Fires. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Floods. This summer, the United States and our neighbor Mexico have experienced a relentless onslaught of disasters with the potential of more to come.  These events have led to death, injury, and property loss.  The lives of hundreds of thousands have been ripped from their routines and left in a heap of destruction.

What do people make of all this? One thing I have heard is that these disasters (including the recent eclipse) are signs that the return of Jesus (the “end time”) is near.  Another is that these disasters are God’s punishment of our nation because we have become morally corrupt.  I highly doubt either of these explanations.  With regard to the first, scripture is clear that we will not know the time of Jesus’ return (see Matthew 24). With regard to the second, I find little evidence in the story of God and God’s people that natural disasters are God’s way of punishing people.

What can followers of Christ to make of all of this? Instead of turning inward out of fear and anxiety that Jesus is coming to judge us or that God is unleashing punishment upon us, scripture directs us to remember that God has not abandoned us, but that God is alive in the midst of these disasters.  Indeed, scripture leads us to see these events as reminders that we are to live as people preparing for Jesus’ kingdom to come on earth (as we pray “thy kingdom come on earth”) by living out the teachings and mission of Jesus as he taught and lived the first time he came.

So, fellow followers of Jesus the Christ, what shall we do?  It appears that for now the best help we can offer those who are suffering from loss and working to recover some stability in their lives is to send money to organizations that directly help them.  Money is needed to pay for hotel rooms or other temporary living quarters. Money is needed to pay for food and medicine.  Money is needed to buy building materials to start the rebuilding process.  Money is needed to pay for funeral expenses.  Money is needed for new school books and supplies. Money is needed everywhere the wind has blown, the earth has shaken, and the water has overflowed; everywhere that homes, hospitals, schools, businesses, and jobs have been blown, washed, or crumbled away.

Lutheran Disaster Response is an organization that is very highly rated for getting the highest percentage of our contributions (usually 100%) directly to people in need.

Rev, Daniel Rift, Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, says this about Lutheran Disaster Response:

As a church, we’re standing by our neighbors who are already affected, and we are ready to assist in additional locations as disaster strikes. Lutheran Disaster Response’s affiliates, companion churches, and international partners are collaborating with community leaders and government officials to respond. Please give now to support this response.  Stay connected to the latest events and our response to [these] disasters through our Facebook page.

On Sunday, October 8, we will be holding our annual quilt dedication, potluck, and harvest auction Sunday. All proceeds raised will be sent to Lutheran Disaster Relief.  Your help in bringing items for the auction and bidders to buy these items will directly help people suffering from these natural disasters. Please invite a friend to come to worship with you on October 8.

For your response to these disasters out of love – not fear – thank you.

Yours in Christ, Pastor Matt

• October 1: After Communion, Sunday School, Amy Miller, leader, every Sunday except for school holidays. All children are welcome!
• October 1: After Worship, Youth Group gathering, Kristin Mills, leader
• October 1: 7:00 PM, St. James, “God on the Mountain”,
Gospel Music Concert, benefits suicide awareness, Gary Griesbach, leader
• October 4: 7:00 PM, St. James, book study for adults, “Making Sense of Scripture”, Pastor Matt Lamb, leader, every Wednesday, all adults welcome
• October 4: 6:00 PM, LSSU Cisler Center, “Families and Recovery”, sponsored by Families Against Narcotics, Katie Donovan, speaker, free presentation
• October 8: Harvest Auction, pot-luck, and Blessing of the Quilts, Auction benefits Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma victims through Lutheran Disaster Response
• October 9: 6:30 PM, WELCA Meeting at Hill residence, all women are welcome
• October 16: 5:30 PM, Church Council Meeting

All Are Welcome! No Exceptions! Bring Your Friends!

The Parish Press

SEPTEMBER 2017

St James Lutheran Church, ELCA

P.O. Box 156 11118 W 3rd St Rudyard, MI 49780

Office 906-478-3045 Church e-mail: office@st.jamesrudyard.org

Like us on Facebook: St. James Lutheran Church Rudyard, Michigan 

Church Website: stjameslutheranchurch.me

Pastor: Rev. Matthew Lamb — cell: 717-805-4210

From Pastor Lamb

Moderation in all things, except…

The first time I heard the phrase “moderation in all things” I was 14 years old and watching the Christmas episode of The Walton’s, a television program of the 1970’s.  The phrase was offered by one of the characters as a philosophy for life and, at the time, it struck me as a good way of thinking.  It seemed to me a way to make life a little simpler because it framed a way to approach people, experiences, and things.  In other words, according to this philosophy, I should not let one thing, person, or experience take an excessively large portion of my time, energy, money, or attention.

