st. james herald€¦ · what’s inside january 2016 st. james herald happenings children &...
TRANSCRIPT
What’s INSIDE
January 2016
St. James Herald
Happenings
Children & Youth
Misc. Info
Bonfire News
An email publication of St. James Lutheran Church of Crystal, Minnesota What’s INSIDE
Office Hours The church office is open:
Mon.-Wed. 7:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Thurs. 7:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Sunday Morning Schedule 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:10 a.m. Education
11:10 a.m. Contemporary Worship
St. James Lutheran Church
6700 46th Place North
Crystal, MN 55428
Phone: 763-537-3653
Fax: 763-537-3828
www.stjamesincrystal.org
Pastoral Reflection
Beloved in Christ, Tis the Season! In the Advent, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations just completed,
we experienced many seasons of life. The Christmas carol instructs us, “Tis the season to be jolly.” The Advent season reminded us that it is the season to prepare for the coming of Jesus our savior. Christmas is the season to celebrate God’s coming into the world and our lives, in the flesh, in a manger, in our hearts, through Jesus the Christ.
As you may know, a member of our congregation, Nyerun Gach, goes by the English translation, New Year, of her Sundanese name. What a great name! In this New Year, the year of our Lord, 2016, we are inclined toward a season of reflection on years past and resolutions for the coming year. As we both look back and look forward, we share in an opportunity to tell the story of our life, both what has been and what will be.
When we speak of what has been, our life stories can be shared in two ways. We can focus on the defeats, cruelty, slights, and hurts we have experienced, or we can focus on how God has been faithfully present with us through each of those times, and the many blessings and encouragements in life we have received through the love of God expressed through family, friends and church. In scripture, we see such stories time and again and we are reminded of God’s presence in our own stories and given a model for understanding and sharing the stories of our lives.
Each evening during Advent, Diana and I shared the daily faith story from our conger gation’s second annual “Advent Devotional.” These life-stories inspired and encouraged us to look for God’s faithful presence and to look for God’s coming each day. The Bible encourages us to live in this way. In fact the early Christian movement was called “The Way.”
Can you imagine the difference that St. James Lutheran is making in our community by living in The Way through God’s mission for us, “Reflecting the Light of Christ in Crystal”? Through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we live The Way at St. James by following Jesus and working together to accomplish God’s mission. Your generous response to God’s invitation through stewardship of both the money and time which God entrusted to you made it possible for us to live The Way in 2015.
For the New Year, we will continue to build and grow our current ministries, and will joining with our Bonfire partner churches, First Lutheran and House of Hope, to begin housing and feeding four homeless families for two weeks during 2016. We are blessed to share the gift of life God has given us with others by living The Way together at St. James. I thank God for you, and for The Way we live together.
Love in Christ,
Randy
Happenings
St. James’ Staff
Pastor Randall Romsdahl [email protected]
Pastor Kristen Brechler [email protected]
Lana Teigen [email protected]
Financial Coordinator
Amanda Burns [email protected]
Director of Communication
Ryan Walesch [email protected] Director of Youth Ministry
Deanna Loken Choir Director
Mary Brown Ringing Praise Bell Choir
Director & Organist
Dan Stackhouse Custodian
Amy Jermstad [email protected]
Sunday School Coordinator
Julie Rose Sunday Morning Hospitality
Shop Amazon Smile
Do you use Amazon for online shopping? Did you know that Amazon has a specific website Amazon Smile that you can use and they will donate a small
portion of select purchases to an authorized organization at no cost to you?
St. James is now a registered Amazon Smile organization. To make purchases through Amazon Smile, visit www.smile.amazon.com and continue with your ac-count as you normally would shopping on Amazon. You will need to designate an organization – put in St. James Lutheran Church Crystal MN and we should come
up!
Questions? Contact Amanda Burns at [email protected].
KidPack Chili & Soup Fundraiser Bonfire Ministries is holding a KidPack Chili and Soup Fundraiser on Fri., Jan.
29 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. James. Help raise funds so we can continue the KidPack program!
Join us for some fun, fellowship, musical entertainment, and dinner in Wold Hall. Menu includes chili, wild rice soup, tomato basil soup, cornbread, beverages and dessert. Cost: Adults $8, children age 12 and under $5. Tickets will be available in the narthex on Sunday mornings or from the church office.
