ST. JAMES
MISSION STATEMENT
By God’s grace,
following Christ,
and led by the spirit,
we love, worship, learn, and serve others
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Advent is a strange word meaning "coming." When one anticipates or expects that something or someone is coming, there is usually excitement, or anxiety (depending on what or who is on its way). For the Christian, Advent brings excitement as one anticipates the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. His coming brings hope and renewal. It brings forgiveness, second chances, and tomorrows--forever-tomorrows.
Advent has a double connotation. It not only brings the Good News of a Savior coming to "dwell among us" on Christmas. It also announces the (big word here, folks--hold on) "parousia"--the second coming of Christ in glory at the end of the world. In either case, the Great Lover of Souls, Jesus Christ, comes to deliver ... to bring about peace on earth! For the Christian, both arrivals bring ultimate joy!
The title for this year’s series of mid-week Advent services is “STIRRING UP ADVENT--RECIPES FOR RELATIONSHIPS”. The theme is based on Jack and Judith Balswick's book entitled The Family: A Christian Perspective On The Contemporary Home. As they speak of the theology of family relationships, they list four stages or elements present in God's relationship with humanity as well as human relationships with one another. These stages are as follows: 1) Covenant; 2) Grace; 3) Empowerment; 4) Intimacy. These stages are most clearly seen in the coming of Christ at Christmas. His coming fulfilled God's covenant with humankind--a covenant promising a Savior (Gen. 3:15). Needless to say, no such covenant could have happened without pure unadulterated grace and mercy on God's part. (Jn. 3:16) Christ's coming brought new life and new hope for humankind. He made relationship with God and one another possible. Not only does a new relationship occur, but new possibilities do as well. Through the Means of Grace--Word and Sacrament--Christ empowers people to a new life. (Jn. 10:10) Finally, through his coming, Christ breaks into history itself to be personally connected to us and to reveal God to us as we never were able to know him before. Intimacy occurs--to know and to be known. (Rom. 5:11) Christ reveals to us a God who loves us beyond anything we can comprehend. A new transparency occurs, one that was never before possible. A close, intimate communication develops between the Lover and the lovers.
This Advent season, may our relationship with God and with one another grow as we celebrate Christ's coming. May we grow, not only in our appreciation for God's covenant, grace, empowerment and intimacy, shown to us through the Messiah, but also in our covenant, grace, empowerment and intimacy with one another.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Larry
MID-WEEK ADVENT WORSHIP SERIES
STIRRING UP ADVENT --- RECIPES FOR RELATIONSHIPS
Plan to join us for this unique series full of real-life references as to how our relationships with others can mirror our relationship with God. We will explore the themes of Covenant, Grace, Empowerment and Intimacy. (See Pastor’s letter for more on this.) Since there are only three Wednesdays in Advent this year, we will combine the Covenant and Grace themes.
Dates: December 3, 10, and 17.
Time: 7:00 PM
Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the Soup Supper that will be served (6:00 pm) prior to the Advent Services. Volunteers are needed to prepare soup, sandwiches or salad, and dessert for the three Wednesday evenings of Advent. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board if you are willing to help.
NEWS N’ NOTES
Our Christian sympathy is extended to the family of Dawn Hahm whose brother-in-law, Dennis Bonin, passed away on November 21 in Washington.
BAPTISMS: On November 2, Elizabeth Anne Chaffee, daughter of Russell and Angie Chaffee received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Larry and Carmen Felix are Elizabeth’s maternal grandparents.
On November 16. Larissa Ellen Nicole Arnott, daughter of Dennis and Jennifer Arnott, received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Rick and Kathy Brown are Larissa’s maternal grandparents. We welcome Elizabeth and Larissa into God’s family.
ENJOY A CONCERT: Three members of St. James (Kenya Ostermeier, Gene Jacoby and Maggie Bode) will be part of a free concert with the Brandywine Wind on December 12th at 7:00 pm at the Rick’s Theater in downtown Greenfield. Everyone is invited.