For years, this phrase did provide a pretty good baseline for living. (It isn’t found in the Bible, exactly.  The closest the Bible comes is in Philippians 4:5.) I was careful of letting anything consume too much of me (with some significant failures!). Of course, this philosophy didn’t always work.  As I grew older I could see that there were things that shouldn’t be tried at all and ideas that led to very dark places that should be avoided completely.  Did I want to try every substance that I was offered? No.  Did I want to say words or take actions that caused pain or hardship at the expense of others? Not as a rule.  In addition, I discovered something that could be, should be, pursued beyond moderation.  This was a direction that I had heard many times in my life, but it took a long time to grow in my mind to point I could see it. Maybe you’ve heard it, too: If you want to follow me (Jesus), then deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.  (Mark 8:34). Does that sound extreme to you?  It sure did to me (and it still does).  Did I want to go to this extreme? I decided I did.

So, there were times that my moderate approach was too much and times when it was too little.

It seems, though, that times have changed.  Until recently, I felt I had time to think about the exceptions.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I didn’t feel like I needed to react quickly to most situations, without taking time to sort things out.  Now, given the pace at which news from everywhere comes at me, it seems I feel expected to shoot from the hip and take sides.  Unfortunately, I am rarely prepared to do this well.  Under this pressure, I try to put new information into categories that are clearly different.  Unfortunately, this often means I describe things in extreme terms so that I can quickly say if they are good or bad, or worthy of my reaction.  When I do this without adequate time to think, I tend to label the people who hold one position or the other (think liberal, conservative, sexist, neo-nazi, gay, patriot, environmentalist, capitalist, etc.).  I label them so that I can more easily sort them out or call them out or stand with them or stand against them.  But when I do that, I diminish them.  I reduce them to their behaviors or ideas.  And it grieves me deeply.  It feels wrong.  It feels extreme.

We are all faced with a steady onslaught of information and news.  I challenge myself and urge you to restrict this flow until it slows down enough that we can think about it and react with the only things that God in Christ were extreme about: extreme patience, extreme kindness, extreme sacrifice, extreme compassion, extreme presence, extreme vulnerability, extreme acceptance – extreme love.

What do you think?  I’d love to know,

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Lamb

Prayer List  Ruth Griesbach, Gary Salo, MaryAnn Salo, Lisa Basner,  Dinah Savoie, Alan Bjorne, Charlie and Ruth Touple, Richard Savoie, Nancy Nurmi, Amber Chappa McLaren, Alex McCready, Connie Arnett, Mike Ross, Marty Nayback, Crystal Reno, Dan Rose, Cole Nelson, Emily Seifferland, and the family of Heather Hyer.

1. JAMES LUTHERAN

HOMEBOUND MEMBERS

MILLIE AHO

Evergreen Living Center

Room 408

1140 N. State St.

St. Ignace 49781

DELPHA JOHNSON

510 Ashmun Street Apt.202

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

   SHIRLEY MARKSTROM

Cedar Ridge, Room E3

255 S. Airport Rd.

St. Ignace 49781

ANITA NAYBACK

622 W. Victory St.

Apt. 209

Newberry, MI 49868

CHARLIE & RUTH TOUPLE

301 24^th Ave.

Apt. 110

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49780

September Birthdays 

9-03  Raya Erfourth

9-04  Ethan Miller

9-08  Paavo Nurmi

9-14  Julie Hauswirth

9-15  Mark Nelson

9-19  Laura Kangas

9-30  Fayda Mills

 September Anniversaries

9-1    Orv & Sue Kabat

9-5    Dennis & Juanita Steikar

9-25   David & Debbie Chick

9-26   Rick & Jan Besteman

WELCA News

The WELCA Bake Sale and Michigan Basket Raffle, held at Rudyard Summerfest annually, netted $635 for WELCA missions and activities. Debbie Chick was the lucky winner of the Michigan Basket. Thanks to all who participated! We can’t do it without YOU!

