Jotting From St. John's
- jordanrhoat
- Jul 1
- 11 min read
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
Loysburg, PA 16659............July 2025
St. John's Established One New Reformed Church Plant in Late 1800s
by David Snyder
According to the Waterman--Watkins History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton
Counties (1884), St. John's Reformed in Loysburg had membership exceeding 100. At
the same time, the Waterside Presbyterian Church had 60 members. A decade later, as
the Presbyterian membership declined and the Reformed membership grew, the
Waterside church disbanded and the Loysburg church bought the frame structure. It was
disassembled and rebuilt about 1889-91 at Lafayetteville ("Flitch") in Bloomfield
Township. A new Reformed congregation was developed in that vicinity and was named
St. Paul's Reformed.
In 1921, a severe wind storm twisted the building so badly it was considered
unsafe to repair. Beverly Smith's parents, Carrie and Mark, lived near the church. They
and the Harrison Settlemeyer family at that point transferred attendance to St. John's
since automobiles were making travel easier than horse and buggies. The organ in the
Lafayetteville church was later donated and is still in use at Old Bedford Village. I'm
guessing it was a reed "pump" organ, similar to one that had been used in the Loysburg
church before pianos became affordable and long before electronic organs were invented.
Quiet Power: Saying Yes and Watching God Move
by Jordan Rhoat
Over the past month, I’ve found myself immersed in something I never expected:
organizing, connecting, and showing up for local nonprofits. I don’t have a background
in this work. No training. No title. Just a calling I couldn’t ignore, a deep sense that
God was inviting me to do something that might make this community stronger.
So I said yes.
That yes led to conversations with leaders and directors across Bedford County,
people holding up corners of this region with little more than faith and presence.
At one pregnancy resource center, the director holds a fulltime job while also taking
middle-of-the-night calls from girls in crisis, sometimes just to pray with them. Her adult
son with special needs volunteers alongside her. Her mother helps, too. No spotlight.
No platform. Just a family quietly showing up where they’re needed most.
At a recovery ministry, another woman, recently diagnosed with Lyme disease,
like her husband, told me something I’ll never forget: “Sometimes God puts us through
something so we can better help someone else.” She didn’t offer that with bitterness.
She said it with peace, because she believed it. This organization has a man in one of
their recovery ministries dealing with the same health issues. The coincidence was not
lost on her.
I also met with someone just starting a ministry. Some doors were opening, like a
rented space miraculously offered at half-price with no time limit. Other doors were still
shut tight. She didn’t have all the answers. But she kept going. We ended our meeting
holding hands and praying for each other, and as we prayed, tears streamed down her
face. God is in this work. He will open doors to help people if you just ask Him. That
day, I realized something: I wasn’t just observing. I was placed. God was aligning my
gifts with someone else’s need, right in real time.
And then, on a warm Tuesday morning, I hosted an event I wasn’t sure anyone
would attend. Over twenty leaders from local nonprofits, support agencies, and
ministries gathered in the Bedford County Courthouse to hear a presentation about
another nonprofit’s work. Their interest was so strong, their engagement so clear, that
the organization made a decision a few days later to move forward with opening a new
branch in Bedford County!
God did that.
I was just obedient.
And through all of this, there was one phrase I heard more than once from
nonprofit directors, said not with bitterness, but with clarity: “We wouldn’t need to do
this if the church was doing its job.”
The hardest people to get to that meeting weren’t agency staff or volunteers. It
was pastors. And I say that with love, not judgment. I reached out to them the most.
They showed up the least.
I believe the church is called to be at the center of this kind of work, not just in
theory, but in presence. These organizations shouldn’t have to stand in the gap alone.
We are the body of Christ. And that body is meant to move.
I didn’t have a map when I started. I still don’t. But I’ve learned something vital,
something that was spoken to me by a local director I now consider a mentor. I now text
her frequently! She’s retiring soon, and when we met, it felt like she was handing the
baton to someone new in the arena. She tapped her finger on the wooden table, in her
organization’s kitchen, while we shared coffee, and began to draw a slow spiral outward.
“It all starts here,” she said, “with a relationship with Jesus. And everything flows out
from that. It’s all about relationships.”
That truth hit deeper than she knew. Because for much of my life, I didn’t want
God to use my disability. I didn’t see it as a gift. I saw it as the thing that disqualified
me from every space imaginable. I let the world and the enemy convince me I had
nothing to offer.
But in this past month, I’ve seen how God can use the very thing I used to hide.
In fact, he prefers it!
There is something disarming about humility. Something relational about
brokenness when it’s surrendered. And somehow, here I am: a man with a disability,
covered in tattoos, sitting at the table with directors, ministries, and organizations...not
because I earned it, but because God called me.
I will no longer hold my gift away from Him.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is
now being done." (Genesis 50:20).
That morning was a win.
And no one can take it away.
Because it wasn’t mine to begin with.
