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

I’m a Lutheran

For as long as I can remember, the Lutheran Magazine – now Living Lutheran, has included articles in their monthly printing in which individuals reflect on what it means to them to be a Lutheran Christian. In the countless stories told, all rooted in a wide array of life experiences, there is a common thread that weaves them together – grace.

I am a cradle Lutheran. My grandfathers were Lutheran ministers. My aunt is a Lutheran minister. My parents are Lutheran ministers. My own ordination marked the first time the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has had three generations of pastors in one family. So, yes, by birth and by experience, I’m a Lutheran. But what does this mean?

Well, side by side those Lutherans who have told their stories, it seems only fitting to start with the thread of grace. Luther described grace as the free gift from God, unearned and undeserved, that justifies us in our broken sinful nature and makes us right with God, not based on our own works, but on Christ’s merits. Simply put, we are saved by grace through faith. As the hymn goes, Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

Amidst my call process for the associate pastor position back in 2015, it became abundantly clear that St. James has had a long history of being politically diverse. And yet, with strong opinions on both sides of the political aisle, the core Lutheran identity of grace has allowed St. James to stand as a witness to the gospel in our small town of Gettysburg and beyond, in some profound ways. A history, that at some point along the line earned us the reputation as “the church with open doors.”

Under the leadership of Pr. Keyser and Pr. Foltz, St. James had a key voice in speaking out against the injustices of racism and the Vietnam War and became a centerpiece in serving those suffering from addiction and living in recovery. Under Pr. Allwein, we became a primary supporter of Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. – caring for those with no other place to go, and gained status as a Reconciling in Christ congregation – making the commitment to extend an intentional, inclusive welcome towards those among the LGBTQIA+ community.

In the time following Pr. Allwein’s retirement, Pr. Libby and I have worked hard to continue this defining tradition of justice seeking ministry at St. James. Sharing the love of God that Christ commands from us, we have welcomed Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. under our roof for the full cold weather season, we have become a primary sponsor of Gettysburg Pride, and we have developed a monthly recovery worship service – the community of Common Ground Gettysburg. While much of our current message and ministry here at St. James has been a continuation of who we have always been, there’s no denying we are in a time and place in which our rich history of varied opinions is moving from diversity to division.

Luther once said; “where Christ would build a church, the devil would build a chapel.” His point – not even the church is free from sin. You and I and all the faithful, like those without faith, are susceptible to sin. We make mistakes. We say things we shouldn’t. We fail to care for the vulnerable and the outcast. We judge others without looking at ourselves. We make false idols of money and possessions, politicians and political parties. We put our wants and desires above the needs of others. We neglect to offer the grace that God has given freely to us.

It’s because of this reality that we begin our worship services each week with an order of confession and forgiveness. Before we can receive the Good News of God in Christ through Word and Sacrament, we must first acknowledge our faults and failures and commit to a more faithful path moving forward.
There is no question that we are living through some difficult times. But we have seen difficult times before. In such moments, we have one of two choices – we can do the difficult work of digging deeper into who Christ calls us to be or we can allow the devil to pull us deeper into the wilderness of sin. To follow Christ is to love God and love others – to embrace humility, practice compassion, extend forgiveness, serve those in need, and reach out to the marginalized.

To follow the devil is exactly the opposite. It is up to each of us to decide for ourselves which path we will choose. Will we go to the cross for ourselves, as Christ did for us? Or will we be like his opponents and hang others on it?

My personal hope and prayer is that we would be who Lutherans have always been – a sinful people woven together and saved by grace, called to be vessels of grace for others.

With love,
Pastor Andrew

GUATEMALA MISSION TRIP REPORT

Four members from St. James and one member from Mechanicsburg made up the Mission Team that traveled to Guatemala in August 2025. The team volunteered for a one week visit to the Tree 4 Hope mission in Antigua, Guatemala. Their work started even before they arrived at Dulles International Airport. Five large donated suitcases were stuffed with games, diapers, adult and children’s medicines and vitamins, and prizes for the senior outreach game lunch. Each of our team members entered the airport carrying donated walkers and canes to meet special requested needs identified by Tree 4 Hope.
The mission of Tree 4 Hope is to educate and empower girls in Guatemala. During the team’s trip, their schedule was packed with activities, including:

• Construction of a roof over bleachers adjacent to the newly installed sports court on the orphanage property, and a small retaining wall at the school
  
• Completion of a stone wall project at the dormitory across from the technical training school construction site
• Visits to the Tree 4 Hope school and orphanage, and with families & children that our team members sponsor throughout the year
  
• Organizing craft activities with children and setting up a luncheon & activities for members of the senior community
  
  This 2025 mission trip enjoyed generous support from the St. James congregation. Financial donations and collections covered the Tree 4 Hope food and lodging fees. The World Outreach Committee’s Global Mission Scholarship paid for the Tree 4 Hope expenses for one member of the team; other members covered their airfare expenses and contributed towards an enrollment fee. Two members of the congregation transported the team to and from the airport. The World Outreach Committee has suggested that St. James cover the excess baggage fees for supplies carried in donated suitcases.
  
