I was confirmed at St. John’s in 1957 by Pastor Spieker. My husband Ed and I were married here in 1966 by Pastor Hoffman. Two of my three children were baptized at St. John’s. Our family moved to Stiles in 1968 and returned to Emmaus in 1979.

Once we returned to Emmaus, our family returned to worship at St. John’s. My sons joined the scout troop that met at church and I was very active as a pack mom.

I love to be around and get to know people. I was asked to help organize and serve for the Second Sunday Fellowship after both worship services over 25 years ago and I am still serving St. John’s in this capacity. I enjoy setting a nice table for our members’ to enjoy.

Working in the food service business for over 25 years shows my passion for working in a kitchen, cooking and serving people. I volunteer my talents in the St. John’s kitchen by helping cook and serve for the annual congregational dinner, funeral luncheons and other special events.

I also volunteer for flower delivery which allows me to brighten our member’s day with beautiful flowers, a message from St. John’s and sometimes a much needed visit.

Over the years I have run many bus trips and I was asked to use my knowledge to organize the upcoming bus trip for St. John’s members to see Jesus at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster.

I encourage everyone to come to fellowship after the services to meet new or reconnect with members of St. John’s and spend time with friends. As a member of St. John’s, I feel it is important everyone volunteers their talents to help our church and our members.

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.