St. James Lutheran Church 1315 SW Park Ave, Portland Or 97201 St. James Newsletter April 2018 From the Pastor’s Desk... What can be said about Easter that has not already been said? That is the challenge that faces the pastor every year at this time. In one sense, why should we feel such pres- sure to say something “new” when the euangelion, the “good news” that spills forth from the gospels themselves never loses its capacity to astonish and amaze? After all, a beloved mid-19 th century hymn asks, “Tell me the old, old story, Of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love; Tell me the story simply, As to a little child, For I am weak and weary, And helpless and defiled.” But it’s true, isn’t it, that every year, we need to hear the old story again in a fresh way, so that once again, we can grasp it anew. For as the hymn contin- ues, “Tell me the story often, For I forget so soon, The ‘early dew’ of morning Has passed away at noon.” Our current moment seems to be rife with the rebirth of protest move- ments. The great 20 th century German theologian, Jürgen Moltmann, takes up the image of protest as a present-day way to understand God’s action in Jesus’ death and resurrection. He writes: “The Easter faith recognizes that the raising of the crucified Christ from the dead provides the great alternative to this world of death. This faith sees the raising of Christ as God’s protest against death, and against all the people who work for death; for the Easter faith recognizes God’s passion for the life of the person who is threatened by death and with death. And faith participates in this love by getting up out of the apathy of misery and out of the cynicism of prosperity, and fighting against death’s accomplices, here and now, in this life.” I love Moltmann’s call for those with “Easter faith” to Artist of the Month Craig Gerke &Special Reception Honoring Tim Nickel, Sunday, April 15, 6pm See page 10 for details Worship Services at St. James: Worship w/Holy Communion Sunday 9:30 am Mid-Week Eucharist Wednesday 12pm Jazz Vesper Sunday, April 15, 5pm Bach Cantata Sunday, April 29, 5pm See page 3 for details Cont’d. on page 5 SUNDAY APRIL 15 Sermon by Pastoral Candidate, Meet & Greet following SUNDAY APRIL 22 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, 11am VOTE on PASTORAL CANDIDATE See pages 6 & 8
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St . J ames Lutheran Church 1315 SW Park Ave , Port l and Or 97201
S t. J a m e s N e w s l e t t e r
April 2018
From the Pastor’s Desk...
What can be said about Easter that has not already been
said? That is the challenge that faces the pastor every year
at this time. In one sense, why should we feel such pres-
sure to say something “new” when the euangelion, the
“good news” that spills forth from the gospels themselves
never loses its capacity to astonish and amaze? After all, a
beloved mid-19th century hymn asks,
“Tell me the old, old story,
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love;
Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child,
For I am weak and weary,
And helpless and defiled.”
But it’s true, isn’t it, that every year, we need to hear the old story again in a
fresh way, so that once again, we can grasp it anew. For as the hymn contin-
ues,
“Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon,
The ‘early dew’ of morning
Has passed away at noon.”
Our current moment seems to be rife with the rebirth of protest move-
ments. The great 20th century German theologian, Jürgen Moltmann, takes
up the image of protest as a present-day way to understand God’s action in
Jesus’ death and resurrection. He writes:
“The Easter faith recognizes that the raising of the crucified Christ from
the dead provides the great alternative to this world of death. This faith
sees the raising of Christ as God’s protest against death, and against all the
people who work for death; for the Easter faith recognizes God’s passion
for the life of the person who is threatened by death and with death. And
faith participates in this love by getting up out of the apathy of misery and
out of the cynicism of prosperity, and fighting against death’s accomplices,
here and now, in this life.”
I love Moltmann’s call for those with “Easter faith” to
Artist of the Month
Craig Gerke
&Special
Reception
Honoring
Tim
Nickel,
Sunday, April 15, 6pm
See page 10 for details
Worship Services at
St. James:
Worship w/Holy
Communion
Sunday
9:30 am
Mid-Week
Eucharist
Wednesday
12pm
Jazz Vesper
Sunday, April 15, 5pm
Bach Cantata
Sunday, April 29, 5pm
See page 3 for details
Cont’d. on page 5
SUNDAY APRIL 15
Sermon by Pastoral
Candidate, Meet &
Greet following
SUNDAY APRIL 22
CONGREGATIONAL
MEETING, 11am
VOTE on PASTORAL
CANDIDATE
See pages 6 & 8
2
Contact us at St. James Lutheran Church 1315 SW Park Ave Portland, Or 97201
With Easter, New Life for St. James Springs Into View
By Pastor Janet Parker Don’t you love spring? Everything is coming alive all around us, and Christians get to celebrate
Easter, God’s final word that life wins! This spring, St. James has something else to celebrate. Your
hard-working Call Committee has brought St. James to the point where your future as a congre-
gation can begin to come into view. As good heirs of the Israelites, you have spent 16 months
making purposeful progress through the wilderness of the interim period. Now, the spies that
your leaders sent ahead to check out the promised land have returned with great news: they
have found the pastor that they believe God is calling to lead you into the next chapter of St.