MINISTRY OUTREACH FOR NOVEMBER - Our Ministry for November was the HANCOCK COUNTY FOOD PANTRY.. St.James’ members contributed $621 to the Food Pantry and a van full of food. Thanks to everyone who helped.
FROM JOHN ROBERSTON: I will be going to Guatemala December 6 through 13 under the direction of Ambassadors for Children which is approved as a tax deductible organization. I have been asked to raise $200 which can feed all the kids we come in contact with or build 6 homes. This is a very poor region. Only half of the kids are in school for various reasons. I am taking a bag full of used clothes for the children. Any help would be appreciated. Suggestions include school supplies, Frisbees, soccer shoes size 6 to 7.5, T shirts, shorts, pants, etc. St James people have already given me over $200 for Ambassadors. I am looking forward to tutoring students even though I do not know Spanish. I will give the Church a report after I return. I will learn how to travel in poor countries and have had shots for Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A. Thank you for your help and prayers.
PAIRS AND SPARES – Everyone age 55+ and over is invited to a Pitch-in at the church at noon on Friday, December 5th. There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.
ADDRESSES: Susan Eaton and Sherry Stair would like to remind family members to send an updated address of their military family member to them. As an update, Lucas Cole (Sherry’s son) and Mike Henley (Leah Boley Henley’s husband) arrived home around Thanksgiving from Iraq.
THANK YOU: Thanks to Joannie Bowen and John and Ruth Teskey for the Thanksgiving harvest display they provided at the front of the altar. It is a reminder of God’s caring and thankfulness.
DATE TO REMEMBER: The St. James Congregational Annual Meeting will be held on January 25 following a dinner prepared by Don and Jo Cook.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Everyone is invited to come on Monday, December 1st about 12:00-12:15 pm and join in making prayer shawls. The group will meet for about one hour. Participants are invited to bring a sack lunch and their knitting. If you can knit, you are welcome to join us. Contact Jo Felker for questions.
THANK YOU: Thanks to all the
volunteers who so graciously gave of their time to deliver Meals on Wheels
during the year 2008. They include: Christian and June Gries, Dick and
Joannie Bowen, Louise Stegerman, Carol Hudson, Jerry Jilg, Julie Jilg, Ron and
Marsha Westerfeld, Marie Werner, Hope Moran, Angie Speer, Tats and Donna
Matsuoka. The sign up sheet for 2009 will be on the bulletin board in
December. It only takes one hour each Thursday. If you would be interested in
helping, sign up on the bulletin board by the office door. For more
information, see Hope Moran.
BAKE SALE: Meals on Wheels is sponsoring a Bake Sale on December 19th at the Hancock Regional Hospital Cafeteria. If you would like to help, they can use baked goods or you are invited to come and buy goodies.
BIBLE BREAKFAST: Breakfast is served every Sunday from 8:45-9:15 am only. The breakfast will be closed promptly at 9:15 am so that everyone can get to their Sunday School class on time.
RECYCLE YOUR OLD PRINTER CARTRIDGES! Don’t throw away those old cartridges. Bring them to church and put in the box in the corner of the narthex. We send them away and receive cash for each cartridge.
MORE RECYCLING NEWS: Leonard Meyer will take all your old phone books. If you will put them by the left side of his garage door, he will see they get taken to a recycle place in Indianapolis. “Energy efficient” light bulbs contain mercury and should not be put in regular trash. Home Depot has a special box by their return desk for collecting those bulbs for recycling.
20/30 VISION SINGLE ADULT MINISTRY Come join other young adults in their 20’s and 30’s who are taking time out to enjoy conversation and deepen their relationship with God. The group meets weekly at different restaurants. No registration needed. Just show up. For more info contact Trich Roach at (317) 576-9461or trichroach@comcast.net
A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE – The public is invited to attend the 12th annual Service of Remembrance to be held on Saturday, December 13th, 2008 at Bradley United Methodist Church, 210 W. Main St., Greenfield. The memorial service will include biblical messages, traditional Christmas hymns and candle lighting. Each family attending will receive an Angel Christmas tree ornament that they can take to the local Wal-Mart store for free engraving.
