A Hilltop Congregation at 150 Years
St. John's Lutheran Church sits on a rise where U.S. 20 meets State Route 163 in Stony Ridge, Ohio, a place locals have known for generations simply as "the church on the hilltop." For 150 years the congregation has anchored that corner, and a regular rhythm of worship, Christian education, and outreach continues to flow from it. The congregation belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is part of the Northwest Ohio Synod.
Sunday Worship: Word and Sacrament
Worship takes place every Sunday at 10:00 a.m., both in the sanctuary and online through Facebook Live and Zoom (meeting ID 994-9242-0345, passcode 971198). Past services are archived on the church's YouTube channel. The style is described by the church itself as "Word and Sacrament": preaching centered on scripture paired with Holy Communion each Sunday. Communion is open to all baptized Christians, including children who have received their First Communion; younger children are invited forward to receive a blessing. Christian Education for all ages meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and takes a break during the summer months, resuming on Rally Day each September.
Shared Pastoral Leadership
Two pastors currently share the work of ministry as interim co-pastors. Pastor Howard Abts and Pastor Cindy Ritter lead the congregation together during the transition. Music ministry is shared by Sharon Bitter, who serves as organist and choir director, and Lyle Diefenthaler, who leads the praise team, giving the congregation both a traditional liturgical choir and a contemporary praise team.
Saved by Grace to Serve Others
The congregation's stated mission is to be "saved by the grace of God to witness and to serve others," with a vision of becoming "a church of fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ who are dedicated to spiritual growth for the sake of the world." That outward focus shows up in two long-running programs: a food pantry that serves neighbors facing food insecurity, and the Shared Bounty thrift shop, both of which have become familiar community resources in Stony Ridge. Members also take part in service initiatives such as Build-a-Bed projects to furnish beds for children in need and Rise Against Hunger meal-packaging events, and they gather for fellowship activities including summer camping trips and church-wide work days.
Hilltop Dayschool
Children and families have a special place on the hilltop through Hilltop Dayschool, a preschool program administered by Jenifer Mazza that operates as part of the church's ministry.
What to Expect on a Sunday Morning
Visitors can expect a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere. The church notes that on a given Sunday you will see ladies in dresses or slacks, men in open-collar shirts, and plenty of folks in jeans or shorts. Worshippers will greet newcomers warmly without asking them to stand up and introduce themselves. An offering is received each Sunday as an act of thanksgiving. The hilltop setting makes the building easy to spot from either highway.
Office and Giving
The church office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is closed Mondays and Fridays unless otherwise posted. The mailing address is P.O. Box 279, Stony Ridge, OH 43463, and the physical address is 5520 Fremont Pike. Donations can be made through the church's online giving portal, and the VOICE newsletter, photo gallery, council roster, and church constitution are all kept online for members and visitors who want to dig deeper into the life of the congregation.