Dear Church Family:
Christ s Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed, Alleluia!
It seemed strange not to shout those words to a full house on Easter morning. These are bizarre days, a time unlike any other. It is also a unique opportunity for us to ‘be church.’ Jesus sent his disciples into the world to bring a word of hope - God remains with us during struggles and trials. At the tomb, we hear the Easter invitation, “Do Not Be Afraid.” Through faith we can find courage.
With confidence in Christ, we continue to build and deepen loving relationship with God, each other and our neighbors. Today, we are doing this using technology. Attached is a snapshot of connections that St. James is making. I am deeply grateful for those who stepped up to share their time and talents. Together, we are making a positive difference.
Isolated from each other and our regular routines, it is essential for us to be the church. Although we did this before the pandemic hit, we now see its importance more clearly than ever before. It is essential for us to worship, study, pray, and care for others.
In the face of economic uncertainty, folks continue to share resources that makes ministry possible. Thank you for giving online, through Simply Giving and mailing checks. Your generosity allows us to focus on ministry. I pray that this letter finds you and your family healthy and safe. We know that you are facing all sorts of challenges and struggles. Let us know how we can support you. You remain in our prayers and I ask you keep the St. James staff in your prayers as well.
When we get the “all clear” from the medical community, we will gather to shout out our Alleluias together. I look forward to that day when we will sing our Easter hymns with enthusiasm. Until then, we wait with patience as the people of God.
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt
St. James Lutheran - Ministry SNAPSHOT
Using our strategic plan as a focus, here is how we have been church together:
Spiritual Formation:
Weekly Sunday Livestream worship – on average, we were watched on 340 devices each week.
Nightly Online worship, Monday to Friday during Holy Week.
Wednesday night Online worship throughout the season of Lent
Sunday School Online each week (11:00 a.m.)
Weekly Bible Study Online on Thursday mornings (7:30 a.m.)
Weekly Phone Bible Study on Thursday mornings (11:00 a.m.) for those without the internet.
Weekly Online Confirmation Class on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.)
Daily video devotions throughout Holy Week.
Faith Teams – a new way to connect (prayer, devotion, and conversation) using ZOOM. Currently, we have forty-nine participants in twelve small groups and its growing.
Weekly Sunday Phone Check-in-Devotions (11:00 a.m.) for those without the internet.
HOPE daily devotional.
Easter daily devotional – FEAR NOT! - sign up on the website.
NEW: Evensong – weekly online worship on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m.
Welcome:
Weekly Phone Update on Thursday (4:00 p.m.) for those without the internet.
SPARK Youth – are sending out weekly notecards to senior citizens.
Weekly Sunday Phone chats (11:00 a.m.) with those who don’t have online access.
Pastoral Care Team Contacts – our care team is connecting with fifty folks each week.
NEW: A Welcome Team is forming to explore how we can expand hospitality
Service:
Sewing fabric masks for local senior living care facilities. So far, our folks made over three hundred!
In partnership with Chipotle, 1440 meals delivered to clinic and hospital workers
Shared $3,200 with local food shelves.
NEW: To meet the high need, St. James will host two Blood Drives in April/May. To date these drives are full.
As we build and deepen relationships with God, each other, and our neighbor we have made nearly 5,000 connections so far during this pandemic.