On Columbus Street in Grove City, Ohio, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church has gathered for decades under a simple motto: to be and make disciples of Christ. The congregation's mission statement reaches further, committing members to invite and welcome all to Jesus Christ, to equip each person with an active faith that works in real life, and to go together into the world to serve in Jesus' name. Three worship services fill the weekend, a children's and youth program weaves every age into the life of the church, and a major accessibility renovation has opened the building to neighbors with mobility needs.
Mission, Beliefs, and the Lutheran Faith
St. John's states its core purpose plainly. The congregation is committed to invite and welcome all to Jesus Christ, to equip all with an active faith that works in real life, and together go into the world to serve in Jesus' name. That purpose is summarized in the church's motto: "To be and make disciples of Christ."
The congregation confesses belief in the Holy Trinity, one God revealed in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, following Matthew 28:18-20. God the Father is honored as Creator, the one who fashioned the entire universe from nothing and who still relates to and sustains His creation, choosing to reveal Himself in Jesus Christ so that people might know God's love (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit is taught as the Advocate, the power of God active and alive in the Church and in every believer, who entrusts spiritual gifts, convicts of sin, and empowers a witness of all that God has done, is doing and promises to do (John 14:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, is confessed as the spotless sacrifice for sin who died on the cross, was raised in bodily form from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will come again in glory to judge, to reign, and to redeem (John 1:1-5, 14; Luke 24:1-9). The Bible is the living written word of God, inspired and authoritative, used with the two lenses of law and gospel, with scripture interpreting scripture as the norm and measure for faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
St. John's teaches that sin infects everyone from birth, the self-centered turning that Martin Luther described as caving in on ourselves (Jeremiah 3:25; Romans 3:23). God's grace, given freely through the death and resurrection of Jesus, is the only way that people are healed from the disease of sin (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16). Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel, the costly forgiveness found at the cross that reconciles a broken world (Psalm 130:3-4; Luke 1:76-79; Acts 13:38).
Two sacraments are central. Baptism is a holy bath commanded by Jesus, in which God cleanses, forgives, claims and adopts people into His family. The congregation practices infant baptism as well as adult baptism and, confident that God's promises never wear out, does not re-baptize (Romans 6:4-6; Matthew 18:1-6; Acts 2:38-39). Communion is a meal of bread and wine instituted at the Last Supper, in which Jesus Christ is truly present and in which the body and blood of Christ are received. At the communion altar, every Christian of every time and place is united, and the meal is celebrated as often as the congregation can (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 6:53-58).
Worship is described as the heart of the relationship with God: a communal gathering in which the word is proclaimed, voices lifted in praise, faith grown through the sermon, sin confessed and forgiveness announced, gifts offered, the table shared, and the people sent out in mission (Psalm 150; Matthew 2:2; Exodus 20:1-11). Marriage between male and female is taught as a relationship created and blessed by God, the source of families and the building blocks of community (Genesis 2:24-25; Mark 10:6-9). Singleness is honored as a unique relationship that God blesses and empowers, not second to marriage but a distinct calling to be celebrated (1 Corinthians 7:6-9). The priesthood of all believers calls every Christian to make Christ known in acts of charity, witness, support for the downtrodden, and the use of spiritual gifts in every walk of life (1 Peter 2:9-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 3:16).
Worship on the Weekend: Traditional and Contemporary Side by Side
Three Sunday morning and Saturday evening services give neighbors three different ways to gather. Traditional worship is held Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 8:15 AM and 11:00 AM. A contemporary worship service is held Sunday at 11:00 AM, sharing the late-morning hour with the later of the traditional services. Online worship services are available to view on the church's online worship pages, with both the latest and previous recordings accessible along with archived videos that go back through 2020 and an organ recital posted separately.
The order of service in the recorded traditional services follows a familiar Lutheran shape: welcome and prayer of the day, confession and forgiveness of sins, first reading, gospel reading, sermon, prayers of the church, the Lord's Prayer, and benediction, with organ prelude music and choral anthems framing the liturgy. Names like "Siciliano" by J. S. Bach, "Variations on 'Holy, Holy, Holy'" by Piet Post, "Hallelujah, Wind from Heaven" by Robert Hobby, "I Give You a New Commandment" by Peter Aston, and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" by John Rutter show up in recent organ and choral offerings. Special festival music has been introduced for Pentecost Sundays.