Take out is also available by calling 612-275-2067 by Jan. 21; $8 for a pint, $15 for a quart.
Men’s Breakfast
The Men’s Breakfasts are held the third Saturday of every month at 8:00 a.m. at Fat Nat’s (36th & Winnetka). All men are welcome to attend for some good food, fellowship and fun!
Wi-Fi at St. James
St. James now has just one username and password for Wi-Fi in the building. Please be responsible when using it.
STJLC
where’s Jesus?
Nursery Caregiver Job Posting
St James Lutheran Church in Crystal is seeking a nursery caregiver to create a safe and nurturing environment for young children on Sunday morn-ings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We are looking for someone with proven childcare experience in a nursery or preschool setting. First aid/
CPR training and background check are requirements.
Pay is dependent on experience, beginning at $13.00 per hour. To indicate your interest, please submit your qualifications and 2-3 references to
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of St. James will be on Sun., Jan. 24 at 10:10 a.m. in Wold Hall. All members are encouraged to attend.
Pledge Cards
It’s not too late to turn in your pledge cards for 2016. Please just put them in the offering plate on Sunday morning or bring them to the church office. Thank you!
Sunday Altar Flowers
If you would like to purchase flowers in honor, memory or celebration of someone, a sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board outside Pastor Randy’s office. Cost is $30. The 2016 sheet is now availa-ble!
Dinner at Your Door
Drivers needed for Dinner at Your Door. If you have a car and an hour a month to spare, you can help our el-derly, disabled and shut-ins in our community to remain independent by delivering a hot nutritious midday meal. Meals are picked up at the Crys-tal Community Center at 10:30 and delivered to 6 - 8 homes in the area. Volunteering for this ministry is very rewarding. Contact Barbara Parsons at 763-228-2272 for more info or to sign up. Be a valued DAYD driver. We need your help.
Endowment Corner
We Bought a Farm.
Through the Benevolent account of the Endowment Fund, we have given $725 to the ELCA Good Gifts program and bought a family farm. This is in addition to the farms purchased my members of the congregation at Christmas (for a total of 5 farms).
ELCA Good Gifts support sustainable development in projects of ELCA World Hun-ger programs.
Gifts to the Endowment Fund reach beyond the walls of St. James. In this case, a needy family has been given a cow, goats, chicks, pigs, ducks and farming tools – a fami-ly farm – which will impact their lives in ways unimaginable to those of us who are blessed with abundance.
Thank you to all who have contributed to the Endowment Fund.
New Policy for Events
St. James now has an online form that must be filled out for ALL events and activities before it will be placed on the church calendar, which is now only online. This will help prevent double booking and eliminate two separate calendars (online only now).
All requests for an item to be communicated in a St. James publication will also need a form filled out. This form needs to be filled out well in advance of your event, so plan ahead.
The quick and easy way to fill out forms is online at www.stjamesincrystal.org/calendar. You can also find paper forms in the church office.
Questions? Contact Director of Communications Amanda Burns at 763-537-3653 or [email protected].
Usher & Financial Assistant Schedule
January 3
Ushers: 9:00 a.m.:. Roger A. Johnson, Rick Jones 11:10 a.m.: (contact church office if interested) Financial Assistants: Capt. Ozzie Hellen, Becki Smith, Jackie Harlow
January 10
Ushers: 9:00 a.m.: George McClure, Terry Teigen, Roger E. Johnson, Judy Berney, Ken & Phyllis Nelson
11:10 a.m. (contact church office if interested) Financial Assistants: Capt. Stan Tikkanen, Dawn Skare, Lorraine LaFontaine
January 17
Ushers: 9:00 a.m.: Mike Stanchfield, Jim Olsen, Stan Tikkanen, John Lindstrom, 11:10 a.m. : Wayne Rierson, Don & Deb Edmondson
Financial Assistants: Capt. Rich Pearson, Dee Burrington, Joyce Held
January 24
Ushers: 9:00 a.m.: Jim Hauan, Becki Smith, Clarence Peterson, Marv Berke
11:10 a.m.: (contact church office if interested) Financial Assistants: Capt. Bob Michaelson, Jerry Anderson, Karon Looft
January 24 Team I
Children & Youth Ministry
Upcoming January Milestone
3 year olds through 1st graders (and parents) are invited to join us Sun., Jan. 10 for a prayer milestone event at 10:10 a.m. in Wold Hall. During this milestone we will learn, discover, interact, practice and play with prayer. This workshop is intended for parents to attend with their student.
