g{x UxtvÉÇ “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1 Volume 4 September 2019 Issue 44 St. James Lutheran Church NALC Telephone: (828) 464-1953 Fax: (828) 465-2084 1942 St. James Church Road Follow us on Facebook Newton, NC 28658 Website: stjameslutherannewtonnc.com E-mail church office: [email protected] Pastor: Stephen R. Rhodes Intentional Interim [email protected] Office hours: Wed & Thur mornings Celia Reece, Parish Administrator We have a Website!! Office Hours: 8:30 am-12:30 pm M-F You are now able to see news Phyllis Huffman, Organist and happenings at St. James Kristy Painter, Choir Director from our new website: [email protected] 828-244-5167—cell stjameslutherannewtonnc.com Gary Reitzel, Church Custodian Visit the website, check out all its features. Many thanks to Randy Cline for getting this set up for our church. Tell your friends, co-workers, Please have all articles for the October people you come in contact with newsletter to Susan by Sunday, Sept. about it. 22nd. [email protected]; (828) 464-1234 (828) 270-8211 cell The Beacon September 2019 Page 2 The Summer is winding down and the days are beginning to get shorter as Autumn winds whisper their prelude. We are at the end of summer and the school season has begun. It’s that time of the year again to lean into the school season with children returning to class. Each year at this time parents and grandparents are busy preparing bookbags, shopping for new clothes, deciding between hand-me-downs or the newest in teenage fashion, all in preparation for the next 9 months of class work for the children as they journey through one more year of instruction in their secular education. And with the start of public school we also have a new year in Sunday School here at St James. For those who were present at the Sunday School Kick-off you heard how our preparation for the next year in sacred education is just as busy. This year we are fortunate to have two (2) elementary classes, one (1) middle school – high school class and 2 adult classes. Sunday School at St James offers something for everyone from the age of two on up through adult. All are welcome regardless of whether they are members of the congregation or not. You are all invited to come and immerse yourself in the study of the Word of God. Immersion to the point of wrestling with the word of God is our constant calling as members of Christ’s family. I continue to receive comments about the concern for the future of the Christian church and St James in particular. The reports we hear from news and surveys about membership in the Christian church declining concerns us; especially when we see that news coming true for our home church family. It’s a concern and work that falls under the category of Evangelism in the church. When we talk to each other and listen to one another we all agree that we enjoy and need new faces in our ministry to join us in the proclamation of the Gospel here at St James. The problem is we are not sure how to bring that life-saving message to those who are outside our family. Indeed, we are even clumsy inviting and encouraging mem- bers of our own family to worship with us. We approach this concern with both fear and confusion. So, what’s the response appropriate to this type of concern for a Christian church family? To answer this, I am reminded of the movie that the Faith Sunday School class has viewed the past 2 Sundays entitled “Martin Luther.” Brother Martin’s journey was a conflicted path where he wrestled both with God and the church in his understanding of his salvation and the Grace of God. On the one hand he saw God as the su- preme being to which he was subject but grew up believing Him to be a god of vengeance and judgement. He wrestled with the scriptures as earnestly as Jacob wrestled with the angle and would not let go until it blessed him. He immersed himself in the Word of God and let scripture speak to him – personally - he found a god of judgement that was also tempered with the mercy and love and sacrifice of His son Jesus. The vail of anger and vengeance was ripped off the image of God what was revealed was a most loving and gracious God. With this new understanding of scripture Martin was incapable of keeping to himself. He was both compelled and convicted to share this message of joy with as many as he was able. And when Martin was pushed to his most basic understanding… when he was required to justify his belief in what he believes as a follower of Christ Jesus his answer was historic. He said he believed that “unless