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St. James Lutheran Church

In This Month’s Issue:

Pastor’s Points Page 1 President’s Corner Page 2 Birthdays & Baptismal Anniversaries Page 3 Ministries, Announcements &Upcoming events Page 4-8 Prayer Needs Page 4 Calendar Page 9

ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT

Called by God, centered in the Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we rejoice in the Lord, proclaim His gift of Grace through liturgical worship and service and share Christ’s love

and forgiveness in all we do.

The Reverend Keith Getz, Pastor revgetz@yahoo.com

Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday-School: 9:00 AM

Wednesday: 10:30 am: Bible Study (Library) & Noon: Holy Communion

Service (Sanctuary)

St. James Lutheran Church 1137 Alice Drive

Sumter, SC 29150

Office: 773-2260 Fax: 775-6021

E-mail: stjamesoffice@sc.rr.com

Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:30 – 1:30

Some Words on Freedom by Pastor Keith: In the month of July, we celebrate the liberty of our country. The 4th of July is a time to gather with family and friends for a day of fellowship and fun, lawn games and grilling. We are thankful that we live in a country where we have the freedom to voice our opinions and worship without persecution. But, this freedom didn't come without cost. Many lives have been lost and continue to be lost so we can enjoy the freedoms of this country. Many of our military come home changed emotionally or physically from the trauma of war. I thank God for those who give of themselves for the sake of freedom and who work for peace throughout the world, such as our military, ambassadors, and missionaries. May the Christians in all the world work to bring peace, reconciliation, and God's righteous justice to all people. As we take time out of our celebrations on the 4th of July to pray for those Americans, who are in harm’s way, working for peace, we need to also ponder what it means to live in the freedom of Jesus Christ. Our freedom from sin, death, and the devil also came at a price. It cost God his only Son, Jesus Christ. And what was costly to God cannot be cheap for us. God’s grace involves a response of sacrifice and commitment. Martin Luther tells us in his Treatise on Christian Liberty how living a life of faith in Christ we are in union with Christ and are free from evil. In Christ, we are able to be obedient to God the Father and obey his commandments. Our will becomes one with God’s will. God’s will can be boiled down to two commandments. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of St. Mathew: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39) All our decisions are based on these two commandments. Living in Jesus, we can only respond to this new life in the Spirit by living and acting in ways pleasing to God. We respond to Christ’s self-giving love by giving that same self-giving love to others. So, we celebrate our independence and freedom as a country this month, but we also celebrate our freedom from sin, death, and the devil. Through the waters of baptism, we have been claimed as God's children. We have been reborn from above as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our freedom gives us the joy and ability to follow the commandments of the Triune God, to proclaim the gospel, and to serve in the mission of the Triune God. Christ’s Peace, Pastor Keith

July 2012

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER:

We, as Americans, are at our collective best when in our public and private lives, we recognize that it is God who is the fountainhead of our many blessings and ultimate salvation. Each time we gather for worship services, it is through participation in Prayers, the Service, and Holy Communion that we are reminded that we are people of God and as such we have both benefits and duties. The 4th of July is our national holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a time for each of us to reflect on our national heritage and the events that brought our country into being. In the Declaration of Independence our forefathers recognized God’s role in our lives when they wrote: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” These words and the full text foreshadow the perilous times ahead and that we would need God with us in the coming struggle. To maintain our hard won freedom, we fought another war. The Civil War pitted brother against brother, family against family, and friend against friend. After the Battle of Gettysburg, President Lincoln recognized our mutual heritage when he said “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom”. June 6, 1944 – “D-Day” Events of the day were closely followed in the daily news dispatches. It was both natural and necessary that President Roosevelt speak to the nation. Instead of another news account, he decided to lead the nation in Prayer saying: “Almighty God. Our sons, pride and joy of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity, lead them straight and true, give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will be sorely tried by night and by day. The darkness will be rent by noise and by flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violence of war. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, thy heroic servants, into thy kingdom. Oh Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. With thy blessing we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen” Today, I ask you one question: Where in our founding documents and in the lives and words of our greatest leaders does the notion that public reference to God today is wrong or unconstitutional? Curt Caulkins

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JULY 1 Denise Copeland, Emily Levi, Cole Thomas, Owen

Getz 4 Max Schmeling 6 Barbara Harbath, Ted Obertacz 7 Laura Bradshaw, 9 Hilde Eldridge 10 Betty Moore 11 Elizabeth Crispi, Susan Caulkins, Krista Levi 12 Renee Brunson, Justin Lutz 16 Helen Bultman 21 Ellison Getz, Shelley Crawshaw 23 Joanie McLeod 25 Laura Getz 28 Caroline Simpson 30 Andrew Bratton, Jeanne Bessel, Shellbe Ford

If we missed your birthday, please let us know either by noting it on the back of your attendance slip, or by calling the church office.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 

Messenger Due Dates

Anything that you wish to be included for publication in the Messenger should be turned in at the church office or e-mailed to:

stjamesoffice@sc.rr.com

The deadline is 7 days before the last day of the month. The Church Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month. This Messenger and monthly calendar can be found on the St. James website:

www.stjamessumter.org Click on news and calendar to view them.