VBS: Faith Expedition
-by Tina Holderbaum (VBS director)
Vacation Bible School was a huge success this year. We averaged 30-some
children in attendance each day. The theme was Faith Expedition: God's Treasure
Revealed. X marks the spot is a phrase associated with expeditions and treasure hunts as
adventurers set off to seek fame and fortune. The skits performed during opening
assembly (designed to introduce the daily biblical truth in a fun and exciting way) were
performed by Lucy Gunnett and Brystal Leach and showed our theme for each day. Day
1—Follow: Chris and Kelly begin their expeditions of faith and follow different routes to
Egypt. Day 2—Believe: Chris seeks to "get rich quick," while Kelly uses the clues to
follow God's plan. Day 3—Obey: Kelly convinces Chris that God's Word to understand
His plan will lead them to the treasure. Day 4—Repent: Chris realizes that the treasure
they seek is not worldly riches, but the grace of God that is given freely to His children.
Day 5—Share: Chris and Kelly want to continue to follow God's plan to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Everyone did an amazing job with teaching. The expedition sites included the fueling site (the children ate healthy snacks and drinks to fuel their day), music site (students had a great time praising the Lord through songs), craft site (the children created a keepsake of their experiences at VBS, and recreation site (daily lessons were reinforced through games and supervised physical activity). We raised money this year for the Bedford Humane Society, and the total was $178.88 and a couple bags of treats for the pets there were also donated. I used the money to buy
additional items that were needed for the Bedford Humane Society. I would like to thank everyone involved this year; it was great.
St. John’s Women’s Guild - June 13, 2025 –
8 Ladies Present
Overview and Highlights of Program:
Barb Thomas opened in prayer and started the program for the evening. Barb's
inspiration was a card she found recently with the phrase “Living Simply, taking the time
to be, breathe deeply, Sit Quietly, absorb the beauty, in living in the moment, witnessing
flowers, blooming with color and vitality!"
Barb told the story of St. Seraphim of Sarov, a Russian Monk who spent 15 years
in a monastery cell, devoted to scriptures and the church. Many people learned from his
studies after he emerged back into society. Barb introduced the phrase—an “Attitude of
Quiet-tude” and asked, "Are the things in our life stumbling blocks to sitting quietly?"
Multitasking- Does it help or hinder us? This practice tends to distract us from
God and people around us. Be open, approachable, and allow God to zero in on
you.
Do you compare yourself to others? Can we be too loud or too quiet? God
created many types of personalities- all want to be loved and heard, which
strengthens our love in the Lord.
How would 1 hour of quiet change your life? Make it God’s time—No matter
how hectic and challenging life gets. It’s okay to slow down and breathe.
Take some time to Sit Quietly, breathe, and take God’s love in as it fills us up.
Barb gave Psalm 131:2 as scripture to reference: "But I have calmed and quieted
myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am
content."
Barb mentioned how Monks use candles as a visible symbol of God and bringing
the light before Christ. Barb encouraged the ladies present to intently reflect and
prepare for the service as the candles get lit on Sunday mornings-- bringing
Christ’s presence into the sanctuary.
Barb led the group in singing "Near to the Heart of God" and then closed the
program in prayer.
Business at Hand:
Thank you to committee that organized the Mother/Daughter social- nearly 50
attendees- all enjoyed and great feedback.
Parsonage update- Kim Rodgers informed the group there is bathroom work being
done at the present, and painting will be done afterwards at some point.
Thank you to everyone that helped with the Easter Sunrise breakfast.
Cindy Johnson received a Thank you note from Homewood for the May Birthdays,
also was a picture of the beautiful cake.
Church Family Picnic Friday July 11, 6:00 p.m.- Marsie and Cindy will provide
hamburgers, hotdogs, water, and kid drinks. Please bring a covered dish to share.
The area is wheelchair accessible.
Hoffman Home- Barb informed the group she had reached out several times to
Hoffman Homes about a private group tour/visit, and has not had success. She relays
the focus of the home appears to be more mental health focus, which does equate to
more security needed. Barb will continue to share the events Hoffman Homes has in
their newsletters (fundraisers and open houses).
Harvest Home Speaker for Sunday, October 19 will be Janet Sell.
Auction to raise funds for the Guild will be November 1, 5:00 p.m. Start thinking of
items, services, baskets to bring for auction. Shelley to discuss possibility of food
trucks with Marsie and Cindy.
New Business:
Barb mentioned the fall retreat at Camp Sequanota will be September 26 and 27 and
cost $90 per person for overnight. More info to come in July.
Sandy mentioned about the oven needing to be cleaned and would like a sign put on
the oven to ensure it’s cleaned after use if dirtied. Debbie will clean the oven.
Beverly is going to buy a silicone mat for inside.
Barb informed the group the children’s Christmas costumes have been discarded in
the attic cleanout and will be notifying the Children’s Department of this.
Beverly made a motion to supply the paper products for the church retreat in
September, Kim seconded, all in favor.
Shelley closed in prayer.
Next business meeting will be August 8, at 6 p.m., program by Debbie Bowser,
Hostesses will be Tina H. and Donna S.
