Author: St James Luth Church

Sunday
Schedule
December 3rd & 10th
8:00 AM Traditional
Worship
9:15 AM Contemporary Worship
9:15 AM Adult Bible
Study
10:15 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM Traditional
Worship
(Communion is on the 1st & 3rd Sundays)
December 17th
8:00 AM Traditional
Worship
9:15 AM S.S. Christmas
Program w/
Brunch to
follow
9:15 AM Adult Bible
Study
11:00 AM Traditional
Worship
December 24th
Christmas Eve
9:00 AM Choir
Christmas
Cantata
3, 5, & 10 Christmas
Eve
December 31st
New Year’s Eve
9:00 AM Worship

St. James Journal

Our Mission statement:
“We proclaim and Practice christ’s love”

December 2017

“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18
During the Advent and Christmas Season there is a lot of focus on God, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus -- and rightly so. But I think there is a major player in this whole saga that receives very little attention. And because of this, the power of the story is weakened, our understanding of how God works is left wanting, and our own spiritual lives are much worse off.
That important person is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit initiated the pregnancy that turned the world upside down. The Holy Spirit transformed the life of Jesus at his baptism into a life on a mission. The Holy Spirit guided Jesus through temptations designed to detour his ministry and mission away from God’s intentions.
The Holy Spirit transformed the disciples from frightened men hiding in a room behind a locked door into men and women on a mission to reach out and speak out regarding the good news of Jesus Christ, and to think of that mission as more important than becoming rich or famous, or even more than they thought of their own self-preservation.
Perhaps we don’t talk much about the Holy Spirit, because He doesn’t talk about himself but is always pointing us toward God and Jesus. But the power of the Holy Spirit is just as real and present today as it has ever been. The difference may be that, back in the day, people stopped long enough to listen and pay attention to the Spirit. Jesus listening at His baptism, Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus at prayer plus his many followers also listening at prayer, at worship, and even in prison.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO TAKE TIME TO LISTEN?
When you wake up in the morning, PAUSE FOR A MOMENT and just think about your life and God’s will. When you are at work, PAUSE FOR A MOMENT, look around at the people and things around you and think about what God wants. When you are shopping and spending your money, PAUSE FOR A MOMENT, look around, and think about how God is seeing all of this. When you are with friends or family, on a date - PAUSE FOR A MOMENT and think about God, you, and this current situation.
When you do this, the Holy Spirit will speak to you and send you a message. The Spirit wants to teach you and lead you a little deeper into your faith because that is what the Holy Spirit does. There may be sudden drastic changes ahead for you, but remember that spiritual growth is a process – one step, one listening moment, one day at a time.
This is the Christmas season, so amidst all the hustle and chaos, PAUSE FOR JUST A MOMENT and think about God and you and what is going on. Let the Holy Spirit make a difference in your life and through you, make a difference in the world.
PAUSE in peace. Serve the Lord
Pastor Dennis D Niezwaag

WEDNESDAY EVENING
SCHEDULE
There is something for EVERYONE on Wednesday nights at St. James!
5:15—Join us for a great supper!
6:15—Confirmation for 7th and 8th graders
ONE for 4th-6th graders
WOW for pre-school-3rd Graders
6:00—Worship Band
7:00—Choir

DISHES IN MAIN KITCHEN:
WELCA thanks you for graciously donating food items for funerals. However, it is now time for people to please pick up your dishes and cake pans from the main kitchen. Items that remain in the kitchen after December 31, 2018 will be assimilated into kitchen cupboards and used by others.
Thank you,
Sherri Fitzgerald
Kitchen Coordinator
WEDNESDAY EVENING ACTIVITIES will be held December 6th, , 13th, & 20th, and then have a short winter break. We will resume on January 10. In case of bad weather, check our Facebook page and KIMT for notices of cancellations. If school is not held or let out early due to bad weather, Wednesday activities will not be held.

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News From Our Members

THE JANUARY JOURNAL deadline is
December 15 by 12:00 PM.
THE JANUARY JOURNAL will be
assembled on December 21
at 9:00 AM.
Please call the church office if you are able to help.
BULLETIN ARTICLES are due on
Wednesday by 9:00AM every week.

BULLETIN ARTICLES for Sunday, December 25th and January 1st are due by December 16th at noon.