The contemporary service brings a different texture, with songs such as "King of My Heart," "Death Was Arrested," "Christ Be Magnified," "It Is Well," "Amazing Grace," "O How I Need You," "Up in Arms," "Great Are You Lord," "Be Thou My Vision," and "Yes I Will" appearing in recent months. The contemporary worship is supported by a contemporary worship team with two leaders named to it, David Shrum and Nick Grossman, alongside Mark Meuser, the Minister of Music who oversees the broader music program, and Susan Locey, the Bell Choir Director.
Children's Church meets during the 11:00 AM contemporary service, beginning after the children's message, so that younger children have their own time to grow in faith while parents remain in the sanctuary. For those unable to receive communion at worship because of health concerns, the pastors and church office are glad to make other arrangements.
A Building Open to All: The Accessibility Project
On March 3, 2024, St. John's dedicated a new north-side entrance hall designed to make the entire building far more accessible to people with mobility needs. The idea, the church explains, was to design a building that meets people where they are, so that no one has to navigate stairs to reach a restroom, no one has to step outside to move between the sanctuary and the Family Life Center, and no one has to arrive in bad weather without shelter.
The new north entrance added a covered drop-off area, two lifts, automated handicapped doors, a wheelchair-accessible bathroom, and six handicapped parking spots. A west entrance ramp leads directly into the main sanctuary, and a south entrance provides another handicapped parking spot and an accessible entry into either the link or Family Life Center. Inside, a stair rail lift now connects the main sanctuary to the office areas, and wheelchair seating is available in the main sanctuary, the Family Life Center, and a sanctuary overflow area. The renovation created a shared fellowship space intended to be attractive, clean, warm, modern and welcoming, available for meetings, classes, presentations and special gatherings, and to leave a positive first impression for visitors entering the building for the first time. The congregation's hope was to complete this major project without incurring any debt.
Faith-Webbing: Children, Youth, and the Web of Relationships
Relationships are central at St. John's. The congregation's language for its children's and youth ministry is "faith-webbing," surrounding children and youth with lots of faith-filled relationships of all ages so that they might know Jesus and stay connected with the church. To support that goal, St. John's lists more than forty faith skills offered to children and youth, an approach the church calls outcome-based youth ministry.
The leadership team reflects that focus. Kelsey Bacon serves as the Youth and Family Ministry Director. Christina Allman leads youth ministry for kindergarten through sixth grades. Donna Westerfeld leads youth ministry for ninth through twelfth grades. Tim Allman serves as Sunday School Superintendent. The youth office is on the second floor of the church.
For the youngest, pre-K through fourth grade, Adventure Club meets Thursday nights throughout the school year as a faith-webbing and faith-growth group for ages four through fourth grade. Children's Church meets during the 11:00 AM contemporary service after the children's message. Family Experiences include Family Faith Time, the Selah Room, Serving Together, and special events. Sunday School runs Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 AM for all ages throughout the building. Vacation Bible School is held every summer at the church, with all children three years old (potty trained) through sixth grade welcome to attend for free. The Acolyte Club, made up of adults and youth, assists in worship by acolyting at the traditional Sunday morning services.
Fifth and sixth graders take part in Faith Trek, which meets Thursday nights throughout the school year. Seventh and eighth graders gather for Explorers on Wednesday nights. Confirmation begins in seventh grade, taught on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour by the pastor. Confirmation students complete two years investigating the faith given at their baptism and are required to take part in eight different service projects across the confirmation years. Confirmation Advances and Confirmation Learning Events cover parts of the small catechism: the Ten Commandments, Holy Communion, Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. A Prayer Room on the third floor of the church is set aside especially for prayer, with a variety of activities to assist in prayer or simply to enjoy a quiet space.
High schoolers in grades nine through twelve meet as Energizers on Wednesday nights throughout the school year. Bible Study meets weekly during the school year for an in-depth study of God's Word. Small groups meet throughout the year based upon students' interests. The Middle School Trot thru the Bible meets on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour, with middle school students learning a Bible point each week and meeting in small groups to apply it to everyday life. Partners in Education offers $500 scholarships, matched by the school, for full-time college students at Capital University or Wittenberg University, with a May 15 application deadline. See You at the Pole gathers students, teachers, and concerned adults around school flagpoles each September to pray for schools, community, nation and world. A Graduate Blessing celebrates and recognizes high school graduates in prayer and wraps them in handmade gifts from the Prayer Shawl Ministry.
