THE ST.

JAMES JOURNAL
July/August
2015

Missiol1 Statel11el1t

SUNDAY WORSIDP
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

STAFF
Music .Director:

Michael Oliver
SecretarY:
Beverly A. Carpenter
Custodian:
Russ \\fagner

"Make Cbuist's

Love Kraocora in tbe

Woul~
bLV SeRving tbe
Comrnunit'N, Shauing

an~ Teacbing Goos

Wou~,an~
Suppouting

tbe

CbURCb at Lauge."

Greetings

tis!ers anq Brothers

in Christ,

From The Pastor

For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation
useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God.
(Hebrews :6:7~
I believe that we have been receiving an abundant of blessings from God through the
gift of rain however we also need the rays of the sun to shine upon the produce. As we
are well aware this has been an extremely wet summer thus far. During my two week
vacation alii th1eactivities that I had _planned were canceled only to sit at home or attend
indoor activities. It is sometimes difficult to see the gifts of God through the storms in
our lives but God is always present bringing to us an abundant of blessings!
Hopefully, re have been enjoying the work of God in the ministries at St. James. I am
still amazed that for the small number that we have in attendance in how much we can
accomplish. The Food Pantry numbers continuously increase as well as the recipients
of the Gabriel Project. The need of God's people is great and our mission can become
challengin~, t~erefore we cannot remain to ourselves but must reach out and join
together as God's people.
The above scripture verse is not only a text about the abundant of God's blessing of
rain upon ~he earth but also a blessing of the heart. As we were baptized with water,
the Holy Spirit descended on us and we received a promise that we are born children
of God and inheritors of eternal life. Our hearts were tilled by the Holy Spirit and what
has grown and been brought forth; from that is the gifts of the Spirit.
We thank bob for the variety of gifts and for the people in which they have become
fruitful. May we continue to know the presence of Christ within our minds, in our hearts
and upon our lips.
Praise be to God!
Yours in the Lord's service,

Pastor Deb

WV/WMD SYNOD ASSEMBLY - 2015

June 9, 2015
The concluding Resolution of Thanksgiving for the 2015 Synod Assembly of the West Virginia-Western
Maryland Synod began with these words - "The expression of the church, known as the West Virginia-Western
Maryland Synotl o~the ELCA has gathered together this first week of June, 2015 in Flatwoods, WV as the
church together! We have worshiped together; 'Wehave prayed together, we have talked together, we have
laughed together and we have shared meals together. We have prayed for the Holy Spirit to be present and
active and have seen the work of the Spirit in many and various ways."
The obvious highlight of the Assembly was the election of The Rev. Matthew L. Riegel to serve as our
third bishop beginning September 1, 2015. We commend all of the nominees and those who allowed their
names to go forward for this Call Process to proceed. Seven Pastors responded to three questions each that
assisted the As~embly in their decision making process. Prior to the Fourth Ballot Pastors Matthew Riegel,
Randolf Richardson and Sarah Lee Faulkner were provided five minutes as teaching moments. On the Fourth
Ballot Pastor Matthew Riegel, having received more than 60% of the votes was declared elected to serve as our
next bishop.
Our other m~or teaching moments came from The Rev. Charles Lane, a Stewardship expert and former
professor at Luther I Seminary. Pastor Lane reminded us that "all that we have and are, is not ours, but all
belongs to God. That God's Spirit moves us to experience the duty and delight of generous giving and living."
In addition to the keynote address we were blessed by five Mission Moments in which ministries from
across the synod were lifted up and shared. We thank Beverly McDonald for her moment on prayer, John Perry
for spreading the word, Larry Maxim on communion, our Madagascar travelers of Rev. Wanda Childs, Rev. Ian
Reid and Helen Harms and Rev. Ian Reid and his power point of First Lutheran's Community Garden.
Rev. Joel Richter challenged the Assembly to raise $2,000 to "force" Bishop Dunkin to use the Zip Line
at the National YoJth Gathering in Detroit. To which Dunkin responded with a gift of the first $100. It
appeared that the Assembly was going to be $17 short of their goal but several Assembly members joyfully
offered to gift the remaining amount to see our bishop on a zip line. I am certain that at least one or more video
will appear on iFace Book during the week of July 15-19.
j

