Published January 15. 2025 07:52PM
In honor of the Christmas season and St. John’s heritage, members and guests of St. John’s Lutheran Church, located at Fifth and Chestnut streets in Emmaus, participated Jan. 5 in a German service. Lessons and carols read and sung in German recounted the Christmas story as it would have been presented to Emmaus’s early Lutheran congregations. Interim Pastor Woody Maxon tied past practices to the present by delivering the sermon in English. The final hymn, “Silent Night” in German by candlelight, was deeply moving.
A post service fellowship hour featured cookies and snacks, many made from German family recipes. Cinnamon roasted almonds, spritz cookies, several versions of pfeffernuesse and a variety of other homemade treats, provided a “taste” of German Christmas celebrations. The beautiful service and the delectable foods combined to give attendees a glimpse of Christmas past in the Emmaus Lutheran tradition.
PRESS PHOTOS BY BEVERLY SPRINGERABOVE: One of the traditional desserts served at the fellowship hour at St. John’s Lutheran Church’s German service is spritz cookies.
LEFT: Ted and Sarajane Williams play the guitar and harp, respectively, a lovely enhancement to the service. Story and additional photos appear on Page A2.
PRESS PHOTOS BY BEVERLY SPRINGERPastor Roger Timm leads the liturgy in German.
Sara Kroboth reads the lessons in German.
Mike Garrison also reads the lessons in German.
St. John’s Interim Pastor Woody Maxon delivers the sermon in English.
Ruth Kemmerer and Diane Felegy appear to be debating which cookie to eat first.
Pat Walker makes her cookie selections with care.
Volunteer Jenn Anders refills the rapidly depleted cookie trays.
Wendy Tamandl, Lynne Auger and Jutta Connolly enjoy food and fellowship.
Ron Schuler and his son-in-law Michael Hoffman enjoy the fellowship hour.
