Welcome to St. John United Methodist Church

The Mission of St. John United Methodist Church is to grow disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, and to be a welcoming family, joyfully sharing God’s light.

Worship services at 8:00, 9:15 & 11:30 am

We believe that you belong to God. We strive to be a welcoming family, and to celebrate the diversity each person brings, but like all families, we are not always so successful. Our members are politically diverse, but united by the love of God. We try hard to love and serve our neighbors and community. No matter your doubts and questions, your race or ethnicity, your political persuasions, your age, economic status, physical or mental abilities, your sexual orientation, your gender identity, no matter whom you call family, we hope to welcome you into the St. John family. We invite you to come as you are, for you are loved by God.

**Watch services at 9:15 (traditional) and 11:30 (contemporary) live or later on our YouTube channel**

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Youth

Adults

Outreach

What’s Happening

Featured

Coming November 2

This communion and All Saints Sunday Pastor Andy Bartel brings the message “Generational Gratitude.” Services are at 8:00, 9:15 and 11:30 a.m., with the later two services livestreamed on YouTube.

Lucy Phyllis Smith Memorial Service

The memorial service for Lucy Phyllis Smith will be held at St. John United Methodist Church on Thursday, November 6, at 2:30 p.m. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed here.

Western Alaska Disaster Response

We join in prayer for all who have been impacted by Typhoon Halong. We know homes have been swept away and destroyed by flooding and hurricane-force winds, especially in the communities of Kwigillingok, Kipnuk, Napakiak, and Tuntutuliak where the storm hit the hardest. We pray especially for those who are missing, for their loved ones, and for those who have lost their livelihoods and homes. We know recovery support will be needed for these communities. You can support these efforts financially by giving here and choosing Western Alaska Disaster Response #674.

Welcome Point offered

Are you relatively new to St. John? Do you want to learn more about membership? Join the pastors at Welcome Point on November 2, 9, and 16.

Green Bean Blessing

Thank you for your continued generosity in helping to feed those in our community who do not have enough to eat. We are now collecting green beans for the annual Thanksgiving Blessing - it is St. John's part in providing holiday dinners to families in need. We have purchased 2,000 cans from the Food Bank of Alaska, so monetary donations are appreciated. You can give here. However, we are also collecting cans of green beans if you wish to donate in that manner.

Basic Lay Servant Ministry Course 2025

The Rev. Andy Bartel, pastor at St. John UMC Anchorage, will be teaching a Basic Lay Servant Ministry Course. The class will be held on Sundays, November 2 through 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. AKST. This will be a hybrid class, meeting in person at St. John UMC or via Zoom. Register here.

Birchwood Camp Dinner and Auction

Please join us at Birchwood Camp November 15 for a nice dinner and auction. There is no charge for the dinner, but donations to defer the cost will be happily accepted. The lodge only seats 100 people comfortably so please register your attendance here at your earliest convenience. Silent auction festivities will start at 4:00 in Fireweed Hall with dinner starting at 6:00 in the Main Lodge. As part of the dinner, a brief overview of Camp highlights will be presented ahead of a “live” auction including two Girdwood weekend get-aways and the Denali Car trip to Seward on the Alaska Railroad for 18 people.

Wednesday Night Supper

Baked Ziti and Yellow Cake will be served on November 5. Supper starts at 5:15 and runs until “about” 6:00 or 6:15. Suggested donation is $10/plate and $5/half plate but please just pay as you can. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available.

Greeters needed!

Are you looking for a chance to get involved at St. John, meet new friends, and be a welcoming presence in the community? If any of those apply to you, you’re ready to be a greeter on Sunday mornings! We’re hoping to get as many folks as possible involved, so if you’re available even one Sunday this year, reach out to Pastor Adam at pastoradam@stjohnanchorage.org and they will get you on the schedule!

Worship band song list is growing on Spotify

Our praise band literally ROCKS! Do you love singing along with them on Sundays but are not sure how the song goes? Well, now you can practice ahead of time! Our band leaders post Sunday's songs on a Spotify list a few days before worship. You can view this week’s songs or choose from a growing library of songs the praise band plays here. You'll need a Spotify account to listen (it's free).

Pickleball is on Sundays and (most) Thursdays

Come play pickleball on Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in the gym (except the 3rd Thursday). All levels are welcome.

Cookies for Sundays

Fellowship time is better with a cookie! Can you help supply cookies for one Sunday? Sign up here to bring 3 dozen peanut-free/nut-free cookies - they can be homemade or store-bought. Cookies will need to be brought to the church by 10 a.m. Sunday, or by noon Friday.

Monthly Mobile Food Pantry

St. John’s Mobile Food Pantry is every 3rd Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. in the church parking lot. The next one is November 20. To volunteer at St. John’s MFP, sign up here.

To find other resources for food in Southcentral, check the Food Bank of Alaska website or F.I.S.H. (Friends in Serving Humanity). For other types of assistance, call 2-1-1 or go to Alaska211.org.

Do you have our church app?

St. John has a church app! Find all the important things in one place – current events, our Giving link, the Connect Card, the newsletter, the prayer chain and more. If you enable notifications, you can receive important announcements such as “Wednesday Night Supper and activities canceled due to snowstorm.” (We promise not to blast out too many notifications.)

Interested? Go to your app store and search for Ministry Keeper. The logo is gold with a black MK (see image above). Or use the links here for Apple and Android. When searching for our church, type in St. John United Methodist Church – and be sure to include the period in “St.” Check it out and let us know what you think!