Issues, Etc. ~ Week of July 26
EDUCATING A NEW GENERATION OF LUTHERANS … 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 show topics include: Pope Leo’s Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence, The Lord’s Prayer in Lutheran Worship, A Lutheran View of the Scholastics, The Population Bust and more. You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app or a podcast provider.
St. James Youth Activities
Looking for some summertime fun? Look no further! We have some FUN times planned for YOU!
- Sunday, July 26 ~ Turkey Run State Park Adventure
- Wednesday, July 29 ~ Euchre for Jr. High Youth
- Friday, July 31 ~ Miniature Golfing for the Sr. High Youth
- Sunday, August 1 ~ Swim Party and Bonfire at the Keisers’ (rain date, Aug. 9)
Click on the Youth Group image above for more details about each activity!
Job Opening: Facilities Director
St. James Church & School is seeking a full-time, dependable, organized, and mission-minded Facilities Director to oversee the maintenance, cleanliness, safety, and operational readiness of all church and school buildings and grounds. To learn more, please see https://mysjls.org/employment/facilities-director.
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. Thank you!
Offerings ~ June 2026
General Fund Offerings, not including Designated Funds:
- Giving for the month was $34,440.54 actual vs. $53,620.00 budgeted
- YTD giving is $653,078.91 actual vs. $628,248.00 budgeted
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.
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.
- 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.