Please RSVP by Jan. 3, so we know how many to plan for: [email protected].
CrossWalk Confirmation Retreat Rescheduled
The fall Middle School/Confirmation Retreat has been rescheduled to January 22-
23. The retreat will be at the Shores of St. Andrew Camp in Spicer, MN. We will leave Friday at 5:30 p.m. and return Saturday around 6:00 p.m. Please put this on your calen-dar today! This is an important part of CrossWalk.
Youth Forum Join us Sunday mornings when youth gather to learn, discuss and talk about cur-
rent events. When: Sundays during Education hour – 10:10 a.m.– 11:00 a.m. Where: Middle School Youth Room
Age: 6-8th grade Contact: Pr. Kristen Brechler [email protected] or John Lindstrom
for more information.
Lighthouse Sunday School Resumes
Sunday School will resume its normal meeting schedule on Sun., Jan. 3 at 10:10 a.m. in the Sunday School rooms. We hope everyone had a great break!
CrossWalk Kids
Join us for CrossWalk Kids. On Wednesday evening 6:00—8:00 p.m., we have a meal, worship and small group activities just for kids. There also are opportunities for parents to be involved in a small group during that same time. There is something for the entire family. Join us for CrossWalk on Wednesday nights!
Worship Leadership
Sunday School families sign up to help bring the communion elements forward during worship. Sign-up is outside the church office on the Chil-dren’s Ministry bulletin board and found online via a signup genius page. Contact Pr. Kristen for more infor-mation.
Box Tops for Education, Milk Caps and Campbell’s Soup Labels6
What do those three things have in common?
They’ve been able to purchase gym equipment, educational videos, books and other items to help enhance learning at Forest Elementary! Even during the summer, St. James contin-ues to collect them in the drawers near the front door. Milk caps must have a sticker on them (please rinse the caps!), and Campbell’s needs only the UPC barcode with the logo on it. Thank you.
Missionary Update
Hola Iglesia (Hello Church)! This past month, I had the incredible opportunity to take a week-long trip into one of the Amazon River commu-nities! Puerto America is a village with less than 9 families about 10 hours down the river from the port city. Most villages don’t have such small populations, and because of this, they’ve had very little contact with anybody preaching the gospel before. A team from YWAM Iquitos visited them earlier this year to find that they were not only accepting of the Good News that Jesus came to save humani-ty from our sins because God loves us so much, but this village was so hun-gry for more, that a member of the team left one bible with the communi-ty leader to share the Word of the Lord with everyone until they were able to have bibles in each family.
I went with a team of 4 women,
and one of the first things we did was
hand out bibles to everybody. Most
communities on the River have al-
ready been evangelized, so I never
thought I’d get the chance to give
someone their very first bible, but
what an experience this turned out to
be! We also did various kids’ pro-
grams, spoke with each home individ-
ually to answer questions they had
about Christianity and invite them into
deeper relationship with Jesus, and I
was able to give a presentation on hu-
man trafficking! To find out the
shocking response that came from this
presentation, check out the story on
my blog at www.v-
tinesblog1.blogspot.com. Thanks for
following this journey of mine through
your continued support! Ciao!
Sarah Valentine
Outreach Ministry - Loaves & Fishes
In 2014 Loaves and Fishes reviewed the census data from the "Hunger Free Minnesota Missing Meal" map. It found there were pockets of poverty that weren't being addressed. So meal sites were opened in Marshall, Hopkins, Crystal, Brooklyn Center (lunch), and Richfield (weekends). Since the Crystal site is at Brunswick Methodist, it would seem appropriate for us to help with this site. Some volunteer there already. They would appreciate more help from the community. They serve meals every Wednesday and Thursday. The St. James Quilters have generously donated quilts to this site. They were very excited and knew exactly which families needed them most. Thank you quilters. Loaves and Fishes has been running in the red. The January funds will go to help the Crystal site. Last January, you generously donated $385. Your help is greatly appreciated. Loaves and Fishes has been a mission for St. James since1984---over 30 years. Their slogan is "Meals, Comfort, Kindness".
