Welcome to October at St. James!
We begin our Stewardship Emphasis, “Why I Give.”
The quote above is attributed to Winston Churchill and adjusts our focus from making a LIVING to making a LIFE. Often the first part of our adult years center on gathering stuff (money, home, education, security). Richard Rohr explains that the second part of life is seeking and enjoying meaning and purpose. We move from accumulating to being; from gathering to living the gift of life. That involves giving our whole selves. Our ministry at St. James is all about meaning, purpose and giving our lives away.
John’s Gospel quotes Jesus as saying: “I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly.” When we give of ourselves (money, time, skills) we follow Jesus’ path to abundant life. In October/November individual members will share “Why I Give” each Sunday morning. You will be encouraged to complete an orange “Estimate of Giving” card for 2024. After blessing our cards and intentions on November 12th, we will celebrate with a Swedish Pancake Brunch! Thank you for making a LIFE.
–Pastor David
Fall at St. James …
We welcome guest preachers Barry Rogge and Mark Brocker to St. James while Pastor David is on sabbatical. St. James member Scott Ellertson will lead Jazz Vespers. Below is the Sunday schedule for October and November. Our stewardship emphasis begins in October and we will bless the Estimate of Giving Cards on Sunday, November 12th. Open Space will continue while Pastor David is gone and we are looking forward to a series led by Mark Brocker called Coming Home to Earth. Be sure to join us on Sunday, October 22nd for an Endowment Luncheon. It’s a busy fall at St. James, and Pastor David will return to the pulpit on the first Sunday of Advent, December 3rd.
October at St. James …
Sunday, October 1st
Guest Preacher: Pastor Mark Brocker
Open Space: Loss of Love for Earth
Sunday, October 8th
Guest Preacher: Pastor Mark Brocker
Stewardship Emphasis Begins: “Why I Give”
Open Space: Grieving with Earth
Sunday, October 15th
Guest Preacher: Pastor Mark Brocker
Stewardship Emphasis: “Why I Give”
Open Space: The Things that Make for Peace
Jazz Vespers Presider: Scott Ellertson
Sunday, October 22nd
Guest Preacher: Pastor Mark Brocker
Stewardship Emphasis: “Why I Give”
Open Space: Endowment Luncheon
Sunday, October 29th: Reformation
Guest Preacher: Pastor Barry Rogge
Stewardship Emphasis: “Why I Give”
Open Space: Reformation Themes
November at St. James …
Sunday, November 5th: All Saints
Guest Preacher: Pastor Mark Brocker
Stewardship Emphasis: “Why I Give”
Open Space: Conversion to Earth
Sunday, November 12th
Guest Preacher: Pastor Mark Brocker
Blessing of Estimate of Giving Cards
Swedish Pancake Brunch
11:15am Open Space: Taking Up Our Ecological Cross
Bach Cantata Vespers
Sunday, November 19th
Guest Preacher: Pastor Barry Rogge
Open Space: Guided Imagery of Oregon History
Jazz Vespers Presider: Scott Ellertson
Sunday, November 26th
Guest Preacher: Pastor Mark Brocker
Open Space: Coming Home to Earth
Open Space: Coming Home to Earth …
Mark your calendars and consider committing to the Coming Home to Earth Open Space series led by Pastor Mark Brocker. Regarding the series Pastor Brocker says, “It is urgent that we recognize that our well-being as human beings is intimately connected with the well-being of Earth and all its inhabitants… Love of God and love of neighbor are classic core values in our faith tradition that motivate us to take action. Love of creation and love of self are other key core values that can motivate us to address pressing ecological issues.”
Childcare Available …
Beginning Sunday, October 1st childcare will be available during the service and Open Space. Adina Walls is our new childcare provider. Welcome Adina!
Volunteers Needed …
We are in need of volunteers to pick up food donations from Fred Meyer on Tuesday mornings. These donations support our 5-day a week food box ministry to the houseless. If you would like to get involved, please contact Elsa at the front desk.
