THE ST.

JAMES JOURNAL
December 2014

Mission State11le1lt

SUNDAY WORSHIP
11:00 a.m.
OFFICE HOURS

Mon. - Fri.
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Phone:
(304) 232-6511
Fax:
(304) 232-7552
stjames@Stratuswave.net

website: www.stjameswheeling.com

Rev. Deborah L. Gable, Pastor

"Make CbRist's
Love KnolDn in tbe
WORl()
b(V SeRving tbe

Co rnrnun it(V , SbaRing

an~ T eacbing Go~'s

Wou(),on()
SuppoRting tbe

STAFF
Choir Director:

Michael Oliver
Secretary:
Beverly A. Carpenter

Custodian:
Russ Wagner

CbURCb at LaRge."

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Advent blessings as we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord!

This message comes to you with the meaning of Christmas - Love the Lord your God
with all of your heart, soul, and mind and to love one another as yourself! We are
constant receivers of God's grace and mercy and when we encounter God's love we can
do nothing but share that love with others.
Therefore, we are invited not only to return that same love to God's people but in
addition, to give love back to God through song, prayers of thanksgiving, but especially by
our presence. This is called a relationship which is grounded with the foundation of what
our Lord first gave to us. It is in the giving and receiving in that relationship in which we
express our love for God. It is by no means "works righteous" but when we encounter
God, we can do nothing but love.
When we serve, help, and love God's people we are living examples of the gift that is
most precious to our Lord, and that is love. When we dissolve conflict with peaceful
resolutions, then we are saying that love is more important than hate. When we feed the
hungry, care for the poor, visit and pray for the sick, then we are saying that these people
are not strangers but sisters and brothers of the same heavenly family. As we gather
together to give praise and worship in the midst of the faith community, we are saying that
we have a God that deserves our time, prayers, expressions of gratitude, singing, etc.
Christmas is not just a one-time event, but an everyday living reflection of the Great
Thanksgiving! It invites us to open ourselves and allow healing, forgiveness, and the
promise that all things will be created new. It is beyond doors and walls that constrain our
Idea of ministry and barricade us from each other that we find hope. Therefore, we can
say that this Christmas event of the birth of our Lord changed all humanity forever. It was
the breaking in of the kingdom of God that all things will be made new.
I pray that in these holy days we can continue our journey with the light of Christ which
no darkness can overcome!
Grace and Peace,

Pastor Deb

Prayer Concerns
Mary Jane Atkins, LaVerne Bebout, Carol Bone, Sue Bowman, Pat Carl, Sonny
Crupe, Dan Doyle, Keith Emery, Justin Hilt, Jessie Hood, Billie Howe, Mary Ellen
Hughes, John & Alice Kerns, Emily Kimpel, Cordi Kotzbauer, Marcia Miller, Patty
Miller, Mary Minzler, Bob Mullavey, Lois Nickerson, Pam Petrol, Bill Roth, Kathy
Roth, Steve Roth, Hines Rotriga, Diane Ruttig, Sue Thatcher, Ann Thomas,
Shawn Thomas, Jamie Thornburgh, Vera Turner, Han Van den Blink, Larry
Wallace, and Skip Wharton.
HOMEBOUND... Pauline Barnes.
MILITARY...Stephen Jewell, Darren Hoffman, Tim Kosky, Danny Welker, and all
those who serve in our military.

Sympathy

Our heartfelt
family

sympathy

and friends

is extended

of Ernie

to the

Conner

who

passed away on October 3, 2014. To Joyce

c:)
'December 24,2012
7:00 p.m.

Lyrio-Takis on the recent death of her uncle,

James Schubert. And to Ed Farmer

and

family on the recent death of his brother, Dan

'Ifim&Jf in ~

.fonn

of a baby

- ad1at a great gift.

Many thanks to the musicians who
played for our worship services in

tN! ~

Ben Podolski, Director

God gao.e.- 1M

Farmer.

'II M

Special music by Quartet from Ohio County Strings

Wine Bearers

October & November.

Irene Denning
Render the Hearts
Roger Hoard
And a special Thank You to Mike
Oliver for all of his extra work with
the music.

Also, a special Thank You to Bob Goddard and to

Maureen Wagner for filling the pulpit while Pastor
Deb was away.

Many thanks to all who contributed the gift of

wine for our Christ the KingfThanksgiving Service
and to those who continue to contribute.
Your gift throughout the community and all those
who will share it is greatly appreciated.

Birthdays Next Month

January
December

Hannah Schleicher

Katie Hennessey

Johnny Bush

Robin Davis

Tim Holland

Mary Ellen Hughes

Bernard O'Hara

Edward Mahlke

Pastor Deb Gable

Lucinda Goddard

7
14
15

Phyllis Mullavey

15
16
21

Sherry Bonham

Greg Jewell
Don Mahlke, Jr.
Jeff Hartman

Eric Bonham

24

Olivia Burtrand

Dan Conner

25

Jason Turner
Judy Thompson

Micah Farmer

16
17
19
21
23
27
29

Paula Reger

Teresa Hans
Phyllis Conner

27
29

Zachary Bonenberger

Jessica Reger
Norma Jean Sarris

Tom Sarris
Michelle Edgell

Jacob Wolfe

30
31

Bill Nickerson
Mike Hartman

Samantha Knapp
Sue Thatcher

- Buddy Valastro
If your name is not listed or listed
incorrectly on the birthday or
anniversary list, please call the church
office and it will be corrected.

T~
year (JJ'b y&Ur birtfuia~ ~
duince. ta start: neas.
- Sammy Hagar

get

2015 - 2016 Church Council

Mark Houser - President
Maureen Wagner - Vice President
Barbara Knollinger - Secretary
Joyce Lyrio- Takis - Treasurer

All Saints Sunday +November 2,2014

Jack Warsinsky - Lay Voting Member

Bill Hughes - Lay Voting Member

Remembering those who have gone before us, and

the promise of the resurrection of each of God's
children ...

Pastor Deb Gable

Many thanks to Sandy Nickerson, Sandy Howe,
Greg Jewell, and Bill Welker for serving on

We take this time to remember those who have gone

Council for the past two years.

into God's care before us, knowing that one day we,
too,

will

fellowship.

be

in the

company

of the heavenly

A Christmas PrayerlHymn

All Saints reminds us that we are the

children of God, joined in our baptisms to the Body of

Christ, which is the church of all ages.
A candle was lighted for those who have entered new
life since last year and those remembered.

German pastor Paul Gerhardt (1607-76)

authored many hymns, including "0 Sacred
Head Now Wounded," a hymn churches often
use during Lent. Below are two verses from

Phyllis Warsinsky

his hymn "Oh Lord, How Shall I Meet You?"

Virginia Cooper

At Christmas this hymn can help us recapture

John Pevavar

the true spirit of the joyous holy day.

David Pevavar
Martha Freeland

o Lord, how shall I greet You, how welcome You

Ernest Conner

aright?
Your people long to greet You, my hope, my hearts
delight.
o kindle, Lord, most holy, a lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly, all that may please You best.

James Schubert
Those Remembered
Robert Travis
James Howe
Clara Polos
Joyce Farmer

A glorious crown You give me, a treasure safe on high,

Paul Knollinger, Jr.

That will not fail nor leave me, as earthly riches fly.

Marjann Hanning
Ella Reith

My heart shall bloom forever, for You with praises

new,

Jim Reger

And from Your name shall never. withhold the honor

Jean Smith

due.

Emory Hartman

POINSETTIA ORDERS
~

To place a red poinsettia on the altar for Christmas,

please fill out this form, enclose in an envelope
Want to help a child this Christmas?

The Angel

Tree is up in the Narthex with names of children

in need. Please take a name, wrap it with the tag

taped to the gift and return it to the church by
December

17th.

