St. John's Reformed Church
Catch the vision, share the joy!
PASTOR'S NOTES
May 2026– Worship Schedule
“Easter-The Sweet Life!”
We’re Easter people! Our faith in the resurrection makes our lives “sweet!” It gives us hope and purpose as it inspires us into our 290th year of mission and ministry and our 57th year of Easter candy making, here at St. John’s UCC, the spiritual mother and home of Kutztown.
May 3rd – Fifth Sunday of Easter
We welcome KU Dean Jerry Schearer to the pulpit this day, as Pastor Sanders is away on vacation. Jerry will share the message: “How?” based on I Corinthians 1 & Matthew 5.
We will not be sharing communion this day. Keith Brintzenhoff will perform.
May 10th – Mother’s Day!
We’ll give thanks for our Mom’s this day. Jerry Schearer returns with his message: “Finding,” based on I Corinthians 2 & Matthew 5. Our Senior Choir, under the direction of Cindy Knauer will perform, along with Keith Brintzenhoff.
Thursday, May 14th – Ascension Day!
The church has historically recognized the 40th day after Easter as the day the Risen Christ bodily “ascended” to heaven, leaving the church to continue his ministry.
Our Anabaptist friends, the Amish, and Mennonites, recognize this as a sacred day performing no work such as sewing or tilling. Ascension Day ascribed lessons for your reading & reflection: Psalm 47; Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53.
May 17th Pet Sunday 10:00 a.m.!!!!
Bring your furry, feathered, finned or whatever-ed friends to worship this day.
Pastor Sanders returns to the pulpit with his message: “Goosey-Gander” based on Mark 6:7-13. Keith Brintzenhoff will perform. Pastor Sanders has been asked to do a blessing of the animals this morning at 11 a.m. in Kutztown Park on behalf “Furever Friends Walk in the Park.” Worship will begin this day at 10:00 a.m. so that Pastor Sanders may leave in time.
May 24th – Pentecost Sunday Communion Celebration
We’ll celebrate the “birthday” of the Christian Church this day. Pastor Sanders will share the message: “Greater Works to Come” based on John 14:12-17. Amelia Gamble will be our musical guest. This is also Memorial Day weekend. Pastor Sanders will host a “sermon chat” after worship this day in the church lounge. These were well received throughout Lent and so he’s decided to continue them on a monthly basis.
May 31st – Trinity Sunday
We’ll celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity this day as Pastor Sanders shares the message “The Face of Faith” based on Luke 7:1-10. Keith Brinzenhoff will perform. holiday with Pastor Sanders’ message: “Lay Down One’s Life,” based on John 15:9-14.