About Us

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Overview

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Nazareth community and beyond. We offer a variety of worship services, and a diversity of ministries, to welcome and serve all people. We strive to be a place where you can receive the blessings of God in Jesus Christ! We invite you to consider making St. John’s your church home.

If you have any questions about us or how we can serve you, please feel free to reach out to someone on our staff or church council.

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Staff

We welcome you to reach out to our ministry leaders and staff. Please contact us anytime via email or phone. Our main office phone number is 610-759-3090.

Reverend T. Daniel Clayborne, Interim Senior Pastor
Email: prclayborne@stjohnsnaz.org, extension 103Reverend Franklin S. Stinner, Associate Pastor
Email: prstinner@stjohnsnaz.org, extension 106Reverend Janice I. Butz, Minister of Music
Email: jbutz@stjohnsnaz.org, extension 105Deacon Patrice A. Kidd, Assistant Organist/Choir Director, Philethia Choir
Email: pkidd@stjohnsnaz.org, extension 104Jaime L. Taylor, Director of Youth & Family Ministries
Email: jtaylor@stjohnsnaz.org, extension 107Linda Kasmakites, Parish Administrative Assistant
Email: office@stjohnsnaz.org, extension 100Bonnie Mertz, Parish Financial Secretary
Email: finance@stjohnsnaz.org, extension 102Sextons: Dean Brodt & Raymond Wolfe, Jr.For property and building management, email: sextons@stjohnsnaz.org, extension 111
For website and technology, email: ray@stjohnsnaz.org
Pastor Jennifer Hall <BR>Pastor Scott A. Hall

Pastor Jennifer Hall
Pastor Scott A. Hall

Pastors of Discipleship and Stewardship, respectively

Extension
Pastor Jennifer 103
Pastor Scott 106

Reverend Janice I. Butz

Reverend Janice I. Butz

Minister of Music

Extension 105

Deacon Patrice A. Kidd

Deacon Patrice A. Kidd

Assistant Organist/Choir Director, Philethia Choir

Extension 104

Jaime L. Taylor

Jaime L. Taylor

Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Extension 107

Linda Kasmakites

Linda Kasmakites

Parish Administrative Assistant

Extension 100

Bonnie Mertz

Bonnie Mertz

Parish Financial Secretary

Extension 102

Dean Brodt

Dean Brodt

Sexton

Extension 111

Laurie Storlie

Laurie Storlie

Communications Coordinator

Extension 101

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Church Council

This group is elected by the congregation to meet the challenges of maintaining a thriving and dynamic church. The Church Council oversees the life and activities of the congregation. They meet once each month to make the many decisions governing the day to day operations of our church.

Current Members

  • Joyce Knecht, Church Council President
  • Michele Seaton, Vice President
  • Ben Miller, Congregation Secretary
  • Rita Bergstrom
  • Charles Bonisese
  • Christina Brodt
  • Karen Furler
  • Randy Hall
  • Bonnie Jablonski
  • Barry Miller
  • Nancy Tammi
  • Gary Wolf

Non-Voting Members (By Appt.)

  • Eric Himler, Church Treasurer
  • Joyce Wallace, Recording Secretary

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History

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
– Matthew 5:14-16

St. John’s Lutheran Church, “the church with the red doors,” continues to be a welcoming place of community for the borough of Nazareth and surrounding areas since 1859.

Ministries at St. John’s evolve and grow as we continue to write our history.

  • Every Palm Sunday, area churches join the St. John’s congregation on the “Donkey Walk,” an interdenominational tradition that’s become treasured in downtown Nazareth.
  • St. John’s daycare center (St. John’s Lutheran Daycare Center) and nursery school (Love-A-Lot Nursery School) continue to meet the needs of Nazareth’s growing families.
  • St. John’s Youth are blessed to participate in life-changing activities, trips, and conferences through Luther League, SHYG (Senior High Youth Group), Confirmation, Choir and Music, and MAD (Music, Art, and Drama) Camp.
  • New “small group” formats have recently been added like Tables of 8 and the men’s group.
  • The Nazareth Area Food Bank was founded by St. John’s members and operated for many years out of the church, serving the needs of Nazareth and surrounding communities. Today it continues to thrive through the generosity of many Nazareth area community members.
  • Faith Through the Arts occurs every three years at St. John’s, bringing together some of the areas most talented artists.

We are thankful for our rich history and we invite you to help us shape our future in sharing the good news of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.

St. John’s is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America within the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod.