I have been a member of St. John’s Lutheran for as long as I can remember. I was baptized, went to Sunday school, got confirmed, and was married in 1991 here. After my daughter Alicia was born in 1992, I had her baptized here too. I can remember my Mom and Dad volunteering for different committees when I was a child. They would bring me, my brother and sister to church to attend service, help with decorating on holidays, go caroling at Christmas to our shut-in church members and let us help with altar care which included flower delivery when we were old enough. My mother would also bake, serve during fellowship/ congregational dinners and help teach vacation bible school when I was a youngster. My dad served as an usher and was on the property committee. They fostered in me at a young age the importance of being a good steward and serving your church and community in any way you can. When I was a teenager, I played my flute during church services and was a member of St. John’s youth group. After I became an adult, I chose to become a nurse and provided care to patients in trauma, critical care and currently in gastrointestinal /pulmonary endoscopy.

I have worked my entire nursing career at LVHN for the past 32 years. Although nursing has its demands of working holidays, weekends and different shifts, I have always tried to volunteer here at St. John’s Lutheran Church. I was part of the parish nurse team which had blood pressure checks held two Sundays a month during fellowship. I am currently a member of the Gift and Stewardship committees. I serve on altar guild, flower delivery, a greeter, and gift presenter with my husband, Bruce. I also bake for fellowships, serve during dinners, decorate the Church for the holidays and teach vacation bible school in the summer. I will continue to offer my time and talents to St. John’s because I find volunteering very rewarding and a good opportunity to meet and work with new members of my church family.

It is wonderful to see all the great volunteers at St. John’s who keep the Lutheran spirit alive and well. I only pray that St. John’s Lutheran Church continues to be blessed with so many great members who are willing to offer their time and talents, so the church can continue to grow and serve God and the community.

As a child, I regularly attended a small Lutheran church in Smethport, located in rural McKean County, Pennsylvania. It was there that my seed of faith was planted and began to grow. I remember even now, many years later, meeting for First Communion and Confirmation classes. Lenten Breakfast services were held weekly with members of the neighboring Episcopal and Methodist Churches. Being in a small church, in a small town, meant that class sizes for Sunday School and Confirmation were relatively small, and likewise the pool of acolytes was also small. Nonetheless, we always had at least two acolytes at a service, and sometimes as many as six on special occasions. It was a pleasure to serve in that way. Our church actually shared a Pastor with a neighboring Lutheran Church in Port Allegany, ten miles away. Because of this, some Church functions, classes, and special events were held in conjunction with our fellow congregation. These factors all provided me with an opportunity to make new friends, provide service to the Church, and ultimately grow in Christ. During this time in my life, a foundation of both service to the Church and the Community was laid which ultimately (and literally) led to where and who I am today, not only as a Lutheran, but also as a husband, father, and police officer.

My wife, Maureen, and I joined Saint John’s approximately 14 years ago, shortly after we moved from South Allentown to our home in Emmaus. I distinctly remember our very first visit to Saint John’s and Harvey McGarry introducing himself to us after the service. That first visit was only the beginning, and since then, we have formed many more friendships and become part of the Saint John’s family. It has also been a pleasure to serve the Church in some small yet rewarding ways, as a Greeter, Gift Presenter, and Reader. Since joining the congregation at Saint John’s, our own family has grown, and Maureen and I have introduced our two sons, Griffin and Austin to the Church. Much of what our boys experience now at Saint John’s is reminiscent of what I experienced at a young age at Trinity Lutheran Church in Smethport. This not only makes me proud, but also provides me with an assurance that our boys will grow up with the same values and beliefs that I grew up with, and also be of service to their Church and community as they continue in their faith.

My journey in faith began when I was baptized at the age of 8 ½ months here, at St. Johns. I followed baptism with enrollment in the Sunday school program which I continue to attend, most recently participating in Breakfast Club. Like my parents who have been lifelong Lutherans, I was confirmed in May 2017.

I try to attend church as much as possible; you can usually find my parents, younger brother Ian, & I at the 10:30 service. Whenever I am in church, I try to help in any way I can. My service to St. John’s began with acolyting. You can also find me gift presenting with my family, lighting the Advent wreath, or, my newest role is serving as a lector, which I enjoy, when I don’t mix up the order of the second reading and the psalm. I’ve also helped at the annual spaghetti supper as a server, a role which I really enjoy. Through my participation in Sunday School, I’ve been involved with/helped with planning Super Bowl of Caring, collections for the homeless, a youth game night, and preparing and serving breakfast to other Sunday School classes at the beginning of the school year, to name a few activities.

I have always considered myself a people person, and I especially enjoy working with and teaching children. I am considering a career in teaching. For several years, I’ve helped at Vacation Bible School, both with the groups during dinner fellowship and with leading games during the evening. A new venture for me will be assisting with Sunday School for grades 4-6 for the 2018-2019 school year. I’m looking forward to helping the children expand their Lutheran faith.

In January I accepted a position on church council as the church’s youth representative. I was highly honored to take this position, as it is a very humbling experience to serve alongside great people to make decisions in the church.

I am excited for what the Lord holds for me in the future! Thanks be to God!