Calendar

BENEFIT CONCERT
for the
ST. JAMES BACH CANTATA VESPERS
Saturday, September 16, 2017
7:00-9:00 p.m.

Featuring music for Vocal Quartet and Piano Duet
Brahms “Love Song Waltzes, op. 52”
Schumann “Spanish Love Songs, op. 138”

Vocal Quartet
Janice Johnson, soprano
Joann Rauch, alto
Les Green, tenor
Kevin Walsh, baritone

Pianists
Timothy and Nancy Nickel
(Bechstein piano)

7:00 Wine and Savories
8:30 Champagne and Dessert

Fritzi and Larry Frager Residence
506 N. W. Hermosa Boulevard
Portland, Oregon 97210

Seating is limited, with a minimum donation of $50.00 per guest.
All donations are tax deductible, with checks made payable to St. James Lutheran Church.
Reservations are recommended by September 1, 2017.
Please respond to: Chelseas@stjamespdx.org, or by phone, 503-227-2439.

ST. JAMES ART GALLERY EXHIBIT

“Interpretations of Reformation Art:
Original works inspired by art work of Reformation artists”

The St. James Artist Group
Artists’ Reception: Sunday, October 8 at 6:00pm, following 5:00pm Jazz Vespers with guest jazz vocalist Marilyn Keller.
St. James Lutheran Church, 1315 SW Park Ave. Portland, OR 97201

The St. James Artist Group explores the works of the three Reformation artists: Lucas Cranach, Albrecht Dürer and Matthias Grünewald as inspiration in creating new works. What do the works of these Reformation artists suggest to us today? In various media, photography, print, paint, and drawing materials the St. James Artist group attempts to answer this question in individual styles from abstraction to expressionism to realism. The display pairs the artists’ works in reference to the Reformation art pieces whose images and themes that inspired them. Works are on display in Pioneer Chapel Art Gallery during the month of October. Viewing times Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday 9am-3pm, Wednesdays 9-11am & 1-3pm, Sundays 11am-12pm, and by appointment. (Chelsea: 503-227-2439)

Click here to download a PDF copy of the Artist Group Reformation Exhibit flyer.

LECTURE

“Why in 2017 Should We Be Interested in the 500th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Protestant Reformation?”

Susan C. Karant-Nunn, Reformation Scholar
Emerita Director and Emerita Regents’ Professor, University of Arizona

Friday, October 13, 2017 at 7:30pm, free event
St. James Lutheran Church, 1315 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97201

In honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, St. James Lutheran Church welcomes Dr. Susan Karant-Nunn to illuminate the relevance of Luther’s protest in the modern era.

Dr. Karant-Nunn will explore some of the rich traditions and events of the 16th century and how they relate to the modern world. Her evening lecture, “Why in 2017 Should We Be Interested in the 500th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Protestant Reformation?” on Friday, October 13th at 7:30pm is free and open to the public. The lecture will be held in the Sanctuary of St. James Lutheran Church. A renowned scholar, Dr. Karant-Nunn is the author of several books including The Reformation of Ritual: an Interpretation of Early Modern Germany, 1997 and Zwickau in Transition, 1500-1547: The Reformation As an Agent of Change, and The Reformation of Feeling: Shaping the Religious Emotions in Early Modern Germany (Oxford, 2010). She received her Ph.D. in Early Modern European History from Indiana University, her M.A. in Medieval & Early Modern European History from University. She is a graduate of Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa in Religion.

Karant-Nunn’s books have influenced the field of Reformation history — so much so that a leading French early modernist, Professor Bernard Roussel of the Sorbonne, in 1997 entitled a plenary lecture: “A la manière de Susan Karant-Nunn: réflexions sur la réforme du rituel dans l’espace francophone” [“In the Manner of Susan Karant-Nunn: Reflections on the Reformation of Ritual in the Francophone Lands”]. Her newest book, THE PERSONAL LUTHER: ESSAYS ON THE REFORMER FROM A CULTURAL HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, will be published on October 17, 2017.

This Friday night lecture is the keynote presentation for a weekend of events celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation at St. James Lutheran Church. A wine and cheese reception with Susan Karant-Nunn follows her presentation.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the Susan Karant-Nunn Lecture flyer.