FOUR STAGES OF LIFE
1] You believe in Santa Claus.
2] You don’t believe in Santa Claus.
3] You are Santa Claus.
4] You look like Santa Claus.
OUR
MINISTRY OUTREACH FOR DECEMBER IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE OR HELP OTHERS
THROUGH ---
THE MENTAL HEALTH GIFT LIFT
CARING AND SHARING
THE SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS
WERNLE CHILDREN’S HOME
St. James is again being part of the Mental Health Christmas Gift Lift. There is a box in the narthex where you may place your gifts. Take a sheet from the poster attached to the box and it will list things they can use this Christmas. Please buy your gifts and return them unwrapped by December 9th.
St.
James, in partnership with the Salvation Army, has agreed to provide bell
ringers on Sunday, Dec. 21st. We are staffing four locations in Greenfield—Kroger, Marsh, and the two entrances to Wal-Mart. We need volunteers to work
two-hour shifts (you may bring a helper if you wish). Children under 18 must be
accompanied by an adult. Monies collected will remain in Greenfield to
minister to the needy. Cindy Gember has agreed to coordinate this effort. If
you are interested, please see the display table. You can also call Cindy at
462-5456.
CLOTHING GIFTS FOR WERNLE - Thanksgiving Day through Sunday December 21 is the 'window' we are designating for St James families to purchase clothing gifts for WERNLE KIDS and bring them to the church not later than Sunday the 21st.
Unlike previous years, we are asking you to limit your gift purchases to young men's shoes & clothing/underwear/socks.
The gifts should not be wrapped. Wernle staff will be responsible for this.
Shirts , Hoodies (L -XL),
Jeans 32/36 - 34/30 - 32/34 - 18H - 38/30 - 34/42,
Athletic shoes (Adidas, Heeley's, Jordan, Air Force – sizes 6.5, 11, 11.5, 9.5, 8.5, 13)
Hiking boots size 11
Underwear, T-shirts should be large sizes.
Next year we will, hopefully, be able to use the gift tree and specify other gifts beside clothing. There are currently 41 young men at Wernle ages 12-18. There will be a box in the narthex for you to place your gifts.
You will also find Caring and Sharing envelopes in the pews beginning November 30th. Joannie Bowen has agreed to take a family shopping with the money from Caring and Sharing.
DON’T FORGET TO STOP BY THE REWARDS TABLE IN THE NARTHEX AND PURCHASE YOUR GIFT CARDS AS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. THEY MADE WONDERFUL GIFTS AND A LOT EASIER THEN SPENDING HOURS LOOKING FOR THAT PERFECT PRESENT. SEE CINDY GREGORY FOR A LIST OF THE STORES THAT HAVE GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE.
CRADLE ROLL GUARDIAN ANGEL MINISTRY
Currently there are 7 infants/toddlers under the age of 3 that are on St. James Cradle Roll looking for someone to watch over them. In addition we would like to have a list of Angels waiting in the “wings” for any future additions to our church family.
In Matthew 18:10, Jesus says of children: "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven" (New International Version). This is often understood to mean that children are protected by guardian angels. The Christian Education Committee would like to find members of St. James to watch over each child’s spiritual development for three years.
The Cradle Roll ministry is a ministry to families of little ones from birth to three years of age. The materials we will be using are called “Splash” and are published by Augsburg Fortress Press, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
This program provides families with materials and resources which educate them regarding normal growth and development of babies and toddlers, provides great ideas regarding age-appropriate activities to do with little ones, and most importantly shares how parents can provide a God centered home for their families. Babies are enrolled in this program as soon as we learn of their birth or date of Baptism. Parents receive monthly mailings of resources from that time until the time of the child’s third birthday. On the child’s third birthday, Cradle Roll participants “graduate” and are invited to join our Three Year Old Sunday School class.
