About

“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and each will receive wages according to their own labor. For we are God’s coworkers, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.” – 1 Corinthians 3:7-9

Church Campus

History

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church is located in Pflugerville, Texas (map). It was established on January 6, 1878 by German immigrant families in the Richland community in northeast Travis County. Many descendants of those early church founders are still active members. Click the following links to read more about the history of St. John and Richland:

St. John began in the tradition of the German Evangelical Synod of North America and formally joined the Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1951. In 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Churches to form the United Church of Christ.

In 2010, St. John joined the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). LCMC churches shape their ministry to meet the needs of the congregation and local community while also remaining committed to Lutheran doctrines and ministry standards.

St. John is located in a rapidly growing area. As the population grows and the land around it changes, St. John is committed to sustaining and celebrating its familial culture, authentic German-American heritage, rural campus, and beautiful 1920s sanctuary while welcoming and ministering to new residents in the Pflugerville area. We invite everyone to join us in our joyous Christian journey of purpose, service, and hope!

Doctrine

St. John is a Lutheran church that recognizes and celebrates the traditional values and radical spirit of the Reformation, particularly the witness and teaching of Martin Luther and his followers. Our beliefs are summarized in the LCMC Statement of Faith.

St. John was founded to establish and maintain a Christian organization for worship and fellowship, devout practice of Holy Communion and Holy Baptism, promotion of the Christian life, and development of the Kingdom of God.

Membership at St. John is open to any person who has been baptized and has made a public confession of faith. Members pledge to attend regular worship services and the celebration of Holy Communion; live the Christian life; share in the life and work of the church; contribute to its support; and seek diligently the spiritual welfare of the church and community.

Christian Life

God knows that humanity is vulnerable to its fragile emotions (John 11:35) and limited understanding (Isaiah 55:8), so He gives us three ways to nurture, strengthen, and protect our relationship with Him.

1. Personal Relationship with God

God calls every person to a personal relationship with Him. Scripture tells us that when we seek God, He is also seeking us.

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8

The personal devotional life, embodied in prayer and meditation, is vital to a vibrant Christian faith. Reading and studying the Bible is also an important part of this daily discipline. St. John helps individual believers develop a rewarding and meaningful personal devotional life.

2. Sabbath and Worship Life

Martin Luther taught that the Sabbath has two components: worship and rest. Worship includes hearing, reading, preaching, and teaching from the Bible; praying; singing hymns and other songs of praise; tithing; and celebrating Holy Communion and Holy Baptism.

“A sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us make every effort to enter that rest.” – Hebrews 4:9-11

Rest means taking a break from the routines and responsibilities that consume our time the rest of the week. Like Jesus, who often went alone to a quiet place to escape the chaos of the crowds, God made the Sabbath to be a time and place where we can be renewed, restored, and refreshed, and where we can experience his gentle care for our weary souls through rest from the burdens of the world.

3. Small Group and Fellowship Life

Small groups are where intimate relationships between brothers and sisters in Christ are created and nurtured. Connecting with other Christians in small groups helps people know and be known, love and be loved, celebrate and be celebrated, teach and be taught. Jesus modeled this behavior when he summoned his apostles. St. John organizes several small groups and encourages all of its members to participate.

Cemetery

St. John is proud to provide burial rights to its members and friends. The Richland Cemetery, owned and operated by St. John, is an official Historical Cemetery of Texas. The cemetery is open to the public during daylight hours, but vehicles may not enter without prior permission.

Cemetery records can be found at the Find-a-Grave website.

Cemetery sextons are Rodney Gebert, James Hamann, and Tammy Kelley. Please contact James Hamann to purchase burial rights or for any other questions. Burial rights cost $500 for members and $2500 for non-members.