You can download a copy of the Messenger with graphics, or if you just want to read the text, keep scrolling! The October 2024 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 Andrew

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. -Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

If you know anything about your pastor and his family, mostly because of our sweet Gabbi, you know that dancing has become central to our life. As it happens, what started as something cute (tights and tutus) has turned out to be so much more. Her 1st place solo at Nationals, is forever to be at the top of the list of my “proud dad moments.” Her dancing has brought us, and others, so much joy.

What you likely don’t know is that out of our two kiddos, Noah is really the one with a natural ability to dance. Rhythm is in his blood, unlike his pastor father who is still working on clapping on beat. What you also likely don’t know, is that from the onset of our relationship, the Geib kitchen has doubled as a dancefloor for Christina and I – our kitchen dances a time of recentering… to slow down and strengthen our love for each other…

The poet of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for every matter under heaven. A time for this and a time for that. In my conversations with people, more and more it feels as though the tougher matters under heaven consume our focus. That there is more death than life, more uprooting than planting, more killing than healing, more tearing down than building up, more weeping than laughing, more mourning than dancing, more scattering than gathering, more rejecting than embracing, more giving up… throwing away… and tearing apart… more speaking than listening, more hate than love, more war than peace…

As the poet goes on, they reflect that these burdens become beautiful in their time. The gift of God – finding satisfaction in our toil. Knowing that we never face our burdens alone, the Spirit and our neighbor ever by our side.

The question, for us as people of faith, is; how we are living into our part of the deal? Are we adding to the burden already placed on our neighbor? Or are we working towards transforming the burdens of our world into something beautiful?

You and I aren’t capable of miraculous healings. We aren’t going to solve world hunger or end global warfare. There’s little to nothing we can do to stop corporate greed or to get our elected leaders to come together for the greater good.

We can, however, take the time amidst the seasons of life to dance – to focus our efforts on planting, healing, and building up… to laugh as the tears fall… to gather together and embrace… to hold onto and listen to one another… to love in all things and extend peace…

As Ecclesiastes reminds us, drawing both on faith and on reason, only we ourselves can complete the dance of life by dancing it for ourselves… So, dance. Bring joy to others and recenter yourselves, slowing down and strengthening your love for each other.

With love,
~Pastor Andrew

A Message From Pastor Libby

The weekend of August 25th, we heard the words of St. Paul to the Ephesians:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12).

The text led me to remember a song I sang loudly and proudly in Sunday School when I was younger. Some of you may remember it too – “I’m in the Lord’s Army!” The lyrics include:

I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never shoot for the enemy
But I’m in the Lord’s army!

Here’s a secret: often when I listen to scripture, I feel a sense of peace, of ease, or encouragement. However, as I listened to our wonderful lectors, at that weekends worship services, I could not help but feel uncomfortable.

While I was raised in a military family and the proud granddaughter of two WWII vets, the idea of being a part of the ‘Lord’s army’ seems strange to me. Perhaps it is an understanding of the Crusades and the bloodshed they caused as the message of Christianity was spread across the world. Perhaps it is the rhetoric today of Christianity equaling Nationalism and the call to take up arms in defense of our belief system. Maybe, it’s the way that this text can be seen as permission to deem rulers and authorities as evil, and the call to action against such powers. It’s a topic that we will explore further in my book study for this fall “Jesus and John Wayne,” and one that I am excited to discuss with many of you.

Regardless of the reason, the language in Ephesians is difficult. The use of a metaphor of war can be hard to understand given our belief in a loving God and God’s gentle Son. But moreover, it can be potentially dangerous if used as a literal template for justice or a way to spread our own beliefs to others.

It is no secret that this month and the leadup to the Presidential election will bring about further division in our country, in our faith, or even in our church. We will see neighbor argue with neighbor, friend against friend, and parishioner against parishioner – often over the way that our faith and our political views inform each other.

When those divisions occur and we want to put on the armor of God and fight for what we believe is right, or correct, or Biblically accurate, may we also remember the rest of the reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:

Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. -Ephesians 6:14-15

For we believe in a God who did not take up arms, but rather a cross for the sake of the world. We trust in a God who did not fight for justice or righteousness with weapons or Facebook posts, but set aside the things of this Earth for the things of heaven. So if we put on armor, may it be the armor of peace, the armor of love, the armor of listening.

Let us fight for a world where peace, love, and grace are extended towards all of God’s children. When we are met with chaos and violence when it comes to matters of faith, may we proclaim a message of love. May we trust that love, grace, and peace will prevail.

