A SUMMER OF CHANGE

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!” Ps 150:6

I’m reading a book right now, and it has me thinking about change. Any book that gets me thinking is my kind of book. Maybe that’s why so much of my reading is the Bible. I want to read and learn about me and this amazing world and people in it and God’s love and mercy. Change, as you know, is inevitable.

I wonder how things will be different before the next newsletter comes out in September. Where will St. James be? Where will I be? What changes will occur in our community? What family changes will there be? What will be the ‘big stories’ that captures the attention of people? How will we respond? Changes come to us whether we want them to or not. Change forces us to adapt to a new view and perhaps adjust to a ‘new’ normal.

While change in and of itself is not a bad thing, it can be scary. The way I deal with changes, both planned and unplanned, is to keep perspective on what I can think and do and what I can’t. We are not called to fix every situation and every one. I can love the Lord and love others to Jesus. This is the one thing that as a Christian I am not only called to do but get to do everyday no matter when, where, or how. Paul said it this way, “for me to live is Christ...”

What I will be working on this summer is how I view and adapt to change in my life. One more thing, don’t forget the summer change of worship times at church of 8am and 10am. No matter what changes come your way this summer, may you be rooted in that which never changes – Jesus, our sure foundation for all things. Let’s be part of everything that has breath and Praise the LORD!


Peace and Joy in Christ,
  Pastor Mark Gilson


OFFICIAL ACTS
Baptisms 0
Confirmations 5 Grace Hasenbank (5/7/23)
Matthew Hedges (5/7/23)
Ty McCormick (5/7/23)
Molly Mulder (5/7/23)
Wren Tryska (5/7/23)
Weddings 0
Funerals 2 Bill Van Fank (5/19/23)
Matthew McNeil (5/20/23)



Reminder

Summer worship hours begin
June through August
1st Service ~ 8:00 am
2nd Service ~ 10:00 am




Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The school year is almost over! Summer is just a few weeks away! Things are so so good! I can’t help but praise God for all that He has done over the past month. He IS in control and knows exactly the perfect timing for all things.

Summer is finally here and it’s full! The Junior High youth Gathering, Senior High Youth Gathering, Alaska Mission Trip, and VBS are all around the corner. Its gonna be busy. It’s during times like this that it is so crucial to remember to rest. Summer is fun with all it’s activities but remember what really restores you…The Word. I want to share a few verses with you that would be wise to take into this summer.

Proverbs 13:25 says this,
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Psalm 120:105 says this,
“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.”

It’s all about Jesus. Remember He calls us to rest in Him. Enjoy the summer, enjoy the Word.

Things to mark for your calendar:
June 3-4th – Frankenmuth Junior High Youth Gathering
June 9-19th – Alaska Mission Trip
June 21th – 24th – Russell in Wisconsin for his sister’s wedding
June 26th – 28th – Mackinac Island Youth Gathering
July 5th – Parade!
July 13th – Family Pool Day
July 16th – VBS Prep Day
July 16th – Disc Golf
July 17-22nd – Russell serving at Camp Lutherhaven
July 24rd – 27th – VBS
July 27th- Youth Lake Day
August 3nd – Youth Lock Out
August 10th – Unity Fest Youth Day
August 17th – Family Pool Day
August 20th – Lutherans for Life Training day
August 21th – Youth Event
August 31th – Confirmation Parent meeting

Things are tentative to change. Times will be announced for each event in the bulletin. The best most up-to-date place to check for calendar information will be the weekly bulletin.

Remember, VBS takes a lot to plan and many hands are needed to help. Prayerfully consider helping out this summer.
In Christ,
  Russell Baumann ~ John 3:30

Transition Committee → Call Committee

After months of surveys, interviews, collecting and compiling information about our St. James church family, the work of the Transition Team has come to an end and the work of calling a new pastor now shifts to the Call Committee. The Call Committee is made up of eleven members appointed by the chairman from a broad cross section of our church family. All of the information collected by the Transition Team has been submitted to the District President's office where a list of available pastoral candidates will be produced. Once the call list is received, hopefully by the first of July, it will be the job of the Call Committee to evaluate and prioritize the candidates and select several candidates for further consideration. These candidates will be interviewed and a final list of candidates will be selected for consideration by the congregation. At the Call Meeting the committee will present the information on each candidate and may offer recommendations and evaluations of each one. At that time there will be a Congregational Vote to select the Candidate to Call. Over the next weeks and months pray for the Call Committee and its members. Pray that they may exercise wisdom and discernment in considering the candidates. Pray that they take time and listen to the guidance of our Heavenly Father in selecting the right candidate to shepherd our congregation.

