The Messenger A Monthly Publication of Saint James Lutheran Church

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Volume 32, Issue 12

December 2016

Upcoming Christmas Events Inside This Issue Thursdays From the Pastor

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The Bishop is coming!

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Social Ministry Update

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Congregational Meeting

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Children’s Musical

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November Attendance

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Coffee & Conversation Hosts

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Prime Timers Potluck

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Greeting Card Volunteer

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Altar Guild for December

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Women of the Vine

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Women of the ELCA

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Online Giving with Square

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NC Women’s Retreat

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Disaster Relief Update

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Around the Parish

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Worship Leaders

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Merry Christmas

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6:30 pm

Monday, 12/5

Sunday, 12/11

Sunday, 12/18 5:30 pm

Saturday, 12/24

Nearly 10,000 congregations and 65 synods across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands There are 202 NC Synod congregations.

Women of the ELCA Christmas Party

Children’s Christmas Musical “Camel Lot”

10 am & 5:30pm

6:30 pm

The Rev. Timothy Smith, Bishop North Carolina Synod Church Office 1988 Lutheran Synod Dr. Salisbury, NC 28144-4480

(Sandwich meal at 5:45 pm)

5:30 pm

Thursday, 12/22

Saint James Lutheran Church is a congregation of the ELCA

Advent Vespers (Dec 1, 8, 15)

12:00 pm

Christmas Festival of Music Allan Winter and his woodwind quintet, local artist Michael Macias, and St. James Adult Choir will present a program of Christmas music and a wonderful cantata Night of the Father's Love. A celebration reception will conclude the evening. Blue Christmas Worship Designed to remind ourselves that the hurts, trials, and pains of life are real, and that in the midst of such pain and agony a Child is born to offer us hope, strength, and comfort. Candlelight Christmas Eve Services Our noon worship service is offered to assist those who have transportation difficulties, or are more home-restricted. If you need assistance with transportation, please call the church office and let us know. We will try our best to help.

5:30 pm

A service of candlelight and communion, with a focus on family and children.

10:30 pm

Christ be our light! Candlelight service and communion. The waiting is over. Christ has come!

Sunday, 12/25 10:00 a.m.

Christmas Worship An informal celebration of God’s gift of incarnation!

The Messenger

December 2016

From the Pastor

Advent has come once again. A time of waiting, of remembering the grace-filled promise of God to never leave nor forsake us and that Jesus will return once again. What a promise! But, I have to be honest. Sometimes – well, most times, really – I forget that promise. It’s hard to remember to stay awake and be ready and to be prepared. Perhaps we can remind each other this Advent/Christmas of 2016 to be on the lookout for Jesus. Where will we see, hear, feel, and experience God’s presence in the midst of the rush, hustle, bustle, and craziness we create for ourselves in the holiday season? Where will we find God’s grace and comfort and strength in the face of separation from family, the pain of illness, or the anxiety of surgery? How will we know God’s compassion and mercy in the nearness of death, the despair of rejection, or the unexpected events of life that wreak havoc on our days? Look around … I hope we will see God in the face of a loved one, a teacher, a friend, or a colleague. Maybe we’ll hear the voice of God offering loving words from a song, or a card, or a letter, or a text, or a real old-fashioned voice phone call. Maybe we’ll feel God’s warmth and embrace in the touch of the doctor’s hand, a neighbor knocking on the door, or a passerby offering to assist in carrying our load. God shows up, I believe in many ways and places and faces … in the strangest forms, and times, and methods. It could be in the checkout line of the grocery store, or talking with Santa, or picking out the tree. It could be in a school play, or a church choir’s concert, or maybe even a sappy Hallmark holiday movie. However God comes, be ready to experience the encounter. For it is in preparing ourselves for His coming that we truly experience God’s presence! Have a blessed and joyous Christmas celebration, Pastor John

