St. James Lutheran Church"Growing in Christ Through Worship, Learning,

Fellowship, and Service."

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 5

FIFTHTEENTH SUNDAYAFTER PENTECOST

James tells us to stop showing favoritismin the assembly, treating the rich visitorwith more honor than the poor one. Jesus himself seems to showpartiality in his first response to the Syrophoenician woman in today’sgospel. Was he testing her faith in saying Gentiles don’t deserve thegoods meant for God’s children? Or was he speaking out of hishuman worldview, but transcended those limits when she took him bysurprise with her reply? Either way, the story tells us that God showsno partiality. Everyone who brings a need to Jesus is received withequal honor as a child and heir.

IN-PERSON WORSHIPSunday, September 5

In-Person Indoor Worship will beSunday at 10:00 a.m.

In light of the upturn in new COVID

cases, the Health and Safety Committee and Church Council stronglyencourage everyone to wear masks during worship. There will be nocongregational singing at this time.

WEEKLY WORSHIPLive Streamed

Online Worship for September 5 will belive-streamed on YouTube beginning at9:50 on Sunday morning. An email withthe link will be sent on Sunday morning.You can also watch a recorded version later by visiting our YouTubepage. You can open or print the bulletin and follow along with theservice.

Bulletin for September 5Watch Livestream

ON THE CALENDARTHIS WEEK

ON THE CALENDARTHIS WEEK

Sunday, September 5 9:50 am Live Stream Begins10:00 am In-Person Worship Monday, September 6Office Closed—Labor Day

BIRTHDAYS THISWEEK

Sunday, September 12 9:50 am Live Stream Begins10:00 am In-Person Worship11:15 am God’s Work. Our Hands

-------------------------------MARK YOURCALENDAR

God's Work. Our Hands:September 12Night Shelter:September 19-25My Father's House:September 20-22Rise Against Hunger:November 13

05-Sep Simon Lovelace05-Sep Ashleigh Matthews06-Sep Sophie Horton06-Sep Trey Horton06-Sep Dylan Urso06-Sep Paul Winterhalter08-Sep Laura Overby08-Sep Edith Propst09-Sep Dianne Lambert10-Sep Ryan Patterson10-Sep Alisa Wickliff10-Sep Libby Williams11-Sep Riece Pittar

CHURCH NEWS

Sign Up for GWOH

SCHOOL SUPPLIESWe are collecting School Supplies for the St. James BilingualPreschool. Supplies may be brought on Sunday or during the week.We will be collecting through September 5.

AUGUST MEMORIALS

To the Glory of God and

In Loving Memory

Jim AllisonBy Al Brown (Cemetery)By Margaret Garrison (Cemetery)By Will and Ann GillonBy Sue HartsellBy Susan Miller (Columbarium)By Wayne and Libby Williams

Phyllis HarwardBy Margaret Garrison (Cemetery)

Richard BenzBy Will and Ann Gillon

Sandy BarnhardtBy Mike ColtraneBy John and Fay Homes

Jimmy MarlowBy Margaret Garrison (Cemetery)

PART-TIME DIRECTOR OFMUSIC/ORGANIST

Saint James Lutheran ChurchConcord, North Carolina

Saint James Lutheran Church of Concord, North Carolina is seeking apart-time Director of Music/Organist. Working under the supervision ofthe Senior Pastor, the Director of Music/Organist will provideleadership, direction and support for the worship and music life of thechurch. The Director of Music/Organist will serve as the primarymusician of the congregation and a resource to all musical groups inthe congregation and church programs.

Please submit a letter of interest, resume and at least threereferences to sjlcjobs@gmail.com A complete job description will beprovided upon request.

SOCIAL MINISTRYBLESSING BOX

SeptemberWhat is the Blessing Box? It's a box that is located

in Rotary Square that is stocked with food andother necessary items (List Below) available tothose in the community.

St James has agreed to stock the Blessing Boxduring the month of September. You can placeitems in the box yourself or you can drop them offat the church. Mark Murphy will be the contactperson for any questions.

Canned goods / Crackers / CerealBags of rice / Ramen / PastaPeanut butter / JellyGranola bars / RaisinsFruit snacks / Pudding cups / Fruit cupsBaby food / Bottled waterOther non-perishablesShampoo / Soap / DeodorantToothbrush and toothpaste

SALVATION ARMYNIGHT SHELTER

September 19-25 We will be providing mealsfor the guests at theSalvation Army Shelter ofHope. Sign-ups comingsoon. If you have any

questions or want more information, contact Mark Murphy. You cansignup online by clicking the link below:

SignUp

MY FATHER'S HOUSESeptember 20-22

St. James / St. Johns Lutheran will behosting My Father's House Ministry,Sept. 20-22, 2021. St. James willprovide the dinner meals on Mon., Sept. 20 and Tues. Sept. 21.

There are presently 5 adults and 5 children in the Ministry. Twoadditional families are expected to move into the Ministry in the nexttwo weeks so the number will change. If you can provide an item for

the meal for Sept. 20 or Sept. 21, please let Sylvia Corl know and shewill be glad to pick up the item from your home and take it toMFH. Thanks so much for your help with this needed Ministry.

CCM FOOD PANTRY--AUGUSTI mentioned last month that we working on plans toreopen the inside of our Crisis Center to clients.However, with the current resurgence of the COVIDvirus in our community, we have made the decisionto postpone that step. Nevertheless, we have beenworking hard to reorganize our warehouse and pantry to betterstreamline our food service, no matter what model we are using. Aswe do so, we also are better able to identify our needs!

Donations can be dropped by the church during office hours. Pull upunder the Portico and call the office. 704-786-0166

Our current big needs are:Canned ChickenCanned CornPeanut butter & jellyDiced tomatoesBaked beans (pork & beans)Canned carrots, peas, potatoes and mixed veggiesToilet paper

As always, we especially seek low sodium items, no-added-sugaritems, and whole grain items.

CHURCHWIDE NEWS

Learn more aboutCompanion Synods

We respect one another’suniqueness within our commonLutheran faith. Our relationships

Relationship together assiblings in Christ is rooted in

accompaniment whichpromotes the values ofmutuality, inclusivity,

vulnerability, empowerment,and sustainability.

Yabim District,Evangelical LutheranChurch in Papua New

Guinea (ELCPNG)

Papua New Guinea is astunningly beautiful place withstunningly beautiful people! TheNorth Carolina Synod is blessedto be in a companion relationshipwith the Yabim District, located inand around the city of Lae. TheELCPNG has 17 districts whichare similar to ELCA synods. Eachdistrict is divided into circuits, likeNC Synod conferences. Each

together mutually strengthen usto deepen our commitment ascommunities of faith, building upthe body of Christ. Every synod ofthe ELCA is partnered with aCompanion Synod. The NorthCarolina Synod has two: theYabim District, EvangelicalLutheran Church in Papua NewGuinea, and Iglesia LuteranaCostarricense (the Costa RicanLutheran Church).

Iglesia LuteranaCostarricense

The Costa Rican LutheranChurch (ILCO) was founded onAugust 22, 1988, to promote theintegral mission in the country,where a Gospel that calls to buildsigns of the Kingdom ispreached, through the diaconia(social action) in urbancommunities and rural areas. Theaction of the Lutheran Church inCosta Rica is embodied in thereality of the poor andmarginalized, to build justice andpeace between human beingsand the environment. In all the

district is led by a DistrictPresident, similar to a synodicalbishop.

The Yabim District is led byPastor Yasam Aiwara. Lutheransare the second largest Christiandenomination in PNG where theyfaithfully witness to God’s gracewhich justifies us through faith.

Over 1400 inhabited islands.Over 800 distinct languages. Anindependent country since 1975.Over 1,000 anthropological-distinct cultures. 27% RomanCatholic, 21% Lutheran, 11%Other Christians.

Along with the Amazon basin,home to some of the lastremnants of Stone Agecivilizations. Six degrees south ofthe Equator. Stunningly beautifulnatural tropical paradise.Abundant natural resourcesincluding gold and oil. Crocodiles,snakes, and the Bird of Paradise—both the plant the the actualbird. High crime. Highestdomestic violence rate in theworld. Deep governmentalcorruption. Virtually non-existentinfrastructure. 80% of inhabitantshave no electricity or access toclean water. Unbelievinglyhospitable people. Deepvulnerability to development andexploitation by businesses ofother nations. These are a few of

activities of the Church, theaspects of gender equity,democratic participation, andautonomous organization aretaken into account. ILCO has 12pastors, but is present in 30communities benefitting 5,000people.

