CONNECTION. Pastor Michael J. Albrecht. June Happy Birthday!

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June 2017 CONNECTION www.saintjameslutheran.com Happy Birthday! Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the New Testament Church, but the date of Pentecost is never the same two years in a row.

Every year pilgrims came from all over the Roman world to celebrate Pentecost in Jerusalem. Saint Luke provides a list of the countries they came from.

1 June 2017 CONNECTION Happy Birthday! Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the New Testament Church, but the date of Pentecost is never the same two years in a row. Last year it fell on May 15, but this year we celebrate Pentecost on June 4. Pentecost was one of the three great annual festivals of the Law of Moses. It always came 50 days after Passover. Every year pilgrims came from all over the Roman world to celebrate Pentecost in Jerusalem. Saint Luke provides a list of the countries they came from. Little did they know how different this Pentecost would be! First they heard the sound of a mighty rushing wind. They rushed to find out what was going on, and they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire over the heads of the apostles. There was no wind damage. The fire did not even singe the hairs of the apostles heads. The preachers were Galilean fishermen, but they spoke the languages of Asia and Africa. The Pentecost pilgrims were awestruck. Peter called them to repentance. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 3,000 people were baptized with water that day. We might call them the charter members of the Christian church in Jerusalem. No one in Jerusalem spoke English that day, but the Pentecost miracle makes it clear that God wants His Gospel preached in every language. Muslims insist that you have to learn the Arabic language if you want to read the Quran. English translations are available, but they are not authorized. Thanks be to God that we Christians can celebrate the birthday of our church by reading the Bible in our own heart language. Pastor Michael J. Albrecht Church Staff Pastor Michael J. Albrecht malbrecht@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Dale Critchley Cell: dcritchley@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Ralph M. Rokke rrokke@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Richard H. Stadler Cell: rstadler@saintjameslutheran.com Terese Thune Youth Director tthune@saintjameslutheran.com Tom Rowland Organist and Choir Director trowland5726@comcast.net Shirley Hess Parish Nurse pnstjlc@saintjameslutheran.com Heather Wald Office Administrator hwald@saintjameslutheran.com General Address stjlc@saintjameslutheran.com Worship Services Sunday 9:00 a.m. Monday 6:30 p.m. Lord s Supper: 1st and 3rd Sunday and following Monday Bible Studies Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. divided as follows: Women: 2nd / 4th Saturday Men: 1st / 3rd / 5th Saturday 460 Annapolis Street West / West Saint Paul, MN

2 Congregation to vote on 90 th Anniversary Capital Fund Drive at June 4 meeting What is the purpose of a 90 th Anniversary Capital Fund Drive? Expression of gratitude for 90 years of God s blessings by funding necessary upgrades and preservation of our beautiful church structure, and preparing for new forms of ministry in the next 90 years. Holding to the vision of getting everything within the sanctuary into working order to support the work of Saint James well into the future, the Vestry and the Sanctuary Interior Committee recommend the Congregation vote to approve a Sanctuary Improvement capital fund drive in honor of the 90 th Anniversary of Saint James. The Sanctuary Improvement projects to be funded include, in this order: Sound & Recording System Upgrades (hardware and software) Sanctuary Floor Space Improvements Sanctuary Lighting Upgrades The Stewardship Committee will lead the fund drive. Details will be forthcoming at the June 4 meeting. Dear members of our Saint James family, The NAT-Force is ready. We are bringing forward a recommendation on staffing. Please take a look at the summary sheet enclosed with this newsletter. (If you wish more details, please pick up a packet from the kiosk in the narthex.) After discussions with congregation, Elders, prior Advisory Call Committees, staff and among ourselves, we have determined there are some recommendations we should make now. There are some that will take a bit more work. You gave us a lot to ponder. Congregation Election Meeting Sunday, June 4 10:00 a.m. This recommendation, however, is presented with the unanimous support of the NAT-Force. We have reviewed it with our congregation s staff and with the Vestry and have heard support from them. However, decisions are in your hands. Please join us at the congregational meeting after worship services on June 4 th. That is where we decide how we will move forward together. --The NAT-Force 2

