A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR

To become a part of the Christian Family is to become a part of something quite remarkable, of something far bigger than we at first can begin to imagine. Through faith in Christ Jesus as both our Savior and Lord we join a company of believers that extends throughout all the ages of this earth and connects us with the saints in heaven. Some years ago, while on a trip to Israel, I was reminded of that fact as I mingled with pilgrims from all over the world who spoke more tongues that I could list here. Our guide told a story of a piece of ancient graffiti found scratched on Calvary’s Hill. It said simply: “I have arrived. I am one, too!” Whether such a piece of graffiti actually exists, is not my point; but that many believe, and have put their trust in Jesus, is!

To be a part of St. John Lutheran Church is also something quite remarkable. Here you join a fellowship whose historical roots are quite deep: 153 years, in fact. St. John was founded by a group of German immigrants who migrated to the United States in search of religious freedom in the mid 1800’s. In 1853, after meeting in the home of one Friedrich Melcher, located on the site where Brush High School now stands, several of those families decided to form a church, this church. In 1854 they bought the present site and began building, and the rest is our history. Through the years we have grown and changed as has the world and community in which we exist – but the central Gospel truth of salvation by grace alone, through Christ alone, as learned from Scripture alone has been our guide. St. John has offered continuous Christian Elementary Education through our Day School for more than 140 of those years.

Our faith roots are deep. Strongly grounded in God’s Word and Sacraments, St. John has been proclaiming the grace of God in Christ Jesus, through all the years of her existence. Early members of St. John were influential in the founding of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, to which we still belong.

Historical, biblically based, traditional yet very much in tune with our world today, we are a joyful people of faith in the Triune God who are eager to love, to serve, to learn and to grow. Thank you for visiting our web site. We hope you enjoy looking around. Join us for worship someday. We’d love to meet you.

Reverand Allen Trapp, Pastor
December 2006

Rev. Alan Trapp of St. John Lutheran in South Euclid leaving after 19 years behind pulpit

Jeff Piorkowski/Sun News

The Rev. Allen Trapp will conduct his final service at St. John Lutheran Church on August 9, 2009 before retirement Sunday. Trapp said to be a minister is to be allowed into people's lives like no one else. "To see the sacredness of every moment," he said, "that's awesome."