Seeking Sponsors for Lenten Meals
St. James has long enjoyed the tradition of serving a meal prior to our Lenten worship services (except for Ash Wednesday). Our goal is to continue that tradition, but we need YOUR help! We are currently seeking sponsors for the meals. Would your family, Bible study group, Board members, SJS class, friends group, etc. be willing to cook/serve for one of the meals? If so, please CLICK HERE to review the available slots and to sign up. Thank you so much for considering this service to our congregation!
Philosophy Seminar
Philosophy explores life’s most important questions. Sometimes philosophy gets things right. Sometimes it gets things wrong. If you or your student ages 12 and older would like to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly in the history of philosophy in the Western tradition, especially as it relates to and interacts with Christianity, then join Pastor Bombaro in the Holy Family Hall on Friday, January 23 from 3:15-4:00 p.m. Bring a notebook and an inquisitive mind.
Giving Education Session Hosted by the Stewardship Action Group
St. James depends on the faithful financial support of its members to sustain our church and school. Join us on Sunday, January 25, during Augsburg Academy, for a Giving Education Session hosted by the Stewardship Action Group.
Learn about tax-smart giving options and practical ways your gifts, now and in the future, can strengthen ministry, support students and families, and help ensure St. James remains strong for generations to come.
Your presence matters. Your partnership matters. Please plan to attend.
Koinonia
Seniors, do you like to eat and have fun? Well, of course! Then it’s time to get out of the house and attend Koinonia (formerly known as “Fellowship Communion”) at St. James! We will meet in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28 to rejoice in God’s Word, then head over to the Holy Family Hall to enjoy a nutritious lunch (cost $5.00) and fellowship. Please contact Janet Clark at 464-6015 for lunch reservations. This is a great opportunity to socialize with friends and make new friends. All are welcome!
Issues, Etc.
EXPERT GUESTS, EXPANSIVE TOPICS, EXTOLLING CHRIST … Issues, Etc. is a podcast and radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. Recent subjects include: The Return of the Jewish Question; Fact-Checking Sermons; Strengthening the Hyde Amendment; Jesus as Prophet, Priest & King; Luther’s Large Catechism and more. You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.
Dear Issues, Etc. Listener,
If you’re a member of a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregation, you have an important responsibility and privilege. The LCMS is currently gathering nominations for the offices of President and Vice Presidents of the Synod. Your congregation has received a mailing containing instructions about the online nomination process. When attending church this weekend, please speak with your pastor and congregational leadership about submitting your congregation’s nominees. Several Issues, Etc. guests are candidates. For a list of recommended nominees and information on the nomination process, CLICK HERE. The deadline for nominations is February 18, 2026.
Wir sind alle Bettler,
Todd Wilken, Host
Women’s Bible Studies
Monday Evening Bible Study – Ladies of St. James, we have begun a new Bible study for Monday evenings (7:00-8:15) in the Holy Family Hall studying the first 25 chapters of Genesis for nine weeks. We will meet from January 19 to March 16. We would love for you to join us! If you have questions, please contact Diana Koger at 765-427-4190 or email at dikoger@yahoo.com.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study – This group meets in the Holy Family Hall from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. We are continuing our chronological study of the Bible using CPH Guiding Word. God willing, this class will continue until all the books are covered. We welcome anyone who would want to join our group. We will be starting to read 2 Kings 1:1 – 17:41.
Altar Flowers
Sponsoring the flowers that are placed on the altar is a beautiful way to thank God for the special blessings of birthdays, anniversaries, and personal remembrances. If you would like to grace the sanctuary in this manner, please click on the image below. We are in need of February sponsors. Thank you!
Stewardship Thoughts
We invite all members to prayerfully consider setting up online recurring offerings to support the General Fund. Recurring giving nurtures regular, intentional stewardship and provides stability for responsible budget planning. Your faithful support helps care for our staff, strengthen our school, and maintain our facilities. For those age 70½ and older, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) offer a meaningful way to give directly from an IRA. These gifts can help fulfill your required minimum distribution, and may help lower taxable income. CLICK HERE to give online, and see flyers in the lobby for more information on online giving and Qualified Charitable Distributions.
Offerings ~ December 2025
General Fund Offerings, not including Designated Funds:
- Giving for the month of December was $55,687.58 vs. $82,106.00 budgeted.
- YTD giving through December was $327,952.43 vs. $298,826.00 budgeted.
Bravely Women’s Health
Are you cleaning out closets and have clothing which your kids have outgrown? Bravely Women’s Health is getting very low on size newborn to 5T gently used clothing and winter outerwear, diapers (all sizes) and wipes, and most items that a family with children within those ages would need. We have had a steady flow of young families through our clothing room, which is a wonderful blessing for the community, but we are now running very low! We would be so happy to take donations at Bravely (938 Mezzanine Drive, Ste B in Lafayette) Mon-Fri between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Alternatively, feel free to drop items off at the church office during business hours.
Lutheran Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO)
A 1:1 match of all new donations from our church/school to the SGO is now being offered. Each donation earns a state tax credit. Ask how you can help offset a child’s tuition by emailing financialaid@stjameslaf.org to learn more.
Free Resource for Kids from Concordia Publishing House
As a Christian parent or teacher, your top goal is to help children grow in their faith. We’re offering a free download—25 Bible Memory Verses from Jesus—to help you in this vocation. With this list, which is inspired by The Growing in Faith Bible, children can work through verses, commit them to memory, and treasure them for a lifetime.
We are excited to help you get connected!
Please use the links below for more information.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
1 Peter 4:10
- Music Ministry – Join the choir, handbell choir, or play your instrument
- Sewing Groups:
- Bridal to Baptism Sewing Group – Making baptismal gowns/outfits or confirmation dresses out of donated bridal gowns. Join us in the Holy Family Hall on the 1st Monday of each month from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
- Sewing Circle – Making burial garments for infants. Join us in the Holy Family Hall on the 3rd Monday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. We can always use more help with sewing, cutting out patterns, hand sewing, etc. (If you come, we will find something that you will enjoy doing!) We need to replenish our layettes at the different hospitals in the area, so please consider joining us for this very worthwhile ministry.
- Quilters – Assembling quilts for those in need. Join us in the Holy Family Hall on the 4th Monday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon.