"We share God's inclusive and eternal love with everyone!"
“Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” -Isaiah 41:10
Welcome!
From Pastor David:
WELCOME TO ST. JAMES!
This website serves as our “front door” to ministry in downtown Portland. We offer an array of options. As the impact of this pandemic subsides, we invite you to consider — what fits you?
- Join us for Sunday in-person Eucharist worship (at 9:30am in our sanctuary), or participate via recorded video worship posted to our website each Sunday afternoon (Communications > Worship & Sermons).
- Feed those who live on our Portland streets five times a week by preparing food boxes, or donate to purchase food and needed supplies.
- Deepen your spiritual life with Saturday Contemplative Prayer via Zoom, in-person Wednesday morning Centering Prayer, or join our recorded Bible Study (3 series a year) or virtual Healing Prayer events.
- Help guide our St. James low-income Apartment ministry (122 units), or enroll your child at our St. James Child Development Center (infant through kindergarten-aged children). Presently over 80 children are enrolled.
- Share your creative imagination with our St. James Art Group, or offer your musical skills as our choir prepares to return this fall.
- Meditate on classical music and meaningful Sunday liturgy, or enjoy our monthly Jazz Vespers services on YouTube now and in-person beginning August 15th at 5:00pm.
- Jump onboard to live out your faith with acts of JUSTICE by exploring our embedded attitudes concerning race, gender and LGBTQ+ rights, or be hands-on with our Caring For Creation efforts.
- Partner with us to reach beyond our doors by supporting Lutheran World Relief’s efforts to bring the vaccine to all countries, or pack boxes of school/health kits to meet worldwide needs.
- Join us for the life-changing moments of baptism, fall Sunday School, weddings, celebrations, and memorials; stay connected through Book Club, WELCA, or our Card Ministry; or sit down for a cup of coffee with Pastor David.
There are lots of options at St. James. What fits you as we follow the Risen-Christ?
–Pastor David Knapp
Worship Services
WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT ST. JAMES!NOTE: Since October 23rd, 2022, we have returned to our St. James building. Multnomah County still recommends wearing masks indoors if you are at high risk, or if you are ill and can't stay home.
Sunday Morning Worship
- Every Sunday at 9:30am at:
St. James Lutheran Church
1315 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97201 - We have posted livestream recordings of our 9:30am worship service to the St. James YouTube channel. They are available to view here on our website by Sunday afternoon: Click here to link to our "Worship & Sermons" page ...
Whether you physically attend in-person with us at our St. James building -- or you watch our video recordings on your computer at home -- we invite you to join us for worship!
Jazz Vespers
This month, be sure to join us in-person on Sunday, May 21st, 2023 at 5:00pm when our 2022-2023 Jazz Vespers series continues in our St. James sanctuary -- our special guest for this live performance is Dmitri Matheny on flugelhorn.Musical accompaniment by Mike Horsfall on piano, Laurent Nickel on bass, and Brent Follis on drums. Valarie Brown is serving as cantor, and Pastor David Knapp is our liturgist. We invite you to attend as we return to our newly renovated St. James Lutheran Church building and we ask you to make a freewill donation (offering) to help support our musicians as we continue our 2022-2023 season. Although we have resumed our St. James Jazz Vespers series in-person -- please remember that you may still enjoy our prior Jazz Vespers on video.
You can find links to all of our previous Jazz Vespers recordings by navigating to "Communications > Music" on the main navigation menu at the top of the page. Or you can click here to be linked directly to the "Music" page.
NOTE: We are delighted that the new CD "St. James Jazz Vespers - We'll Be Together Again" has been released and is available for $20 at the St. James office. It is a collection of tunes recorded during the pandemic by The Mike Horsfall Trio and guests of the St. James Vespers. Enjoy! Please join us once again in-person on Sunday, June 18th, 2023 at 5:00pm when our 2022-2023 Jazz Vespers season continues back at St. James with vocalist Haley Horsfall.
