St John’s Lutheran Church ELCA

Attended a memorial service and Celebration of Life at this church with a reception that followed. I recall that unlike in the Catholic churches I’m used to, they let you take the bread yourself and dip it into the wine — brilliant idea if you ask me. The services were beautiful and the deceased was honored well. The church is located at the corner of 17^th and L streets with parking in the garage behind. The area downstairs for the reception was spacious and easily accommodated everyone. Church members were very nice, I really felt that all were welcome.

St. John’s Lutheran Church inspiring mission, «Live God’s Love in the World» is shown by the warm and friendly pastors, the congregation and its activities. St. Johns started the St. Johns Shelter for Women and Children and facilitated it becoming a non profit to obtain grants and donations in addition to church support. Part of the church message is that it is an urban church helping to address social issues in Sacramento, e.g. Food Bank, the homeless, and other issues. St. Johns focuses on its youth and all ages of its members. The church and sanctuary are beautiful with a wonderful sounding organ and choir. I was raised a Lutheran and have always appreciated the progressive Lutheran faith.

How does one review a church? St John’s Lutheran Church has been in downtown Sacramento for a very long time and is easily recognizable as that old church on L Street. The building is in the grand classic cathedral style with high ceilings and wonderful masonry. There is no parking at the church, but you can use the parking garage behind the complex on K Street.
Inside is where the church is a real treat. The church has a huge pipe organ with a full choral and instrumental compliment. The pews are somewhat basic, but nothing uncomfortable. The pastors and staff are very nice and friendly and love their work. The services are based on the ELCA branch of the Lutheran Church with contemporary options.
The facility is perfect for weddings and other religious events. The grand altar and entrance are excellent photo opportunities and are equally inspirational for everyone else. Sacramento is lucky to have such a nice church tucked in the heart of Midtown.

This rating is only in regards to their FOOD BANK on Thursdays. It is a small one, & they never give us a complete meal 1 or 2 key ingredient s will be missing! The staff is mostly CRANKY! Except for the ladies who sign us in & Bennard! They always have a friendly smile & we are greeted so warmly by them! The guy who watches the lines is sooooo mean, rude, even nasty to those of us in line! I don’t know why he’s so rude and gets away with it saying «I’m only a volunteer»!! Like that’s an excuse to treat down and out folks badly!!! Well like I said nothing to do with the beautiful old Church!!!

I’ve been looking for a Traditional Lutheran Church for quite some time now. I grew up going to a VERY conservative Church and have not been able to find a church similar. St. John’s is a good mix of Traditional Liturgy with and Urban touch. I enjoy their music selections tremendously. Keep in mind, at the 9 AM service the music is played on the organ and piano. Lovely!

SIT-​REP
After work, I like to walk all over downtown Sacramento since I have the WANDERLUST. But on this particular day, when I was not paying attention to where I was going, I wandered *SMACK* into a significant piece of personal history in my life…
…“Holy Moly! I got married here!“
THE SET-​UP
Yeah, what can I say. I accidentally took a walk down memory lane in a BIG WAY. I may no longer be married, but such is life…
In analysis, there was nothing wrong with my wedding experience that happened at that time. My former boss GREG happened to be a member of this church. Stephanie and I were looking for a nice place to get married. So Greg kindly put us in touch with the staff of St. John’s Lutheran Church and we got the ball rolling…
I have to give big props to the whole church staff. The pastor set Stephanie and I up for a series of pre-​marital counseling sessions that delved deep into our backgrounds, our attitudes about relationships, our awareness of religion, and many other nuanced subjects (hint: we PROBABLY should have been paying better attention!)
The wedding coordinator that St. John’s provided was an exuberant woman who pretty much catered to Stephanie’s whims and desires as far as wedding formats go. I got to make my sister a groomswomen and Stephanie got to make her brother a bridesmen.
And though the church provided much of the musical accompanient, I was able to bring my god-​sister Hollis in to play the harp.
So the ceremony was pretty fantastic actually. Unfortunately, we had problems with the reception site (which used to be the venue AMERICA LIVE in the downtown plaza, which went defunct years ago), and then Stephanie and I got into a HUGE big-​ass fight on our honeymoon in the EMPRESS HOTEL on Victoria Island, British Columbia, and so things spiraled downward pretty fast and out of control… but that’s ANOTHER page-​turner of a story that at least ended up where I’m STILL ALIVE and NOT IN JAIL. (But it may be a lifetime before I recover financially from that little dalliance… heheh…
THE LOWDOWN
GREAT CHURCH for WEDDINGS! Hell Yeah! Tell them EL DIABLO sent you… ;^D

This review isn’t for the religion or the regular church services here but rather for how I was treated at a recent family member’s funeral.
You see, we had to drive several hours in the early morning to arrive at the church on time for the funeral and I have a 14 month old son. He was big time crabby when we got there and in no mood to actually be in the service. (Another family member had specifically requested that we bring him, otherwise I would have made other arrangements.)
The nice folks here showed me where the nursery was and let us hang out and play in the nursery during the service, rather than stand around in a foyer with a crabby baby. Very friendly, very polite, very understanding. Very much appreciated.

It’s taken me a long time to find a great church to go to, let alone a Lutheran church. I’ve been to churches all over California and usually am not impressed with their sermons or the attitude of those who attend. Typically Lutheran churches are extremely traditional in fashion and in preaching, and this church does have an early traditional service at 9am. The contemporary service at 11:30am is the one I attend regularly and I love it. Pastor Scot & Frank are wonderful, Pastor Scot is like a humbled actor when he’s telling a tale it’s so refreshing. I actually look forward to attending services at St. John’s which hasn’t happened since I was a child going to church in Vallejo. I’ve been going here for a year as of May, I even got my dad to come which is beyond rare if it’s not Christmas or Easter. I’d recommend to check it out if you’re looking to have your spirits lifted. I just wish I could find a Gospel Choir to join here, but that’s another story.
Parking is available in their paid for garage on 18^th & K. There’s a sign saying St. John’s parking with an arrow so you can’t miss it. It’s free during service.

Love it. By the book Lutheran church but still has room to be liberal within its beliefs. Beautiful pipe organ as well.