"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
-
- 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
-
- 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 has ended for the time being.
-
- Wednesday Eucharist
30-minute 12:00 Noon service in Pioneer Chapel.
- Wednesday Eucharist
Bach Cantata Vespers
-
- Bach Cantata Vespers
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.
- Bach Cantata Vespers
Jazz Vespers
-
- Jazz Vespers
Every 3rd Sunday at 4:50pm.
- Jazz Vespers
In February, 132 people gathered for Jazz Vespers. We were pleased to be a venue for the PDX Jazz Festival. KOIN News ran the story. This month, be sure to join us in-person on Sunday, November 17th, 2024 at 4:50pm in our St. James sanctuary for the third concert of our 2024-2025 Jazz Vespers series -- our special guest for this live performance is vocalist Della Simone.
Musical accompaniment by Mike Horsfall on piano, Laurent Nickel on bass, and Tim Rap on drums. Valarie Brown is serving as cantor, and Pastor David 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. November marks the third 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 continue our 2024-2025 season of Jazz Vespers with Kerry Politzer on piano and Mike Horsfall on vibes -- at 4:50pm on Sunday, December 15th, 2024.
“Are you better off today, than you were four years ago?” –Polling Question
From Pastor David’s Desk …
The presidential election will occur November 5th and many of us have already completed our mail-in ballot. Anxiety stirs:
- Who will take up residence in the White House?
- Who will represent us in Portland’s City Hall?
- Are we better off today, than four years ago?
As Christians, we are called to be good citizens and participate in the decisions that shape society. But my contention is that the familiar polling question has it all wrong. As people of faith who follow a crucified and risen Lord, our question isn’t “Are YOU better off,” but:
- Is my NEIGHBOR better off?
- Is my COMMUNITY better off?
- Will my decision promote the common good?
Robert Putnam, in his new book “The Upswing,” claims that we Americans used to think as a community rather than as individuals, but not lately. That’s why this month at St. James, we will emphasize the “we” and thank God for all the saints (November 3rd), hear about your work with refugees (November 10th), hear how we are bringing hope across the globe via Lutheran World Relief (November 17th), and helping local families with housing (November 24th). We’re better off together.
–Pastor David
Thank You From Pastor David …
“Thank you for your generous gift of a month’s sabbatical. The month of October completed the three month sabbatical you offered over a year ago. I was fortunate to visit President Pickett of our Lutheran Seminary in Berkeley, CA, engage in visioning with bishops in California and Arizona, read good books, and celebrate my 40th year of ordination with former classmates. I am grateful for those who provided leadership while I was away.”
All Saints Sunday …
On Sunday, November 3rd, we will join Christians worldwide in celebrating All Saints Sunday. Our ministry and memories stand on the shoulders of those faithful ones who now rest in God. We will read the names you have offered, as well as those at St. James who have died in the past year. As is tradition, we will also read the names of those houseless individuals who have recently died in our neighborhood. All of this will occur one day after we gather for the funeral service for Barbara McLeod on November 2nd.
Election Day …
Exercising the right to vote is the incredible privilege and duty of the American public. Make sure to get your vote in on time! Here are the deadlines for getting your vote in:
- General Election Day: Nov. 5th, 2024
- Return ballot by mail (postmarked by): Nov. 5th by 8:00pm PST
- Return ballot in person: Nov. 5 by 8:00pm PST
Our Courtyard Got a Makeover …
This month, our courtyard transformed with new paint on the labyrinth and an Eagle Scout project enhancing the play area for the CDC. The labyrinth was repainted a distinctive yellow shade and will be used in contemplative prayer and for individuals. The Eagle Scout project, provided by CDC graduate Cole Zupancic, added two courtyard benches (with storage for school toys), two new trees, and a hopscotch pattern for the children.
Sharing Our Gifts …
Each Sunday at St. James, we celebrate the Eucharistic Meal. The opening liturgy of this sacrament has been used since the fourth century. Since Christ fed us, we feed others. On Sunday, November 10th, we will acknowledge that all our money, talents and resources are gifts of God to be shared. We will also hear how you are welcoming refugees. Join us for this special day of thanks.
Lutheran World Relief Open Space …
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, Ukranian refugees, and those dealing with conflict in the Middle-East. On Sunday, November 17th, LWR representative Lisa Kipp will join us to thank you personally and to share highlights of our work together.
PDX Housing Solidarity …
On Sunday, November 24 at 11:00am, join Mandy Ellertson to hear stories about people who have been able to purchase homes working with PDX Housing Solidarity. The St. James Eco Social Justice Committee is sponsoring a campaign to raise funds to help a BIPOC family own a home in Portland. We are working with PDX Housing Solidarity for this campaign. According to their website, they are a “collective of Portland-based activists and organizers working to redistribute wealth and privilege to interrupt racialized disparities in homeownership and inequitable cycles of intergenerational wealth.” They specialize in community building, redistribution opportunities, and resource navigation. How the process works: BIPOC families apply to get assistance affording a down payment on a home, donations come in, and wealth is redistributed to help the chosen families afford the down payments on homes. The family we will be sponsoring will be selected in February 2025. Our campaign will run through January 31st, and the goal is to reach $25,000. You can participate in this campaign by writing a check to St. James Lutheran Church. These donations are completely tax-deductible. Thank you so much for your valued help in this important campaign. Contact Mandy Ellertson for any questions, or go to pdxhousingsolidarity.org to learn more.
“The Great Thanksgiving” …
On Sunday, December 1st, the Eco Social Justice Committee will host coffee hour. The theme “The Great Thanksgiving” is intended for us all to give thanks for what we have in our kitchens. This event will help us all remember that food waste is a huge contributor to carbon emissions and climate change. According to www.foodrescue.net, up to 40% of all food ends up in landfills. Please join us December 1st, as we look in our cupboard and enjoy food from leftover feasts to learn more about the cost of food production and how to reduce food waste.
New Member Sunday …
We will begin the liturgical year (Advent 1) by receiving new members into our St. James family. On December 1st, we will make introductions, provide welcoming literature and enjoy a welcoming reception as we share the bounty from our Thanksgiving dinners. See Pastor David if you also wish to join at this time.
Bach Vespers …
Enter into the contemplative season of Advent on December 1st with the 300th liturgical anniversary of Bach’s Cantata number 62: “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” (Savior of the Nations, Come). Premiered on December 3rd in 1724, this cantata proclaims the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and highlights the hymn and text written by Martin Luther, himself. Join the St. James Choir along with amazing soloists and instrumentalists on Sunday, December 1st at 5:00pm.
Your Faithful Offerings …
We are grateful for your regular offerings and gifts to St. James. They sustain our ministry and move us forward. In these last two months of the calendar year, we know that some of you are able to provide an additional year-end gift. Will you do so? It could be a check in the Sunday offering plate, a stock-gift from an investment fund, an electronic gift by clicking on “E-Giving” here on our St. James website, or a gift given in memory or honor of a loved one. If you have questions, just call the St. James office and ask for Sharon. Thank you for being good stewards of the blessings with which God showers us.