"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: We worship in our neighbor’s building until October 16th. On October 23rd, 2022, we return to our St. James building. Multnomah County recommends wearing masks indoors. Please do so.
Sunday Morning Worship
ATTENTION: Walk 20 more steps! We are holding our Sunday 9:30am worship service at Sixth Church (the building next door to St. James.) This is due to the exciting renovation of our historic church building for the next few weeks. Our ushers will greet you at the sidewalk and direct you. Elevator and accessibility entrance available.
- Every Sunday at 9:30am -- next door during construction -- at:
Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist
1331 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97201 - We have posted 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 next door at Sixth Church -- or you watch our video recording 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, October 16th, 2022 at 5:00pm when our 2022-2023 Jazz Vespers series continues next door at Sixth Church -- our special guest for this live performance is Dan Balmer on guitar.Musical accompaniment by Mike Horsfall on piano, Laurent Nickel on bass, and Brent Follis on drums. Valarie Griffiths Brown is the vocalist, and Pastor David is our liturgist. We invite you to attend next door at Sixth Church 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, November 20th, 2022 at 5:00pm when our 2022-2023 Jazz Vespers season continues back at St. James with a performance by guest musician Ben Medler on trombone.
Join us at St. James this October 2022
As construction is being completed soon, we are worshiping just next door at Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist through Sunday, October 16th. Then on Sunday, October 23rd, 2022, we return again to worship in our newly renovated St. James sanctuary. Join us for worship and fellowship on Sundays at 9:30am.
From Pastor David:
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.”
–Melody Beattie
The travel “shoulder season” is upon us as St. James members pack their post-pandemic luggage. It is also a “Season of Gratitude” for our congregation. This autumn we pause to thank God for goals completed and new ministry ahead:
–October 16th: Gratitude to Sixth Church on our last day there.
–October 23rd: Return to St. James building. Work done!
–October 30th: Touching lives worldwide – Lutheran World Relief thanks us.
–November 6th: All Saints Sunday – thanking God for those who went before us.
–November 13th: Re-Dedication Sunday and Bach Cantata concert.
We will accompany these celebrations with our “Season of Gratitude Stewardship Emphasis.” It will be our chance to thank God for ministry completed and prepare for ministry ahead. Your pledge of time and money will be welcomed. After all, gratitude unlocks the fullness of life!
–Pastor David
Construction Continues:
Things are moving quickly at St. James. The sanctuary is being retiled and the roofers are wrapping up their work. Our new piano will also be delivered soon! We look forward to moving back into our newly remodeled building on October 23rd.
Season of Gratitude:
The Lutheran prayer for the dedication of a church building uses these words:
“Most High God, we give you thanks for the gifts of those who have built this house of prayer for your glory … who by their use will make it holy.”
You have done both: given and made it holy. With the return to our building on Sunday, October 23rd, we will begin with gratitude. October 23rd to November 13th will be our “Season of Gratitude Stewardship Emphasis” with prayers, thanks to God, and our commitment to financial gifts for upcoming ministry. We ask everyone to participate. An Estimate of Giving Card for 2023 will be sent with your mid-October record of giving letter. Please prayerfully complete and return it.
Then we will claim November 13th as our re-dedication Sunday. We will bless our intention cards, participate in the rite of the re-dedication of our historic building, enjoy a congregational dinner, and enjoy the return of our Bach Cantata series. It will be our Season of Gratitude.
New Member Sunday:
We were pleased to welcome ten new members in August. We will pull out the welcome mat again in early December. If you too would like to make St. James your spiritual home, please let Pastor David know.