Looking Ahead

October 1: God on the Mountain, Suicide Awareness Music Night, Country Gospel , 7:00 PM, St. James

October 8: Harvest Sunday, auction of harvest bounty, at fellowship/ Blessing of the Quilts, during worship

October 20-21, Friday and Saturday: Pasty Making and Sale

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), stands against all forms of hatred and discrimination. The church believes that cultural, ethnic and racial differences should be seen and celebrated as what God intends them to be—blessings rather than means of oppression and discrimination.

The ELCA’s social statement “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture” states: “Racism—a mix of power, privilege, and prejudice—is sin, a violation of God’s intention for humanity. The resulting racial, ethnic, or cultural barriers deny the truth that all people are God’s creatures and, therefore, persons of dignity. Racism fractures and fragments both church and society.”

The social statement, adopted by the ELCA 1993 Churchwide Assembly, calls on the church to make confession for complicity, name the spiritual crisis at the roots, commit to change and make pledges to public witness, advocacy and action to confront racism.

“We recognize that the kind of violence we [recently] witnessed in Charlottesville, VA is very real and affects all of us,” said ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton. “We need to stand up firmly against racism and anti-Semitism, show up for and advocate with others. Jesus, who makes visible those who are invisible, is already there. We need to show up, and we need to listen in each of our communities.”

The ELCA is a church that belongs to Christ and Christ’s church universal, where there is a place for everyone. The job of Christ’s people today is to celebrate the diversity of God’s creative work and embrace all people in the spirit of love, whatever race or ethnicity, economic status or gender.

Read the full social statement by going to elca.org and typing “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture” in the search box.

Men’s Coffee Hour at St. James
Attention men! There is a time to gather for non-digital conversation and coffee and donuts, maybe some toast, too.

St. James Lutheran is offering a community coffee time for men from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM in our fellowship hall. We will be hosting this every Tuesday until further notice.

This is a place and time where men of all ages can gather for simple conversation and fellowship. We are hoping to be available for men who work the day shift so that’s why we’re starting at 6:30 AM. Please spread the word! Remember that this is an offering for the whole community and beyond.

Current Church Financial Information

Three Lakes Lay Academy

Fall 2017 Class Offerings

Schedule: Thursdays from September 14 – November 16, 2017

4:00 pm – Exegetical Work – 1^st five weeks

                             Christianity in the World – 2^nd five weeks

5:30 pm – Shared meal 6:00 pm – Shared Devotions

6:30 pm – New Testament from Romans to Revelation – 10 wks

8:00 pm – Depart

Classes:

Exegetical Work – Develops some of the exegetical tools that are important for the preparation of preaching and teaching.

Rev. Doc. Tom Cook, Interim Pastor, Elk Rapids, MI (Lutheran)

Christianity in the World – Examining the Christian faith foundations among some of the world’s great religious expressions and including some of the variant expressions of Christianity such as Jehovah’s Witness and the Mormon Church.

Rev. David Van Dam – Retired Presbyterian Pastor

Pastor Joe Daiker – Lutheran pastor, Cedarville/Allenville

New Testament from Romans to Revelation – Examining what we learn from the letters, writing, and the apocalyptic literature of the New Testament

Rev. Doc. Kip Murphy – Pastor, Harbor Springs, MI

Pastor David Tielbar – Lutheran pastor, St. Ignace/Brevort

All classes held at:

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 950 Huron St, St. Ignace, MI 49781 (906-643-7870)

Each class is $10 for the semester. Students may be required to purchase books. Scholarships are available. Classes are team taught by Presbyterian and Lutheran teachers.

Please pre-register with David Van Dam, 231-838-9128, davidvandam68@gmail.com or with David Tielbar, 906-643-7870, david.tielbar6@gmail.com before September 8, 2017 to make sure you can get books by the first class! For information also contact either one of the David’s

Web address for further information, www.presbymac.com under “quick links” click on “Three Lakes Lay Academy”.

Thrivent Action Teams are generously funded by Thrivent. Anyone who is a member of Thrivent has an opportunity to apply for a grant twice a year. When approved, you receive a box of information for a successful project, a banner, t-shirts for the group, and a $250 gift card to fund your project.