  This year the Mission trip received financial donations and supplies from St. James members in excess of $3388. The World Outreach committee provided modest seed money as well as coordination and planning prior to the trip. All members of the mission team returned home energized and committed to continuing our ongoing partnership. Summarizing her experience, Chris Waybright shared that the Guatemalan people in Antigua are a “happy and grateful people,” and Tree 4 Hope is an organization “working to empower the children with basic education and technical training to improve their lives” in their home community. Chris believes that the support we offer to Tree 4 Hope is money well-spent.
  
  All participants are profoundly grateful for the financial and material gifts from the congregation that filled the extra suitcases. Team members shared their experiences with the St. James congregation on Sept. 28th. World Outreach hopes to organize a 3rd trip in 2026 or 2027. Please watch for further updates and prayerfully consider if you would like to dedicate a week at Tree 4 Hope. Contact Pastor Andrew, Pastor Libby, or any member of the World Outreach Committee for further details.

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

They say in parenthood, the days are long and the years are short. The same is true in youth ministry! Though I can’t believe it’s over, I’m proud to report that our first month of split elementary school youth group has been a smashing success.

At the start of the year, we created a new youth group for our fourth and fifth grade kids so we could provide them with new challenges, responsibilities and opportunities. We discussed what it means to see one another fully and get a glimpse of one another through God’s eyes. Each kid drew a picture of their body to scale, then wrote the skills they were most proud of, and the mental and physical scars they’d survived, before allowing their classmates to come through and write compliments on their sheets. It was a bold step into self-reflection and vulnerability that took some real courage, but our kids stepped up.

Our next activity had our kids working in teams of five or six and using a strange apparatus involving a rubber band and several strings, to move plastic cups into a pyramid shape. The task took patience, communication and an ability to reset quickly. We followed with a discussion about how difficult it can be to choose peace in moments of conflict. We found some true leaders and some willing and responsible followers in the process, along with some places where we still have room to grow.

The real talk of Grade 4-5 youth group has been the snacks, though. Pizza, seasoned fries, pigs in a blanket and dirt pudding have awaited our kids so far this year, and kids have reported they’ve been recruiting friends to come just for the grub!

Our Grade K-3 youth group has adjusted well to our newly purchased Orange curriculum, meant to bring God’s light from above (yellow), down to the more earthly (red) kingdom, hence the name. This year’s task is to study the entire Bible, which has had our kids revisiting popular stories from Exodus as well as stories we’ve not covered before in Numbers and Joshua. The corresponding videos have been challenging but our kids are absorbing the stories and proving it through their responses in themed crafts, obstacle courses and quizzes.

Be on the lookout for activities geared toward specific age groups as we continue through the year. Here are a few dates to keep on your calendar this fall.

Recycle Bicycle – Saturday Oct. 11, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Middle school and high school volunteers are needed to help collect bikes that will be repaired to safe working conditions and given to a rider in greater need in the Harrisburg area and beyond!

Apple Gleaning – Sunday, Oct. 19, 3-5 p.m. Adams County Nursery invites St. James & Christ Lutheran Churches to come pick apples that will be donated to SCCAP’s food pantry, New Hope Ministries, Adam’s Rescue Mission, United Lutheran Seminary, St. James Early Learning Center, John’s Meals in Biglerville, and the Hanover Council of Churches.

Halloween Festival – Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5-7 p.m. All are invited to hang out in our decorated gathering area and worship space for some unearthly fun. We have carnival games to play and a few snacks on hand in case anyone gets the munchies. Later, we dim the lights in our worship space, and our Minister of Music, Jonathan Noel, plays eerie (but fun!) music on our organ before heading out to watch the annual Halloween Parade!

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

MUSIC NOTES
Jonathan Noel, Minister of Music

On October 31, 1517, Augustinian monk and professor of theology, Dr. Martin Luther, sent a letter to the archbishop of Mainz containing ninety-five theses, a list of propositions challenging the Catholic Church’s practices, particularly the sale of indulgences. Likely, he also posted these talking points on several church doors in Wittenberg, the bulletin boards of his day, to generate discussion among the students and professors in that university town.

