Getting to Know St. James Lutheran Church Annual Corn Roast Christian Care in Rock Island
The Mission of St. James Lutheran Church Spirit-filled, joyful and welcoming all people, St. James is a community of believers in Christ who seek to grow in faith and serve with love. Reconciling in Christ Statement of Affirmation and Welcome Adopted on June 11, 2017 In our awareness that we are all broken people, we rejoice in God s abundant grace. Therefore, we welcome all who are seeking God s love and forgiveness regardless of national origin or ancestry, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, abilities, beliefs, political views, financial resources, or family status. There will always be a place for you at St. James. 2
The Mission, Reconciling in Christ 2 History of St. James 4 Staff, Congregation Council, Officers 5 Teams and Committees 6-7 Partners in Our Christian Mission 8 The Role of Weekly Worship Services 9 Stewardship and Sharing 10 Seven Faith Practices 11 Wedding 3
History of St. James St. James was formally organized in December of 1953 as a mission congregation of the Augustana Lutheran Church (Swedish origin) to serve the southern part of Rock Island. Members of the congregation met for Sunday services at Eugene Field School until the first permanent building was completed at the present site in 1956. An educational part was added in 1962 and the building expanded to its present size in 1971. St. James became a member of the Lutheran Church in America in 1962 when the Augustana Lutheran Church merged with the American Evangelical Lutheran Church, Suomi Synod, and the United Lutheran Church. In 1987 it became a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America when the Lutheran Church in America merged with the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the American Lutheran Church. In 2000, the congregation replaced its operating committees with teams because a team can be defined as a group of people working together toward a common goal while committees are often poorly defined. St. James has had an unusually strong music program which includes a wellbalanced choir. In 2003 a new Allen Renaissance electronic organ was installed. Electronic pianos serve us well in the balcony, sanctuary, choir room and fellowship hall. Sanctuary remodeling in 2010 included changes in the altar area, painting, new carpeting, new pews, and new pew chairs for added flexibility. The history of St. James includes the stories of many in the congregation who were led by the Holy Spirit through great trials and tragedies in their lives. It is these stories that remind us of Christ s presence among us and urge us to press on. Many were recalled when St. James celebrated its 50 th anniversary in 2003. The congregation has had five pastors, Rev. Verner E. Strand (1954-1963), Rev. Allen E. Nelson (1963-1982), Rev. Alfred K. Beck (1983-2007), Rev. Janet Lepp (2007-2015), and Rev. Donald Knowles (2017- ). 4
Staff Pastor: Don Knowles, stjamespastor3@gmail.com cell: 815-866-9595 Office Administrator: Trish Myers, saintjamesri@gmail.com 309-786-0503 Organist & Choir Dir.: John Hildreth, johnhildreth@augustana.edu 309-794-7427 2018 Congregation Council Rhea Frank-Cottingham 781-8546 Ruth Anne Hartman 787-3351 Jo Kempf 309-269-2451 Judy Johansen Vice President 235-0733 Daryl Empen President 786-2332 Luanne Beinke Secretary 786-5990 Terrill Johnson, Jr. (Chip) 786-9590 Jane Massey 738-7740 Doug Nelson Treasurer 787-6032 Donna Renneke 786-5247 Gary Wolber 786-3978 The Congregation Council meets at 6:30 pm on the third Wednesday of each month. 5
Emphases of our Teams and Committees Most of the activities of the congregation are carried out by teams and committees. Although they are divided into five divisions in order to better understand their functions, the teams quite often work together towards a common goal. Hospitality and Caring Division We care for each other. Welcoming Team - Strives for hospitality through greeters, the website, public promotion of our ministry, and printed materials. Fellowship Team - Plans and carries out events for all generations to increase friendships and healthy relationships. Home Communion Team - Distributes Holy Communion to our members who are homebound. Sunday Fellowship - Individuals or groups provide Sunday morning refreshments and hospitality. Mission Division We serve others in love. Global Mission & Service Project Team Provides ways for members to connect with and support ELCA global missions and several local service projects. African Ministry Team - Works together in ministry with refugees and immigrants from Africa. Hunger Team - Uses education, advocacy and response to bring hungry people into the awareness of the congregation. Adopt-A-Highway - Since 1996, we have cleaned up a 0.8-mile stretch of 14th Street West in south Rock Island. Education Division We learn about our faith. Children s Education Team - Plans and carries out learning experiences for children during the Sunday morning Education Hour, VBS, family events, etc. Adult Education Team - Plans adult education opportunities during the Sunday morning Education Hour, and small groups during the Season of Lent. Worship Division We center our life together in worship. Worship Planning Team - Meets regularly to plan the multi-dimensions of worship. Altar Preparation Team - Prepares the altar and chancel area for worship. Visual Arts Team - Provides visual art to enhance the worship experience and to provide inspiration to those who use our gathering space. 6 Music Ministry - The choir and Grace Notes bring inspiration and choral leadership to our worship.
