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Chapel Notes
Volume XLI Issue 7 | April 15, 22 & 29, 2018
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Sermon Series on Sunday Morning
When I came to St. James six years ago, I began with three identity questions for church members to consider. They come from a lecture that Adam Hamilton gave. They are "Why do I need Jesus?" "Why do I need the church?" and "Why do I need this church?" Almost every sermon that I have preached over the last six years has had an aspect of one or more of these questions.
Now after these six years, I am so grateful for the church where I can consider these questions in our morning worship. I am also surprised because these questions are not three separate questions for me now. Being involved in the relationships at St. James and knowing people and their stories and struggles addresses the last question, "Why do I need this church?" But, the closer I am to others, the more I am aware of how faith in Jesus is a living, breathing, embodiment of God-with-us. This local church allows me to claim that I need a church beyond this congregation to know what God is doing. So all three identity questions have begun to merge together.
This Sunday, April 15, we will look at the first question, "Why do we need Jesus?" The next Sunday, April 22, I will address "Why do we need the church?" as we baptize one of the children who played Jesus at the Christmas Eve service. On May 13, we look at the last question, "Why do we need this church?'
I hope to see you in worship on either Sunday morning or afternoon, or both!
Thanks for being the church!
John
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Welcome Shanelle Calvin
We are excited to welcome Shanelle, who will begin as our Administrative Assistant starting Monday, April 16th. Please stop by the front office and welcome her.
Nursery Workers Needed
Do you love kids and playing an important role in their growth and development? St. James UMC is seeking an additional caregiver to work part-time in the nursery on Sundays on an as-needed basis and as other shifts arise. This is a paid position. If interested, please contact the Nursery Coordinator, Susannah Withers (
[email protected]
).
Children's Choirs' Spring Musical
St. James Children's Choirs will present a musical entitled What's Up, Zak? on Wednesday, April 25 at 6:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The town of Jericho is abuzz with excitement as townspeople prepare for a special visit from Jesus. Drawing from the Biblical stories of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, and Zacchaeus, the tax collector, the children explore Jesus' love for each one of us just the way we are. Please join us for WNS and stay for this special performance!
Mother's Day Offering for Wesley Woods
This Mother's Day, St. James will receive a special offering to support Wesley Woods, an organization that serves the health and housing needs of older adults at 9 locations throughout North Georgia. Because of your gifts, vulnerable seniors at Wesley Woods can receive healthcare, meals, and wellness programs to help them age gracefully. Please consider giving generously as a way of honoring the women who have made a difference in your life. To learn more about Wesley Woods, visit
Mother's Day Carnation Sales
St. James' Belief in Action team is once again selling carnations to benefit the church's missions and service activities. Visit the table in the Narthex to purchase carnations in honor of the mother figures in your life. Honorees will receive a handwritten note and can pick up their flowers on Mother's Day.
Ladies' High Tea and Accessories Auction
Join St. James for our annual Ladies High Tea and Accessories Auction on Saturday, May 12, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. This event will raise money for Dress for Success, an organization that empowers women entering the workforce with professional attire and support. The silent auction will include various accessories, and a live auction will be conducted during brunch. We are currently accepting donations of old and new purses, jewelry, belts, scarves, gloves, and hats. So, mark your calendars, make plans to attend, and bring your donations to the bin outside the church office! Questions? Contact Jessie Hudson at
[email protected]
.
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Wednesday Pastoral Teaching
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Led by Dr. John Simmons, WPT will meet in the parlor each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. We will continue discussion of
Crucial Conversations, available in the Church Office for $10. The discussion schedule is as follows:
- April 18 - Chapters 2-3
- April 25 - Chapters 4-5
- May 2 - Chapters 6-7
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Join us for supper Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m.
Please RSVP by completing the pew card, calling the church office, or at
stjamesatlanta.org/wns
by noon on Monday.
- April 18 - Chancel Choir Spring Concert
- April 25 - Children's Choirs Spring Musical
- May 2 - Trey Clegg Singers
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Mentor with Kids Hope USA
You may wonder how much good one hour a week would mean for an at-risk child. The answer is A LOT! Over the past 2 years, mentors in Kids Hope USA have seen huge improvements in our students' self-esteem and skills. Teachers have also been impressed at what this one hour of individualized attention has produced. Imagine a child who has never had stories read to him/her, a child for whom English is a struggle, or a child who receives no help with homework. Then imagine this child saying, "I wish you could be here everyday." Through St. James' Kids Hope USA program, you can help change a child's life as a mentor, a substitute, or a prayer partner. To learn more about how you can make a differene, contact Emily Bagwell, Marilyn Humphreys, Janice Gallagher, or Jo Ann West.
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Celebrations and Concerns
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Trisha Evans
- Son Scott Evans' home (Carrolton)
Elaine Frazier
- St. Joseph's
Barbara Mitchell
- Sunrise (Buckhead)
Lawrence Montgomery
- Mann House (Sandy Springs)
Wayne Paulk
- Pruitt Healthcare
Sympathy
- To Adam Edwards on the passing of his brother, Matt Edwards, on April 2 in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. Please keep Adam and Elizabeth in your prayers.