3 Presents a The NAT-Force is ready to bring our first recommendation to the congregation at Saint James that as part of a pastoral staffing succession plan for the next five years we start with calling a third full-time pastor to replace Pastor Rokke who is retiring on October 31, The three italicized words intend to convey that further recommendations are coming which will address other staffing needs that the congregation asked us to consider. Those additional recommendations are a story we think you will want to hear. But, first things first. Why a replacement pastor now as Pastor Rokke retires? Simply, this ensures the continuation of essential ministries that he supports. We can find no way to shift these responsibilities to other staff or lay workers in the short time before Pastor Rokke retires. Filling a third full-time pastor role at this time will also help us prepare for another retirement Pastor Albrecht s. We don t know exactly when that will be, but his retirement will likely come within the next three to five years. Placing another pastor at his side between these retirements will help make that transition in a way that preserves our Saint James core values and ways. There are changes ahead for our congregation. Of that we can be sure. Some changes may well involve how we do public ministry and the mix of services performed by pastors and lay members. In fact, it may be that when Pastor Albrecht retires the need for pastoral staff will be much different, depending on the preparations we will have made in these next years. The NAT-Force believes having this third full-time pastor in the next few years will help us have the resources to make the changes our unfolding strategic plan suggests for us. Change takes preparation and preparation takes resources. This pastor will be a resource to help us with these changes. So, here is our first recommendation for now, a third full-time pastor. It won t be the last recommendation. Of that, too, we can be sure. 3 Recommendation continued on page 4

4 NAT-Force Recommendation continued Our First Recommendation--Part 1 We recommend that Saint James take the first steps leading to a call of a third full-time pastor. These steps include Decide to call a third full-time pastor (either today or at a congregational meeting this summer) Authorize the Vestry to plan for an Advisory Call Committee (ACC) for the full-time pastor and at a congregational meeting this summer appoint the ACC for this call Requesting that the congregation continue to discuss this ministry direction as we worship together this summer, praying for God s blessing over the plans we are making Our First Recommendation Part 2 1. Since filling this pastoral role will not be completed before Pastor Rokke retires, we recommend that the congregation on June 4 th, authorize calling a half-time vacancy pastor to serve for 6-12 months to make regular visits to our members who are not able to attend services regularly. Vacancy This call will terminate when the third full-time pastor is in place Half-time This vacancy pastor would serve about 35 of our at-home members under the direction of our lead pastor (half the total of 70) 2. Since vacancy pastor arrangements for an independent congregation contain some unknowns, we recommend that the congregation authorize the Saint James Vestry to determine details for the call such as compensation, and start and end dates. (It would be nice to have some overlap with Pastor Rokke.) 3. Since time is so short until Pastor Rokke retires, the NAT-Force offers to serve as Advisory Call Committee for the vacancy pastor call only. 4. Since we have learned that June is a good month for calling vacancy pastors, we recommend that the congregation, for this call only, authorize the Vestry to extend the call to the vacancy pastor. 5. Since this is only the beginning, we recommend that the congregation endorse the NAT-Force s plan to continue its work on staffing, addressing our long-term staffing needs, pastoral succession planning, staffing implications of the immediate initiatives rising from congregational responses to both Elder and NAT-Force communications, and a congregational approach to paid staffing. (A fuller explanation of these recommendations is available at the welcome kiosk in the narthex.) 4

Confirmation Class of 2017 April 30 - Public

Pictured Left to Right Bryce Hadlich, Oliver

Medina May 11 - Confirmation Banquet Welcome,

Left to Right: Arlene Koeth, Mary Williams,

5 Confirmation Class of 2017 April 30 - Public examination May 7 - Confirmation Sunday Pictured Left to Right Bryce Hadlich, Oliver Hess, Grace Bluhm, Bella Benson, Karson Medina May 11 - Confirmation Banquet Welcome, New Members! Left to Right: Arlene Koeth, Mary Williams, Andrew Bandelin, Connor Christensen, Cory Bandelin Not pictured: Tam Bandelin and Althea Sell 5

Parish Nurse Notes Grief and Loss Grief is a reaction to a loss. People experience different kinds of loss throughout life. There is loss of a loved one, pet, job, marriage, or relationship.

6 Parish Nurse Notes Grief and Loss Grief is a reaction to a loss. People experience different kinds of loss throughout life. There is loss of a loved one, pet, job, marriage, or relationship. A chronic illness or condition can also result in a sense of loss. People react differently to losses and grieve differently. It is important for others to remain available and accepting of their needs during this time of loss and grief. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, author of Death and Dying, states that the normal stages of grief are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. A person may get "stuck" in a stage and require counseling and help to work through the process. For instance, people may get stuck in depression and feel unable to move on. If one loses all interest in normal activities, does not eat or sleep, or eats and sleeps too much, these are signs of depression and require intervention. It is wise to seek counseling and help if this is the case. Loss is painful, and the acute grieving lessens only with time. During the grieving process, it is important to care for yourself. Give yourself time to heal. Accept your feelings of grief. Talk to a friend who has experienced grief - a friend should be willing to listen without making judgments. Be around others and do not isolate yourself. Take care of "you" - exercise, eat well, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. Avoid depending on alcohol or drugs to deal with grief. Return to hobbies Join a support group - there are a number of groups available. Or talk with the pastor or myself to help you find a support resource. Our Lord Jesus grieved when He was betrayed, shunned, ridiculed and forsaken; and then killed without just cause. He did it for us. May we hold on to His love, forgiveness and grace in faith as we move through this life. He has experienced many things we have and we can always talk to Him, even if we are angry or very sad. He is always there to listen. Please seek help or someone to talk with if you need to, and lean on the support of your church, friends, and family. May God bless and keep you. Shirley Hess, Parish Nurse,

Delivered Hope to Women & Children in Need On April 30, Saint James members of all ages gathered bags of supplies from 74 households in Saint Paul for the Naomi Center and Residence.

We gave them so many supplies, they had to store some of it in staff offices and wherever they could find an open corner they weren t used to getting such a huge donation, but they sure appreciated

More importantly, we're inviting the community to partner with us, to work together instead of us doing our own thing.

We want people who know nothing else about us to feel a connection with us, that they are in some small way a part of us, and that part is serving others together.

7 Delivered Hope to Women & Children in Need On April 30, Saint James members of all ages gathered bags of supplies from 74 households in Saint Paul for the Naomi Center and Residence. Socks, personal care items, and cleaning supplies will help women get back on their feet as they recover from unstable or abusive homes, alcohol or drug addiction, or other difficult situations. We gave them so many supplies, they had to store some of it in staff offices and wherever they could find an open corner they weren t used to getting such a huge donation, but they sure appreciated it! But the help for those struggling families was just part of the Delivered Hope purpose. More importantly, we're inviting the community to partner with us, to work together instead of us doing our own thing. It supports local charities with local neighbors and promotes community spirit with us as the catalyst. We want people who know nothing else about us to feel a connection with us, that they are in some small way a part of us, and that part is serving others together. The feedback from our neighbors who participated was overwhelmingly positive. They loved helping those in need and appreciated us making it easy for them. Saturday Morning Women s Bible Study James & Proverbs The women will meet June 10 and 24 in the Fireside Room. The doors open at 8:00 a.m. Pastor Albrecht joins the group at about 8:30. We will begin our study of the Epistle of James in connection with selected passages from the book of Proverbs. After class on Saturday June 10 we will have an opportunity to shop at the Church Garage Sale! All women are cordially invited to join the discussion. Based on feedback from the neighbors who want us to come back, but also wanting to reach new neighborhoods, we plan to run two collections in the next year, one in a new neighborhood and one in a previous area. Our next bag distribution will be October 1 with pickup on October 8. Mark your calendar, and plan to join us! Saturday Morning Men s Bible Study Genesis May Wedding May 28, 2017 Katie Stasiek & Andrew Bandelin The men will not meet during the month of June. Lord willing, we will resume our discussion of the book of Genesis on Saturday July 1. 7

Doing Good for Jesus Sake Given mostly in envelopes like the one pictured below, the Lenten Self-Denial Offering this year totaled $6,147.00.

And thanks, as we often hear in prayers at church, for doing good for Jesus sake. March was Food Share Month, and during March, $1,516.00 was given by members of Saint James to Neighbors Inc.

The Sunday School children, too, used their mite boxes this year to gather an offering for Neighbors Food Shelf. They collected $190.04.

Funerals April 4 Paul & Lisa Feifarek Condolences to their son Justin and his wife Keri, their daughter Heather Mossow and her husband Tim and his father Bob Feifarek and his wife Kathy.

