March 15, 2026 - News and Notes
Fourth 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: Pastor: Rev. John Westfall Deacon: Jon Schroeder Organist: Cheryl Hites
CONCERNING HOLY COMMUNION: According to Christ’s Word in Holy Scripture, and in confession of the true Christian faith, we observe the ancient evangelical practice of closed communion. We believe that those who commune together must confess the same holy faith, just as the Scriptures teach. Since one’s church affiliation indicates one’s confession of faith, only those aught to commune who are communicant members of, or whose church is in confessional fellowship with, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. If you have any questions, or have never communed at St. James before, please contact Pastor. If you would like to receive a blessing, please cross your arms over your chest.
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: Lisa Crosby, Ginni Davis, Frank Dent, Rhett Glebe, Carlita Gossell, Gary Gossell, Norma Gossell, Mike Howard, Ralph Jennings, Janet Keefe, Walter Kelley, Cindi Kent, Jerry Mattos, Terry Mattos, Riley Maxson, Jennifer McClellan, James Reinhardt, 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 the 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.
RECIPES NEEDED! HELP! Help us fill our church cookbook with your treasured family favorites! Please remember to submit your recipes by March 31st 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. The theme will be casseroles. Anyone who would like to help, please talk to Pastor Keller. Carry in dishes are always welcome!
BABY ITEM COLLECTION: We are continuing to collect diapers, cards and baby items for Ryan and Kelsey Ritter. We congratulate them on the birth of their son Henry Keith. If you would like to participate, the items are being 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 from an Amazon Wishlist. If you would like to know more about what is needed, please talk to Pastor or Linda Hall.
EASTER FLOWERS: We will again be adorning our Sanctuary with Easter Lilies from Bennetts Greenhouse. If you wish to order any, order forms are available in the Narthex. The orders must be placed by Wednesday, March 18th. ($10 each) If you want to place an order but don’t make the deadline you can call/text Laurie Griffin, Pastor Keller, or Linda to be included in the order.
ANNUAL REPORTS need to be submitted before the end of the month for every board.
PORTALS FOR PRAYER AND LUTHERAN WOMAN’S QUARTERLY are now available in the narthex.
EASTER EGG HUNT: We need help in organizing, setting up and donations for the Easter Egg Hunt. We will have a short meeting after church today to discuss.
EMBRACE GRACE BABY SHOWER - Maggie has been assisting in leading the Embrace Grace program at University Lutheran which is finishing up its 4th year of the program. Embrace Grace is a support group where the church walks alongside women experiencing an unintended pregnancy, offering encouragement, friendship, and the love of Jesus during an important season of their lives. To conclude the program, each mom is celebrated with a baby shower, and we invite our church families to help provide gifts to bless and support these women and their babies. If you would like to help provide a gift for the shower, please choose an item from the registry. Your donation would be greatly appreciated. Gifts need to be purchased by March 25th. If you have any questions, please contact Maggie, or Morgan DeBlieck (morgan.deblieck@gmail.com)
PLEASE WELCOME Rev. John Westfall, who is filling in for Pastor Keller this Sunday. Pastor is taking a Circuit Visitation Sunday and will be available this week.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
March 17: Pastor at Circuit Meeting at University Lutheran
March 18: Midweek Service-6:30pm; meal at 5:30. Deadline to order Easter Lilies.
April 11: Church Clean Up 9:00 a.m.
Office Hours: Wednesday 10-noon; other days by appointment
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 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