You can download a copy of the Messenger with graphics, or if you just want to read the text, keep scrolling! The July 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

Last month, Pastor Andrew and I joined St. James members Jason and Bri Howe, Debra Baker, and Lucinda Bringman at the Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly. Over 500 voting members and guests spent three days at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, York, for a time of worship, fellowship, and a Bishop’s election. Bishop Dunlop opened our time together with some updates about the state of Christianity, our Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), and the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Among the data he shared was an increased growth in Christianity world-wide (a projected 3 billion Christians by the year 2050), but a steady decline in faith participation. The last 20 years have seen a 12% decrease in people who regularly attend worship services – 42% in 2005 to 30% in 2025. The Protestant church is experiencing similar numbers of decline – recent reports show that 80% of all mainline Protestant churches have no growth in attendance or are experiencing declining membership and attendance. The ELCA is experiencing a similar situation. Eight hundred and thirty-four congregations have closed between 2015 and 2023. Moreover, 45% of all congregations cannot afford a full-time pastor.

These numbers make us feel at times like the church, and by consequence, our faith, is in decline. At times, it seems there is no hope. But I am happy to report that this is not so with us. In 2025, St. James has baptized 10 children (with 2 more on the calendar!), and has welcomed 20 adults and young adults into the congregation via affirmation of their baptism. Moreover, we have visitors in worship every weekend. This is good news!

While we’ve seen an encouraging rise in baptisms, new members, and visitors, now is not the time to grow complacent. Summer often brings a dip in church attendance, as families travel, sports schedules ramp up, and weekend plans compete for attention—but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Invite visiting friends or family to church. Spend an extra week at Camp Nawakwa, or support a young person so they can have the experience. Find a church when you are on vacation.

Let us continue to nurture the growth we’ve seen—not just in numbers, but in spirit. Let this summer be a time of renewal, not retreat.

As the writer of Hebrews reminds us:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23–25).

May God bless our community with courage, faith, and a joyful witness in every season.

With love,
Pastor Libby

Synod Assembly Updates

The recent 38th Annual Assembly of the Lower Susquehanna Synod saw the changing of the guard after 12 years: Bishop James Dunlop passed the ritual crozier to Bishop-Elect Pastor Stephen Herr of Christ Lutheran Church, Gettysburg on the fifth ballot.

Representing St. James were Pastor Andrew, Pastor Libby, Debra Baker, Jason Howe and Bri Howe. Pastor Libby also shadowed the retiring Synod Parliamentarian, Rev. Thomas E. McKee, as she prepares to assume that duty.

More than 500 voting members from nine counties gathered at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in York on June 5-7 to ponder and vote on several changes to Synod rules, to hear updates on Synod and nationwide programs, and to adopt Synod council recommendations (including the 2026-27 budget, minimum salary guidelines, and amendments to bylaws and continuing resolutions). They also listened to standing committee reports.

In addition, attendees voted for Synod Secretary, Synod Treasurer, members of Synod Council, and members of the committee on discipline, on which Lucinda Bringman won a position.

Perhaps the highlight of the gathering was the Service of Word and Sacrament in St. Matthew’s sanctuary, during which Bishop Dunlop offered his last homily to a Synod gathering. The service was complete with a large group of musicians, and the awe and power of 500 voices singing together.

However, the main reason for the meeting – to elect a new Bishop – was the most exciting. Casting first paper ballots and then electronic voting, the field of candidates (all with their own special talents) was narrowed down to 7. Delegates were given the opportunity to question each of the candidates prior to casting their final votes. Candidates were then pared down to 3, and eventually to 2. With anticipation building, it took the entire five ballots (with the 5th ballot occurring on the last day of the gathering) to select Pastor Herr as our new Bishop for the next 6 years. The installation of the Bishop-elect is set for October 25, 2025 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanover.

Support Our Staff

How can we best support our staff?

We at St James are blessed with an incredibly competent and caring staff! Everyone knows they work diligently and faithfully, and realize how busy they are. So now that it’s summer and schedules are a bit simpler, don’t you want to spend more time relaxing and getting away? Not going to meetings? Spending time doing what you find most restful and recharging? So do the folks who serve St James!

