You can download a copy of the Messenger with graphics, or if you just want to read the text, keep scrolling! The January 2025 Events Calendar at St. James Lutheran Church is below.

All of our community events are posted on our events page, be sure to check them out!

A Message From Pastor Libby

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” -Hebrews 13:8

Years ago, my parents and I would travel to State College for their annual New Year’s Eve celebration and 5K race. The windows were lined with beautiful decorations, a Christmas tree marked the end of Allen Street, and the streets were filled with people in their New Year’s Eve clothes. There were ice sculptures, carolers, hot chocolate trucks, and one tree I distinctly remember, filled not with ornaments, but rather with New Year’s Resolutions. I remember looking at the resolutions, all of them mostly focused on physical appearances or actions. “Lose weight,” “exercise more,” “learn a new skill,” or “improve sleep” being common resolutions. Many of us will make similar resolutions this month – ways that we can improve ourselves for the year to come.

While these lifestyle changes and resolutions can be beneficial, they often center on our physical and temporary needs. Few of those resolutions will last beyond the first few weeks of 2025. The result is often a feeling of dejection, disappointment, or loss of motivation. It is no secret that this month will usher in a new year, but also a new chapter in our lives as Americans. While we do not know the changes that lie ahead, we can be certain that God remains constant. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Hebrews that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus never changes. His love, grace, and truth endure through every season and year of our lives.

God’s love is steadfast and unchanging, a firm foundation in a world of uncertainty, changing resolutions, and unfulfilled promises. Let God’s constant nature inspire us to focus not on the things of this world that change – but deepening our faith.

Perhaps we resolve to praying daily, not just in moments of need but to draw nearer to God. Maybe we resolve to serve others selflessly, extending the love of Christ in tangible ways, or meditate on the word of God, allowing the message of grace to lead our own thoughts and actions.

As we step into 2025 together, let us do so with a spirit of grace, reminding ourselves and others that God loves us for who we are, and wishes for us to only draw nearer to Him.

With love,
Pastor Libby

Winter Quilting

Monday mornings are quilting mornings. If the roads are clear, our quilters will meet in room 303 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am starting January 15th . We will work weekly through late March to meet our goal of 40 quilts. Thanks to numerous donations, we have lots of fun fabrics to cut, to pin, and to sew. There is plenty to do for novice and skilled sewists and we welcome anyone who wants to learn! We are a lighthearted group!

We accept donations of used and new cotton flat sheets. Please no microfiber sheets as LWR does not accept them. All are welcome! Come when you can, for as long as you can, and bring a friend!

C.A.R.E.S. Breakfast Needs

The C.A.R.E.S. program is near capacity (30) as we reach the Christmas season. Donations to support breakfasts (shelf stable fruit juices, coffee, paper towels, large kitchen trash bags (white), Dawn dish liquid) would be greatly appreciated. The items in bold print are most in need. These items can be dropped off at the church and someone will move them to the Youth House kitchen.

Looking Ahead in 2025

January 2-5 Winterfest (High School Youth Retreat)

January 6 Common Ground Recovery Ministry Begins @ St. James

February 4 Benefit Concert (Jesse Holt)

March 1-4 Fastnachts !!

CHURCH VAN COMMITTEE– A MESSAGE FROM ALAN HAYNES

At our last Congregation meeting, one of the things the congregation voted on was to purchase a church van. At the same meeting it was recommended by the congregation to create a new committee that would manage the van and oversee the things that go along with van ownership at our church.

Because committees at our church need Council approval to be created, and based on our congregations recommendation, the Council brought up the idea of forming a new committee at the Council meeting in November. We then voted in favor to create a Church Van Committee.

What does all this mean you ask? It means that we need 4-6 people to serve on this newly formed committee. Could that be you?

If this sounds like something that you would want to be a part of from the “ground up,” I would ask that you consider serving on this committee. If you need to reach out to me with any questions or comments, my contact information is at the bottom of this writing.

Lastly, in a world where a lot of churches are getting smaller or even worse, closing their doors, St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, PA is slowly growing. I am very humbled and thankful that I have the opportunity to serve as Council President. We are a very blessed congregation and I am very thankful to be a part of all that we do.

I think we are growing for many reasons. Some of those reasons are being a welcoming congregation, our wonderful pastors, our hard working and dedicated staff, our hard working and dedicated volunteers, our commitment to serving our community, our childcare program and so many more things…good things…great things!

