Newsletter for the week of 7.19.26

Worship This Sunday - 7.19.26

Click To Watch Livestream

Worship Schedule

9:00: Contemporary Worship with Kids Connect

Parking Lot Update

We are excited to report that most of the parking lot has been paved, the lines have been painted and the lot will be ready to park on this Sunday July 19th.

However we did run into some unexpected challenges so there are a couple of notes we want to bring to your attention:

The back part of the parking lot had significant damage and needed to be rebuilt more than we expected and so because of that it was not able to be paved yet, it should hopefully be completed this coming week. You can see from the pictures below.

Here is what you need to know for this week:

Please be careful as you drive on the new lot, please don’t make any sharp turns so as to avoid damaging the lot as it continues to set.
For this week only we are going to be using the entrance as both and entrance and an exit since the rest of the lot is not finished. We will have some people on hand to help with directing traffic so as to make sure this can happen smoothly.

Property Update

Property is undertaking the replacement of our fluorescent light fixtures during the months of July and August. We are replacing them with LED fixtures to reduce energy costs and eliminate the need for traditional ballasts and tube lighting. If you can provide hands, many hands make light the load, please contact Rick Phillips at rpp1154@tmail.com.

We are excited to again be sponsoring Operation Smart Start! Last year, thanks to God’s grace and your generosity, we were able to purchase and fill 310 book bags to help local children in need start the new school year stocked with supplies.

We are hoping to fulfill a similar number of requests this year. With $25, we can fill one bookbag. If you would like to contribute, forms are available outside of the Sanctuary or donate online,on the St. James website and select Smart Start from the giving options. Thank you in advance for supporting this important mission!

Correction! Sunday, August 9 at 10AM we’ll stuff backpacks in Fellowship Hall and get them ready to send to the area schools!

Sign Up Today!

Blood Drive - 7/24/26 12:00-5:00pm

On Friday, July 24, St. James is hosting a blood drive in the Fellowship Hall from 12:00-5:00pm.

Please consider giving the "Gift of Life" by scheduling your donation for July 24.

The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.

Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!

Schedule your donation by clicking the button below. You can search by zip code 19468.

Report on the Youth & Young Adult Servant Trip to Asheville, NC

If you didn’t have a chance to hear our trip report in worship on July 12, we had a fantastic time! Eight members of St James attended this Servant trip with 9 members of Christ Lutheran Harleysville and one bonus attendee — a grandparent of one of our youth! We drove 2 vehicles down to Arden, NC and stayed in cabins at Lutheridge Christian Camp. St James attendees included: Janet Hilsmier, Leah Keyser, Emma Gubanich, Lexi Gubanich, Michael Johnson, Blossom Reed, Will Keyser, Mikey Piccione and Nancy Leneweaver.

During the day, we served communities and by night, we enjoyed camp life including bonfires, crafts, Christian camp songs and laughing through the silliest of skits.

Our group of 18 was divided in service assignments. One team of 5 worked with the Hendersonville Housing Assistance Corporation; they finished building a deck and installed plank flooring and trim inside the home; they had a great experience and felt fully equipped to do their work.

The remaining 13 of us participated in a variety of outreach assignments. We enjoyed all three sites we attended. We gardened with World of Abundance in Swannanoa, cleaned up Carrier Park in Asheville with Mountain True and cooked and served over 150 meals at Wider Circle: Pigeon River Cooperative in Clyde.

We also participated in a disaster relief simulation that helped the participants gain a better understanding of the necessity of preparedness, the stress levels and costs associated with living through disasters. They went to Walmart afterward to shop for items for Blessings Baskets. Total gifts received from St James and Christ Lutheran was in the total amount of $1,820. We purchased 5 basket-loads of items and sent an additional $900 in a check and $100 in Walmart cards to LDR. We’ve since learned that our five baskets have already been distributed!

On Thursday we were able to gather as a whole group and have a fun day together. We hiked in Dupont State Forest, swam near a waterfall, shopped in Asheville and reflected on our week of service.

We are grateful and humbled by the willingness of our location hosts to share their storm stories — their testimony to surviving and thriving after a disaster was awesome and encouraging. The wonderful leadership provided to us by our LDR/Lutheridge Camp Counselors Sam and Hannah and the LDR Carolinas Director Amy made the experience that much better.

Thank you, St James family, for your support of this experience.

All St. James Ladies are Invited to Attend:

Awesomely & Wonderfully Made ~A Women’s Retreat at St. Luke, Gilbertsville

Ladies of all ages are invited to a special Women’s Retreat on Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This meaningful day together is completely free of charge and promises to be a time of encouragement, connection, renewal, and joy.

Our theme, inspired by Psalm 139, is “Awesomely & Wonderfully Made.” The retreat will begin with prayer, a warm welcome, and an introduction to the day’s theme as we reflect on the truth that each of us is uniquely created and deeply loved by God. Throughout the day we will gather for three sessions:

Celebrate Your Design
Honor Others
Trust God’s Purpose

Each session will be followed by small group discussion, offering time to share, reflect, and encourage one another in faith and friendship.

After enjoying lunch together, participants will have the opportunity to choose from several activities designed to nurture body, mind, and spirit. Options will include hand massages and fingernail painting, chair yoga, creating a beautiful craft to take home, quiet prayer and reflection time, and more.

Registration will be required, and forms will be available soon. Be sure to invite a friend, neighbor, daughter, mother, or sister to share in this special day together.

We hope you will come and be blessed as we celebrate the beautiful ways God has created each of us — awesomely and wonderfully made.

Registration forms are available on the two tables going into the sanctuary.

For questions or more information, please contact Bobbie Hoffman, Dofd@stjameslimerick.org

Would you like a little encouragement each day?

If so, I invite you to receive a brief daily devotional delivered to your email. Each devotion includes a Scripture verse, a short reflection, a prayer, and a video of a hymn or Christian song.

The purpose of these daily devotions is simply to encourage you, strengthen your faith, and be a blessing as we keep our hearts and minds focused on our gracious God.

If you would like to receive these daily devotions, simply email me at Dofd@stjameslimerick.org, and I'll be happy to add you to the list. May God continue to bless and encourage you each day!

Bobbie Hoffman

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 11:30 am.

Zoom Link

Tuesday Night Zoom Bible Study

This group is on hold until September.

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.

The group will be on summer break until September 10

Joyfully living in Christ we create community, practice compassion, and work together for the good of all.