Did you know that in our call documents to our pastors, they receive 4 weeks of vacation which includes 4 Sundays? They also receive 2 weeks of Continuing Education time, and their annual pastoral report to the Bishop includes a question about the amount of time they spend on Continuing Ed and the subjects that they studied. They are required by our Synod to complete Boundaries Training, Anti-Racism Training and Cultural Competency Training every three years. Each of these is a full day training course. Pennsylvania requires Child Abuse Prevention training as well.

In addition, our Minister of Music, our Director of Youth and Family Ministry, and our support staff all deserve time off.

So how do we best support our St James staff to make sure they get adequate rest and refreshment for their minds, bodies, and souls?

First, we all need to recognize that we have the responsibility to be as supportive of our staff as possible. Everyone desires private time for themselves. When our staff is on vacation, it is inappropriate to contact them. No one should have to answer questions or inquiries from their employer when they taking some time away!

All of our staff have regular scheduled days off. Their schedules are listed below:
Adam:  Off on Fridays, flextime following week-long youth excursions
Jonathan:  Off Fridays, works remotely on Mondays
Julie:  Off Wednesdays & weekends (year round), off Thursdays (summer only)
Katy:  Off Wednesdays (summer only) + weekends
Karen:  Works weekends only
Tom:  Off Fridays
Libby:  Off Thursdays (summer only), & Fridays (year round)
Andrew:  Off Mondays (summer only), & Fridays (year round)
Despite this schedule, everyone has seen members of our staff working on their “days off.”

Our church office is closed to outside calls and visits on Mondays, so the staff can focus on work.

Granted, being a pastor is different than being an accountant. But the pastors rarely have 2 days off per week, which is the norm for most people who work full-time. If it’s their Saturday on and they are asked to do something such as preside at a funeral on Friday, they generally agree, even though it means no day off for them. One of the pastors is at church for Saturday evening services every week. They are both often involved in activities on Saturdays. Pastors cannot and should not be available 24 hours/day. Our pastors make certain that one of them is available for emergency needs 24/7. However, that does not mean we should feel free to text or call them on their day off, unless it’s an emergency. In this situation, if the pastor we call directs us to the other pastor because of their “on-call” schedule, that is completely acceptable.

Please, let’s respect the time and energy of all our staff on their days off and during vacation time. Our staff devotes so much into the needs of our community, and the people of our congregation. Let’s do everything we can to make sure they have the time, space, and peace, to refill their energy buckets, too!

Lucinda Bringman (co-chair), on behalf of Pastor Libby’s Mutual Ministry Committee

Updates From the Creation Care Taskforce

Due to restrictions by UPS, the good people who ship our batteries for recycling are no longer supporting battery recycling. That means, unless something changes, the last used battery collection will be July 5-6. Please bring your batteries for recycling on these dates. There is hope that another shipper may be found to accept batteries.

Please continue the good work you do recycling the rest of the material that can be handled locally. Curbside is available for many of your recyclables – check your municipality’s hauler, and most municipalities also have electronics collection days. For glass, Gettysburg Green Gathering accepts glass from 9 am to 12 pm on the first Saturday of the month behind the County Emergency Services Building at 230 Greenamyer Lane, Straban Township.

Also – We know that you are interested in creation care. You show your willingness on many occasions to recycle and come out to help with projects, even those not associated directly with St. James. Projects at St. James are falling off, though, as we are running out of steam and becoming fewer in number. We would love for you to join our efforts as we move forward.

The ELCA Social Statements for Creation and for Climate point out that this is a “Kairos Moment,” a time when vision and action are necessary to reverse the trajectory towards which our earth home is moving. The statement recognizes the need for hope and action by Lutherans (and the rest of society, too) as we work for a livable planet. Come and plan, strategize, share ideas and hope as we care for creation. We meet via Zoom on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm for about an hour.

Young At Heart: Keeping Up With The Kids
Adam Michael, Dir. of Youth & Family Ministry

It’s been a wild month exploring many amazing Bible themes. Our kids danced, played, learned and ate their way through the Alaskan Wilderness during our True North Vacation Bible School Experience.

That following weekend, we confirmed Gabbi Scavitto, Sam Dunlop, Caden Miller, Bri Howe, Jeremiah Sawmtheen and Noah Puckett as adult members of the congregation. We have plans to confirm Aiden Dutrow this fall! In mid—June, Morgan Smith, Chase Drechsler, Henry Finkenbinder and Savannah Munsee represented St. James while exploring their joys and sorrows on a spiritual journey at Confirmation Camp! In the final week of June, we traveled to Asheville, NC for Work Camp with 14 kids and 3 adults (more to come on this soon).

Needless to say, this youth pastor is pooped! However, we can’t wait to share our Work Camp experience in more detail with the congregation !! Have a great summer!
In Christ’s love,
Adam Michael

And looking ahead to the remainder of summer 2025:
Game Nights – Mondays @ 6pm, Beginning 6/30
Cunningham Falls Hike & Lake Day—July 23
Be on the lookout for additional youth events over the next few weeks !

Music Notes
Jonathan Noel, Minister of Music

Whenever possible I start my day with quiet time on my backyard patio. My wife and I have spent the past 25 years planting trees, bushes, and flowers. Pruning and maintaining the flora on our property is a never-ending task, yet each morning as I sip my coffee and look at the results of that work, I am deeply satisfied.

As the trees have matured, more birds have appeared, and I enjoy listening to their songs. My son, Adam, recently shared a phone app for bird watchers called Merlin. I had never paid much attention to bird songs, but the quiet mornings have piqued my interest. The app will listen and record the environment and show the species of birds that it hears. Along with identifying the birds by their song, I can see pictures of the birds and read additional information about them. I only just started doing this, but so far birds that have visited my backyard in the early mornings include the Common Grackle, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Blue Jay, Northern House Wren, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, and Mourning Dove. Recently, my son spotted an American Goldfinch at our front yard feeder. I am sure there will be others. And someday, perhaps, I will be able to identify the birds I am hearing without needing an app.

Composers have long been fascinated by birdsong, and many have incorporated them into musical compositions. The songs of the cuckoo and the nightingale are the most quoted and have found their way into compositions by Beethoven, Delius, Handel, Respighi, Rimsky-Korsakov, Saint-Saëns, and Vivaldi. French organist and composer Olivier Messiaen made a hobby of notating birdsong and often incorporated these tunes into his compositions.

These quiet mornings when I can sit and listen to the birds help me to realize that the natural world has a lot to offer us when it comes to mental health. For me, turning off the distractions, all of those things that continually vie for my attention, and all that weighs heavy on me, and taking just a few moments to listen to the birds, helps me find the quiet center in which I can pray, release my anxieties, and allow the Spirit to fall into my being.

God’s Blessings,
Jonathan Noel

SUMMER CHOIR UPDATES

New voices are always welcomed in our choir groups! Contact Jonathan Noel for questions about either choir or other opportunities to serve through music.

Worship Preview

JULY 5TH & 6TH:
4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

God is the source of our nourishment. Jesus’ invitation to “take and eat . . . take and drink” is a repeated one. In holy communion, in the word read and proclaimed, in the assembly of the people of God, the dominion of God has come near. Rejoice! Your name is written in heaven.
Preacher: Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell
Readings: Isaiah 66:10-14, Galatians 6:[1-6] 7-16, Psalm 66:1-9, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Fellowship, hosted by the Library and Property Committees

JULY 12TH & 13TH:
5TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind is to reflect God’s mercy in responding to one’s neighbor. That mercy found its most profound expression in the “gospel that has come to you”—namely the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That gospel mercy comes to us again today: at the font, at the table, and from the pulpit. It is very near to you.
Preacher: Pastor Andrew R. Geib
Readings: Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Colossians 1:1-14, Psalm 25:1-10, Luke 10:25-37

JULY 19TH & 20TH:
6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Perhaps the church, at its best, is “all ears.” God urges the faithful, again and again, to “listen up!”—to heed the word that gives life. So it was with Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Martha, and the early church at Colossae. So it is today as we join the assembly to hear the word of God, the word of life.
Preacher: Pastor Andrew R. Geib
Readings: Genesis 18:1-10a, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 15, Luke 10:38-42