Within Bishop Dunkin's final Assembly and report he lifted up and invited us to celebrate the 45th
Anniversary of the Ordination of Women! Dunkin invited all of this synod's female pastors to stand to be
recognized. P~us we celebrated the ordinations of many pastors who have significant anniversaries this year in
Bishop L. Ale1ander Black with 60 years of ordained ministry and Pastor Roger Harms who celebrates his 40th
Anniversary this year.
The Assembly celebrated Bishop Ralph Dunkin's 18 years of service as our Synodical Bishop with a
bit of a roast and kind words during dinner on Friday evening. Many moments of joy were expressed
throughout this Assembly for Bishop Dunkin's ministry. Sherri Schafer, the Executive Director of Community
Lutheran Partners, Inc. presented the bishop with a Lego Luther, created to commemorate the 500th Anniversary
of the Reformation.
The Secretary of the Church, The Rev. Chris Boerger, assisted the Assembly in carrying out our
theme of "we are church together" by teaching us that the ELCA shows up. In commenting upon the two
earthquakes in Nepal and the flooding in Texas, Secretary Boerger stated that the ELCA shows up and we stay
until the last person has seen recovery.

2
This Assembly witnessed more elections than we have seen in a long time. With the Election of a new
bishop we also elected Paul Wangerin to serve as Synod Vice President; Rev. Linda Muhly, Brian Felici,
William Kohler IV, Amy Scott and Jaiden Courier to serve on Synod Council.
Electe~ to serve on the Synod Consultation Committee were Rev. Nathan Hall and Rev. Neil Cadle and
Steve Gnegy. To the Discipline Committee we elected Rev. Jason Felici and Rev. Ian Reid and Joe
Solberg. Elected to serve on the Gettysburg Seminary Board was Rev. Sean Smith. Elected to serve as a part of
the 2016 Churohwide Assembly were Rev. Wanda Childs, Faith Riegel, Timothy Crumitt, Suba Arthur and
Devin Ames. I
The Assembly had the opportunity to vote upon the 2016 Synod Budget and five Resolutions. The first
of these three encouraged us to study the Augsburg Confession; one resolution concerned children and poverty
and one called ror the creation of a Coordination Committee for the 2016 National Boy Scout Jamboree.
The 2015 Synod Assembly concluded with two Resolutions. The first naming The Rev. Ralph W.
Dunkin Bishop , Emeritus of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. The second was the Resolution of
Thanksgiving. Again, a quote from this Resolution: "Therefore be it resolved that we give thanks to God for
the opportunitl to be church together, for the presence, witness and ministry of Helen Harms, for the
leadership, guitlance, support, dedication and love of Bishop Ralph Dunkin, and for the willingness of to pick
up the crozier as shepherd and defender as we go forward as church Rev. Matthew Riegel together.
This Synod has designated Saturday, August 22, 2015 as the day to celebrate the retirement of Helen
Harms and BiJhop Ralph Dunkin. A worship service will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Wheeling, WV
at 2:00 p.m. followed by a reception in St. Mark's Fellowship Hall.
The date of the Service ofInstallation for our new bishop will be Saturday, September 26,2015 at
Wesley Chapel at Wesleyan College, Buchannon, WV. The time for this event has not yet been set.
Finally, as a Synod we owe a debt of gratitude to the Synod's Transition Team. Serving on our behalf
have been Paul Wangerin, Laura Hall, Beverly McDonald, Dillon Muhly-Alexander, Rick Crumitt, George
Friedline, Rev. Jessica Felici and Rev. Jerry Kliner.

Yours in our Lord's service,

+ Bishop Ralph W. Dunkin

Prayer Concerns
PRAYER LIST ...LaVeme Bebout, Don & Pat Carl, Sonny Crupe, Keith Emery, Ed Erb,
Karen Garv~, Susan Hamilton, Beverly Hartman, Justin Hilt, Raymond Jackson, John &
Alice Kerns, Emily Kimpel, Barbara & Carl Knollinger, Cordi Kotzbauer, Selma

Mckenzie, ~cia

Miller, Mary Minzler, Sandy Nickerson, James Przelenski, Bill Roth,

f. _

Hines Rotriga, Sue Thatcher, Arnold Trevino and Vera Turner.

HOMEB01ND ...Pauline Barnes.

MILITARyr . .stephenJewell,
who serve

ill our

Darren Hoffman, Tim Kosky, Danny Welker, and all those

military.