There is a quote you see on some of our literature and other places like on our Church tee shirts: “God’s work, Our hands.”

It’s nice to hear and see these words but for me at least, it gives me great pride in seeing our church act in ways that are exactly what the words mean.

So, while we are doing “Gods work, Our hands,” our work isn’t done. With everything that we do, there’s more to be done. With growth comes new challenges. These challenges can be viewed as a problem or an opportunity. I’m going with opportunity and I hope you do as well!

I have shared this quote a few times with the congregation and it’s meaning, I believe, is very relatable to our church and the meaning of Church and Mission.

“It’s not so much that God has a mission for his Church in the world, but that God has a Church for his mission in the world!”

Thanks to all those who serve and a welcome to all those that would like to serve!

God’s Peace,
Alan Haynes President – SJLC Council
[email protected]

YOUNG AT HEART: KEEPING UP WITH THE KIDS
Adam Michael, Dir. of Youth & Family Ministry

There’s never a better time to count our blessings than during this merry Christmas season! While the kids write a list to Santa asking for presents, I’d like to write a list of gratitude for all things we have received! Everything in this list is just the very best of what we have to offer and is funded almost entirely by our church!

Winterfest is hands down the best way for our high school youth to connect with other kids their own age from other congregations in our area. Synod youth rep Charlie Roberts and his helpers crush it every year with great speakers, thought experiments and activities during this weekend long retreat in Lancaster.

Volunteers for the Fastnacht sale– Our church raised over $10,000 and sold more than 17,000 treats last February. Be on the lookout for another sign-up soon!

Our Nawakwa retreats – Pastor Andrew & Christina had a blast with a dozen middle school kids in Nawakwa. And what was once a merry band of five has grown to a high school youth group of 18 kids. They’ll head to the camp on the hill in April for a few days to play games, eat their hearts out, and have thoughtful conversations about God and our place in his world.

Confirmation camp – This is another trip to Nawakwa, but now with roughly 80 kids from Adams, York and Franklin counties! Through storytelling, we engage with themes from Luther’s small catechism, have many prayerful experiences and give the camp counselors a warmup before the main event of summer camp!

National Youth Gathering trip! – We’ve touched on this topic quite a few times this year, but our youth were unified with fellowship experiences infused with the holy spirit this summer in New Orleans. Next up, Minneapolis in 2027!

Tree For Hope – Guatemala – Over the past two years, our youth group has partnered with the World Outreach Committee to raise money for the a girls school and orphanage in Guatemala. Since our younger kids can’t easily make their own income, we allow them to earn credits toward the orphanage by paying it forward in their own community. Two fundraisers netted nearly $800 from youth funding to be donated toward the orphanage. World Outreach paid a little more than $2000 more to pay for two full scholarships for Guatemalan girls to attend school.

Camp Nawakwa scholarships – every year, your donations help to heavily deflate the cost of a trip to Nawakwa. Right now, our church discounts every one of our kids’ attendance fees by $100 for a day camp and $200 for an overnight camp. This provides leeway for parents to send their kids to one of the greatest faith formation opportunities money can buy.

Summer trips! – whether it’s a game of paintball, a picnic at Cunningham Falls, a canoe race at Codorus, or a trip to the trampoline park, our kids appreciate the opportunity to build their courage and friendships by daring one another to do challenging things!

Youth Group curriculum and snacks – What makes kids want to come to youth group every Sunday? Strange and new treats, and even stranger games! This year we invested in two curriculums to engage our kids in thoughtful conversation about how the holy spirit might be working through them today. By leading with a game that complements the lesson, the kids enter into conversations about honesty, goodwill, discipline, and other topics full of endorphins and enthusiasm.

Vacation Bible School – Every year, our church combines with Christ Lutheran to entertain roughly 150 kids and 50 volunteers (come on, you know you’re entertained) with a week of Christian ministry for elementary kids. The most rewarding part of the experience is when our daycare kids say, “That was fun! Are we going to do this every week?!”

Halloween Bash and Breakfast with Santa – Pastor Andrew’s brain children have grown legs. This year more than 700 people passed through the church hoping to win some candy playing Brad Smith’s homemade games! Beth and Katie Becker, and Janina Kloster took the lion’s share of planning, giving this youth minister a blessed break during the busiest time of year. Thank you for everyone who volunteers for these wonderful events!