(New items only please.)

marked "Poinsettia" and include $6.50 for each plant

ordered. Checks should be made out to St. James
Lutheran Church. You can mail order to the church or
place them in the offering plate with payment.

Deadline to order is December 18, 2014

Thanks!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Name

------------------------------

Phone
Number of Plants

_
Enclosed

Dedications:
In Memory

A Christmas
December

luncheon

will be held on Sunday,

21 st following

the Liturgy.

take the place of Community

of

This will

Roundtable

that is

usually held on the last Sunday of the month.

Church Council/Staff Christmas

Dinner

In Honor

of---------------------------------

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

6:00 p.m.
Pastor Deb's house at 130 N. 16th Street
Wheeling (Warwood)

Bring Salad or Dessert

You may take your poinsettia homefollowing

Christmas Eve.

the service on

LUNCH WITH SANTA

MINISTRIES Of" ST ..JAMES

Food Pantry
The Food Pantry was held on November 25th. 215
families were served with 20 new clients.

The

next Food Pantry will be held on Tuesday,

December 23,2014 at 10:00 a.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20,2014

ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH

Many thanks to those who helped with the

Cabela food pick up in October & November.

11:00 A.M. - 1:00 A.M.

Bob Morris, Casey Forsch, Ed Farmer, Arley

Shinsky, Brady Wagner, Bev Carpenter, Pastor

Invite your grandchildren, neighbors and friends for

this event to have lunch with Santa.

Deb and Russ Wagner.

Gabriel Project

Angel tree gifts will also be given at this time.

The Gabriel project provides immediate assistance

to mothers and babies in our area with diapers,
wipes, clothing, beds, etc. They are always in
need of diapers, (all sizes) but especially size 3,

Church Women United

Luncheon/Meeting

4, and 5, baby oil, wipes, baby shampoo, rash

ointment, thermometers, onesies, crib sheets,
(gently used), bottles, infant shoes and socks.

Friday, December 5,2014

Please do not bring in stained or worn shoes or

12:00 Noon $6.00 per person

clothing. 22 mothers and babies were helped in

Octo ber and 29 in November.

St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church

Note: Street Parking or Parking in Garage across
from OVMC

Sharing the Blues

Giving your gently used jeans could mean alot to
someone

who

has

lost

everything.

Please

remember this ministry when you're at Walmart,

Christmas Song Sing-a-Iong

Accompanist:

Paula Lewis

Sears, or any other department store and don't

forget to buy a package of new athletic socks.

Project: Florence Crittenton Home for Girls

The used jeans and new socks will help families

when they are caught in a disaster and need to
replace clothes that are lost.

For reservations call:

Joan Shelek - 304-233-2526

inkjet

Connie Stahl - 304-233-5848

cartridges, your old cell phones and your old

by Sunday, November 30th.

Don't

forget

to

bring

in

eye glassses to be recycled.

your

old

Christmas Worship in German

Notes and Reminders

First Lutheran Church of Pittsburgh

615 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA

NOISY CAN COLLECTION - Drop your baby bottle

change in the large bottles on the first Sunday of

Sunday, December 21,2014

4:00 p.m:

each month for the Gabriel Project.

MARTHA CIRCLE - The December meeting will be
on Friday, December 19th at 10:30 a.m. at Elmhurst

Two Vocal Choirs and One Handbell Choir

If you are interested in attending, caU the

church office at

MINISTRY SCHEDULE... Don't forget to sign up for

the 2015 Ministry Schedule. The sheets are on the
table in Fellowship Hall.

304-232-6511
OFFERING ENVELOPES... Please pick up your

Worship Volunteers

for

DECEMBER 2014
Greeters:

Open

2015 offering envelopes in the Fellowship Hall.

ENJOY BOOKS ...To purchase your 2015 Enjoy
Coupon Book, see Emily Wilson.

