Acolytes at St. James

Our church kids had fun this week completing a session of acolyte training. They learned how to put on their acolyte robes; light candles; receive and hand out offering plates; assist with communion, and process with the cross, the bible, the torches and the banners. Wow! There's a lot of work for an acolyte to do, but we all have a great time serving God in this place.

Boxing for Hunger

Our youth held their annual boxing for hunger drive this weekend. Calling on their community and church members for help, they camped out in boxes in front of the church with a goal of collecting 1,000 cans before they could go inside. As they withstood the cold evening wind and hoped for help from their community, they considered what life must be like for those living on the streets on a daily basis. The words of Matthew 25:40 rang in their ears, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Weiner Roast!

The Adult Sunday School classes at St. James got together with their families for a bonfire and weiner roast this past weekend proving that not only do they study the Scriptures well together, but they play well together, too! Afterwards, they shared a great time of fellowship over some rounds of bingo. Bingo winners were awarded various prizes including quarts of shrimp, packages of cookies, and even miniature tool boxes. We welcome all adults to join us at any of our 3 Adult Sunday School classes each week starting at 9:30AM.

Lenten Services

It's the season of Lent, when we return to the Lord our God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. During this season, we remember our baptism, when God washed us clean from our sins and called us his children. We also take time on Sunday evenings for prayer services. Everyone is welcome to worship with us during these solemn times of prayer and renewal. Before our 6:45 PM service, we meet in the Fellowship Hall for a meal at 6PM.

Shrove Tuesday

Our church family celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a great celebration, as we piled on the pancakes. We had a fun time together, eating to our hearts' content. This tradition stems from the early Christian Church, when parishioners would consume all the fat in the house in preparation for the fast of Lent. We ate all the fat we could find this year, with one of our members eating as many as 10 pancakes all by himself! It looks like we are definitely ready for Lent. All are welcome to our Ash Wednesday Service of Holy Communion with The Imposition of Ashes this Wednesday, Feb 25, at 7PM.

Bold Women

This past Sunday was Women of the ELCA Sunday, when the women of our church helped to lead the worship service. Part of the service included an offering of 21 blankets and shawls. These handmade items were knitted and crocheted by St. James' own "Stitchers for Christ," a group of ladies who gather together on the third Thursday of every month at 7PM. These shawls and blankets were blessed by Pastor Andrea, and will soon be sent out to people in need of comfort and solace, joy and celebration. We pray that all who receive these handmade gifts will see the shawls and blankets as signs of God's unconditional love, in which they are covered forever.

Spread The Love

Happy Valentine's Day from the God Rockz group at St. James! They had fun decorating boxes for our shut-ins this week. With our congregation's help this Sunday, they are filling these boxes with treats and valentines to remind them of how much God loves them. "We love because God first loved us." 1 John 4:19