MUSIC NOTES Jonathan Noel, Minister of Music

Why does Lutheran worship look the way it does? Why do we do what we do? During a recent meeting of the Worship and Music Committee, chair Judy Seilhamer, posited these questions and suggested that we, as a committee, engage in a study to answer these questions to share what we have learned with worshippers.

The resource we used in our study is a document entitled Narrative Holy Communion. This document can be found online by searching “Narrative Holy Communion” under the Resources tab on the ELCA.org website. The document was developed to accompany the 2006 publication of Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), the principal worship resource of the ELCA. ELW and its accompanying resources were developed through a comprehensive study that involved clergy, theologians, and lay leaders in extensive conversations around creating a new generation of worship materials for our time.

Our worship bulletin already includes headers with brief descriptors for each of the four main sections of our Sunday liturgy: Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending. This order reflects a natural progression that was evident in Christian worship from the earliest days. However, we wanted to enlarge the descriptors by using some of the helpful language found in the Narrative Holy Communion document.

Sometime in January, or February, we will introduce a Narrative Bulletin. This document will look much like our usual worship bulletin but with the addition of a side bar that will contain brief explanations of what is happening in the liturgy and why we are doing it. We will publish such a bulletin occasionally with the hope that it will help all of us to have a better understanding and deeper appreciation of Lutheran worship.

Blessings for the New Year,
Jonathan Noel

St. James Storytelling: A Deep Welcome
by Will Lane

Beginning in 2025, as part of our church growth campaign, we are inviting church members to share their “St. James story.” These “stories” will explain how St. James is a welcoming congregation and what makes people decide to remain at St. James. Writers will also share what is means to be part of our congregation. Thank you to Will Lane for providing our first “story.” We hope you enjoy these personal stories over the coming year!

I was first drawn to St. James by its members, people I worked with over the years or simply knew as friends or mentors. I loved their laughter and their non-dogmatic way of living their Christianity. They helped me understand that you could take science and history seriously and still live a life of deep faith. They helped me see that whatever we say about God usually says more about us than about God, and that we need to be humble and careful about what we claim to know. At the same time, they showed me how participating in the life of a church, singing in the choir, joining in the liturgy, taking communion, working on community projects, or even simply sharing meals with others can all serve to express a deep and abiding faith and provide a context for further spiritual growth. In addition, they also showed me how powerful the love of neighbor can be in grounding our efforts to deal with community problems such as homelessness or even global concerns like climate change.

As it happens, this St. James way of living a Christian life is beautifully articulated in our Welcome Statement, drafted by members of the Reconciling in Christ Task Force and adopted by Council some years ago, and shared now with the congregation every Sunday on the big screens. It offers what I call in my own heart a deep welcome to all who need “a place where lives are made new,” even those with questions or doubts. It invites us to come and see for ourselves, to come and join others in living our way toward a fuller understanding of faith and our responsibilities toward one another. It calls each of us to be “ministers of reconciliation both in the church and in the world” who “seek justice, create peace, and practice compassion.”

As someone who felt the “deep welcome” at St. James even before it was officially written up in a Welcome Statement, I’m in a good position to celebrate both the welcome and the document that articulates it so well, and to welcome the stories of others about their journey to St. James and their life now in the church. As the year unfolds, I look forward to learning more about what brought them to this amazing place. Thank you St. James for being our “rock” in a difficult time!

Worship Previews

JANUARY 4 & 5: 2ND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS

Within the gospel reading’s profound words lies the simple message that God is revealed in a human person. Though we may try to understand how the Word existed with God from the beginning of time, the wonder we celebrate at Christmas is that the Word continues to dwell among us. Christ comes among us in the gathered assembly, the scriptures, the waters of new birth, and the bread and the wine. Through these ordinary gifts we receive the fullness of God’s grace and truth.
Preacher: Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell
Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14
Psalm 147:12-20, John 1:[1-9] 10-18
Fellowship, hosted by Early Learning Center Governance and Youth Ministry

JANUARY 11 & 12: BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

Today’s festival rejoices in God’s blessings. We recall and celebrate our adoption as God’s children, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promised company of almighty God when we “pass through the waters . . . the rivers . . . fire.” On this day the heavens open again for this assembly, and we receive the gift of God’s Beloved, Jesus, in bread and wine.
Preacher: Pastor Andrew R. Geib
Readings: Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17
Psalm 29, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