8 Doing Good for Jesus Sake Given mostly in envelopes like the one pictured below, the Lenten Self-Denial Offering this year totaled $6, It was all given to Feed My Starving Children to help victims of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. Thanks for this generous self-denial offering! And thanks, as we often hear in prayers at church, for doing good for Jesus sake. March was Food Share Month, and during March, $1, was given by members of Saint James to Neighbors Inc. Food Shelf. Because the state of Minnesota matches gifts to food shelves during Food Share Month, the total that Neighbors received was $3, This did a lot of good for Jesus s sake! The Sunday School children, too, used their mite boxes this year to gather an offering for Neighbors Food Shelf. They collected $ We re thankful for their offering and that they re learning Christian stewardship and the blessings of giving in the Lord s name. Funerals April 4 Paul & Lisa Feifarek Condolences to their son Justin and his wife Keri, their daughter Heather Mossow and her husband Tim and his father Bob Feifarek and his wife Kathy. April 8 Donald Olson Condolences to Don s dear friends, Dick and Bette Dilla and their family. Total 2017 contributions slightly decline through April Through April of 2017, total contributions have declined 2.92% compared to this point last year. Since January 1, 2015, there has been a decline in the operating surplus of nearly $40,000. Action was taken by the vestry in 2015 to fill the needs of a similar deficit which gave rise to the surplus we now have. We continue to address the maintenance needs facing a historic building and other repairs which will ultimately be required in future years and appreciate your ongoing generous support. May 11 Mabel Peterson Condolences to her son Craig and his wife Nancy, and to her daughter Sandy Flaherty and her husband Tom. 8

VOLUNTEERS FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2017 Water Walking August 7-11, 2017-8:30 a.m.

9 VOLUNTEERS FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2017 Water Walking August 7-11, :30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Daily (Teachers hours will be 8:15am-Noon daily) Saint James Lutheran Church W Annapolis St, West Saint Paul, MN Phone: tthune@saintjameslutheran.com Website: WILL YOU PLEASE HELP? Our congregation at Saint James generously offers our Vacation Bible School program each August free of charge! Our VBS is a dramatic summer outreach program to the youth in our church & to the youth in our area! Because we offer it freely as Christ offers His love to us freely we rely on financial support & over 60 volunteers each year to make our VBS possible. We want to make sure we have enough teachers, teachers assistants, registration staff, musicians & craft workshop volunteers to properly cover the children we hope will attend VBS this summer. We plan for upwards of 150 children to attend each year. Are you free to help in some way, as a teacher, a helper, a prayer-partner, or with financial support? We will mail invitations to all of our previous VBS students and our current Sunday School students. In addition, we hand out invitations in our neighborhood. Will you please help with this exciting community event? Please look at the opportunities below and please plug in where you can help. To insure the safety of youth in our church, Saint James requires background checks for all volunteers who work with children. Find your niche and plug in! Thank you! VBS VOLUNTEER FORM 2017 "Water Walking August 7-11 th, 2017 NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE: INSTRUCTIONS: Mark each area with an X SPIRITUAL SUPPORT Pray regularly for VBS FINANCIAL GIFT to help pay for our regular costs of T-shirts ($1500), water bottles ($200) & other snack & craft supplies. $ Donations for frozen bread dough, black sharpie markers, craft items and more! SPECIAL SERVICES Give rides to children who need them Serve as a nurse or first-aid resource each day "Adopt" un-churched children & families & encourage them to attend Sunday School after VBS Help register students on first day Monday morning Take photos during VBS each day Print & prepare photos for viewing Create a DVD of photos & video for VBS (for Fri) REFRESHMENTS FOR VBS Organize teams of volunteers to prepare & serve each day Help purchase & prepare Refreshments each day Help serve Refreshments on : Mon: Tues: Wed: Thurs: Fri: DECORATE CHURCH FOR VBS THEME Paint church windows (in July) Set up craft areas & decorate in narthex & fellowship hall PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Help assemble invitations for mailing Help hand out invitations to homes Make posters & post them around town Produce photo/story for local papers (by July 5th) Advertise our VBS on the website & through TEACHING STAFF Teach a class (Age 16 minimum) Grade preferred Second choice Assist teacher in class (Must be confirmed) Grade preferred Second choice ARTS & CRAFTS (We have the projects already made! No special experience necessary! ) Conduct a craft workshop each day Assist with a craft workshop each day GAMES Help organize games that fit each lesson Assist running games each day for children (outside) SINGING & MUSIC Help lead VBS attendees in enthusiastic singing Accompany singing on instrument BABY-SITTING Babysit teachers children each day during VBS PLEASE RETURN THIS to the church immediately, so we can properly plan for V.B.S. THANK YOU!!! 9

It s All About the Call Theater Week WANTS YOU! Here are 3 opportunities to get involved: 1.

This is a free event with refreshments afterwards! 2.

s at 9:00 a.m. The outdoor service is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. The Evening SonRise Ensemble and other musicians will provide music. The Vestry will be installed during the service.

Families are asked to bring a dish to share: A-M - salad, N-Z - dessert. Please label your dishes and serving utensils. Remember to bring a blanket or chair.