  Keith Ramthun, Call Committee

GOOD SHEPHERD PRESCHOOL

May was a month of joyous celebrations for Good Shepherd Preschool! We celebrated:

Thank you to everyone who helped with the planning, preparation, and attended these events.

The summer months are a time of preparing for next school year. There are many supplies and materials that are needed for the day to day operations of the preschool. I am seeking your help and support with the purchasing of some of these supplies. We go through A LOT of tissues, paper towels, and napkins. If you are able, please consider purchasing some of these items during the summer months and dropping them off in the preschool rooms. You can also make a monetary donation by dropping it off in a labeled envelope to the church office and I will do the shopping. Every little bit helps and this is an easy way for you to support the ministry of Good Shepherd Preschool. As planning continues there will be more ways for you to give. Watch the Sunday bulletins throughout the summer for updates. Thank you for your support!!

Blessings and Joy,
  Marilee

2023-2024 Preschool Enrollment is Open
M-W-F: 4-5 year olds, 9:00-11:30 $145/month
T-Th: 3-4 year olds, 9:00-11:00 $110/month

Thank You!

Dear St. James Family,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the generous congregational gift and Open House that you held for me to celebrate my retirement. Thank you for attending and sharing the day with my family and I. The cards, gifts, and kind words will long be remembered. Your support through all these years has been a blessing to me. The opportunity to share the love of Jesus with His children is a gift I will treasure. The friendships through the years with families and their children are friendships for a lifetime. I'm excited for what's to come.

Now it is time to support Marilee Bailey & Kellie Rachow as they continue to share, grow, love, and laugh with the children from our church family and our surrounding communities.

Prayers for Marilee & Kellie as they move Good Shepherd Preschool forward.

  Blessings ~ Ellen Grimm

Graduation Sunday

June 4th, at 10:00 am Service

Congratulation to our 2023 Graduates…God bless your journey!

Elizabeth Bentz
Katelynn Cooper
Wyatt Davis
Will Ramthun
Olivia Stout
Billie Tryska
Summer Turpin

"Grieving with Hope"

We will be meeting Thursday, June 8, at 6:30 pm. There is still time to join us as we share our memories, tears, and reassurances in God's Word.
  Thank you ~ Kathi Strahl

Don't Forget

Father's Day is Sunday, June 18th Thank you Dad, for all you do!

Trombone Camp 2023

We are, once again, hosting the Trombone Camp here at St. James. Camp begins Monday, June 19th, and runs through Sunday, June 25th.

BLOOD DRIVE

Wednesday, June 28th, beginning at 10:00 am

Happy Birthday America!

Tuesday, July 4th! America, America, God shed His grace on thee…

You are the Light of the World

Vacation Bible School 2023, July 23rd-27th from 5:00-7:45

We still have some open spots on our sign up sheets for the week of VBS this year. Dates are July 23rd-27th.

We are looking for people to lead games, be group leaders and helpers, help with registration, and to be floats wherever needed each day.

We need volunteers to be on the decoration committee and/or to help with set up and tear down of all the decorations. The volunteer dates are:
Keep an eye out for the donation table that will be going up around June 25th!

Call or text me if you have any questions at (260)458-4286

Thank you!
  Emilie Baumann

White Lake Chamber Music Festival

Our church is hosting "seven" of the classical music events scheduled for August 5-13!

St. James concerts are scheduled for:
Saturday, August 5th and Tuesday-Saturday, August 7th - August 12th
Each performance begins at 7:00 pm.

