"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: Governor Brown has issued a statewide Oregon Indoor Mask Requirement, effective Friday, August 13th, 2021 -- in order to limit the spread of the Delta variant as much as possible indoors, where COVID-19 spreads more easily. Our official stance at St. James will be to follow this requirement of the Governor and the Oregon Health Authority. Masks will be required for our indoor services at St. James. Thanks to all for your adherence to these public health guidelines.
Sunday Morning Worship
- Every Sunday at 9:30am in our beautiful sanctuary.
- 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 at St. James -- 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 October 17th at 5:00pm when our Jazz Vespers series continues at St. James -- our special guest for this live performance will be Israel Annoh on percussion.Musical accompaniment by Mike Horsfall on piano, Laurent Nickel on bass, and Brent Follis on drums. Pastor David Knapp is the liturgist, and Valarie Griffiths Brown is the vocalist. We invite you to attend here at St. James and we ask you to make a freewill donation (offering) to help support our musicians as we prepare for our 2021-2022 season. Although we are resuming our Jazz Vespers series in-person at St. James -- 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. Unfortunately -- there is no recording of our 5:00pm Jazz Vespers Service from September 19th, 2021.
NOTE: Please join us once again in-person on November 21st at 5:00pm when our 2021-2022 Jazz Vespers season continues at St. James -- our special guest for this live performance will be Mieke Bruggeman on baritone sax.
“Having Gifts That Differ – Let Us Use Them” -Romans 12:6
People all over the world are on the move. The St. James Art Group exhibit “Footprints: Immigration/Migration” highlights this journey both past and present.
Right now we are settling Afghanistan refugees with our partners Lutheran Community Services NW. 150 will find a home in the Portland area thanks to you. We also support daily ministry here by pledging a financial amount for 2022.
Prayerfully consider doing two things this month:
-Help us reach our goal of giving $10,000 to LCSNW for refugee settlement. We are over halfway there.
-Complete the yellow “Estimate of Giving” card for St. James ministry in 2022. We bless them on the altar on October 31st.
Our thanks to Craig Gerke for sharing his gift of artistry and designing our October Stewardship logo (displayed above).
We have gifts that differ. People are on the move. Thanks for sharing your God-given gifts.
-Pastor David
October is Stewardship Month:
Let us prayerfully plan to support ministry in 2022. Each member is asked to complete the “Estimate of Giving” card (found in the hardcopy of the October Newsletter which was sent to you in the U.S. Mail). What amount of money will you give to God to support this ministry next year? We will dedicate those cards on our altar on Sunday, October 31st — Reformation Sunday.
St. James Art Group:
In October, members of a consortium of galleries in Portland area churches will be hosting visitors to their exhibitions expressing a “Footprints: Immigration/ Migration” theme about all people in transition.
Sunday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 10th galleries will be open in each church from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. You can walk or ride to see the exhibitions. You may park in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot, validate parking in their gallery, and then walk to nearby churches. Other participating churches are First Congregational UCC, First United Methodist, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. A “Footprints” handout is available at St. James.
Finally, please join us at 6:00pm for an Artist Reception to be held on October 17th at St. James after the Jazz Vespers. A few artists will speak about their work and their interpretation of the “Footprints: Immigration/Migration” theme.
Lasagna Meal For Refugee Resettlement:
Dinner is served! On Sunday, October 17th you are invited to an after-worship meal in Pioneer Chapel. The lasagna meal is sponsored by our Social Ministry Committee and your donation of $10 or more per person will support our fundraising goal of $10,000 for Lutheran Community Services NW. The funds will help the 150 Afghanistan refugees who are assigned to the Portland area get settled. Join us to support those in need.
Construction:
Construction has begun at St. James. You may notice some blue tape around the building, this marks where our new heating and cooling systems will go and where pipes will be placed. If you have any questions, contact Carl Cottingham, Sue Hammond, David Scott, Larry Larsen, Becky Bolt, or Don Nielsen.
We Welcome New Members:
On Sunday, November 21st we will receive new members into the St. James Family. They will be introduced during worship and you can greet them warmly during the coffee hour/reception. If you too would like to make St. James your spiritual home, please speak with Pastor David.