Your role would be to:
· Send monthly newsletters to Parents. These newsletters are provided to you and contain information about child development and suggestions for faith-building activities.
· Once a year give the CD of songs (provided) and a calendar for recording milestones in their child's life.
· Commit to 3 years to give each child a foundation in learning about God. "Learning to pray, hearing Bible stories, and singing songs about God's love all help a child taken his/her first important steps in growing to a life-long spiritual journey."
· Pray for your little one.
If interested in overseeing this program or being a Guardian Angel please contact Debbie Johnston at 462-3999.
St. James Congregation is so
supportive of the youth group! They would like to thank you for your prayers,
your attendance at their events and your financial help. The recent chili cook
off, baked potato meal and auction will net about $2000.00 as Thrivent is
matching the first $700.00. Upcoming fundraisers for the 2009 New Orleans ELCA
Youth Gathering are a Super Sub Sale during the month of January with subs
being distributed on Super Bowl Sunday after each service. Watch for an order
form in January in your Sunday Spirit each week. It is the youth committee’s
intent to help the youth raise money to attend the events while only doing
fundraisers that help to build community between the youth and the members of
the congregation.
Thank you to Todd Stair and Cindy Gember for chaperoning our youth on the recent Trailblazer Weekend to Lutheran Hills. All our kids had a great time even though it was very, very cold outside.
THANK YOU – Jane White would like to thank all the ladies of the Women’s Bible Study who donated cake mixes, frosting, candles, toys, party plates, McDonald’s gift certificates and birthday bags for the Hancock Food Pantry. It was a wonderful group effort. We filled and delivered 17 birthday bags. Now a child can have a birthday to remember. Thanks you all so much.
LOVE INC - Loving volunteers are needed at Love INC of Greater Hancock County to answer phones, listen with compassion, ask questions, pray over concerns, share information, and navigate a computer. If you can do any of the above, you are an answer to our prayers! If you work daytime but still want to help, we have board committees with other working people that would be blessed by your participation. Please consider giving the gift of your time to share the love of Christ. Our community needs it.
If you would like to volunteer or to know more about Love INC or receive our newsletter, Hearts in Motion, please let us know by calling 468-6300 or go to www.loveinc-ghc.org. If you have helped someone through Love INC, tell a friend what it’s all about. Thank you!
CHILI COOK-OFF WINNER
Congratulations to Todd Sturgeon who is the new
St. James chili cook-off winner! Tim Conarroe passed his chili pepper trophy necklace on to Todd at the recent event in November. When Todd was asked about his award winning chili he said: “Our family had a great time and all the chili was good. I really did like all of them. I love to taste other people's chili and get new ideas about how to improve existing recipes or even new ones. I just really love cooking in general and chili is one that I have actually studied a lot. Most of the time I do give out my recipes; but my chili is one that I don't share, because I enter it in contests a lot. Also, to be honest with you, I have learned that I rarely use the exact same recipe each time. There are always differences with the size of the vegetables, potency of the spices, and fat in the meat. So frankly I deal with those by tasting and adding a pinch of this or that. What I will offer is that I believe the two biggest secrets to good chili are first, whatever the ingredients are, they need to cook together slowly for at least 3-4 hours to really meld the flavors. Second, you should ALWAYS add your seasoning twice, once while browning the meat and again about 30 minutes before serving to heighten the flavors you want to be prevalent.” Thanks, Todd!
SOMETHING NEW FOR
SUNDAY SCHOOL!!
Starting December 1 there will be a brand-new Sunday School Opening that will
begin in the sanctuary promptly at 9:15am. Everyone from nursery
age through adults are invited to meet for this exciting, fifteen minute opener
led by Cindy Gember. The children will enjoy singing as a group,
discovering what the lesson for the day will be, finding out the Bible verse
for the week, collecting an offering for the two children the Sunday school sponsors and recognizing any birthdays
for the week. Parents and adults are welcome to join the kids for this
opening. Our pal Cooper may come to visit us too from time to time!!
Can’t wait to see you there