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The Messenger

December 2016

The Bishop is coming! The Bishop is coming! Let’s Eat On Sunday, January 15th, we are honored to have North Carolina Bishop Timothy Smith worship with us and share in fellowship after service. What a great opportunity for us to ask questions and share in the joys and challenges of the whole church. A catered meal is being planned and the cost is reflective of your faithful generosity through our God’s Gifts 2017 visioning ministry for fellowship. Tickets are being sold for this event with a cost of $5 per person or $10 per family. A head count is vital to reserve the caterer so please order as soon as possible. You can purchase tickets in the hub before and after service or contact Ruth Ann Crecelius at [email protected] or call 910.309.1007

Social Ministry Update

Congregational Meeting

Dear members of Saint James and the Social Ministry team,

The congregational meeting on Sunday 12/18/16 is called for the purpose of voting for the proposed 2017 Ministry Spending Plan and the election of new council members to fill vacant positions that will exist beginning in 2017.

I would like to thank you for the book bags and school supplies that you gave to the children in my classroom at Mary McArthur Elementary School. The children and parents were very excited about receiving this wonderful gift from all of you. I am so thankful and grateful for all of you and your generosity.

Thank you so much! Peace be with you, Elizabeth Robertson -3-

The Messenger

December 2016

CAMEL LOT - Our Children's Christmas Musical Last year's musical was an exciting and wonderful presentation of the Christmas story. This year is no exception. Camel Lot features a lot of wonderful music, some fun and laughter, and a witness to the power of Jesus coming into the world.

Performances will be Sunday, Dec. 11 (morning worship and 5:30 pm).

You don’t wont to miss this wonderful presentation!

Coffee & Conversation Hosts

Attendance Figures for November 2016

Nov 06 Nov 13 Nov 20 Nov 27

- 107 - 100 - 96 - 117

Dec 04 Dec 11 Dec 18 Dec 25

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Worship & Music Youth: Team 4 Endowment & Finance Youth: Team 1

The Messenger

December 2016

Prime Timers We meet every first Tuesday for a potluck lunch and fellowship. Prime Timers is a group of active, fun loving people 50+ a years old and above who meet the first Tuesday of each month in the Fellowship Hall of Saint James for a delicious pot luck buffet. After the meal, an interesting program is enjoyed, usually a guest speaker or some kind of entertainment.

Join us December 6 at Noon

Greeting Card Volunteer for December

Altar Guild for December Jacque Yacobucci, Beverly Beale, Elizabeth Robertson

Sarah Combs

This group is open to all women and designed to give our ladies a place for conversation, food, and a time to build relationships.

Our next gathering will be on Wednesday, December 7 at 6pm This month we will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall to play dirty Santa. Come and join us!

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The Messenger

December 2016

The New Year will see the Women of the ELCA committed to growth, leadership, devotion and fellowship. Committee Day 11 will be January 21, 2017. St. Mark’s will in Claremont, NC will host this event from 9 am - 3pm. All are invited to participate and to be leaders at the SWO level. It is our prayer that some of you might be interested in Leadership, Justice, Discipleship, Conference Leaders, Stewardship or Gathering Planning for the 2017-2018 church year. Join Jacque and Tonie as they start off the year with a bang, for this one day event, with your sisters that are active in the SWO. The next Women of the ELCA held One Day Retreat for the Sandhills conference will be here at St. James, on Feb. 11, 2017. We will invite the 5 churches, St Mark from Lumberton, Our Savior from Southern Pines, Trinity from Sanford, and Living World from Laurinburg to join us that day for a morning of fellowship, Bible study, and worship. We will also need to bring a T-Shirt, that we are willing to cut up, that has at least one side free from writing or pictures. This will be part of the Bible study. If you have extra's at home, you are willing to give to others, please drop them off to Tonie or Jacque in the next month or two. Also we are looking for help with the preparation to make our St. James look inviting. Please be a part of welcoming the community of sister Lutherans in our area.

We now accept credit cards You can donate with your credit card using square. Click on link or use QR Code

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The Messenger

December 2016

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The Messenger

December 2016

Disaster Relief and Recovery Update Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc throughout eastern North Carolina – and left a wake of destruction in Cumberland County. St. James, aside from the numerous individual outpouring of love and assistance, has been active as well. 