Offering Envelopes
The 2016 offering envelopes are ready to be picked up in the narthex. Thank you!
Office Closed
The church office will be closed on Mon., Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Care of Creation
Our Minneapolis Area Synod is making our Christian care for the beautiful abundant creation in which we live a priority through many expressions of support and available resources. The ELCA’s “Lutherans Restoring Creation” ministry network is active in our Synod, with resources available at www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org.
I’m experiencing a strong sense of call for our congregation to create a team focused on our Care of Creation. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more or would like to participate in this ministry.
Pastor Randy
Annual Reports
Annual Reports of the year 2015 and financials will be available in the narthex beginning on Sun., Jan. 17. Please pick up a copy, or call 763-537-3653 to have a copy mailed to you.
Misc. Stuff
Book Club News
January’s pick: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: a year of food life by Barbara
Kingsolver. Kingsolver elegantly chronicles a year of back-to-the-land living with her family
in Appalachia. After three years of drought, the author decamped from her longtime home in Arizona and sets out with Steven (her husband) and daughters Camille and Lily to inhabit full-time his family’s farm in Virginia. Their aim, she notes, was to “live in a place that could feed us,” to grow their own food and join the increasingly potent movement led by organic growers and small exurban food producers. King-solver wants to know where her food is coming from: Her diary records her attempts to consume only those items grown locally and in season while eschewing foods that require the use of fossil fuels for transport, fertilizing and processing. [from Kirkus
Reviews]
Join “Page Turners” this month in reading the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The group meets Tues., January 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Peter and Paul room. All are
welcome!
For more information on the book club, contact Linda Judge (at 763-533-4081 or
February’s pick: Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl
Strayed.
Adult Faith Formation Schedule
Each event will be held at 10:10 am in the Peter and Paul room. All are welcome to attend. No prior experience necessary.
1/3/16 - Lectionary Preview, Baptism of the Lord
1/10/16 - Lectionary Preview, Second Sunday after Epiphany
1/17/16 - Lectionary Preview, Third Sunday after Epiphany
1/24/16 - Lectionary Preview, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
1/31/16 - Lectionary Preview, Transfiguration Sunday
2/7/16 – Led by Adam Copeland, Director of the Luther Seminary Center for Stewardship Leaders, on Stewardship
2/14/16 - Small Catechism, Introduction
2/21/16- Small Catechism, the Ten Commandments 2/28/16- Small Catechism, the Apostles Creed
3/6/16- Small Catechism, the Lord's Prayer 3/13/16- Small Catechism, Baptism
3/20/16 - Small Catechism, the Lord's Supper
3/27/16 - Easter, no adult education
Mark Your Calendar: • Fri., Jan. 29: Wildfire Chili
Supper at St. James, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
Memorials
KidPack in memory of Allen P. from Mary Brown
Please Pray
For: Hospitalizations • Victor Hanks
Sympathy • Rich Pearson on the death of his
brother
Changes of Address
JMike & Oretha Sumo 2932 Northway Dr Apt 101
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2454
Tom & Jelene Walesch 5101 Boarshead Rd Apt 215
Minnetonka, MN 55345-4056
Memorials
Worship Fund in memory of Evelyn Forkey from Marv & Sue Berke
Memorials and gifts can be made
at any time in honor or memory of
family/friends. Contact Financial
Coordinator Lana Teigen for more
information at 763-537-3653.
November Food Drive Update
St. James congregation donated 250 pounds and over $2,000. This was greatly appreciated since many new clients have needed food each month at the NEAR Food Shelf. Over 20 St. James members helped distribute toys to the NEAR clients families on Dec. 12th. Thanks to all that donated money, food, quilts, decorations, clothes, hats, etc. These families will have a happier Christmas because of you.!!