Eight Was a Magic Number

Eight was a magic numberMission Team 2018 from HolyTrinity Lutheran Church, Hickory,just returned from eight days inCosta Rica building on their morethan ten-year relationship withILCO staff (Iglasia LuturanaCostarricense) and reconnectingwith members in three of its faithcommunities.

First, our group of eight walkedand talked with members of LaCarpio, a faith community outsideof San José that ministersprimarily to Nicaraguanimmigrants. We played with,prayed with, and createdmemories for the childrenattending Casa abierta, theremaining daycare run by ILCO.As we exchanged hugs andgiggles and captured their smilesin photos, we were reminded ofJesus’s admonition that“whomever does not receive thekingdom of God as a little child

some of my amateurobservations after spending acouple of weeks in Papua NewGuinea (PNG) last month (plusanother week of travel to/from).

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will never enter it.” (Luke 18:17)The fabric and sewing suppliesthat we brought to participants inthe women’s program was asmall contribution to them towardself-sufficiency.

Read More

Dear friends,Just last night the remnants of Hurricane Ida barreled through theNortheast, leaving devastation in their wake. New York, Pennsylvaniaand New Jersey were hit with historic flash flooding and tornadoestouched down in Maryland and New Jersey. Homes and subwaysfilled with water, and cars were swept away. The death toll is expectedto rise, and authorities continue to work on restoring transportationservices.Meanwhile, information regarding the extent of the destruction in

Louisiana and parts of Mississippi continues to trickle in, and thedamage will undoubtedly be more severe than we know today. InLouisiana, some evacuees have been told not to return because manyareas remain without electricity and people are struggling to find gas,food and clean water. With power lines down and communicationhindered, many are waiting for relief in dangerous 90-degree heat.Lutheran Disaster Response is developing plans to accompany on-the-ground partners, including social ministry organizations andsynods, in the areas impacted. Immediate needs are expected toinclude food and shelter, while long-term recovery could includehelping people repair or rebuild their damaged homes.With your support, hurricane survivors will know they’re not alone.This is an important part of Christ’s call on our church. To stay up todate on our ongoing response, follow Lutheran Disaster Response onFacebook or visit our website.Thank you.In Christ’s service,The Rev. Daniel RiftDirector, ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response FundEvangelical Lutheran Church in America

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WE ARE THE BRANCHESEach week we will remember in prayer ourbrothers and sisters at one of our partnerLutheran churches in the NC Synod. Please

lift them up in your prayers during the week also. This week weremember:

Haven Lutheran ChurchSalisbury, NC207 W. Harrison St.Salisbury, NC 28144

Office: (704) 857-8641Rev. Ed Harper

Learn More aboutHaven Lutheran

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bearmuch fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

~John 15:5

YOUTH NEWSSEPTEMBER YOUTH

CALENDAR

Sept. 12 4:30 pm Youth CookoutSept. 15 9:00 pm College OnlineSept. 18 TBD Youth Fundraiser at Georgie Jeanes Antiques and GiftsSept. 19 4:00 pm All Youth GatheringSept. 22 9:00 pm College OnlineSept. 29 9:00 pm College Online

FALL FESTFUNDRAISER

The youth will beparticipating in the FallFestival at Georgie JeansAntiques and Gifts byselling hot dogs, slushesand popcorn. Please comeout and support the youthministry by enjoying agood old hot dog and adrink.

CHURCH RESOURCESYou can manage your givingonline! Giving online is easy andallows you to set up automaticrecurring contributions or make a

one time contribution and viewyour complete online givinghistory from anywhere you haveaccess to the Internet. In a fewshort minutes, you can make aone-time gift or set up a donationthat will process automatically on a recurring basis. Recurringdonations are convenient and provide our church with much neededconsistent support throughout the year.

Give Now

ST. JAMES STAFFRev. Tony Bradshaw, Senior Pastor EmailJill Irvin, Financial Administrator EmailKeith Sutton, Parish Administrator EmailMike Holt, Youth and Family EmailDr. Glenda Poole, Organist EmailCindy Cruse, Hospitality Coordinator EmailKathryn Radcliffe, Nursery Coordinator EmailJoseph Beasley, Congregation President Email

View as Webpage

Church Office: 704-786-0166Website: www.sjnc.net

Church Email info@sjnc.net