Hello,

My name is Willard Uhler, and I am Pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 99 Church street in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. 

I want to welcome you to visit our web-site and invite you to participate in our congregational activities.

During the month of July, I had the privilege to speak with the Lutheran Lancaster Historical Society concerning the history of St. John’s.  As I gathered the information I happened to not only read about the stained glass window on Christ’s Ascension, I looked at it very closely, once again. 

As I meditated on that window, I could not help but think of the words we often use in the benediction: “The Lord bless you and keep you.”  (Number 6:24).  Jesus often blessed the people.  He knew that they/we need his blessing.  The last time the disciples saw Jesus, he was rising from earth into heaven. In viewing the other stained glass windows I noticed how Jesus was always blessing them in service.  We experience this on the stained glass windows that depict his preaching and healing.  Now, as he was ascending, as he was rising to heaven from earth, he was able to continue to bless us all forever, by ruling in heaven and earth. 

Now he rules to lead you, forgiven and free from sin’s guilt and power, on a journey of blessing.  Luke tells us that when Jesus ascended into heaven, his hands were raised in blessing (Luke 24:50). 

That is good news because our life’s journey consists of aimless wandering.

Maybe this summer we may have traveled on a vacation.  We may take a journey to take our children off to college, or we may be taking a family member to the hospital or we may be processing to the cemetery.   The good news for us is that we are never traveling alone. 

God’s blessing covers all of our journeys.  He rose and ascended in blessing that we might rise and follow in faith.

 May the Lord continue to bless you!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Uhler