JANUARY 18 & 19: 2ND SUNDAY AFTER EPHIPHANY

The Sundays after Epiphany continue to celebrate the revelation of God’s glory to us as it was made known to the magi and to those on Jordan’s banks at Jesus’ baptism—today using wedding imagery. Our God rejoices over God’s people as those being married rejoice over one another. By the power of the Spirit there are gifts galore for everyone. In Christ Jesus the best wine is saved for last. Taste and see. Preacher: Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell
Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Psalm 36:5-10, John 2:1-11

JANUARY 25 & 26: RECONCILING IN CHRIST –
3RD SUNDAY AFTER EPHIPHANY

God’s glory is revealed in the reading of scripture. People stand at attention. People weep. People prostrate themselves in prayer. The unity of the church is another reflection of God’s glory. Most gloriously, the promises of God are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Gather round. Listen up. Glimpse the glory of God.
Preacher: Pastor Andrew R. Geib
Readings: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Cor. 12:12-31a
Psalm 19, Luke 4:14-21

COUNCIL CORNER, DECEMBER 18 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

• Approval of Minutes from November 20, 2024: Approved
• Treasurer’s Report: VP M. Withrow suggested the Finance Committee should look at this report in Jan. 2025 as some of the line items exceed what was budgeted for the year. After this meeting, Finance and Endowment should meet to outline from which monies certain expenses, like some connected to Youth, must be spent. If congregational giving in Dec. 2024 is as good as it was in Dec. 2023, we should end the year on target.
• ELC Financials: expenses were higher than expected because the school decided to pay off the charges for the new curriculum this year rather than next year to save money.
• Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report: Accepted
• Acceptance of New Members: the list is growing, new class to be scheduled after the first of the year
  Via affirmation of faith – None, Via Baptism – Emma Sachse to be baptized December 22, 2024
  Safety Within the Church
• AEDs: Katy Clowney has drafted a new page for the website that outlines location of AEDs. Also included will be a link to a YouTube video demonstrating how to use the devices.
• First Aid Kits and Trauma Kits: Currently, first aid kits are on all three floors, but they need to be refreshed and updated. Trauma kits are being developed. They will be located near the AEDs in new, possibly red, containers.
• Protocol during a medical “event:” A blueprint needs to be developed to divert onlookers from the scene of any medical event in the building and to clear the way for emergency personnel. In addition, a quiet space (perhaps one of the rooms near the Choir Room), is to be designated in which to move a mobile patient during recovery.
• Church Van Update: Committee members still are being sought. Notices to be posted in the e-blast, & to appear on the sanctuary screen before services. A. Haynes is the touchpoint for information; however, he will not be chairing the committee.
• Bishop Election Information: Information regarding next summer’s election of a new bishop can be found at https://www.lss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/Lower-Susquehanna-Synod-2025-Bishops-Election-Timeline-2.pdf.
• Common Ground Gettysburg: This new recovery worship service will begin at St. James January 6, 2025. It will be headed by Mark Withrow. The service, a Gettysburg offshoot of an existing program first started in Wyomissing, Pa., is not affiliated with any particular 12-step program but will address recovery from addictions and trauma of all kinds. Music, a message and communion to be offered at all services to the community at large. Posters announcing the new service will be posted.
  Good for Church/Good for God/Good for Council:
• The 5th Sunday Event will benefit Tender Care Pregnancy Center/ Needed items include diapers, bottles and baby clothes.
• 48 Jared Boxes were collected for distribution to 2 hospitals.
• Parents of a number of children aged 3-11 have noted an interest in a first-communion ceremony, and Pastor Libby has been meeting with the children.
• The Holiday Family Outreach toy distribution served 700 families this year.
• Comments from around the Council table: the Advent devotionals coordinated by Pastor Libby are being enjoyed; the Breakfast with Santa event was great, with thanks going to Pastor Andrew, Pastor Libby and Youth Pastor Adam; the Waterlife Christmas pageant was wonderful and played to a packed worship space.
  Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Poinsettias & Gifts to World Hunger Are Given in Memory of