Church Council

Ministry Teams

Outreach/Care: Janet Turner Youth: Kimberly Dees Finance: Bob Bessel Worship: Tim Tidwell Property: Carl Simpson Education: Betty Harvin Stewardship: Susan Wild Evangelism: Janet Turner Mutual Ministry: Karen Hesselbart Spiritual Growth: David Armstrong

Church Officers President: Curt Caulkins Vice President: Mike Stewart Secretary: Kimberly Dees Treasurer: Glenn Hesselbart

2013 2013 2014 2014 2013 2014 2012 2012 2012

Mike Stewart Kimberly Dees Carl Simpson Tim Tidwell Curt Caulkins Susan Wild Janet Turner Betty Harvin David Armstrong

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Prayer Needs   If you have a prayer need and would like it in the next Newsletter,

please E-mail me at stjamesoffice@sc.rr.com

Pray for our Homebound Members, Ed Hart and Don & Jean Hoyt (161 Lakeview Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750) (716-985-4581) Pray for our Members in Nursing Homes: Mary Sigmon, and Betty McClimas Loving Father, we pray for all those in need of comfort in sickness of body, mind or spirit:       Homebound:  Ed Hart, Frankie Martin, and Don and Jean Hoyt. Health and Related Issues:  Denise Copeland,  Prudence Roos (Lois Heal’s sister), Dot Barrineau,    Serena Loney,  Rena Morin (Shirley Veins’ sister), Nola Geddings, (Hazelee Hallman’s sister), Daniel Edwards, (son of Lynn and David Armstrong), deployed in Afghanistan, Deb Forke, Betty McClimans (mother of Marsha Geddings),  Karl Harbath,   Nit Cohen (Kim Strange’s sister) Tom Taylor,  Stan Schaetzle, Janet Bridges,  Ernie Reed, Debbie Galligan (friend of Nancy McElveen), Judy Jeney,  Darlene Deinhart, Tom Bennett’s mother, Marian Carey (sister‐in‐law of Lee Haas),  Pastor Ron Briggs, The Jenkins Family, and the Bradshaw Family.  

FOUND, BUT NOT CLAIMED: A pair of glasses has been found in the sanctuary, a size 8P ladies raincoat found in the office closet, a man’s winter jacket left in the library, a blue umbrella left in the church office and an iron left in the kitchen. If any of these items are yours, please come by the church office to claim them.

THE WORSHIP TEAM WILL NOT MEET in July, but will resume on the second Tuesday evening in August (August 14) and the second Tuesday of every month thereafter at 7:00 pm in the parlor.

OH BOY! A woman tells her pastor, “Pastor, I have a problem. My two female parrots only say, ‘Hi, cutie. Wanna have some fun?’” “Don’t worry,” says the Pastor. “I have two male parrots who only pray and read the Bible. We’ll put them in the same cage—your parrots are sure to stop saying that horrid phrase.” The next day, the woman takes her parrots to the pastor’s home. The male parrots are inside their cage reading the Bible and praying. When the woman places the female parrots in the cage, they cry out, “Hi cutie. Wanna have some fun?” One male parrot says to the other, “Put the Bible away, Martin. Our prayers have been answered.”

THE PALMETTO SINGERS, under the direction of Dr. Sonja Sepulveda will present their annual concert in the sanctuary of St. James on Saturday, July 14 at 7:30pm. The Palmetto Singers are comprised of former and current students of Dr. Sepulveda and will perform a variety of music. There is no charge for the concert and all are invited. THE POWER OF PRAYER: A bar called Drummond's (in Mt Vernon, Texas ) began construction on an expansion of their building, hoping to "grow" their business. In response, the local Southern Baptist Church started a campaign to block the bar from expanding - petitions, prayers, etc.

Ministries, Announcements & Upcoming Events

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About a week before the bar's grand re-opening, a bolt of lightning struck the bar and burned it to the ground! Afterward, the church folks were rather smug - bragging about "the power of prayer". The angry bar owner eventually sued the church on grounds that the church... "Was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, through direct actions or indirect means." Of course, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise. The judge read carefully through the plaintiff's complaint and the defendant's reply. He then opened the hearing by saying: "I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that what we have here is a bar owner who now believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not." Unbelievably, this is a true story!!