JULY 26TH & 27TH:
7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Persistence in prayer is encouraged by Jesus and wins the attention of God when Abraham intercedes for Sodom. The life of the baptized—to be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus—is to be nurtured with prayer. God hears and answers prayer and so strengthens God’s own. “When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.”
Preacher: Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell
Readings: Genesis 18:20-32, Colossians 2:6-15 [16-19], Psalm 138, Luke 11:1-13

COUNCIL CORNER
JUNE 18 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

En Bloc Agenda: Approved

• Approval of Minutes from May 21, 2025
• Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report, Church Financials, & ELC Financials
• Acceptance of New Members via baptism: Z. Blume, A. Flax, S. Hurry, L. Gomer and Z. Gomer
  
  Motion recommendation from Executive Committee: Elect Don Schade to fulfill the remaining 2 years in the 3 yr. term previously held by Janina Kloster. Motion passed.
  
  Motion recommendation from SJLC Evangelism Committee: The Evangelism/Fellowship Team seeks Council’s approval to establish an Access Scholarship from Dollars for Scholars. Brenda Heberling, Advisory for Dollars for Scholars and St. James member, graciously agreed to present to Council at the 6/18 meeting. Council discussion included approval of a pre-Rally Day free-will fundraiser to raise contributions to the Access Scholarship Fund; matching funds could come from the Endowment Fund. This fundraiser will continue as an annual event. Motion passed.
  
• Council approved a request to add 7 more handicapped parking spaces on Sunday morning. These will be next to the current handicapped parking spaces already in use. The request now will be handed over to the Property Committee.
  
• Egypt and Jordan Trip, May 19- 31, 2026: Pr. Andrew will lead a group from St. James and could possibly partner with other churches. More information will be released soon.
  
• Nomination & Election of Council Officers for the coming year – President: Mark Withrow, Vice President: Jason Howe, Recording Secretary: Debra Baker, Treasurer: Karen Lentz
  
  Good for Church/Good for God/Good for Council
  
• Recap of Synod Meeting/Bishop Elections – D. Baker/J. Howe
• Common Ground Article – Gettysburg Times
• Sun. 6/8/25 -Confirmation of 6 youth with Bishop Dunlop presiding
• VBS Attendance: 110+ children attended at Christ Lutheran Church, Gettysburg
• Sunday Servant Event: Collection of school supplies, particularly backpacks, for the United Way Back to School Project
• Several St. James youth are participating in a work trip to North Carolina
  
  Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 16 @ 6:30 pm

Relay For Life

Relay For Life of Adams County will be held on Saturday, August 9th from 5:00-10:00 PM at Oakside Park in Biglerville. Relay for Life began 40 years ago in Tacoma, Washington and was started by Dr. Gordy Klatt. Our theme this year is “Through the Decades-1985-2025.”

Relay will kick off with a ceremony to celebrate survivors. If you are a survivor or know of survivors, we would love to have you partici-pate in this ceremony and be able to celebrate you. We will have various team fundraisers, a basket raffle and a DJ entertaining us with music from the “decades.”

There are two teams participating that include members from St. James, “The Miracle Workers” and “Hope-Full Heels.” Kevin Varish will have his food truck and also the Hunterstown Ruritan Club’s ice cream truck. A local singer, Amy Rose, will be performing at 8:00 pm. The Luminaria Ceremony is at 9:00 pm. Pastor Andrew will open the ceremony, Shirley Sanders is the Master of Ceremonies, and John Hartzell will be the guest speaker and share his cancer journey. This ceremony remembers those whose cancer battle has ended, supports patients on this journey, and celebrates survivors. We invite congregation members and the community to bring your chairs and come out and support this cause as we raise funds and awareness regarding cancer. PLEASE check out our website at: www.relayforlife.org/paadamscountyff

Thank you to the members of St. James for your continued support of this cause and event!

St. James Book Marks

Looking for a good summer read? Look for these titles to enjoy by the pool, on the beach, in a hammock under the trees, or inside in the air conditioning on a hot summer day! We have options for both adult and young readers available.

“The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt
Much has been written and discussed about the worldwide decline in youth mental health over the decade: an epidemic of depression, anxiety, acts of self harm, even suicide. In his book “The Anxious Generation,” social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt tracks its origins as he investigates the transition from the days of play based childhood to one of phones and social media. He then presents more than a dozen ways in which this has gradually led to the reshaping of young minds, and alarming side effects. In conclusion, he lays out four simple rules, steps to reshape childhood and end the epidemic. Look on the book cart for this thought provoking new addition to our collection.