Cindy Steikar applied on behalf of St. James Quilters and the request was approved. The quilters are making quilts for girls in a foster care facility, fire victims, infants in local hospitals, and people with cancer. (Submitted by Cindy Steikar)

IN SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 2017

(IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SERVE, CALL SOMEONE TO SUBSTITUTE FOR YOU).  THANK YOU

Date  9-03-17                                    

Ushers:                  Marv Erfourth and Dave Erfourth

Lector:                   Dale Hauswirth

Communion Asst:  Julie Hauswirth

Altar Care:             Cindy Kamper

Cleaning:                 Trotter Family

Fellowship:             Ken & Fayda Mills & Kristin Mills

Date:  9-10-17

Ushers:                  Orv & Sue Kabat

Lector:                   Judy Hamilton

Communion Asst:  Jason Miller

Altar Care:            Amy Miller

Cleaning:                Dan & Mary Sherlund & Marv & Raya Erfourth

Fellowship:            Bev Campbell & Sally Wiles

Date:  9-17-17

Ushers:                  Dale & Julie Hauswirth

Lector:                  Amanda Ross

Communion Asst:  Britt Hill

Altar Care:             Lisa Lemmerman

Cleaning:               Ken & Fayda Mills & Dave Erfourth

Fellowship:            Jan Besteman & Raya Erfourth

Date:  9-24-17

Ushers:                 Alice Spring & Karen Carlstedt

Lector:                   Dave Erfourth

Communion Asst:  Jennifer King

Altar Care:             Jennifer King

Cleaning:                Crafters

Fellowship:            Andrea Van Sloten and Robyn Spring

From Pastor Lamb

As I prepared for a recent sermon, I was reading the Gospel according to John and realized that Jesus’ disciples, followers, and even his opponents asked Jesus a lot of questions.

As Jesus called his disciples, Nathaniel asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” When Jesus went to the temple and drove out money changers and animal sellers, the people asked him, “What sign can you show us we’re doing this?” When a leader of the Jews, Nicodemus, came to Jesus one night and heard Jesus talk about being born from above, he asked Jesus, “How can anyone be born after having grown old?” On the night Jesus would be betrayed and arrested, his disciple Peter asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”  Later that same night, Thomas asked him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”

From these few examples it seems clear that those around Jesus, or those who came in contact with him, were eager to figure him out. Jesus clearly did not fit into any categories that they used to figure people out. Are we any different today? Does Jesus fit into our understanding of what we can expect from people? Does it make sense that Jesus could be God, also? Are we any closer to figuring out who Jesus was and is than the people who followed him, learned from him, saw him killed, and walked with him after he was raised from the dead? It seems natural for us to have a lot of questions about Jesus and about God. But where do we go with our questions?

While Jesus lived here, he was directly available to answer questions. But now we experience Jesus indirectly through the activity of the Holy Spirit within other people. That means Jesus is primarily available through others.  Is there a person you talk to about God? Is there a place you go where people are talking about God? Does God interest you to the point that you have questions?  Is it important to you that there be a people among whom God is discussed, sought after, and experienced?  If somebody close to you had a question about God would you feel comfortable answering it? Would you want to include others in answering the question? Do you know people or a person to whom you could ask your questions?

We are not the first to ask these questions. Ever since Jesus came among us these questions have been asked. And we read in the Gospel of John that Jesus was aware that we would have questions. He knew that we would continue searching to know him and to know God through him. So he set for us a way that we could remain connected with him, a way that allowed us not only to ask questions but to find some answers, too. That place is his body, the church.

Will you find all the answers to your questions at church? No. But you will find people like you who are eager to follow Christ through this world. You will find others asking questions like Where is Jesus going? How does Jesus get to know us so well? What does it mean that Jesus has given us new life? How does following Jesus make us different? What can we do to work with Jesus as he tries to love the world?

One thing about Jesus is clear: that no matter how many questions we have or how few answers we have, we will always have Jesus. And that is the truth.

I pray that we will find that truth together. See you in church.

Some would say that we have just finished celebrating the greatest single event of all human history, the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Would you be among those who say this?

