St. James Lutheran Church Newsletter April 2021
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St. James Lutheran Church Newsletter April 2021 1315 SW Park Ave, Portland OR 97201 | www.stjamespdx.org Holy Week At St. James Worship Opportunities Sunday, March 28 Palm/Passion Sunday In-person: Sundays at 9:30am Palms distributed at the door 9:30am in our sanctuary (sign up online) Wednesday, March 31 Lenten Bible Study Online Online: Video available Thursday, April 1 Maundy Thursday Eucharist Sunday afternoons Noon The day of Jesus’ Last Supper www. bit.ly/2MzdcxX St. James April Jazz Vespers Friday, April 2 Good Friday Worship John Moak, trombone Noon The day of Jesus’ death stjamespdx.org/ communications/music/ Saturday, April 3 Holy Saturday Virtual (available April 18) 9:30am Contemplative Prayer The day of Jesus’ burial St. James Virtual Art Gallery Sunday, April 4 Easter Sunday Eucharist Artist of the Month: Craig 9:30 and 11am Jesus’ triumphal resurrection Gerke stjamespdx.org/life/groups/ Wednesday, March 7 Lenten Bible Study Online visual-artists-group/ Rejoice and Give Thanks—Vaccine Fundraiser for Lutheran World Relief: April 5 - May 10 As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, I can't help but make the connection to a reopening after experiencing a year-long pandemic. The vaccine allows Americans the luxury of protection against this deadly virus. As Christians, we need to share the wealth. Many poorer nations do not have the resources to acquire vaccines. So, with the help of Lutheran World Relief, let’s help others gain access to this drug. The Endowment Fund has secured $5,000 in matching funds to support this cause. You can give through St. James and all funds collected will be matched up to $5,000. Together, St. James can give $10,000 or more to LWR to alleviate the suffering of others. We will collect the funds and give one big check to LWR on May 10. Thank you.—Mandy Ellertson, Council Vice President 2 One year ago, our Holy Week “gathering” of worship was around Michael’s organ music and my recorded voice as we imagined the sanctuary’s stained-glass windows. No in-person worship. The pandemic was raging and uncertainty accompanied it. Now in this 2021 Holy Week, hope dawns as more arms receive the vaccine. As our eight-week recorded Lenten Bible Study series comes to a conclusion on April 7, the musical group Peter, Paul, and Mary have been linked with those three Biblical characters who share their first names. One hopeful song they offered in 1972 contained these lyrics: “Weave, weave, weave me the sunshine out of the falling rain, Weave me the hope of a new tomorrow and fill my cup again.” This newsletter is filled with those hopeful signs of Easter life. In-person worship is up. Three baptisms will occur before Mother’s Day. Our school now has over seventy pupils enrolled five days a week. Construction plans for a new roof and HVAC system are concluding the design stage. An April fundraiser will get the vaccine to developing countries through Lutheran World Relief. Our Search Committee moves us closer to a permanent Director of Music. Three fun Open Space RE-formation Zoom gatherings are being prepared. Our Endowment Committee is tackling needs near and far. Join us in ministry as God weaves the sunshine out of the falling rain. - Pastor David St. James Lenten Bible Study Peter, Paul, and Mary: How They Guide Our Lenten Journey Thank you to so many who are listening to Pastor David’s recorded Bible Study each Wednesday. Of the eight sessions, we have two left (March 31 and April 7). We are mixing the music of the 1960’s folk group with the Biblical figures of Simon Peter, the Apostle Paul, and Mary Magdalene. Tune in to the final sessions: Wednesday, March 31: During Holy Week we follow Jesus to the cross. Why are the passion narratives in the four Gospels different? What really happened? Why do we refer to the books as “gospels” rather than “histories?” What is a theological retelling? Wednesday, April 7: Mary was present at the empty tomb. Was Jesus resurrected bodily or spiritually? Was Mary, a female, the first Christian missionary who headed to France? Why didn’t that make it into your Bible? So as this study concludes, what do you think of Jesus? Listen each Wednesday—with a Bible in hand—on our St. James website: www.stjamespdx.org/communications/bible-study Contact us at: 503-227-2439 St. James Lutheran Church Fax 503-227-0856 1315 SW Park Ave [email protected] Portland, OR 97201 Newsletter Production: Lilli Vellom Pastor David: [email protected] [email protected] Office Hours: 7:30am-2pm Newsletter editor: Kathleen McDonald 2 3 Signs of New Life Downtown Portland is showing signs of life. The Federal Courthouse cement barriers