Bethlehem Lutheran Church LCMS, Johnson City, TN

Steven Harmon Pastor	Pastor Harmon is not a native to Tennessee. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in the suburbs south of Chicago and in the Akron area of Ohio. He graduated with a degree in Psychology from Kent State University. He attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri graduating in 1987. He was ordained on July 12, 1987 at Faith Lutheran in Humboldt, Nebraska and celebrated the 20th anniversary of his ordination this summer. He met Patty while attending Kent State (at a non-denominational Bible study and at Lutheran Campus Ministries). They gave themselves in marriage on September 6, 1980. They have six children (four in college and two still at home). They recently welcomed into their home an energetic puppy – Toby by name – so they really have three children still at home. Pastor Harmon’s hobbies include trying to stay in shape by riding his bike to work and playing softball, tennis, and basketball (mostly in the driveway with the kids). He helps coach baseball at Providence Academy and in the Johnson City Babe Ruth League. He is also a long time Cubs fan – a result of listening to Jack Brickhouse do the play by play and watching Ernie Banks on WGN (when it was just a local independent TV station).



Susan Burkey Administrative Assistant to the Pastor	Susan is a native of Johnson City and a lifelong member of Bethlehem. Her grandfather, C. B. Propst was a founding father of Bethlehem. She is a 1969 graduate of East Tennessee State University holding a B.S. in Accounting. She retired as Assistant Registrar at ETSU in June 06 with 33 years of service. She has served as church secretary for Bethlehem since 1974 and assumed the full-time position of Office Manager in July 2006. She currently serves as Administrative Assistant to the Pastor. She also sings in the choir, plays Hand Bells, is active in the Children’s Ministry, is a member of the Working Women’s Bible Study group and Tuesday Morning Ladies’ Bible Study group. She is active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and currently serves as Recording Secretary for the East TN Zone LWML and is a member of the Christian Life Committee for the Mid-South District LWML. She also serves as President of the Appalachian Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. She surrently serves as president of the Johnson City Monday Club Auxiliary, is advisor to GFWC of TN District 1 and serves as Credential Chairman for GFWC of TN., serves on the Friends of the Library Board as secretary, is a member of the ETSU Retirees’ Association and is a “baby” blood donor with the American Red Cross. She was married to her late husband Mike for 36 years and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, music and Savannah, GA!


Isaac James Youth Director	Isaac James grew up in Racine, Wisconsin where his father is the pastor of a local church. He graduated Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL, in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Music with an emphasis in Organ Performance. After graduation he moved to Johnson City, TN to work for R. A. Colby organ Company. He began attending Bethlehem in April 2009 and became involved with handbell choir, adult choir and teaching Sunday School. Laid off in January 2010 he worked several temporary jobs. July 1, 2010 he became the part-time Youth Director at Bethlehem. He is a member of the local American Guild of Organist and is a substitute organist in the area. He spends his leisure time reading and running.

Ray Tipton Music Ministries Director - Church Organist and Pianist, Adult Choir and Adult Handbell Choir Director	Native of Erwin, Tennessee. Graduated from Unicoi County High School and ETSU (B.S. Speech/Broadcast/Music/Business Management, Master in Art of Teaching, and M.Ed. Reading/Mathematics). Post Grad study UT in Speech. E.E.T. in Computers Capitol in Washington DC. Taught private music lessons for over 30 years, Jonesborough Middle School (4th Grade and Music), Washington College Academy (Math, Speech, Drama), ETSU (Speech and Debate), and retired as Associate Professor of Speech at Walters State Community College August 2008. He has been Organist/Choir Director for over 55 years serving various churches. He was almost continuously a Chapel Organist with Air Force, Army, and Navy chapels while serving 10 years as Hospital Corpsman/X-Ray Tech with US Navy. Memberships held in American Theatre Organist Society, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Early Music America, The Organ Historical Society and the American Legion.