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Page 20 August 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Chur ch
Spotlight St. John’s
Lutheran Church of
Creagerstown
by Theresa Dardanell
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is on the left and the
Union Church is on the right.
If your summer plans include Photo by Theresa Dardanell fried oysters. On the Saturday
visiting locations on the National before Mother’s Day in May, a
Register of Historic Places, make dinner of fried chicken and country
sure you add St. John’s Church at ham, along with chicken and ham
Creagerstown Historic District to slippery pot pies, is served from
your list. The complex consists of 12:00-5:00 p.m. Proceeds from the
three buildings, all owned by the May dinner support the operation
church. The Union Church building of the community cemetery and
(originally called the Reformed local street lighting. The menu for
Church) was built jointly in 1834 the June dinner varies from year
and shared by the Reformed Church to year; this year, it featured fried
and the Lutherans until 1908. A chicken and pork BBQ. Funds raised
new church, St. John’s Lutheran, at this event help families who face
was built and dedicated in 1909. A financial hardship due to a major
third building, the Parish House, health crises. It is usually held on
was built in 1880, originally used Pastor Wayne Blaser (on right) and members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. the second Saturday in June. Plan
as a two-room schoolhouse and to spend some time from noon
purchased by the Lutheran Church St. John’s is the oldest Lutheran provided to Operation Christmas to 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday of
in 1926. The adjacent community congregation in Western Maryland. Child, which provides shoe boxes Colorfest weekend at the October
cemetery is also included in the Although it was established in full of supplies for children around “Cafe,” where you can enjoy a
historic district. 1732, members worshiped in the world. Money donated during variety of sandwiches, side dishes,
After the new church was built, various locations until they moved special collections is sent to areas and desserts. The Thanksgiving Day
the Union Church building fell into their current buildings. They affected by natural disasters; recent dinner, served from 11:00 a.m.-4:00
into disrepair and was used only are proud of their continuous donations were sent to Texas, p.m., is a 125-year-old tradition in
for storage. However, it is now in tradition of spirituality, community Florida, and Puerto Rico. One Creagerstown. At the Christmas
the process of being restored with service, and God’s fellowship. of the Lutheran Church Mission Bazaar on the first Saturday in
help from the Maryland Historical Pastor Wayne Blaser said that programs is the “noisy change” December, food and baked goods
Society. Completed renovations members of the congregation offering once a year. Members are available, along with the
include a new roof and floor, care for one another and look drop their loose change in a indoor yard sale from 9:00 a.m.-
the addition of heating and air- out for one another. The small bucket (along with a check for an 2:00 p.m. The dedicated members
conditioning, and repairs to the congregation generously supports additional donation) that is taken of the “Faithful Workers” group
basement. The beautiful chandelier local and worldwide organizations. to the Synod meeting in June, where organize and conduct these events
and pews from the Union Church Local outreach includes donations it is used for the Lutheran Hunger for the benefit of the church and
were moved to the Lutheran to the Thurmont Ministerium, Program. community.
Church. Although the renovations Thurmont Food Bank, Clothes Everyone is invited to attend Special musical events are held
to the Union Church building are Closet Ministry in Thurmont, the fundraising dinners, which at various times throughout the
not complete, services are held there, and the Religious Coalition in are held throughout the year. The year at the church, and are open
as well as in the new church. The Frederick. They also participate February dinner, held from 12:00- to the community; a free-will
Parish House is used for dinners and in the summer enrichment camp 5:00 p.m. on the second Saturday offering is gratefully accepted. The
other community events. for students. Global support is of the month, features turkey and “Day Star” Southern Gospel group
will be performing on October 7,
2018, at 6:30 p.m. The Blue Grass
Chapel Band will be performing on
November 11, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend
the weekly 9:30 a.m. Sunday service,
which includes the exchange of
peace among those in attendance,
prayers and readings, the message
given by Pastor Wayne, and holy
communion. An enthusiastic
choir and an organist lead the
congregation in musical worship.
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran
Church is located at 8619 Blacks
Mill Road in Creagerstown.
For more information see the
church’s website at emmitsburg.net/
sjlc/index.htm.
