes sense. This is the way some Christians have begun to understand baptism in the last three hundred years and is obviously applicable when a youth or adult accept Jesus Christ and comes into the church for the first time. However, according to the classical “fathers of the church” (those who collected the Scriptures and organized the church in the second-fourth centuries), the water used in baptism is a symbol of the grace of God which is always with us --- even when we are too young or ignorant to be mindful of its presence!
Therefore, the practice of baptizing infants began to give witness to the constant, prevenient (“preceding”) blessing of God given to us to help us grow into abundant life. At the age of accountability, the youth or adult becomes responsible for the acceptance of the gift. We call this personal acceptance of the gift of grace “Salvation,” and at the time the youth or adult who was baptized as an infant comes forward to be “confirmed” – they publicly confess their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Most Christians practice infant baptism. However, since the Bible does not define the ritual, in the same way as the communion, we ask the parents to make a decision that both expresses and strengthens the faith of the family.
Communion
Communion is a symbol of the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and a symbol of our own salvation as we accept Christ into our lives as Lord. We believe that as we participate with faith and communion, Christ is literally with us to draw us to Him and fill us with His grace. This sacrament has traditionally been called a meal of “remembrance”. However, “remembering” here does not mean remembering someone who is absent or an event in the past. It comes from the Greek which means “re-connecting that which has been severed”. We are “remembering” the Body of Christ! In a spiritual but very literal way, we are reconnecting with Christ and through Him reconnecting with the Father and with each other, so that we become One.
Methodists have an old saying: “Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent.” This means that where the Scriptures are not clear, we do not set down precepts. Nowhere does the Bible say how old we should be to take communion. Some say that children should be old enough to understand before they take sacrament, because our Lord’s Last Supper and sacrifice are so important. Others say that children do best if they participate experientially in major events (Christmas, birthdays, family reunions, etc…) even before they understand them intellectually. In addition, the question arises of who really UNDERSTANDS communion? In a miraculous way, when we kneel in faith before the altar, we meet the real presence of Christ. Yet no one can truly comprehend how it happens. Given the valid arguments on each side, we ask the parents of each child to make a decision that serves both to express and to enhance the faith of the family.
Weddings
Both members and non-members celebrate their commitment to one another by making the marriage covenant in our sanctuary. Pre-marital counseling sessions are held with the Pastor to discuss the relationship, faith issues, concerns, and the wedding ceremony itself. Interested persons should call the church office at least 3 to 6 months in advance to receive the wedding guidelines and schedule pastoral appointments.
Funerals
Saint John's expresses care for God’s people from birth through death. When the bodies we are given cease functioning, we surround the family with love and concern. Our Pastor is available to assist with preparation for funerals and memorial services either before or after death. Our sanctuary is frequently used for services for members and non-members.
By phone; (540) 886-1500
Via email;
Saint John's email
Steven Greer's email
Web Page maintainer's email
Mailing address;
Saint John's United Methodist Church
1716 North Augusta Street
Staunton, Virginia 24401