With Love,
Pastor Libby

Young At Heart: Keeping Up With The Kids

Adam Michael, Dir. of Youth & Family Ministry

Confirmation classes never truly disappeared, but they are back in full force for the first time since the pandemic.

Roughly 20 kids will be taking part in the confirmation glow-up program that the pastors and I put together this summer. While creating this program, we tried to balance the ideals and rigors of confirmation of years past with flexibility for the crowded schedules of today’s youth.

For those that need a refresher, confirmation is a public profession of faith in which the confirmand affirms the promises their parents made for them during baptism. Confirmands are expected to have familiarity with the Old and New Testaments, The Lord’s Prayer, The Apostle’s Creed, Luther and his Small Catechism, and elements of Lutheran life. We have typically targeted our middle-school-aged population for this education.

A large part of confirmation is preparing the youth to become adult members of the church. As we look at our adult congregation, we observe that today’s Christian comes in many forms. Some practice their faith by participating in worship and choir. Some do so by attending Sunday School, Bible studies and mid-week discussions. Others attend worship online while others look for more active ways to participate in God’s ministry. A blessed few partake in all of the above.

Confirmands in our program will have the ability to earn points toward their confirmation by attending Sunday School and church services, participating in church and spirit-led community projects, serving during church services, and by helping to cook for the C.A.R.E.S. program that feeds and provides shelter for those seeking homes during the winter months. As always, attending All Saints Confirmation Camp at Camp Nawakwa for one week during the three year confirmation period is also a requirement.

Perfect Sunday School attendance or serving at every community event will not produce enough points to reach confirmation. The beauty of this model is it allows our kids to lean on their spiritual gifts while still participating in things that make them feel more vulnerable along the way. Those in need of catching up on some points can go to our YouTube channel and fill out sermon notes to show us they are still engaging with God during the week.

This past weekend Judy Seilhamer helped educate our confirmands on how to assist with sacristy and communion. Alan and Cathy Haynes instructed us on ushering duties. We also hope to see a larger variety of youth helping as acolytes, lay readers, greeters, choir members, and even assisting ministers. We ask for your patience, support and guidance as four classes of kids get their feet under them.

To our volunteers, as well as our confirmation teachers, Mark Clowney, Andy Keyser, Josh Main, and Karen and Brent Smith—Thank you for investing in the future of our church!

In Christ’s love,
Adam Michael Youth and Family Ministry Director

Music Notes: Jonathan Noel, Minister of Music

Confidence

After worship on a recent Sunday, a member approached me to say how lovely my voice is. My response: “I’ve grown to accept my voice with time.” Puzzled, she asked for an explanation which led to a wonderful conversation. She encouraged me to share the story and here it is.

During my first year in college as an organ major, I was required to take voice lessons. At the end of the semester, the instructor told me that she would not recommend me for further study. Call it the Ivory Tower Syndrome or whatever you like, but the voice instructor did not seem to understand the difference between voice majors and the rest of us. While I was happy to be done with voice lessons, the emotional damage was done. Her comment shook my confidence and yet I knew that singing, directing choirs, and working with soloists would be part and parcel of my career. So, I carried on despite self-doubt.

As the years went by, I began to realize that it is not my ability as a singer, but rather my vulnerability, that God uses to encourage others. Encouraging and empowering others to sing comes from a place of humility. If I can do it, you can do it. I accept my voice now. It is the one God gave me. It is my hope and prayer that all who are reading this, and who have little confidence in their voices (or name any other skill), will come to know that God can and will use you. You just have to allow yourself to be vulnerable and to commit to it. Growth will come with experience.

C.A.R.E.S. Breakfasts

The C.A.R.E.S. Board of Directors is preparing for the new season of emergency shelter at St. James. The first overnight is November 4 and the final breakfast is April 7. Once again, this winter season, the C.A.R.E.S. guests will be served breakfasts at the Youth House by 10-11 churches. Currently, 10 churches have signed up and there is only one vacant 2-week slot in the schedule.

St. James is scheduled to serve breakfasts from Tuesday, November 19 through Monday, December 2. Generally, 2-3 people are needed each morning to cook and clean up afterward. The number of volunteers cooking and cleaning depends upon the number of guests we are serving. Last year the program reached it’s full capacity of 30 guests within the first month, but every year has been different.