James’ sacred story. And finally, the time has come for you to meet this person and judge for yourself:
is this the leader we have been waiting for? Your Council has enthusiastically endorsed the choice
of the Call Committee—unanimously! Now, in the wisdom of ELCA polity, it’s time for you, the
people, to discern the Spirit’s leading and have your say.
And so, you are invited to come to worship on Sunday, April 15, to hear the Candidate preach and have
the opportunity for a meet and greet following the service. Come and listen, come and pray, come and
ask questions. Then, come back on Sunday, April 22, and participate prayerfully in the Congregational
Meeting following worship to vote on the Candidate whose name is before you.
I will walk with you through this month and serve as the Bishop’s representative to witness and
ratify the vote on April 22. I will work with you throughout May and possibly into June to draw
our ministry together to a faithful conclusion. Then, I will bid you a very fond farewell and leave
you to the next exciting chapter in your life here at 1315 SW Park Avenue. We will have plenty
of time for goodbyes. If you wish to have a one-to-one coffee, tea or drink of your choice with
me, or simply drop by my office for a personal farewell before I leave, please email me or call the
office and let me know. We will find time! In my interim training, we learned to think of the inter-
im period as a kind of wilderness zone which involves a lot of wandering, and sometimes feeling
lost, but which ultimately leads to God’s promised future for
the church. I have so enjoyed journeying alongside you during
this time and sharing in your sacred story, which is a beautiful,
hope-filled, and rich story. Let us enjoy the time we have left
and prepare your hearts for the new life about to spring forth in
your midst!
Official Notice from St. James Council
Your Church Council has called a special Congregational Meeting for Sunday ,
April 22. The purpose of that meeting is to call a Pastor to St. James Lutheran
Church. There will be a quorum required, please attend! More information
will be disclosed after Easter. Carl Cottingham, President
9
Wednesday Eucharist Commemorations in April
April 4: Albrecht Dürer: 1471-1528, Matthias Grünewald : 1470-1528,
Lucas Cranach 1472-1553)
These great German artists revealed through their work the mystery of salvation
and the wonder of creation. Dürer’s work (left) reflected the apocalyptic spirit of
his time. Though he remained a Roman Catholic, he was sympathetic to Martin Lu-
ther’s reforming work. Grünewald’s paintings
(center) are known for their dramatic forms, vivid
colors, and depiction of light. Cranach’s work
( right) includes many fine religious examples and
several portraits of Martin Luther. Cranach was also widely known
for his woodcuts.
April 11: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: 1906-1945
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian who, at the age of twenty-five, became a lecturer in
systematic theology at the University of Berlin. In 1933, and with Hitler’s rise to pow-
er, Bonhoeffer became a leading spokesman for the Confessing Church, a resistance
movement against the Nazis. He was arrested in 1943. He was linked to a failed at-
tempt on Hitler’s life and sent to Buchenwald, then to Schönberg prison. After leading
a worship service on April 8, 1945, at Schönberg prison, he was taken away to be
hanged the next day. His last words as he left were, “This is the end, but for me the
beginning of life.” Evangelical Lutheran Worship includes a hymn (626) by Bonhoeffer,
“By Gracious Powers.”
April 18: Olavus Petri: 1493-1552, Laurentius Petri: 1499-1573
These two brothers are commemorated for their introduction of the
Lutheran movement to the Church of Sweden after studying at the
University of Wittenberg. They returned home and, through the sup-
port of King Gustavus Vasa, began their work. Olavus published a cate-
chism, hymnal, and a Swedish version of the mass. He resisted at-
tempts by the king to gain royal control of the church. Laurentius was
a professor at the university in Uppsala. When the king wanted to
abolish the ministry of bishops, Laurentius persuaded him otherwise. The historic episcopate contin-
ues in Sweden to this day. Together the brothers published a complete Bible in Swedish and a revised
liturgy in 1541.
April 25: Toyohiko Kagawa (1888-1960) Toyohiko Kagawa was born in
1888 in Kobe, Japan. Orphaned early, he was disowned by his remaining ex-
tended family when he became a Christian. Kagawa wrote, spoke, and
worked at length on ways to employ Christian principles in the ordering of
society. His vocation to help the poor led him to live among them. He es-
tablished schools, hospitals, and churches. He also worked for peace and es-
tablished the Anti-War League. He was arrested for his efforts to reconcile
Japan and China after the Japanese attack of 1940.
10
St. James Ministries and Groups
St. James Artist of the month: Craig Gerke
Craig Gerke graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI in 2001
with a BA in Art. After moving to Portland he began a career in social services work-
ing with at-risk youth and adults with disabilities. After joining St. James and becoming
involved with the music program, Craig began to look for
outlets to continue doing artwork, which had been on the
back burner for years due to his work schedule. He began reading through
the scripture texts assigned for the Bach Cantatas, as well as the Cantatas
themselves. The poetry and hymns associated with each led him to begin
creating art for each Cantata. Nancy Nickel and others at St. James have en-
couraged this hobby. Craig realized that he has amassed a sizable collection
from the Cantatas performed over the years. Craig selected some to display
at St. James in the month of April from Cantatas sung throughout the liturgi-
cal year. Enjoy!