Resources Division We use the gifts God gives us to strengthen ministry. Property Team - Maintains the church building and grounds. Finance Team - Advises the congregational council concerning our financial resources. Stewardship Team - Works for a congregational understanding of stewardship as how we live our lives in light of God s gracious generosity to us. They conduct the annual financial commitment campaign. Endowment Fund Committee - Manages the endowment fund according to the St. James constitutional bylaws. Each year, 5% of the endowment fund is used to provide financial support for special projects and needs. Other Ministries at St. James Congregational Council - Elected by the congregation, the St. James council oversees the mission of the congregation and conducts the necessary business of the congregation. Women of St. James - Ruth Circle, Naomi/ Martha Circle, Quilters, and Funeral Lunch Servers provide opportunities for women to grow together in faith and service. Mutual Ministry Team - Provides support for the pastor. Personnel Committee - Provides support and evaluation of our staff. Cub Scout Pack #250 - St. James sponsors an active Cub Scout pack which meets in the Fellowship Hall. Memorial Committee - Oversees memorial gifts and requests. Team meetings may be held monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or semiannually depending upon the function of the team. For more information or to join a team, please call the church office at 786-0503. 7
Partners in Our Christian Mission Evangelical Lutheran Church in America St. James is one of over 10,000 member congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States and among Christian denominations in the world it tends toward the middle of the spectrum regarding doctrine and social issues. It retains some of the worship practices of the Roman Catholic and other liturgical churches while encouraging more innovation in music. It looks to the Bible for authority in its preaching and teaching, yet does not take a literalist approach to scripture. Its positions on social issues are usually neither very liberal nor conservative. The ELCA has been very active in developing stronger bonds with other Christian denominations and now shares full communion with the Presbyterian, Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Reformed Church in America, and the United Methodist Church. Representatives from the various geographical units of the ELCA meet in a Churchwide Assembly in various places in the United States every three years to struggle with issues of common interest. The ELCA website, elca.org, keeps everyone well informed about its activities. Northern Illinois Synod The ELCA is divided geographically into smaller units called synods. St. James is one of approximately 160 member congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod, nisynod.org, which extends west from the Chicago suburbs to the Iowa border. These smaller units of the ELCA are able to deal more effectively with issues facing congregations in specific geographical areas. The Northern Illinois Synod meets annually in June at Augustana College. Each congregation in the Synod has representatives at the annual meeting. During the remainder of the year there are a variety of workshops on specific topics sponsored by the Synod and held at many different locations. If a congregation loses its pastor, the Bishop of the synod assists the congregation in acquiring another pastor. The office of the Bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod is located in Rockford and an Assistant to the Bishop has an office in Rock Island. 8
The Role of Weekly Worship Services The quality of human life, including happiness, productivity, and ability to weather storms, depends upon the quality of our relationship with God. That relationship is a living phenomenon and like all living things it must be nourished or it withers and dies. Worship services are important because they supply, on a regular basis, the ingredients needed for strengthening our relationship with God. Every seven days we are reminded to pray, read the Bible and other books, and be accountable to other Christians who love and support us. Without the weekly reminder we often drift off and eventually believe that we don t need God. Then life becomes shallow and the human spirit dries out. Worship services incorporate beneficial elements such as: Opportunities to express gratitude to God for the loving people in our lives and for satisfying our basic needs. Opportunities to ask God for forgiveness for the things we did poorly or wrong in the past. Inspiring music that unites our spirits with God and other people. Meditation on the rich wisdom of the Bible that helps to refocus our lives. Opportunities to share experiences with other Christians who are also struggling to find a better life for themselves and their families. The sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion which affirm God s forgiveness and unite us with Christ to heal our relationships with others. When we are able to turn off thoughts of work, sports, or other activities and become open to the presence of God, worship services provide spiritual renewal and restoration of energy required for the week ahead. 9
Stewardship and Sharing The goal of Christianity is to unify all humankind with bonds of love. In order to achieve that goal, Christians are taught to be good stewards of what they have and to share what they have with other people. This requires self discipline and lifelong learning, but as a result, Christians become better managers of their financial and material possessions. At St. James, stewardship information is provided at various times during the year but greater emphasis is placed on stewardship in the late fall when the congregation is required to make plans for the following calendar year. At that time members are asked to indicate what they think they will be able to contribute during the following year. Clearly there is an element of faith involved because no one has a totally secure future. Making decisions about how much we can give usually depends upon how blessed we feel we have been and whether we believe that God will continue to be with us in the future. Members of St. James contribute whatever they can, based on their own resources. Some contribute weekly, some monthly, and some larger amounts once a year. Those who have been financially blessed contribute more financially while others contribute more in the form of time and work skills. A supply of offering envelopes is provided each year so that any contribution can be put in an envelope and placed in the offering plate when it is passed around during the church service. Donations may also be made electronically by clicking on the Give Online button at our website, stjamesri.org. Contributing to the mission of St. James is one way of helping to move Christianity toward its goal of unifying all humankind with bonds of love. 10
Seven Faith Practices The following faith practices form the core of Living Faith: an ELCA-wide Call to Discipleship. These practices are intended to encourage members in carrying out their Christian lives. They are things that can be done to grow in our faith. Pray Prayer Pray Frequently Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Study Christian Education Study Scripture Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 Worship Worship Regularly I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3 Invite Evangelism Invite Others Often But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Romans 10:14-15 Encourage Teaching/Mentoring Pass on the Faith Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18 Serve Service Serve for the Sake of Others For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 Give Stewardship Give Freely..give, and it will be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Luke 6:38 11
Quilt Sunday For up-to-date information about St. James please visit our website: stjamesri.org St. James Lutheran Church 3145-31st Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 (309) 786-0503 12 January 2019