Baptism

Congratulations
To Courtney Forsch on her graduation from
West Libelty University with a degree in
Education. <Courtneygraduated at the fop of

the class. I God's blessings to her as she

begins her journey to Graduate School.
Courtney is the daughter of Casey & Pam
Forsch aid the granddaughter of Lois
Forsch.
To Megan (Palmer) Eppley on her
graduation from West Virginia Business
College with a degree in Medical Assisting.
Megan pl~ns to further her education in
nursing.
And to 9harles Von Schleicher on his
graduation from Martins Ferry High School.
Von is the son of Beth and Charles
Schleicher.

By the Water and the Word

of Holy Baptism
we welcomed
Logan Douglas
and
Riley Ann McKenzie

on June 7,2015.
Logan & Riley are the children of
Tom & Stephanie McKenzie.
A reception was held in their honor following
the worship service.

Birthday's Next Month

July
August
2
10
14
16
20
21

Justi1n Thompson
Garyl Burtrand

Nicky Vandevender

AUbia

Von Schleicher

Smith

Helen Mahlke
Haley Burkle

28
29
30
31

Penny Nickerson
Christie Stratton

Pat 9arl
Jeff McKenzie II

24
25
27

Brady Wagner

Barb Knollinger
Jay-Anna Wilson

Tammy Burtrand

Karan Crupe

.Jean Hartman

Cordi Kotzbauer

Stephen Jewell

10

Dawn Runyan

15

Lucas Carl Beaver

17

Robert Hughes

Don Cooper
,

Maureen Wagner

Brittany Burtrand

Lesl;e Pappa
Jeff McKenzie

22

Megan Jewell

31

Randy Forzano
August Anniversaries

16
25
28

j:.l.

Tom & Norma Sarris

11
15

Mic~ael & Jean Hartman

Bob & Lucinda Goddard

Charles & Christine Drubel

Gary & Tammy Burtrand

I
If your

fame

New Addresses

+.

is not listed or listed

incorreotiyon the birthday

anniv rsary list, please call the
church 0 ice and it will be correhted
I

Selma McKenzie
Welty Home, 21 Washington Ave, Room 314,
Wheeling, WV 26003

Vera Turner
Bishop Hodges Continuous Care, 1 Medical

Park, Room 220, Wheeling, WV 26003

MINISTRIES OF

Thank You

~T.JAMES

Many thanks to our musicians, Benjamin Jones,

Michael Hamilton and Mike Oliver.

And many thanks to Maureen Wagner and Bill

Food Pantry

The Food pant]

was held on May 26th with 177

families served and 27 new clients.

Food Pantry
clients.

served

Year tb Date

1,024 families,

172 families with

30 new

The Food Pantry served

2,498 individuals

clients.

In June the

and

Hawk for bringing the message while Pastor Deb

was on vacation.

141 new

Service and Reception

~

The next Food Pantry will be held on Tuesday, July

28th and Tuesday, August 25th at 10:00 a.m.
THANK YOU ...[Io those who help with the Food
Pantry, and to all those who helped with Cabela's
pick-up day.
Gabriel Project

honoring Bishop Ralph Dunkin

and
Helen Harms

The Gabriel project provides immediate assistance to

Saturday, August 22, 2015

mothers and babies in our area with diapers, wipes,

2:00 p.m.

clothing, beds, retc. They are always

diapers, (all sizes) but especially
baby

oil, wipes,

thermometers,

in need of

size 3, 4, and 5,

baby shampoo,

bnesies, crib sheets,

rash

ointment,

Wheeling, WV

(gently used),

bottles, infant shoes and socks.

20 mothers and babies were helped in May and 21
in June.

St. Mark Lutheran Church

If you plan to attend, call the church

office at 304-232-6511 so we can let

them know.
Sharing the Blues
Giving your gently used jeans could mean alot to
someone who has lost everything. Please remember

Noisy Can Collection

this ministry when you're at Walmart, Sears, or any

a disaster and need to replace clothes that are lost.

Collected the first Sunday of each month

for the Gabriel project. Collect change
~
in the baby bottle provided for you. If
you don't have a bottle, pick one up in \ ~
the Narthex. Bring in even if its not full

Don't forget tJ bring in your old inkjet cartridges,

and drop the change in the large baby

bottles in the Narthex.

other department store and don't forget to buy a

package of new athletic socks. The used jeans and
new socks will help families when they are caught in

rtJ

(fjJ

your old cell phones and your old eye glassses to

be recycled.

Thank you for your donations.

e
-

Worship Volunteers for

July 2015

;Jmr

-..... Jf!::Y
Greeters:

COUNCIL

.iii'~

MEETINGS ...July 14th and August

11th

at 5:00 p.m. Please note: All Council Meetings will

be held at 5:00 p.m.