Our Christian
Sympathy is extended to:
Rick and Lori Jorgensen at the death of Lori’s mother, Arlis Bertelsen.
When there is a death of a family member, please call the church office so that we may make a note of it in an upcoming Journal. Also please call the church office if a name has been inadvertently omitted.
Recently Remembered in prayer: Margaret Christensen, Pastor Jeni Bohls
Baptisms:
God’s blessings to:
Aubrey Jade Rohlfsen, daughter of Nick & Shana Rohlfsen who was baptized on October 22nd.
Adelyn Ann Boelsen, daughter of Jesse & Julie Boelsen who was baptized on November 17th.
Maya Ann Grote, daughter of Whitney & Derek Grote who was baptized on November 5th.
James Robert Kindschuh & Jacob Anthony Kindschuh, sons of Tony & Sunny Kindschuh who were baptized on November 5th.
Meet Pastor Dennis Niezwagg! My name is Dennis Niezwaag and I retired from the ministry on September 1, 2015 after being a pastor at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City for 32 years. My wife, Diane, is a nurse in the Critical Care Unit at Mercy Hospital. We have 3 children: Aaron and his wife Julie in Delafield, WI; Krista, who lives in Dixon, IL; and Leah and her husband Brian, who live in Boise, ID. We have 4 grandchildren. Both of our dads have passed and my mom lives in Marion, SD and Diane’s mom lives in Billings, MT.
THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!
I want to thank all of you who are taking the time to introduce yourselves to me and are helping me understand the many ministries that are going on at St. James.
I especially want to thank the wonderful St. James staff, who are doing outstanding ministries in this congregation plus taking on the extra assignment of shepherding a newbie pastor. I just want to say many, many thanks to Amy, Sherri, Bill, Bill, and Sid.
Thanks also to Church President, Vice President, other leaders, and many members whose names I currently cannot remember (PLEASE FORGIVE ME) who have taken the time welcome me.
I am really looking forward to meeting more of you and learning more about your congregation.
~Blessings on us all,
Pastor Dennis Niezwaag

Ministers of Connection

We currently have 22 people who will be doing nursing home, hospital and shut in/home bound visits. It is not too late to sign up for this “Ministers of Connection” volunteering.

St. James Journal

Our Mission statement:
“We proclaim and Practice christ’s love”

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WELCA

THE MITTEN TREE will be available in the Narthex for “decorating” beginning in December. Decorations may include mittens, gloves, stocking hats, sweat pants, socks, and underwear for elementary boys and girls. For safety purposes, scarves are not accepted. Last year students at Jefferson and Harding schools received our donations. This year the donations will be distributed to Roosevelt and Hoover schools. As you’re shopping for Christmas gifts, please remember the MITTEN TREE. These gifts are very much appreciated by our schools. help defray the costs. Thank you!
ST. JAMES WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS SOUP SUPPER
Tuesday, December 5 at 6:00 PM. All women are welcome to the free supper. Guest speaker is Katharina von Borea Luther, a.k.a Mrs. Martin Luther.
The winners of the Fall Bazaar raffle gifts are:
Delores Marsh- Owl blanket and bible donated by Cheryl West
Shirley Hain - Insulated cup donated by Karen Paulsen
Jeni Bohls - wine basket donated by Don and Jeanette Priebe
Deb Pralle - baby blanket donated by Delores Marsh
Marilyn Wallace - wine basket donated by Michele Larsen
Karen Day - wine basket donated by Leslie Johnson
Deb Pralle - fall basket and rug donated by Brett & Vicki Austin
Cynthia Tompkins - pottery donated by Michele Larsen
Colton Hesley - coffee and drink basket donated by Cheryl West
Donna Sutcliffe - quilt donated by Pam Loeckle
Frances Guertin - fall arrangement donated by Baker Floral/Nancy Umphress

Circle News

St. James Trivia Night & Ugly Sweater Party!

Love Circle will meet on Monday, December 18th, at 7pm,.
SENIOR SAINTS will meet on December 21st at 5:00.
DO DAYS QUILTING meets every Tuesday at 9:00a.m.
Join us for friends, food, and fun on Friday, December 15th at 7 PM. Watch the bulletin and our Facebook page for the location. Wear your smarty pants, your thinking cap, and whatever else you think will help you answer our brain teasers! Feel free to come early for dinner.
In addition to the best trivia game in the room, we'll also be having an ugly Christmas sweater party! Dust off those sweaters! There will be voting and the winner will walk away with bragging rights and a special treat!

CHRIST IN OUR HOME AND PORTALS OF PRAYER for October through December are available at the church on the tables in the Narthex.

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St. James Special Activities

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM REHEARSALS will be held the first two Sundays in December, as well as December 16 at 2 PM. Please make sure you bring your children to practices and let Alyse Hesley know if your child would like a singing part or a speaking part.
CELEBRATION BRUNCH: A brunch catered by Butchers will be held following the Christmas Program on December 17. The program is at 9:15 and the brunch will immediately follow. Sign up by calling or e-mailing the church office, or signing up on a Sunday morning. All are welcome!
Christmas $0.25 Store: While you are digging out your holiday décor, please consider donating any unwanted items to the St. James Christmas $0.25 Store. Donations can be placed on the stage at any time. Riverside Campers and Mission Trip Youth will be hosting the sale this year on December 9th from 10:00-noon with all of the proceeds going towards helping them attend camp and the mission trip.
Cookie Walk: If you would be willing to donate a dozen cookies/candy to the St. James Cookie Walk, please sign up on the sheet located in the Narthex. All of the proceeds from the Cookie Walk on December 9th from 10:00-noon will benefit the Riverside Campers and Mission Trip Youth.
7th-12th GRADE LOCK IN!!! December 8th beginning at 9:30PM. The youth will be baking goodies for the Cookie Walk the following morning, playing games, watching a movie, and having fun!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROVIDE SPECIAL MUSIC DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER? If you would like to sing of play an instrument on a Sunday or for Christmas Eve, please contact Bill Grant at honeyguitar@msn.com. Any special music for Christmas Eve or the Sunday after Christmas should be
arranged by December 13.