Reception Honoring Tim Nickel
Sunday, April 15, 6pm (following Jazz Vesper) In appreciation and celebration of his magnificent contributions to the music
ministry of St. James, there will be a champagne reception honoring Tim Nickel
on Sunday, April 15 following Jazz Vespers. His compositions have seeped into
the soul of St. James, and it is time to recognize Tim’s vast musical gifts to the
church. Since 2004, Tim has composed 38 Psalms for choir, congregation, organ
and other instruments, all of which have been performed at a Sunday service.
Some of those Psalms have been commissioned and dedicated to various indi-
viduals. Among the many Psalms he has composed are: Psalm 46, October 2006 in gratitude to Ann
Fruechte for her years of service to St. James; Psalm 86, October 2012 in gratitude for the life and witness
of Juy Nielsen; Psalm 104, Pentecost 2008 in celebration of the 50th wedding anniversary of Rev. William &
Sandra Arbaugh; Psalm 116, October 2016 in gratitude for the ministry of Pastor Dennis Andersen. Addi-
tionally, Tim has written full Liturgical Settings. The largest project was a Psalter for the Saints for
choir, congregation and organ that covers the complete three-year lectionary. Gospel Acclamation
settings for choir, congregation and organ were also composed for the three-year lectionary. Many
of his compositions have been commissioned, including his Luther Chorale Mass for congregation, choir
or cantor and hand bells, commissioned by WELCA in memory of Lois Gogl. His Jazz Vesper setting of
Evening Prayer was commissioned for and is still performed at the Monthly St. James Jazz Vesper.
Tim’s Hymn and Motet settings have also been created in honor of people whose lives served St.
James. Hymns have included “God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian” in celebration of 50 years of ordained
ministry by Rev. Joe Smith, and “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” for JoAnn Rauch, celebrating her 23
years of service as Director of the CDC. His Motets celebrate other important individuals, such as “We
are God’s Servants” in honor of Kay Betton, a model of generous volunteerism in the church. Additionally,
Tim has written organ preludes and a collection of 20 arrangements of hymn tunes and classical
repertoire for hand bells. He has also given countless hours to the choir, assisting running sections
for the Bach Vesper series. Phew. As you can see, Tim is a musical fount. And St. James has been so
greatly enriched by Tim’s gifts of music and spirit. We are ever grateful, and invite everyone to join
in our Thank You to Tim Nickel on Sunday, April 15.
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Portland Homeless Family Solutions at Goose Hollow
“My favorite thing about Goose Hollow is eating the dinners. The volunteers are so helpful and nice, and the food is so good…it’s so much so that I’ve even
put on weight! But it’s worth it ‘cause I feel supported here.”
Alea, Guest
St. James’ WELCA group and other member volunteers continue to support the
Goose Hollow Family Shelter by providing overnight hosts and a full meal one
Wednesday night a month. More volunteers are always needed. There is a sign-up
sheet in the hallway outside the Pioneer Chapel. As you can see from the quote
above our efforts are truly appreciated! April Menu: Ham; Au Gratin potatoes; String Beans;
Fruit Salad; Rolls & Apples. Overnight Hosts are NEEDED! If you are interested in be-
ing one contact Linda Rickert at 503-224-9353.
St. James Book Club
Tuesday, April 24, Library, 7:10pm March Book Club was canceled due to a variety of reasons. So the March selection be-
comes the April book "Mystic River” by Dennis Lehane. The New York Times bestselling
novel from Dennis Lehane is a gripping, unnerving psychological thriller about the effects of a
savage killing on three former friends in a tightly knit, blue-collar Boston neighborhood. For
more information contact: Linda Rickert, 503-224-9353.
St. James Library
St. James Librarian Needed!
Do you like books? St. James is in need of a new person to help keep track of and or-
ganize the books in the church library. If you have any interest in helping out, please,
let the church office know. 503-227-2439
St. James Ministries and Groups cont’d.
WELCA
WELCA's Fair Trade Coffee & Chocolate Sale You’ll have to make that Easter
chocolate and coffee last a bit longer. The next Fair Trade Coffee & Chocolate sale will be
Sunday, May 5. And a reminder that we provide the coffee for the weekly coffee hour following
Sunday service. Your donations are always appreciated!
WELCA Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, April 17, 11am-1pm, Pioneer Chapel
WELCA's April meeting will be Tuesday, April 17, 11:00am-1:00pm in Pioneer
Chapel, for a business meeting and snacks. Mandy Ellertson will join us with
information about student needs at PCC, where she teaches.
We'll also be finalizing plans for our last meeting this season, May 15, when we'll
gather for luncheon at a restaurant. Remember, even if you don't usually make it
to regular meetings, you're still actually a member of Women of the ELCA, and
will be welcome to join us for the pre-summer finale. If you think you might