From Pastor David’s Desk …
Casinos are places of choice. Should I bet? How much? What are the odds? In some ways, we live in a casino since we are constantly making decisions.
Our forty-day journey of Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5th, and it is a time to reflect on God’s choice of loving us, and how we daily choose to respond. At St. James, the biblical character Moses will accompany Jesus to guide us. Moses chose to murder an Egyptian soldier (Exodus 2). Moses chose to trust God’s promise to rescue the enslaved Hebrews (Exodus 14). Moses chose to be guided by the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). So each week we will be guided by these themes:
- Lenten Sermons — “Moses & Jesus: From Sinai to Golgatha”
- Pastor David’s Wednesday Bible Study — “Unlikely Moses and the Nine Commandments”
- Lutheran World Relief’s 80th Anniversary of caring. How will we respond?
With the rapid and often chaotic choices coming out of Washington D.C. that have many of us living in fear and uncertainty, let’s get grounded. The stories of Moses and Jesus will direct us beyond the glitz and false facades of life’s casinos to make wise choices.
–Pastor David
Shrove Tuesday Pancakes …
We uphold our long-standing tradition of gathering on the evening before Ash Wednesday. A dinner of pancakes will be prepared on Shrove Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30pm in Pioneer Chapel. For centuries, Christians have used the oils, eggs and fat in their home in this meal before the penitential season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Come and sing your last “Alleluia” until Easter!
Ash Wednesday Noon Worship …
We gather for the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion on Wednesday, March 5th at 12:00 Noon in the sanctuary. Our forty-day journey begins with confession and centering ourselves as we journey with Jesus to the cross and ultimately to Easter joy. Invite a friend to begin the journey with you.
Lenten Season Preaching Theme — From Sinai to Golgatha …
The liturgical season of Lent (March 5th – April 20th) at St. James will bring together the central story of the Hebrew Scriptures along with the paramount story of the New Testament. Each week the sermon theme will point to the Exodus story of freedom from Egyptian slavery and also Jesus’ journey to bring us freedom through the cross and Easter resurrection. On the 1st Sunday of Lent (March 9th) Pastor David will share the service with his good friend Bishop Dave Nagler of the Pacifica Lutheran Synod (San Diego).
“Unlikely Moses and the Nine Commandments” …
This spring, Pastor David will lead a mid-week study on Moses. Join him each Wednesday from March 12th – May 21st immediately after our 30 minute Noon Eucharist Service in Pioneer Chapel. Who was Moses? Is there archeological evidence that he lived? How many people crossed the Red Sea? Do non-biblical writings mention him? How many commandments did God give Moses? Are those commandments relevant today? Pastor David will draw course material from the scholarship of Richard Nysse (Luther Seminary), Carol Meyers (Duke University), Bart Ehrman (UNC at Chapel Hill), and William Dever (U Arizona – Tucson). Read the book of Exodus. Here’s a look at some of our first class topics:
- Wed. March 12th “Why Moses Matters”
- Wed. March 19th “Moses: Murderer or Mentor”
- Wed. March 26th “Moses: What Archeologists Found”
- Wed. April 2nd “The Exodus: Crossing the Red Sea”
- Wed. April 9th “Moses and Bonhoeffer”
New Member Sunday …
We will again welcome new members into our St. James family. On Sunday, March 16th, seven people will make St. James their spiritual home. They will be introduced in worship and a reception will follow. Welcome!
St. James Endowment Group Meets …
St. James has been blessed to have an active Endowment Fund ministry. A portion of the fund is given away each year; mostly to those ministries and helping agencies beyond our doors. The first meeting of the Committee is year will be on Sunday, March 16th at 11:15am. Requests will be considered and then later confirmed by the St. James Council. St. James members can find request forms in the church office. Questions? Call Chairperson Cathie Coffman.
In the News …
Our very own Kathleen McDonald has made the news with her dairy in the current issue of the Columbia River Reader. The article covers the Little Island Creamery she and her brother co-operate, and lovingly deems them and her cows “cheese wizards”. Congratulations!
St. James Authors Publish New Books …
Congregation members and authors Brenda Clough and Lori McCloskey have all recently published new books, as did frequent visitor Rochelle Jefferson. Rochelle’s newest novel is set in Portland and England. Lori’s new book is called Wet Weather Mysteries, with all new mysteries outside of her usual Max the Cat Detective series. Brenda’s upcoming sci-fi novel His Selachian Majesty Requests set in 1979 will be available the first week of April.
Emanuel Medical Center Chapel …
In 2023, St. James gifted Emanuel Medical Center $17,500 to support their $1 million project of creating an interfaith space in the hospital for individuals from all faiths. That chapel has now been completed and will be dedicated on Wednesday, April 9th. Pastor David and some St. James leaders will attend. Our name, St. James Lutheran Church, has been placed on their donor wall. Our thanks to Spiritual Care Director Jill Rowland for inviting us to partner with her and others to make this possible.
