VIDEO STREAM
VIDEO STREAM
VIDEO STREAM
We are in the planning stages of being able to watch live streams of our worship services.
Be sure to check back to see! Watch the video below for our most recent worship service, or look for more services on YouTube.
We are in the planning stages of being able to watch live streams of our worship services.
Be sure to check back to see! Watch the video below for our most recent worship service, or look for more services on YouTube.
We are in the planning stages of being able to watch live streams of our worship services.
Be sure to check back to see! Watch the video below for our most recent worship service, or look for more services on YouTube.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lancaster, NY
PASTOR'S MESSAGE
Hi I’m pastor Jamie, I’ve been a pastor since 2011 and have been at St John’s since midway through 2019. I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to St. John’s and our website. When we talk about what kind of Church we are we use three terms to do so, Open, inviting, alive in Christ, I wanted to take a moment to share with you what those terms mean to me.
When Jesus traveled around the country side preaching and teaching he encountered all kinds of people along the way. Criminals, outcasts, as well as widows, the sick and many other marginalized people. Jesus did not save just a select few Jesus saved us all. All of us have our
own faults and limitations, Jesus knew that and Jesus loved us anyway. In other words Jesus was open to all people, Jesus love was for all people. We seek to be open as Jesus was.
We’ve all had the experience of feeling out of place. Feeling like we didn’t fit in feeling like we didn’t belong. Too often Churches can be a place where people feel that way. We strive to break down those barriers and make you feel invited in, invited to join us, invited to be a part of what God is doing in this place.
There are many good clubs you could be a part of, community clubs, athletic clubs and so on. The church is called to be more than a club we are called to do God’s work in this world. We serve others, help our community and learn more about ourselves and God as we go. That is what it means to be alive in Christ.
Open, Inviting, Alive in Christ, They are more than Just words they are our calling, come join us and see for yourself.
Peace, Jamie
MISSION STATEMENT
St. John's provides an inviting environment for spreading God's Word through worship, teaching and fellowship to address the spiritual needs of our congregation and community.
INVITATION
You are welcome to join us and share the joy in the gospel which sustains us. This outer ring suburb of Buffalo has much to offer and St. John's is located in the heart of the Village. Come see for yourself. We really are Inviting and Alive in Christ!
OUR COMMUNITY
Here at St. John's we recognize that there are so many ways to use our gifts and talents to worship our Lord. Be sure to see all the different ministries and how to get involved. Even if you aren't a full time member we always welcome anyone who is interested.
ABOUT US
St. John's is a congregation with a long and rich history. The congregation was founded in 1844 in Lancaster, New York which was a German farming community outside of Buffalo. The opening of the Erie Canal in the 1820's had triggered the growth of the area after Buffalo was incorporated in 1832. The Germans came with their religious heritages and ties-some of them were Roman Catholic, some were Lutherans and some were from the Reformed tradition. When the Protestants began to Form a church they shared a facility. The Lutherans and Reformed came together in the "First German Lutheran Church of Lancaster." They shared a building but clearly never got along very well. After 20 plus years of wrangling the Reformed people stole the building! One night they jacked up the simple structure and rolled it away on logs. The Lutherans took them to Court and won a financial settlement which allowed them to build another building. In 1877 the present structure was built accommodating 500 for worship. The Lutherans and Reformed continued to struggle until the 1890's when "St. Peter's Lutheran Church" became independent.
The congregation flourished and by 1917 when they joined the United Lutheran Church in America, the name was changed yet again to "St. John's." In the 1950's a new education building was added as well as an expanded Chancel area with organ. Two new parsonages were added to house the pastoral staff in the mid 1950's.