Faith in Action is a summer event where youth grow in faith and serve like Jesus, with various age groups meeting separately for experiences uniquely designed for them. Family Faith Time, the Selah Room, Serving Together, and other special events continue to weave families together.
Sunday School Across the Building
Sunday School is one of the busiest hours at St. John's, taking place Sunday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 AM throughout the building, with classes for preschool through fourth grade, fifth and sixth grades, seventh and eighth grades (Catechism Sunday School), and ninth through twelfth grades (Faith Quest Sunday School). The Sunday School Christmas Program, a dinner theater, brings students and families together in mid-December. Permission and Emergency Authorization forms are required for participation in youth activities and can be downloaded in advance.
Music and Worship Arts
Music fills the building every week. Mark Meuser serves as Minister of Music, Susan Locey leads the Bell Choir (Celebation Ringers), and the Chancel Choir, Men's Ensemble, Women's Chorale, and Sound System Operators all serve the traditional services, alongside Acolytes, the Altar Team, Communion Assistants, Lay Readers, Ushers and Greeters. The contemporary side is led by David Shrum and Nick Grossman, with a full contemporary worship team. Other worship arts include the Flower Chart and Church Decorating teams who prepare the sanctuary for the seasons of the church year. Special events for children and families include Backpack Blessings, a time to bless students and the backpacks they will use as they head back to school.
Member Caregiving: Walking With Each Other in Every Season
A wide Member Caregiving network surrounds members through life's transitions. Adopt-A-Family helps families in need within the congregation year-round; all referrals, gifts, and dollar amounts are kept strictly confidential, and the team works with the pastors to purchase gifts, gift certificates, or other necessary items, with requests handled by the pastors. Bereavement Dinners provide a meal for the families of any member after a funeral, with volunteers cooking, serving, and offering compassion to the bereaved.
Christmas Kindness is a time to deliver homebound communion and some Christmas cheer to members who are not able to attend worship in person, typically on the third Sunday in Advent. Homebound Communion is committed to taking communion to the homebound members of the congregation, typically on the first Sunday of every month. Homebound Visitation is committed to visiting and caring for homebound members. The Hospital Visitation Team consists of lay volunteers who assist the pastors in visiting hospitalized parishioners, with each volunteer assigned one day a month to share the love of Christ with one another. The Service of Comfort and Remembrance is a special worship service held on the first Sunday of Advent for families who have lost a loved one during the calendar year, followed by a time of fellowship and support.
Reaching Beyond the Church: Service, Outreach, and Mission
Outreach is woven into the life of the congregation. The Service and Outreach Network includes Arts in the Alley Parade, a group that visions, designs, and assembles a float or walks in the parade to represent the church and recruits people to pass out candy during the third weekend in September. Bed Brigade is a service ministry that provides beds and the hope of Jesus to the Columbus area, typically meeting Saturday mornings to build and deliver beds at no cost to the recipients. Beacons are women committed to supporting local mission work by collecting stamps and soup can labels and sorting clothing for the Salvation Army. Bike Project is organized and led by youth each December, with families helping assemble bicycles delivered around Christmas to area children in need.
Cemetery Memorial Day Decorating honors all the saints, especially those service men and women who fought in the war, with flowers placed on every grave in St. John's Cemetery in May. Confirmation Service Projects require students to take part in eight different service projects to help them discover their passion for serving and to involve them in the life and mission of the church. Food Drives help raise awareness of hunger issues within the church, community, and central Ohio area, assisting with food drives and the local LSS food pantry. Meals-on-Wheels delivers a hot, nutritious meal and a smile to homebound seniors in Grove City once a month on Fridays. Mission Trips partner with the ministry of Genesis Diez to spend a week with children from an orphanage in Mexico and with Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cleveland to spend a week in a remote village of Alaska, taking place once a year in July.
Mitten Tree is a youth-led project during Advent where members donate new or handmade gloves, hats, and scarves to be given to the families at the Lutheran Social Services Food Pantries. Operation Christmas Child is an outreach ministry to children who live in war-torn or poverty-stricken countries, collecting shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, and toys that are shipped to Samaritan's Purse. PEACE Puppets, which stands for Puppets Excited About Christian Evangelism, shares God's love through storytelling, character skits, and puppet performances. Prayer Shawl Ministry combines prayer and knitting for hospice patients, the elderly, and others who need a special blessing, meeting at church on Saturday mornings. Quilters, women with sewing skills, make quilts, robes, layettes and pillows for distribution locally and overseas, meeting every Tuesday morning at church. Red Cross Blood Drives need volunteers to help with registration and serve light refreshments to donors.
