Growth in Faith Our highest priority at St. James is to help each person become a disciple of Jesus Christ. There are a number of ways for people of all ages to grow in their faith. Here you will find a list of some opportunities to help you and your family grow in faith. Sermons from St. James We invite you to listen to some
sermons that have recently been given at St. James. It is our prayer that they bless, inspire and bring you closer to Jesus.
Kids Connect
Kids Connect is a biblically based
interactive ministry to help kids connect with Jesus. All Kids are welcome
on Saturday evenings at 5:15 (September through May; check
worship schedule) and Sunday
mornings (all year) at 9:15 and 11 am (11 am offered September
through May; check
worship schedule). During Saturday
evening and Sunday, 10:45am Kids Connect programs the kids learn in a one
room Sunday school format with all kids in grades pre-k- 6th.
During our Sunday, 9:15am Kid’s Connect kids in grades Kindergarten-4th
grade learn in a rotation model focusing on one Bible story per month either
in Drama, Cooking, Bible Games, or Cinema. Our younger kids in preschool and
pre-kindergarten meet in regular classrooms. Our 5th and 6th
graders meet in the youth room for bible study and faith discussions and
fellowship. It is our goal that the all the kids will be able to tell the
Bible story in their own words after the one month session. The message is
always the same; loving and following Jesus as we learn to be His
disciples!
As the
children are promoted to 3rd grade they are presented with a student Bible.
Vacation Bible School (see below) is a favorite annual event, along with
other events that include; the annual church picnic, Advent Family Night,
Baby Shower for Jesus and the Birthday Party for Jesus. We care about our
children's safety. Registration forms provide us with needed information to
safeguard your children. Contact
Gary for more information.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is offered for one
week, usually in June. Interactive Bible lessons, worship, skits, games,
snacks and crafts make the learning fun and inspiring. VBS welcomes all
children ages 3 through 6th grade, with opportunities for youth in
grades 7-12 to serve in many ways. Check back in the end of February for
our theme, date, and registration information.
Confirmation Class Students, usually in 7th and 8th grade, begin preparation for confirmation, a time when they make promises of faithfulness to God and Jesus, affirming their baptism. The classes are weekly from September through May. The curriculum is Here We Stand, a curriculum from Augsburg Fortress that uses Lutheran resources that youth can relate to, multi-media, humor and the web to make the lessons come alive in a friendly, flexible and solidly Christian format. Anyone interested in more information should talk to
Gary Schaeffer or the church office.
YaP 
YaP
(Youth with a Purpose)
is our youth ministry. YaP focuses on Youth in 9th grade through
12 grade. Along with the YaP Monthly Gathering, they meet weekly faith talks
and fun from 10:15am-12:00pm in our youth room. Each month they enjoy
activities such as volleyball, fellowship events, devotions, service
projects, retreats, Bible studies, game nights and trips. The youth are
involved in planning, preaching and leading several services during the
year, including the 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service, after each
mission trip and other times through out the year. We strive to make our
YaP group a welcome place. If you are a youth interested in coming please
contact Gary and he will match you up with another young person currently in
the program or you can stop by anytime to see him. They have their own
web site, so check it out!
His Kids Christian Preschool His Kids Christian Preschool is an exciting children's ministry of St. James Lutheran Church. Recognizing a real need in our community, the opening of a quality Christian preschool program became a part of our church's vision in 1999 for the future. In September 2002 we hired a director to lead a team of church members in establishing a well-rounded early childhood program that would prepare young children for school while nurturing in them Christian values. We have followed the licensing guidelines from the PA Department of Education and curriculum recommendations from area preschool and kindergarten teachers throughout our planning.
Following our church mission statement "Following Jesus, We Love God and Neighbor", it is our purpose to provide a quality service to families in our church and the community.
Much more information and
registration forms can be found at
His Kids! Please contact His Kids Director or the church office for more information! Small Groups We are highly committed to
small group ministry at St. James. These groups gather in fellowship to share and study the Bible or life issues from a faith perspective. Sometimes these groups are oriented toward particular needs such as mothers of young children or those needing support in a particular time in their life. During sermon series new groups are often formed to help deepen the understanding of the particular topic or book. Many topics are covered, including practical topics and Bible studies. There are groups available for our youth, too! We believe that discussion groups help growth in faith and deepen the bonds of friendship and help to build a strong Christian community. Please contact the Director of Discipling to help you get connected with a group that fits your needs. Growth in Faith and New Member Classes Classes are taught twice a year to help us grow in our faith and are especially helpful for those who would like to become a member of St. James. Good for everyone, these classes are designed to encourage, strengthen and deepen faith. More information about these classes can be obtained through the Director of Discipling or the church office.
Are you reading the Bible,
or would you like to? How about a little insight into the books of the Bible? Visit our
Books of the
Bible Summaries page! Serving Others  In addition to educational opportunities, we know that many grow in faith by participating in a serving or caring ministry. To learn more about that, please visit our
Service page! Please contact Pastor Stuart or Bobbie, our Director of Discipling for more information.
Faith Building Presentations A new resource, these are
presentations
that we hope will inspire you! It is our prayer that, as you watch, they touch your heart, bring you closer to Jesus and offer you just one more way to experience the love of God!
Hey kids! Does God have a special plan for you? Check this out!
Are you looking for some answers? Contact Gary
for more information. For our Adults We love our kids! We do as much as possible to keep them safe. Adult volunteers are vital for any ministry to succeed and flourish. And it's FUN! Please talk with Gary or Pastor or any of our volunteers if you would like to hear more about it. All volunteers need to submit background clearances. How can I get connected? How can I get connected? For adults, contact Bobbie, Director of Discipling. For kids and youth, contact Gary, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry. Registration forms are also available at church, at Kids Connect, and YaP! Questions? Please contact us!
Pastor Stuart Luce or Bobbie, the Director of Discipling (DofD)
or Gary,
Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry.
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