ILLUSTRATED LECTURE

“Three Artists of the Reformation Era: Matthias Grünewald (+1528), Albrecht Dürer (+1528), Lucas Cranach (+1553)”

Presenter: Joel Nickel, artist and theologian

Saturday, October 14 at 4:00 pm, Free event
St. James Lutheran Church, 1315 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97201

In conjunction with the 500th anniversary of Luther’s act, posting the 95 theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg, presenter Joel Nickel proposes that Christians today consider the implications for visual art that this event suggested. The Lutheran tradition has within it a mixed history of iconoclasm that persisted out of fear of idolatry associated with the worship/veneration of saints. But Luther’s “theology of the cross” suggested that we find God, not in philosophical speculation (about beauty or perfection or whimsical spirituality) but in those places where God promises to show up: in the life of Christ, especially on the cross and from the empty tomb. Visual communication is prominent in the 21st century, so the Lutheran style which appeals to the mind and ear must find a way to attract the eye and heart.

The place to begin is with the three prominent artists of the early 16th century, Grünewald, Durer, and Cranach, who knew each other and worked on similar issues/images both classical (Greek) & medieval (ecclesial). All three artists have something to teach Lutherans and other Christians in our own time.

The presentation will focus on the Grünewald Isenheim altarpiece, Dürer etchings, and Cranach paintings highlighting the “social reformation.” There are bridges of comparison between all three artists: crucifixion/resurrection art, Adam & Eve images, and the artists’ contemporary world outlooks.

Reception to follow the lecture.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the Reformation Artists Lecture flyer.

CONCERT

by the Oregon Renaissance Band
Directed by Phil and Gayle Neuman

“Sounds of the Reformation: Music of Martin Luther and his Contemporaries”

Saturday, October 14 at 7:30pm, $10 admission at the door
St. James Lutheran Church, 1315 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97201

About the Concert: The repertoire, guaranteed to transport the listener back to the soundscape of music and instruments familiar to Luther, includes the earliest settings of Lutheran hymns by Johann Walther and Caspar Othmayr, as well as music by King Henry VIII with whom Luther corresponded, and other early 16th century dances and instrumental works.

The Oregon Renaissance Band, formed in 1991 and directed by Phil and Gayle Neuman, is a 12 member ensemble that performs on a wide variety of historical instruments including early violin, viola da gamba, recorders, sackbutts, serpent, cornamusen, krummhorns, racketts, tartold, schreierpfeiffen, bagpipes, cittern, spinettino, tabor and other percussion. The group has performed for numerous concert series in the U.S., Canada, and Germany. The ensemble specializes in performances with rhythmic precision, lively ornamentation, precise intonation, and great variety. The members are David Bryan, Sharon Cheney, Daphne Clifton, Ben Fitch, Lori Fitch, Polly Gibson, Andy Harris, Laura Kuhlman, Cindy Markham, Gayle Neuman, Phil Neuman, Kathryn Richer, and Esther Saulle. The Oregon Renaissance Band appears in the 2016 movie “Buddymoon” directed by Alex Simmons and distributed by Orion.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the Oregon Renaissance Band Concert flyer.

Bach Cantata Vespers service featuring Cantata 80 Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott based on the Luther chorale, A Mighty Fortress is our God with the St. James Bach choir, orchestra, and guest organist Mark Brombaugh. We are delighted to welcome Father James Mayo to our pulpit to preach at this service.

BACH CANTATA VESPERS AT ST. JAMES

Free will offering

St. James Lutheran Church (at the corner of SW Park Blocks and Jefferson)
1315 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97201

For more information: call the Church Office at 503-227-2439.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the 2017-2018 Bach Cantata Vespers schedule.

Intergenerational Christmas Eve Service at 4:30pm.

This is always a hit with the young families. The children’s excitement anticipates the joy of Christmas morning.

Celebrate the old and new year with Bach’s Cantata #28 “Praise God! Now the Year is Coming to a Close.” It opens with the words “Think upon this, how much good God’s hands have done for you in the old year! Sound a happy song of thanks to Him…”  And concludes with the prayer, “Give us a peaceful year, protect us from all sorrow, and nourish us gently.”

Soloists Anna Haagenson, Laura Thoreson, Carl Halverson, and Kevin Walsh join St. James Bach Choir and orchestra of strings and 3 oboes. Hannah Brewer is guest organist with prelude music beginning at 4:50.