George Ross Bender, Morris M. Steinour Jr., & Mary Caroline Steinour, given by Tom & Mary Bender
John & Arlene Lawver and Dale & Cherie Sheffer, given by John & Kelly Lawver
Our fathers, Welby Snyder & Robert Musselman , given by Holly & Mike Musselmann
Our parents, given by Bill & Paula Shoemaker
Bob and Bill Patterson, given by Susan, Tyler & Alex Cole
Our parents and siblings – George and Caroline Shuba, Chester and Ruth Frederick, Robert Shuba, Jocelyn Frederick Brown, given by Priscilla & Lou Shuba
Patricia A. Martin, given by Jason, Kerri , Drew & Gavin Cole
My husband George, given by Teeny Bender
Samuel A. Small , given by his children, Jennifer, Samantha & Daniel
Glenn “Skip” Heller, Glen W. Heller, Anna Mae Rhodes, Burnell & Na-dine Klinefelter, Fern Klinefelter, given by Nancy Klinefelter Heller
Our family, given by Tom and Barb Vossler
Catherine “Jean” Hobbs, our loving nan, given by her loving family
Our parents and son, given by Ken & Judy Boyer
Jack Chambers, given by his wife Nancy Chambers
Salud Nieting, given by Judy & Bill Leslie
Horace and Evelyn Waybright, given by Julie, Jim, Addy & Sam Dunlop
Our parents Samuel and Mary Van Eman, & Raymond and Jean Fair, given by Gary & Liz Fair
Jack Bucher, given by his wife Jenny Bucher
Pat Crowner, given by David Crowner
Dad and Jason, given by Mark & Sonja Withrow
Robert & Shirley Fulton, Ray Chase, and Erica, Rick, and Trent Braby, given by Doug & Diane Fulton
John Felix, given by his wife Kathy Felix
Hal Platzer, J. Claude Shea, & Gertrude M. Shea, given by Kathy Platzer
Loved ones , given by Wayne & Susan Hill
Ben Zimmerer, our dear son , given by Scott & Terri Zimmerer
John Baugher, Janel Baugher, Lou and Jay Auxt, given by Tara and Phil Baugher
John Seilhamer, given by Judy Seilhamer
Our Parents Jack and Rose Verdirame & Ralph and Ada McGregor, given by Matt & Ila Verdirame
Dennis Frankfort, given by his mother Ruth Knaub
My sister, Carolyn Lott, whom I miss very much, given by Dee Wells
Our Grandparents, given by Mark & Katy Clowney

Poinsettias & Gifts to World Hunger Are Given in Honor of

Elinor “Teeny” Bender , given by Tom & Mary Bender
Donald W. Harner, given by Joseph & Jon Harner
Our mothers, Betty Snyder & Geraldine Musselman, given by Holly & Mike Musselman
“The quilting ladies,” given by Scott & Terri Zimmerer
The warm welcome we have received as new members of St. James , given by Amy and Steve Duncan Jesse Holt, Jr. , given by Suzanne Hubbard
Tree for Hope Guatemala, given by Pete Bender & Emily Harte
Alan and Cindy Zepp, given by Julie, Jim, Addy & Sam Dunlop
Pastor Libby, given by her parents MeeCee Baker & Jim Garofalo
Claire Anderson & Judy Seilhamer, given by The Piecemakers
Blayne, Caden, Ela, Trey, Ashly and Tiffany, given by ZaZa & Mom
Loved ones , given by Wayne & Susan Hill
Nadine Baugher; Alli, Nate, Eliza and Rhea Crowell, given by Tara and Phil Baugher

Christmas Wreaths are Given in Honor & Memory of

In honor of the Sunday School Teachers, by Kathy & Bill Avery
In honor of Katy Clowney, by Norma Wood
In memory of Patricia Coughlin & Steven Bates, and Richard & Muriel Anderson, by Claire & Bob Anderson
In memory of Samuel Green by his wife Peggy, son, Travis & grandchildren, Zach & Abby
In memory of John Seilhamer, by Judy Seilhamer

Parish Records

50+ Wedding Anniversaries
January 27, David & Barbara Hedrick – 57 years

Deaths
December 4, Dr. Douglas Eyer

Visiting St. James

Office Hours:
Monday—office closed
Tuesday—Friday, 9:00 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Wednesdays until 5:30 pm

Calling St. James at 717-334-2012

201 Katy Clowney, Church Administrator
[email protected]
202 Julie Albert, Administrative Coordinator
[email protected]
203 Adam Michael, (off on Fridays) Director of Youth & Family Ministry
[email protected]
205 Pr. Libby Baker-Mikesell, (off on Fridays) Associate Pastor
[email protected]
206 Pr. Andrew R. Geib, (off on Fridays) Lead Pastor
[email protected]
207 Jonathan Noel, (off on Fridays) Minister of Music
[email protected]
215 Tom Bender, (off on Fridays) Building Superintendent
sexton@StJamesGettysburg