We are asking for 1-2 volunteers for each performance. Volunteer responsibilities would include being here at 6:00p, unlocking the church and turning on the lights…being available to the organizers/performers if they have any questions, then turning off the lights & locking up the church.

This is a great community outreach for our church! If you are interested, please sign up on the bulletin board!

Thank you!!

Love Family News

Continue to mark your envelopes for "Love Family". Money goes towards member shut-in meals and helping out families with needs. They truly appreciate being thought about!

Prayer Chain

Please call Doris Grover (894-4753) OR Lolita Silvis (750-9679) for ALL prayer requests. Any new members wishing to join the prayer chain please call Doris for the call list or Jeri Wonders (231-855-0418) for the email list. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

City of Montague Senior Millage Allocation

The City of Montague City Council recently approved the proposed allocation for senior millage funds for fiscal year 22/23.

The City's Health Initiatives program will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to seniors and access to fitness facilities for physical activity. Both programs will be administered by the City through a monthly voucher system. Each senior resident within the City can register and receive a monthly access pass to the Viking Athletic Center (VAC), a $30 dollar value, as well as $30 in coupons for use at the Montague Farmers Market. Senior residents can re-register at the beginning of each month to receive another monthly access pass and another set of coupons. To sign up for the Montague Farmers Market coupons and/or VAC membership, simply stop by Montague City Hall at 8778 Ferry Street. Residents must live within the City of Montague and be aged 60 or up. Please call Montague City Hall at (231)893-1155 with any questions. Other participating municipalities include Fruitland Township and Whitehall Township.

Pro-Life

What if you could change someone's mind about abortion in minutes?

Live Action's "What is Abortion?" videos are doing just that. We regularly take to the streets and talk to self-proclaimed "pro-choice" individuals to see whether or not these videos will change their minds...and they do, powerfully.

Recently, we spoke to three young women, one of whom was pregnant, who claimed to be "pro-choice" - until they saw Live Action's "What is Abortion?" video explaining a first-trimester suction D&C abortion procedure. After watching the clips of female former abortionists explaining what the most prevalent abortion procedures in America entail, all three had a change of heart.

Watch the video here: https://www.liveaction.org/pro-choice-women-change-their-minds

A young woman named Katie also changed her mind after watching Live Action's second-trimester D&E abortion procedure video. After learning about the procedure, she admitted that abortion "mutilates a child" and even said she now wants more legal restrictions on abortion.

You can see the interview here: https://www.liveaction.org/mots-she-supported-abortion-to-birth-until-this/

One thing is certain: most Americans have no idea what abortion is, and when people see the truth about abortion, they change. When people learn the truth, they can't help but view abortion more negatively.

Thank you for standing with us as we work to transform our society into a culture that cherishes every human life, one heart and one mind at a time.

Josef Lipp
Chief Operating Officer
LiveAction

Thrivent Update

SECURE 2.0 Aims to Brighten the Future for Retirement Savers

The $1.7 trillion appropriations bill passed by Congress at the end of last year included some notable provisions affecting workplace retirement plans and IRAs. Dubbed the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, the new legislation builds on the sweeping Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act that was passed in 2019.

The following is a brief summary of some of the most notable initiatives.


These provisions represent just a sampling of the many changes that will be brought about by SECURE 2.0. To learn more, contact your Thrivent Financial Advisors, Marci Bentz and Tony De Nicolo at the Whitehall office by calling 231-894-8886, texting 231-760-8246, or email whitehalloffice@thrivent.com

Online Service Directions!

