Welcome
When we gather for worship, we connect with believers everywhere.
When we study the Bible and pray, we are drawn more deeply into God’s own saving story.
When we serve others and address social issues that affect the common good, we live out our Christian faith.
Church Services:
Saturday Worship
5:30 PM
Sunday Worship
10:15 AM
Sunday Bible Study
7:00 PM
Sunday School
Adult 9:00 AM
Children 9:00 AM
Upcoming Events:
February 14 - Jerry Johnson Memorial Blood Drive 11am-6pm
February 21 - Fat Tuesday Pancake Feed 8am-4pm
February 22 - Ash Wednesday Services - 12pm and 7pm
February 24 - Youth/Family Hockey Night 7pm
February 29 - Soup Suppers @ 5:30pm
Outlaw Ranch Retreats
MS Grades 6-9 March 2-3
Elementary Grades 3-7 April 29
Women's Retreat April 13-15th
For more information on any of these retreats, check it out online
Be sure to check out the Church Newsletter for details and more!
St. James Radio
St. James Radio Broadcast
Did you realize that on those days that you just can’t make it to church, you could listen to the broadcast on local radio stations? Turn your radio to either KBFS-AM at 1450 or KYDT-FM at 103.1, and you will hear our worship service at 10:15 AM every Sunday. We know we have a number of regular listeners, and we do greatly appreciate your input on how the service is coming over the air. Please call the church at 723- 3923 and let us know if there is some way we can improve the broadcast.
St. James Lutheran Church
Whether you are a new member or just visiting, we want to let you know how excited we are in having you here. Our web site contains helpful information about the varied ministries and programs of St. James Lutheran Church.
St. James membership is comprised of individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds. We faithfully preach and teach the living word of God to help you further develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, we nurture Christian lives by meeting spiritual needs and make disciples through our witness. We are, by the grace of God, the St. James Lutheran Church.
Please consider yourself an important part of the St. James Church family. Here you will find a church in which you will be welcomed, greeted, loved, and cared for, in the name of Jesus the Risen Savior. There is a very special place for you at St. James, and if you haven't already, we hope you will consider making St. James your church home.
A Message from Pastor Jeff
To the great members and friends of St. James Lutheran Church,
I have a chess set on my table that gets much use as people walk by or stop in. Chess is a fairly complicated game, and yet so many people want to play. I am decent at playing chess and can teach others how to play chess, but the game is not in there for me to win or lose or even for teaching. Yet the board and chess set are there so we can take time to
talk. Chess takes time, and conversations take time, and the opportunity to play gives opportunity for laughter and serious talk as we play the game.
I don't play the game to win, although that might happen, but I play the game to get to know you and vice versa. I once played another pastor, and he bit me soundly, but he wouldn't play me again because I might figure out how to beat him. He saw the game as a way to one up each other, and that is not how I see it; the game is a game, not my life.
Luke Norris is just starting to get to know me, and he is learning to play chess. He will learn to beat me, but more importantly, we will develop a relationship while playing the game. Kenny Coyle and I have been playing, and we are evenly matched, but it is the conversations that happen during the chess match that have me intrigued. My son, Isaac, is a formidable player, and he had the opportunity to play Abraham Gayetaye twice. The conversations that ensued were fascinating to listen to.
I have many different games in my office, different objects, and sometimes the room is a bit too cluttered. But the clutter is part of the stuff that enables me to actually sit and have a conversation about your relationship to God, to this church, and to this community. I love the opportunity to engage and have conversations while playing chess or fiddling with an art project over coffee in my office and sharing with you about the faith that makes you tick.
I look forward to your coming by and sitting down with me to teach me a new move in chess or to just have a conversation. Keep all the saints in prayer, those who are doing well and those who are struggling to make sense of their lives. I am praying for you and look forward to seeing you soon.
It's your move,
Pastor Jeff M. Otterman
Church Notes:
Join the South Dakota Synod's "Big Read"
The congregations across South Dakota are invited to participate in "The Big Read" by reading and discussing together the book, Fearless: Imagine your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado. Pastor Lucado confronts the issue of fear and uncertainty with the straightforward good news of Jesus Christ. The book is a quick read and is perfect for use during the season of Lent. In fact, the services at St. James Lutheran during Lent will be based on this book. If you would like to order a copy of the book for yourself, you can buy the hardcover for $15.98 or the paperback for $2.99 at Amazon. If you need help in ordering this, please speak to Pastor Jeff or ask in the office, and we should be able to help you. But you must order quickly if you would like to have the book in time for our Lenten services.
Youth/Family Hockey Night
Once again we will be going as a church group to watch the Rush hockey team play the Quad City Mallards in Rapid City on Friday, February 24, at 7:05 PM. Tickets in the Upper Bowl Seating are $17.50 each.
Last year we had about 35 people attend this event, and the year before we had about 90 people. If we carpool, it makes it easier for more people to go. Pastor Jeff will be purchasing the tickets for us, so you
will need to reimburse him for the tickets. Please sign up at the back of the church if you wish to buy tickets and indicate how many tickets you need to buy. Then pay Pastor Jeff back as soon as possible because tickets will be purchased soon.
Fat Tuesday
To kick off the season of Lent, the Lutheran Men in Mission Group will be hosting the Fat Tuesday Pancake Feed on Tuesday, February 21, from 8 AM to 4 PM. Please come and enjoy some of the rather UNUSUAL pancakes for which this group has become famous!
Lenten Worship Services
Our Lent services this year will be conducted by different area pastors on a rotating basis. Pastor Jeff will be conducting our Ash Wednesday services as well as the service on February 29. The March 7 service
will be conducted by Pastor Dana Lockhart from Grand River Lutheran Church in Buffalo. On March 14, the service will be conducted by Pastor Jon Mapa from Atonement Lutheran Church in Rapid City. The service on March 21 will be conducted by Pastor Carol Mapa of Piedmont Valley Lutheran Church. Pastor
Jeff will be back at our church for the final service on March 28. As mentioned earlier in the newsletter, the sermons will be based on the book Fearless: Imagine your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado.