have been removed. The umbrella man whose rain protector was damaged now has a new one. St. James members are getting vaccinated as we anticipate Easter joy. Join us each Sunday for worship in any way you feel comfortable (online or in-person). We Celebrate Three Baptisms Between now and Mother’s Day we will bring three children to the baptismal font at St. James: April 11 little Brooks Nelson, the child of John and Stacy Nelson April 25 infant Willow Mott, the daughter of Brooke Edwards and Harrison Mott May 9 Henry Ryan, the son of Meaghan Wheeler and Ryan Pierce. Congratulations as you become part of God’s family at St. James. New Member Sunday We will receive a group of new members on Sunday, May 16. They have been worshiping with us in-person for several weeks and will officially become part of our St. James ministry that day. Welcome! Feeding the Houseless In March a group of St. James volunteers gathered in Pioneer Chapel to pack boxes for food distribution. Five times a week, St. James provides food and needed items to those who live on our streets. One day, Pastor David brought out the items to a group that had decreased in number. When he inquired why there were fewer people, he was told, “Because they got their stimulus check!” Many thanks to all who donate specifically to this fund to help those on our streets. Your Vaccine Story Our St. James April mid-month mailing will contain a few sentences of vaccine stories from members. Will you share your story? How long did it take to get signed up? Are you still waiting? Any reactions? Email your story to [email protected] by mid-April. Oregon Lutheran Synod Assembly On April 30 and May 1, four members of St. James will serve as delegates to the Zoom gathering of 112 Lutheran Churches in our Oregon Synod. Our thanks to those from St. James who serve on your behalf: Council President David Scott, Council Vice President Mandy Ellertson, member Megan-Susuico-Scott, and Pastor David. This year’s theme is “Faithful in the Fray.” 3 4 New Easter Banner On Easter Sunday, April 4, a new banner will adorn our tower. The message to our downtown community is “Rejoice.” The old banner was worn and torn after thirty years of use. Our thanks to those who made this new banner possible. Thank You For Your Offerings and Gifts Your faithful giving sustains our ministry. After a lower than expected January, our February giving was up. A first-quarter record of your giving will be placed in the mail in mid-April. Thanks for all the ways you give: in-person in the Sunday offering plate, electronically, by mail, or through a stock gift. Thank you. Our Endowment Ministry The St. James Endowment Board met again via email to consider several new requests. Four of the requests were ones supported annually with Endowment Funds. They included: Renewal of Sundays and Seasons (our annual liturgical source): $479; Support of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (including an annual gift and ongoing support of local ministries): $5,500; Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary: $15,000. This year’s contribution also honors two past members of St. James who received their doctorates at PLTS: recently deceased Bill Arbaugh and long-time St. James pastor, Joe Smith; Ongoing support of Living Lutheran Magazine: $650. The Endowment Board felt privileged to be able to support PLTS in its ongoing education for Lutheran ministry. A new request was received for up to $5,000 for Lutheran World Relief, submitted by Mandy Ellertson on behalf of the St. James Justice Group. The purpose of this request is to match contributions received from a fundraiser that will be held at St. James in April to support LWR’s efforts in purchasing COVID-19 vaccines to distribute to people in underserved countries. All members of the Endowment Board enthusiastically approved this request and look forward to the upcoming fund drive. Members of the Endowment Committee are Kathleen McDonald (chair), Donna Dunlap (Secretary), Craig Gerke, Judith Smith, Walter Matera, and Pastor David. 4 5 Reformation of Joy: Staying Connected This Easter Season Virtual Event Series: Rediscovering Fun & Community Each event will run about 45 minutes Sunday, April 18, 11am Fellowship & Bingo Join members of the congregations for a time of fellowship and fun. Chelsea Kimmett and Lynn Warren will lead us through a virtual Bingo game! Simply log in to the Zoom meeting to join the game. Participants can play along using a digital bingo card, or can pick up a real bingo card from the church. Winners will receive a custom Martin Luther Beer Stein paired with your choice of beer or artisan soda! Sunday, April 25, 11am Education & Lutheran Trivia Join us virtually for Lutheran Trivia.