The practice of Stewardship begins with hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is the power of the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament that changes our hearts and wills to become the generous children of God. Listen carefully to the messages in the next weeks.
God gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities, and we are expected to invest them wisely until the return of Jesus to earth. We are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have but how well we use what we have. And, be thankful for what we have been given.
Stewardship is everything that we do after we say, “I believe”. It involves the we speak of Jesus and our faith. Stewardship involves the way we devote our time and energy in daily life to God by serving others. We serve God with our activities of daily living, some here within the congregation BUT most of which occur outside of our congregation. How can you help both within and outside our congregation? How much can you faithfully and generously give away for the benefit of others and the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus?

Stewardship

St. James Journal

POINSETTIAS
Poinsettias are requested to beautify the sanctuary.
Poinsettias may be ordered through the church office for $15.00 each.
Orders with payment need to be turned in by Sunday,
December 17th.
I would like to provide _____________________(quantity) poinsettia(s)
My/Our Name
__________________________________________________________
To be place in honor of
__________________________________________________
To be place in memory of
________________________________________________
Attached is $__________________________($15.00 each)
The poinsettias are being purchased from Baker Floral.

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WEDNESDAY EVENING MEALS
DECEMBER 2017
SERVED 5:15 TO 6 PM
DECEMBER 6
Spaghetti
Garlic Bread
Hot dogs
DECEMBER 13
Pulled Pork, Chicken Salad, or Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
Chips
Hot dogs
DECEMBER 20
NO MEAL
Confirmation Small Group Parties
DECEMBER 27 - JANUARY 3
CHRISTMAS BREAK
MEAL DONATION:
$5.00 per person
All meals are served with lettuce salad, dessert and beverages.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

	8:00 AM	9:15 AM	11:00 AM
Dec. / 3	Corrine / Bolz	Mike/Colleen / Syverson	Gene / Larson
Dec. / 10	George / Arduser	Rhonda / Paulsen	Carmen / Madson
Dec. / 17	Laurie / Haugen	Linda / Betels	Pastor

St. James Staff
Pastor Jeni Bohls
pastorjeni@mchsi.com
Administrative Coordinator Amy Halverson
stjamesofficemc@gmail.com
Financial Secretary
Mike Fitzgerald
stjamesfs@gmail.com
Building Supervisor
Bill Trask
bljjjt@msn.com
Worship & Music Coordinator Bill Grant
honeyguitar@msn.com
Kitchen Coordinator
Sherri Fitzgerald
sherrifitzgerald1965@gmail.com
1148 4th St SE
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-4702
www.stjamesmc.org
www.facebook.com/
@St James

Reader Schedule

SCRIPTURE READERS
If you are unable to read on the scheduled Sunday please call the church office.

St. James Contact Information

A Lenten Journey Through the Reformation” continues through Lent. Pick up a map at church and fill in one square on the map for every 15 minutes of activity. Walking, running, swimming, riding bikes, gymnastics—anything that gets you moving—counts! Maps will be turned in the Sunday after Easter. Along with your walking and your map, there will be some learning! Learn about significant places in the life of Martin Luther, as we also talk about his stories on the Wednesdays in Lent. Join us for our walking campaign!

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NEW MEMBER MEETING will be held Sunday, March 5 at 6 PM. Anyone interested in joining St. James is invited to attend. If you would like to join but cannot attend, please talk to Pastor Jeni.

St. James Care Team

RSVP 641-423-7109

325 27th St. SW

2017 FLOWER MINISTRY sign up sheets are now available in the Narthex. Flowers are $21.

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2016 giving statements are available in the
narthex

WEDNESDAY EVENING MEALS April 19, 26, &
May 3 2017
Meals served 5:15 to 6:15 PM
April 19
Walking Tacos, Soft Tacos, & Nachos
April 26
Chicken Ranch Wraps, BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, &
Chips
May 3
Party Sub, Leftover Surprises, & Chips
Suggested meal donation:
$5.00 per person
All meals include lettuce salad, dessert and beverages.

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CHRISTMAS EVE
SCHEDULE
9:00 AM Choir
Christmas
Cantata

We’re on the Web!
example.com

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