BACH CANTATA VESPERS AT ST. JAMES

Free will offering

St. James Lutheran Church (at the corner of SW Park Blocks and Jefferson)
1315 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97201

For more information: call the Church Office at 503-227-2439.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the 2017-2018 Bach Cantata Vespers schedule.

Community Lenten Services:

Please join us as we celebrate the Lenten season with our downtown church neighbors.

Wednesday, March 7th
Picnic Dinner at First Baptist at 6:00pm, followed by Ecumenical Service at 7:00pm.
First Baptist Church
909 SW 11th Ave.
503-228-7465 for more info

Wednesday, March 14th
Soup Supper at St. James at 6:00pm, followed by Ecumenical Service at 7:00pm.
St. James Lutheran Church
1315 SW Park Ave.
503-227-2439 for more info

Wednesday, March 21st
Ecumenical Service followed by refreshments at First Presbyterian at 7:00pm.
First Presbyterian Church
1200 SW Alder St.
503-228-7331 for more info

Community Lenten Services:

Please join us as we celebrate the Lenten season with our downtown church neighbors.

Wednesday, March 7th
Picnic Dinner at First Baptist at 6:00pm, followed by Ecumenical Service at 7:00pm.
First Baptist Church
909 SW 11th Ave.
503-228-7465 for more info

Wednesday, March 14th
Soup Supper at St. James at 6:00pm, followed by Ecumenical Service at 7:00pm.
St. James Lutheran Church
1315 SW Park Ave.
503-227-2439 for more info

Wednesday, March 21st
Ecumenical Service followed by refreshments at First Presbyterian at 7:00pm.
First Presbyterian Church
1200 SW Alder St.
503-228-7331 for more info

Community Lenten Services:

Please join us as we celebrate the Lenten season with our downtown church neighbors.

Wednesday, March 7th
Picnic Dinner at First Baptist at 6:00pm, followed by Ecumenical Service at 7:00pm.
First Baptist Church
909 SW 11th Ave.
503-228-7465 for more info

Wednesday, March 14th
Soup Supper at St. James at 6:00pm, followed by Ecumenical Service at 7:00pm.
St. James Lutheran Church
1315 SW Park Ave.
503-227-2439 for more info

Wednesday, March 21st
Ecumenical Service followed by refreshments at First Presbyterian at 7:00pm.
First Presbyterian Church
1200 SW Alder St.
503-228-7331 for more info

On Sunday, April 22nd, the congregation will gather after service at 11:00am for a special Congregational Meeting to vote whether or not to call our Pastoral Candidate for Pastorship at St. James Lutheran Church. There will be a quorum (1/5 of members) required, please attend! Don’t miss this Sunday!

Reception for Nancy Nickel
Saturday, June 2nd, from 4-6:00pm, in the Pioneer Chapel
Mark your calendars for this special event when we say “Goodbye” to our very special Minister of Music. On the eve of Nancy’s last Bach Cantata we will gather to wish her well, and send her off with love and thanksgiving for the music ministry she has guided St. James through for the past 13 years. This should be a celebration you won’t want to miss.

Our Mission and our Place …
Join us for Open Space on Sunday, October 14th at 11:00am as our St. James leaders seek your input on if a seismic retrofit of our property is in line with our mission. Updated information will be shared.

The following is a report from President Carl Cottingham:
We Want to Hear From You
Anybody have three million dollars? What is seismic upgrade? Do we have earthquakes in Oregon? Why is the City of Portland pushing this issue? I thought St. James was finished with major decisions (Pastor, Music Minister) for a while?
We need your voice and input!
On October 14th (after Services) there will be an Open Space about the issue of seismic upgrade to St. James Lutheran Church. We would like to explore this issue and gather your opinion about it. It will have a dramatic impact on all of us, the CDC, the Congregation and the staff. Starting March 1st we will be required to post warning signs on the Pioneer Chapel about earthquake danger. This will be an expensive endeavor if we go ahead with it. We will be unable to do a total roof replacement if we don’t do it. We need you to step up and voice your opinion.
Come to the Open Space on Sunday, October 14th for more information.

Advent Soup, Service & Labyrinth Walk:
Wednesday, December 5th, 6:00-8:15pm.
Join us on this 1st Wednesday in Advent for Soup, 6:00pm; Holden Prayer Service, 6:45pm; Labyrinth Walk, 7:15pm.