Never intending a schism in the church, just some real discussion about reforming it, he was nonetheless declared a heretic and was excommunicated in 1521 by Pope Leo X. Undeterred, Luther continued to promote his ideas under the protection of some German princes. His writings spread quickly because of the newly invented printing press, and reformed congregations began to appear throughout northern Europe.

Over time, this emerging church developed liturgies and hymns that reflected the theology of Luther and the tenets of the Reformation. By the early 18th century, church musicians in Germany began to compose cantatas—expanded settings of these hymns for chorus, soloists, and orchestra. The cantatas of JS Bach are recognized as the pinnacle of the cantata style. But others paved the way for Bach, among them Dietrich Buxtehude. In 1705, 20-year-old JS Bach traveled 250 miles on foot from Arnstadt to Lübeck to learn from the master Buxtehude, fifty years his senior.

On Reformation Sunday, October 26, our choirs will combine to feature a cantata by Buxtehude based on the hymn “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word.” Its location in the service following the sermon is a nod to the original placement of cantatas as musical sermons, enhancing the preacher’s commentary on the appointed gospel reading. We will also sing hymns by Luther and his contemporaries as together we celebrate our unique Lutheran heritage.

God’s Blessings,
Jonathan Noel

WELCOME TO OUR MINISTERIAL FIELD EDUCATION STUDENT

Lorie Burke Garcia is a seminarian in her second semester, currently living in Gettysburg. She, her spouse and cats have moved from Corpus Christi, TX where they founded a digital marketing company after she spent the last 20 years in radio and marketing. Part of a military family, Lorie has lived all over—except the Northeastern United States-so she is excited to experience this new part of the world. An avid reader and aspiring knitter, Lorie enjoys trying new cuisine and spends most of her free time participating with Women of the ELCA and the Racial Justice Advocacy Network of WELCA.

You may see Lorie during worship over the next few months. Please extend a warm welcome to her while she is here at St. James !

WORSHIP PREVIEWS

OCT 4TH & 5TH:
17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in holy baptism, holy communion, and the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipate them. Receive them with thanksgiving.

Preacher: Pastor Andrew R. Geib
Readings: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Psalm 37:1-9, Luke 17:5-10
Fellowship, hosted by the Seekers Sunday School Class and Reconciling in Christ

OCT 11TH & 12TH:
18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

It’s a miracle! Multiple miracles! The waters of holy baptism have healed us. The body and blood of Jesus in holy communion have made us clean. We have died with Christ and been raised with him. For all this we have returned to offer thanks. From this place we are sent on our way rejoicing to share the good news.

Preacher: Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell
Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Psalm 111, Luke 17:11-19

OCT 18TH & 19TH:
19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to Christ’s table. Persistence in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed.
Preacher: Pastor Andrew R. Geib
Readings: Genesis 32:22-31, 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5, Psalm 121, Luke 18:1-8

OCT 25TH & 26TH:
REFORMATION SUNDAY

Genuine repentance and pretentious piety stand in stark contrast in the gospel and all around us. All creation stands in need of God’s forgiveness. Keep the faith. God’s people shall be accounted righteous for Jesus’ sake. Our God is merciful to sinners. For this we worship and glorify God forever.
Preacher: Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell
Readings: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Psalm 84:1-7, Luke 18:9-14

COUNCIL CORNER, SEPTEMBER 17 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

En Bloc Agenda: Approved

• Approval of Minutes from August 20, 2025
• Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report, Church Financials & ELC Financials
• Acceptance of New Members via affirmation of faith: The following people will join the church during the Oct. 4 – 5 services – Rev. Fredrica K. Meitzen, Gretchen Carlson, Todd Izydorski, Deborah Clarke, George & Joyce Bielen, Joseph Harner, Valentina & Leo Cucuzza, Janice & Walter Krug, & Gwen Weber.
• Approval of Annual Congregation Meeting to be held on 11/16/25
  
  Committee Reports
• Personnel: the 2025-26 budget and the hiring of a new building superintendent have been approved.
• Property: As of 10/1/25, the 3 front doors of the church will be locked permanently; while entry is prohibited, congregants still can exit through those doors.
• World Outreach and Worship: The committee will be hosting a team from Tanzania & Global Refuge in the coming months. Endowment Committee: A revision of the current Endowment Fund policy is recommended and includes implementing resolutions for the action needed if policy change is adopted. Endowment is asking that dividends from the fund be distributed beginning 1/1/26 and moving forward in the following manner: Mission (25%), Building (25%), Ministry Catalyst (45%), and the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund (5%). Music, Youth, and Good of the Church no longer will be funded segments in the current proposal. Spending plans for endowment dividend funds currently held for Youth, Music, and Good of Church must be submitted to the Endowment committee by Feb. 2026; if no plans are submitted, the funds will be shifted to the Ministry Catalyst Fund. New rules regarding the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund will be discussed at the Dec. council meeting. A motion to present these changes proposed by the Endowment Committee at the annual meeting in Nov. for a congregational vote, was passed.
• Subcommittee on Security Task Force: J. Flanagan and T. Vossler began designing policies regarding fire, medical, ICE warrants and security. Policies on fire and immigration will be readied to present to the Security Task Force next week, and then to Council at its December meeting.
• Creative Financial Task Force: scheduled to meet October 2.
  
