"We share God's inclusive and eternal love with everyone!"
Welcome!
Welcome to the “front door” of St. James! This website will tell you that we are an over 300 member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As a Reconciling In Christ church, we celebrate and welcome all races, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations and gender identities. Each Sunday we gather at 9:30am around a classic Lutheran liturgy, beautiful music and warm hospitality. We believe God is present as we gather and serve those in need beyond our doors.
Here’s how we share “God’s Inclusive Love:”
- Providing 122 units of low-income housing to those in need at our St. James Apartments
- Serving though our St. James Foot Care Ministry
- 130 children find a welcoming learning environment in our St. James Child Development Center
- Kids and adults explore Biblical stories that relate to daily life
- Bach Cantata Vespers, Jazz Vespers and Lutheran liturgy fill the air with music
- Pastoral care touches those at times of baptism, weddings, funerals and transition
- Feeding those on our streets each Tuesday and supporting Lutheran World Relief
- Following Christ on this site since 1890.
Join us, not to visit, but to be touched by God’s love.
Pastor David Knapp
Worship Services
Sunday Morning Worship with Holy Communion
Every Sunday, 9:30amHoly Communion in the Main Sanctuary with refreshments served in the Pioneer Chapel immediately following. Childcare provided 9:15am-12:15pm
Midweek Eucharist
Every Wednesday, 12:00 NoonWe gather each Wednesday at Noon in the Pioneer Chapel for a half-hour Service of the Eucharist with Chrisse Roccaro (Pianist), Rose Clementi (Assisting Minister) and Pastor David. Then, join Pastor David each Wednesday for Bible Study in the St. James Library at 12:30pm. Does God keep promises? The stories in the first book in your Bible are all woven around the theme of covenant relationships. God makes a promise to Abram and Sarai (Genesis 12) and the thread continues through Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and well into trouble in Egypt. Join us as we explore how each Biblical character wrestles with this promise of God. So, remember to gather each Wednesday: at Noon for Eucharist Worship in Pioneer Chapel; and then at 12:30pm in the Library for Pastor’s Bible Study.
Jazz Vespers
Sunday, November 17th, 5:00pm will feature Mary-Sue Tobin on saxophones & woodwinds.Arrive at 4:50 for pre-Vespers music when Mary-Sue will be joined by our St. James house band: Mike Horsfall, piano; Laurent Nickel, bass; Brent Follis, drums; and Valarie Brown, cantor. Vespers service starts at 5:00pm. Freewill offering welcome. Reception for St. James Artist-of-the-Month follows the service, in the Pioneer Chapel. Come with friends!
Weather and Worship
St. James will not cancel worship services due to inclement weather. If the streets look too bad, please don’t risk it. But if you come, we’ll be here with the doors open.
Upcoming Ministry at St. James
- Feeding the Hungry …
For several months now, St. James members have partnered with Pastor Bruce Arnold in distributing a meal to those in need. We gather each Tuesday at 6:15pm by the Lincoln statue about a block from St. James. We hand out food, hygiene items and new socks. We have conversation, build relationships and learn about particular needs. This month Council approved our participation in this ministry. We will need 4-6 volunteers each week to help distribute the contributed food. There is a sign-up sheet in the hallway. We welcome all members to join us in this weekly act of kindness. - Let’s Help …
Sunday, November 17th
11:00am Benefit Luncheon
How many times have we opened our hearts and wallets to victims of natural disasters around the world? Most often we have been generous to those beyond our borders. This time the disaster has devastated our land. Many victims of the recent fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes have lost literally everything. Join us for a Benefit Luncheon on Sunday, November 17th. We are raising funds for the ELCA Domestic Disaster Relief Fund. Money is the most effective way we can help. The food for the luncheon is being donated, so all monies will go directly to victims. Lasagna, salad, bread and dessert will be the menu. Suggested donation is $6.50. Please sign up on November 3rd or 10th so that we can plan ahead. We also will need some help with the clean-up. Plan on joining us in supporting this most deserving cause. - New Member Sunday …
On Sunday, December 8th, St. James will welcome new members. If you would like the join the group, please contact Pastor David. Did you know that in 2018 St. James welcomed 19 new members to our church family? Did you know that 28 new members have already been received this year so far? Thanks for being a welcoming community of faith.