ABOUT US

St. John’s has been worshipping and witnessing for Christ in Asheboro and in the world for the past 82 years. The first Lutheran service in Asheboro was held on Reformation Sunday, October 30, 1938 (which is now the date of our Homecoming each year). When an organizational meeting and worship was held in 1939 and the first pastor, Rev. Roscoe Fisher, installed, Dr. J. L. Morgan, President of the United Evangelical Lutheran Synod of NC preached, and his text was Mark 16:15 “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel (good news) to everyone, everywhere.” Fifty people were present to sign the charter to establish St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Asheboro, NC. Later that year property was purchased at 505 S. Park St and construction began on the church. By October 31, 1940, the church building was completed. Since that day the church building has been a place for God’s people to gather in worship, Bible Study, fellowship, ministry, and service as well as to be sent out witness to the gospel through loving others in word and deed. Over the years the church would build a parsonage, add an educational wing, build a handicapped ramp to enter the sanctuary, expand its parking lot, and buy more land adjacent (for future expansion) to the church which includes two houses which are now being rented.

St. John’s has always been an orthodox confessional Lutheran Church. We are a church family committed to the authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. In keeping with the Lutheran Confessions, we believe all doctrines should and must be judged by the teaching of Scripture. For most of our history we have been a part of the LCA and ELCA. In 2012 the congregation voted to join the North American Lutheran Church. (Please see the Link to The NALC for more information). The following pastors have served St. John’s through the years: Rev. Roscoe Fisher 1938-1942, Rev. Walter Yount 1942-1951, Rev. Charles Bernhardt 1951-1953, Rev. David Wise 1953-1961, Rev. Donald Woolly 1961-1967, Rev. David Rhoads 1968-1970, Rev. Dr. Samuel Sox vice pastor 1971, Rev. Gary Lyerly 1971-1977, Rev. William Ketchie 1977-1989, Rev. Dr. Mark Ellingsen 1990-1993, Rev. Kenneth Gillikin 1994-2000, Rev. Henry Sink interim 2000-2001, Rev. Ralph Kraft Jr 2001-2012, Rev. Mark Ryman 2012-2015, Rev. Douglas Hefner 2016-present. God has indeed called faithful pastors to serve St. John’s over the years. We believe that God also calls each one of us to be disciples or ministers of our Lord Jesus, which includes growing as a child of God through worship gathered around Word and Sacrament (Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion), Prayer, Bible Study, Witnessing, and Service. Being a disciple also means going, discipleship in daily living as we go out into the world to “make disciples” teaching others about the Lord and His call to believe in Him and be saved through Jesus’ death on the cross for us and His resurrection victory over sin and death.

St. John’s is a friendly, loving and generous family-oriented church. We strive to make sure all feel welcomed and to include them in the fellowship of the church. We have several wonderful fellowship groups like the Lutheran Women, the Lutheran Men, Youth and Family Ministry, Sunday School Classes, and Bible Study Life Groups. Like a lot of churches we enjoy gathering around fellowship and food. Each February we have a Chili Cook off dinner and competition to enjoy good food and fellowship as we raise funds for the Our Daily Soup Kitchen. In the Fall we host an Oktoberfest Dinner with all of the fixings and the funds raised go to help local, state, national and global ministries. Each month we have some gathering that connects great fellowship, food, and faithful outreach. Speaking of outreach, St. Johns faithfully supports Christian United Outreach Center (food and emergency relief for our community), Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, Family Crisis Center, Shelter of Hope, Back Pack Pals meals for Loflin Elementary, English as a Second Language Classes meet at St. John’s, Angel Tree gifts for Salvation Army, Recovery centers and programs in our community, Naomi’s Hope (Philippines mission) and One Heart Worlds Apart (medial mission to Philippines), and Victory Ministries (outreach to Liberia) and many other national and international ministries through our participation in the Carolina’s Mission District and the North American Lutheran Church.

There is so much more to our history and our life together in Christ. We invite you to come hear the story of Gods’ grace and love in Christ as it continues to unfold at St. Johns, in our lives and in our community. We invite you to be a part of all that God is doing at St. Johns through His people.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sundays:

8:45 am Fellowship with Coffee, Juice, Refrehments
9:00 am Sunday School for all ages
10:00 am Worship with Holy Communion
    (welcome/announcements start at 9:50am)

WORSHIP WITH US