-Submitted by Julie Russell
A Note from Dave Snyder to Church Friends
I want to thank all those who expressed sympathy to me and my sisters, Jean
Wakefield and Mary Hall, on the passing of our brother George in early May. George's
wife Patricia and daughters Laura Hamburger and Jill Rodland also appreciate the
concern shown for them at this time.
George was my younger brother and grew up in St. John's when it was safe for
Loysburgers to walk to church and Sunday School. After school age, like my father and
uncles, George rarely attended church unless it was for a friend's funeral. George, who
was my next door neighbor in downtown Loysburg and was acquainted with Pastor
Meckley, was well known in the Southern Cove. He owned the farm just north of town,
where the Loysburg bypass of Rt. 36 begins, and was part owner and manager of the family farm, where I live. He was the chief maintenance officer of the Waterside - Loysburg Water System, succeeding our father in that position upon our dad's death in 1961.
George passed away during surgery at Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, where a stent was being placed in his esophagus after it was discovered that a cancerous growth had been blocking his esophagus for several months and he was no longer able to take nourishment.
Again, thank you all. Dave Snyder
From the Consistory President
By Joel Ritchey
The consistory met on June 12, 2025, in the basement of the church. It was a
rather quiet meeting this month. Things seem to be rather quiet at this time in the pastor
search and interim pastor search as the processes continue to play out. We will keep
everyone updated as things progress. Christopher reported we have supply pastors set up
through July, and he continues to do a good job in filling the pulpit on Sundays. The
Consistory had previously approved a bid to begin work on expanding the bathroom in
the parsonage, and that work is currently underway. There were no other updates on the
parsonage at this meeting. Jordan’s request to design T-shirts for the church was
discussed and a plan put together. Joel met with Jordan, and his committee will come up
with a design (to include the logo) and a possible slogan for the shirts, and he will submit
them for final approval from the consistory. Once that is done, orders for T-shirts and/or
sweatshirts will be taken. The goal is to have everything completed in time to have a
group photo taken with everyone displaying their gear during the fall retreat at Camp
Mantowagan. With vacations and different events going on throughout the summer, the
consistory voted to take their summer break in July and will next meet on August 14,
2025. Rest assured we continue to work behind the scenes on the pastor searches and
other church business and will meet as needed and keep you posted on developments as
they occur.
LOOKING AHEAD
Church Family Picnic July 11, 6:00 p.m., hosted by Marsie & Cindy. Bring a
covered dish to share. Hamburgers, hotdogs, water, and juice boxes will be
provided. Same location as last year.
Church Family Retreat at Camp Mantowagan September 12, 13 & 14
Southern Gospel Sing with Good Time Gospel Quartet will be at “The Barn at
Homestead Manor” on Sept. 20, 2025. Time to be announced. Food and craft
vendors will also be present.
4 C’s Ladies Fall Retreat Friday evening/Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27, at
Sequanota Conference Center near Jennerstown. Our theme is “Jesus is a Girl’s
Best Friend.” Sessions are designed to rest, regroup, and refresh us in a deeper
relationship with Jesus as we dig deep into gospel lessons and His forever
friendship. Time away from daily demands may give each lady a fresh
perspective! Registration forms will be available in July. See Barb Thomas for
more information.
Ladies Encounter Fall Event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, from
9:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. at the Grace Fellowship in Leamersville. The speaker is
Cindy Foor. For more info, email celeste@breezeline.net
Women's Guild Auction November 1, 5:00 p.m.
JULY PRAYER CONCERNS:
Eileen Adams, Ashtin Caruso family (grieving), Gloria Clapper's niece & new baby,
Jerry Clapper, Amy Davis, Aaron Gable, Dennis Holderbaum, Tre Houck, Joe (Deb
Bowser's great nephew), Grace King, family of Brian Long (grieving), Quinton Morrow,
Charlie Mountain, Joy Nelson, Betsy Rupp, Kelly Schibi, David Shanholtz, John
Thomas, Sheldon Weaver
Just One
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise your spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see, it's up to you!
-Submitted by Deb Bowser
CALENDAR
Acolytes:
July 6 –Sole Rhoat
July 13-Grayson Rodgers
July 20-Janie Russell
July 27-Sole Rhoat
Music Ministry:
July 6 –Laurie Stiles
July 13-Choir
July 20-Jordan Rhoat
July 27-Jack Styer
Children's Moment:
July 6 –Laurie Stiles
July 13-Beth Clark
July 20-
July 27-
Altar Flowers:
July 6 & 13-Kimberly Rodgers
July 20 & 27-Lauren Sell
Birthdays:
2-Darl Ritchey
12-Kendy Gable
14-Cathy Snider
16-Deegan Wertz
20-Barb Thomas
20-Lucy Gunnett
21-Finnick Reid McEwen
22-Dana Sell
22-Max Wertz
23-Grayson Rodgers
23-Julianna May Hall
30-Winnie Kurtz
30-Rosie Ray Kurtz
31-Birch Snider
Anniversaries:
26-Greg & Julie Russell
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