I am con- vinced by scripture and not by other self-appointed authorities who often contradict each other, unless I am so convinced that I am wrong I am bound to my beliefs by the text of the bible. My conscience is captive to the Word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe…. Therefore, here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” When it comes to understanding the “what” and the “how” of Gods call for us here at St James in ministry and in our walk with Him, are we to be like Jacob who wrestled with the angel in the night? Are we to fol- low Martin Luther’s example to set alone or gather with others in faith and grab hold of God’s Word like Jacob with the angel and wrestle with it until it blesses us? YES! We have begun a new year of classes where we can immerse ourselves along side of our brothers and sisters grab hold of the Word of God, not letting go until it blesses us. It is only through the Word of God that we, like brother Martin, can truly know what God is calling us to do and to be as members of His family. So, come and wrestle with us on Sunday’s! It’s going to bless you in ways you will be compelled to share. In Christ, Pastor Steve The Beacon September 2019 Page 3 The Beacon September 2019 Page 4 The Beacon September 2019 Page 5 In Our Thoughts and Prayers The NALC, Bishop Dan Selbo, Pastor Steve Rhodes, St. James’ Council, Matthew Riak (NALC Missionary), Open Door Homeless Program-Roger Cornett, Brian & Allison McClure (Missionaries to the Czech Republic), St. James’ Evangelism Committee; Matthew Stikeleather, Janis Hager, Joe Jessmer, Deena Craig, Logan Little, Jennifer Bass, Diane Harwell, Connie Yarborough, Stacey Montelongo, Barbara Smith, Ruby Sigmon, Gail Rhodes, Randy Rhodes, Jim Yount, Sue Rogers, Ed Brooks, Loretta Huffman, JoAnn Poovey, Trudy Warren, Reagan Painter, Clyde Turner, Bill Seitz, Natalie Homjec, Lynn Hill, George Deal, Adam Hoffman, Kenny Hewitt, Vicky Crafton, Shirley Williams, Nick Colson, Marvin Teague, Paula Spencer, Mitchell Sigmon, Trudy’s friend, Ron Goforth, Mary Heavner, Robert Kiser, Jeff Duchett, Jeff Herman, Victor Paquin, Jay Bolick, Terri Clark, Richard Howard, Christina Saunders, David Lewis, Dr. Tom Goodin, Robin Burgess, Holly Johnson, Carol-Proj Dir at Cat. Valley Living, residents of Cat. Valley Assisted Living, students & teachers; families of Gavin Sharpe, Gobble, Rachel Bennett, Carl Dwiggins, Kenneth Poovey and Mechelle Howard. John Kelly—USA, Josh Deluca, Chaplain Kim & Regiment, Alex Sigmon Seminary Student: Matthew Oscar Shephard In Nursing Homes: JoAnn Sigmon, Rev. Bill Smith, Christine Burgess, Teresa Sipe, Mitsn Sites, Margaret Reitzel, Garland Huffman, Glenn & Faye Crouch, Jo Little At Home: Wilma Hedrick, Frances Sigmon, Kay Sigmon, Twila Sipe Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray...And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up…pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:13a, 15a, 16, KJV) The Beacon September 2019 Page 6 SERVING THIS MONTH Acolyte: William Stewart Crucifer: Chase Arndt Lay Reader Coordinator: Wesley Stinson Ushers: Sharon Sipe, Bonnie Usher, Robin Burgess Greeters: Mickey & Connie Bell Communion Assistants: Sept 1: Joy Sharpe, Wesley Stinson, Worship Assistant Sept 15: David Arndt, Worship Assistant Altar Flowers: Sept 1: Wesley & Tanya Stinson Sept 8: Glenda Verbos & Betty Hawn Sept 15: Homecoming: Sue Lindley Sept 22: Beverly Sipe Sept 29: Joy Sharpe Altar Care: Marjorie Moose & Tanya Stinson SERVING FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER USHERS: Mickey & Connie Bell; Jerry, Keeley & Aidan Stikeleather ACOLYTE: Gabby Hernandez GREETERS: Dennis & Marilyn Craig LAY READER COORDINATOR: Joy Sharpe CRUCIFER: Worship Assistant COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Oct 6: Sharon Sipe, Barbara Harris, Worship Assistant Oct 20: Betty Hawn, Worship Assistant Oct 27: Reformation Sunday—Worship Assistants ALTAR FLOWERS: Oct 6: Robin & Jeffery Sigmon Oct 13: Bob & Susan Hullet Oct 20: Betty Williams Oct 27: Frances & Harvey Settlemyre The Beacon September 2019 Page 7 1. Debra Self, Amanda Young 3. Tanya Stinson, Janey Link Thern 1. Jo Little, Harvey Settlemyre 4. Scott Arney, Darby Crouch 3. Victor Paquin 5. Jerry Stikeleather 5. Stephanie Shook 8. Tim Sipe 7. Joy Sharpe 9. Lindsey Arney, 9. Anissa Laws, Wesley Stinson Garland Huffman 11. Michael Pope 10. Carolyn Travis 13. Mandy Henderson, 12. Kala Boldon, Andy Sipe Brenda Isenhour, Celia Reece 14. Gracie Elizabeth Sipe 15. Susan Hullet 16. Rev. Bill Smith, 16.