"We share God's inclusive and eternal love with everyone!"

St. James Lutheran Church

"In the City for Good"

Welcome!

From Pastor David:

WELCOME TO ST. JAMES!

This website serves as our “front door” to ministry in downtown Portland. We offer an array of options. We invite you to consider — what fits you?

Join us for Sunday in-person Eucharist worship (at 9:30am in our sanctuary), or participate via recorded video worship posted to our website each Sunday afternoon (Communications > Worship & Sermons).
Feed those who live on our Portland streets five times a week by preparing food boxes, or donate to purchase food and needed supplies.
Deepen your spiritual life with Saturday Contemplative Prayer via Zoom, in-person Wednesday morning Centering Prayer, or join our recorded Bible Study (3 series a year) or virtual Healing Prayer events.
Help guide our St. James low-income Apartment ministry (122 units), or enroll your child at our St. James Child Development Center (infant through kindergarten-aged children). Presently over 80 children are enrolled.
Share your creative imagination with our St. James Art Group, or offer your musical skills as our choir prepares to return this fall.
Meditate on classical music and meaningful Sunday liturgy, or enjoy our monthly Jazz Vespers services on YouTube now and in-person beginning August 15th at 5:00pm.
Jump onboard to live out your faith with acts of JUSTICE by exploring our embedded attitudes concerning race, gender and LGBTQ+ rights, or be hands-on with our Caring For Creation efforts.
Partner with us to reach beyond our doors by supporting Lutheran World Relief’s efforts to bring the vaccine to all countries, or pack boxes of school/health kits to meet worldwide needs.
Join us for the life-changing moments of baptism, fall Sunday School, weddings, celebrations, and memorials; stay connected through Book Club, WELCA, or our Card Ministry; or sit down for a cup of coffee with Pastor David.

There are lots of options at St. James. What fits you as we follow the Risen-Christ?

–Pastor David Knapp

Worship Services

Sunday Morning Worship

- Sunday Morning In-Person Worship
  9:30am Eucharist at:
  St. James Lutheran Church
  1315 SW Park Ave.
  Portland, OR 97201

- Sunday Morning Online Worship
  Join us online on the St. James YouTube channel -- or here on this website.

Midweek Eucharist

NOTE: Midweek Eucharist is on hiatus until Ash Wednesday during the next season of Lent in 2026.
Midweek Eucharist began again on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 -- and continued every following Wednesday at 12:00 Noon through May 14th, 2025. Pastor David led and Colin was at the piano. Starting last March, Pastor David guided us in a Bible Study on the themes of the book of Exodus titled "Unlikely Moses and the Nine Commandments." It took place immediately following the Wednesday service.
We hope that you will join us again for Midweek Eucharist and Bible Study during Lent in 2026.

- Wednesday Eucharist
  30-minute 12:00 Noon service in Pioneer Chapel.

Bach Cantata Vespers

- Bach Cantata Vespers
  
  NOTE: Our next Bach Cantata Vespers will take place on Sunday, November 9th, 2025, starting at 4:00pm in our St. James sanctuary. This performance will feature BWV 106 "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit" (God's time is the very best time). If you are interested in participating with the choir or the Cantatas, please reach out to Interim Choir Director John Cox through the St. James front office.
  
  We look forward to seeing you again for more Bach Cantata Vespers in the future.
  
  Jazz Vespers
  - - Jazz Vespers
      Every 3rd Sunday at 4:50pm.
  Once again this year, we were pleased to be a venue for the PDX Jazz Festival. This month, be sure to join us in-person on Sunday, October 19th, 2025 at 4:50pm in our St. James sanctuary for the second concert of our 2025-2026 Jazz Vespers series -- our special guest for this live performance is John Nastos on woodwinds.
  Musical accompaniment by Mike Horsfall on piano, Kevin Deitz on bass, and Tim Rap on drums. Della Simone is serving as cantor, and Pastor David Knapp is our liturgist. We invite you to attend as we return to our recently renovated St. James Lutheran Church building and we ask you to make a freewill donation (offering) to help support our musicians as we begin our 2025-2026 season. October marks the second month of this recurring 12-month Jazz Vespers series.
  Please check out the complete schedule for our new 2025-2026 season by navigating to "Life at St. James > Worship & Music > Jazz Vespers" on the main navigation menu at the top of this page. Or you can click here to link directly to our "Jazz Vespers" page.
  
  In addition to the live performances of our current St. James Jazz Vespers series -- please remember that you may still enjoy some of our prior Jazz Vespers on video.
  You can find links to previous Jazz Vespers recordings by navigating to "Communications > Music" on the main navigation menu at the top of this page. Or you can click here to link directly to the "Music" page.
  
  NOTE: We are delighted that the new CD "St. James Jazz Vespers - We'll Be Together Again" has been released and is available for $20 at the St. James office. It is a collection of tunes recorded during the pandemic by The Mike Horsfall Trio and guests of the St. James Vespers. Enjoy!
  
