"We share God's inclusive and eternal love with everyone!"
St. James Lutheran Church
"In the City for Good"
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. 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
Sunday Morning Worship
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- Sunday Morning In-Person Worship
9:30am Eucharist at:
St. James Lutheran Church
1315 SW Park Ave.
Portland, OR 97201
- Sunday Morning In-Person Worship
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- Sunday Morning Online Worship
Join us online on the St. James YouTube channel -- or here on this website.
- Sunday Morning Online Worship
Midweek Eucharist
NOTE: Midweek Eucharist is on hiatus until Ash Wednesday during the next season of Lent in 2026.
Midweek Eucharist began again on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 -- and continued every following Wednesday at 12:00 Noon through May 14th, 2025. Pastor David led and Colin was at the piano. Starting last March, Pastor David guided us in a Bible Study on the themes of the book of Exodus titled "Unlikely Moses and the Nine Commandments." It took place immediately following the Wednesday service.
We hope that you will join us again for Midweek Eucharist and Bible Study during Lent in 2026.
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- Wednesday Eucharist
30-minute 12:00 Noon service in Pioneer Chapel.
- Wednesday Eucharist
Bach Cantata Vespers
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- Bach Cantata Vespers
Please join us again at 5:00pm on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 when we will present our next Bach Cantata Choral Vespers with the St. James Choir, soloists, and orchestra.
Premiered 300 years ago in 1725, Bach's Cantata BWV 6 "Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden" reflects the Easter season, the essence of our evening vespers tradition, and the difficulties of today. The opening text, "Abide with us, for it will soon be evening, and the day is now declining," from Luke 24, is typically assigned to the days immediately following Easter. The closing text, from Martin Luther's hymn "Erhalt uns, Herr" pleads for light in a time of darkness.
On Sunday, May 25th, 2025, at 5:00pm, 80 people gathered to worship at our Choral Vespers Service featuring Bach's Cantata 6 "Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend warden". Four stunning soloists, a talented eight-piece orchestra with violin, viola, cello, oboe, and English horn, guest singers, and the St. James Choir performed this challenging and beautiful Cantata, bringing light to the darkness, and peace to our spirits. Thank you to everyone involved in preparing this service, especially all our behind-the-scenes volunteers and the St. James staff.
We look forward to seeing you again for our next Choral Vespers on November 2nd.
- Bach Cantata Vespers
Jazz Vespers
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- Jazz Vespers
Every 3rd Sunday at 4:50pm.
- Jazz Vespers
Once again this year, we were pleased to be a venue for the PDX Jazz Festival. This month, be sure to join us in-person on Sunday, July 20th, 2025 at 4:50pm in our St. James sanctuary for the eleventh concert of our 2024-2025 Jazz Vespers series -- our special guest for this live performance is Dmitri Matheny on flugelhorn.
Musical accompaniment by Mike Horsfall on piano, Kevin Deitz on bass, and Tim Rap on drums. Karyn Slanina is serving as cantor, and Pastor David Knapp is our liturgist. We invite you to attend as we return to our recently 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 2024-2025 season. July marks the eleventh month of this 12-month Jazz Vespers series.
Please check out the complete schedule for our new 2024-2025 season by navigating to "Life at St. James > Worship & Music > Jazz Vespers" on the main navigation menu at the top of this page. Or you can click here to link directly to our "Jazz Vespers" page.
In addition to the live performances of our current St. James Jazz Vespers series -- please remember that you may still enjoy some of our prior Jazz Vespers on video.
You can find links to previous Jazz Vespers recordings by navigating to "Communications > Music" on the main navigation menu at the top of this page. Or you can click here to link 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 again next month for another great Jazz performance -- when we conclude our 2024-2025 season of Jazz Vespers with Mieke Bruggeman on baritone sax -- at 4:50pm on Sunday, August 17th, 2025.
“Select Your Own Music” –1954 Juke box
From the Pastor’s Desk …
St. James celebrates 135 years of ministry this month, and we have always had a knack for trying new things.
In 1954 a Juke box (pictured above) was installed in the narthex entry area at a cost of $1,100 (that’s over $13,000 in today’s dollars). With the church doors open, the “Select Your Own Music” label encouraged any passerby to pick from 100 songs to play free of charge. The recordings ranged from Bach chorales to old gospel hymns and people with “overwhelming problems found an atmosphere of balm,” according to our history. It was deemed a good investment.
This month, we give God thanks for those before us who stepped out in faith to share God’s love in a new way. We also project our path forward as our St. James Vision Task Force helps us to define what it means to be “In the City for Good” today. Join us on Sunday, July 20th as our Oregon Synod Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar steps into our pulpit to thank us. Then our July 27th Anniversary Sunday and Meal will feature invited guests, a commissioning of our new Visitation Team, special music, and a generous gift to Lutheran World Relief. We have just begun to attune our ears to new ministries ahead. Maybe you can hear it calling us from the old Juke box.
–Pastor David
We celebrate 135 years of ministry! …
- Sunday, July 13th – New Member Welcome and Reception.
- Sunday, July 20th – Oregon Synod Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar will preach.
- Sunday, July 27th – Anniversary Day Worship and Meal with Guests: Pastors Andersen and Neubert.
New Member Sunday …
On Sunday, July 13th, we welcome a group of new members. They will be introduced during worship and a reception will follow. Of the group, one was a Pacific Lutheran University roommate of a longtime member. Another speaks fluent Japanese and another recently moved to The Pearl. Welcome as our St. James congregational membership now exceeds 250 members.
St. James 2025-26 Scholarship Application Now Open …
For the past 25 years, the St. James Scholarship committee has awarded financial scholarships to members pursuing higher education. The scholarship application form for the 2025-26 school year can be found on this St. James website, under Life at St. James > Education. Please fill it out and send via mail or email to the office by July 15th, 2025. If you would like a hard copy of the application, simply inform the office.
St. James Participates in Portland Pride Festival …
On Sunday, July 20th at 12:00 noon, Pastor David and St. James members will join with those from St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in staffing our Lutheran booth. We will provide water and Holy Communion to any who participate in the Pride Parade and Waterfront Park gathering. You are welcome to join us in showing your support of our LBGTQ+ community. See Pastor David or Karin Hatch if you would like to serve with us.
Our 135th Anniversary Gift to Lutheran World Relief …
As we give thanks this month for 135 years of ministry, we will look beyond our doors and give a gift to the worldwide ministry of Lutheran World Relief. In May, we fashioned over 200 Personal Health Kits and now we will follow up with a cash gift. Our goal was $8,000. As of July 1st, we have already exceeded our goal and given close to $10,000. Thank you! Let’s continue to give this month well beyond our goal until we send the funds on our July 27th Anniversary Sunday. Mark your donation to “LWR Gift”.
Anniversary Task Forces …
On May 28th, our 135th Anniversary Task Force met to coordinate plans for our July 27th celebration. These plans include a festive meal, invited guests (including former St. James Pastor Dennis Andersen), a new sanctuary banner, an updated membership directory, improved lighting in the worship area, special music, and a gift to Lutheran World Relief. On June 7th, our St. James Vision Task Force began their work in providing a roadmap for our future ministry together. Their goal is to shape a “wellness check” rather than an exhaustive strategic plan. With monthly meetings ahead, they hope to present their plan to the congregation at the annual meeting in January 2026.
Emanuel Hospital and St. James …
Our partnership continues this summer with those being trained as chaplains at Emanuel Medical Center. Each Tuesday throughout the summer, Eric, Bonnie, Shanee, Schuyler and Teri assist us in providing food to those in need in the Park Blocks. They then spend time counseling and listening to those who are houseless. We are pleased to be a clinical site for this partnership ministry.
In the Neighborhood …
With the February closing of our neighboring church St. Stephen Episcopal Church (SW 13th and Clay), we look forward to the possible creation of “St. Stephen’s Parish Overnight Shelter for Unhoused Individuals” on-site. If approval is given, St. James hopes to contribute with hands-on participation where needed.
Additionally, Pastor David is working with Pastor Derek Austin of 1st Congregational Church (one block away) to form a four week fall gathering and learning time on the theme “I am the vine, you are the branches” from John 15:5. It will be a way of bringing our two faith communities together and help us each discern what it means to be connected to Christ in our individual downtown ministries.