  Unfinished Business
• Payment to SpiriTurst Lutheran (Hospice Care): Council discussed whether to send the 2025 budgeted amount of $1,000 to Journey Hospice or to the SpiriTrust Gettysburg general fund. Motion passed to send $1,000 to Journey Hospice.
  
  “Mission of 2025-26” Council Discussion: Council discussed ways in which we could be more active in making God’s love more visible on a daily basis. Suggestions include living by example, concentrating on what Jesus did in trying situations, remembering the Great Commission at all times, and council creating a covenant statement to present to the congregation to move forward as one people to act in, live in and promote God’s word.
  
  New Business
• Building Superintendent Action: Personnel has interviewed Todd Izydorski and checked his references to fill the position of Building Superintendent after Tom Bender retires. A motion passed to hire Todd Izydorski. He will be a part-time employee in Nov. and Dec. 2025, and then transition to full time in January 2026.
• New Ministerial Field Worker: A 1st year seminary intern will be joining the church at the end of September as a Ministerial Field Worker, assisting the pastors for the next year.
• Update/Review of 2026 Budget: The 2025-26 budget showed a 7.78% increase overall. To cover this increase with 310 consistent envelope givers, an increase of $19/month per giver is necessary to balance the budget. This budget was adopted and will be presented at the annual congregation meeting in Nov. 2025.
  
  Good for Church/Good for God/Good for Council
• Pr. Tom Scornavacchi, the originator of Common Ground in Pennsylvania, will speak at the December 1 meeting of Common Ground at St. James in honor of its first anniversary.
  
  Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 15 @ 6:30 pm

C.A.R.E.S. Breakfasts

The C.A.R.E.S. Board of Directors is preparing for the 2025-26 season of emergency shelter at St. James. The first overnight is November 3 and the final breakfast is April 13. There are no substantial changes from last year, so the C.A.R.E.S. guests will be served breakfast at the Youth House by 9 churches and the Arendtsville Lions Club. Currently, 10 have signed up and there are two vacant 2-week slots in the schedule.

St. James is scheduled to serve breakfast from Tuesday, November 18 through Monday, December 1 (St. James Youth cook for C.A.R.E.S. on Sundays). Generally, 2-3 people are needed each morning to cook and clean up afterward. The number of volunteers cooking/cleaning up depends upon the number of guests we are serving. Last year, the program reached full capacity of 30 guests quickly, 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. Bill will hold an orientation session prior to November 19, for those who have not cooked at the Youth House previously. All the necessary schedules, menus, and procedures will be provided at the orientation.

Contact information for Bill: 717-451-6549 or wmshoemaker@comcast.net
Sign up to cook breakfasts online by scanning the QR code or by using the link at stjamesgettysburg.org/cares

St. James Book Marks

EVENING BIBLE STUDY

Wish you could attend Pr. Andrew’s Thursday Bible study or Pr. Libby’s Monday book study but have too many commitments during the day- like caring for young children or going to work? Join an evening group for 6 weeks to study Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Who was Paul writing to and what were they experiencing? What was the context of their time? How does this letter affect our lives in the present day? What is God saying to us?

The group will begin on October 8 at 7 pm, in person, in the church library, and will be facilitated by Lucinda Bringman. Then we’ll determine together what timing schedule works best for everyone. The plan is to meet for one hour a week, but that also will be determined by the group. The last session will be November 19, There will be no group on October 15.

Bring whatever translation of the Bible you wish or Bibles can be provided from the church, if you prefer. There are a number of translations in the church library- you can try several to see what speaks to you. Questions? Email or call Lucinda Bringman at 717-253-3742 or lbringman3742@gmail.com. Due to travel, Lucinda will be unable to receive calls until after Oct. 4.

PARISH RECORDS

50+ Wedding Anniversaries
October 10, Bob & Joanne Heflin, 72 years
October 20, Glenn & Jane Blocher, 57 years
October 21, Greg & Vicky Daskivich, 53 years
October 25, Michael & Miriam Pinko, 56 years

Deaths
September 2 – Marlene Price
September 10 – Hazel George
September 12 – Hilda Koontz
September 25- Betsy Griffiths

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