How to watch our services online step by step: on Facebook Live on Sundays at 8:00 am
  1. In the top search bar... Go to https://www.facebook.com/stjamesmontague/videos
    (You do not need to have a Facebook account page to access this)
  2. Close the popup box asking to login to your Facebook account.
  3. Scroll down through the Facebook page until you come across the most recent videos
  4. Click on the Live video of the church service.
  5. Explore the rest of the Facebook page and watch other videos. 😊


May Birthdays
06/01Edwin Bender06/17Betty Hager
06/02Aidan Buchberger06/18Jase Lohman
06/02Harper Seymour06/18Louie Bender
06/03Char Dean06/19Brianna Bentz
06/03Christine Claus06/19Hannah Jandt
06/03Joel Best06/20Karissa Tryska
06/04Roger Smith06/20Paul Schultz
06/05Royce Kroll06/22Olive Oquist
06/07Robin Owens06/23Courtney Friday
06/08Lynn Pastras06/25April Lipka
06/08Riley Mulder06/25Isaiah Towne
06/09Bob Wackernagel06/25Kendall Rachow
06/09Dave Ramthun06/26Carrie Strahl
06/10Alyssa Goodrich06/26Clayton VanBlargen
06/11June Buchberger06/26Jared Justian
06/14Adalynn Dean06/27Amy Urban
06/14Stacy O'Connell06/28Gail Treptow-Crane

July Birthdays
07/01Melinda O'Connell07/16Vicki Vanderlaan
07/03Odin Oquist07/17Elizabeth Birkhofer
07/05Carol Towne07/17Genevieve Kroll
07/05Jeremy Turpin07/17Kyle Stevenson
07/06Bob Dean07/18Henry Schultz
07/06Cameren Cooper07/18Sue Streblow
07/06Carol Crevier07/19Zach Buckberger
07/07Briann Justian07/21Delaney Hopma
07/09Dave McNeil07/21Henry Friday
07/09Tyler Grover07/21Theodore Huls
07/10Brent Rogers07/24Alex Goodrich
07/10Leif Oquist07/25Gerry Hissong
07/10Wolfgang Koenig07/25Peyton Schultz
07/11Charlotte Rice07/25Randy Zeller
07/11Lily Stevenson07/27Henry Bailey
07/11Marilee Bailey07/27Jack Bailey
07/13Nikki Seymour07/27Julie Grow
07/13Ty McCormick07/27Olivia Johnston
07/14Kashton Ramthun07/31Marsha Schlager
07/15Eric Vanderlaan

August Birthdays
08/01John Patrick08/12Fred Bentz
08/01Kim Hardy08/12Ruschel Friday
08/01Mike Griffith08/14Ron Barrs
08/03Beth Meacham08/16Eloise Baxter
08/03Ruth Ann Francis08/16Pam Kroll
08/04Art Jones08/17Rusty Streblow
08/05Sarah Justian08/18Dre DeRose
08/05Shelby Friday08/18Killian Nordlund
08/06Oliver Bantien08/19Faith Mayville
08/07Keira Lindstrom08/20Amber Mayville
08/07Lolita Silvis08/20Stephen Stout
08/08Gloria Alvarez08/20Virginia Roesler
08/08Grace Kool08/21Rich Canniff
08/08Mary Ann McPheron08/22Julia Hasenbank
08/08Matthew Hedges08/24Brooke Sheesley
08/08Patti Engelter08/24Janet Gifford
08/09Ben Stevenson08/24Penny Mayville
08/09Betsy Patrick08/25Vicki Schultz
08/09Martin LaFever08/26Evelyn DeLong
08/09Wren Mills08/26Rich Kessler, Jr.
08/10Becky Winters08/26Willa Mills
08/11Cathy Hissong08/28Angie Wigren
08/11Kelly Vantien08/30Dylan Hopma
08/12Dale McKenzie08/30Tracy Sheesley



SERVING IN JUNE
8:0010:00
ELDERSKeith RamthunHenry Friday
TRUSTEESRon BaileyJoe Goodrich
ACOLYTES
 