St. James Artist Craft Sale:
Sunday, December 16th, 10:30am & 6:00pm.
Our talented artists and members of St. James share their creations with you. Come and be inspired and do some Christmas shopping at the same time!

Advent Labyrinth Walk:
Friday, December 21st, 5:30-6:30pm.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a walk in our courtyard labyrinth and silent meditation.

Intergenerational Christmas Eve Service at 4:30pm.

This is always a hit with the young families. The children’s excitement anticipates the joy of Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with The Flame:
Monday, December 24th, 7:00pm.

Join our friends in our Mission Church, supporting the LGBTQ community.

Sunday, December 25th, 2022
Christmas Day Worship:
9:30am Eucharist Service.
“Christ is Born!”
Join us for carols and readings as we celebrate Christ’s birth.

Click here to download a PDF copy of our 2022 Advent & Christmas schedule.

Carols and Cookies:
Sunday, December 30th, 11:00am.

Advent is over and we finally get to sing our favorite Christmas songs! This has become a popular event for members of St. James. And you don’t even need a hymnal to sing along!

Due to the Oregon Jewish Museum’s closure to install a new exhibit, the St. James tour has been rescheduled for Sunday, January 13th.

Sunday, January 27th, 11:00am: Annual Congregational Meeting, Lunch following.

St. James’ Annual Congregational Meeting: Approval of the 2019 Budget. Election of Council, Endowment Board and Nominating Committee members. Be there! Make your vote count. And enjoy a delicious brunch served up by Charlotte Cook, following the meeting.

It’s Time To Eat Pancakes …

We gather on Tuesday, March 5 at 5:30pm for our Shrove Tuesday celebration. Historically celebrated the day before the season of Lent, shrove comes from the Latin word shrive which means to absolve. Before a season of Lenten fasting, households would use up oils and other foods. Pancakes are on the menu! Then join us the following day for Ash Wednesday Worship at Noon and 7:00pm for a solemn service with the imposition of ash upon our foreheads signifying repentance. The season concludes with the joyous celebration of Easter morning.

— This year St. James is again offering Wednesday evening Soup Suppers and Devotional Services. Soup will be served at 6:00pm, the service begins at 7:00pm. This is always a a good time for conversation and contemplation with friends new and old. Soups are homemade and the service is a short devotional Holden Service. Plan to join us, and bring a friend!

— March 13th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— March 20th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— April 3rd 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— April 10th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

Lenten Day of Reflection:
Saturday, March 16th
9:30am to 12:30pm

Join us for a morning reflection time on Saturday, March 16th from 9:30am to 12:30pm in order to contemplate the leaning into the dialogue of prayer and life during Lent as we cultivate opening our hearts to God and neighbor.

We will experience various forms of prayer with silence, reflection, music, lectio divina, gesture, writing, art and labyrinth walking as we are present to God’s voice.

Facilitators include Pastor David Knapp, Susan McBerry and Albert Alter.

Contact the church office to register!

Suggested donation: $10

— This year St. James is again offering Wednesday evening Soup Suppers and Devotional Services. Soup will be served at 6:00pm, the service begins at 7:00pm. This is always a a good time for conversation and contemplation with friends new and old. Soups are homemade and the service is a short devotional Holden Service. Plan to join us, and bring a friend!

— March 13th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— March 20th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— April 3rd 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— April 10th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

California Lutheran Choir Concert at St. James, Wednesday, March 27th, 7:00pm

St. James will be the venue for the touring California Lutheran University choir (Thousand Oaks, CA) on Wednesday, March 27th at 7:00pm. We will then provide host homes for the 60 students. A sign-up sheet is in Pioneer Chapel. Can you attend the concert, then bring two students home for the night and bring them back to St. James the following morning? Let’s show them our hospitality.

— This year St. James is again offering Wednesday evening Soup Suppers and Devotional Services. Soup will be served at 6:00pm, the service begins at 7:00pm. This is always a a good time for conversation and contemplation with friends new and old. Soups are homemade and the service is a short devotional Holden Service. Plan to join us, and bring a friend!

— March 13th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— March 20th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— April 3rd 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional

— April 10th 6:00PM Soup Dinner, 7:00PM Devotional