THE WEEKLY MESSENGER. Dear Members of St. James,

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1 THE WEEKLY MESSENGER 1358 South Lake Drive Lexington, SC Week of April 17, 2016 Dear Members of St. James, My adult class is about to take up the study of the Lutheran Church s involvement in Immigrant and Refugee Resettlement, especially in the United States. Lutherans were highly displaced after World War 2 and we became experts at resettling refugees. This is a timely topic to study for several reasons. First, much is being made in our current presidential election process about the place of immigrants and refugees in our society. Second, the South Carolina Legislature has taken up a proposal that would open the door to civil litigation against any refugee/immigrant resettlement agency or church (including Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services) that sponsored and assisted the resettlement of a person who later committed a terrorist act or ANY CRIMINAL OFFENSE. As such lawsuits would bankrupt the agency or church, there are understandable concerns. Perhaps the refugee is not, as feared, a terrorist, but rather simply a poor driver. Finally, there is a mass migration of people across the globe happening today. We read about Syrian and other Middle Eastern refugees streaming to Europe, Africans crossing the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea, Zimbabweans moving to South Africa, South and Central Americans moving across our borders. The issue is global. Some fear that as weather patterns continue to change, other migrations may occur that we have not even begun to consider. Did you know: that Jesus was a refugee (Matthew 2:13-23), that Abraham was an economic migrant (Genesis 1-25), that Joseph was the victim of human trafficking (Genesis 37:1-36), that the children of Israel were refugees escaping harsh working conditions (Exodus), that the Jews were refugees in Babylon the list could go on and on. We Christians care about welcoming the stranger and caring for aliens. It is part of our faith tradition s DNA! Jews have been taught from time immemorial to recite, "A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he In This Issue Church Office Notes Mother s Day Memorial/Honorarium What s Happening at St. James Page 7: Weekly Worship Assistants

2 became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our ancestors; the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Deuteronomy 26:5-9) Perhaps your family story is long in this land. My grandparents on both sides came to the US for a better life my father s parents from Canada and my mother s parents from Norway. A wandering Norwegian was my father So, follow the news. Pray to God for wisdom. Study God s Word for insight and answers. And, if you are so moved, come to class! Let us together seek God s wisdom while we seek to be faithful. Yours, Pastor Kevin CHURCH OFFICE NOTES ~ Anyone interested in volunteering as worship assistant in one, or more areas, please feel free to call the church office or sign up in the narthex. We are in need of assistants in all areas of worship, but especially Lectors and Communion Assistants. ~ Altar Flowers for the current month will now be listed in the Weekly Messenger for your convenience. If a date is open and you would like to sign up, simply or call the church office to be added to the schedule, or sign up on Sunday in the Narthex. ~ Any articles that you would like to have included in the Weekly Messenger need to be ed to office@stjameslex.com or simply brought by the church office prior to Wednesday of the week you would like to see it in the publication. Thank you! 2

3 VBS at St. James Volunteers are needed this year for VBS! Please check your calendar and see what you can do! We meet Tuesday Thursday nights, 6:30-8:00. We have classes for two year and three year olds, 4 s and 5 s, and 6 years through the end of 5 th grade. I prefer the middle of June I prefer the middle of July I will be willing to: Teach Age group preferred Volunteer in a class: Age Group preferred Help with music- all ages Name: Phone number: * Please fill out, detach and return to the church office or the offering plate on Sunday. Thank you! Worship Service Time Council has been in discussion concerning worship times and our appeal to new members/families. They have asked the Music & Worship Committee to survey the congregation s preferences. Please respond to this short survey by May 1st. We really appreciate and thank you for your responses. 1. What is your preference for Sunday Service, if there is only one service? A. 8:00 AM B. 9:30 AM C. 10:30 AM 2. Do you think we need an alternative service? A. Yes B. No 3. If yes to number 2, what day of the week and what time? 4. Other comments: 5. Signature (optional): * Please fill out and return to the offering plate or the office. Thank you. 3

4 UPCOMING EVENTS AT ST. JAMES Mother s Day is May 8th and St. James will be producing a Mother s Day Bulletin. The proceeds this year will go to Florence Crittenton of SC, a local program for young, unwed mothers and mothers to be aged Florence Crittenton offers these young moms help with medical care, education, housing, parenting skills and counseling. More information an be found at: If you would like to contribute, please complete the following form and return it along with your contribution to the offering plate or church office no later than May 1st. Make all checks payable to St. James Lutheran Church and designate your donation for the Mother s Day Bulletin. Thank you. In Honor of: From: In Honor of: From: In Memory of: From: In Memory of: From: CIRCLE PAYMENT TYPE. If cash, please include the amount. Thank you. CHECK CASH Amount: 4