“Children Who Dance in the Rain” by Susan Justice
This is an award winning, beautifully illustrated book for readers ages 5-8. In this true story, young Sophie is taken on a trip to a very special land called India. While there she visits some poor children living in a mud village, and discovers the true meaning of happiness, kindness, and gratitude as she shares in their simple way of life. In later years these experiences determine her future career as a doctor, and she comes to understand that the Divine (as the book refers to it) is “the magic of life itself.” This book will soon arrive on the library book cart.

PARISH RECORDS

50+ Wedding Anniversaries
July 14, Tim & Barbara Braband, 52 years
July 26, Gary & Ann Ratay, 56 years

Baptisms
June 22, Asher Flax & Zoey Blume
June 29, Sylvia Hurry

Deaths
June 17, Linda Utz

Ordination Anniversaries
June 1, Rev. Gerry Christianson, 65 years
June 14, Rev. Scott Edward Zimmerer, 45 years

New Members
June 8
Gabbi Scavitto, Sam Dunlop,
Caden Miller, Bri Howe,
Jeremiah Sawmtheen, Noah Puckett

2025 MISSION TRIP TO GUATEMALA

A team from St. James will travel to the Tree4Hope’s Hope Academy and orphanage in Guatemala on August 3 – 11. This will be a return visit for five of the six team members. Last year, the St. James congregation responded generously by providing several suitcases for transporting the many donated items gathered to fill those suitcases, all at the request of Tree4Hope to meet the needs of the children of Hope Academy and the orphanage in Guatemala. (The suitcases usually remain in Guatemala.) Many generous monetary donations, large and small, helped to pay excess baggage fees and support the overall costs of travel and lodgings in Guatemala for the mission team members. The orphanage noted above is located several miles from Hope Academy and includes a school for boys and a technical institute. The orphanage houses both boys and girls, and some of the girls there attend Hope Academy.

The team has begun to collect some special requests for equipment, such as a mini-projector and screen that costs about $300, and crutches for two disabled girls (@$350 total). We hope to gather monetary donations needed urgently for a water pump to supply the new technical school (we estimate costs in excess of $400, but await further information about local purchase from a supplier in Guatemala). Team members will transport two walkers as carry-ons, for use by elderly neighbors in the surrounding villages.

This year, our Tree4Hope trip coordinator identified these additional needs with staff in Guatemala:

· special need for disposable diapers (size 8, Pampers or Huggies only please, no other brands) (Available from Amazon for a box of 76 diapers @$55)

· probiotics and decongestant over-the-counter medications for children and adults

· Vitamin C chewables

· Athlete’s foot anti-fungal cream

· Craft materials for kids of all ages. The children love to do crafts side-by-side with volunteers and village elders.

· Adult coloring pages, markers, colored pencils and crayons to bring as welcome items

· The mission team needs ideas and donations for craft project(s) for the village elders who regularly interact with the children. There are about 90 elders in this category, some with limited dexterity and limited eyesight. Most are poor and have very little, so project ideas for items they can use in their homes are most welcome.

· The technical school requests hand tools, both standard and metric.

The Guatemala Mission Team for 2025 will report to the St. James congregation about their trip sometime after return in mid-August. The World Outreach Committee hopes to establish mission travel as a regular activity, since there is considerable interest to do so within the St. James community. Financial support from the congregation to enable our youth and other members to participate in mission travel is key.

Those unable to travel can still make a huge impact by sponsoring specific donations for equipment or projects, defraying costs for specific items, or by supporting the overall costs for the Mission Team. Individual costs for team members can range from $1600 to $2000 for mission travel to Guatemala, which includes support by Tree4Hope for accommodations and travel within Guatemala. Total costs to send the 2025 Mission Team to Gautemala will exceed $11,000. Please send any monetary donations to St. James Lutheran Church with Tree4Hope on the memo line.

Please contact any member of the World Outreach Committee for further information on how you might make a difference in support of mission travel.

VISITING ST. JAMES
OR CALLING (717-334-2012)

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

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