Our Staff
Pastor Jeremy Ullrich
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Rev. Jeremy Ullrich was installed as new pastor at St. John Lutheran Church on Sunday, March 14, 2021. Rev. Heath Abel of Temple presided. Pastor Ullrich grew up in Brenham, Texas, and attended Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas, where he met his future wife Amanda Schnelle Ullrich. After graduating from TLU, the Ullrichs both attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Ullrichs come to Bartlett from Lubbock, where he served as Pastor of Shepherd King Lutheran Church in Lubbock and she served as Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Levelland and St. Martin Lutheran Church in Littlefield. The Ullrichs have three children, Joel, age 4, Lydia, age 2 and Susanna, who was born the day after Christmas.
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Church Secretary Christine Garcia
St. John's new Church Secretary started work in February.
Christine Garcia was born in Dallas but grew up in the small town of Acuff, Texas near Lubbock. She describes Acuff as just a few buildings. She worked in the law enforcement field for several years, including work as a counselor, and is trained as a probation officer. She was recently employed with Prospect Air Services at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in a job that required multi-tasking and took up long hours, so much so that the quieter atmosphere of a rural church appealed to her.
She currently resides in Temple with her husband, Juan, who is employed as a teacher in Round Rock. Between them they have seven children. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and watching her husband rebuild hot rods.
Christine Garcia was born in Dallas but grew up in the small town of Acuff, Texas near Lubbock. She describes Acuff as just a few buildings. She worked in the law enforcement field for several years, including work as a counselor, and is trained as a probation officer. She was recently employed with Prospect Air Services at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in a job that required multi-tasking and took up long hours, so much so that the quieter atmosphere of a rural church appealed to her.
She currently resides in Temple with her husband, Juan, who is employed as a teacher in Round Rock. Between them they have seven children. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and watching her husband rebuild hot rods.
Organist Debra Janke Caldwell
Born and raised in rural Bartlett, Debra began her music career in 1962 when she was in the second grade. Miss Eileen Sides was her piano teacher for three years. After Miss Sides married and moved to Ohio, Mrs. Bracher, the wife of the current pastor in 1965, offered to give Debra organ lessons. Debra studied the technique of pedals and pipes and began performing solos during the offertories and communion services at St. John, Bartlett. She continued her studies after graduating from high school and college. Debra returned to Bartlett in 1983 and became the supply organist at St. John Lutheran Church. Later, Prince of Peace Lutheran in Thrall, Texas, needed a full-time organist so Debra filled the position as their choir director and organist from 1998-2001.
Her love for playing the pipe organ at her home church was given new expression when she interviewed for the position of organist at St. John in 2016 and was selected to serve as full-time organist for the 137-year-old congregation. Debra currently teaches English at Bartlett High School where she graduated in 1971. She attended Temple College 1971-1973 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1975. She obtained her Masters Degree in Education from UMHB in 1989.
Psalm 100 (KJV)
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.
Her love for playing the pipe organ at her home church was given new expression when she interviewed for the position of organist at St. John in 2016 and was selected to serve as full-time organist for the 137-year-old congregation. Debra currently teaches English at Bartlett High School where she graduated in 1971. She attended Temple College 1971-1973 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1975. She obtained her Masters Degree in Education from UMHB in 1989.
Psalm 100 (KJV)
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.