“There the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of a bush…” –Exodus 3
Seen any burning bushes lately?
In a recent article, Victor Parachin suggests that we could learn something from Moses: how to minister in the midst of diversity. This month we prepare to celebrate the many voices and cultures of Pentecost Sunday (May 28th). So what can we learn from the varied roles Moses played in his life as liberator, nation builder, mediator, visionary, law-giver? Try these on:
–Look out for burning bushes. This single event catapulted Moses into a new direction. Rather than ignore it, he was curious. So be curious!
–Remain humble. Humility is not an inferiority complex nor a negative self-image. Like Moses, know that you are God-blessed with talents and worth. Live like it.
–Be a source of blessing. Moses encouraged those whom he led. Then he walked daily with them on the journey to a new place. Be an encourager.
–Put faith into action. Moses was a target of gossip and criticism but responded with forgiveness (Numbers 12). Don’t just speak the faith; do the faith.
These four teachings may not be among the formal Ten Commandments that Moses received on Mt. Sinai, but they can propel us forward in a world of wonderfully diverse people and cultures. Who knows, we may even see a few burning bushes on the path.
–Pastor David
Wednesdays at St. James …
Spend your noon hour each Wednesday in Pioneer Chapel for our half hour Noon Eucharist service. It is followed at 12:35pm by Pastor David’s Bible Study “Afterlife and the Book of Revelation.” This will continue through Wednesday, May 24th.
As a group we have been exploring the last book in the Bible and its strange and frightening imagery: the lake of fire, the whore of Babylon, and the seven scrolls. We have now arrived at the final chapters with a larger discussion on what the afterlife means to each of us. On Wednesday, May 3rd we will be joined by Lutheran World Relief representative Jamie Lennon. Join us for these final classes:
Wednesday, May 3rd: Turkey at the time of Revelation and Today
Wednesday, May 10th: Vision of a New Jerusalem (Revelation 21)
Wednesday, May 17th: The Tree of Life (Revelation 22)
Wednesday, May 24th: The Apocalypse of John and the Gospel of Jesus
Pentecost Sunday …
We will celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church on May 28th. We will hear of all the languages spoken on that first Pentecost Sunday (Acts 2) as God’s good news broke all boundaries. The readings for the day will be presented in a number of tongues.
New Members and Holy Baptism …
On Sunday, June 4th, St. James will again welcome new members. They will be received during the service and a welcoming reception will follow in Pioneer Chapel. The following Sunday the Nelson family will bring little Claire to the baptismal font as she is claimed by God’s love. If you are new to St. James and want to make St. James your spiritual home, please see Pastor David.
St. James and Emanuel Medical Center …
Beginning on June 7th, St. James will welcome Clinical Pastoral Education students for nine weeks. Pastors, and those training to be chaplains, will join our ministry in assisting the houseless. After food distribution, they will spend time counseling and providing pastoral care to those who gather in the South Park Blocks. Listening and acceptance is key. After August 11th another session will be scheduled for the autumn.
Summer Bach Cantata Vespers …
Mark your Calendars for our Bach Cantata Vespers service on Sunday, June 11th at 5:00pm. The service will feature Bach’s charming Cantata 112 “Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt” (The Lord is my faithful Shepherd). The St. James Bach Choir will be joined by soloists and instrumentalists. If you are interested in joining the choir for this service, please contact Director of Music Ministry, Colin Stave. Please join us for this beautiful service, and a reception to follow in Pioneer Chapel.
Sunday Parkside Concert Series …
This summer St. James is hosting a piano concert series to dedicate our beautiful Mason & Hamlin piano! Join us at 4:00pm on June 25th, July 9th, and August 13th for fun concerts filled with beautiful music featuring Nancy and Tim Nickel, Kevin Walsh, and more! There are still opportunities to support this endeavor through concert sponsorships, piano fund donations, and free will offerings. Contact the front office to be connected with Caitlin Stave for more information.