Certainly there is a lot of competition for the title “greatest single event.” Among the competitors would be events marking the discovery of important tools, things like the wheel, the lever, fire, the printing press, the computer, or the internet. They have certainly changed our lives. Some might say the establishment and practice of democracy in government. Other competitors may come from the field of medicine, including the discoveries that germs cause illness, the X-ray, or DNA molecules. The list could continue, and, in fact, if you asked 100 people to come up with their top ten most important events of all time, you would probably come up with 100 different lists.

And that’s the point. That’s why I asked if the resurrection of Jesus would top your list. Because what event is greatest or most important will vary from person to person depending on the effect that event has on their lives.

How has the life, work, death, and resurrection of Jesus affected you? Is it the railway upon which the train that is your life runs? Does it form the words you speak or the plans you make? Would it change your life to find out that Jesus was just another good teacher who didn’t have any special connection to God? Does Jesus, and the Way of hope and compassion that he opened to us, enter or shape your thinking more often, or more deeply, than anything else? Is Jesus the single most important event in your life?

I believe this is a good question for you and for the church. As we enter the seven-week season of Easter, I invite you to think about this question and answer it for yourself. Bring it with you to worship, talk about it with your family and friends, pray about it with God.

How does Jesus rate with us? Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

From Pastor Lamb

From Pastor Lamb…

AND THE CHURCH SEASON TURNS

Lent means spring.  I’m all for that.  But, it’s also a little more than that, isn’t it?

Lent is a season observed by people in some churches, including most Lutherans.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (this year on March 1) and ends approximately six weeks later, just before Easter Sunday (April 16). Although the season of Lent spans forty-six days, we only count 40 as days of Lent because Sundays are not included (they are reserved for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus).  The 40-day length commemorates the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for his public ministry.  On the first Sunday in Lent, the gospel reading is always an account of this story.

The early purpose of Lent (centuries ago) was to prepare followers of Jesus Christ for baptism on the eve of Easter at a worship service called the Easter Vigil. We don’t do this at St. James, but some Lutheran churches still do. Instead, we now use these days of Lent to focus our attention on our need for Jesus and his ministry of reconciliation.

As we begin the season by receiving ashes on our forehead on Ash Wednesday, we have the chance to humbly remind ourselves that we are limited people and we need God.  Throughout Lent we may be reminded that, left on our own, we tend to get further from God by making ourselves the center of life.  As we hear the scripture readings and sermons of Lent, we may find ourselves moved by God’s Spirit to turn toward God and then find that God has been turning toward us through Jesus. In the midst of this turning, we may discover (again) how space opens up in our spirits for the presence of Christ. In that space, we may find growing connections with God.  As our connection with God grows we may find our eyes and our energy turning less toward ourselves and more toward others. All of this is part of the work of reconciliation that God started in Jesus, that is continuing through the Church, and that we ponder during Lent. You can see how good this is, can’t you?

So, in this season we address questions like these: Where is God in our relationships? How does following Jesus help us to build stronger, life-expanding relationships and, in doing so, show others who God is?  How can we recognize the presence of Christ in our relationships? Are there relationships in our lives that need reconciliation?  What may lead us to better see others as children of God who are loved and cherished just as we are?

As we look at these questions, I pray that we will find ourselves growing closer to God, closer to each other, and more open to the presence and leadership of Christ.   I pray that our time in Lent feels like a season of growing hope and faith. I pray that it feels like spring in our spirits.

Blessed Lent!

Pastor Lamb

HOLY WEEK 2017

St. James Lutheran Church, Rudyard, MI

Please make plans to worship during Holy Week. Our participation in worship honors God and supports those who gather with us.  These services honor and remember Jesus’ great acts of love for us and loudly speak the good news he brings.  Spread the Word!

Maundy Thursday

APRIL 13 – 7 PM

Jesus’ Last Supper with His Disciples

Light food and Holy Communion in Fellowship Hall

Solemn Stripping of the Altar in the Sanctuary

Good Friday

 APRIL 14 – 7 PM

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Service of Readings, Music, Shadows, and Candles

Easter Sunday

APRIL 16 – 10 AM

Worship and Celebration of the Resurrection!

Festive Procession, Joyful Music, Holy Communion,

Fellowship and Food!