Bonfire Ministry News
Bonfire Executive Director’s Note
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As the New Year begins, now’s the time to mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Chili and Soup Supper to support KidPack. This year the dinner will be at St. James Lutheran Church, 6700 46th Pl. N, Crystal MN, on January 29th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The cooks are already planning the menu and if last year is any indication, it will be delicious. There will be Chili, Soup, and a Vegetarian Soup option, along with other goodies. As we had last year, there will be entertainment throughout the evening and drawings for Door Prizes. You’ll want to get there early to get a good seat so you can visit with your friends and hear the music. Remember this
dinner is a Fund Raiser for our KidPack Ministry.
As the New Year begins, hunger is still a major problem in our community. A recent article in the national news reminds us that 20% of the population is “food insecure” on any given day. This is especially hard on elementary school age children. Without enough to eat these students are unable to learn well. KidPack provides a food resource for these children over the weekend when the resources of meals at school are unavailable. Our KidPack ministry is working hard to make sure that these students have food on the weekend, however, our budget is VERY tight this year. Any and every gift you give goes directly to feed the children. Your gifts are essential. Our Adopt-A-Student program helps fund your KidPack ministry. $54.00 will provide one KidPack bag to one student three times a month for the entire year. Can you, will you Adopt-A-Student this year? Perhaps you are able to adopt more than one student. If you can, please do. Envelopes are available in the pews of each congregation to assist with these gifts. As you write your check, you can make it out to either Bonfire Minis-try or your congregation, and please indicate KidPack on the memo line, so it gets to
the right place.
Remember, too, that KidPack is a wonderful ministry to support with a gift in honor of or in memory of another. Those gifts can be given directly to Bonfire Minis-try, with KidPack written in the Memo line, or they can be given through your congre-
gation, again with KidPack written on the memo line.
For more information, check out the Bonfire web site at http://
www.bonfireministry.org.
Blessing and Peace,
Pr Daniel Babine
Bonfire Ministry – Executive Director
The Gathering
The Gathering is the Bonfire Ministry Respite Care ministry. It is held at House of Hope Lutheran Church on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the day those attending The Gathering are encouraged to participate in all kinds of activities that increase their quality of life. During the time of The Gathering there is also a support group offered for caregivers. Currently there are two openings for participants at The Gathering. There are always openings for volunteers at The Gathering. The volunteers assist the participants with the activities and enjoy lunch with the participants. If you would like more information on The Gathering, to volunteer or to par-ticipate, please call Debbie Haney, the Bonfire Ministry Parish Nurse @ (612) 408-2049. The Gathering is open to any person in the community, and the participants need not be mem-bers of a Bonfire Ministry congrega-tion. There is a small donation that is requested, but not required, at each of
The Gathering meetings.
Parish Nurse Bonfire Parish Nurse Debbie is
happy to check your blood pressure, and visit about health concerns and planning. Feel free to contact her at any location. You may also contact her at 612-408-2049.
St. James: the 4th Sunday of the month, and Tuesdays 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Her office is in the archives room, across from the Montessori coat racks. If the few steps are a problem to get there, go around outside; there aren’t any steps to tackle!
House of Hope: the 3rd Sunday of the month, and Thursdays 11:00
a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
First Lutheran: the 2nd Sunday of the month, and Tuesdays 9:00 -
11:00 a.m.
Grief Support
The Bonfire Ministry will begin the next GriefShare series on Sun., Jan. 17 at St. James. The support group meets weekly for 13 weeks, from 3:45 to 6:00 p.m. Every-one is welcome. To cover the cost of refreshments, a $10 donation is suggested. For
more information, contact Bonfire Parish Nurse, Debbie Haney at 612-408-2049.
Wildfire Men's Fellowship Dinner There will be a Wildfire Men’s Fellowship Dinner on Sun., Jan. 24 at 5:00 p.m. at
Elim Lutheran Church, 3978 West Broadway in Robbinsdale. Special guest speak-er: Chief Franzen, the Chief of Police for the City of Robbinsdale.
Cost is $10 per person. More information, contact Roger Johnson at 763-536-
8638. Headcount is needed by January 17.
NON PROFIT
ORG.
US POSTAGEUS POSTAGEUS POSTAGEUS POSTAGE
PAIDPAIDPAIDPAID TWIN CITIES, MN
PERMIT NO.
1265126512651265
ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH 6700 46TH PLACE NORTH
CRYSTAL MN 55428
St. James Herald