SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Special Announcements
There will be one service of Holy Communion at 9:30 AM.
FROM THE BULLETIN:
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MASK NOTICE: The wearing of masks is optional.
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THE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE has simplified how it may be reached. The number to dial is now 988, in Pennsylvania and anywhere in the United States. If you are struggling, make the free call and talk with someone.
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ON THIS GRANDPARENTS’ DAY, THE ETERNAL LIGHT is presented to the Glory of God and in memory of Annette Renn’s grandparents, the Rebers and the Stetlers.
THE PRAYGROUND AND NURSERY are available for small children during the 9:30 AM worship service. Parents are asked to stay with their children.
FALL SCHEDULE: As we enter the new school year and fall programming at St. James, the Sunday morning schedule will be as follows:
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9:30 AM – One worship service in the sanctuary
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9:30 AM – G.I.F.T. in Horn Hall (ages 3 years – grade 6)
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10:30 AM – Snack ‘n Chat in Horn Hall
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10:30 AM – Children’s Choir in the Blue Room (grades 1-9)
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10:45 AM – Adult Sunday School in Adult Sunday School Room on lower level
THIS WEEK:
Today, September 17: Coptic Church – 8:30 AM–1:00 PM in Martin Luther Room
Confirmation Orientation – 10:30 AM in Horn Hall
WELCA – 10:30 AM in Horn Hall
Tuesday: Sew ‘n Sews – 6:30 PM
Church Council – 7:00 PM in Blue Room
Thursday: DAR – 10:30 AM in Horn Hall
Handbell Choir – 6:30 PM; Chancel Choir – 7:30 PM
Friday: Coptic Church – 5:30-7:00 AM
Men’s Bible Study – 8:00 AM
Saturday: Coptic Church – 4:30-8:30 PM in Martin Luther Room
Sunday, September 24: Coptic Church – 8:30 AM–1:00 PM in Martin Luther Room
CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION for parents and students will take place today at 10:30 AM in Horn Hall. Youth in grades 7-8 or older who have not been confirmed are eligible for confirmation.
WELCA NEWS: WELCA will host Snack ‘n Chat after today’s service followed by a Community Service Project for our neighbor church, St. John’s ‘Lil Pantry, helping those in need. All are welcome to stay and help with the packaging of your donated items and those purchased with Thrivent Action Team Card. A brief meeting will be held to provide information for the remainder of the year.
Snack ‘n Chat update: A new schedule has been posted for Snack ‘n Chat volunteers for September and October. Please see open dates to host. Can’t host but would like to donate? Please see or call Annette Renn at 610-970-7499.
CHOIR REHEARSALS: Handbell and Chancel Choir rehearsals are now being held each Thursday. Handbell Choir begins at 6:30 PM, Chancel Choir begins at 7:30 PM. Children’s Choir for children and youth in grades 1-9 is held at 10:30 AM in the Blue Room. If you have an interest in joining either choir, please see Tim.
AVAILABLE IN HORN HALL are the September-October issue of “Living Lutheran” and the October-December issue of “Christ in Our Home.”
THE FESTIVAL OF HARVEST HOME will be celebrated on October 15. Mums will decorate the altar for WELCA’s annual fall harvest display. If you would like to order mums to be used in the decorating, please fill out a form located on the table in the Narthex. The cost is $6.50 each. The form and payment in an envelope may be placed in the offering plate or mailed to the church office. Deadline is next Sunday, September 24. Mums may be picked up after the 9:30 AM service on October 15 for your home decorating.
2024 OFFERING ENVELOPES It’s time to order! Please communicate any changes to name, title, or address to Sherry at stjamespottstownfinance@gmail.com or Barbara in the church office by September 24. If you do not have envelopes currently and would like a set, please also contact with that update. No changes, then no communication needed.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS - Sunday, October 1, 1:00 PM, in Pat and Ted Baer’s side yard. The address is 1115 Rambler Avenue, across the street from St. James’ parking lot. Bring your pets for a prayer and blessing (please contain reptiles and rodents).
YOU ARE INVITED! Emmanuel Lutheran Church invites you to a Hymn Sing on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 3:00 PM. Come, bring a friend and sing traditional hymns and some praise band favorites. Light refreshments will be served. The hymn sing will be led by Steven Eisenhart, Director of Music, and Violet Mandic, Alive in Christ Worship Team Leader.