10 It s All About the Call Theater Week WANTS YOU! Here are 3 opportunities to get involved: 1. Come out and witness a wonderful 30 minute musical theater production about God s call in our lives at 11am, Friday, June 23rd in the Fellowship Room at Saint James. This is a free event with refreshments afterwards! 2. Help us by praying for the youth & adults involved in the camp, sign-up to volunteer to work with youth or drop off snacks of fresh fruit, crackers, cheese, etc. Contact Terese w/questions. 3. It is not too late for youth age to sign up for games, music and fun as we work to hone our presence on the stage through staging, movement, voice and song. This production will help us and our audience discover the valuable message that no matter our age or our qualifications we ALL have important parts to play in the life that God calls us to! Water Walking VBS 2017 AUGUST 7-11 Sign-up for VBS today! Registration forms are available on the Welcome Center at church or register online at vbs.4gvn.us. Or contact Terese with questions! Outdoor Service and Church Picnic Sunday, June 25 The pavilion at Cherokee Park is reserved once again for our annual Church Picnic. There will be an indoor service at Saint James at 9:00 a.m. The outdoor service is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. The Evening SonRise Ensemble and other musicians will provide music. The Vestry will be installed during the service. At noon, the traditional picnic lunch will be served. Dick Miller and his crew will once again be grilling hamburgers, brats and hot dogs. Families are asked to bring a dish to share: A-M - salad, N-Z - dessert. Please label your dishes and serving utensils. Remember to bring a blanket or chair. Tickets will be sold before and after the service at $6 per person and $3 for children under twelve. There will be door prizes and many activities for the whole family to enjoy, including the legendary egg toss! Come visit with old and new friends and enjoy the worship, the food, the fellowship, and the great outdoors. Church Wide Garage Sale Sat. June 10th 7am 2pm CALL your neighbors, INVITE your friends, and DRAG your family members down to the Saint James Garage sale to FIND YOUR NEXT TREASURE! Lots of wonderful finds, all of the proceeds will help make it possible for the 20 youth to afford to travel to New Orleans this summer to serve and work with Camp Restore. Donations for the sale will be accepted until Wednesday, June 7th. Contact Terese ( ) with questions. Holy Baptism May 27 Makenna Lynn Meehan infant daughter of Matthew & Michelle Meehan 10

11 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Saint James Lutheran Connection Submissions for the July issue are due June :45am Hymn Sing 9:00am Divine Service with Holy Communion 10:00am Congregational Election Meeting 6:30pm Evening SonRise Contemporary Service 10:00am Galatians Bible Class 10:30am Good Samaritan 5-7pm Youth Group 10:00am Lilydale 7:00am - 2:00pm Garage Sale 8:00am Women s Bible Study :45am Hymn Sing 9:00am Worship Service 10:00am White Pine 6:30pm Evening SonRise Contemporary Service 10:00am Galatians Bible Class 2:00pm Wilder pm Youth Group 9:00am Wilder 512 7:45pm Vestry 18 8:45am Hymn Sing 9:00am Divine Service with Holy Communion 19 6:30pm Evening SonRise Contemporary Service 20 10:00am Galatians Bible Class pm Youth Group 7:00pm Stewardship Committee Meeting 22 5:30pm Hogan/ Miller Rehearsal 23 11am Theater Week Performance 4:00pm Hogan/ Miller Wedding 7:00pm Family Game Night 24 8:00am Women s Bible Study 9:00am - 12:00pm Theater Week :45am Hymn Sing 9:00am Worship Service 6:30pm Evening SonRise Contemporary Service 10:00am Galatians Bible Class 5-7pm Youth Group 11:00am Church Picnic 11

SAINT JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH 460 ANNAPOLIS STREET WEST SAINT PAUL, MN 55118 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #559 TWIN CITIES, MN IN THIS ISSUE: Congregational Election

12 SAINT JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH 460 ANNAPOLIS STREET WEST SAINT PAUL, MN RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #559 TWIN CITIES, MN IN THIS ISSUE: Congregational Election Meeting on Sunday, June 4 NAT-Force ready to make first recommendation Proposed sanctuary improvement projects for our 90th anniversary Youth Garage Sale Church Picnic on Sunday, June 25 Wednesdays, 5-7pm High school through Young Adult Meet in BOB 12

CONNECTION. Pastor Michael J. Albrecht. August Let Us Pray

CONNECTION. Pastor Michael J. Albrecht. August Let Us Pray Let Us Pray CONNECTION After the Divine Service on Sunday July 15, the Advisory Call Committee presented their report and recommendation to the congregation. It took a year of work and prayer, and then