My name is Mary Bealer and I am a member of this church for about 37 years. When my family moved to Emmaus, we decided to join a church in the community. We were Lutheran and St. John’s became the place.

I am a retired nurse, my last position was a Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner. I worked in a large OG/GYN practice for LVPG.

Being involved in many activities is what I do and who I am. I like people. I like being Lutheran, because we believe we are saved by grace, we ordain all people who qualify for ordination, and we care about our neighbor’s needs.

Therefor I am involved in Eucharistic Ministry, GIFT committee, Outreach committee, Education committee, Adult Sunday School, BYOB [Women’s Bible Study Group}, KFC [Knitting for Charity], VBS, deliver flowers, Prayer Partner, Lecturer, and work in the kitchen. I think that is about it.

I feel very privileged to be associated with St. Johns church.

I was not raised in the Lutheran Church. I became a member of the Lutheran Church when my husband, Gary and I got married in the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Allentown in 1959. We joined St. John’s Lutheran Church, Emmaus in 1966. We raised our three children, David, Michele and Eric at St. John’s. My husband and I have been involved in different ministries of St. John’s over the many years that we have been members such as serving as greeter, usher, and attending adult Sunday school.

I joined Altar Guild in the late 1980s because there was a need for Altar Guild members and I am still a member of the Altar Guild at the present time. I have been active in WELCA and currently serving as the recording secretary of WELCA at St. John’s. I also attend the BYOB women’s bible study group.

In 2010, I attended a one-day women’s retreat lead by our Associate in Ministry, Melanie Werley. At that retreat, she introduced us to Anglican Prayer Beads. Myself and others that attended that retreat were interested in the use of Prayer Beads. With the approval of the pastor at that time, we started our own Prayer Bead group at St. John’s. We meet several times a year to make the Prayer Beads. The Prayer Beads are sent to veterans, our shut-ins, to the bride and groom when we have a wedding at our church. The Prayer Beads are also available to anyone who would like to receive a set.

It is important to me to stay active in the life of St. John’s so the ministries of St. John’s can continue, not for my own recognition or satisfaction. St. John’s has been my church family for over 50 years. The support and prayers of my church family are an important part of my personal life and my life at St. John’s.

I have been a member of St. John’s my entire life. As a child, I fondly remember walking with my family to church and Sunday School. By the time I was a teenager, I began to learn what it meant to volunteer and help my church community. I would go with my mother to help her prepare the altar for church services. Once I became old enough, I joined the Altar Guild to continue to help out in this way and have done so ever since.

I also involved myself in the church’s nursery program. It was always fun and enjoyable volunteering to take care of the babies and toddlers in the nursery room. My son, Joseph, also loved to spend time in the nursery room with me.

After my husband passed away, I was asked to become a Sunday School Teacher for the third and fourth graders. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the students throughout their time in Sunday School until they were confirmed. It has truly been a joy and blessing to help them and watch them grow. On that note, it is also interesting for me to reflect on the many years I have been involved with Vacation Bible School at St. John’s. I attended the annual event as a child and now, as an adult, volunteer every summer to aid this wonderful program and pass along the years of happiness and fun it gave me as a child.

I also have many fond memories of Christmas caroling along with other church members and my family to sing to homebound members. Seeing the joy on their faces when we arrived was always very heartwarming for me.

In addition to these, I am a member of the G.I.F.T. and Stewardship committees and also serve as a greeter, flower deliverer, gift presenter, and baker/server for fellowship and special dinners.

St. John’s has always been a part of my life and my church family will always continue to bring joy to my life. I am often reminded of this joy when I volunteer and give back to the community.