OUTREACH
THIRD SUNDAY OFFERING recipient for September is Alzheimer’s Association of Delaware Valley, Berks County. This Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association serves the greater Philadelphia area, the Lehigh Valley, Southern New Jersey, and the full state of Delaware. It is the premier source of information and support for the more than 489,000 residents who are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and their more than 809,000 caregivers. Through its network of staff and volunteers, the Chapter offers a broad range of free programs and services, funding for Alzheimer's and dementia research, and advocacy efforts on behalf of those across the region. (taken from www.alz.org/delval) St. James is registered for the Berks County Walk to End Alzheimers at Gring’s Mill Park, Reading, on Saturday, October 14. For information regarding the walk and/or donations, please see Annette Renn. St. James’ offering is applied to our team total.
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE needs your help! The Maui wildfires have claimed nearly 100 lives and destroyed homes, businesses, and lines of communication. The Big Island of Hawaii has also been impacted by wildfires, and more islands remain vulnerable to fires this season. Please consider giving a gift in support of those impacted. Checks may be made payable to St. James Lutheran Church, write ‘Lutheran Disaster Response’ on the memo line, and drop in the offering plate or mail to St. James.
DIAPER BANK at St. Paul’s UCC, 927 N. Franklin Street, Pottstown, will be open once per month on the fourth Wednesday. The demand is growing, but funds are running low. Please consider donating to this essential ministry by donating wipes, diapers, pull-ups, or by giving monetary contributions. St. Paul’s invites everyone to partner with them in any way possible. The Diaper Bank is available to local families where they receive free diapers, pull-ups, wipes, and other essentials for their children. They require nothing from the families; they simply ask what size(s) they need and how many children they have. St. Paul’s is grateful that God has called them to this ministry in this time and place.
“MOTHER GOOSE: READ TO ME” Needed: Gently used children’s books for ages Newborn to 3rd Grade. There will be a collection crate in Horn Hall marked “Mother Goose: Read to Me” book collection. “Mother Goose: Read to Me” is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting very early literacy with infants and their parents. Experienced volunteers distribute free, age-appropriate books to infants, birth to 18 months, and demonstrate to parents effective ways of talking and reading to babies to help build vocabulary skills. The gently used books are given to the older siblings of the newborn children. Any questions, please contact Marcia Tonkin, “Mother Goose: Read to Me” Volunteer: tonkin.3028@comcast.net or 610-220-6018. Thank you.
LET US PRAY FOR …
· Our brothers and sisters of St. Abanoub, who worship here. May God grow their ministry.
· All those who are risking health to care for us, respond to emergencies, prepare medications, grow and transport food, and countless other essential tasks.
Members, family and friends: Louise Hughes, Stephanie Durn, Shaun O'Rourke, George Monshower, Gayle Trout, Shirley Acree, Lesley Blackwell, Jeff, Carter Matthew Levan, Amanda DeFalco, Mark Kray, Logan Williams, Josephine Spinosa, Michael Eshbach, Bonnie Weider, Seth Recore, Rob Krasley, Butch Worrall, John Lucitus, Robin Finnegan, Jetta, Tricia Korutz, Erin, James Reidnauer, Carol Jones, Nina Drauschak, Linda Thomas, Robert Johannes, Laurel Arbogast, Janet Mest, Amanda Cooney, Lonnie Hillegass, Elwood Boehler and family, Robert Truslow and family, Wendy Hallman, Irene Schneider, Celine Broeker, Billy Galway, Holly Horne, Lou Rabito, Barbara Morgan, Mary Murphy, Ellen Ibach, Brad Smith, Debbie Fisher, Edward Maenner, Angel Alvarez, Sue Tokonitz, Pat Hennessy, Barbara Kleinfelter, Sydney West, Bob DuVal, David Loughlin, Joe Saladino, Pastor Barry Dagenhart, Jack Jones, Anthony Pagano.
Military: Ryan Bergman, Michael Hood, Jonathan Sherlock, Dan Langevin, Ryan Strehl, Brian Rohn, Brian Wood, Brent Beckwith, Noelle Henninger, Chad Brown, Aaron Gonder, Andrew Morris, JT Gresh.
Homebound: Diana Cassell, Jean Drauschak, Joan Gardiner, Kathryn Geist, Bette Hoffman, Patty Hoffman, Perry Sanville, Barbara Thornton, Herb Ziegler.
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ~ 1 John 4:7-8