We are looking to schedule St. James members who are willing to cook. Interested parties may contact Bill Shoemaker, who is coordinating the breakfast program, at 717-451-6549 or [email protected] for more information. Bill will hold an orientation session prior to November 19 for those who have not cooked at the Youth House before. All the necessary schedules, menus, and procedures will be provided at the orientation. You can sign up online to cook breakfasts at stjamesgettysburg.org/cares

Worship Previews

OCTOBER 5 & 6: 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does?
Preacher: Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell
Readings: Genesis 2:18-24 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Psalm 8 Mark 10:2-16
Fellowship, hosted by Seekers Sunday School Class & Reconciling in Christ

OCTOBER 12 & 13: 21ST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The rich man who comes to ask Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life is a good man, sincere in his asking. Mark’s gospel is alone in saying that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Out of love, not as judgment, Jesus offers him an open door to life: sell all you own and give it to the poor. Our culture bombards us with the message that we will find life by consuming. Our assemblies counter this message with the invitation to find life by divesting for the sake of the other.
Preacher: Pastor Andrew Geib
Readings: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 Hebrews 4:12-16
Psalm 90:12-17 Mark 10:17-31

OCTOBER 19 & 20: 22ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s community is a direct challenge to the values of the dominant culture, where wielding power over others is what makes you great. When we pray “your kingdom come” we are praying for an end to tyranny and oppression. We pray this gathered around the cross, a sign of great shame transformed to be the sign of great honor and service.
Preacher: Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell
Readings: Isaiah 53:4-12 Hebrews 5:1-10
Psalm 91:9-16 Mark 10:35-45

OCTOBER 26 & 27: REFORMATION SUNDAY

Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.
Preacher: Pastor Andrew Geib
Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Romans 3:19-28
Psalm 46 John 8:31-36

Council Corner
Sept. 18 Meeting Highlights

• Approval of Minutes from Aug. 21, 2024 Council Meeting: tabled until October 16 meeting
• Church Vitality Update: Church attendance is at goal, and giving goals have been surpassed (see chart below)
• Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report: Motion made, seconded and passed
• Property Committee Update – Brad Smith: Rooms 305-306 are almost finished with their renovations, rooms 307-308 will receive a new storage unit, the Sunday School room will be getting laminate flooring, and the windows on the Stratton Street side of the church will be repaired or replaced.
• Acceptance of New Members Via affirmation of faith – A class could be scheduled this fall with new members to join during Advent, Via baptism – Baptism of Quenton Rodriguez: Oct. 20, 2024 (affirmed by council vote)
• Robert’s Rules of Order tutorial – Pastor Libby provided a refresher course to help council navigate the course of discussion and voting
• 2025 Church Budget Approval: The budget proposes a 4% increase overall & was accepted by council. It will be presented for a vote at the Congregational Meeting in November.
• Church Van Proposal: Discussion continues regarding purchase. A. Haynes to provide a final proposal for purchasing a van, including estimated costs of ownership & ongoing maintenance, at the 2024 Congregation Meeting.
• Congregational Meeting, Nov. 17, 2024 (after the 10:45 am service): Continued discussion about encouraging increased congregation attendance. Discussion about the possibility of covering the cost of parking meters on nearby streets after 1 pm, so attendees will not have to leave early (if the meeting is not over) to pay for parking. The feasibility of this is to be finalized at the October Council meeting. To encourage fellowship and discussion, the Council will provide snacks before Sunday School on the morning of the Congregational Meeting.
  
  Good for Council – Good for Church – Good for God
• The Sept. 7 Habitat for Humanity house is almost complete, and St. James provided volunteers and food.
• The 5th Sunday service branch is ready for those who wish to contribute items for the Holiday Outreach.
  Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m.
  
  

Common Ground Film

Mark your calendar now to view the film Common Ground on Tuesday, October 15, from 7-9 PM. The film will be shown in the Valentine Hall auditorium at the United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg. The entrance to Valentine Hall is on the parking lot side, off of Springs Ave.

Written as a love story to our children, the film is a sweeping and uplifting story of the pioneers of the “Regenerative Movement” who are forgoing the toxic seeds and sprays pushed by Big Ag in order to produce tremendous quantities of nutritionally dense food while bringing our entire ecosystem back to life.

Common Ground profiles a hopeful movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy – before it’s too late. The film is an urgent call to action and a plan for how we can save the future, heal our climate, and fix our broken food system – all through regenerative agriculture.