  Please join us again next month for another great Jazz performance -- when we continue our 2025-2026 season of Jazz Vespers with a performance by Israel Annoh on percussion, Kevin Dietz on bass, and Mike Horsfall on vibes -- starting at 4:50pm on Sunday, November 16th, 2025. We'll have more Jazz -- as always -- on the third Sunday of each month.

“Your kingdom come; your will be done …”

From the Pastor’s Desk …

Are you heaven-bound?

The American philosopher Dalles Willard authored a book in 1998 titled “The Divine Conspiracy.” In it he suggests:

“I am thoroughly convinced that God will let anyone into heaven who, in his considered opinion, can stand it.”

Can we stand it? The central message of Jesus’ earthly ministry was the Kingdom of God. God is busy among us building a society at odds with what the world offers. This kingdom – this new way of living – ushers in seeds of compassion, hope, love of our neighbor and care for God’s creation. It is counter-cultural as we turn the other cheek. We pray for our enemies. We know our money is to be shared. Our lives are an act of treating all with dignity. We pray for this kingdom.

But what if we don’t see value in this new-kingdom way of life? Since God’s kingdom will be fully experienced in heaven, if we don’t appreciate those attributes here, why would we be comfortable with them in an after-life? Thus Dalles Willard’s implied question: will we be able to stand heaven?

This month at St. James five young people will confirm their faith in this new kingdom (October 26th). We will offer our volunteer time when 20 committees/groups are represented at our Ministry Fair (October 12th). We will begin a four-week emphasis on recognizing our giftedness in Christ (October 12th – November 9th). All of it is kingdom-work and a taste of heaven that demands both joy and challenge. Unless, of course … we can’t stand it.

–Pastor David

Worship Area Updates …

Our thanks to Don and Doris Nielsen and Larry Larsen who have been working with the St. James Council to enhance sanctuary lighting and restore lighting fixtures with a sense of our 135 year architectural history in mind. Work on these lighting changes will begin October 6th.

St. James is In The City For Good …

Join us for all the events of our St. James Autumn Stewardship Emphasis. It was 135 years ago that we were planted in the center of the city. Now we employ our gifts, talents and resources faithfully for the common good. Thus our theme verse from Isaiah is “You will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” Here is how we will recognize and share our gifts:

Sunday, October 12th — Ministry Fair after worship. Over 20 of our ministries will be represented. Where will you volunteer?
Sunday, October 19th — Allowing our giftedness to sing. Music Director John Cox will share “Twelve Songs that Changed the World.”
Sunday, October 26th — Reformation and Confirmation Sunday. Our young people will share their faith as we continue to reform and grow.
Sunday, November 2nd — Our All Saints celebration highlights the gifts of those who came before us. Luther Seminary President Robin Steinke is our guest from Minnesota.
Sunday, November 9th — We bless our “Estimate of Giving” cards at the altar. That afternoon our musicians share their gifts with a Bach Cantata Vespers Service.

Confirmation Day — Reformation Sunday …

On Sunday, October 26th, five of our young people will complete their ten-month learning journey and affirm their baptism by confirming their faith. They have spent time monthly exploring the Bible, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the sacraments and taking field trips to learn of others’ pattern of spirituality. On their special day we will hear faith statements in their own words. It will be a Reformation Day to remember. Congratulations to Emmett Deitrick, Eric McCargar and Meg, Blake and Mira Allan.

Luther Seminary President at St. James …

On Sunday, November 2nd, seminary president Dr. Robin Steinke will step into our St. James pulpit as we commemorate All Saints Sunday. Dr. Steinke has served as the leader of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN since 2014. St. James member David Rutlen presently serves on the Luther Seminary Board. After worship at 11:00am she will take your questions at an Open Space titled “Where Have All The Churches Gone.”

New Members — Sunday, November 23rd …

St. James will again welcome new members into our church family. On Sunday, November 23rd we will introduce them during worship and get to know them better at the reception that follows. If you also would like to make St. James your church home, please speak with Pastor David.

Your Daily Devotional …

St. James joins Lutheran Churches around the country in a shared daily devotional booklet. Copies of “Christ in Our Home” are available four times a year at St. James with the most recent issue spanning October – December. You will find them on the coffee hour tables for you to take home.

Your Vision Task Force …

At our July 135th anniversary event, the St. James Council called upon five members to review our St. James Mission Statement and provide suggestions for our future ministry. This group, led by Cathie Coffman, has been meeting at least once a month and hopes to present these suggestions at our January 2026 Annual Congregational Meeting. Our thanks to members Andrew Lyle, Leigh Nelson, Martin Mills and David Rutlen.

Visiting Those In Their Homes …

Did you know that thirteen St. James members are being visited monthly by our trained Visitation Team? In addition to Pastor David’s visits, the team members bring the church community to those who are home-bound or who would benefit from a church connection. Our thanks to our visitation team members Sue Hammond (coordinator), Scott Ellertson, Jane Pahlmeyer, Sue McBerry, Marsha Gulick and Mary Ellen Isensee.