We “loaned” our annex to Fayetteville Urban Ministry to store an overflow of clothing that had been donated. A number of folks of the congregation came forward to sort and pack the clothing into boxes.

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Food, cleanup supplies, pillows, blankets, and baby care items were donated from across the state and collected in our annex. We continue to distribute these items to Alms House, Habitat for Humanity, and Cumberland Disaster Recovery Coalition

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Pastor John, Anna Lisa, and Roscoe Killett have attended several meetings of the CDRC to stay abreast of the needs and assistance being offered throughout the county.

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Monies (over $2500) have been donated to St. James from members, individuals, and congregations across the synod. They continue to be used to assist in recovery efforts.

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Various items (shelving, cabinets, paneling, doors, etc.) were salvaged from the house at 1319 Fort Bragg Rd. and donated to a family in Hope Mills who had significant damage to their home. They are being assisted by Williams and Keller Realtors. (The agent who came by here is originally from Lincoln County – Pastor John and Anna Lisa’s “home” county, and she has two sons who were active in the Scout program at St. James.) We are planning to further assist this family with a financial gift through the donated funds, and various other items.

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As recovery efforts begin in the next couple of weeks, and continue for 12-18 months, St. James has the space and logistics to facilitate and serve as a host site for outside work teams. The Disaster Relief equipment truck and trailers of Lutheran Men In Mission NC have been on site for several weeks and are equipment is available for use by work teams. (More about those efforts in the weeks to come.)

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Habitat for Humanity has contacted us to be a resource to provide occasional meals for work teams in their community (over 90 of their 130 homes were damaged by flooding.)

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Children activity supplies have been purchased with some of the donated funds to offer aid to families placed in temporary housing (i.e., hotels in the area.)

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Two car loads of food, blankets, and pillows from our collection site were delivered to Alms House in late October to assist their efforts.

We join the faith community of Cumberland County and beyond to be Christ’s hands and feet in this time of crisis.

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The Messenger

December 2016

Around the Parish People whose families and friends have requested long-term prayer for them:

One of the gifts that the Christian community shares with others is praying for those with special needs or concerns. Call the Church Office or fill out the green form in the pew racks to let us know of prayer needs. The list in the weekly bulletin is intended to be for persons in immediate crisis. Generally those names will be changed after 3 weeks. The newsletter has our long term prayer list which is updated as you tell us. Please keep us informed so that we can share accurate information with the Saint James community.

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Miltary Families 

Remember These

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People at Home (restricted mobility)

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Mickey Kanode Donna Voelker Angel Warren Norma McNally Ellie Kuhn Dot Parker Lillian Lee Opal Knight

George Capen Debbie Coffey Joe Curtsinger Jennifer Chaplin Cayla Chaplin Patrick San Miguel Elfrieda Capps Rodrick Jones Kevin Walters Michael Grasser Ellie Kuhn Preston Moreaux Antonia Dobbs Marlene Spinelli Myra Pastore Lynne Lewis Mary Lou McDaniel Charles Utterback Angel Davis Richard Williams

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Josh Rosenberg SFC Haven Crecelius Corey Pinkley Jessie Hagen Joshua Hagen Justin Adkins

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Vittoe, Bill Burks, Carly Burns, Paula Halverson, Max Frinak, John Rea, Hannah Mott, Jean Rea, Jacob Schiebe, Delores Wilson, Rhonna Mc Candless, Kylie Fish, Dale Halverson, Kristin Hervey, Joshua Katt, Marcia Wold, Paul Hendrix, Marjorie

12/8 12/10 12/12 12/12 12/16 12/16 12/18 12/18 12/18 12/19 12/20 12/21 12/21 12/21 12/26 12/26 12/29

Anniversaries Susan Strupler & Donald Wilkinson Dale & Abigail Fish Tonie & James Neal John & Gayle Frinak Todd & Paula Burns