5 St. James Lutheran Church, Through Capitol Tours, Presents Hot Jersey Nights On Wednesday, September 14 We will meet at 7:30AM at St. James on the day of departure. Estimated return time will be 7:30PM. Round trip motorcoach transportation, lunch, admission to The Palace Theater, time at Broadway At The Beach, time at Young s Pecans in Florence and gratuity for the motorcoach driver. All for $99 per person! Full payment is necessary no later than July 14th. For more information, or to sign up please contact: Lynette Steele or Sammie Metts A sign up sheet is included (next page) in your Weekly Messenger, as well, for those that would like to sign up now. TELEPHONE 5

6 MEMORIALS Matthew Monts By: Robert & Jan Sharpe George & Lynette Steele Jerry Hutto By: Rowena C. Nylund Louie & Karen Brown Robert & Jan Sharpe Tom & Glenda Boozer Larry & Hazel Kyzer Tammy O Quinn George & Lynette Steele ALTAR FLOWERS FOR APRIL April 24 Joel & Lisa Tyson ALTAR FLOWERS FOR MAY May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 Kathy Goings Chris & Amanda Huber 6

7 Member Prayer List Gerry Jeffords Frank McLeod Norma Moore Anna Ree Roland Katie Rose Elizabeth Roland WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Shut-ins Margaret Kyzer Roberta Pound Dollie Pounds Kathleen Smith Darlene Alexander - Friend of Mary Hines David Ball - Father of Rosemary Davis Betty Boone - Friend of Hilda West Cue Cantrell - Aunt of Brenda Poplin Pam Crossland - Friend of Cheryl Austin Jacob & Alberta Dooley - Relative of Margaret & Allen Hollis Clarence Davis - Father of Jason Davis Barbara Eckard - Cousin of Mary Hines Colton Godfrey - Great Nephew of Charlene Crumpton Gracey Goodman - Great Niece of Henry Poplin Mildred Gunter - Cousin of Anna Ree Roland Lee Hamilton - Grandson of Norma Moore Terri Moore Hamilton - Daughter of Norma Moore Friends & Relatives of Church Members The Family of Jenna Sharpe - Friend of Virginia Hall Lanell Hicks - Mother of Miranda West Chris James - Son of Virginia Hall Rick Kyzer - Son of Richard Kyzer Roger Lindler - Brother of Mendel Lindler Sandy Martin - Friend of Janet & Russell Taylor Samantha Molnar - Sister of Carolyn Steele Girley Rawl- Sister-in-Law of Hazel Rawl Gerald Roof - Brother of Debbie Kyzer Priscilla Shealy - Sister of Alice Raffa Johnny Starnes - Brother of Anna Ree Roland Corey Taylor - Friend of Mary Hines Annette Walls - Sister of Gwen Freeman Lois Watson - Mother of Debbie Areheart William Watson - Father of Debbie Areheart Michael Anderson - Friend of St. James Dwight Barrs - Grandson Eunice Backman Joseph Brown - Grandson of Bill & Kathryn Kyzer Ryan Caulder - Son of Mot Caulder Military Workers Daniel Herb - Son in Law of Mot Caulder Jeremy Jolly - Grandson of Hazel Rawl Wayne Watkins - Nephew of S. Jeffords Keith Zeigler - Son of Tom Zeigler 7

8 Contact Us: St. James Lutheran Church 1358 South Lake Drive Lexington, SC (803) or (803) Visit us at : CHURCH STAFF Pastor Kevin Ogilvie, PhD. pastor.kevin@stjameslex.com Music Director Martha Caulder Secretary Amy Walker SUNDAY SCHEDULE 9:30AM Holy Communion 10:45AM Sunday School Office Hours 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Monday - Thursday MORE INFORMATION... A congregation of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA GLOBAL LINKS - Would you like to know more? The ELCA invites you to click on or copy and paste any of the following links to learn more about the many events, groups and dates that are upcoming and may be of importance to you ST. JAMES FOOD PANTRY - Canned fruit and meats, tomato and chicken noodle soups are needed for our pantry. As always, any and all donations are welcome and appreciated. We open the Fellowship Hall to our friends and neighbors in need each month on the third Tuesday at 10 AM. ST. JAMES BACKPACK PROGRAM - We are collecting hot canned items such as Chef Boyardee, Beanie Weenies, Macaroni and Cheese, etc. for the children. Thank you for your ongoing support of this program! FLORENCE CRITTENTON - To learn more about the programs offered, click here or copy then paste into your browser: 8 Go! Share God s Peace. Make Christ Known.