ENDING DEATHS FROM MALARIA IS NOW A GOAL WITHIN OUR REACH, thanks to a global movement of governments, international organizations, businesses, religious and health organizations. The ELCA and Lutheran churches in Africa have chosen to be part of this historic movement. Lutheran churches in Africa aren’t just places of worship. They are at the center of community life. That’s what makes church the best place for malaria education, prevention and care. The goal of the ELCA Malaria Campaign is to raise $15 million in conjunction with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal to contain malaria by 2015. Malaria is the leading cause of death in Africa, killing approximately 800,000 people each year and most are young children. You can help by praying, learning more about malaria, and inviting your congregation to take a stand and help end malaria. You may donate directly to:

ELCA Malaria Campaign P.O. Box 71764

Chicago, Il 60694 WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES OPEN on the chancel flower calendar: July 22, August 5, 12, and 19. If you are able to donate the flowers for any of these Sundays, please see Helen Bultman, sign up on the flower calendar in the narthex, or call the church office at 773-2260. AS A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY it is important that we lift each other up in many various ways; therefore, please let us know if you would like to showcase your business or a particular good or service you provide. We will showcase them on the bulletin board and eventually develop a business directory if we have enough of a response. Call the office (773-2260) or Pastor Keith for more information. IT IS WITH MANY THANKS that Karl, Gary and I say to you all. All your prayers, gifts, and phone calls helped more than we can express, during Karl’s time in the hospital and at home. So far, he has had 14 surgeries and is due for 1 or 2 more. Please continue to keep him and us in your prayers. Thank you again, and God bless you all. Barbara Harbath

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ACOLYTE AND CRUCIFER SCHEDULE FOR JULY 2012:

July 1             Acolyte:  Larkin Simpson              Crucifer: Caroline Simpson                     Attendant:      Vicki Simpson July 8:            Acolyte:  Owen Getz                     Crucifer: Annah Beck                               Attendant:       Karen Hesselbart July 15:         Acolyte:  Larkin Simpson               Crucifer: Caroline Simpson                     Attendant:      Vicki Simpson July 22:         Acolyte:  Andrew Bratton             Crucifer: Samantha Wild                         Attendant:       Susan Wild July 29:         Acolyte:  Savannah  Stewart         Crucifer: Samantha Wild                         Attendant:      Susan Wild 

THE CHRISTIAN GOLFERS’ ASSOCIATION will hold their 12th Annual Chruches Challenge on Saturday, August 27at Sunset Country Club. The Praise Rally will be held on August 26 at Alice Drive Baptist Church. The “challenge” is ‘first come, first served.’ There will be a $10,000 (Insured) Hole-In-One Prize. For more information, please call Rodgers Greenawalt at the CGA office 773-2171 and leave a message, or email: christiangolf@ftc-i.net to register your St. James team!

MORE CHURCH LADIES WITH TYPEWRITERS (if you can stand it):

1. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

2. Shakespeare’s Hamlet will be presented in the church basement today at 7pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

3. Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

4. The Fasting and Prayer conference includes meals.

ST. JAMES FAMILY: Thank you so much for your tremendous fellowship and the support you showed us all during our time in the congregation. In particular, we are grateful for your prayerful support during Mark's deployments (he made it home!), Mark's sister Donna's experience with breast cancer (she's doing well!), and all those Sundays when the kids threatened to take over (whether during the children's sermon or communion!).Although we are very excited about the adventures that await us in Germany, we are sad to bid farewell to all of you so soon. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we begin the next chapter in our lives. Warmest Wishes, Mark, Teresa, Zachary, Marley, Hailey, and Makayla Denton WONDERFUL FOSTER OR PERMANENT HOMES are urgently needed for kittens and cats. If you can help, please call Kathy Powers at 469-8484. Donations of money, scoopable cat litter and any kind of cat and/or kitten food would be greatly apprecialted. Donations may be dropped off at the church office or by calling Kathy. DEEPEST SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO Ike and Marilyn Jenkins on the death of Marilyn’s mother, Olga Summy and to Jim and Mary Bradshaw on the death of Mary’s mother, Teeny Taylor. May you be co LUTHERAN MEN’S MEETINGS in July, and August will be held at the home of Ray Ziecker on the second Monday of each month at 7:00pm. mforted by the loving power of God’s healing and peace.

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ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH 1137 ALICE DRIVE Sumter, SC 29150 Return Service Requested Church Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 – 1:30 Office: 773-2260 Fax: 775-6021 E-mail: stjamesoffice@sc.rr.com The Reverend Keith Getz, Pastor revgetz@yahoo.com

SERVICES:  

Wednesday:  10:30 am, Bible Study Noon, Holy Communion Service 

Sunday School: 9:00 am Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 am Office hours:  8:30am‐1:30pm M‐F 

ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT: called by God, centered in

the Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we rejoice in the Lord, proclaim His gift of Grace through liturgical worship and service and share Christ’s love

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit 105 Sumter SC 29150