The Service Projects list across children's, middle school and high school ministries also includes Blankets of Love, Mother's Day Flowers, the Chili Cook-off, Shrove Tuesday, the Church Picnic, Silent Auction, Souper Bowl, Teen Leader, Trunk or Treat, the Veterans' Meal, Christmas Kindness, Easter Family Fun, the Mitten Tree, Operation Christmas Child, Prayer Shawl, Short-term Missions, and more.
Adult Discipleship: Men, Women, and Small Groups
Adult Discipleship supports spiritual growth across the congregation. The Promise Keepers Study Group is committed to men encouraging other men to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and meets every Thursday morning in the pastor's office. Small Groups are a way for people in the congregation to come to know and care for one another at a significant and intimate level, with each meeting including a time of fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. Women's Circles provide a means for women to grow in their spiritual relationship to Jesus Christ through Biblical teaching, prayer, Bible study, and fellowship, meeting once a month. Women's Retreats are a special time away from normal activities to get reacquainted with God, examine the priorities of life, and make concrete and practical resolutions for improvement. The retreats are about making space for peaceful reflection, listening for guidance, and setting intentions for how to show up in the world while connecting with sisters in Christ on a deeper level.
Fellowship, Stewardship, and Property Care
Fellowship events include the Christmas Program, the Church Picnic, Dartball, the OWLS group, and the Veterans Dinner. Stewardship is supported by the Endowment Team, Financial Recorder, Ministry Fair, Volunteer Appreciation, and the Stewardship team. Property Care is overseen by Cemetery Maintenance, the Church Sign, Gardening Angels, Playground Maintenance, and the Repair/Fix-it Team. The Library Assistants are committed to providing access to a collection of Christian resources to help people mature in their faith, purchasing, organizing, maintaining, and promoting the collections.
Worship Network and Children at the Altar
The Worship Network ties together Acolytes, the Altar Team, Backpack Blessing, the Bulletin Chart, Celebration Ringers, Chancel Choir, Children's Church, Church Decorating, Communion Assistants, Contemporary Worship Team, the Flower Chart, Greeters, Lay Readers, Men's Ensemble, the Nursery, Sound System Operators, Ushers, and the Women's Chorale. Acolytes assist in worship at traditional Sunday morning services; the Children's Church team serves during the contemporary service; and Greeters and Ushers welcome visitors at the door.
Family Life Center and Facilities
St. John's has an active Family Life Center that hosts many of the church's programs, including Rally Day for age two through 6th grade, Vacation Bible School in June, Sunday morning ministries during the Sunday School hour, and large fellowship gatherings. The accessibility renovation has made the restrooms in the Family Life Center much more accessible to all members. The congregation also maintains a cemetery, with Memorial Day decorating as a long-standing tradition. Weddings, funerals, and other gatherings can be hosted in the building, and the church's life spills out into the Grove City community year-round.
Staying Connected Throughout the Week
St. John's keeps members and visitors connected through several regular channels. News Notes, a weekly email newsletter, keeps the congregation informed of upcoming events. The Eagle, a monthly newsletter, is published and archived back several years. A members' Facebook group supports daily connection, and an online picture directory is available through the CHMeetings application. A giving link supports online tithes and offerings, and recorded worship services are posted for online listening to extend the reach beyond the sanctuary walls. A Bible reading link offers the NRSV online for devotional reading.
For first-time visitors, services are held Saturday at 4:00 PM, Sunday at 8:15 AM (traditional), and Sunday at 11:00 AM (traditional and contemporary together). Sunday School is offered at 9:30 AM. The building is fully accessible, with covered drop-off, lifts, automated doors, and accessible restrooms. Communion is celebrated in both traditional and contemporary services, and members unable to attend in person can request a visit from a pastor or a lay visitor. Online worship services, archived videos back through 2020, and the recorded organ recital are available for those who cannot be present.
From the Children's Church and Faith Trek to the Energizers and Explorers, from the Bed Brigade and Beacons to the Prayer Shawl Ministry and PEACE Puppets, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grove City is a congregation that has built its life around the simple words of its motto, to be and make disciples of Christ, weaving together the generations in service, in study, in worship, and in the everyday business of faith.