Guatemala Mission Trip—July 11-19, 2024
Report to the Congregation

A group of nine members made up the St. James Mission Team that traveled to Guatemala in July. The team included two youth representatives, and proceeded for a one week visit to the Tree 4 Hope Mission in Antigua, Guatemala. Their work started well before an airport shuttle delivered the team to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Nine donated suitcases were stuffed with shoes, towels and clothing, games, diapers, children’s medicines & vitamins. Wheelchairs, walkers, and canes were packed in gear / duffle bags or taken as carry-ons onto the aircraft, to meet various needs identified by Tree 4 Hope.

The mission of Tree 4 Hope is to educate and empower girls in Guatemala. During the mission team’s weeklong trip to Guatemala their schedule was packed with activities, including helping with expansion of a pavilion on the property, visiting the Tree 4 Hope school and orphanage, teaching bracelet making and dance to youth, and sharing crafting, music, and dinner with members of the senior community.

This 2024 mission trip enjoyed wide and substantial support from the St. James congregation, particularly with donations of supplies, suit-cases, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. Financial donations and col-lections went toward local purchases of paint and materials for the pavilion project. The bulk of the team’s travel expenses (airfare, airport shuttle, excess baggage fees for supplies carried in donated suitcases) were covered by two very generous private donations.

Overall, the Guatemala Mission trip received donations from St. James members in excess of $22,000. One large donation was designated for purchasing training materials and equipment for a new technology/trade school and secondary programs. All members of the mission team returned home energized and committed to developing an ongoing partnership. We especially thank the St. James Youth Group, who raised funds to support a school fees scholarship donation, which was supplemented by World Outreach Committee budget funds. In September, a second trip, by two team members, delivered donated pediatric wheelchairs for two special-needs girls.

The World Outreach Committee provided modest seed money, as well as coordination and planning prior to the trip. As donations were received, the committee was able to allocate funds to cover the majority of costs for the July trip and the supplemental October trip as well. Individual travelers paid an initial enrollment fee, and then additional trip costs were covered. Over $2000 will be donated to support school fees for Tree 4 Hope girls, along with the gift designated for outfitting the new technology and trade school.

All participants are profoundly thankful for the financial and material gifts from the congregation that filled the nine extra suitcases and made this trip possible. Like previous mission trips, team members returned home to recount their life-changing experiences. Please watch for future updates as the committee starts planning for the next mission trip. Prayerfully consider if you would like to dedicate a week to participate in such a trip. Contact Pastor Andrew, Pastor Libby, or any member of the World Outreach Committee for further details.

Fall Yoga Classes – Gentle Yoga

Come together in breath and gentle movement with this 45 minute accessible yoga class taught by Alli Crowell, RYT-200, owner and instructor at RISE Yoga, Gettysburg. Alli is a graduate of the Accessible Yoga School, and a yoga and mindfulness group facilitator serving the Love Your Brain Foundation. She welcomes you to join on a mat or in a chair, as she offers accessible variations for different bodies, abilities and levels of experience.

This is a free community class open to the public. A free-will offering is collected but never expected. 50% of contributions will go towards St. James and 50% will be donated to the Love Your Brain Foundation. Classes take place in room 300 on Fridays at 1:15 pm, and run from October 4 until November 22. All are welcome!

Parish Records

50+ Wedding Anniversaries
October 10 Bob & Joanne Heflin 71 years
October 20 Glenn & Jane Blocher 56 years
October 21 Greg & Vicky Daskivich 52 years
October 25 Michael & Miriam Pinko 55 years

Anniversary of Ordination
September 12 Rev. Miriam L. Nicholson 30 years

Book Marks

These titles are available in the church library to support anyone struggling with loss and grief.

Grief is Love: Living with Loss by Marisa Renee Lee. Copyright 2022
The author shares her grief journey after losing her mother to cancer, experiencing a miscarriage and more recently, the loss of a cousin to COVID during the pandemic. She debunks the ideas of grief stages and timelines. One of her main premises in this book is that grief at its core is an extension of love, & that grief can be reframed as an everlasting tribute, not as a burden, to the one who was lost. The book has been described as “ helpful and enlightening.”

Getting Grief Right: Finding Your Story of Love in the Sorrow of Loss by Patrick O’Malley & Tim Madiga This 2017 book offers an empathetic guide on how to open up to our sorrow as the full expression of our love. The primary author, O’Malley, himself suffered the loss of his infant son. What he shares with his readers is that “our grief is not a mental illness to be cured, but part of the abiding connection with the one we’ve lost.” A well written book that is a must-read for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.

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
[email protected]