 
USHERSJim SilvisBrad VanBergen
Bill TreptowKen VanBergen
Jason CooperGary Mason
Rich LaFranceChristian Mason
ALTAR CARERon Barrs & Angie Wigren
PRAYER PARTNER4thFrank MorningstarNo Second
11thRoyce KrollService
18thDan HardyPrayer Partners
25thPhil Albrecht
GREETERS4thM/M Frank MorningstarM/M Tom Kring
11thMarge BlockM/M Jeff O'Connell
18thRich LaFranceM/M Tom Mott
25thMarva RiggsM/M VanBergen
MULTI-MEDIA4thEric LindstromFriday Family
11thAlicia KoskiEric Lindstrom
18thJeri WondersLizbeth Bentz
25thApril LipkaJill Squire
COFFEE HOUR4thNancy & Merle Bernhardt
11thPat Ramthun & Jennifer Mulder
18thMarilee & Ron Bailey
25thWendy Kessler & Jen Huizenga
NURSERY (Service Only)4thKim DuBois
11thSarah Bernhardt
18thTina Timmich
25thBentz Family
ALTAR FLOWERS4thNeubauer
11th
18thSchroeder
25thZeller/Soderborg Wedding


SERVING IN JULY
8:0010:00
ELDERSChris HasenbankJeff Boulet
TRUSTEESJosh HulsJoel Best
ACOLYTES
 
 
USHERSTom BlinkJeff O'Connell
Kevin BuchbergerJoel O'Connell
Claude BabcockKyle Stevenson
Joel Best
ALTAR CAREPat Smith & Susana Albrechtsen
PRAYER PARTNER2ndRon BaileyNo Second
9thRick GiffordService
16thJosh HulsPrayer Partners
23rdEric Lindstrom
30thRon Barrs
GREETERS2ndM/M Phil AlbrechtM/M Steve Urban
9thAlicia & Ethan KoskiM/M Jared Justian
16thM/M Brent RogersM/M Greg Neubauer
23rdM/M Jerry GardnerMary Ann McPheron
30thM/M Roger BuchbergerM/M Dan Osborn
MULTI-MEDIA2ndEric LindstromFriday Family
9thAlicia KoskiEric Lindstrom
16thJeri WondersLizbeth Bentz
23rdApril LipkaJill Squire
30thEric LindstromFriday Family
COFFEE HOUR2ndDeeDee Treptow & Kelly Bantien
9thKim DuBois & Lauren Mills
16thFaith Mayville & Candy Stevens
23rdKim Wackernagel & Beth Meacham
30thEileen Schroeder & Dianne Gardner
NURSERY (Service Only)2ndElizabeth Birkhofor
9thJustian Family
16thJill Squire
23rdAmber Lanning
30thLauren Mills
ALTAR FLOWERS2ndLisa Siedenstrang
9th
16th
23rd
30thRussell & Emilie Baumann


SERVING IN AUGUST
8:0010:00
ELDERSChris HasenbankMerle Bernhardt
TRUSTEESCasey SeymourRuschel Friday
ACOLYTES
 
 
USHERSRay GrowJason Rice
Bob WackernagelCaleb Rice
Jake WackernagelRoger Simon
Sam Wackernagel
ALTAR CARESue Streblow & Marsha Schlager
PRAYER PARTNER6thJordan LohmanNo Second
13thAlan MayvilleService
20thLouie MayvillePrayer Partners
27thGeorge McLaughlin
GREETERS6thM/M Kevin BuchbergerM/M Todd Tryska
13thLisa SiedenstrangM/M Henry Friday
20thMarsha RameyDiane Babcock
27thKaren ChamberlainJudy Best
MULTI-MEDIA6thAlicia KoskiEric Lindstrom
13thEric LindstromFriday Family
20thJeri WondersLizbeth Bentz
27thApril LipkaJill Squire
COFFEE HOUR6thKellie Rachow & Girls
13thAlicia Koski & April Lipka
20thKatie & Lilly Rice & Tanya Simon
27thAmanda & Katelyn Cooper
NURSERY (Service Only)6thAmy Wackernagel
13thNikki Seymour
20thKatie & Lilly Rice
27thJennifer Moore
ALTAR FLOWERS6thSusana & Dennis Albrechtsen
13thRex & Pat Allen
20thDuBois/Griffith
27th



Reminder

If you are unable to fulfill your assigned duty, please make arrangements with someone before or after you on the list. Thanks!

Funeral Families

If we have a funeral, Faith Mayville, our Luncheon Coordinator will contact you for help. Each funeral luncheon requires table/chair set up, food donations, food servers (kitchen staff), and table/chair take down. Faith will let you know what is needed.