12/12 12/18 12/20 12/27 12/30

The Messenger

December 2016

Worship Leaders Greeters 12/04 .......................................... Fran DeSilva 12/11 ............................................ Willa Porter 12/18 .................................... Stella SanMiguel 12/24 (12:00 pm) ............................ Dar Heller 12/24 (5:30 pm) ................... Barbara Azzarelli 12/24 (10:30 pm) ...................... Beverly Beale 12/25 .............................................. Dar Heller Assisting Ministers 12/04 ........................................... Allan Winter 12/11 ...............................n/a (Children’s Play) 12/18 .................................. Lisa Rechkemmer 12/24 (12:00 pm) ......................... Allan Winter 12/24 (5:30 pm) ......................... Brad Dunning ...................... High Schooler, College Student 12/24 (10:30 pm) ......................... Allan Winter 12/25 ........................................... Diana Vittoe

Acolytes 12/04.......................... Bella Fish, Lore Gibson 12/11........ Aiden Stockham, Clayton McLamb 12/18........................................................TBA 12/24 (12:00 pm)......................................TBA 12/24 (5:30 pm)........................................TBA 12/24 (10:30 pm)......................................TBA 12/25........................................................TBA Lectors 12/04........................................... Diana Vittoe 12/11............................... n/a (Children’s Play) 12/18........................................................TBA 12/24 (12:00 pm)......................................TBA 12/24 (5:30 pm)........................................TBA 12/24 (10:30 pm)......................................TBA 12/25........................................................TBA

Offering Counters Communion Assistants 12/04 .................. Jim Schlenker, Tom Rosser, ............................................. Delores Schiebe 12/11 ...............................n/a (Children’s Play) 12/18 .............. George Sachno, Laura Walters .................................................. Brad Dunning 12/24 (5:30 pm) .... Gary & Ruth Ann Crecelius ..................................Anna Lisa Johannessen 12/24 (10:30 pm) ............... Lisa Rechkemmer, ............. George Sachno, Todd & Paula Burns 12/25 ............... Tom Rosser, Delores Schiebe

Ushers (In Sanctuary) 12/04 .............. George Sachno, Laura Walters 12/11 ....................... Janet George, Dar Heller 12/18 .................................. Bill & Diana Vittoe 12/24 (12:00 pm) ......... Gary & Joan Eissinger 12/24 (5:30 pm) .. Roscoe Killett, Craig Pinkley 12/24 (10:30 pm) ..Brad Dunning, Tom Rosser 12/25 .................... Gary & Ruth Ann Crecelius

12/04............... Suzi Wilkinson, Jim Schlenker 12/11............ Barbara Azzarelli, Linda Stellfox 12/18................. Brad Dunning, Laura Walters 12/25................Lynne Romyn, Joan Eissinger

Security / Rover 12/04....................................... Gary Crecelius 12/11......................................... Roscoe Killett 12/18....................................... Steve Hohman 12/24 (12:00 pm)..................... Gary Eissinger 12/24 (5:30 pm)................................ Bill Vittoe 12/24 (10:30 pm)....................... Roscoe Killett 12/25............................................ Todd Burns

The Messenger

December 2016

Thanks and Merry Christmas from the Staff

Your St. James staff (Ellen Blocker, Rosa Bullard, Michelle Dix, and Pastor John) are thankful for your support and prayers throughout the year! We all wish you Merry Christmas – may the Child of Bethlehem bring your hearts peace, love, and joy!

Saint James Lutheran Church

www.saintjamesfay.org

Located in the Haymont Area 1424 Morganton Road P.O. Box 53276 Fayetteville, NC 28305Servie

Requested

Address Service Requested

The Messenger is a monthly newsletter of Saint James Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 53276; Fayetteville, NC 28305. All are welcome to worship each Sunday at 10 a.m. Holy Communion is celebrated every week. Sunday School is 9 a.m. Should you have an emergency or need Pastoral Care, contact Pastor John Locke: Cell (704) 530-9969 or [email protected] . Thank you. Church Staff Office hours are 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Mo-Th. | Phone: (910) 484-8052 | 24 hour answering machine. www.saintjamesfay.org E-mail: [email protected]

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