December 3rd: 1st Sunday of Advent
Pastor David returns with thanks
9:30am Eucharist
Sermon: “Filling Advent’s Empty Spaces”
December 10th: 2nd Sunday of Advent
Selections from Handel’s “Messiah”
9:30am Eucharist
Sermon: “The Advent Promise of Comfort”
December 17th: 3rd Sunday of Advent
Blessing our gifts for our Refugee Family & Lucia Bride Festival
9:30am Eucharist
Sermon: “The Advent Question”
10:45am Scandinavian Coffee Hour
4:50pm Christmas Jazz Vespers
6:00pm December Artist Reception
December 24th: 4th Sunday of Advent
Carols and Eucharist
9:30am Eucharist
Sermon: “Pregnant With Hope”
The Nativity of Our Lord
4:30pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
10:30pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 31st: 1st Sunday of Christmas
Cookies and Carols Festival
9:30am Eucharist
Sermon: “Rebuild the Ancient Ruins”
Happy New Year!
From the Pastor’s Desk …
On November 19th, at 5:30am, I listened with interest as St. James member Stephen Portnoy skillfully solved the National Public Radio Sunday on-air puzzle by acoustically fashioning the name of the English town Stratford-upon-Avon. Puzzlemaster Will Shortz was impressed.
Advent is another puzzle. This four-week season (December 3-24) offers us heart-clues to the mystery of Jesus’ Christmas birth. With pregnant Mary, the Christ will be formed and shaped inside of us all. What spiritual new-life are we expecting? What is God birthing in us?
Then on each Sunday in 2024, we will follow The Gospel of Mark, which contains 16 short chapters that read like a mystery novel asking “Who is this Jesus for us?” Each week we get another hint about God’s gift. But there will be no time for standing around. Mark’s tale is nicknamed the “The Gospel of Immediacy” using the Greek word “Etheos” (immediately) over 40 times. Here, Jesus is always on the move; insistent on finding a place for each puzzle piece.
Just back from sabbatical, I look forward to exploring this divine puzzle with you. Stephen Portnoy has led the way!
–Pastor David
Sabbatical Appreciation from Pastor David
“With a grateful heart I return to the St. James pulpit this month. I am appreciative of your gift of two months of a three month sabbatical you generously granted me. I’m also thankful for all who provided leadership during my absence.
I was able to reconnect with family, rest, and spend 52 days traveling in Europe and North Africa following some of St. Paul’s journeys and exploring ancient sites. Unfortunately I was unable to visit Egypt due to the Hamas/Israeli war. I look forward to our ministry together as the new Church Year begins on December 3rd.”
–Pastor David
St. James Giving Tree: Zada Family
“We are adopting the Zada family again this year for the Christmas season. Jane Lloyd and I have been spending time with them over the past year and we have gotten to know the children. They are a delight! The three girls are all in school and tend to wear pants and shirts or blouses, but they also love pretty dresses! Their younger brother, Mohammad Ali, is a typical little guy with a great love of dinosaurs. The three girls all enjoy art projects, drawing, coloring, etc. but nothing too messy, like paint. The family welcomes gift cards. The children seem to constantly outgrow their shoes, and a gift card to Target or Fred Meyer would give the parents the opportunity to make sure they are getting the right size.
If you would like to purchase a gift for the Zada family, go to this link: https://tinyurl.com/zadafamily2023. If you purchase a gift, please wrap it and leave it at the church by Sunday, December 17th.
If you have questions, please feel free to ask me on a Sunday morning or email Elsa in the front office at office@stjamespdx.org. Thank you.”
–Cathie Coffman
Calling All Scandia Bakers!
Do you have a favorite Scandinavian treat you’d like to share? The Scandinavian Coffee hour will follow service on Sunday, December 17th. The Tohlens and Shirley Roggen will host the event, but welcome all Scandinavians (and Scandinavian wanna-bes) to don their Christmas apparel, donate any special goodies, and make merry with a tiny bit of traditional glogg, served judiciously by Charlie Tohlen. Hope to see you there. God Jul!
St. James Wine Tasting Event.
We’re looking forward to a wine tasting at St. James on January 14th, 2024 courtesy of Barry Rogge. More information will be available in the January Newsletter.