Open

Ushers:

Greg Jewell

Worship

Assistant:

Communion
Acolyte:

Notes and Reminders

COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE ...July 19th and August

Maureen Wagner.

Assistant:

Mark Houser
PRAYER CIRCLE CALL LlST ... We are in the

Open

Altar Guild:

30th. following Worship.

Beverly Hartman & Skippy Reger

process of making a new Prayer Circle call list. If you

would like to be included as a caller, please call the

Parish

Fellowship:

Roundtable.

5 - 12 - 19 - Community

church office at 304-232-6511.

26 - Open
PRAYER LIST ... Please keep us updated on those

Please sign the sheet in the Fellowship Hall to

volunteer for Fellowship.
Altar Flowers:

listed.

MARTHA CIRCLE ... WiIi meet on the last Thursday of

July 5 - Mahlke family.

August 2015

the month at Wendy's in Martins Ferry, Ohio, 10:30

a.m. Exception: July's meeting is the 23rd.
DONATIONS

NEEDED ...We are in need of large

juice cans for altar flowers

ALTAR FLOWERS ... If you would like Altar flowers in

Greeters:

memory or in honor of someone, please sign the

Open

Ushers:

Mark Houser

Worship

Assistant:

Communion
Acolyte:

sheet in the hallway or call the church office.

Polly Karr

Assistant:

Maureen Wagner

please sign the sheet on the wall in Fellowship Hall or

Open

Altar Guild:

PARISH FELLOWSHIP ... If you would like to host,

Beverly Hartman & Skippy Reger

call the church office.

ST. JAMES

Parish

Fellowship:

30 - Community

2 - 9 - 16 - 23 - Open.

Roundtable.

church website regularly to stay current on events at

8t. James Lutheran Church.
the website

Altar Flowers:

Open all month.

WEBSITE ...Don't forget to check our

Sermons are now on

at www.stjameswheeling.com/sermons.

St. James is now on Facebook!

"Like" our page at

http://www.facebook.com/stjameswheeling

Remember:

When no one signs up for Altar

Flowers, artificial flowers are used.

Newsletter

Deadline

September/October
We need volunteers to fill the "open" places. Please call
the church office if you would like to volunteer.

- 22nd

Newsletter.

of August

for the

July 2015
Sun

Tue

Mon

Thu

Wed

Fri

Sat

4
Independence

A.A. Meeting

We must be free not because we claim

Day

7p.m.

freedom, but because we practice it.

-William Faulkner

10

Worship II a.m.

11

A.A. Meeting
7 p.m.

Noisy Can
Collection

12

13

15

16

17

18

Worship II a.m.
Church Council

A.A. Meeting

Meeting 5 p.m.

7 p.m.

Fellowship Hall
Reserved (afternoon)

20

19
Worship

21

II a.m.

10:30 am.
Wendy's

Pick-up

.AA. Meeting

in

7 p.m.

M. Ferry

Roundtable

26
Worship

24

Martha Circle

Cabela's Food

Community

23

22

27

28

11 a.m.
Food Pantry 10 a.m.

29

30

31
A.A. Meeting
7 p.m.

25

August 2015
Sun

Mon

Tue

Thu

Wed

Fri

Sat

Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer's year it brings to harvest all the loveliestflowers
-Author Unknown

Worship

of the soul.

11:00 a.m.

A.A. Meeting
7:00 p.m.

Noisy Can

8
Fellowship Hall
Reserved

2 - 4 p.m.

Collection

10

11

Worship

Church Council

II:OOa.m.

Meeting

12

13

A.A. Meeting
7:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

16

15

14

17

18

19

20

21 Service - RecePtio~
Bishop Dunkin and

Worship
11:00 a.m.

Cabela's Food

A.A. Meeting

Pick-up

7:00 p.m.

Helen Harms
S!. Mark Lutheran
Church

2:00 p.m.

23

24

Worship

Food Pantry

I J:OOa.tn.

Worship
11:00 a.m.
Community
Roundtable

25
10:00 a.m.

30

31

TfLi&~,

27

26

Martha Circle

28
A.A. Meeting

10:30 a.m.
endy's, M. Ferry

7:00 p.m.

take a-oacatian.outh. Je&U&net:/rain J MU&.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

- MATTHEW 11:28

29

j,t.

Jame~ CfbangelicallLutberan

C!Cburcb

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

- .r
~

1409 Chapline Street

Wheeling, V'N 26(f)03

am the
and the
JOHN

11

:25