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“Living out our mission, our vision is to be a vibrant Christian Community…”
…so begins the St. James Vision Statement. Our vision, as we seek to live out our mission to proclaim and practice Christ’s love, is to be a community that is alive, excited, and centered in Jesus Christ. As you look through the pages of this newsletter, you will see many examples of the ways we are trying to live out that vision. During the coming weeks and months, our calendar is packed full of worship, events, and activities. We have a fun talent show coming up, with hopes to raise money both for kids going to camp this summer and for new technology for our sound system. We have a Holy Week full of meaningful worship services, as well as other activities. We have the Spring Salad Luncheon, a Sunday School carnival, a Captive Free Team coming, the annual rummage sale, a brunch for moms, a Belgian Waffle fundraiser, a float in the Band Festival Parade, and Vacation Bible School in just a couple of months, as well as numerous other activities. In addition, we have a lot of groups doing a lot of work to make more ministry happen. Our new Care Team has lots of ideas and is working to carry Christ’s love out to people. We have people brainstorming ideas on how to minister to the thousands who will be coming through our area during RAGBRAI. We have 11 youth getting ready to go on the summer mission trip. Our Women of the ELCA have packed kits, made quilts, and are getting ready for the annual Lutheran World Relief pick up of all of our donations. We are already a vibrant Christian Community. And we have much more we want to get done! What are ways you can help St. James live out our mission? What are ways you can be more a part of this Christian Community? First of all, you can be involved by attending worship and coming to other activities as you are able. Holy Week is a good time to get back to worship if you haven’t been in awhile, as we hear the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection—his victory over sin and death. We have many opportunities to hear that story during the week. You will find that schedule in the newsletter. You can also get involved by helping when called upon. We are stronger as a community when we work together! Whether it is donating a bag of candy for an Easter Egg Hunt or coordinating RAGBRAI efforts…helping with the salad luncheon or building a float…reading or ushering at a worship service or praying for someone in need—we need YOU to help make St. James that vibrant Christian Community! Please prayerfully consider the ways you can be a part of the ministry here. Thank you for the work you already do. Together, may we come together to proclaim and practice Christ’s love. --Pastor Jeni Join Pastor Jeni, Pastor Joel, and Pastor Sid Bohls from St. Paul as we explore the Small Catechism this year during Lent. Each Wednesday, we will look at a different part of the Catechism and its meaning for our life. The schedule is as follows (all services are at 11 AM and 6:30 PM):
March 12: “The Sacrament of Holy Communion” March 19: “The 10 Commandments” March 26: “The Sacrament of Holy Baptism” April 2: “The Lord’s Prayer” April 9: “The Apostles’ Creed” In addition to our worship services, we encourage you to study the Small Catechism both in small groups and at home. Each Wednesday, after both the morning and evening worship services, you are invited to the Fireside Room for a discussion, using questions provided during worship. There will also be discussion guides for you to take home each week. Small Catechisms will be available for each family to take home. There will be a free-will offering envelope if you would like to donate toward the cost of the Catechisms (they cost about $1 per book). Looking at the Catechism and reading portions each morning and evening would be a great addition to your Lenten Devotion Time. There will be suggestions on the discussion guides each week for how to incorporate the Catechism into your devotions. You may also consider a “Memory Work Challenge” as a family or with friends, memorizing the portions of the Catechism we are discussing each week. Join us each Wednesday as we get BACK TO THE BASICS in our discussion of Luther’s Small Catechism. |
St. James Blog
Periodic notes and updates from the staff of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mason City, Iowa Archives
November 2018
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