St. James ELCA

In Case You Missed It --- The series "The Black Church" is available for streaming at the following website. Discussion forum is scheduled for WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24 at 6:30pm on ZOOM. https://www.pbs.org/show/black-church/

Tomorrow we’ll gather for worship in two ways. We’ll gather in-person in the parking lot, on the west side of the sanctuary, for worship at 10:00 a.m. Please bring a chair, or remain in your car and tune in by radio. The recent Supreme Court ruling allows churches to resume worshiping in their sanctuaries, but our outdoor gatherings are larger than we can accommodate inside under current guidelines. For now, we'll enjoy the beauty of Redding's late winter/early spring weathe...r while we gather. We’ll also worship online at our YouTube page: http://www.YouTube.com/c/StJamesLutheranChurch. Our Lenten adult forum begins tomorrow using a format that’s new to us: Google Classroom. To join our classroom, please click this link (https://classroom.google.com/c/Mjc2MjQzNDU3MDk2?cjc=n3um5ji) and follow the instructions to join the class. Once you are approved, you will be able to enter the classroom and find the Classwork tab at the top of the page. Each week’s video and discussion questions will be listed under the weekly heading. Please contact Katie Swartz if you have any questions or difficulty connecting to the Google Classroom. For ease of use on a mobile device, there is a Google Classroom app available for iPhone and Android that you can find in your app store. Thanks be to God for the gift of gathering together as a community, in so many ways. Alleluia! Grace and peace, Pastor Bob

Jesus in the wilderness, winter in Redding, and the Phillies losing. What? Find out Sunday.

Our Ash Wednesday online service posts at noon on our YouTube page: http://www.YouTube.com/c/StJamesLutheranChurch. Pastor Bob will also be at church from 1:30-2:30 for drive-through ashes, scripture, and prayer.

Today is Fat Tuesday, the last day before the beginning of Lent. According to tradition, churches stop saying alleluia after tomorrow, until we celebrate Easter. Join us for a short devotional service this evening as we put away the alleluia. http://www.YouTube.com/c/StJamesLutheranChurch

The Black Church Many of us may not realize that Pastor Bob Grosch served in an black church in Cincinnati, OH for his first call. Here are some reflections from him about that experience. "Does he know we're a black church?" -- Words spoken by members of my first congregation when I was assigned by the seminary as their new pastor. Meanwhile, I was asking, "Do they know I'm a white guy appointed as their pastor?"... One of the miracles of the black church is that they could accept a white pastor, but my own home congregation could never accept a black pastor. _______________________________ "Relax", said the former Civil Rights leader. "You're among friends here", said the pastor of one of Cincinnati's best known black churches. I had been asked to speak at a funeral in this black church. I was the only white guy in the building, but I was among friends.

OUR DONUT DASH FUNDRAISER ENDS TODAY, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14! DELIVERIES ARE THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16! Do you miss sipping coffee and snacking on donuts after worship while chatting with your fellow worshipers? Send a sweet treat to your local St. James friends and family on Tuesday, February 16 with our first-ever DONUT DASH! 1. Think of all the friends you miss seeing regularly and who might need a pick-me-up before Lent begins.... 2. Decide how many donuts to send to each address. Delivery bags will include either 2 donuts (for a donation of $5) or 6 donuts (for a donation of $10). Delivery will be contactless, for the health of your recipients! 3. Visit our electronic sign-up sheet to place your orders and write your personalized message to the recipient: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XVVDZ2T. If you are unable to complete the survey online, orders can also be submitted over the phone by calling the church office. 4. Tally your donation total ($5 for each 2-donut bag, $10 for each 6-donut bag). Send a check to St James by mail, or visit the St James online giving portal: https://tinyurl.com/stjamesca. Please make sure to note Donut Dash in the memo or description box. Proceeds from this event will benefit our youth as they raise funds toward their 2022 trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis! See more

This Sunday we will be celebrating Communion. Whether you are worshiping online or in person, we will be sharing the sacrament together. You will receive information in your regular Saturday email. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Bob.

Good morning! Today PB begins a new series of meditations on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Join us for Fall with Paul.

On this Election Day, we join in prayer for our country and join our hearts in song: Let there be peace on earth.

On this Monday after All Saints Day, join with us as we remember those saints who have gone before us, including our faith partners who passed away this past year.

We celebrate the saints of all times and all places today - join us!

If you’re still awake: don’t forget to change your clocks! If you show up an hour early Pastor Bob might ask you to help clean his office!

Beginning this Sunday, November 1st, at 10:00 a.m., we’ll meet for outdoor worship in our parking lot. Here’s what you need to know: - If you want to continue worshiping online, you’re welcome to do so. We’re going to keep producing the high-quality worship service that we have these last eight months. - You don’t need to sign up to attend service. We have enough space to accommodate everyone who wishes to join us.... - We will be worshiping on the north side of the parking lot. Please park on the south side of the lot (next to Our Lady of Mercy) and walk to the north side. (The Goodwater entrance to the parking lot will be closed off.) - We’re continuing to follow basic public safety precautions. Please bring a mask and keep six feet of distance between household units whenever you can. There will be plenty of space for us to spread out during worship. - Please also bring your own chair(s) if possible. We will have some chairs available, but bringing your own allows us to save money and resources on cleaning products. - We’re planning for space to accommodate a few vehicles so that people with health or mobility issues can worship in their vehicles. Please consider this possibility only if necessary, and let us know at the church office so that we can plan accordingly. This Sunday we will observe the festival of All Saints Day. This festival, like so many other events, will look different this year. We are not able to display banners or make the Book of Life available for you to write in, but you may give us the names of loved ones so that Pastor Bob can write them in the book as part of a ritual during the service. You can contact the office, or you can see Jonna on Sunday morning. We’re looking forward to worshiping with you. I give thanks to God for this opportunity to gather in-person, and I give thanks for you in the mission we share as God’s people! In peace, Pastor Bob

Good morning! This week Pastor Bob is working on putting together our outdoor service, so we’re taking a break from our meditations this week. Next week PB begins reflecting on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. I hope you’ll join us.

Join with us in praise this Monday morning!

We’re going to worship in the parking lot next Sunday! (We’ll still worship online as well.) Get your full invitation from Crazy Bob:

Good afternoon everyone! Today we take one last look back at the book of Exodus before we move into the last weeks before Advent.

Nine months ago our country confirmed our first case of COVID. Please join with me in prayer for everyone who has been affected, directly or indirectly. - PB

Blessings on your Monday! Join with us as we celebrate God's bounty!