February 22, 2026 - News and Notes
First Sunday in Lent - Pastor: Rev. Andrew P. Keller
Church: Phone 219-984-5421 / Email - stjamesreynolds@yahoo.com Daycare: Phone 219-984-5994
Pastor’s Cell: 812-216-8850; Pastor’s Email: andrewpkeller9@gmail.com
Church Secretary: Linda Hall (765-430-2173)
Those Serving Us Today: Deacon: Don Surprenant Organist: Pam Blakey
THOSE WE ARE KEEPING IN OUR PRAYERS: (Please contact Pastor or Linda Hall by Friday of each week to add petitions or update current information.)
For all the sick, suffering, enduring, and recovering: Ginni Davis, Frank Dent, Rhett Glebe, Carlita Gossell, Gary Gossell, Norma Gossell, Ralph Jennings, Janet Keefe, Cindi Kent, Jerry Mattos, Lori Mattos, Riley Maxson, James Reinhardt, Leah Ritter, Sheila Ryan, Judy Stoller, Dorothy Welther.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDIES: All members and guests are encouraged and invited to join one of our Bible Studies that we have here at St. James after Church. Adults join in Parish Hall studying the Fruits of the Spirit. Elementary children are down in the Childcare Wing. Junior and Senior High students are invited to join us in the Library (Pastor’s old office) for an Apologetics Study. Catechesis will take place after Sunday school.
CATECHESIS AND CONFIRMATION: If anyone would like to enroll in youth or adult catechesis, please talk to Pastor.
ST. JAMES COOKBOOK PROJECT: Do you have a recipe everyone ask for? LWML is gathering beloved family recipes for our church cookbook. Share a few favorites and submit them for our upcoming St. James Cookbook. Please submit recipes to Margo, Jan, Abby, or Krista.
LENTEN MIDWEEK SERVICES will take place each Wednesday throughout Lent at 6:30pm. Meals will take place beforehand at 5:30. Meal signups are in the front of Church. Carry in dishes are always welcome.
BABY ITEM COLLECTION: We are collecting diapers, cards and baby items for Ryan and Kelsey Ritter as they await the birth of their child. If you would like to participate, the items will be gathered in the narthex.
CHILDCARE DONATIONS: Over the Lenten season and into Easter, we will be taking a collection for the St. James Lutheran Childcare Ministry. Each meal will have a donation taken up. Additionally, there will be a list of items that could be donated as well as an Amazon Wishlist. If you would like to know more about what is needed, please talk to Pastor or Linda Hall.
DEEPLY ROOTED will once again meet on Sunday, February 22, 12pm at the Keller household. Lunch will be provided. Singles, couples, parents, and children all welcome.
GAME NIGHT: Will be held March 1 at 5:30 pm down in the Parish Hall. Please join us for games, mixers, food and a lot of fun!
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
February 23-24: Pastor at Circuit Visitors Conference in Fort Wayne
February 25: Lenten Midweek Service (6:30pm, meal at 5:30)-Lasagna Night
LENT AND EASTER 2026
“Behold the Lamb of God” Our Lenten meditation will be looking at imagery of lambs/goats in the Old Testament, how they were used as sacrifices and how they point forward to the true Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world.
Lent Midweek 1 (2-25) - The Lamb Accepted by Faith
Lent Midweek 2 (3-4) - The Lamb God Provides
Lent Midweek 3 (3-11) - The Lamb Condemned in Our Place
Lent Midweek 4 (3-18) - A Debt That Never Ends
Lent Midweek 5 (3-25) - The Lamb Once for All
Maundy Thursday (4-2) - The Passover Lamb for You
Good Friday (4-3) - The Silent Lamb
Easter Vigil (4-4)-
The Resurrection of Our Lord, Sunrise (4-5), 6:30am- The Living Lamb
The Resurrection of Our Lord, Sunrise (4-5), 9:00am- The Living Lamb