Books are $40

each and are full of coupons for food, sports, &

Ushers:

cultural events, travel, services & more. They make

Greg Jewell

great Christmas gifts.

Worship Assistant:

Maureen Wagner
ALTAR FLOWERS - If you would like Altar flowers

Communion

Assistant:

Maureen Wagner

in memory or in honor of someone, please sign the

sheet in the hallway or call the church office.

Acolyte:

Alexis Hoskins
PARISH FELLOWSHIP - If you would like to host,

Altar Guild: Amy Beaver

Parish Fellowship:

please sign the sheet on the wall in Fellowship Hall.

7 - Open. 14 - Open.

21 - Community Roundtable/Christmas Luncheon.

28 - Open.
Altar Flowers:

7 - Sue Thatcher. 14 - Mahlke family.

21 - Open. 28 - Open.
Remember:

When no one signs up for Altar

Flowers, artificial flowers are used.

We need volunteers to fill the "open" places. Please call

the church office if you would like to volunteer.

~.
"See? The church is full now. but; after you shake It
and make it snow. the church is empty."

Christmas Quotes
The Son of God became a man to

Blessed is the season which engages

enable men to become the sons of God.

the whold world in a conspiricy of love.

- C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

- Hamilton Wright Mabie

How many observe Christ's birthday!

The flow of blessings in our life is directly

How few, his precepts!

related to our passing blessings along to

Of 'tis easier to keep Holidays

someone else.

than Commandments.

- Thomas Kinkaid

- Benjamin Franklin
This is Christmas:

not the tinsel, not the giving

God's gifts put man's best

and receiving, not even the carols, but the

dreams to shame.

humble heart that receives anew the wondrous

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

gift, the Christ.

- Frank McKibben

Somehow, not only for Christmas,

but all the long year through, the

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

joy that you give to others, is the joy

and behold, everything

is softer and more

that comes back to you.

beautiful.

- John Greenleaf Whittier

- Norman Vincent Peale

God sent a star to light the night for

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned

or

The Way, The Truth, The Life - His Son.

modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to

God sent the Light of Life to prove His heart

think of it, why do we have to wait for

so we would invite His son into our own.

Christmas to do that?"

God has given us all the light we'll ever need to

-Bob Hope

find peace on earth, goodwill to men.

- Pamela F. Dowd
The giving of gifts is not something man
invented.

God started the giving spree when he

gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable

His Son.

- Robert Flatt

gift of

Peace on earth will come to stay,

when we live Christmas every day.

- Helen Steiner Rice

"'ln~4..:Ji"q

..,~~~

December 20 14

Sun

Tue

Mon

Fri

Thu

Wed

Sat

5
Church Women

Quilters
9:30 a.m.

Thursday Music

United at S1. John's

Club Luncheon

Presbyterian Church

1):00 am.

12:00 noon
A.A. Meeting

7:00 p.m.

11

8~

Second Sunday of

12

13

Advent

TMC Book Study

Noisy Can

A.A. Meeting

Chrristmas Dinner

7:00p.m.

at Pastor Deb's

1:00 p.m.

Collection

Council & Staff

house
6:00 p.m.

14

15

Third Sunday of

Quilters

Advent

9:30 a.m.

16

17

Martha Circl1

20

10:30 a.m.
Angel Tree Gifts
Deadline

Cabela's Food
Fellowship Hall

18

Elmhurst

Poinsettia's
Deadline

Pickup

Lunch with Santa

Reserved I :30 p.m.

II am. - I p.m.

21
Fourth Sunday

22

23

26

27

of

Advent
Food Pantry

Christmas Eve

A.A. Meeting

Service

10:00 am.

7:00p.m.

7:00 p.m.

ommunity Roundtable
Christmas Luncheon

Church Office

following worship

Closed

28

29

gift

of eternal life- in CfUist; keep an

gininu; it'a

JW1;.jus:

a one- dau. eIU!J11;!

First Sunday of

Christmas

New Year's Eve

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 CORINTHIANS 9:15