Sympathy
- To Susan Viers, our Director of the St. James Preschool, on the passing of her son, Holden Viers. We extend our love and sympathy to the family and ask you join us in keeping the family in your prayers.
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In Memory of Dick Kite
Virginia Osborne
Erma Patterson
Tom & Nancy Vice
(Music Ministry)
James & Mary McCollough
Edwin & Anne Baron
Richard & Jane McElfresh
Joseph & Clara Pearson
Sarah Trexler
Kent & Maxine Watkins (Habitat for Humanity)
Julian & Emily Moon
(Organ Fund)
Deborah Bovaird
Ben & Elaine Dooley
(Music Fund)
Elton & Betty Jean Spann
In Memory of Hoke Rowan
Ron & Sharon Quigley
Amelia Waller Baker
James Costlow & Leila Hartley (Music Ministry)
Suzanne Godfrey
Hannah Rowan
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2018 Summer Camps
Join us this summer for one of our exciting camps at St. James UMC. We will be offering over 20 different camps this summer from VBS, Camp Dogwood, M.A.D. Week and Kindermusik to Club SciKidz, Drama, Art, Soccer and more! Complete details and registration are now available at
www.stjamesatlanta.org/summer
.
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April 29 is Children's Sunday
During the 10:55 a.m. service on April 29, the children of St. James will lead worship! This very special service will include all children, and will pull from the lessons our children have learned in Sunday School, Bible Challenge, Children's Worship and Wonder, and more. If you have questions, email
[email protected]
today!
Also, your child's attendance at Sunday School, Bible Challenge, and Worship & Wonder this month will be an important step in making their role in Children's Sunday easy and fun. Thank you, parents, for getting them here each Sunday. We are excited to highlight to you much of what they have learned!
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Organ Renovation Nearly Complete
After almost a year of work, we celebrate that renovations to St. James' organ will be completed in mid-May. On May 20, the music in worship will recognize and celebrate Dr. John Simmons, and showcase the excellent work that has been completed on our organ. Come hear the organ at its full capacity with solo pieces played by Dr. Craig Smith. The chancel choir will sing festival hymns accompanied by a professional brass quintet and organ. We give thanks for the blessing of a newly rejuvenated organ, and can't wait to share the finished product with you!
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Summer Mission Trip
St. James' youth are headed to Wilmington, NC from June 24-July 1! We'll serve with the Robeson County Church and Community Center for 3 days, and spend another 3 days seeing the sights! There is limited space, so please let us know that you and your friends are coming to reserve your spot. Estimated cost is $300, and a registration form will be included in the next edition of the Connexion.
Email Newsletter
To receive the bi-monthly
Connexion, email Ryan at
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Sunday, April 15
"Jesus Shows Up"
Rev. Dr. John Simmons
Luke 24:36-48
Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of Robert Sudlow by his wife, Connie, and their children Robert and Mark and their families.
Sunday, April 22
"Baptizing Baby Jesus"
Rev. Dr. John Simmons
John 10:11-18
Altar flowers are given for the Glory of God and in loving memory of our fathers, Jack Solomon Moss and Edwin Giltner Salyers by Elizabeth Moss Salyers and Douglas D. Salyers.
Sunday, April 29
Children's Sunday
Rev. Dr. Erin Reed Cooper preaching at 8:45 a.m.
Children will lead worship at 10:55 a.m.
Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God by Anne and Brian Branson in loving memory of Brian's brother, Scott.
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Sundays
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Early Worship Service
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8:45 a.m.
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Sunday School
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9:45 a.m.
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Late Worship Service
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10:55 a.m.
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The Table Atlanta
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5:00 p.m.
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Sunday Night Youth
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6:00 p.m.
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Mondays
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Men's Prayer Group
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7:00 a.m.
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Tuesdays
Men's Fellowship Breakfast
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7:00 a.m.
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Toastmasters
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6:45 p.m.
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Wednesdays
Pastoral Teaching
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10:00 a.m.
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Children's Choirs
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5:15 p.m.
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Women's Ensemble
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5:15 p.m.
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WNS
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5:45 p.m.
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Chancel Choir
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7:30 p.m.
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Boy Scouts
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7:30 p.m. |
Thursdays
St. James Bells
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6:15 p.m.
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Fridays
Praying Moms Book Club
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9:15 a.m.
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Saturdays
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Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. John Simmons
Associate Pastor
Rev. Emily Bagwell
Associate Pastor
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lobello Edwards
Director of Family Ministries
Erin Reed Cooper
Assoc. Dir. of Children's Ministries
Meredith Howell
Assoc. Dir. of Youth Ministries
Ryan Willette
Director of Music Ministry
Michael Ervin
Assoc. Dir. Of Music Ministry
Jill McCarden
Organist
Craig Smith
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Creative Worship Director / Director of Marketing & Communications
Calissa Dauterman
Ministry Intern
Matthew Johnson
Director of Activities Ministry
Allen Whittaker
Business Administrator
Shannan Wassel
Facilities Manager
Stan Malone
Administrative Assistant
Dawn Terrizzi
Preschool Director
Susan Viers
Nursery Coordinator
Susannah Withers
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* The next Chapel Notes deadline is Monday, April 30.
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Church Office 404.261.3121
Hours M-Th | 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
F | 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Preschool Office 404.237.7354
Hours 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
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