"Growing in Christ Through Worship, Learning, Fellowship, and Service." | | Ring Out - Week of Dec. 22, 2024 | Introduction to Sunday’s Worship | Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It is the kind of tension in which the church always lives as when in holy communion—with high delight—“we proclaim the Lord’s death.” | | Introduction to Christmas Eve | | In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world. | | | | |
Sunday Worship will be live- streamed on YouTube beginning at 9:45 on Sunday morning. An email with the link will be sent on Sunday morning. You can also watch a recorded version later by visiting our YouTube Page.
You can open or print the bulletin and follow along with the service.
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The Week Ahead
Sunday, December 22
8:45 am Breakfast Service Program ☕️
9:00 am Choir
10:00 am Worship
Monday, December 23
10:30 am Quilting
Tuesday, December 24
✨ Christmas Eve ✨
5:30 pm Family Christmas Eve
10:30 pm Musical Prelude
11:00 pm A Carol Mass
Wednesday, December 25
🎄 Christmas Day 🎄
Office Closed
Sunday, December 29
9:00 am Adult SS
9:00 am Choir
9:30 am Children's SS
10:00 am Worship
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Sunday Ministries
LECTOR/INTERCESSOR
Dec. 22 Kim Haberman
Dec. 24 (5:30pm) Judy Hoekstra, Christine Lovelace, Ashleigh Matthews, Amy Whisnant
Dec. 24 (11:00pm) Margaret Garrison
Dec. 29 Christine Ruff
COMMUNION
ASSISTANT
Dec. 22 Beth Huss
Dec. 24 (5:30pm) Ann Blackwelder
Dec. 24 (11:00pm) Elizabeth Hurley
Dec. 29 Christine Ruff
ACOLYTES
Dec. 22 Joshua Rinker
Dec. 24 (5:30pm) Noah Pittard, Kyleigh Hughes
Dec. 24 (11:00pm) Joshua Rinker, Jacob Rinker, Kyleigh Hughes, Jackson Hughes
Dec. 29 Samantha Hillegass
GREETERS
Dec. 22 Esther Circle
Dec. 29 Esther Circle
VIDEOGRAPHER
Dec. 22 Laurie Miller
Dec. 24 (5:30pm) Debbie Davis
Dec. 24 (11:00pm)
Dec. 29 Laurie Miller
DECEMBER USHERS
Mike Downs, Al Brown Jr., Sid Hughes, Bill Hardister, Hunter Huss
BUILDING SUPERVISOR
Wendell Overby
ALTAR FLOWERS
Dec. 22 Kim Haberman
Dec. 29
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23 Dec. - Lauren Irvin
25 Dec. - Bub Craver
26 Dec. - Todd Walker
28 Dec. - Beth Downs
| | Please consider volunteering for a Sunday ministry or special event! | |
Congregational Breakfast - Sunday!
Start your Sunday with fellowship and joy! Join us this Sunday, Dec. 22 at 8:45 a.m. for a delightful continental breakfast and the company of your fellow saints of St. James. At 9:15am, our Sunday School children share the Christmas story through song—a beautiful reminder of the season's true meaning.
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Tuesday, December 24th
5:30pm – “Family” Christmas Eve Service
A family-friendly service with carols, a simple communion rite, and an interactive reading of the gospel. Children will join Pastor Bill for a special moment at the nativity during the sermon.
10:30pm – Festive Musical Prelude
Arrive early to experience festive music with the St. James Choir and
Director of Music Ministries and Organist, Dr. Kevin Estes.
11:00pm – A “Carol Mass”/Candlelight Service
A joyful celebration with a choral mass that replaces traditional liturgies with beloved carols. Join us for carols and communion at this candlelight service.
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🎄 Musical Prelude! 🎄
Don't miss the Musical Prelude on Chrsitmas Eve! Starting at 10:30 p.m., enjoy festive performances by the Parish Choir, Brass Ensemble, and Organ of St. James, all under the leadership of Dr. Kevin L. Estes.
Experience beautiful music by Mendelssohn, Rutter, Handel, Vivaldi, Schubert, and more!
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Salvation Army Meal Week 2025
The first Salvation Army Meal Week of 2025 is coming up! St. James is committed to cover Sunday 1/19/25 through Saturday 1/25/25, 7 dinners. The Salvation Army Night Shelter (located at intersection of Patterson Ave and Ashlyn Dr here in Concord) feeds, rests and showers some 40 homeless members of our community, many of them partial or entire families, 7 days a week. As part of our local benevolence and mission, St. James members sponsor evening meals at the shelter for these folks in need. These meals, whether homemade or purchased, should be delivered to the shelter by 6PM, and sponsors have the option of staying to help serve or drop offs. Reimbursement for some or all the meal costs is available through the Social Ministry Committee. PLEASE sign up to sponsor on of these meals.
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Adult Sunday School
The Congregational Breakfast program will take place in lieu of Adult Sunday School on Sunday, Dec. 22nd.
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Youth Friday Night @ The Movies - Jan. 10
Middle and High School Youth
Join us for a fun movie night at St. James in the Flex Room on Friday, January 10, from 7:00 – 9:15 p.m.
We’ll have pizza, cornhole, and screen a movie - TBA!
Bring a friend, kick back, and enjoy the evening! RSVP to help us plan!
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Change for Change - Congrats to our Sunday School Children!
Congratulations to the Sunday School children for collection $200.00 to purchase 4 goats from the ELCA Good Gifts catalog. The goats will provide fresh milk for daily nutrition for children and their families. Goats can go where other animals can't, surviving in some of the world's most challenging terrain and unreliable climates.
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Ushers Needed for 2025
We have few teams of ushers that are still in need of people. If you are able and willing to serve as an usher in 2025, please reach out to Gretchen Walker.
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2025 Sign-Ups Available!
Please consider signing up for an upcoming Sunday ministry. Dates for 2025 are now available! Refer to the Volunteer section of this email or, visit the website.
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Overnight Sitter Opportunity
Debbie Davis is looking for a sitter for the overnight hours for her mother. Paid position. Contact Debbie at 704-795-8743.
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You can manage your giving online! Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions or make a one time contribution and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the internet. In a few short minutes, you can make a one-time gift or set up a donation that will process automatically on a recurring basis. Recurring donations are convenient and provide our church with much needed consistent support throughout the year.
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Follow St. James on Instagram & Facebook!
Be sure to tag @stjamesnc when posting so we may share!
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St. James Staff
Rev. Bill Ridenhour, Pastor Email
Jill Irvin, Financial Administrator Email
Dr. Kevin Estes, Director of Music Ministries & Organist Email
Holly Sloop, Communications Coordinator Email
Kathryn Radcliffe, Nursery Coordinator Email
Teresa Honeycutt, Custodian Email
Debbie Davis, Congregation President Email
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