Augsburg Academy
Many suppose that the main difference between the worldview held by early Christians and the world we grew up with is that the first is “ancient” and the second is “modern.” It is then assumed that because we live in the modern world we should dismiss the ancient worldview as out of date, prescientific, and based on ignorance and superstition. This is radically misleading. The main difference between the world of the first Christians and that of most modern Western persons has nothing to do with ancient and modern or science. The main difference is a biblical understanding that God and spiritual realities remain active in the world and in dynamic relation to it. The Psalms will help us to see the world again as it truly is. Join Pastor Bombaro in the Concordia Cafeteria Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Issues, Etc.
BOOK OF PROVERBS BIBLE STUDY … The Word of the Lord Endures Forever is a daily 15-minute verse-by-verse Bible study produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Will Weedon. Pastor Weedon recently started a study on the Book of Proverbs:11-20. You can listen at your convenience at thewordendures.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.
Lenten Sermon Series
Our consumer culture is not value-neutral. From the time we have Sesame Street brand diapers put on us we are being formed toward brand loyalty, with specific thinking patterns, and a way to view the world and ourselves. It is a culture in which everything is disposable and commodified. Jesus, however, has set us free. Lent begins our freedom from being consumed. During Lent, dinner will be served in the cafeteria from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. followed by Mass in the sanctuary at 6:00 p.m. Please join us!
March 4 ~ Dinner sponsor: TBD
Menu: TBD
March 11 ~ Dinner sponsor: Aaron & Brianne Hubner
Menu: pork loin w/ mushroom gravy, noodles, green beans almondine
March 18 ~ Dinner sponsor: Max & Kris Bales
Menu: turkey & noodles, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dessert
March 25 ~ Dinner sponsor: Ben & Holly Marine
Menu: seasoned pork chops/chicken, potatoes, green beans, salad, dinner rolls, dessert
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, March 25 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!
Easter Lilies
Now is the time to order your Easter lilies to decorate the cross for Easter Sunday. The cost for each plant is $15. Orders must be received by March 31. If paying by check or cash, please use the Easter Flowers envelope provided in your offering envelopes mailing. If you prefer to sign up and pay online, please CLICK HERE. Thank you!
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 additional sponsors for March (and beyond). Thank you!
Weekday Bible Studies
- Women’s Monday Evening Bible Study
- Women’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study
- Thursday Evening Bi-Monthly Bible Studies – Please note that there are some date changes!
- Men’s Friday Morning Bible Breakfast
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 ~ January 2026
General Fund Offerings, not including Designated Funds:
- Giving for the month of January was $49,635.49 actual vs. $44,891.00 budgeted
- YTD giving is $377,332.45 actual vs. $343,717.00 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. They have had a steady flow of young families through their clothing room, which is a wonderful blessing for the community, but are now running very low! They 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.
Cross Connections of Tippecanoe County – February Update
Thank you to all of our St. James brothers and sisters who attended the grand opening of Cross Connections of Tippecanoe County! We are grateful to those who were able to come and see our space and fellowship with others who are excited about the beginnings of this ministry. We loved seeing so many of you chatting with one another and showing curiosity about Cross Connections. It was heartwarming to share insights about the lives and ministry of other members of the Greater Lafayette area Lutheran churches. Thank you for your continued financial and prayerful support. As we move forward, we are excited to have our first clients meeting with our counselor, Jean Hines. Pastor K. C. Dehning has begun his master’s degree practicum at Cross Connections and will be assisting with many necessary tasks. Please join us in praying that other Master’s level, licensed therapists will feel the call to join our team. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jason Plassard, Barb Westfall, or Pastor John Westfall.
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.