From Pastor David’s Desk …

Want to live on a cruise ship? Mario Salcedo did for over 23 years.

At age 45, he stepped onboard for the first time. Now at 65, he stays on the same ship, in the same room and has booked over 850 trips on Royal Caribbean alone. “I don’t take out the garbage and I never do my own laundry” he writes. But is he happy?

Mario lives under the often false assumption that having more of a valued resource leads to happiness. We do the same with time and money; the more we can control, the better our life will be, we think. So why will you find Mario often informing every cruise passenger, rather too insistently, that he is “the happiest guy in the world” while they smile, nod and pretend that they envy him?

In a society where loneliness has become an epidemic, studies have shown that connected people are often the happiest. Perhaps that’s why Jesus announced “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.” So this autumn:

  • Take time to gather for coffee, for sports or cultural events, for worship
  • Vote for what is best for the community
  • Give your time and money to benefit the common good

I will be “connecting” with others while away from St. James for four weeks. And who knows, you might even take a cruise now and then.

–Pastor David

Register to Vote …

Exercising the right to vote it the incredible privilege and duty of the American public. For this upcoming General Election, please register to vote. You can check or update your registration at any time at vote.org. Here are the deadlines for Oregon voting registration and getting your vote in:

Registration deadlines

  • In-person at local election office: Oct. 15th, close of business
  • Online: Oct. 15th by 11:59pm PDT
  • By mail (postmarked by): Oct. 15th

Voting deadlines

  • General Election Day: Nov. 5th, 2024
  • Return ballot by mail (postmarked by): Nov. 5th by 8:00pm PST
  • Return ballot in person: Nov. 5th by 8:00pm PST
  • Oregon sends ballots to actively registered voters : Oct. 16th – Oct. 22nd

An Invitation from the Endowment Committee …

The Endowment Committee will be hosting Open Space on Sunday, October 13th. We are hoping you will join us after worship for a small meal (which will be a surprise from the usual!) and information about some of the many places your endowment funds have been sent. We will also be rolling out our new brochure.

Your Gift of Sabbatical Time …

Pastor David has stepped away from the office this month and will return to our pulpit on Reformation Sunday, October 27th. He is using the final month of your gift of a three-month sabbatical. Pastors Mark Brocker and Curtis Zieske will provide worship leadership on Sunday mornings while Scott Ellertson will guide our October Jazz Vespers service. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact the St. James office.

All Saints Sunday …

On Sunday, November 3rd, we will give God thanks for those who have gone before us and whose memories we cherish. In addition to naming St. James members who have died in the past twelve months, you may also submit the names of those who are in your heart. Please let Karin know if you have someone you would like added to the list.

Stewards Filled With Thanks …

On Sunday, November 10th, our worship service will center around our thanks for the many gifts God showers upon us. We will also prayerfully dedicate ourselves and our money to support ministry going forward. As we prepare for Thanksgiving Day, we first acknowledge the source of our thanks and our road ahead.

Lutheran World Relief …

Our St. James ministry reaches far beyond our church door. In September, we sent $980 to support the good work of Lutheran World Relief (LWR) around the globe. You are touching the lives of farmers in Sudan, Ukrainian refugees and those dealing with conflict in the Middle-East. Your special gifts, beyond your regular offerings, have made this possible. On Sunday, November 17th, LWR representative Lisa Kipp will join us to thank you personally and to share highlights of our work together.

Bach Will Be Back …

Please mark your calendars on the first Sunday of Advent for a Choral Vespers service centered on Bach’s Cantata 62, “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” (Savior of the nations, come). This occasion will mark 300 years since the work was premiered on December 3rd, 1724. The central hymn and text come from Martin Luther, himself, and proclaims the arrival of Jesus as savior in a number of contexts. Join us at 5:00pm on December 1st, 2024 to welcome the Advent season with the St. James Choir, soloists, and orchestra.

Eco Social Justice Committee …

With the support of the St. James Council, the Eco Social Justice Committee is starting a campaign to raise funds to help a BIPOC (Black or Indigenous Person of Color) family purchase a home. Not only do we feel like Christians can and should support reparation efforts, but we also believe that the gospel calls us to the work of repair. Together we can do something to make a dent in the inequities in our community. Details about how to contribute to this cause will be forthcoming in October. The campaign will take place October 2024 – January 2025.