Worship This Sunday - 3.1.26

Worship Schedule

9:00: Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion
& Kids Connect

10:00: Food and Fellowship

Congratulations and God's blessings to
Zuri Nderitu
Tate Reed

Please celebrate with us after worship in the Fellowship Hall!

EASTER CANDY SALE

Get ready for spring and the Easter holiday by buying your Easter candy from the Women of St. James. 

The women are selling Reppert’s Candy.  There are 1/2 pound boxes of regular assortment candies in milk or dark chocolate available. Various kinds of eggs can also be purchased.  An Order form is located on the bulletin board in the hallway outside Room 4. Or you can place an order with Barb Shoffner at 610-489-2525. To see the variety of candy available, Click Here.

Orders must be placed by Sunday, March 8. Candy will be ready to be picked up on Sunday March 22 and March 29.

If you pay by check, please make the check payable to:  Women of St. James, with Easter Candy in the memo line.

Thank you for your support!

Council Meeting - February 19, 2026

THANK YOU to the out-going members of Church Council: Tim Byerly and Rick Phillips

WELCOME to the newly elected members of Church Council: Jonathan Castner and Tom Walters

THANK YOU to the following who continue to serve: Jim Bauer, Kris Brown, Michelle DiPasquale, Lou Geiser, Laurie Green, Shawn Lewis, Brook Moyer, Laura Oliverson, Joe Piccione, Jane Reedy

The following officers were elected:

• President – Jane Reedy

• Vice-President – Shawn Lewis

• Secretary – Laurie Green

• Treasurer – Kevin Hilsmier

__________________________________

2025 Property Committee Summary:
THANK YOU to the Property Committee members who continue to volunteer their time and talents to maintain the church property: Rick Phillips, Jim Bauer, John Hampton, John Yackanicz, and Tom Reedy. During 2025, the committee completed many tasks around the building without external professional services and coordinated several capital project. Some of the highlights of 2025 include:

• Bulb and ballast replacement of light fixtures; plan is to replace tradition lighting fixtures with LED units throughout the building in 2026. In addition, stage lighting was replaced (thanks for help from John Green) in the sanctuary and pocket lighting was installed in the kitchen.

• Spring and Fall outside clean-up days – thanks to John Yackanicz for coordinating

• Added signage and fixtures to improve advertising for events such as the Apple Festival

• Repaired plumbing issues that had been developing over time. Cost was $13,725.

• Coordinated annual fire extinguisher inspections and carpet cleaning

• Changed to a new trash collection company - thanks to Janet Hilsmier for assisting

• Converted Room 11 (former Youth Room) to a multi-purpose meeting room at a cost of $2,800

• Changed cleaning services - thanks to Janet Hilsmier, Nikki Lewis and Pastor Chris for helping work through issues

• Installed new screens in the sanctuary at a cost of $17,186 – thanks to Shawn Lewis, Jim Bauer and Pastor Chris for helping with the project

Status of Capital Projects Approved at the 2025 Annual Meeting

At last year’s Annual Meeting, the congregation approved a budget of $65,000 to cover capital expenditures for: 

1. Replacing two sets of doors – HK corridor and Sacristy doors: Complete

2. Air Conditioning for the offices: Complete

3. Replacing three office windows: Complete

Total spend on these three approved initiatives: $39,592

Future Capital Projects for Consideration: 

1.     Parking lot repaving – we have one proposal currently and will be seeking additional proposals. This project cost will require congregational approval. 

2.     Windows – committee needs to create a plan for moving forward with additional replacements. 

Project Outreach Update

Thanks to the generosity of St. James and other area churches, during 2025, Project Outreach was able to provide:

• Food to an average of 125 families each week

• Rental assistance to avoid eviction to 71 families

• Back-to-school supplies for 106 children

• Thanksgiving meals for 88 community members

• Christmas gifts for 292 children through the Adopt-a-Family program

• New beds for 2 kids through the Beds-for-Kids program

• 59 tanks of heating oil, allowing families in need to stay warm through the winter

Project Outreach is an ecumenical ministry of Christian churches providing community outreach, emergency assistance services, and other programs for those in need in the greater Spring-Ford area. St. James participates by volunteering time, donating food/toiletries and buying gifts for the Adopt-a-Family program. Food and toiletry donations can be left in the shopping cart in the hallway outside of the church offices. If you are interested in volunteering at the pantry (about four Thursdays a year, from 9:15AM – noon), see Jane Reedy.

Box City will be hosted at Christ Lutheran Church in Harleysville on April 11-12, 2026. It is a unique single-night lock-in in which youth are encouraged to camp outside in a cardboard encampment. There will be large and small group learning, games, free time, dinner and worship! Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend and bring a friend if they like! Registration is open, please contact Janet Hilsmier, Dir. Family Ministry.

At Box City, we focus on raising awareness about the plight of our unhoused neighbors and raise money for a local charity. This year, the recipient will be a new shelter in Lansdale. Donations can be made at this link, through our online giving portal, select Box City Beneficiary or by check to St James, memo: Box City Beneficiary. Thank you!

Join the Rainforest Falls VBS Team!

June 29 - Jul 2 – 6-8:30PM

VBS is more than a week. It’s a moment that shapes faith.

This summer, we have the opportunity to welcome children into a joyful, Christ-centered experience where they learn, sing, laugh, and grow. The adults and teens who serve at VBS are often the ones children remember years later.

You don’t just fill a role.
You help create belonging.
You help plant seeds of faith.
You help make church feel like home.

It takes a team — teachers, small group leaders, decorators, snack helpers, registration helpers, behind-the-scenes planners, prayer partners.

There is a place for outgoing leaders, quiet encouragers, creative decorators, organized planners, snack lovers and behind-the-scenes helpers.

You don’t have to do everything. You just have to bring your gifts.

Register Here Scroll through all the available roles and select one or more that sound interesting. I’m happy to help answer any questions you may have. Have any questions? See Janet Hilsmier or email kidsconnect@stjameslimerick.org.

Bible Study Opportunities

Tuesday Afternoon Zoom Bible Study

We are discussing the book of Acts, which details the spread of the early Christian church after Jesus' ascension, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit through the apostles, especially Peter and Paul. It highlights the growth of the church from Jerusalem to the wider Roman world, emphasizing the inclusion of Gentiles and the power of the gospel. The group meets Tuesdays at 3:30 pm.

Zoom Link

Tuesday Night Zoom Bible Study

We are discussing the Gospel of John. Every chapter reveals Jesus’ deity, through every title He is given - the Word, the only Son, Lamb of God, true bread, life, resurrection, vine, and “I am”. This group meets at 6:45 pm.

Zoom Link

Thursday Bible Study

We are discussing the book of Isaiah because it powerfully weaves together God’s holiness, justice, mercy, and hope. Isaiah speaks honestly about sin and suffering while continually pointing to God’s promise of redemption and restoration. Its rich prophecies about the Messiah, its calls to trust God in difficult times, and its vision of peace invite deep reflection, meaningful discussion, and personal application. This group meets Thursday mornings from 11 AM – 12:15 PM at the Willow Run Club House, at 200 Village Way, off Ridge Pike in Limerick. For more information call Bobbie Hoffman at 610-287-7231, ext. 12.

Looking for a Summer Camp?

Bear Creek Camp in the Poconos offers summer camp experience for students in grades 1-12. Bear Creek Camp is affiliated with the ELCA. Reach out to Janet Hilsmier for a camp brochure, or check out https://bearcreekcamp.org/ for more details.